HOUSTON — The baseball world is celebrating Dusty Baker after he made his retirement official Thursday.
Baker retired after 26 years as a manager, including the last four with the Houston Astros. During his run in Houston, he led the team to the American League Championship Series four times and the World Series twice, winning it all once.
Another notable Houstonian – and major Houston sports fan – Paul Wall wants to give Dusty a retirement gift, and it’s a gift the Houston rapper is known for.
Editor's note: Video above is coverage of Baker's retirement announcement
Wall posted on Instagram that he and Houston celebrity jeweler Johnny Dang wanted to get the future Hall of Famer custom-made grillz!
His message to Baker...
"I wanna say congratulations to Dusty Baker on an amazing career. Thank you for coming to manage the @astros It was an honor to watch you lead the Stros and make history! I wish you joy and blessings! As a retirement present me and @johnnydangandco got some grillz ready for you 🥶🙌🙏🤘."
If you’re wondering what grillz are, it’s decorative removable jewelry worn on teeth. And it’s not the first time Wall and Dang have celebrated greatness with grillz. Last year, they promised the Astros diamond grillz if they won the World Series.
Here's video of Wall celebrating that win!
Baker is ranked ninth all-time with 2,183 victories in 4,046 regular-season games. He was the 12th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins and the first Black man to do it.
Ten of the other 11 managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame. Bruce Bochy (2,093), who is still managing the Rangers and isn’t yet eligible, is the only exception.
Baker began managing in 1993 after a 19-year playing career as an outfielder. He played with Hank Aaron in Atlanta and won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1981.
The Associated Press contributed to this report