Brad Ausmus is officially back in Houston, named the Astros’ new manager this Wednesday, an incredible 18 years after a Chronicle columnist literally called it. Richard Justice wrote back in 2008 that Ausmus “ll be back at some point as a manager, coach or front-office type,” and now, it’s really happening. Ausmus is gonna try and add a whole new, more successful chapter to his managerial story, but let’s be real, his player status in Houston is already cemented in the history books.
This Dude *Bled* Houston Baseball
He played 10 of his 18 big-league seasons with the Astros, logging an insane 1,259 games. That’s still a franchise record for catchers, and it puts him 10th all-time for any player in team history. Dude *bled* Houston, even if he started with the Yankees and bounced around a bit with the Padres, Tigers, and Dodgers. For Ausmus, Houston was home. He said before his final game in 2008, “When I was a minor-leaguer with the Yankees, I had no idea I would end up being a Houston Astro, never mind being one for 10 years. It’s still the organization I identity myself with when I look back on my baseball career.” You just can’t fake that kind of connection.
The Clutch Factor Was Absurd: Game-Tying Homer in the NLDS
But let’s talk about the clutch factor. Remember Game 4 of the 2005 NLDS? Seriously, who could forget that one? Astros were down 6-1 against the Braves, looked like it was heading back to Atlanta for a deciding game. Then Lance Berkman drops a grand slam in the eighth, bringing it to 6-5. Still, two outs in the bottom of the ninth, trailing by one run. Who steps up? Brad Ausmus, who had only hit THREE dingers all regular season, blasts a game-tying homer to left-center. I mean, COME ON! That’s just movie stuff right there. Yeah, Chris Burke ended it in the 18th inning and sent them to the NLCS, then their first World Series, but Ausmus played all 18 innings. Fifteen behind the plate, three at first. Total warrior.
That Jim Edmonds Catch in 2004 Still Stings
Before that 2005 magic, there was the agony of 2004. Game 7 of the NLCS, again against the Cardinals. Astros are up 2-0 early, and Ausmus rips a liner that looks like it’s gonna make it 3-0 in the second. Then, out of nowhere, Jim Edmonds, that Gold Glove wizard, makes an INSANE diving catch. Just robbed him. The Cardinals ended up getting three in the sixth and took the series, ending Houston’s season. Ausmus even said, “I’m not going to say that play won the game, but it turned it around.” Man, that one still stings thinking about what could’ve been.
Now, 18 years after waving goodbye as a player, Brad Ausmus is back to add a whole new chapter to his story, this time in the dugout. He’s trying to make this managerial run even more successful. Can he lead them to new heights? Given his history, you know he’s gonna give it everything he’s got. You gotta be hyped to see what he brings to the table.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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