Dusty Baker commends Astros after 'grind' of a season - ESPN

HOUSTON — Dusty Baker spoke to his players in the Houston clubhouse after the Astros' final defeat Monday, which some in the room believed was his last speech as manager, as they have been privately speculating for weeks.

Baker thanked them for their effort and talked about their fight over what was an arduous, trying season, but didn't seem quite ready to say aloud that his 26-year managerial career was over, because he knew the Texas Rangers were celebrating the American League Championship out on the field.

«I don't want to take the spotlight away from anybody,» the 74-year-old Baker mused, before acknowledging that he hasn't spent the kind of time with grandchildren as they deserve, and wondering aloud if his two hunting dogs would recognize him when he returned home. Baker's contract is set to expire, and he is expected to have a conversation with owner Jim Crane and general manager Dana Brown.

But Baker also seemed a little stunned about the ugly and abrupt nature to the Astros' reign as champions. Minute Maid Park has often seemed like a haven for a team that won two World Series and five AL championships over the last seven seasons. But there was so much losing in their home park this year, including all four games in the ALCS and the 11-4 wipeout in Game 7.

The Astros' failure Monday was total, a shocking disintegration that belied their experience and maybe reflected a weariness starkly contrasted by the Rangers' frenzied focus that seemed to start even before the game.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy stood behind the cage during pregame batting practice and cajoled coach Tony Beasley to throw high fastballs to the hitters, in anticipation of the typically effective high fastball of Houston's Cristian Javier. A