NEW YORK -- Former Major League manager Jack McKeon has mixed feelings on who will win the 2022 World Series between the Astros and Phillies because both managers -- Philadelphia’s Rob Thomson and Houston’s Dusty Baker -- have a chance to join or surpass McKeon in the record books.

Thomson could join McKeon (2003) and Bob Lemon (1978) as the only managers to guide a team to a World Series championship after taking over the reins in midseason. Thomson replaced Joe Girardi on June 3 of this year and guided the Phillies to a 65-46 record and the club's first trip to the postseason since 2011.

At 73, Baker has a chance to become the oldest manager to win a World Series title. McKeon, now 91, holds the record for guiding the Marlins to the championship at the age of 72.

“I would like to see Thomson get it and I would like to see Dusty get it,” McKeon said via telephone. “But on the other hand, I think Rob has done one heck of a job. He was in the same boat I was, taking over a club and letting them play. It kind of brings back memories. … Thomson doesn’t get excited. He doesn’t panic. That's what I love about him.”

The Marlins were a team to remember in 2003. After a 16-22 start, the club dismissed Jeff Torborg as manager and replaced him with McKeon, who guided them to the postseason with a 75-49 record.

Florida went on to beat the Giants in four games in the National League Division Series and advanced to the World Series by beating Baker’s Cubs after being down 3-1 in the NL Championship Series. The Marlins then became champions by beating the mighty Yankees in six games in the World Series.

“We went into the postseason with the idea, ‘Hey, there is no pressure on us. We are not supposed to be here,'” McKeon remembers. “We had to play the 100-win Giants and we said, ‘Hey, the pressure is on the Giants. We are not supposed to win. Let’s go have fun,' which the Phillies are doing. It’s almost a carbon copy in what we did in Florida in 2003.”

McKeon said it wouldn't bother him if Baker -- still looking to win his first title after 25 years as a manager -- becomes the oldest to do so.

“I love Dusty’s perseverance,” McKeon said. “He follows his dreams of winning a World Series. I was lucky. I was one for one. Dusty has been at it a few times, but things didn’t work out. He is a good guy. He is a great baseball man. He loves the game and he is really a credit to the game of baseball. I stay in touch with Dusty.”