The Houston Astros announced Wednesday they have hired Brad Ausmus as their new manager, bringing the former catcher back to the club where he played for ten seasons.
The 57-year-old becomes the only Jewish manager currently serving in Major League Baseball.
Ausmus joins the Astros following a tenure as a coach with the New York Yankees from 2024 to 2026. This appointment marks his third stint leading a major league team, having previously managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. Across those two roles, he compiled a record of 386 wins and 422 losses.
The organization plans to introduce Ausmus at a press conference scheduled for Friday at Daikin Park in Houston. His return to the franchise follows previous interviews for the manager position in 2020 and the general manager role in 2022.
“I am very happy to be back in Houston,” Ausmus said in a statement. “The Astros and the city of Houston have held a very important place in my life, and I am thrilled to begin a new chapter as the team’s manager.”
A Return to Houston Roots
Ausmus played 18 seasons in the major leagues, with 10 of those years spent in a Houston uniform between 1997–1998 and 2001–2008. Known for his defensive prowess behind the plate, he earned three Gold Glove awards during his time with the Astros. According to the Jewish Baseball Museum, his 1,971 career games played remain a record for a Jewish player.
Beyond his playing career, Ausmus maintained a connection to international baseball, specifically with the Israeli national team. He led the squad during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers, served on the coaching staff in 2023, and returned as manager for the 2026 tournament. Israel secured a spot in the 2030 tournament after winning two of four games during the 2026 cycle.
Building a Competitive Roster
Nate Fish, the general manager of Israel Baseball Americas, said that Ausmus’s familiarity with the city and his experience in leadership positions make him a suitable fit for the current Astros roster. “He is intelligent. He is calm. He has the experience,” Fish told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “He would fit any team, but he is particularly well-positioned to lead Houston, since he played there for ten years.”
The transition to the Astros manager role follows a diverse post-playing career that included front-office work with the San Diego Padres and the Angels.
The Path to the 2026 Season
The upcoming press conference at Daikin Park on Friday is expected to provide more details on his coaching staff and his immediate priorities for the team.
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