2019 will be Baez’s 16th season as a member of the Ducks organization and eighth managing the team. In his seven seasons as manager, the former Duck and Major League infielder has guided Long Island to six half-season Liberty Division titles, five Liberty Division championships and two Atlantic League championships.

Baez was a coach for six seasons prior to becoming the team's manager and enjoyed a 17-year professional playing career prior to becoming a full-time coach in 2005. He was a key contributor on the Ducks 2004 championship team, batting .256 with 36 runs scored and 40 RBI in 98 games played. He took home MVP honors at the Atlantic League All-Star Game that year with a 2-for-4, two RBI performance in the North Division’s 10-8 victory over the South at Campbell’s Field in Camden, N.J. In the 2004 playoffs, Baez hit .263 en route to his first professional baseball championship. The Brooklyn native was named to three Atlantic League All-Star teams during his playing career and has now served as a manager at two midsummer classics. 

The 51-year-old is a veteran of 63 Major League and 1,704 minor league contests. He made three stops in the big leagues with the Mets (1990, 1991, 1993), and made his MLB debut on September 3, 1990 under then-Mets manager Bud Harrelson. He registered career highs in hits (113) and doubles (27) in 2000 with the Norfolk Tides (AAA, Mets).