Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker finally reaches mountaintop

It has been a long time coming for Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker.

He has managed 3884 regular season games, his 2093 wins the ninth most in MLB history. Baker was the first manager to win a division with five different teams and was just one of nine managers to win a pennant in both leagues. A three time Manager of the Year, Baker’s next stop is going to be in Cooperstown.

Dusty Baker finally gets his ring with Houston Astros

However, for all of his success, there was still one thing that had eluded him. Baker had yet to win a championship as a manager, failing to do so in either of his two previous appearances in the World Series. At 73 years old it was fair to wonder how many more chances he would get to bring home a championship.

That wait is now over. Due to a four run sixth inning, capped by Yordan Alvarez’s three run shot to center, Baker finally got that long elusive ring. His resume is now complete – there is nothing left for him to accomplish.

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It is fair to wonder if this is going to be the end of the line. The Astros are planning on inviting him back to manage in 2023, but Baker may want to go out on top. After all, short of a repeat, Baker cannot top this season. And the Astros seemingly have the perfect replacement waiting in Joe Espada.

But that is a question for another day. Right now, the only thing that matters is that the Astros have won another championship, one that will not be marred with controversy. At the same time, Baker finally got his title, the perfect capstone to a Hall of Fame worthy career.

Dusty Baker has been waiting for decades for this moment. The Houston Astros manager finally has his World Series ring.