Astros manager Dusty Baker retiring

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is retiring, he told USA Today on Wednesday.

Baker, 74, made the decision following Monday's 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

A press conference is scheduled for noon ET on Thursday at Houston's Minute Maid Park, where Baker will publicly make the announcement.

USA Today reported that Baker told Houston owner Jim Crane of his decision during a Tuesday meeting.

"I'm very grateful and thankful to Jim Crane and the Houston Astros for giving me this opportunity, and to win a championship," Baker told USA Today. "I felt like they've been good for me, and I've been good for them.

"What I really appreciate is that Jim has been totally honest and transparent with me on all things."

Baker has 2,183 career victories, seventh most in big-league history. He also won 57 playoff games, which is the fourth-best total.

In a 26-year managerial career, Baker led the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-06), Cincinnati Reds (2008-13), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and the Astros, beginning in 2020.

Baker also played 19 seasons in the majors, from 1968-86 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics and the Giants.