Just days after the Houston Astros were defeated by the Texas Rangers in the ALCS, Astros manager Dusty Baker has officially announced his retirement, bringing an end to an illustrious 26-year career as a big league skipper that resulted in a World Series championship last season.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to Jim Crane and the Houston Astros for giving me this opportunity, and to win a championship,” Baker said, according to USA Today. “I felt like they’ve been good for me, and I’ve been good for them.
“What I really appreciate is that Jim has been totally honest and transparent with me on all things.”
Baker’s career is being celebrated by MLB athletes, fans, and MLB journalists all over the country.
“Dusty Baker is a legend in this sport,” Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena said Monday night. “I’ve loved every single day that I’ve gotten to share with him on this ballclub. He’s been great for me. He’s shown so much confidence in me. He’s been a great manager.”
Bakers, 74, is the 12th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins and the first Black man to do it and will be be eligible for the Hall of Fame in three seasons. Baker ends his career ranking seventh all time with 2,183 regular-season wins with the Astros, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals.
Baker’s 57 postseason wins — over 13 postseason appearances — rank fourth all time in MLB history.
Baker was 320-226 in his four regular seasons in Houston.
Baker expressed an interest in transitioning to an advisory role in baseball, either remaining with the Astros or a team closer to his home in Northern California.
“I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life,” Baker said. “I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.”
“I’m gone, but I will be back.”
