Dusty Baker Makes Bold Proclamation After ALDS Win

The Houston Astros are feeling good after they secured their seventh consecutive trip to the ALCS after beating the Minnesota Twins. They were feeling so good that manager Dusty Baker made a bold statement after their win.

Death. Taxes. And the Houston Astros playing in the American League Championship Series.

That's what it's seemed like recently.

Probably because the ALCS has become the Astros' invitational.

They clinched their seventh consecutive trip to that round of the MLB Playoffs on Wednesday.

Houston players once again had the goggles on and champagne ready to be popped in the clubhouse after advancing during the postseason.

Before the celebrations began, Fox Sports caught manager Dusty Baker making a bold statement in the clubhouse.

Instead of him addressing the team, he handed that moment off to legendary Astro Justin Verlander to do the honors.

His reasoning? He's going to save his speech for the Fall Classic.

"Who's gonna do the celebration, who wanna do the celebration?" he asked the team.

Catcher Martin Maldonado pointed at Verlander, prompting Baker to turn his attention to the veteran pitcher.

When Verlander wanted his manager to do the speech, Baker exclaimed, "No, no, no, no, I'm doing the World Series! You do this one."

That was met with a hug from the 40-year-old and laughter from the team who was ready to celebrate.

Quite the statement from Baker who will be tasked with getting his team ready for an intrastate matchup against the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.

Despite criticism that the manager has gone through this season by fans and his own organization at times, it's clear that the players within the locker room still love him.

That was evident on Wednesday.

Now, with the celebrations complete, they'll be get back to focusing on making their third consecutive World Series trip and attempting to defend their championship title.