Dusty Baker reflects on the life and influence of Muhammad Ali

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 04, 2016, 11:09am

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CINCINNATI - Legendary boxing great Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74 on Friday. Today, Nationals manager Dusty Baker had a chance to reflect on how important Ali was to him and his life as he grew up watching the boxer compete and become a champion.

"It's a tremendous loss, especially at a time when I was a teenager and going through some turmoils in my life and the country," Baker said. "Muhammad Ali gave us all, especially young black men, a sense of pride and strength."

Baker did get a chance to meet Ali a few years back.

"It was real cool. He was always a champ," Baker said. "He was always special. I was almost like a little kid really. You don't know what to say. At that time, you hope that he was able to talk. Earlier, especially when he was younger, you did most of the listening and he did most of that talking. That made it easy."

Baker also remembered one of his friends was the executive producer of the 2001 movie "Ali" that starred Will Smith.

"I was in L.A. quite a few times in different banquets and stuff. Just his presence and (to) follow his life and his story," Baker said. "A good friend of mine, Graham King, who did the Muhammad Ali's story, I think he portrayed it very accurately. It's a great loss to us all."

Baker said the loss of Ali makes him sad for other sports icons that are around Ali's age.

"I just think about how many potential guys and a whole bunch of greats that are out there in that 75 to 85 era," Baker said. "Just hope and pray that they're around for a long time."