Astros: Dusty Baker rumored to be the next manager

The Houston Astros have apparently selected Dusty Baker to take the helm as their new manager to replace the fired AJ Hinch.

According to Bob Nightengale of USAToday Sports, the Astros are in the process of finalizing a deal to hire Dusty Baker as their next manager. It was said that Jim Crane was leaning toward hiring a candidate with a lot of experience and you can’t get much more experienced than Baker.

Nothing is concrete yet, but other sources have also stated that the Astros are in discussion with Baker about the job. He was one of nine candidates that have been interviewed for the position over the past two weeks.

The 70-year-old has 3500 games under his belt as a manager with four different teams. He has a .532 winning percentage with a record of 1863-1636 over his 22-year career. His most recent stint was with the Washington Nationals in 2016-17 going 192-132 and winning division titles both seasons.

The longest tenure he had with a team was with the San Francisco Giants in 1993-2002, winning the National League pennant in 2002. He won the National League Manager of the Year Award three seasons with the Giants and came in 3rd or better on the ballot for the award seven times in his career.

Baker said prior to the interview how talented he thought this team was and he would be privileged to be their manager. He has a lot of ties here in Houston and expressed his love for the city. His former wife and family live in the area, along with his best friend and a few former players he has managed.

This team will most likely have a turbulent season ahead of them with the sign-stealing scandal still fresh in everyone’s minds, opposing players and fans alike. It’s hard to even imagine what the players will have to endure while playing on the road. I think that Baker is a good choice to lead these players through what could be a very stormy year.

The Astros have yet to make an official announcement concerning the hiring of Baker as the new manager. But Baker has made one thing clear, he’s excited and eager to get back into the driver’s seat and will have the talent behind him to reach the one goal he has yet to achieve, a World Series Championship.