As the veteran manager of Major League Baseball’s defending World Series champions, Astros skipper Dusty Baker knows a thing or two about what it takes to win at the highest level in Houston.
On Thursday night, prior to his team’s home win over the Angels at Minute Maid Park, Baker met new Rockets coach Ime Udoka (who threw out the ceremonial first pitch) for the first time.
In postgame comments, Baker offered a strong endorsement of Udoka and what he can do in his new position with the Rockets:
He’s a lot bigger than I thought. He’s a big ole dude. He has some great talent on the Rockets, young talent. I think he’s the perfect coach to get the guys playing together and playing team ball. He exhibited that in Boston. I think the city will be impressed by him.
Baker, however, cautioned that a turnaround would not be immediate. After all, the young and rebuilding Rockets have finished with one of the NBA’s worst records in each of the past two seasons.
“It’s going to take some time,” said Baker, who typically attends a few NBA games during baseball’s winter offseason.
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Dusty Baker on meeting Rockets Coach Ime Udoka: “He’s a lot bigger than I thought. He’s a big ole dude. He has some great talent on the Rockets, young talent. I think he’s the perfect coach to get the guys playing together and playing team ball. He exhibited that in Boston.” pic.twitter.com/jJ8zzUnMdX
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 2, 2023