After falling in Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night, the Astros are reportedly preparing for the possibility of losing manager Dusty Baker to retirement this upcoming offseason.
The 74-year-old Baker, who’s been with Houston since 2020, has “expressed to multiple people inside and outside” of the Astros organization that ’23 will be his “final season,” according to a Monday report from The Athletic.
As of Monday night, it’s unclear if Baker informed Houston of his reported desire during the series or Game 7. However, the report also noted Baker, an 18-year MLB veteran who earned his first managerial role in 1993, may not leave the game entirely as he “wants to remain in the game in some capacity.”
A major league manager for 26 seasons, Baker has amassed a career 2,183–1,862 record in the regular season, to go with 57 playoff wins—the fourth-most all-time.
Baker’s four years in Houston saw the Astros go 320–226 and secure four straight ALCS runs with two World Series appearances, notably beating win the Phillies in 2022 for Baker’s first ring as a manager.
Though it remains to be seen if 2023 will be his last year as a manager, The Athletic reported Baker has been considered retirement “multiple times” but could still change his mind. This season is reportedly the first time the longtime manager has “talked about leaving managing and getting some time away from the day-to-day grind of the game.”