Brad Ausmus Named Astros Manager: The Former Catcher Returns to Houston
Brad Ausmus, who caught more games than anyone in Astros history, is back as the club's 21st manager. He replaces Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed.
HOUSTON — Brad Ausmus was named manager of the Houston Astros on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported — a homecoming for the former catcher who spent 10 years of his playing career in Houston.
New general manager Randy Flores made the announcement. 'We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization,' Flores said in a news release, as the AP reported. '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.' Ausmus answered in the same announcement: 'The Astros and the city of Houston have been a huge part of my life, and I'm thrilled to create a new chapter as the team's manager.'
Ausmus, 57, is the 21st manager in franchise history. He replaces Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after the Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox in a Wild Card series. Houston also considered former Cardinals star Albert Pujols, former Astros player Morgan Ensberg and Texas Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta, the AP reported. His hiring leaves the Angels as the only team without a manager.
This is Ausmus's third managerial job. He led Detroit from 2014 through 2017, going 314-332 with a 90-72, division-winning first season, and managed the Angels to a 72-90 record in 2019; he most recently worked as the Yankees' bench coach from 2024 through last season. As a player, he appeared in 1,259 games for Houston — the most by a catcher in franchise history — won three Gold Gloves as an Astro, and caught the club's first World Series run in 2005.
