On Thursday, Baker made his retirement at Minute Maid Park known. After declaring retirement in 2020, Baker helped the Astros win two World Series, including his first managerial championship in 2022. He declared that he would be participating in the game, but he also intends to return to his home state of California to spend time with his family, which includes two grandchildren.

But that’s what happens when you succeed. They were winning when I got here, and they kept winning while I was here, so I wish them luck.

Baker closes his 26-year career as one of the most successful managers in history, having finished with 2,183 regular-season victories, the seventh-highest total in history. He won division titles with five different clubs and guided teams to pennants in both leagues (the American League’s Astros in 2021–2022, and the National League’s Giants in 2002).

“Hopefully it’s in better shape today than when I arrived here; they were in wonderful shape then,” Baker said. I want to thank Jim Crane for having faith in me.