By Jordan Long
The Houston Astros season came to a close following their game 7 loss to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. One of the top managers in all of baseball has decided to step away from the game, Dusty Baker.
Baker started his managerial career with the San Francisco Giants back in 1993. He lasted until 2002 in the Bay Area. With San Francisco, Baker took the Giants to the playoffs 3 times, including going to the World Series in 2002. They lost to the Anaheim Angels in the World Series. Most teams would keep a manager who took a team that far. Not San Francisco. Baker’s contract was up after 2002 and the ownership decided not to renew it. His overall record with San Francisco was 840-715.
Chicago was his next stop. The Cubs kept him until the 2006 season. The Cubs went to the postseason once, in 2003. They advanced to the National League Championship Series where they were defeated by the Marlins in 7 games. Baker was fired in 2006 when the Cubs finished at 66-96.
Baker had to wait two years until he would have another chance to manage a ball club. Cincinnati hired Baker on October 13, 2007. The Reds were anticipating Baker would help them be a winning ball club. The Reds earned a playoff spot 3 times with Baker. They never advanced past the National League Division Series and he was fired after the 2013 season when Cincinnati lost in the Wild Card game to Pittsburgh.
Baker then spent two seasons as Washington’s Manager. In both years, Washington earned a playoff spot with 90+ wins. That didn’t matter. Washington dismissed him in 2017.
Baker’s final stop was Houston. He was the Astros manager from 2020 until this season. The Astros went to the playoffs every single year. The Astros advanced to the World Series twice, 2021 and 2022. In 2021, the Astros were knocked off by the Atlanta Braves in 6 games. Last year Baker finally tasted success as the Astros won the World Series.
This year Baker knew it would be his last. The Astros advanced to the American League Championship Series but were beaten in game 7, 11-4 by Texas.
Baker leaves the game with a managerial record of 2,183-1862. His 2,183 victories as a manager are 7th in baseball history. His teams earned a playoff spot 13 times and advanced to the World Series 3 times while winning it once. Baker’s next stop should be the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York. He showed he was one of the top managers to ever manage this game.
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