Dusty Baker says he has ‘unfinished business’ after World Series loss; will Astros bring him back?

HOUSTON — The chance that Sport 6 of the 2021 World Collection may have been Dusty Baker’s remaining sport as a supervisor exists. The Atlanta Braves received the World Collection on Tuesday night time in Houston. As they had been celebrating on the sector, one of many many ideas that rushed by means of my thoughts was that this is likely to be it for Baker, whose Astros got here up quick within the Fall Basic. I’ve previously mentioned how much Baker is worth rooting for. 

I am undecided the Astros would essentially hearth Baker, however the truth that the Astros solely gave Baker a two-year contract when he was employed in 2020 within the wake of the sign-stealing scandal screams to me that he was introduced in to wash up the fame of the ballclub in a short-term capability. Astros basic supervisor James Click on got here right here by way of the Rays, and we all know how they function. It looks like a youthful, analytically inclined supervisor might be subsequent on the listing right here in Houston. 

Baker positive does not appear prepared to go away, nonetheless. 

“What are you able to do, besides go dwelling, take a bathe, work out how you are going to come again and win it subsequent yr,” Baker stated after the loss. “Look, final yr we received one sport wanting the World Collection, and this yr we had been two video games wanting the championship. So I assume that is progress.”  

Baker added that he has “unfinished enterprise.”

For Baker, he is had 24 years in cost within the dugout. He is the one supervisor in historical past to win his division with 5 totally different groups. He is received each pennants. He received a World Collection ring as a participant. He is 72 years outdated. He has a winery (Baker Household Wines). 

Had the Astros prevailed over the Braves, it could have been a logical conclusion to Baker’s embellished profession. Within the aftermath of the loss, although, it appears like he actually desires to come back again and win it. He is simply not beneath contract for subsequent season, so it may not in the end be his alternative. He may merely have his contract not renewed.

Baker’s been maligned prior to now with some decision-making, and whereas a few of it’s definitely affordable, most is not. There’s completely nothing on this collection he may have accomplished otherwise, apart from minor nitpicks that did not find yourself actually being related. He had a patchwork pitching employees with Lance McCullers injured and Zack Greinke compromised. I additionally don’t know how anybody may blame Baker for his gamers not hitting in Video games 1, 3, 4 and 6. They failed him if something. And, actually, credit score the Braves. They unlocked some form of magic that made them have that “crew of future” really feel. 

Truthfully, it is extremely maddening the venom Baker takes from some corners over stuff that occurred almost 20 years in the past. He is one of the vital revered and revered males in baseball and there is a motive he is nonetheless working previous the age of 70. He is that good at it. 

If Baker is not introduced again, this actually may need been his final run. He needs to be Corridor of Fame sure in brief order as soon as he’s accomplished. He is twelfth all time in wins and tied for seventh in postseason wins with 40. There is no requirement {that a} supervisor win a title earlier than induction and, anyway, you can provide additional credit score by looping in his taking part in profession. He was a profession .278 hitter with a 116 OPS+, had 1,981 hits, 320 doubles, 242 homers and 137 steals. There have been circumstances earlier than the place the supervisor’s taking part in had been used to prop up his standing. For instance, Joe Torre’s Corridor of Fame plaque lists his taking part in groups and years and has point out of his work on the sector as a participant. They will go an analogous route with Baker. 

What Baker has given this sport as a lifer is an excellent 19-year taking part in profession, a superb managerial profession all whereas touching so many lives alongside the way in which. If this actually is retirement time, he is rattling positive earned it. In mild of his feedback about coming again subsequent season, let’s hope the Astros follow him.