Astros' Baker retires from managing after 26 seasons

Houston Astros skipper Dusty Baker is retiring from on-field baseball, he announced at a press conference Thursday.

"I'm retiring (from) the field here in Houston," Baker said, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

"Haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do or where I'm going to go. ... I still feel like I haven't done what I'm supposed to do in life. I feel the Lord has great things ahead for me."

The 74-year-old said he'd like to continue working in baseball in some capacity but plans to spend more time attending the games of his son Darren Baker before committing to anything. Darren is a 24-year-old prospect in the Washington Nationals system.

Astros owner Jim Crane said Baker's "always welcome here" in any capacity should he continue in baseball in Houston.

The Texas Rangers eliminated the Astros from the American League Championship Series on Monday, capping Baker's fourth season with the club. The skipper posted a 320-226 record in Houston, which included four consecutive ALCS appearances, two visits to the Fall Classic, and a World Series win.

Baker finishes his managerial career with 2,183 wins, seventh on the all-time list. He also spent 10 years with the San Francisco Giants, four with the Chicago Cubs, six with the Cincinnati Reds, and two with the Washington Nationals.

Crane and Astros general manager Dana Brown have already begun searching for Baker's replacement. The pair said they expect to have someone in place fairly quickly.