HOUSTON — It’s the end of the season for the Astros manager Dusty Baker, but is it the end of the road for Baker with the Astros?
The Athletic reports that, per sources, Baker, 74, has told people inside and outside the organization that this was his last season with Houston, though there have been no public announcements.
Baker was asked about his future after the ALCS Game 7 loss to Texas.
“I haven't had time to evaluate or think about my future because I'm down the list as far as -- like I'm not that kind of dude,” Baker said. “I don't want to steal the spotlight or anything from these guys. You've got to savor what we did. You've got to think about how we can get better. And then I'll evaluate my situation and my life.”
Baker went on to say that life in baseball has taken away family time.
“I talked to my daughter,” he said. ”I've got two grandsons, a year and a half. I've really sort of cheated them for my quest for another ring. I've got two dogs, hunting dogs, a year old. They wouldn't even know me when I walk in the house because I haven't been home since February 10.”
KHOU 11's Jason Bristol and former MLB scout Jeremy Booth talked about Baker's future after the game. Booth thinks he's done as a field manager, but not done with baseball.
"I don’t think he’s leaving the game," Booth said. "I don’t know how you leave the game after 50 years in it. Maybe it’s in a different capacity with this club after all he's done. But he sounded liked a guy who wanted to go home to his family a little bit.”
Baker has managed the Astros for the last four seasons. He came to the Houston in the wake of the cheating scandal after manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were both fired. Baker turned a tough situation into four straight American League Championship Series, two World Series appearances and one World Series title.
His big league management career also includes San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati and Washington. He has a career regular season record of 840-715.
As a player, Baker played for 19 seasons with the Braves, Dodgers, Giants and Athletics.