HOUSTON — Coming off his first World Series title as a manager, Dusty Baker will return to the bench to guide the Astros in 2023. Baker told MLB.com on Tuesday he’s working on a contract extension to return for a fourth season at the helm in Houston.
The Astros called a press conference for noon CT Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, where they’re expected to announce Baker’s return for his 26th season as a Major League manager.
Baker, 73, became the oldest manager to win a World Series when the Astros took down the Phillies in six games, capped by Saturday’s 4-1 win at Minute Maid Park. It’s been an incredible year for Baker, who earlier this year picked up his 2,000th career win on May 3. Adding a World Series championship should swing the doors of baseball’s Hall of Fame wide open to greet him after he’s done managing.
“I always said if I won one, I wanted two,” Baker said on Tuesday. “I’m going to try to keep my word. I like to keep my word, especially like this. This was as much fun as I’ve ever had. I had forgotten about how much fun the ticker-tape parade was because it’s been 40 years since the last one I went to, and what it means to me and my family and the city of Houston.”
Astros general manager James Click, whose contract expired on Oct. 31, said Tuesday at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas that he’s “having discussions right now” with the club about his future. Click is representing the Astros at the GM Meetings even though he doesn’t have a contract, which isn’t unusual.
“I’m incredibly proud of the front office we have in Houston, and around the country and around the world, and I enjoy them and am committed to working with them,” Click said.
Baker was hired a few days before Click in January 2020, in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal that cost general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch their jobs. Astros owner Jim Crane said earlier on Tuesday that no deals have been done yet to bring back Baker and Click. Baker has guided Houston to three American League Championship Series and two World Series, winning one title, in three seasons.
“He just got us out of the Dust Bowl,” Crane said Saturday. “He got us to where we need to be. I’m happy for Dusty. He did a great job all year long. The players love him and it’s a great story. What a great career he’s had.”
In May, Baker became the 12th AL/NL manager to reach 2,000 wins. Of the previous 11 managers to reach 2,000 career victories, 10 of them are in the Hall of Fame. The only one who isn’t is Bruce Bochy (2,003 wins), who is not yet eligible for induction and was recently hired by the Rangers.
Click, who came to the Astros after 14 years with the Tampa Bay Rays, said the uncertainty about his future in Houston has not taken away from his enjoyment of the Astros’ World Series title.
“That was one of the most enjoyable experiences that I’ve ever had in my entire life,” he said. “I got here [at the GM Meetings] and so many people who haven’t been lucky enough to win the title came up to me and said, ‘Is this worth it, what we all go through and how much time we spend away from our families?’ I will tell you unequivocally, yes. It totally lives up.”
Whether Click will join Baker with a chance to bring back-to-back titles to Houston remains to be seen.
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