Dusty Baker tells Astros he plans to RETIRE’: World Series winner, 74, ‘steps away from managing’ after 26 seasons following Houston’s ALCS loss

Dusty Baker’s 26-year career is reportedly coming to an end.

Multiple sources both inside and outside the Houston Astros have said this The Athletics that the 74-year-old World Series winner has informed the club that 2023 will be his final season.

Baker’s Astros were eliminated by the World Series-bound Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night in Houston.

He declined to comment on his decision when contacted by The Athletic, but did say he was undecided after Monday’s 11-4 defeat.

“I don’t know, I haven’t had time to evaluate and think about my future because I’m on the list in terms of not being that kind of guy,” he told reporters.

“I don’t want to steal the spotlight or anything like that from these guys. You have to enjoy what we did, think about how we can get better and then I will evaluate my situation in my life,” he continued.

‘And so we’ll see. I’ll talk to my daughter. I have two grandsons. I actually cheated them in my search. I have two dogs, hunting dogs, one year old, they wouldn’t even recognize me when I walk around the house because I haven’t been home since February 10th.’

According to The Athletic, Baker will likely remain in baseball at some level.

His wife, Melissa, told the outlet that Baker “has a lot of knowledge to offer an organization,” but said he has not yet made a final decision on his future.

“I know he can help build a winner,” she said. ‘My husband just wants to win and is a winner.’

Baker’s 26 seasons were exemplary, although he never won a World Series until last season, when Houston defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.

He was hired by Houston in 2020 in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal that came to light in 2019, when it was revealed that the team’s hitters improperly deciphered opposing catchers’ pitch calls in 2017 and relayed that information to batters in the batter’s box. .

Baker, a former Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, began managing the San Francisco Giants in 1993. With legendary slugger Barry Bonds and former MVP Jeff Kent, the club won the National League Pennant in 2002, but fell short to the Los Angeles Angels in the World Series.

He would move on to the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals in the coming years, but did not manage to win baseball’s biggest prize until 2022.

A native of Riverside, California, Baker’s 19-year playing career was almost as impressive as his 26-year managerial career.

The two-time All-Star finished fourth in the MVP voting in 1980 before winning a World Series and a Gold Glove with the Dodgers the following season.

Baker also played alongside legends such as Hank Aaron, Steve Garvey and Mike Scioscia.