The Astros defeated the SeattleMariners in Houston on Tuesday night, and with it, the 2,000th win for manager Dusty Baker, who is the first black manager in major league history.
The only manager to lead five different teams to the playoffs is Baker, who began his managerial career in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants. He guided the Giants to the World Series in 2002 and the Astros to the World Series in 2021. His 40 career wins are tied for eighth with Terry Francona.
Over the past three decades, Baker has been one of the most vivid characters in the game, with a 19-year career as a player that saw him finish with 1,981 hits and 242 home runs.
His Hall of Fame case is still contentious despite his 2,000 wins. Of the 11 managers with more wins than Baker, 10 of them are in the Hall of Fame, with Bruce Bochy being considered a lock to get elected when he is eligible for the ballot in December 2023. All 10 Hall of Fame managers with more wins than Baker have at least one World Series title.
Game 6 of the 2002 World Series with the Giants, Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series with the Cubs and Game of the 2015 NL Division Series with the Dodgers were heartbreaking playoff defeats for Baker's teams.
Baker's regular-season success makes him a strong Hall candidate, especially given his track record of turning franchises around -- or, in the Astros case, lending a steadying presence in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal. Consider:
The 1993 Giants went from 72 wins to 103, but they lost the NL West race to Atlanta on the final day of the season.
The 2003 Cubs went from 67 wins to 88 and made it to the NLCS.
In Cincinnati, Baker took over a team that had suffered seven consecutive losing seasons and had it back in the playoffs in 2010 and 2012.
The Nationals won the NL East in both of Baker's seasons at the helm and improved from 83 wins to 95.
After the sign-stealing scandal forced the firing of Hinch, he took over the Astros in 2020. Baker guided the Astros to the American League Championship Series in 2020 despite the losses of Cole and Verlander, and to 95 wins and the World Series in 2021.
Baker is the seventh black manager in MLB history. After retiring as a player, Baker initially had no interest in managing, but he joined the Giants as first base coach and then hitting coach for four seasons before replacing Roger Craig as manager after the 1992 season.
Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers is one of two Black managers in the year 2022.
Baker told the New York Times that there were only a couple of things missing, a championship and the 2,000th win. I hope that I can help convince other owners that Dave Roberts and I should have more.
After the World Series loss, Baker is working on a one-year extension.
He said at the time of his extension that he had some unfinished business. We are getting better every year. I would like to thank the organization for giving us the pieces and James Click for adding the pieces at the right time. I am very proud to be the leader of the team.
If the Astros win the World Series this season, it would be another milestone for Baker, as he would be the oldest manager to win a championship.
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