Astros' Dusty Baker talks about his future after team's ALCS exit, hints at possible retirement 

The Houston Astros are bracing for the possibility of manager Dusty Baker retiring this coming offseason after losing Game 7 of the ALCS on Monday night.

As reported by MLB insider Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the 74-year-old Baker, who has been a member of the Astros since 2020, reportedly "expressed to multiple people inside and outside" the team that '23 will be his "final season."

Baker, an 18-year MLB veteran who took on his first managerial position in 1993, was also reported to "want to remain in the game in some capacity."

In a statement to the media, Baker said he will now begin to consider what he genuinely wants for the upcoming season.

"I told the guys I love them and appreciate their effort, appreciate the way they go about their business," Baker said. "I don’t know, I haven’t had time to evaluate and think about my future because I’m down the list as far as, like, I’m not that kind of dude. I don’t want to steal the spotlight or anything from these guys.

"You got to savor what we did, think about how we can get better and then I’ll evaluate my situation in my life. And so, we will see. I’ll talk to my daughter. I’ve got two grandsons… I really sort of cheated them for my quest… I 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."

Dusty Baker's timeline as a manager with Houston

Dusty began working as a manager for the Houston Astros in 2020. He was the first baseball manager to guide five clubs to the postseason. Having defeated both the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics to go to the ALCS, he also made history by being the first manager to take a team that finished below .500 in the postseason to a series victory.

Baker became the first manager in the major leagues to lead five separate clubs to division titles in 2021 by winning the American League West division. Baker earned his first World Series triumph 40 years after winning one as a player. As the Astros manager, Dusty Baker earned his 29th postseason victory with the team's victory in Game 1 of the ALDS.