baker's back

Houston Astros reward beloved manager Dusty Baker with new contract

Dusty Baker Houston Astros World Series downtown parade 2022

Here's hoping Baker gets another trophy.

Photo by Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

With all the frenzied speculation surrounding Houston Astros stars who may or may not return — Trey Mancini and Will Smith are now free agents — fans received some welcome news from the team on Wednesday, November 9.

Beloved manager Dusty Baker will return next year, Astros owner Jim Crane announced on Wednesday. While exact terms weren’t disclosed, Baker’s deal is a one-year contract through the end of the 2023 season, per the team.

“Hey man, we’ve got a chance to win back-to-back and this is what I’d like to do,” Baker said at a news conference on Wednesday, per MLB.com. “I’ve got work to do. You can’t be satisfied on where you are right now or you’ll never get past where you are right now.”

“I love winning more than anything,” he continued. “I’m spoiled by winning. That’s what I plan on doing, doing some more winning.”

Baker has been doing plenty of winning since he joined the Astros. His new deal comes off the Astros’ historic 2022 season, capped by the team’s Game 6 clinching of its second World Series title since 2017. Under Baker’s management, the Astros dominated the American League with a 106-56 record, the second-best in franchise history.

That domination continued throughout the postseason, with a 7-0 sweep in the American League Division Series and American League Championship Series.

As the nation watched, the Astros faced off with the Philadelphia Phillies for the Commissioner’s Trophy, rallying three straight wins, including the 4-1 win in Game 6 to secure the title in front of a raucous Minute Maid Park crowd on Saturday, November 5.

By the numbers, re-signing Baker is a no-brainer; he boasts a combined record of 230-154 (.599) in the regular season over his three seasons with the team, which tops the AL in that span.

A calming presence when he took over the team in 2020, Baker ushered the team to a mere one win away from the World Series. The next season, the Astros scored the AL pennant and headed to the World Series, where they were eventually bested by the Atlanta Braves in six games.

And this year? The run has been nothing short of magical. Baker’s 25th season as a manager saw him become only the 12th — and first African-American — manager in MLB history to win 2,000 games. He also ranks ninth overall in MLB history with his 2,093 career regular season wins.

A playoff powerhouse, Baker has 51 postseason wins, which puts him at No. 4 overall behind Hall of Famers and pro baseball legends Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony LaRussa.

Exuding been-there-done-that, pro's-pro poise (the former outfielder spent 19 years in the majors and won a World Series in 1981 with the Los Angeles Dodgers), Baker is a true player’s coach who can not only expertly calm the nerves of rookies, but also relate to seasoned and championship-pedigreed veterans. In short, he’s perfect to help lead the Astros into dynasty status.

With a World Series finally under his belt, the charming, patient clubhouse leader and sports icon now lacks only one title: Hall of Famer. Memo to the Baseball Writers' Association of America and Veterans Committee: We’re waiting.

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Houston Astros (@astros)

Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

houston astros daikin park business