By Brian McTaggart | 22 minutes ago
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HOUSTON – Dusty Baker, who came out of retirement nearly four years ago and led the Astros to two trips to the World Series, including his first championship as manager in 2022, announced his retirement after 26 seasons as manager at a news conference on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
“I’m retiring from the field here in Houston,” Baker said. “I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do or where I’m going to go. …I still feel like I didn’t do what I was supposed to do in life. I feel that The Lord has great things ahead of me.”
Baker wants to remain involved in baseball with a team in an advisory capacity, USA Today reported Wednesday.
“You came and helped us when we needed help and you did a great job,” Astros owner Jim Crane told Baker. “I think you’re the only one in the industry who can do that. They did a fantastic job and the results speak for themselves.”
“His greatest quality is his relationship with his players,” GM Dana Brown said of Baker. “I think he’s great with people and that’s a testament to his leadership skills.”
Baker ends his career as one of the most successful managers in history with a record of 2,183 regular season wins, the seventh most in history. He won division titles with five different teams and led teams to pennants in both leagues – the Giants in the National League in 2002 and the Astros in the American League in 2021-22.
“Thank you to all of my players and coaches for your many sacrifices in our pursuit of multiple World Series titles,” Baker said. “You all gave me everything you had every day and that’s all I can ever ask for. Finally, I would like to thank all my friends and family. I am forever grateful for all the love and support you have shown me over the years, and I can’t say thank you enough. This isn’t goodbye, it’s just see you later.”
After the Astros lost to the Rangers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday, Baker addressed the team and players and told them he appreciated their effort and professionalism.
“I haven’t had time to think or think about my future,” he said Monday. “I don’t want to steal the spotlight or anything from these guys. You must enjoy what we did. You have to think about how we can get better. And then I will evaluate my situation and my life.”
Crane hired Baker to lead the club during one of the most turbulent times in its history. Crane had just fired manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow — the architect of Houston’s 2017 World Series championship team — in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal. Baker was one of the most respected men in the game and came across as calming and awestruck.
In four years as manager of the Astros, Baker reached the ALCS four times, won three consecutive AL West Division titles (2021-23), two AL pennants (2021-22) and a World Series, and defeated the Phillies in six games in 2022 He is the oldest manager to win a World Series.
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“He just got us out of the Dust Bowl,” Crane said after the Astros won the 2022 World Series.
Crane is now tasked with finding his fourth manager, having previously hired Bo Porter, Hinch and Baker. Bench coach Joe Espada, who has been interviewed for several leadership positions in recent years, would be a strong candidate to replace Baker and provide stability. Other candidates could include former Astros player and A’s and Angels manager Brad Ausmus and D-Backs relief coach Jeff Banister, both of whom have already interviewed in Houston.
Rangers assistant manager Will Venable is considered a future managerial candidate but could choose to stay in Texas. Brown attended high school with Braves first base coach Eric Young Sr., making him a likely candidate as well. Braves bench coach Walt Weiss, a former manager in Colorado, A’s manager Mark Kotsay and former Padres manager Andy Green are other names to keep an eye on.
After a 19-year playing career with the Braves – where he was a teammate of Hank Aaron – the Dodgers – whom he helped win a World Series in 1981 – the A’s and the Giants, Baker began coaching. He also managed the Giants (1993-2002), Cubs (2003-06), Reds (2008-13) and Nationals (2016-17). He was all but retired at his home in Sacramento when the Houston job opened up.
Baker won 320 games in four seasons with the Astros, including the pandemic-shortened 60-game season in 2020. The Astros averaged 97 wins from 2021 to 2023 and won three AL West titles. This year’s team went 90-72 and won the AL West on the final day of the regular season before losing to the Rangers in seven games in the ALCS. Baker’s 57 playoff wins are the fourth most in history.
“Great man,” Astros pitcher Justin Verlander said after the loss to the Rangers. “He cares deeply about the boys. I really appreciate getting to know him as a person. Not just on the field, but also off the field. We’ve had some great conversations over the last few years and it was a great pleasure to be able to play for him.”