Dusty Baker enters his fourth season as Astros manager. Fresh off the first World Series title of his illustrious career, the 73-year-old skipper discussed his future with Bob Nightengale of USA Today. He was noncommittal about the possibility of continuing beyond this season.
“I don’t know man. I just don’t know. You got to go home some day,” Baker told Nightengale. While that’s a rather equivocal stance, it seems it’s the approach Baker has taken throughout his tenure there. He’s signed a series of one-year contracts with the organization — even this past offseason on the heels of a championship — noting that the shorter term won’t “force (him) to come or go.” Baker said he has no plans of announcing his retirement in advance, preferring to wait until he’s absolutely sure he wants to step away before making that call.
The Astros went 230-154 in Baker’s first three seasons at the helm. They’ve advanced at least as far as the AL Championship Series in all three years, culminating in the second World Series in franchise history last season. Baker has obviously had the fortune of overseeing excellent rosters, yet the organization couldn’t have hoped for more when tabbing him in the wake of the revelation of the sign-stealing scandal.
Turning to this year’s roster, general manager Dana Brown offered a couple injury updates prior to the club’s loss to the White Sox this evening. The Astros placed Michael Brantley on the 10-day injured list as he rehabs from last year’s season-ending shoulder procedure.
Brown provided some specificity on the timetable, telling reporters that Brantley would miss at least three weeks of game action (relayed by Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). The veteran outfielder didn’t make an appearance this spring as Houston slowly brought him along. Once healthy, he’s expected to share left field/designated hitter reps with Yordan Alvarez.
Brown also provided an update on starter Lance McCullers Jr., who’s opening the season on the 15-day IL due to an elbow strain. The GM said McCullers is now pain-free, indicating some optimism about his status (via Mark Berman of Fox 26). There doesn’t seem to be a firm timetable for his return, though the righty was playing catch during Spring Training. While McCullers slowly builds toward game shape, Houston opens the year with a front five of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, José Urquidy and rookie Hunter Brown.
I like the “Perfectly Timed Sports Photos.”
Win the World Series again this year and go out on top!
No “can” do
I thought the Astros went to the well one too many times with Michael Brantley. Now they have two DHs.
Maybe, but it’s a one year deal.
So the Astros begin by trailing the Rangers in the standings.
“culminating in the *first* World Series in franchise history”
Learn to count 1 (2017) + 1(2022) = 2. If you go the Minute Maid park you will see 2 World Series champ banners flying not 1. Maths is hard
Learn to notice: 1 (2017)* + 1(2022) = 2. If you go the Minute Maid park you will see 2 World Series champ banners flying with an asterisk, not 1. Good baseball is hard.
Do some research every single team tries to cheat. You’re pretty naive if you think it was only the Astros. Do yourself a favor and just never comment again you showed your intelligence
Funny that a Yankees fan of all people would try to talk about cheating. Steroids much ?
I wish Dusty could go straight to the hall after he retires instead of waiting 5 years.
@astro fan 84 – straight to the Hall for one World Series and blowing the 2002 World Series?
And blowing out Mark Prior and Kerry Woods arms
He’ll get in.
As a Giant
Cool that the little baby batboy who almost got run over save JT is now a baller
Give me a “C”! Give me a “HEATERS”! That spells CHEATERS!
That was the previous regime, not Dusty dude.
FireFarhan – as a Dodgers fan, I’m surprised how little he has done up North. Ownership being tight too though, right?
Kewldood69 – As a Giants fan, I feel the biggest problems are Farhan and Kapler
You don’t like paying Joc 18 million?
#Kewldood69 – Not after watching him bunt with 2 strikes and 2 outs, with runners in scoring position, against the dodgers in September last year
Are you talking about the Dodgers, the Yankees or Red Sox?
The loss tonight is on Dusty. He let Meyers bat when they could have used insurance runs. No reason to not pinch hit with Hensley or Chaz. Also using Pressly in a tie game was a really dumb decision
Sure, “Deal’in” Cease had nothing to do with the Astros losing.
Apparently you didn’t watch the game. The Astros were winning when Cease was out of the game.
Stros were winning sure until savvy vet Yaz, notorious for being one of the most patient players in the game, ambushed the 1st pitch he saw. For all the misery the Sox went through, having everyone back and healthy and subtracting the drama of sleepy Tony could lead to night and day results
You’re lacking in strategy
Dusty has never been a great manager. He knows how to chew on toothpicks and act cool.
Are you serious with this nonsense? It’s 2023, enough already.
He’s not a great manager. Bonds carried him for years in San Francisco. I loved him as a player in the ’70s with the Braves, but he’s no Hall of Famer.
That tax evading hippie just got smoked by a rookie manager.
# Sliderwitcheese- Are you referring to D. Baker or D. trump?
First game of the season and he’s already getting asked about if this will be his last season or not?
Maybe Dusty wearing his pants so high cuts off air to his brain and thats why he makes the decisions he does
No reason to say something like that about Dusty. It’s hateful and pathetic and not nearly as funny as you think it is.
Some people have no respect for their elders
Funny is Funny Jr. Bravo!
dc…
It took Dusty 73 years to get a participation trophy, like you got every year as a snotty nosed punk kid.
Dad would just back hand us into last week for any such comments.