Dusty Baker reveals his future plans after retiring as manager

Jan 30, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Dusty Baker speaks after being announced as the Houston Astros manager during a press conference at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed his future plans on Wednesday, and while he is retiring from managing, he is not done with baseball.

Baker confirmed to Bob Nightengale of USA Today that he is retiring as a manager after 26 seasons, but hopes to serve as a consultant for either the Astros or another team.

“I’ve still got a lot to offer; baseball has been my life,” Baker said. “I have a lifetime of knowledge, much more than those who have never played the game.”

Baker added that he had known since spring training that this would be his final season, but chose not to announce it to avoid being a distraction.

“I thought about it before the year, but the reason I didn’t want to mention it is because of my conversations with Bruce Bochy, saying how distracting it was for his team in San Francisco,” Baker said. “I didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t fair to my players.”

Bochy announced before the 2019 season that he would retire as Giants manager, but according to Baker, later regretted the early announcement. He would later return to managing this season with the Texas Rangers, who knocked the Astros out of the playoffs in the ALCS.

Reports quickly emerged after the Astros’ Game 7 loss that Baker was likely retiring, though this offers some clarity on his future. He is likely headed to the Hall of Fame once he is eligible in three years.