Dusty Baker is retiring, the longtime manager tells Bob Nightengale of USA Today. According to Nightengale, the 74-year-old informed Houston owner Jim Crane of his decision in a meeting yesterday. The Astros have scheduled a press conference for tomorrow afternoon to make the official announcement.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to Jim Crane and the Houston Astros for giving me this opportunity, and to win a championship,” Baker told Nightengale. “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.”
The news doesn’t come as any kind of surprise. Chandler Rome and Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic reported in the immediate aftermath of Houston’s elimination in the ALCS that Baker had been telling those close to him he planned to move on. Baker confirmed to Nightengale that he has known for some time that he was stepping away after this season. While he no longer wants the daily grind of managerial work, Baker told Nightengale he was hopeful of landing an advisory position with an organization to remain in the game in some capacity.
It’s the conclusion of what’ll almost certainly be a Hall of Fame career. After concluding a near 20-year MLB playing career, Baker made the jump to managing. He took over the Giants in 1993, guiding the team to 103 wins in his first season. That still left them just shy of the postseason, and a trio of subsequent losing campaigns meant Baker didn’t get his initial playoff appearance until 1997. Baker made the postseason three times in San Francisco, highlighted by a trip to the World Series in 2002.
After the decade-long run in the Bay Area, Baker moved on to the Cubs. He guided Chicago to the NLCS in his first season, although that’d be his only playoff appearance in four years. Baker led the Reds from 2008-13, winning a pair of NL Central titles. After two years away from the game, he returned to the dugout in Washington. Baker led the Nationals from 2016-17 before being dismissed and replaced by Dave Martinez.
That appeared as if it could be the end of Baker’s lengthy career. He was away from the game for consecutive seasons. Once the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme was revealed, Houston fired A.J. Hinch early in 2020. The Astros sought a veteran manager to navigate the fallout of the scandal, tabbing Baker in late January.
The tenure started slowly, as Houston went just 29-31 in the shortened regular season. That was enough to qualify for the expanded postseason, however, and the Astros clicked in October. They made the ALCS, an achievement they’d repeat in all four of Baker’s seasons at the helm. Their sluggish regular season of 2020 wasn’t a factor in any of the subsequent full schedules, as Houston topped 90 wins and claimed division titles every season from 2021-23.
The Astros advanced to the World Series in 2021, dropping a six-game set against the Braves. They repeated as AL champions after a 106-win season a year ago. Houston carried that dominance into the postseason, sweeping the Mariners and Yankees to set up a Fall Classic matchup with the Phillies. They won the series in six games, securing the franchise’s second championship. It was the final box for Baker personally, marking his first title. The club fell just shy of a third straight pennant, although it marked the 12th playoff appearance of his career.
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. His 2,183 victories rank seventh in major league history. 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. MLBTR congratulates Baker on an illustrious career and wishes him all the best in retirement.
Houston becomes the fifth team with a managerial vacancy. The Guardians, Mets and Angels all fired their skippers, while Bob Melvin departed the Padres to join the division-rival Giants. Craig Counsell has considered various opportunities as his contract with the Brewers expires, leaving a sixth team with some amount of uncertainty.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
I think Dusty is just tired. It does take a toll and he’s more than earned his retirement. Hats off to a great managerial career!
Well, he is 74, and long past the point where he’s got anything left to prove.
What an amazing man! Congratulations Dusty! We loved you in D.C.
Imagine winning 103 games and not making the post season?
I’d be tired after that too? Then to throw out my pitcher on top of it? I’d be so tired I’d not leave the dugout after getting thrown out arguing “its a two run Bleeping game James!” And make comedy gold for Ole Jimmy New York
Bud Black was a part of that 1993 giants team, so was Matt Williams?
So was Dave Martinez… WTF? they were only missing Craig Counsel…
Bravo Dusty. Hats off for an unbelievable career. Enjoy your next chapter.
Well done Dusty..
I always thought he had an adorable name.
Krusty the clown? Aye carumba!
Wait! I’ve got a number for Brad Ausmus here somewhere!
Hard pass.
Noooo, Aaron Boone is the man he can lead them to the World Series.
Dusty had a very good career as a player and a manager. Thanks for the memories.
The 2002 Giants were the most documented baseball cheaters of all time until replaced by the Houston Astros.
I always found it strange how the man who turned a blind eye to all the crap going on in the Giants locker room was picked to manage Houston.
This will offend some people, but that’s not my intention.
Well if it was intended to be an intelligent post then you missed the mark
Oversight. How did I forget about the 1919 black Sox?
However, if Kid Gleason was asked to manage a team that needed to clean up their image, I would have asked the same question.
Probably the alcohol
Or the 1951 Giants?
Or 1945 Tigers.
A guy I know who played in the early and mid-1980s told me that every one of the Astros starters of the era – including Nolan Ryan, Joe Niekro, Mike Scott, Bob Knepper, Don Sutton, Vern Ruhle, and Mike LaCoss – was cheating by scuffing or putting stuff on the ball.
He said it was common knowledge in both leagues, and other pitchers were doing it as well.
All anyone needs to do is read “Ball Four,” in which Jim Bouton laid out the prevalence of cheating and the use of “greenies,” which anyone who went to college may have known as speed.
Kid Gleason had an excuse- the internet was out at his hotel that week. Stupid Comcast
Spot on
Glaus Salmon Edmunds all juiced dumas. everybody did. 2004 Dodgers. Gagne said it. BTW, Robb Nen blew out his arm pre 2002WS or your halos don’t win.
I will agree with you. Balco basically had an office at Candlestick. No way Baker didn’t know what was going on when Marvin Bernard was slapping HRs out of that place.
Never a Dusty Baker fan in the least although I am a Dodgers fan. He is just a little old for me to have watched play.
I don’t see at all how his history is one of success in the slightest and see him as possibly the most over-rated manager that I can think of.
Failed on every team, ruined many pitchers, finally won with a stacked team that any competent manager could HAVE won with, which of course is no guarantee that someone else would have.
On top of that, the guy is a cry-baby from the dugout.
Not a fan but he isn’t the only person that gets a ton of adoration that I am not a fan of so oh well.
Congratulations to Dusty for a storied baseball career as a player and manager!
He finally won a WS as a manager. The 2023 may have been his best as a manager. Astros cycled 14 rookies to the big leagues during the season due to injuries and still made the post season.
He will most likely remain with the Team as an advisor.
Most well documented? Has the tonnage about the 1919 Black Sox been misplaced?
I love dusty baker and his toothpick chomping antics. I’ll miss that. Truly a class act.
So if Joe Espada doesn’t get the job, can we finally say he’s not a viable managing candidate?
Would’ve been great if it went out on top. I can’t stand the Astros but I’ve always loved Dusty Baker. End of a historic career. Well-earned and deserved retirement.
Buck Showalter to follow in Dusty’s shoes and win a championship
I agree. One of the great baseball men we’ve ever had. Hard to imagine him not managing again, but 74 is 74. Next stop, Cooperstown.
Cooperstown based on what exactly?
What’s in your pipe, man,to think that Dusty won’t be in the HOF? One of only 12 managers with 2000+ wins, 7th all time managerial wins and the 6 above him are in the HOF? That’s a dum bass comment if I’ve ever read one!
2000+ wins with little overall success, a history of having a team full of steroid users, ruining how many pitchers, and a knack for losing a must win game.
On top of that a race baiter.
Not for me but you’re right…..he probably gets in.
“2,000 wins with little overall success” is a ridiculous statement simply as it is.
See…what it gets to is the race baiter concept. Just drop the baseball stuff. You can’t even make a strawman case there.
The ONLY thing that could probably keep Dusty from the HOF are his past cocaine history in the 70s-80s because that seems to have kept some others like Dave Parker out.
You don’t care for Dusty. Should just leave it at that and not make misguided baseball statements because there’s nothing keeping Dusty out managerially.
I’m not an Astros fan per se (and its NOT that I think their “cheating” was any worse than any team’s sign stealing over the last 130 years). I was glad that Dusty finally got his ring last year. A lot of baseball in this man’s life. Well deserved retirement.
Just to make the note. Dusty Baker did win a World Series as a player in 1981. Also teams get rings for winning the NL or AL. Some of those rings are actually pretty cool looking. I get what you were trying to say tho. Take Care
Using technology isn’t accepted sign stealing
Finally. A year too late.
Thumbs down
Not only was he the best choice after the scandal, in my opinion, he was the only choice that could have navigated the waters he had to.
That clubhouse and organization could have easily turned sour after that. His character, experience and baseball reputation were exactly what they needed.
Congrats on a well-earned retirement, champ.
It should have been much more sour…had MLB actually levied fair punishment to the players
Now, off to the Hall of Fame.
20 years later, can we finally place some blame on Dusty for destroying Prior and Wood’s career at early stages???
I still cringe every time I hear him say something about riding out his (work)horses. The man had no idea how to manage a pitching staff.
they didn’t have “times through the order” analytics back then
And baseball was better for it
Yes they did. I had it with Montreal
Roger Craig reportedly ruined a lot of arms. I remember hearing that in the late 70s or early 80s…
Roger Craig was the major proponent of the splitter which out pressure on the elbow. It was the pitch of the 80s
Dusty will be remembered for last Friday nights temper tantrum and refusing to leave the dugout after he got thrown out,
You will be remembered for getting muted after your first post.
You really get off on telling people you’ve put them on mute. Get a life.
And now you’re muted!
Wouldn’t be the first manager to throw a temper tantrum, won’t be the last.
Look up Lou Pinella on google. Worth the entertainment value alone.
Or Earl Weaver or Billy Martin…
Or Billy Martin for that matter. Lou & Billy had some comical meltdowns.
74 years old Go enjoy your retirement Dusty. You have certainly earned it.
Dave Robert’s should go coach there…
One of the most passionate baseball men in my lifetime. I always respected him, and he got bonus points from me for going to me to tie with Tony La Russa all those times. Enjoy your well deserved retirement from a truly distinguished career.
“The Guardians, Mets and Angels all fired their skippers….” is not true. Terry Francona retired due to health reasons. He was in no danger of being fired.
Yeah that is a sloppy line, Tito retired with reverence and admiration
Tito is a real class act. He will be missed in Cleveland.
Dusty should be a HOFer: 2000+ wins (most by a black manager), 3x manager of the year, 3 trips to the world series and a championship.
Plus he has a 37.0 WAR as a player
He’s been in baseball for 50 years and deserves it.
2000 wins is 2000 wins no matter what race you are…
No 2000 wins means more because of how hard it was for a black manager to even be named as a manager in the 1st place and how African Americans had a bad stigma to them thanks to people who ran teams like Al Kampanis and their ignorant views so having 2000 games won is far impressive because Dusty was able to merely have an opportunity to be a successful manager for several different organizations and some black managers (like Ron Washington) seem to only get 1 chance even today. But Bob Melvin can fall out of one job and into another immediately over and over again.
Yeah, so successful that every team he managed ended up sacking him.
99% of all coaches and managers eventually get fired just saying
We are past segregation. Wasn’t even a thing when he was manager, so it still stands that race really isn’t a factor here. It just becomes political to bring it up.
His playing career had cocaine use clouding it…which his managerial career shouldn’t suffer for at the Hall
RIP Dusty
🙁
What’s that guy’s name… ¿¿¿Mike Shildt??? However it is spelled, there would be no sweeter justice if Mikey boy left the Padres. Suit AJ Preller up…
After what happened in St Louis Shildt is probably chomping at the bit to be in the visitors dugout at Busch. Think he will get the best out of the underachievers that wear Padres uni’s. It’s easy to envision San Diego taking the division or at least a wild card next season.
Congratulations to Dusty on a great managerial career. Enjoy retirement
He was exactly right for the Astros when he came in, excellent playing and managerial career. Also, pretty cool ass dude. Thanks for the high five Dusty!
Run Dusty Run!
Asking for a correction as the Guardians did not fire their manager. Terry Francona retired just like Dusty and is also a likely HOF manager as well. Just want to clarify
I don’t dislike this guy in any way but I never cared for him as a manager. Best of luck and good job on the one championship.
Judgement, Yeah, personally I really liked Dusty, but as a Giants’ fan I was not sad to see him depart. Angels’ players were reported to have said that him publicly giving Ortiz a game ball before game 6 was over was a huge motivation for them. Google his views on OBP sometime.
Dude spent 4 years in Houston, won a championship, and never did worse than game 7 of the ALCS and Houston fans are celebrating his retirement…. smdh
Will Darren be sitting on his lap during the press conference?
Back when Dusty was still managing the Reds, he was in Philly for a series and came out to an establishment where I was co hosting a jam session. He came in with Gary Matthews Sr. and Larry Anderson. Myself along with the keyboard player got so many other folks to go up and play and we sat and drank top flight whiskeys with Dusty as he told us so many great stories. A class act and a great baseball mind. I’ve met some cool sports and Hollywood folk in and out of Philly. All great people. Getting drunk with Dusty Baker was a highlight for sure
20 + year player and HOF manager. Sure maybe not the best manager I ever saw but good enough to be much better than most. Congrats on a 50 plus year career.
I wish the man the best. He had a great career. The one thing that keeps nagging me is his decision to stick with Martin Maldonado when all the evidence screams he should’ve done otherwise. And his persistent attempts to relegate Chas McCormick to the bench was also a huge head scratcher. Oh well, it’s done. Happy trails.
Good decision for Dusty. Maybe one of the California teams could hire him as an advisor as he lives in that area.
Ungrateful Asstros fans!
What, exactly, should we be grateful for ? Astros won the 2022 WS in spite of Baker, not because of him. Good riddance.
If the Astros won IN SPITE OF HIM that means they don’t need a manager. Spend the money on an extension of somebody.
Co-inventor of the high five.
Yes! A cultural icon for high 5in white guys!
You are correct. The late Glenn Burke was the originator of the high five as he reached high for Dusty’s hand after Baker had hit a grand slam off of Jim Lonborg of the Phillies in Game 2 of the 1977 NLCS.
Didn’t know how to manage his pitching staff at all
Should have been a Dodger manager at some point except he won’t admit he was doing blow when he was a player with them.
Buck Showalter has his next gig.
From Del Campo to Atlanta to LA to SF, and to Oak Then, unto managing the Giants, Cubs, Reds, Nationals, and Astros. Dusty has always been a class act. Plus lets not forget that he was USMC reservist! Ooorah! Always a champion even before the World Series Championship. Best wishes always to Dusty Baker!
Dusty crusty suck