Dusty Baker is calling it a career.
The Houston Astros skipper is retiring after 26 seasons as an MLB manager, he told USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale.
Baker is expected to formally announce his retirement in a press conference at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Thursday, according to Nightengale.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to [owner] Jim Crane and the Houston Astros for giving me this opportunity, and to win a championship,’’ Baker told USA TODAY Sports. “I felt like they’ve been good for me, and I’ve been good for them."
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Baker, 74, expressed a desire to continue working in baseball in an advisory role, according to Nightengale.
“I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life,’’ Baker said. “I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.’’
Baker's retirement comes after an impressive four-year run in Houston where he helped the franchise reclaim the World Series title in the wake of its sign-stealing scandal. Houston reached the ALCS in each season under Baker and made consecutive World Series from 2021-22, winning it all last season. They looked on their way to a third straight World Series trip this season before squandering a 3-2 ALCS lead against the Texas Rangers.
MLB
Along with the Astros, Baker managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals over his career. A three-time Manager of the Year, Baker's teams combined to reach the playoffs 13 times, win three pennants and capture one World Series title. He's the only manager to ever lead five different franchises to the postseason.
When Baker guided Houston to a championship in 2022, he became the oldest manager/head coach to win a title across the four major professional sports at 73 years and 143 days old.
Baker ranks seventh all time with 2,183 career wins as a manager, boasting a .540 winning percentage, while his 57 postseason victories rank fourth. He is one just 11 managers with 2,000 career wins and was the first Black manager to reach the milestone. Of those other 10 managers with 2,000 wins, nine of them are in the Hall of Fame, with current Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy being the only one who isn't.
Baker, who was a two-time All-Star outfielder during his 19-year playing career, is also one of just seven since 1969 who have won a World Series both as a player and as a manager. He was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 1981 championship team.
