At 73 Dusty Baker is the oldest manager to win a World Series championship - (Jerry Reuss - photo)

Bill Russell is seen here in the green uniform guarding Wilt Chamberlain. They had some of the NBA's most classic battles. Russell sadly passed away Sunday at the age of 88 - (US Library of Congress image) ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

SPORTS NOTES - DUSTY BAKER CLEARS THE RUSTY 4 1st MLB MANAGING TITLE

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As manager of two teams the San Francisco Giants (2002) and Houston Astros (2021) only to come away with sloppy World Series 2nds on both occasions. Baker has competed 25 seasons as a manager and now he is golden with winning the World Series title being achieved - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Saturday November 12, 2022

THE SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA IS OVER

They say that practice makes perfect. That could apply to Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker who has experienced Major League Baseball's summit of competing in the World Series. Who-dah thunk it… Baker finally reached that summit to win his first MBL title as a manager. They defeated National League champions, Philadelphia Phillies, in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series.

Excuse the pun but it's been a long dusty managerial road for Baker. During his 19 year playing career Baker made three World Series appearances, winning once in 1981 as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For Baker it's been a long journey to achieve what has almost been in his grasp as he's been to the promise land as a manager (aka) three times.

As mentioned once as a player and three times as a manager with two teams the San Francisco Giants (2002) and Houston Astros (2021) only to come away with sloppy 2nds on two occasions. Baker has competed 25 seasons as a manager and now he is golden with winning the World Series title being achieved.

On December 16, 1992, Baker was hired to manage the San Francisco Giants. Success was almost immediate. That season he became the first manager since Sparky Anderson (1970) to win 100 games as a rookie manager, and the fourth to do so.

His first World Series managing disappointment occurred in 2002 with the Giants. They lost to the Anaheim Angels who ironically were managed by his old teammate on the 1989 Champion Dodgers, Mike Scioscia. In his second season as the Astros manager he led them to the 2021 World Series the lost to his former team, as a player the Atlanta Braves. In his third time for the title the sweet juice of sweet success came to fruition as his Astros gave Baker first title as a manager.

This season, Houston won 106 games for the second-best record in franchise history. Baker is 230-154 in his three regular seasons in Houston. He is 28-14 in the postseason with the Astros. His 28-20 for most playoff wins in a franchise history best.

During his career as a managerial he has been in charge of five different teams the Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-2006), Cincinnati Reds (2008-2013), Washington Nationals (2016-2017) and his current tenure with the now champion Houston Astros (2020-present). Baker is the first MLB manager to reach the playoffs and win a division title with five different teams, having accomplished both feats with each team he managed.

The fruits of his labor is exemplified as he has been named Manager of the Year three times (1993, 1997, 2000). Baker is the 12th manager in major league history to reach 2,000 wins. Ten of the 11 other managers who have accumulated at least 2,000 wins are in the Hall of Fame.

Having spent five decades in the league Baker continues to cook up success wherever he goes. He knows the game and more importantly apparently knows how to utilize a players talents. His record speaks to his ability to mold teams into championship form.

At 73 Baker is the oldest manager to win a championship. He also ranks ninth in MLB managerial wins and has the most wins among African American managers. He is the first MLB manager to reach the playoffs and win a division title with five different teams, having accomplished both feats with each team he managed.

The Baker man keeps on cooking success up. He disclosed his closing thoughts to the media regarding his future, ""Hey man we've got a chance to win back-to-back and this is what I'd like to do."

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