The Astros’ season came to an end in disappointing fashion, as Houston dropped an 11-4 contest to the Rangers in Game 7 of the ALCS. That may also be Dusty Baker’s final game as a major league manager.
Britt Ghiroli and Chandler Rome of the Athletic report that Baker has recently told people within and outside the Houston organization that this would be his final season. The 74-year-old has not publicly announced his retirement. Asked about his plans postgame, Baker said he “doesn’t know” and “(hasn’t) had time to think about (his) future” (relayed by Mark Berman of Fox 26).
Baker has been at the helm in Houston for four seasons. The Astros hired him going into 2020 in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal which led to A.J. Hinch’s dismissal. His stint in Houston has consisted of a series of one-year contracts. Baker first signed a one-year deal with a team option, which the club exercised. He subsequently inked one-year deals in the immediate aftermath of each of the past two seasons. Baker will be out of contract again this winter.
That run hasn’t been without controversy, particularly in 2022. Baker reportedly clashed with former general manager James Click, part of some organizational discord that led owner Jim Crane to move on from Click despite incredible on-field results. Reports indicated that Baker and Crane weren’t without their own disagreements, although the owner stuck with the longtime manager.
While one can quibble with any manager’s lineup or bullpen decisions, Houston’s results under Baker have been excellent. The team has advanced at least as far as the ALCS in all four seasons. While they were below .500 in the shortened 2020 regular season, they topped 90 wins while winning the AL West in all three full campaigns. The highlight, of course, was a 106-win showing in 2022 that culminated in the franchise’s second World Series title.
The Astros have gone 320-226 (58.6% win percentage) since the start of 2020. Baker’s clubs have won 54% of their regular season contests over his 26-year career. He has also been at the helm of the Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals since landing his first managerial job at age 44 in 1993. His 2,183 victories rank seventh in major league history, tops among active managers. Aside from Baker, Bruce Bochy and Terry Francona — all of whom have remained active through this year — everyone in the top 14 on the wins leaderboard has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame. It seems only a matter of time before Baker joins that class, particularly since last year’s title (and third career pennant) checked the final box on his résumé.
Ghiroli and Rome suggest that Baker could look to stay involved in MLB while taking on a less demanding position, potentially in an advisory or special assistant capacity. If he steps away from managing, the Astros will become the fifth team with a vacancy.
Houston bench coach Joe Espada has gotten plenty of attention in managerial searches around the league over the past few years and has yet to land his first opportunity. While it’s far too early in the process for the Astros to have identified any kind of frontrunner, it stands to reason the club would consider Espada if they need to embark on a hiring process of their own.
The Astros hit batters; the Rangers hit homeruns.
It was strange the visiting team won every game. That also happened with the Astros and Nats in the 2019 World Series.
Very statistically unlikely for sure – both were against Houston and had Scherzer for game 7
In 2019 it was strange but Astros had a losing record at home this year. You would have thought they caught on in the postseason but still the stats really show they weren’t great on the road.
suit – Wouldn’t have happened if not for the bullpen mismanagement that allowed Altuve to win Game 5.
I want the Rangers to win it all, hopefully Chapman doesn’t get pulled for Leclerc anymore with a lead.
If the Rangers do win it all, that takes the 1961 expansion Senators / now Rangers off the board and would leave just 3 teams without a title.
1969 expansion Pilots / Now Brewers
1969 expansion Padres
1977 expansion Mariners
Rockies. Rays. They are without titles. Do your research, man.
Meanwhile, the Mariners are still the only franchise without a Pennant.
As for the longest active Championship drought, I believe that goes to the Guardians, who haven’t won a World Series since 1948, longer than any of the expansion teams have existed.
Would you like a tissue ?
@Seager, congrats on your team’s AL championship.
Thank you. I’ve been a fan since 2010 and am excited this may be the year! Tbh, I was hoping Texas either won the division or just missed the playoffs to avoid the slow death. I was so wrong!
I may disagree with a lot of your posts, but the Rangers went from being the chokers late in the regular season to being the super-studs in the playoffs. Kudos to them for peaking at the right time.
Not to jink them, as I predicted they would lose to Orioles in a tight series and predicted they would get swept by the Astros, but I now predict the Rangers will defeat whoever is their NL opponent. Peaking at the right time. Bochy was a key signing, Garcia will become a legend if they can win the WS.
Twas not Dustiny.
“Dusty”. Great nickname. Goes back to his childhood. What a life!
We’re probably all here for a purpose. Well in to my 6th decade, still looking for mine. Pretty sure Dusty figured his out early on. The man was meant to be a part of baseball!
Here’s two little bits of tid from his playing career. He was in the line up when Hank went 714 … and 715. Dude.
….and one half of the first high five
sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-2-1977-dusty-baker…
@WWalloper; love this. I did have a curiosity as to the time and place of the first high five. Interesting to know it goes back to 77. Me? I didn’t get my 1st high five until college ball. I remember exactly where I was and the circumstance surrounding it (third Saturday in May 1980) when it happened. Caught me off guard. Awkwardly beautiful moment in my life.
Great career indelible image gave Russ Ortiz the game ball.
Joe Espada, come on down!!
You’re the next contestant on The Price is Right.
That’s the joke, yes.
I wonder if he will finally get his shot? Dana Brown inherited him, so Brown may have some other preference.
If crane likes him then that’s probably a done deal.
Cora! CoRA! CORA!
No mention of Jeff Luhnow… fitting… its true what they say and what’s on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here? “Nobody will remember you when your dead?” That’s what the handshake ment…
Espada has been waiting for this job and will get his chance.
My guess is that Dusty was going even if they won again.
Ve Con Dios Dusty
If true, still a good managerial career and HOF bound even if it ended with a thumping.
Dusty Baker has declined to be interviewed for Red Sox PoBO position.
As did Dusty Springfield.
as did the corpse of “the American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
And maybe even Randy Rhoads
That’s hard times
it’s risky business, jack!
Dusty baker becoming a dirty dougher after tonight’s loss
Glad the Trashtros got blown out in game 7! Thank you Rangers!
Nothing more original than Trashtros?? You’ve had years to come up with something and that’s all ya got? Do better that one’s old
Yesterday’s news still sells on a paper? Maybe what you mean is the news needs to change… i.e. the world?
@Hippyripper Is their undeserved 2017 flag still flying? There’s your answer.
@hebar79 Trashtros name is pretty good. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? Have a nice day.
You can thank Dusty Baker for keeping in relievers and starters way too long and lettinf Maldanado hit throughout the series (and the regular season).
Stupid, it’s not even the same team. Get over it. I’m not even an Astros fan, just a baseball fan. If you don’t think most teams do or have some something to gain an advantage that is against the rules then your kidding yourself. Almost all of that team is gone, time to move on man.
The core is left… Altuve, Bregman, Maldonado (left and came back)…. Maybe if Manfred broke up the core or did more to punish the players instead of scapegoating one of the most brilliant baseball minds in the last 100 years the world would do Carlos Correa a favor and STFU about it?
Jeff Luhnow owns a soccer team and is happy Elias left for Baltimore…? Wait… it feels like… yea… I’ve seen this before? Right here in STL? your 2023 Astros are looking alot like the 2014 Cardinals? Wonder if there about to get swept by the Cubs in next years playoffs? (Aka Texas rangers)
As a fan who follows every game, I’ll say thank you Baker for stepping down. It was well past time. Congratulations on being a World Series champion. Enjoy the HOF.
Completely agree. I can’t believe the amount of people defending him this season. He was consistently out-managed, especially during this Rangers series.
Not sure if it was him or Maldonado calling pitches, but they were committed to pitching outside. The Rangers appear to have received the memo and made them pay. No in-game adjustments, just keep doing what we’re doing.
The final straw for me was batting Singleton with bases loaded, simply because the pitcher was a righty. We had two much better hitters available, but Dusty had to stick with his antiquated approach.
Thank you for your time, and good bye.
As a Cubs fan, I have to agree. He goes by his gut too much. His decision-making when he was in Chicago left a lot to be desired. His value lies in his relationships with his players. He builds a strong team vibe. But his strategic managing…not good.
He’s had a helluva career but will be haunted by his O-fer game 7’s..
I try to think of 74 being the new 64 or the new 54 in many cases. There are a lot more people living today in a way that makes them seem 15 to 20 years younger than people who were their age 20 or 30 years ago, etc., so I never like hearing about someone like Baker retiring.
Somehow in my mind someone like Dusty Baker is perennially around 55 or 60 years old, has been for the past 15 to 20 years and will continue to be.
I hope he sticks around at least one more season.
He needs to go as soon as possible. He ruined us this year. Pity Crane and Brown didn’t have the cojunas to sack him.
There was no way they were firing Baker after helping the team win it all in 2022.
Even if the Astors had won it all this year I felt this was Dusty Bakers last season in Baseball as a manager.
If it is then he is no doubt HOF and wish him the best.
How did he ruin the Astros this year?
He’s just trying to rationalize nothing into something…typical sign stealing no accountability asstros fan.
By being a poor manager.
Trill – There’s one word for why so many people these days seem 15-20 years younger: BOTOX
BoSox?
He can barely walk and he makes really poor decisions. He looks and acts 90! Good bye!
I will never forgive him for what he did to the Astros this season. This was the worst season of managing I have seen since Brad Mills or Bo Porter.
Well good luck with that.
What does that even mean? The guy was handed a Lexus and he turned it into a Honda.
Mariners fan here. 1 game away from the World Series.. turned it into a Honda. lol ok
One heckuva Honda apparently
That Honda won the World Series once and made it to the LC all 4 of his years. How exactly did he ruin it? This is the same franchise that lost 100 games in a season for three straight years about 10 years ago. Also a team that had to replace George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Yuli Gurriel on the fly with no real issues.
It was made very clear to me that regular season success is meaningless, so we can throw out those 100 win seasons.
And since it’s all playoffs now, Dusty WAS going to the Hall. But since he and his team lost one game, they’re choke artists who couldn’t possibly compete with Texas.
So you didn’t watch many Astros games, hiflew? The 100 loss teams were rebuilding years that did help build the dynasty. The current talent overcame Dusty’s ineptitude as a manager, as have the other years. With some common sense decisions this team wouldn’t have had to clinch on game 162. The last two games were horribly managed, just like the regular season. My chief complaint is likely his love fest with Maldonado and Montero. No telling how many games were lost due to those two guys being used in key situations.
The guy was handed a Lexus
=========================
Y’all weren’t a Lexus this year. One pitcher with an ERA of better than 3.83. 5 position players with an OPS of .705 or worse.
No I didn’t watch many Astros games. I am not an Astros fan. I watcha few playoff games because my team wasn’t in it and I wasn’t ready to start watching movies at night just yet.
So yeah I’m sure if I look into the minutia of the situation, I’m sure I could find some times where Baker was not perfect. But that is true of any manager. Not every decision is going to work. As far as rebuilding goes, there have lots of rebuilding jobs in the history of baseball and almost all of them did not turn into a team that went to the LCS seven straight years. Ask Detroit fans if they would want to trade rebuilds with you.
My main point is that if you are going to be upset over the overall job Baker did, then all I can say is good luck with that. Because there is nothing anyone can ever do that will satisfy you.
Joe, this is inaccurate.
Starting lineup should be
McCormick, Tucker, Alvarez.
DH/LF- Brantley
Altuve & Bregman
By my count that’s only Maldonado, Pena, and Abreu with an OPS worse than that. Abreu and Brantley were the only real issues because the other 2 are there to play defense. They need to fix 1B/DH or a corner outfield slot next year.
Crane needed to not listen to his buddy Bagwell. I hated the signings they made this off-season. Abreu was a bad bad decision and I can’t believe the Astros gave Montero that contract.
Hopefully Crane sees it that way and lets Dana Brown make baseball decisions. Bagwell is a HOF player but belongs nowhere near building a baseball team.
Completely wrong.
He sat a top 10 CF 25% of the time because he wasn’t a “big boy”. “Only big boys play everyday” replacing him with below average players Julks, Meyers, and/or Dubon
He had a top 10 catcher who happens to be a rookie, so he started the old veteran who is among the worst offensive AND defensive players in baseball this year simply because “rookie catchers, just like rookie QBs don’t start. They need to watch and learn.”
These are real remarks (may not be exactly quotes) he made during the season
And that doesn’t even address his pitching moves leaving starters in a 3rd and 4th time through a lineup without having a reliever warm to take them out before disaster happens.
Fair enough. I was going by what B-R says their lineup was, and not by PAs.
Starting the season minus Verlander (added last few months) losing McCullers and García for 95% of the season (Tommy John surgery) Urquity for 1/2 of season injury, having 2 rookies take their place with almost 20 wins for the year. Atuve missing 70 games broken hand. Best player in baseball ( ok top 3) Air Yordan Alvarez missing 50 games with pulled muscle. I think it’s amazing they ( Astros) won 90 games. Not many teams had this many injuries and won their division and came within 1 game from going to the World Series
Dusty can’t hit. Dusty can’t pitch. But go ahead and blame it all on the manager.
The problem is that he can’t manage those who do.
So you’d have left France in there. That bullpen should’ve been ready at all times. Last game. Bochy was ready.
Hey, I used to like Bope Orta.
Dusty revealed tonight that he’s still the same incompetent postseason choke artist he always has been. If he hadn’t been handed the keys to a Lamborghini in 2022 his only legacy would be one of excellent regular season success underscored by an inability to get the job done when it counts. Leaving France in to throw batting practice for 6 batters, leaving Maldonado in to bat in important spots, pinch hitting Jon Singleton yesterday, telling Abreu to hit Garcia (who then proceeded to make the Astros his woman), the list goes on. The Astros are the only reason Dusty won’t be known to history as a loser.
This is not an unfair criticism. One does have look back and think what might’ve been had Dusty been able to properly manage a pitching staff, how it would’ve altered history for the Giants, Cubs & Nationals. It took a pre-built, pre-existing Dynasty that he walked into and slipped on a uniform. Then again he’s not the only one. Either way, Dusty is not without his criticisms, despite being a Hall of Fame-caliber Manager.
I personally don’t think 2022 undoes all his failures as a manager. Starting Salomon Torres in game 162 for the Giants in 1993, pulling Russ Ortiz (and handing him the game ball to boot) in Game 6 of the 2002 WS, with the Cubs blowing a 3-1 lead against the Marlins in 2003, losing three games in a row at home with the Reds against the Giants in the 2012 NLDS and never making it out of the first round with the Nationals. One of the most overrated managers of all time who gets handed stacked rosters and the broken clock just happened to be right in 2022.
It took a pre-built, pre-existing Dynasty that he walked into and slipped on a uniform.
==============================
Fair enough. But he went to the ALCS or beyond all three full seasons.
And it is a lot of talent, but then so do the Braves, LAD, maybe the SDP., maybe the Rangers. Somebody has to lose.
As a long time Giants’ fan, who got the opportunity to watch game 6 of the 2002 World Series in person (only WS game I’ve ever had the privilege to watch from the stands), I’ve not felt the need to hold a grudge against Baker. I’ve long rooted for him to do well no matter where he managed and was glad he finally won a title last year.
And if he and Bochy were managing different teams, I may have pulled for his team again this year (since the Giants sucked this year). However, I usually pull for the teams with the longest title drought in postseasons without the Giants present. Hope Bochy can help deliver that title to the Rangers this year.
Interesting theory there about the lineup cards. I guess analytics never really happened in baseball, we only imagined it.
Glad Dusty finally got a ring.
Time to hang em up and go enjoy your golden years.
As a manager.
He already had one as a player with the Dodgers.
Dusty lost another pennant tonight due to not knowing how to manage a pitching staff. I like the guy, I’m glad he got his World Series ring as a manager, he should be in the Hall, but he’s not without his flaws — that remain. Sincerely… a Cubs fan still irked by 2003.
Never thought I would agree with a Cubs fan on this. The guy is such a bad manager.
Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Enough said.
Time keeps marching on. Dusty Baker’s rookie season was 1972. In a separate article, Tom Walker passed away. 1972 was also his rookie season. Over 30 years ago, I started creating my lists. This is my 1972 Rookie All Star Team:
C BOS Carlton Fisk (AL ROY)
C SFG Dave Rader
1B SFG Dave Kingman
2B SDP Darrell Thomas
3B CLE Buddy Bell
SS BAL Bob Grich
LF PHI Greg Luzinski
CF SFG Garry Maddox
RF ATL Dusty Baker
DH MIL Bobby Mitchel
SP-L NYM Jon Matlack (NL ROY)
SP-L CLE Tick Tidrow
SP-R CHC Burt Hooton
SP-R SFG Jim Barr
SP-L MON Balor Moor
RP-R DET Chuck Seelbach
RP-R MON Tom Walker
RP-R BAL Roric Harrison
RP-R SFG Randy Moffitt
RP-L PHI Mac Scrarce
LF/1B NYM John Milner was 3rd in NL voting for ROY but doesn’t make my team.
Billie Jean King’s little brother, Randy Moffitt.
Very cool! Tick Tidrow and Balor Moor, All-Time All-Best Name members
And Mac Scrace (Scarce).. Plus I think there are 2 “l”s in “Mitchell”
Dusty got his ring. Time to step down. Going another full season and not winning again would be tough. He stayed on to defend the title and they didn’t do it. A great series in itself. Go Rangers.
Nothing wrong with retiring. Enjoy the rest of his life with less stress and can enjoy baseball from his home
If true I say Thank you Dusty. You did wonders with this team the last few years Glad we could get you over 2000 wins. And your first WS ring. Disappointed we could not get you 2 before, retiring.
Espada will he take over not sure and am sure we will know some idea more after WS or such. If Houston does look at him or really looks. Sure Crane will say here is a year deal let us see if you get us all the way. We need new coaching as well. Hitting and pitching.
But I have watched his career managing more than his playing, The Giants and Houston probably the best two have been with. Reds and Nats probably not best. But will Houston find someone strong to lead team. Will they find what need for next season and maybe beyond. We shall see
I feel honored to be in the presence of multiple MLBTR posters who are smarter and more qualified to run a baseball team than future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker. If only they would move out of their parents’ basements and accept the MLB managing jobs that they are perfectly suited for they could demonstrate their baseball acumen on a much larger stage…
I’m not claiming I could manage a team and win a Game 7, but don’t think that means I can’t point out that Dusty can’t either.
As an Astros fan, I’m so grateful that Dusty had the innate ability to sense Maldonado’s intangibles. Who cares that he ranks dead last in frame rate and defense? Who cares that Diaz’s OPS is .250 points higher? Dusty understands that intangibles trump any “statistics” mumbo jumbo.
I think it’s about time Cooperstown throw out all those chokers with just one ring.
Bobby Cox comes to mind. There are plenty of others but he could only win one, in a shortened season no less. What a bum though, right?
What part of the house were you in when you posted this comment?
@Ken We now refer to “living in your parents’ basement” as remote work. You can thank Fuher Fauci for that.
So sweet to watch the cheaters go down like that in game 7. Absolutely destroyed.
Where’s your team playing?
One of the most overrated managers of all time.
Mark Prior is still having nightmares.
Dusty is Krusty. Aye carumba!
allow me to wipe away Houston’s tears with some sandpaper.
This is rich coming from the fanbase who’s still crying about the golden God Jeter not getting unanimously selected to the Hall while being one of the worst fielding SS of all time.
Didn’t the Yankees miss the playoffs? Ya, you don’t get to talk trash.
I personally think that Baker should retire. His insistence on starting Maldonado over Diaz may have been part of the reason the Astros exited in the playoffs. Statistically Diaz is a better hitter, a better defender, better at throwing out runners, and the staff has a lower ERA when he catches despite not catching Valdez, or Verlander. To the average baseball fan this would be obvious, not Baker. What makes matters worse is Maldonado is overweight and never runs hard to first base on a ground ball.
Also a huge pet peeve of mine, but it’s the pitchers who think he “calls a good game.” The results don’t reflect that. He’s rated as the worst full time catcher in essentially all defensive and offensive metrics. Hopefully he isn’t coming back either.
What’s worse is Maldonado IS running hard…
Davengmusic, that made me laugh.
Oh well, I guess Houston just wasn’t a great baseball club.
Good luck, Dusty.
Houston had a losing record at home this season
I wonder “bang” what could have cause “bang bang” them to lose their incredible “bang bang bang” home field advantage they once had?
You are truly pathetic. Not humorous, not original, and very tired. It must be miserable knowing that the Yankees can’t compete with the Astros, so the Astros live rent free in your feeble mind.
I am laughing and your a seething.
So who is really miserable..hehehehe
Sucks to be you.
Actually insane the amount of praise and admiration that scumbag gets.
He can now spend more time spewing his militant, 1960s viewpoints about society.
Prob About as much as you spend spooning your sister.
Congrats Dusty and step into the HOF. And you went out on a high note. In your final three years:
2021 World Series
2022 World Series Champion
2023 ALCS
No one could be handed better teams than him and butcher them nearly every time. Long time Reds fan and he just gave away a World Series opportunity a few years ago. I’m not impressed with him.
Exactly!
Great man, but this season was the worst managing I have witnessed in my entire life. He cost the Astros several games with his poor lineup decisions and definitely impacted this postseason leaving bats on the bench and using guys who have never played as pinch hitters. Enjoy retirement Crusty
He manages like every game is the middle of June. You can’t do that when every pitch is critical in the playoffs.
Good.
Good on Dusty to step away. He got his ring as a manager, and can walk away from a stressful job and he’s probably tired at this point. Hats off to a Hall of Fame managerial career.
Baker was a very smart hire by crane. It ultimately cost him a GM (click) but everybody hated the astros but also everybody wanted baker to finally win a WS so really baker was the only guy who was able to make “neutral” (non Houston residents) fans to root for the astros.
Maybe he wasn’t the ideal manager and click wasn’t able to deal with that but from a business and public relations perspective it was a perfect move.
Baker was able to give the astros what another young smart numbers guy never would have been able to and that was giving them some likeability back.
There’s several people on my Twitter (which is very Detroit Tigers oriented) who believe an AJ Hinch reunion is in the works.
I don’t know anything about the Astro’s and Hinch’s relationship, so I can’t speculate as to how the brass in Houston might feel about a reunion. But, I will say that Hinch and the Tigers have been tight-lipped about the terms (and whether or not there’s an opt out clause). So, perhaps that’s why speculation abounds in my Twitter feed.
Please let this be true!!
Boch’s teams have now won 6 consecutive close-out games, and Dusty’s teams have lost 7 consecutive close-outs. This is not a coincidence.
Did a bunch of whiny Dusty fanboys report my comments? Lmao, that won’t change the fact that he’s a choke artist and a loser.
Dusty is one of the great people on this planet and he has had an amazing life – from smoking dope w/ Jimi Hendrix to being on deck when Hank Aaron hit #715 to co-inventing the high 5.
Whether or not he was a good manager in the 1980s I don’t know, but he is not a good manager in the current, metrics and information heavy days of 2023
Dusty is a good dude. And, the best managers cannot win games by themselves. I think it was Jim Leyland who said he might win a few, but that it’s the players who win games. Not the manager.
But a manager that refuses to play the best players sure can lose games