The Houston Astros may not be off to the best start, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a competitive team.
In fact, even though the Seattle Mariners and, particularly, the Los Angeles Angels look ready to mount a serious challenge for the AL West title, the Astros remain the favorites to retain their crown.
They, as an organization, have gone to three World Series in the last five years, a feat that few people in recent memory have been able to achieve.
Dusty Baker, their manager, is a big part of their recent success.
The experienced skipper just achieved his 2,000th career victory on Tuesday, and is hungry for more.
Fortunately for him, he has a really talented team at his disposal.
Besides their obvious talent to play baseball, the Astros are a strong group.
A Close, Together Group
Baker himself said it in his latest encounter with the press.
“Dusty Baker has a champagne bottle signed by the team. ‘This is probably the most together team I’ve been on,’ he said,” Astros reporter Brian McTaggart tweeted.
Dusty Baker has a champagne bottle signed by the team. “This is probably the most together team I’ve been on,” he said. pic.twitter.com/nu9SHl5Z1q
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 4, 2022
It’s pretty clear the Astros roster loves Baker, and the skipper loves them back.
It’s an excellent relationship based on mutual respect and admiration.
Baker achieved something that only 11 other managers in the history of the game have been able to accomplish: 2,000 wins.
What Baker, and baseball fans around the world, would love the most is for him to win four games in the Fall Classic before his rival.
It could eventually happen, and as long as the group is as close as the Astros have shown to be, they will have a chance.
Talent is the most important thing for a contending roster, but knowing that a teammate has your back no matter what is also relevant.
NEXT: Dusty Baker Comments On His Historic Night