Baker 'not worried' about managing during pandemic despite age, prior issues

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

Dusty Baker is well aware of the risk he'll face in managing the Houston Astros during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I know the chance and the risk that I'm taking by going back out there," Baker said during a Tuesday appearance on The Athletic's "Starkville" podcast.

The 70-year-old will be one of MLB's oldest in-uniform personnel this year. He's at a higher risk of contracting the virus due to both his age and previous health issues; Baker is a prostate cancer survivor and has also beaten a stroke and an irregular heartbeat.

But Baker, who's been in baseball since the 1960s, is taking a pragmatic approach.

"I'm concerned, but I'm not worried," Baker said. "And there's a difference, you know? I mean, I know my health concerns. But on the other hand, I've been through a lot to get to this point."

He added: "And if it does get me, then, in my heart, I think that the Lord wouldn't have brought me back here in this situation to take me out like this. But you don't want to be a fool and test it, either. So I'm going to do whatever it takes to be cautious and conscientious of social distancing, and social responsibilities that I have for my team and myself."

Baker said he's already taking all necessary precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19, including owning "more masks than you could imagine." Social distancing protocols will also force him to abandon his trademark toothpicks once he's back in the dugout.

What the pandemic won't rob him of - assuming there is a 2020 season - is the chance to pursue two important managerial milestones with the Astros.

"I've done quite a bit. But there's one more thing left to do," he said. "Well, two things left to do. There's a championship, and then to win 2,000 (games)."