By Jordan Long
The Houston Astros have their manager for this upcoming season. The job had been open since Houston let go of Manager A.J. Hitch on January 14th after a Major League Baseball investigation for sign stealing in 2017 and 2018. The Astros interviewed several candidates including former managers Buck Showalter, John Gibbons, and Brad Ausmus. In the end, they hired Dusty Baker.
Baker brings 22 years of MLB managerial experience to the Astros. In his career, he managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and the Washington Nationals. His overall record is 1863-1636, a winning percentage of .532.
Baker knows how to manage a team to the playoffs. His teams went to the MLB postseason 9 times. Baker didn’t win a World Series but his team advanced to one, 2002. That season Baker was the manager for the San Francisco Giants. They faced the Los Angeles Angels but were beaten in 7 games.
The Astros felt he was the best fit to lead this team for the upcoming season. According to ESPN, Owner Jim Crane said, “Throughout his successful career, Dusty has embodied the qualities that we were looking for in a manager. He’s a winner, and more importantly, a strong leader who has earned the respect of not only his players, but of virtually everyone that he has touched in baseball. We’re extremely excited to name Dusty as the new leader of our ballclub.”
This is a surprise hire. Baker hasn’t managed at the MLB level since 2017. That season he was with the Washington Nationals who went 97-65 but fell to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series. He is also 70 years old making him the oldest manager in the MLB. There were other names who are younger and would have made more sense such as Brad Ausmus and Buck Showalter.
Baker’s contract is guaranteed for this season and includes a team option for 2021, giving Baker one year to help the Astros keep up their winning ways. They have not missed the postseason since 2016. Baker has the added pressure to win now. If he fails to do so, at least the Astros can let him go and search for another manager next offseason.
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