Joe Espada Named Manager of the Houston Astros
By Associated Press | Nov 13, 2023, 12:33 PM ET
HOUSTON – After a successful stint as the bench coach for the Houston Astros, Joe Espada has been promoted to the position of manager. The announcement was made on Monday, with Espada replacing the retired Dusty Baker.
Espada, a 48-year-old Puerto Rican native, has been with the Astros organization since 2018 and has been highly regarded by players and staff alike. He is the second Latino manager in franchise history, following in the footsteps of Cuban-born Preston Gomez.
Having interviewed for multiple managerial positions in recent years, Espada expressed his excitement at finally getting the opportunity to lead the team he loves. “I love this city. I love this team. I love this community and I know I can protect and continue success and continue winning in this city,” Espada said.
The Astros have been a dominant force in recent years, reaching the AL Championship Series for seven consecutive seasons and winning the World Series in 2022. General manager Dana Brown believes Espada is the right man to continue the team’s success. “I was looking for someone with leadership skills, someone who could communicate, someone who would collaborate and ultimately someone who was humble,” Brown said. “Joe is a good fit for this job.”
Espada’s coaching career began in the Marlins organization, where he worked in the minors before joining the big-league club as the third base coach in 2010. He later served as a special assistant to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman before joining the Yankees coaching staff in 2015.
Known for his strong relationships with players, Espada emphasizes the importance of communication and empowering his team. “I’ve seen this team win a lot of games and I know what it takes to win. I know how to push these players and when to push them and I think it matters,” Espada said.
Espada’s promotion to manager is a dream come true for him and his family. After taking a leave of absence last year to be with his father during a health scare, Espada shared the news of his promotion with his father, who was overjoyed. “His reaction was priceless,” Espada said.
As he takes on his new role, Espada will immediately begin assembling his coaching staff. With his experience, leadership skills, and passion for the team, Astros fans can look forward to continued success under Joe Espada’s guidance.