World Champs: Ranking the Eight Astros Most Deserving of their Rings

1) Dusty Baker

Speaking of Cooperstown, Dusty Baker can now book his reservation for the Hall of Fame for five years from when he decides to retire.

When news of the Astros’ scandal broke, owner Jim Crane took swift action, firing AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow. The franchise needed stability. Enter Baker.

The three-time Manager of the Year was one of the most widely respected men in the game, known for his character and the outlandish, too crazy to be true stories (subscription required) that surround the self-professed “second most interesting man in the world.”

Entering the World Series, Baker had a resume most could only dream of: 2,093 wins as a manager (9th all-time), division titles with five franchises, three pennants, an NLCS MVP, two All-Star appearances, a World Series championship as a player, two Silver Sluggers and the invention of the high-five.

Only one thing was missing from Baker’s resume: a World Series championship as a manager. Baker had his chances, losing the 2002 World Series with the Giants and last season with Houston.

At 73-years-old, Baker can finally cross the last thing off the list. 25 seasons and nearly 4,000 games later, one of the true good guys in the game has his ring. Whether or not Baker returns next year remains in question. What is no longer up for debate is Baker’s place in history. He has reached the status of baseball immortals.

“Do it for Dusty” became the team’s rally cry this postseason. After defeating the Phillies 4-2 in the World Series, the Astros can now say they “Did it for Dusty.”