Having won his first MLB World Series championship ever since he became a manager in 1993, it’s safe to say that Houston Astros skipper Dusty Baker is a happy man.
He likes to win, like each one of the 29 remaining managers, but he has been around this long mostly because he loves the game.
Winning, however, left a great taste in his mouth.
The Astros took the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the first one in Baker’s illustrious career as a skipper.
He already had one as a player in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
One would have thought Baker, if he won, would have retired as a champion.
That won’t be the case, though: he liked what winning feels like, and would love to experience a similar World Series run next year.
Baker Is Returning For The 2023 Season
“Dusty Baker confirms he’ll return to manage the Astros in 2023, though the contract isn’t finalized: ‘I always said if I win one, I want two. I like to keep my word. This is as much fun as I’ve had ever,'” Astros insider Brian McTaggart tweeted.
Dusty Baker confirms he'll return to manage the Astros in 2023, though the contract isn't finalized: "I always said if I win one, I want two. I like to keep my word. This is as much fun as I've had ever."
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 8, 2022
There you have it: Baker will try to run it back next year with these Astros players.
Most of them remain under contract, save for a few notable exceptions.
The front office will likely work to retain this core, which is good enough to play for the title again next year even without major additions.
As for Baker, he did a wonderful job leading a team in the middle of a hostile environment almost everywhere they went.
He remained calm and let his player speak on the field.
They spoke, and did it loudly.
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