Porter takes on 'mentor' Baker and visiting Reds

HOUSTON -- Astros manager Bo Porter spoke glowingly Monday afternoon about veteran Reds manager Dusty Baker, who is in town this week with the Reds in what is now an Interleague matchup, and even went as far as calling Baker a mentor.

"It's almost like father-son," said Porter, in his first year managing the Astros. "We talked today; we talk all the time. We talk throughout the offseason, and he's a huge mentor of mine and a person that I've leaned on for advice at different stages of our relationship. It's a special relationship and will always be that way."

Porter said Baker deserves to be in the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a manager. Baker is in his 20th year as a manager, including the last six with the Reds. He's managed more than 3,100 games and took the Giants to the World Series in 2002.

"You look at the number of victories and the number of different clubs he's led to prominence, the results pretty much speak for themselves," Porter said. "Aside from the resume, just the person he is and the different things in which he has done for the communities in which he's managed and the many people that have had an opportunity to cross his path. His motto is, 'Impact people and make people's lives better,' and he's done that for me."

Baker called the comments flattering.

"It also means I've been around a long time," Baker said. "It's nice to know I could have a positive influence on somebody. We usually have lunch wherever he's been -- Florida Marlins, Washington. He's called me quite often just for advice. I've called him to see how he's doing.

"I respect Bo. He's going to be a fine manager. They just have to give him some time; not only him, but for the players to mature. They've got a lot of young players. The organization has to decide which ones are the right ones to keep."