Thank God it's Friday - Dusty Baker and that elusive ring.
This Friday we profile the mercurial career (to date) of legendary baseball manager - Dusty Baker and his Houston Astros.
For the record - Dusty Baker is a favourite son of this channel. And, for those not familiar, before you reach for the remote, please let me introduce him. ..
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. is an American baseball manager and former outfielder who is the manager of the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball.
His team, the Houston Astros, was locked at 2-2 (now 3-2 - Astros) with the Philadelphia Phillies in this year’s World Series. When pressed on the upside-down state of play, Baker said pragmatically, “It’s strange” - pure realism from the 73-year-old.
Another quote to savour came when he was pressed on his nocturnal activity before the series started. “Will you sleep before Game one?” Baker replied, wearing a wry smile, “I’d get in the bed, but that don’t mean I’m sleeping, know what I’m saying?”
“Know what I’m saying?” The street never leaves the mind that was formed there.
Getting back to Baker’s bio …
“Former outfielder” — Wikipedia is such a lame douche. How dare they diss one of the best humans in baseball. It’s like saying Glenn McGrath was one of the best ‘Fine leg’s’ in cricket. (North American readers note: this is Fine leg — it’s akin to sitting in the bleachers — third base side of home plate while still playing.)
Anyway, back to cricket, no sorry, it’s Friday — it can be anything — baseball it is then. Thank God it’s Friday. And, thank god for Dusty Baker!
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As mentioned, Dusty Baker has been the subject of previous scribbling. However, rather than rehash that in its entirety, I thought it best to paraphrase and summate, if possible. So, here we go …
Sport is obsessed with championships. It torments itself with the notion that absolute validation of a sportsperson’s worth lies in winning these elusive trophies. God forbid if you are a run-of-the-mill athlete who elongates a career by getting the job done. Here in Geelong, one of its most decorated players recently given the tick of approval by winning a premiership — Patrick Dangerfield (Yes, for North American readers, that is his name — and he doesn’t wear pads)
The Astros go back to the World Series after previously losing to the Atlanta Braves. A mere five minutes after their last out, Baker was at his pragmatic best again — or you could swap pragmatic for prophetic — it took him three words to sum up the situation, "We'll be back.”
For Baker, the chase for a ring goes beyond the Astros trying to prove that they can win without cheating. Their last, only victory was in 2017. Post-2017, the Astros found themselves engulfed in a cheating scandal. Players were illegally using unauthorised video feeds to steal signs and used garbage bins to transmit calls, desperate and irresponsible behaviour. The hiring of Baker was an attempt to regain some integrity in the baseball community.
Winning a World Series as manager is the only achievement left on Baker's baseball wish list. He entered last Friday's World Series between the Phillies and Astros as the winningest manager (2,093 victories) in Major League Baseball history, without a championship. The New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (For the Australian readers, what a name), who owns 1,652, is a distant second on that list.
Do you think the media pressed Baker on this perceived irregularity? Of course they did. And, his counter? “I love to win.” he said. And, “I’m hungry for a ring, yes.” And, no, not an onion ring. He believes he’s heading to the Hall of Fame either way. Dusty, it is the elephant in the room though!
His players. Do they want to win for him? Of course they do. Alex Bregman (third baseman - mid wicket for the cricket readers) said, ""We would love to win for him," "He's been unbelievable since he's been here — unbelievable man, human being, manager. He's connected with every single one of us so well, and we really would love nothing more than to win for him."
This is a great quote from Jeremy Peña, the Astros rookie shortstop, "Dusty's a cool cat," Peña said.
The everpresent tooth pick, the wrist bands, the black gloves, Dusty has all bases covered. Peña describes him as having “swag.”
Where as other managers choose to fill a spittoon with re-cycled chewing tobacco, Baker opts for the taste of wood, with only the odd discharge.
Cito Gaston, the former Toronto Blue Jays manager, one of Baker’s closest friends hits the nail on the head, “Dusty is a great communicator.” “You have to have respect from your players, but you also have to give them respect. That’s how you win.” Isn’t that the case in the current coaching world.
You could ramble forever on Dusty Baker’s baseball resume. How’s this though?
Baker is a dead-set polymath!
He owns a winery (explains his penchant for wood) — he’s formed an energy company (Baker Energy Team - he might need to some work on his marketing) — he’s written a book, Kiss the Sky, that chronicles Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, in 1967. And, of course, he was at the concert.
OK, back to baseball. In fact, a quick diversion. Did you know OK was an acronym? Yes, you did. And, the words? Here you go - All Correct, that was purposely misspelled — Oll Korrect.
Baker is trying to become the third African American manager to win a World Series, after Gaston and Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
Baker says on being an African American manager, “Every town is not conducive to hiring you. It takes a special owner, it takes a special town that’s not afraid of facing their friends at the country club, or the bank, or the Kiwanis club, or whatever club that they’re in, about ‘why did you hire this guy?'” Yes, that stuff still exists and no doubt prospers.
Major League Baseball has witnessed a marked decline in African American participation in the big leagues. I believe this will be the first World Series in more than 70 years without a single American-born Black player.
Cito Gaston, Baker’s closest friend, believes an Astros win could remind African Americans of the opportunities available to them in baseball, and help revive the connection between African Americans and the sport.
Dusty Baker will be wishing for both.
And, the last word, he says, “I swear, confidence ain’t my problem. Not at all.”
Go the Phillies!
Friday,November 4
Baker is one win away from that elusive ring! And a departing elephant.
Go Houston!
As always, thank you for being here.
