The Astros announced that they’ve exercised their 2021 club option on manager Dusty Baker. Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston first reported that Houston was set to pick up the option. The Houston organization also picked up 2021 options on pitching coach Brent Strom and third base coach Gary Pettis.
Baker, 71, was hired back in January after the Astros fired both president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch in the wake of the team’s sign-stealing scandal. The move to hire Baker, one of the game’s most widely respected figures in any role, gave the club an experienced voice of leadership following a chaotic winter and distanced the organization from the previous regime. Some wondered whether Baker might be a one-year stopgap, given the short nature of his initial contract, but it seems he’ll stick around into next season.
“Dusty has been a perfect fit for our ballclub,” GM James Click said in announcing the move. “His knowledge of the game and experience have been invaluable to us in his first few months with the club. We’re excited to see him in an Astros uniform again next year.”
Why though? I get Strom and Petis but Baker has a questionable history managing arms and that’s our Achilles Heel for the foreseeable future. Color me surprised.
Well… he’s got a career .750 winning percentage with the Astros…
Probably because Dusty isn’t getting a real year in 2020.
Because in these 4 games there has been no evidence of any problems with arms. Zero.
Sign him to an extension.
I guess they feel Espada needs one more season?
> managing arms and that’s our Achilles Heel
That’s a marvelous piece of writing.
Ancient history. He has a set of skills that MLB teams appreciate, including the Astros.
Surprising, figured he was a one year stopgap
Yeah, until A.J Hinch was ready to come back. (Mr. Honesty)
Hasn’t even been a week and Astros are already having pitching injuries under Baker.
Dude has some bad juju when it comes to pitching staffs……sure let’s extend him.
Coming off a long shutdown in the middle of an improvised season. I don’t think this is all his fault.
Yeah well at least until (Mr. Honesty) A.J Hinch is ready to come back.
Great insult. Next, this guy will be referring to Altuve as “Mr. Tall” and still thinks he’s being witty. GTFOOH
Hinch will never see an Atros uni again, he’s done in Houston face facts
Looks like Tucker and Whitley will debut in 2024
Tucker debuted in 2018…
Dusty NEEDS to wear a mask with a toothpick on it!
The only guy worth rooting for on this team. I almost would be happy if the Astros won the WS if it means Dusty gets a ring. Still wish he would have walked Glaus with first open in game 6 but not everyone can be perfect like Bochy.
Dusty NEEDS to wear a mask with a toothpick on it. The toothpick and Dusty are inseparable!
the mask is made of toothpicks
Most overrated manager of this generation
Agreed. He’s got one edge going for him and the PC culture loves that stuff.
Makes sense for them, one of a few guys in the organization that is actually liked by people outside of it and he’s a fine manager.
Dusty is an old school guy. Most teams have tried to go with a more modern outlook: Cora, Kapler, Beltran… plenty of problems with those guys so maybe going back to the tried and true isn’t a bad idea.
I mean…Cora won a World Series and Beltran never managed a game. I get the guys did unethical things, but that’s not an indictment on old school/new school methods or coaches.
I think Dusty Baker was a good fit because that organization was in desperate need of an adult. Fans and media have their opinions, but there’s no doubt he’s well respected around baseball and a stand-up person. The Astros needed someone who could capably navigate the team during what was thought to be an extremely rocky season from opposing fans, media, and teams. It was also too late to poach a coach from another team and I’m sure Dusty knew enough people to assemble a respectable staff on short notice.
Would he have been the guy if the Astros conducted a regular manager search? Maybe not. Was he the perfect guy for the situation and timeframe they were on? Without a doubt.
I always thought the Baker hiring was strange. Not counting the Astros, what is the most documented baseball cheating scandal this century… the 2002 Giants where an entire clubhouse was on PEDs.
And who was the manager of the 2002 Giants? Dusty Baker.
Figures an Angel fan says something stupid like that.
Dusty gave the Angels the 2002 World Series by calling Russ Ortiz back and flipping him the ball. Worst move I’ve ever seen in a game. So Mr. Halo, you should love Dusty and by the way the Angels ball club didn’t have any PED users.
You better take a good look and rethink your statement………..
I wish Dusty the best of luck with the Astros.
I usually like Angels fans, but Mr. Halo is a piece of work !!
I always liked Dusty. Old school cat who is a players manager even if he struggles with pitching.
Agree. Heck of a ball player and all around good guy.
Looks like Dusty took a foul ball to the grill ⚾️
I thought I was an excellent replacement for Dusty in Cincinnati.
I guess that’s a no I’m bringing back AJ Hinch next season.
Dusty needs to use his job security now to instruct one of his rookie pitchers that Astros cannot condone opponents who throw multiple 100mph pitchers at/behind head. Time to retaliate or somebody might get killed. MLB should suspend Joe Kelly for 15 games. So freakin dangerous, basically a felony due to obvious intent to injure with deadly object.
I wonder if he’s ever actually baked any dust?……. :)
You had to have been baked to write something so embarrassingly unfunny.
Dusty Baker turns pitching hands and postseason leads to dust.