The Houston Astros are in the World Series for the third time in five years, but for 72-year-old manager Dusty Baker, it’s an opportunity to finally win a first title as a coach.
• Read also: Astros and White Sox game postponed
• Read also: More accusations of cheating against the Astros
“I feel really privileged to have this group of guys and to be in this position,” responded Baker, quoted on the major baseball website, after the Astros’ victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Baker, who previously played 19 seasons in major league baseball, did win the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, but he was never able to repeat the feat, either on the field or as manager.
The oldest baseball fans will remember that Baker had done the Dodgers a great service to defeat the Montreal Expos in 1981 during the National Championship series. While the Rick Monday home run made history in the fifth and final game, Baker had three hits and three RBIs at Olympic Stadium in the fourth game of the series that the Dodgers won by scoring. 7 to 1. He then contributed to Los Angeles’ triumph over the New York Yankees in the World Series.
It was 40 years ago. Baker had since returned to Major League Baseball as a manager with the San Francisco Giants in 2002, but the Anaheim Angels ultimately won out.
Fight adversity
Despite his three National Manager of the Year titles with the Giants (1993, 1997 and 2000), Baker was never fully recognized as he was unable to lead his players to a conquest.
When the Astros hired him, in January 2020 following AJ Hinch’s departure for his role in the stolen signals scandal, Baker agreed it was his last chance.
“We had a lot in common,” said Baker, emphasizing his state of mind when accepting the position with the Astros. When you can relate to the people you are with, no matter your age, it’s easier to come together and identify the obstacles to cross. ”
The unloved
Baker, who once again experienced adversity when the Philadelphia Phillies chose Joe Girardi to become the team’s manager before the 2020 season, can imagine how Astros players feel when they get booed everywhere. where they go.
“I hate that AJ Hinch lost his job this way, but I inherited a good team,” Baker added, alluding to the stolen signals scandal that clouded the Astros championship in 2017.
“Honestly, we’ve learned to live with it,” said shortstop Carlos Correa, “of the aura of unloved that follows the Astros. Boos were not our motivation this year. Our motivation is rather to demonstrate to the whole world that we are the best team and we are one step away from proving it. ”
For the World Series, the Astros will meet the winners of the National Championship Series, game six of which was scheduled for Saturday night between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
– At 72, Dusty Baker will become the second oldest manager in World Series history. Only Jack McKeon was around 200 days older than him when he reached and won the Major League Baseball Grand Final with the Florida Marlins in 2003.
