Despite rumors that 2023 will be Dusty Baker's last season as manager for the Houston Astros, he has said that he's still evaluating his future and hasn't made a decision.
There was a lot of speculation during the Houston Astros' season that this could be Dusty Baker's last year as manager.
But, as the Astros normally are, they positioned themselves to make another postseason run that put all of that conversation on the backburner.
Then, with Houston getting eliminated from the playoffs on Monday, all of the Baker questions started to fire up again.
One report even suggested that he had coached his last game for the Astros.
While that could become the case, Baker himself still insists that he hasn't made up his mind about this decision.
"I haven't had time to evaluate or think about my future because … I'm not that kind of dude," he said. "You've got to savor what we did. You've got to think about how we can get better. And then I'll evaluate my situation and my life."
He'll discuss this decision with his family and figure out if it's time for him to step away from baseball.
"I've got two grandsons … I've really sort of cheated them in my quest for another ring. I've got two dogs, hunting dogs, a year old. They wouldn't even know me when I walk in the house because I haven't been home since February the 10th," he said.
Baker's contract will expire at the end of this season, so it would be up to the organization to bring him back.
The legendary manager was previously retired before being lulled out of retirement to coach Houston in 2020.
He had a great four-year run with the organization if 2023 truly was his last season.
He won two American League pennants and his elusive World Series championship last year.
"If this is it for [Baker], what a phenomenal career he’s had. It’s been an honor to play under him," veteran outfielder Michael Brantley said.