FINISH STRONG
How one of Dusty Baker's last decisions as Astros manager is probably his best
Oct 24, 2023, 1:26 pm
The Astros won a lot of games with Dusty Baker. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
It sounds like baseball buzzards and talk show callers have mixed emotions about the Astros falling to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
They’re grieving over the Astros’ loss, but some, leaning toward most, fans are relieved over Dusty Baker’s apparent decision to leave his post as Astros field manager.
So while radio listeners and social media posters tap dance on Baker’s resignation and cheer that Baker won’t be around next year to write out weird, head-shaking lineup cards, it’s time for Houston to offer the veteran manager a well-deserved thanks for a thankless job well done.
During the Astros’ historic run of recent success, let’s remember that Baker took over a team in 2020 that was reeling from one of baseball’s biggest scandals. Owner Jim Crane had just fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch. The Astros instantly became black hat villains. Would other teams throw beanballs at Astros batters intentionally? Would the Astros be despised by fans in every ballpark they visited? Would the stench of cheating ever go away?
That’s the team Baker took over. He was hired specifically to bring a steady, mature hand and respectability back to the Astros and keep the team on a winning track.
And that Baker certainly did. On Baker’s watch, the Astros appeared in four consecutive American League Championship Series, won three American League West titles, two American League pennants and one World Series. There wasn’t a hint of cheating along Baker’s way. Bottom line, Baker’s tenure in Houston was one of unrivaled success in team history.
Sure there were flies in Baker’s ointment. He turned 74 this season. He didn’t always agree with general manager Dana Brown’s public suggestions on who to play and who to sit. Baker rankled with talk hosts who dared to question his tactics. Fans looked to the heavens when he kept pitchers on the mound too long or failed to pinch hit for certain batters.
Specifically, fans (and management) didn’t like that Baker played catcher Martin Maldonado practically every game in the final two months of the season, despite Maldonado’s woeful offensive and defensive statistics. Maldonado batted .191 in the regular season, coming off two years of batting .186 and .172. Maldonado also led the league in passed balls and had one of the worst marks of throwing out base stealers.
Meanwhile rookie catcher Yanier Diaz batted .282 during the season with more home runs than Maldonado despite being the second stringer. Fans argued that Baker was holding back Diaz’s emergence as a premier catcher, sticking him on the bench despite Diaz being superior to Maldonado by every statistical measure.
Baker lauded Maldonado’s skill at handling pitchers and calling games. Fans replied that Diaz could learn those skills, if only Baker gave him a chance, but Maldonado could never learn to hit like Diaz. It’s widely accepted that Diaz will be the starting catcher next year with a new manager in place.
Baker was also criticized for not playing Chas McCormick more. McCormick had a breakout year, hitting .273 and belting 23 home runs despite frustrating stretches out of the lineup.
Fans questioned: were the Astros successful because of Baker or despite him?
There is a special talent of knowing when to leave the stage with dignity before you’re asked to leave. After Monday night’s Game 7 loss, it was revealed that Baker had told several Astros officials that 2023 would be his last season in Houston. It’s not known how long Baker kept his letter of resignation in his back pocket.
It was obvious that Baker and management were not on the same page and by announcing that he was leaving, Baker made an unpleasant decision easy for owner Jim Crane. Baker did the honorable thing stepping aside. It may have been Baker’s best decision as manager.
It’s also possible that this isn’t the end for Baker as a manager. It’s reported that the Giants and Mets are interested in a certain crusty, hard-headed skipper who’s now available. Taking another manager’s job, his sixth, would be so Dusty Baker.
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After dropping a frustrating series to the Chicago White Sox, the Houston Astros find themselves in a familiar position—searching for answers, but still within striking distance. Despite their inconsistency, Houston sits just three games behind the AL West-leading Mariners, who are currently 7 games over .500 and riding an 8-2 stretch. For as up-and-down as the Astros have been, the division remains tantalizingly close.
That inconsistency was on full display throughout the White Sox series. Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo each played the roles of both hero and heartbreaker. Dezenzo launched a massive home run in Game 3, a moment that energized the dugout and briefly shifted momentum. But his costly defensive error later in the game flipped the script. Meyers was a spark plug in Houston’s lone win, delivering a clutch performance at the plate, only to run the team out of a rally in the finale when he was picked off second—right before Jeremy Peña ripped what would have been an RBI single.
Jose Altuve’s struggles are quietly becoming more worrisome. He’s recorded just one multi-hit game since April 19 and has only one homer since April 8. On Sunday, he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had grinded through a 33-pitch inning—a decision that raised questions about his awareness in a veteran moment. Should manager Joe Espada have reminded Altuve of the situation? Or is this on Altuve, who should have known what to do as one of the team leaders?
Signs of life
There are flickers of life from the bats. Last week, Houston's team OPS was an underwhelming .667 (23rd in MLB), with a slugging percentage of .357 (25th). They've nudged those numbers up to .684 (19th) and .370 (21st), respectively. It’s modest progress, but enough to suggest this offense might be trending in the right direction. Still, their 5-5 record over the last 10 games feels emblematic of who they are right now—a .500 team with both talent and flaws.
Looking ahead
The upcoming schedule could be a turning point. Three of the next five opponents have losing records, and none of them are elite. This stretch offers a prime opportunity for Houston to finally build momentum and close the gap in the division—assuming the Mariners cool off from their current tear, which seems inevitable given their unsustainable 8-2 pace.
McCullers is officially back!
Lance McCullers returned for the first time since 2022 and, despite being limited to 3.2 innings due to command issues (three walks and a hit batter), there were encouraging signs. His velocity was there, and the stuff looked sharp. It’s a start, and perhaps a step toward stabilizing a rotation that still needs length.
Steering the ship
Manager Joe Espada, however, continues to draw scrutiny. His decision-making in the finale raised eyebrows again. Giving Isaac Paredes a day off when Yordan Alvarez was already sitting left the lineup depleted. Rather than using promising young infielder/outfielder Cam Smith, he opted for Mauricio Dubón and Brendan Rodgers—a defensive combo that didn't inspire confidence. It feels at times like Espada isn’t prioritizing winning the final game of a series, a pattern that could haunt the team down the stretch.
The plot thickens
Meanwhile, Christian Walker’s slump is dragging on. He went 0-for-5 twice in the last two series and looks out of sync at the plate. The Astros need more from their power hitters if they hope to make a real run. And with Alvarez now heading to the IL with hand inflammation, runs will be even harder to come by.
All told, this team still feels like one hovering just above or below .500. But in a division that remains wide open, the path forward is clear: play better, hope the Mariners come back to earth, and capitalize on a soft schedule. The race is far from over—but it’s time for Houston to start acting like contenders.
We have so much more to discuss. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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