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Astros pick up Dusty Baker's 2021 option

Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Dusty Baker will remain at the helm of the Houston Astros through the 2021 season after the team announced Tuesday that it has picked up his contract option.

Third base coach Gary Pettis and pitching coach Brent Strom also had their 2021 options exercised.

Baker, 71, inked a one-year deal in January to take over managerial duties from disgraced skipper AJ Hinch, who was suspended and subsequently fired for his role in the team's sign-stealing scandal.

"My reaction was, I've been a lame-duck manager four or five times," Baker said, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "I was one of the lamest ducks there is walking around. Feels pretty good not to be a lame duck, and this is the best I've been treated in quite a while."

The Astros are off to a torrid 3-1 start to the delayed 2020 campaign.

Prior to managing the Astros, Baker split 22 seasons between the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Nationals.

Baker was slated to manage his first career All-Star Game this summer. However, the coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 Midsummer Classic.

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