Astros on skipper Baker's retirement: 'Congratulations, Dusty, on an incredible managerial career'

The Houston Astros have announced the retirement of manager Dusty Baker. Baker had already retired from the game of baseball when the Astros, who had just entered the throes of the sign-stealing scandal surrounding their 2017 World Series championship, hired the veteran to replace the ousted A.J. Hinch as skipper in 2020.

"Congratulations, Dusty, on an incredible managerial career,” the Astros said in an Oct. 26 Tweet.

According to a report on the franchise’s website, the 74-year-old Baker’s tenure in Houston was just as colorful as his lengthy career as a player and coach. Donning the No. 12, Baker led the Astros to four American League Championship Series (ALCS), two pennants, and the team’s most recent World Series triumph in 2022. "You came in and helped us when we needed some help, and you did a great job," Astros owner Jim Crane said to Baker, per the report.

"You came in and helped us when we needed some help, and you did a great job," Astros owner Jim Crane said to Baker, per the report.

The report said that Baker walks away from a 26-year career as a manager that yielded more than 2,000 wins. His last accomplishments in the Bayou City were helping the franchise earn a division crown on the last day of the 2023 season, as well as setting up a showdown for the pennant against intrastate and division rival Texas, who’ll now be playing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the upcoming Fall Classic. "I'm retiring from the field here in Houston," Baker said in the report.

"I'm retiring from the field here in Houston," Baker said in the report.

Citing USA Today, Houston CBS affiliate KHOU News reported that Baker, the only manager to lead each team he has helmed to a division championship, may entertain offers of serving in an advisory role, be it with the Astros or another ballclub. The station reported that prior to managing, the man known for having a toothpick in his month and colorful wristbands was an outfielder whose mentor was legendary slugger Hank Aaron. Baker won the 1981 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a player.