Dusty Baker's Future With Astros Revealed: Report

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is reportedly leaning towards retirement following the team's Game 7 loss to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series, the Athletic reported Monday (October 23) night.

Baker, 74, reportedly told multiple people within and outside the Astros organization that 2023 would serve as his final season as a Major League Ball manager, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the website during the past week. Houston was eliminated in an 11-4 loss to the Rangers Monday night, spoiling its goal to repeat as back-to-back World Series champions, having won in 2022 during Baker's third season with the franchise after taking over in January 2020 following former manager A.J. Hinch's termination in relation to a sign-stealing scandal.

Baker, a former outfielder for four MLB teams, including the 1981 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, began his coaching career as a first base coach for the San Francisco Giants in 1988 before being promoted to hitting coach in 1989 and eventually taking over as the team's manager in December 1992. The California native was a three-time National League Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000) during his 10 seasons (1993-2002) with the Giants, which included leading San Francisco to a World Series appearance in 2002.

Baker spent the next four seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2003-06) before six with the Cincinnati Reds (2008-13) and two with the Washington Nationals (2016-17).