He has coached a record five teams to 12 playoff appearances, three World Series appearances, and more victories than every manager in history except for eight.
Baker will be inducted into Cooperstown regardless of whether the Houston Astros defeat the Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Baker, 73, has bigger and better things on his mind but is well aware of what winning a championship will mean. He intends to lead the Astros for at least one more season.
If he wins the World Series, he will be just the third Black manager in baseball history to do it.
He'd be regarded as one of the best managers in the game's history. He would accomplish the task and set a record for the oldest manager ever.
Baker tells USA TODAY Sports that he is not motivated by the Hall of Fame in any of this. "That's not what drives me.