Baker's contract extended by Astros

*Photo from The Athletic*

   A baseball lifer is getting at least one more rodeo, one more go at it. The Houston Astros and manager Dusty Baker have agreed to a one year contract extension, according to Baker himself, with the Astros formally announcing the news on Wednesday.

   The 73 year old Baker led the Astros to the 2022 World Series title when they toppled the Philadelphia Phillies in game 6 on Saturday night. Now he gets a one year extension for his 4th season as the Astros manager, and his 26th managing in the big leagues. He became the oldest manager to win a World Series when the Astros won on Saturday.

   Last season, Baker took home his first World Series title as a manager after a storybook career in the dugout. He collected his 2,000th win as a manager on May 3rd and ended the regular season with 2,093 career victories. Baker appears likely to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon retirement.

   Baker said in a press conference that "Hey man, we've got a chance to win back-to-back and this is what I'd like to do. I've got work to do. You can't be satisfied on where you are right now or you'll never get past where you are right now. I love winning more than anything. I'm spoiled by winning. That's what I plan on doing, doing some more winning."

   When he reached 2,000 career victories, Baker became the 12th manager in baseball history to reach that feat. 10 of the now 12 managers to do so have been inducted into the hall of fame, with the other being Bruce Bochy, who was recently hired by the Texas Rangers as their new manager.

   Baker made his return to baseball in the shortened 2020 season. He was hired along with GM James Click by owner Jim Crane after AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow were suspended by MLB and fired by Crane after the Astros sign stealing investigation concluded. Since the scandal brought Baker to the Astros, he has led them to 3 ALCS appearances, two World Series appearances, and the title in 2022.

   With Baker now under contract, the Astros will now turn their focus to the future of Click. He is not under contract with the team but is still at the GM meetings in Las Vegas and is negotiating with the Astros towards a new contract.