Astros’ Dusty Baker announces retirement after 26 years as MLB manager: ‘Baseball has been my life’

The Baseball Hall of Fame should be the next stop for the long-time skipper and former big-league outfielder

Dusty Baker has informed the Houston Astros that he’s retiring after 26 seasons as a major-league manager, USA Today reported Wednesday. The Astros confirmed the news on Thursday.

“I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life,” Baker told the newspaper. “I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.”

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The retirement of Dusty Baker, after 26 seasons as a major-league manager, was announced by USA Today on Wednesday and later confirmed by the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Expressing his love for the game, Baker stated, “I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life. I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.”

Baker’s tenure with the Astros concluded with their elimination in the American League Championship Series by the Texas Rangers, marking the end of their 2023 season. Following this loss, speculation arose that the 74-year-old Baker would step down and retire. During his four seasons with Houston, Baker achieved two pennants and clinched the team’s first World Series title in 2021.

In a press release from the team, Baker expressed his gratitude, saying, “It has been a tremendous honor to lead this ballclub. Thank you to the fans for their unwavering passion. The amount of love I’ve received in my time in Houston has been unmatched.” He also thanked his players, coaches, friends, and family for their support throughout his career.

Baker’s managerial career spanned 26 seasons and included successful stints with various teams. After a distinguished 19-season career as an All-Star outfielder, he became the manager of the San Francisco Giants in 1993. Under his guidance, the Giants reached the postseason three times, culminating in a pennant win in 2002. Baker then went on to manage the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and finally the Astros. He led each of these teams to the playoffs and earned three pennants and three NL Manager of the Year awards.

Baker’s impressive record in the dugout consists of 2,183 wins, ranking him seventh all-time. He also holds the fourth position for career postseason wins with 57 and made a total of 13 postseason appearances, which is fourth among major-league managers. Notably, Baker was the first Black manager to achieve 2,000 career wins.

Even prior to winning a World Series ring in 2022, Baker had a strong case for induction into the Hall of Fame as a manager. However, his championship victory further solidifies his candidacy, making it highly likely that he will one day receive a plaque in Cooperstown.

With Baker’s departure, the Astros now face the task of finding a new manager for the 2024 season and beyond. They aim to extend their current window of contention, which has seen them win two World Series titles since 2017 and reach at least the ALCS in seven consecutive seasons.