Dusty Baker to Retire as Manager of Houston Astros after 2023 Season
HOUSTON – Dusty Baker, the esteemed manager of the Houston Astros, will be stepping down after the 2023 season, according to sources familiar with the matter. Several individuals within and outside the Astros organization have been briefed on Baker’s decision, and it is expected that the 74-year-old will make an official announcement in due course.
Baker, who recently completed a one-year contract with the team, declined to comment specifically on his plans for the future. When asked by The Athletic about whether he had informed others in the game about his impending retirement, Baker remained tight-lipped. The Astros’ hopes of clinching back-to-back World Series titles were dashed after a Game 7 loss to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series on Monday night.
Throughout his illustrious career, Baker has managed for 26 major-league seasons, accumulating an impressive regular-season record of 2,183-1,862. He has also secured three pennant wins and a World Series title. The long-awaited championship triumph came in 2022 with the Houston Astros, a team that Baker has expertly guided for the past four years. He took charge of the team following a sign-stealing scandal that surfaced shortly after their defeat in the 2019 World Series to the Washington Nationals.
While Baker has not made his retirement plans widely known, confidential sources believe that he wishes to continue contributing to the game of baseball in some capacity. There are several reasons why Baker has chosen to keep this information private. Firstly, he is reportedly not seeking the attention that typically accompanies a farewell tour. Additionally, Baker has not ruled out the possibility of changing his mind as he contemplates his future. The current season marks the first time that Baker has openly discussed stepping away from managing and taking a break from the demanding day-to-day responsibilities of the sport.
Melissa Baker, Dusty Baker’s wife of nearly 30 years, expressed her belief that her husband has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer any organization he becomes associated with. She also revealed that Baker has yet to finalize his decision and will be seeking input from their daughter as well. Melissa emphasized that her husband’s primary focus is on winning and continuing to be associated with a successful team.
If Baker goes ahead with his retirement plans, he will conclude his tenure with the Houston Astros as one of the franchise’s most accomplished managers. Throughout his time in charge, Baker expertly steered a team loaded with superstar talent through turbulent times, handling the challenges and upheaval with his trademark charm and charisma.
Baker’s .586 winning percentage places him second only to A.J. Hinch, the manager he replaced, for the highest winning percentage in Astros history. Baker led the team to four consecutive appearances in the American League Championship Series and two World Series appearances. He and Hinch are the only managers in Astros history to have won a World Series.
The five-time division title-winning manager made history in 2021 when he became the first manager in major-league history to win a division title with five different clubs. In the postseason, Baker boasts an impressive 34-19 record with the Astros, ranking him fourth on the all-time list for playoff wins in the sport.
While Baker’s tenure was not without its challenges, particularly in his relationship with former general manager James Click, his successes far outweighed any difficulties. Click’s failed trade for Willson Contreras at the 2022 trade deadline highlighted the differences between the then-general manager and Baker, with owner Jim Crane ultimately siding with the latter. Click’s departure from the team in 2022 allowed Crane to bring in Dana Brown as his replacement.
Throughout this season, Brown occasionally questioned some of Baker’s lineup decisions but remained committed to giving the manager full autonomy in on-field matters. Despite some skepticism from the front office and coaching staff, Baker stood firm in his preference for veteran players, a strategy that yielded positive results for the team. The Astros secured their sixth consecutive American League West title and reached their seventh consecutive American League Championship Series, mounting a late-season comeback in September.
Various insiders have suggested that Baker’s wealth of experience and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds would make him an ideal candidate for a special assistant role with a team, preferably on the West Coast where he currently resides. Alternatively, he could potentially serve as an ambassador to the game within the Commissioner’s Office, promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Baker’s legacy in baseball is undeniably significant. With a career spanning over five decades, he has made a lasting impact both on and off the field. From his days as a player to his battles with prostate cancer, Baker has consistently demonstrated resilience and determination. His son, Darren, who was immortalized during the 2002 World Series, is now pursuing a career as an infielder in the Washington Nationals system. The father-son duo spent precious time together during spring training, with Darren occasionally joining his father during Astros games.
As the 2023 season approaches, the baseball world eagerly awaits Dusty Baker’s official announcement regarding his retirement. Regardless of his decision, his contributions to the sport and his legacy as a manager will endure for years to come.
(Top photo of Dusty Baker: Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)