The Houston Astros hired New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus as their next manager on Wednesday.
Ausmus, 57, played 10 of his 18 seasons as a major league catcher with the Astros (1997-98, 2001-08) and previously managed the Detroit Tigers (2014-17) and Los Angeles Angels (2019).
“We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization,” general manager Randy Flores said Wednesday in announcing the hiring. “Brad impressed us throughout the interview process, demonstrating the leadership, energy, and expertise critical to driving a winning culture both on and off the field. I am excited to work alongside Brad and happy to have him back in an Astros uniform.”
Other reported candidates for the job included sure-fire future Baseball Hall of Fame member Albert Pujols, Texas Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta and minor league skipper Morgan Ensberg, a former teammate of Ausmus with the Astros.
The Astros parted ways with manager Joe Espada on Oct. 14 following three seasons and two quick playoff exits. He compiled a 256-229 record in the regular season but was 0-4 in the postseason, swept in the American League wild-card round by the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and the Chicago White Sox this season.
Ausmus was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 1999 and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner behind the plate, batting .251 with 1,579 hits, 80 home runs and 607 RBIs in 1,971 games with the San Diego Padres (1993-96), Tigers (1996, 1999-2000), Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009-10).
Ausmus guided Detroit (90-72) to an American League Central title in his first season as a manager before getting swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Division Series. His contract was not renewed after a 64-98 campaign in 2017, and he finished his stint with the Tigers with a 314-332 record.
Ausmus was fired after finishing 72-90 in his lone season as manager of the Angels in 2019. He was the bench coach of the Athletics in 2022 and joined Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s coaching staff in 2024.