After a very tumultuous offseason, it seems that the Astros have decided on their new manager. Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY has reported that the Astros will name Dusty Baker as their next manager.
The #Astros have decided on Dusty Baker to be their next manager, a perfect choice.https://t.co/UlDHjACFD0
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 28, 2020
Baker, 70, will take over the team as the 24th manager in Astros history, filling the vacancy created by the firing of A.J. Hinch following the sign-stealing scandal. Baker has had a very decorated career as both a player and a manager. He has a career managerial record of 1,863-1,636, a .532 winning percentage, and has been named Manager of the Year three times. He previously managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals, but has never managed a World Series-winning team. In fact, dating back to 2003, teams managed by Baker have lost 10 straight postseason close-out games in which the team had the chance to advance to the next round.
This is an interesting choice, as Baker has not been known to be the most analytically-savvy manager. With that being said, it’s hard to find a manager more respected around baseball than Dusty Baker, so he may be the perfect hire for the Astros in this time of ridicule and criticism they are going through.
The Astros have a tough road ahead of them after everything that has surfaced this offseason, but owner Jim Crane believes he has selected the right guy to get them back on the right track.
