New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus is seen before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. -- Photo by Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images/Reuters
Houston Astros General Manager Randy Flores announced on Wednesday that former Astros catcher Brad Ausmus has been named the 21st manager in Astros franchise history.
The 57-year-old Ausmus has spent four of the last five seasons as a Major League bench coach for the New York Yankees (2024-26) and Oakland A’s (2022). Before those stints, Ausmus managed twice in the Major Leagues, with the 2019 Angels and the 2014-17 Detroit Tigers.
Ausmus also has front-office experience, first as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Padres (2011-13) and later as a special assistant to the Angels’ GM in 2018.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to the Astros organization,” Flores said. “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.”
“I am very excited to be back in Houston,” Ausmus said. “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. I’d like to thank Randy and the entire Astros organization for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Ausmus had an 18-year MLB playing career (1993-2010), including parts of 10 seasons as an Astro (1997-98, 2001-08). A defensive-minded catcher, Ausmus was a three-time Gold Glove recipient (all with Houston) and was an American League All-Star with the Tigers in 1999. Ausmus combined to play in 1,971 career games, including 1,259 as a member of the Astros.
He also played in 35 career postseason games, all coming with the Astros, in their playoff runs in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2005. Ausmus was the Astros’ starting catcher in their 2005 World Series run, and hit one of the most memorable homers in Astros postseason history, a game-tying shot with two outs in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the NLDS vs. ATL, in the Astros’ eventual 7-6 win in 18 innings.
As a manager, Ausmus led the 2014 Tigers to a 90-72 record and an appearance in the postseason. He also coached in the postseason the last three seasons with the Yankees, including an appearance in the 2024 World Series.
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