In a surprising announcement, Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker declared his retirement, bringing an end to his illustrious 26-year career. Baker's decision comes on the heels of the Astros' heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series, denying them a chance at a third consecutive World Series appearance.

Expressing gratitude towards the organization and fans, Baker said, "It has been a tremendous honor to be the leader of this ballclub. Thank you to the fans for their unwavering passion. The amount of love I've received in my time in Houston has been unmatched."

With Baker's departure, the Houston Astros now join a group of teams in search of a new manager. Although the Astros have not released an official list, CBS Sports has identified six potential candidates for the job:

1. Joe Espada: As the Astros' current bench coach since the 2018 season, Espada is the most obvious candidate. With his familiarity with the team's players and front-office personnel, Espada has long been seen as a future manager. He has even interviewed for managerial positions with other teams, including the Marlins and White Sox.

2. Brad Ausmus: Given his previous connections to the Astros franchise, Ausmus is a likely contender for an interview. Having played with Houston for 10 seasons, Ausmus has managerial experience with the Tigers and the Angels. He also served as the Athletics' bench coach in 2022 and was previously linked to the Astros' general manager position.

3. Troy Snitker: An unconventional choice, Snitker, currently serving as the Astros' hitting coach, is considered a rising star in the coaching world. At only 34 years old, Snitker's father, Brian, manages the Atlanta Braves. He is also a legitimate candidate for the vacant managerial position with the Guardians.

4. Donnie Ecker: Ecker, the Rangers' bench coach, has been making a name for himself in coaching circles. At just 37 years old, Ecker's profile has risen, with speculation linking him to managerial roles, including the Giants before they hired Bob Melvin.

5. Jeff Banister: A University of Houston alumnus, Banister could benefit from his team's surprising run to the World Series. Having managed the Rangers for four seasons, Banister is no stranger to success. Interestingly, he had previously interviewed for the Astros' managerial vacancy before they opted for A.J. Hinch.

6. Don Kelly: With past connections to the Astros, Kelly served as the team's first-base coach in the 2019 season. Since then, he joined the Pirates as Derek Shelton's bench coach. Kelly has been a potential candidate for managerial positions with several teams, including the Mets and Red Sox.

As the Astros embark on their search for a new manager, speculation surrounding these potential candidates will continue to build. The decision will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the team as they look to maintain their winning legacy in the years ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Houston Astros' managerial search and other MLB news.