The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Astros Manager Dusty Baker Joins The Matt Thomas Show

Episode Date: February 4, 2020

Astros Manager Dusty Baker Joins The Matt Thomas Show

is the Matt Thomas show. All right. A nice surprise to the radio show right now. The brand new manager of the Houston Astros with us here on your home of the Astros. It is a dusty Baker with us on the show. Skip, it's Matt and Ross. It is a pleasure to have you in Houston, Texas. Welcome.

How has your experience been in this few days you've been in our city? No, it's been great. You know, I've been coming here for years and I know a lot of people here, have relatives here, have God children here, and nephews. And so this is sort of like, you know, coming back to a second home that I never dreamed that would be my home. So this is quite an experience. I mean, this town has certainly, certainly grown since I first came here in 1970 or 71. So this is a big town now and a great, it's always been a great sports town.

But I'm looking forward to, you know, to being here every day. Do me a favor. Make sure my good friend, Enis Cabell, doesn't make you buy a meal while you're in town. Is that fair? Why, man? He just don't like to pay. Well, you said it not me. Let me ask you this.

Let me ask you, Skip. Did someone prod you to go kick the tires and the aster's job or when you found out the situation that happened? You know what? I should throw a phone call to somebody to see if they're interested in me. No. I didn't call anyone. And, you know, like I said earlier, it's always nice to be wanted. You know, like actually, you know, they called me.

And out of the blue, it just kind of surprised me because I thought that my Philly's interview was my last interview, period. And so I gave way all my equipment. I gave way everything. You know, when I left Washington and then when I got to Philly, I was very disappointed because I thought I interviewed well. But, hey, man, this guy opened up. And, you know, here I am. I mean, I'd have never, never, ever guessed that this job would have come over. and especially the way it did, because, you know, I really like AJ Hintz and all the guys on the team here.

So it was a situation kind of, you know, it was destined to be. So you just accepted, and I've learned to not fight, you know, destiny sometimes. I'm so happy to talk baseball with you. So let's get right to it forgetting about all the stuff that's happened in the past. I think one of the things that we're most curious about is the back end of your starting rotation. What notes have you taken so far? What have you thought about? And can a guy like maybe even a Forrest Whitley who has been on the radar do enough to impress you to put you in that every fifth day opportunity?

Well, I got to see him first. And I got to talk to Brent Strong, who I've spoken to yet. Because that backside of your rotation is big. I mean, the better they are, the less your bullpen has to pitch and the less pressure you're going to put up to top of your rotation. So I got to talk to Brent Strom. I've got to set eyes on these guys. I mean, you can watch video all you want to. You've got to look in their eyes.

You've got to see, you know, what their endurance levels might be like. And so it's going to be a very interesting spring. It's going to be an information gathering spring. And then, you know, we'll sit down and get it together because all the decisions aren't mine because I don't know everybody. And so what you see off one guy in March, this guy might be totally different, you know, come April or May. you know, when you're in the championship season.

So I've got to find out, you know, who's a fast starter, who's a slow starter, you know, who should you give, you know, more rope and leniency to and which guy you've got to give them the quick hook. So, you know, that all remains to be seen. I know everybody wants the answers, but, you know, I don't have all the answers that everybody wants me to answer at this point. Astros manager, Dusty Baker here on the Matt Thomas show. And Dusty, what has this situation been?

Like you said, you've got to go through all these players. You don't know everybody. obviously this is a very unique situation. So, I mean, are you just, I don't want to say your head's spinning, but I mean, what has this been like for you with everything moving so quickly? And now, James Click, your general manager. Well, it is. It's been a little bit.

I mean, I'm telling you, it's been, it has been kind of a whirlwind, you know. I hadn't planned on, you know, cleaning my garage or, you know, doing the stuff around the house, you know, and packing because, like, I got. out of the knack of packing, but good thing I kept all those suitcases. Did you check the dogs for the ticks? Huh? Did you check the dogs for the ticks? No, my wife, she got mad. He goes, my dog doesn't have ticks, you know what I mean? And he treats those dogs bears treats me sometimes, but that's okay. And, but, you know, there's a lot to do. I mean, when you're leaving for seven months that you hadn't planned on it, and you got two weeks to go, I mean, there are things that you have to do.

You know, I got a couple businesses that I had over. I was out of game, won a wine business, one of energy business. And so I had to make sure that that's all taking care of, you know, kiss my grandbaby and I'm going to do this Sunday, see my son and my daughter and just, you know, general stuff that you got to do in life. So, you know, I'm excited. You know, everybody I talked to is excited, you know, for me and pulling. They got a lot of Astro fans that you didn't have before. at least they're telling me that.

So, you know, we'll see, you know, once we get there. You have managed just shy of 3,500 games. I wouldn't say a handful, but obviously the majority of them as a national league manager. What challenges do you think you'll have? Will it be different in some sense because it'll be the first time that you're managing an American League team? Well, on an everyday basis. You know, like we've done Interleague, you know, many, many years. But, you know, there are a few things.

you know, like if you take the DH out, the pitcher has to go on that spot. And this year is a little different because, you know, we're going to have 26 men instead of 25. And also, you know, some of the rule changes, I think. I got to study up on the rules again. Little changes as far as like a pitcher has to face, you know, three batters unless it's, he gets out of the inning or something like that. But I'm going to rely on Brent Strom and rely on Joe Espada that, you know,

you know, to keep me to speed on things. And like I said, I like to study myself. So, you know, we'll see. I always wanted to manage in the American League toward end of my career to tell you the truth. And a few years ago, I was trying to get to Seattle, you know what I mean? Because that was one of my favorite spots. And so now I'm going into Seattle on another team. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing some of the America League.

America League got some great players in it. I don't know them all, but I'm curious and interested to see him and beat him. Last question for you, Skip. You've had Justin Verlander and Zach Granky be major pains near rear end during your managerial career. Now they're in your side. How surreal is that for you right now?

Oh, my God, I'm telling you. I hate to see them on the other side. You know what I mean? But now we're all on the same side, and I'm telling you, I mean, these guys are amongst the two premier pitchers in the league. Well, athletes. I mean, these guys are good athletes. And, you know, that's what I like.

I like to be around, you know, good ballplayers, athletes, whether pitchers, hitters, or whatever, guys that I know want to win and guys that do everything they can to beat you. Well, we're coming down to Florida in a couple weeks. We look forward to meeting with you face-to-face. We've heard nothing but amazing things. Been a big fan of yours from a distance for a long time, and we're glad that you were in Astros gear.

Thank you for spending some time with us this afternoon. All right, guys. See you later. Take care yourself. Dusty Baker, the manager of the Houston Astro. Andrews.