Dusty Baker announces retirement after 26 years as manager: ‘Baseball has been my life’
Francisco Giants as manager in 1993 and eventually guided them to three postseason berths, including a pennant in 2002. From there came managerial stints with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and finally Astros. He led each of those teams to the playoffs and won a total of three pennants and three NL Manager of the Year awards.
In the end, Baker in the dugout amassed a record of 2,183-1,862. Those 2,183 wins rank seventh all-time. As well, Baker’s 57 career postseason wins rank fourth all-time. His 13 total postseason appearances also rank fourth among major-league managers. Baker was also the first Black manager to register 2,000 career wins.
Baker had a strong Hall of Fame case as a manager even before he at last broke through and won a ring in 2022, but the championship veneer all but ensures he’ll one day get a plaque in Cooperstown.
As for the Astros, they’re left in need of a new manager for the 2024 season and beyond as they try to extend the current window of contention that’s seen them win a pair of World Series since 2017 and make it least as far as the ALCS in seven straight seasons.
