HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- After guiding the Astros to 95 wins and their third American League pennant in five years, Dusty Baker will remain as the team's manager in 2022, owner Jim Crane announced at an end of season press conference on Friday.
Baker, 72, managed in 2021 without a contract for next season and he made it clear late in the regular season and throughout the postseason he wanted to return. Baker has compiled a 124-98 regular season with the Astros, leading them to within a game of the World Series in 2020 and two years from a World Series title in 2021.
In 24 years as a Major League manager, Baker has won 1,987 games, 12th most in history. He is 54 wins shy of moving Walter Alston for 9th on the all-time wins list, but he is the only manager in the top 12 who has not won the World Series.
Baker's coaching staff will look different in 2022. Long-time pitching coach Brent Strom announced after the World Series he would not be returning after holding that job for eight years. Baker indicated bullpen coach Josh Miller will replace him while assistant pitching coach Bill Murphy will assume the role of bullpen coach.
Astros general manager James Click said he is hopeful the remainder of the staff will remain intact