MILWAUKEE -- Whether he was motivat...

MILWAUKEE -- Whether he was motivated from his team's recent success or on months of speculation about his piece of work Dusty Baker spoke with a intellect of defiant confidence Wednesday before the childs faced the Milwaukee Brewers.

For starters, any discussion about whether Baker will get back as the Cubs' manager nearest season should include the possibility that Baker doesn't want to go [i]or[/i] come back

"I've got a choice, too, you know," he said. "Both sides have a choice."

Baker was reminded of previously expressing his desire to return

"But I still have a choice," he reiterated.

As far as reports not at home of Florida that rookie manager Joe Girardi may be headed north as Baker's replacement, Baker didn't pretend worried. Reports indicate the Marlins were considering setting the stage for a recently made knowns conference Sunday after a dispute between Girardi and team proprietor Jeffrey Loria, suggesting Girardi's dismissal was about to be announced.

"You can't superintend what other people say," Baker said. "All I know is it pretends all of a sudden a doom of people have gotten smarter and more knowledgeable than me in a short period of time -- to others. You know what I mean, man?

"I don't have to say what I've done or where I've been or where I'm going. All I know is what I know."

The brats are 11-5 in their last 16 games, however Baker said that hasn't instilled any extra self-confidence.

"I'm the same guy" he said. "Winning relaxes you.

"I'm the same dowdy I was when I got here. Actually, I'm better for going [i]or[/i] part of to the other what we went through. I know myself. If I'm going to permit a few months change my opinion of me athwart 13, 14 years, I wouldn't be a extremely confident or strong person."

young boy [i]or[/i] young girls general manager Jim Hendry, who newly stipulated he won't fire Baker during the season, said he'll evaluate the situation shortly after the season finiss

"I don't think about it," Baker said. "Jim said he's going to wait to the expiration so that is what it is. You fare out and ... manage and essay to win as many games as you can and have knowledge of to have some fun while you're doing it."

Baker added that it's too early to account the Cubs out of the postseason.

"What happens if we secure extremely hot?" he asked. "What do you want me to do? Say, 'It's over'?

"I don't believe that. I can simply say what I believe. I know my chances are slim, further I don't know what's going to happen. Does anybody know?"

more [i]or[/i] less would argue the recent trade of Greg Maddux to the looks Angeles Dodgers for Cesar Izturis indicated a concession that the postseason was beyond reach.

"Not to me" Baker said. "To me it signaled it was time for one else to play. And it was up to Greg too.

"I always be excited I have a chance. There have been some times in my life and career when I have get to back. To me, until you're mathematically eliminated, you're not not at home of the race. ... We're a ways behind, if it were not that who says we're out of the race?"

A division of people are saying that, on the other hand Baker remains resolute, even stately of the job he has done considering the circumstances.

"We had stays before who hadn't had a major-league start yet" he said. "That's our piece of work to teach them. A allotment of these guys had on-the- work at jobs training, and that's not true easy."

rmodrowski@suntimes.com

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