Baker uncertain about future with Astros
NEW YORK — An American League pennant is within reach for the Astros, but attention again focused on the futures of their top two decision-makers prior to Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
In a departure from his stance earlier this season,
Dusty Baker sounded uncertain about whether he wants to manage the club next year. Neither Baker nor general manager James Click is under contract next season. Baker did not offer a direct answer to whether he “would prefer to manage next year.”
“I don’t want to be a distraction to my team. I’ll let you know at the end of this year,” Baker responded.
Owner Jim Crane offered Click a tepid vote of confidence during a three-minute interview session with a throng of Houston-based media during pregame batting practice at Yankee Stadium.
“James is doing fine,” Crane said. ‘We’ve got to finish up this season. He’s done a good job.”
Click has declined all comment on his future.
Pressed more about Click and Baker’s futures, Crane responded “I’ve already answered that question.” On Friday, Crane told the New York Post in a text message “I will make a decision after the season is over on both contracts. That has not changed.”
Despite playoff appearances in each of his three seasons and a 106-win campaign this year, Click’s future in the organization is, at best, tenuous. Philosophical differences between Click and Baker — a manager he did not hire — have existed throughout his tenure, according to multiple people in the organization.
Differences in approach between Crane and Click have manifested, too, but it is unclear what or how it precipitated. Crane received only two questions about Click and Baker on Saturday before being peppered with plaudit-seeking statements about players on his team.
Baker, 73, signed a one-year contract last November after leading Houston to within two wins of a World Series championship. In August, Baker said he’d like to manage the team next season, reiterating one of his most repeated phrases since taking the job in Feb. 2020.
“Yeah, I’d like to come back,” Baker said in August. “I’d like to win (the World Series) this year and next year, too. I’ve always said if I win one, I win two, so you have to win one first in order to win two.”
Baker sounded far less certain on Saturday when asked about his future.
“I mean, my future is now,” Baker said. “My future is today. I’m not really worried about my future, because I’m just glad to, after having cancer and having a stroke, I’m just glad to be here today and watch the sun come up every day.”