HOUSTON – In a nod of respect toward his friend, Dusty Baker, and the world champion Astros, Texans coach Lovie Smith saluted the veteran manager on earning his first World Series title.
The Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and celebrated Monday with a raucous parade.
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“It is great,” Smith said during his regular Monday press conference. “Dusty Baker has been such a great manager for so long. You just kind of just assume that he had won a World Series and led his team multiple times. For this to be his first one is pretty special, it couldn’t happen to a better guy. Excited for our Astros.”
Smith pointed out how Baker, 73, provides an example of what can happen by sticking with it for the long haul.
“On what Dusty is setting for us and all the other sports team around here, what you can do, come in, change some things, believe in the process, keep getting better, adding pieces to the puzzle and also see perseverance,” Smith said. “If you just look at Dusty Baker in general, perseverance. Normally, cream comes to the top, and that’s what we’re hoping.”
Smith contacted Baker to congratulate him and looks forward to connecting with him soon.
“When I say Dusty Baker knows a whole lot of people, I’m way down the line,” Smith said. “Have I communicated, have I congratulated him? Absolutely, like me and about two billion other people have.
“We will eventually make contact, but right now I’m just pumped up for what they’re going through. That feeling, that’s a feeling that I can’t wait to get. I know it’s got to be special.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com