Astros name Dusty Baker manager

Dusty Baker (Google Images)

The Houston Astros  of Major League Baseball have named Dusty Baker of Riverside, California their new manager. Baker takes over from AJ Hinch, who was fired by the Astros on January 13.

Despite being 70 years of age, Baker appears to have a lot more to give to Major League Baseball. The Astros become the fifth team that Baker has managed in his career. He has also managed the San Francisco Giants (1993 to 2002), the Chicago Cubs (2003 to 2006), the Cincinnati Reds (2008 to 2013) and the Washington Nationals (2016 to 2017).

In 3499 regular season games, Baker has a record of 1863 wins and 1636 losses for a winning percentage of .532. He also has a postseason record of 23 wins and 32 losses. Baker was also the National League Manager of the Year with the Giants in 1993, 1997 and 2000.

As a player, Baker was an outfielder with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics from 1968 to 1986. In 19 Major League Baseball seasons, Baker batted .278 with 242 home runs and 1013 runs batted in during 2039 games.

Baker won a World Series with the Dodgers in 1981. That season he batted .320 with nine home runs and 49 runs batted in during a strike shortened season as teams only played a partial season. Also in 1981, Baker was an all-star, won the golden glove award and won his second straight silver slugger award. He was once again an all-star with the Dodgers in 1982.

Baker’s 1863 wins as a manager is 15th all-time. Connie Mack is the all-time leader with 3731 wins. The Astros were in need of a managerial change because Hinch was involved in the cheating scandal that rocked Major League Baseball earlier this month.