Astros manager Dusty Baker reportedly retiring following ALCS defeat to Rangers

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is reportedly ready to retire following the team's loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Monday, according to The Athletic.

Baker, 74, knew the 2023 MLB season would be his last but did not want the attention that comes from a farewell tour, per the report.

"Dusty Baker has expressed to multiple inside and outside the Astros organization that 2023 will be his final season as manager," The Athletic reported.

The Riverside, California native reportedly wants to remain involved in professional baseball in some capacity after stepping down as the Astros manager, a position he's had since 2020.

He has 2,183 regular season career wins, enough for seventh-best on the all-time list.

Dusty Baker leaving with his head held high

Baker won his first championship as a manager last year when the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

He reportedly had never pondered the idea of retiring until entering the 2023 season and also wanted to keep his thoughts private in case he didn't want to go through with retirement.

Baker managed to reach the postseason with five different franchises throughout his managerial career, including the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Astros.

Rangers, whose 11-4 win over Houston has them in the World Series, will take on the winner of the NLCS between Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks.