Dusty Baker kicking the Houston Astros while they're down is pure cinema

The Houston Astros' 2024 season fell short of expectations, losing to the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card round. This came just a year after Houston lost to the Texas Rangers in seven games in the ALCS. Could Houston's era of dominance finally end?

After the 2023 season, the Astros parted ways with longtime manager Dusty Baker, who led Houston out of the sign-stealing scandal and into the spotlight, which included a World Series victory in 2022. By no means perfect, Baker was a stabilizing force. The Astros desperately needed them at the time, as their legitimacy was being questioned by nearly every baseball entity, and with good reason.

Baker was quickly blamed by much of the fan base for the Astros' failure to make it in 2023. After the front office decided to part ways with him, Baker had a right to feel insulted, although he has since taken on a role in the San Francisco Giants organization.

“Some of the battles with the front office that I've been having for a few years now means that sometimes you get tired of fighting with City Hall over something that you're sure about,” Baker said. “The only thing that bothered me a little is that I only picked one person in my team… That was AJ Hinch's team, everyone was there except one. We had a (blueprint) for how we could win, but I wish I could have had more freedom in choosing my employees.

Yes, Dusty still holds a grudge, and he's right. Even though these Astros employees knew how to win, they also got caught cheating! Hinch had to go, but why was the rest of the coaching staff seemingly innocent? Nevertheless, Baker's Astros won a World Series together. Now that same Houston core could be falling apart at the seams.

Alex Bregman is just the latest long-time Astros player to hit free agency, and while GM Dana Brown hasn't completely given up on retaining the former All-Star third baseman, the odds aren't looking good for Houston .

“It’s a big deal,” Brown said. “But ultimately we will have some discussions with (Agent Scott) Boras and also Bregman. We had some small talk. But ultimately we will have some discussions. We know what he means to this organization.”

Second baseman Jose Altuve has made it clear that he doesn't believe the Astros can afford to lose Bregman. He is a key member of a dynasty that includes multiple World Series and five pennants. This won't be easy to reproduce with a new core.

Baker was the first to go, but Houston's best days may be behind them.