HOUSTON Houston Astros Dusty Baker, manager of the club, returned Thursday to conclude a series against them. Texas Rangers Following a positive COVID-19 test, the patient was forced to miss five games.
Baker, 73 years old, said that he didn’t feel sick and only had mild symptoms. He then tested positive for seasonal allergies.
He stated, “I am very grateful that I received both my shots” and the boosters. “So, I hope everybody gets the boosters and shots, because if they do (COVID-19), hopefully it’s mild, like mine.”
Baker tested positive while the team was in Cleveland on Friday. Baker stayed in his hotel room and didn’t return to Houston on Sunday night.
He flew to Houston Monday on a private plane, but was not allowed to return to the dugout before Thursday.
Baker was initially happy to have some time off from a busy season, in which he couldn’t take any rest because he was the manager for the AL squad. But boredom soon set in after a few days.
He stated that he had listened to music throughout the day and watched TV, made calls, and kept up with current events. “I don’t get bored but you get tired after five to six days.”
He kept in touch with Joe Espada, the bench coach who managed the team during his absence, by watching the games on TV and keeping in constant contact. He was unable to see Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Cleveland, because it was broadcast live on Peacock (NBC’s streaming site) and he couldn’t figure out how he could watch it from his hotel room.
He was not mad, however, as he used the extra time on Netflix to watch a Bob Marley documentary and kept up with his game on his smartphone.
He said that it was a good day and added that he had seen the late reggae legend in concert twice, one in Jamaica.
Baker stated that he wasn’t concerned about positive tests even though he was in a high risk age group.
He replied, “Not really, because I didn’t feel anything.” “And I continued to wait for something to happen.”
The Astros, at 71-41, were tied with Yankees for the American League’s best record. Baker was out, so they went 2/3.