Former Giants skipper Baker is likely choice for Astros
If the San Francisco Giants had held a 5-0 lead in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series, it’s possible
Dusty Baker’s fate would already be sealed.
The former Giants manager has a résumé with Hall of Fame credentials, but Baker is missing one key accomplishment. He’s never won a title.
It appeared Baker had all but run out of chances, but that could change as the Houston Astros will reportedly name Baker the team’s manager. USA Today’s
Bob Nightengale reported the news on Tuesday.
No Houston-based outlets have confirmed the report yet.
If hired, Baker will have the rare opportunity to take over one of baseball’s most talented rosters as the Astros elected to fire manager AJ Hinch after MLB suspended him for the entire 2020 season in the wake of a cheating scandal that has rocked the sport.
The Astros reportedly interviewed at least a half dozen candidates, but Baker emerged Tuesday as the team’s choice, according to Nightengale. Earlier this offseason, Baker interviewed with the New York Mets for the manager job but was passed up in favor of Carlos Beltran.
Beltran, who was involved in leading the Astros’ sign-stealing endeavors during the 2017 season, also lost his job and was recently replaced by former Giants manager Felipe Alou’s son, Luis Rojas.
Baker boasts 22 seasons of major league managing experience and owns a career 1,863-1,636 record. His .532 regular season winning percentage ranks 11th among the 24 managers with at least 1,500 career wins.
Of the 14 managers with more career wins than Baker, only Bruce Bochy and Gene Mauch have yet to be enshrined in Cooperstown. If all goes well for Baker, he’ll pass Mauch (1,902 career wins) and could eventually join Bochy (2,003) in the 2,000-career win club.