BRIDLED JOY
Baker excited, cautious on return
Tradition continued Tuesday inside the Baker house. Father and son say their nightly prayers together, so Dusty welcomed 21-year-old Darren into the master bedroom.
Two days separated Dusty from a return to Houston. He found an apartment there and wanted to see it. Good news about baseball’s return would be a plus. Dusty has had a suitcase ready and waiting in his Sacramento, Calif., home with no clue when he may use it.
When their intercessions ended, Darren got up to leave.
“Dad, aren’t you excited?” Darren asked.
“I wasn’t excited yet,” Baker said Wednesday
morning, “but as I get closer to getting on the plane, I get more excited by the minute.”
Dusty Baker’s decision to manage the Astros is his “last hurrah.” His Hall of Fame résumé misses two accomplishments — a 2,000th career win and a World Series championship.
Typical times, along with the Astros picking up a 2021 club option, would almost assure Baker the former and put him on the precipice of the latter. Galvanizing a vulnerable clubhouse reeling from the sign-stealing scandal was Baker’s most arduous task.
All is now atypical. Baker is a 71-year-old man with far greater concerns than whether an Astro is plunked or an opponent mouths off. Flying to Houston on Thursday places him in a coronavirus hot spot. Assuming all goes to plan, he’ll stay for more than four months. He’s one of the sport’s most susceptible people to a virus that has taken more than 100,000 American lives.
“I’m a bit nervous, but I should be nervous, because this is like spring training number two. But I’ve seen the reports in Houston of how (COVID-19) has gone up,” Baker said “I’m going
to have to really be careful.”
On Wednesday, Texas reported nearly 6,000 new cases. It was the 13th consecutive day the state established a record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations. The Astros canceled workouts at Minute Maid Park on Monday and Tuesday in order to retest their personnel.
“Concern? Yes. I’ve got to be a little bit apprehensive on what I do and where I go. But worried? No. I’m not worried a bit,” Baker said.
Before anyone arrives at spring training July 1, they must undergo “intake screenings.” Temperature checks and two COVID-19 tests — a diagnostic test and antibody test — will be performed.
Difficulty lies in the aftermath. The Astros must abide by MLB’s 101-page list of health and safety protocols to keep their personnel healthy. Positive tests are almost expected. But if or when they arise within the coaching staff, concern will be amplified.
Baker and 71-year-old Astros pitching coach Brent Strom are the oldest men to hold their positions in the major leagues. Quality control coach Chris Speier turns 70 on Sunday. Thirdbase coach Gary Pettis is 62.
“We are very confident in the procedures that we have at Minute Maid Park right now in terms of keeping people as safe as we possibly can, but one of the things that we’re dealing with with this virus is just how difficult it can be to prevent the spread and deal with it,” general manager James Click said Wednesday. “We have every confidence in our doctors, and we’ll talk to our staff about that.”
In May and again this week, Baker and Strom balked at any apprehension surrounding a potential return. Strom spoke of his “fatalistic approach” to life, claiming he’s “not going to be (a) bubble boy about this thing.” He has quarantined in Tucson, Ariz., since May with his wife Carrie and her 102-year-old mother.
“I’m excited to get back, but I will say I’ve enjoyed time with my family a great deal,” Strom said Monday. “It kind of gave me a glimpse of what retirement is going to be like, which is kind of nice. Health-wise, it’s been great for me. Everything is better. No stress is pretty cool sometimes, I have a tendency to place too much stress on myself when we get going.”
Baker said he has lost 15 or 20 pounds during the three-month quarantine. He and Darren work out in a weight room “to die for.” Darren also hits in batting cages while his father watches. Dusty has stayed busy gardening and tending to his vineyards.
Dusty has adhered to various methods to combat COVID-19, purchasing personal protective equipment and washing his hands frequently. Whether he can chew his trademark toothpick underneath the masks is still up for debate and experiment.
“I’ve got about 100 different masks. I’ve got some gloves. I’ve got sunglasses,” Baker said. “I read all the reports on what to do and how to stay good. In my mind and in my heart, I’m in good shape, and I’m ready to go.”
Preparation can only soothe so many worries. Baker acknowledged Wednesday a few of his family members are concerned for his well-being. He and other non-playing personnel must wear face coverings in the facility. He’s confident of other protocols and precautions in place but a realist regarding one fact: Effective containment of this virus has eluded the entire country for three months.
“Our family is a family that believes in prayer,” Baker said. “We believe that I got a guardian angel and the Lord will take care of me and that He wouldn’t have put me in this situation to take me out of here.”