Brad Ausmus Returns to Houston as Astros Manager

The Astros have brought Brad Ausmus back to Houston, this time to lead the team as manager. Ausmus played for the club in 1997 and 1998, then returned for a second stint from 2001 through 2008. He has also managed the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels.

Ausmus said he had long expected to return to the organization. He interviewed with Astros proprietor Jim Crane and senior adviser Jeff Bagwell about two weeks before the introduction. The meeting took place before the Astros hired Randy Flores as general manager. Flores later met Ausmus in San Diego and selected him for the job.

Ausmus spent the past three seasons as the New York Yankees’ bench coach under manager Aaron Boone. He said what he learned in that role, as well as from his previous managerial experience, would inform his work in Houston. He described the competition and shared goal of winning as draws of managing.

Ausmus pointed to a roster led by Yordan Alvarez as a positive and said he plans to contact the players in the coming weeks.