Dusty Baker is calling it a career.
The Houston Astros skipper is retiring after 26 seasons as an MLB manager, he told USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale.
Baker is expected to formally announce his retirement in a press conference at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Thursday, according to Nightengale.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to [owner] Jim Crane and the Houston Astros for giving me this opportunity, and to win a championship,’’ Baker told USA TODAY Sports. “I felt like they’ve been good for me, and I’ve been good for them.”
Baker, 74, expressed a desire to continue working in baseball in an advisory role, according to Nightengale.
“I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life,’’ Baker said. “I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.’’
Baker’s retirement comes after an impressive four-year run in Houston where he helped the franchise reclaim the World Series title in the wake of its sign-stealing scandal. Houston reached the ALCS in each season under Baker and made consecutive World Series from 2021-22, winning it all last season. They looked on their way to a third straight World Series trip this season before squandering a 3-2 ALCS lead against the Texas Rangers.
Along with the Astros, Baker managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals over his career. A three-time Manager of the Year, Baker’s teams combined to…
