Astros sign Ausmus to one-year deal

10/30/2007 2:25 PM ET
Astros sign Ausmus to one-year deal
Catcher returns for 10th season with Houston

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has re-signed catcher Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2-million contract, plus incentives. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Ausmus, 38, hit .235 (82x349) with three home runs, 17 doubles and 25 RBI in 117 games with the Astros in 2007. He recorded his 100th career stolen base on July 27th, becoming the 21st catcher all-time to reach the 100-steal plateau. Defensively, he ranked fourth among National League catchers with a .995 fielding percentage, committing only four errors in 814 total chances. He made his franchise-record eighth Opening Day start at catcher for the Astros in 2007, breaking a tie with Alan Ashby.

"Brad has had a solid big league career and, despite the fact that he's played for a couple of other teams, he considers himself to be a lifelong Astro," said Wade. "We're very pleased to have him back for 2008. We know that he can make a significant contribution on the field, and we know the impact he has in our clubhouse. Additionally, he can help mentor a young catcher like J.R. Towles, which will make both J.R. and the Astros better."

Originally selected by the Yankees in the 48th round of the June 1987 draft, Ausmus has a .252 (1490x5905) career batting average with 256 doubles, 76 home runs, 572 RBI and 101 stolen bases in 1,833 career games. He won his third Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2006 after winning consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards from 2001-02 and ranks 12th all-time with 1,780 career games caught. His 12,040 career putouts ranks second all-time, trailing only Ivan Rodriguez (12,504). Ausmus has spent all or parts of 15 seasons with three teams, including the Astros (1997-98 and 2001-07), San Diego (1993-96) and Detroit (1996, 1999-2000).

Ausmus is the Houston franchise's all-time leader in both games (1,166) and starts (1,057) at catcher and leads the Majors in games played, assists and total chances at the position since 1995. He also was a member of the American League All-Star team in 1999 while playing for Detroit. In 35 career postseason games, Ausmus has hit .245 (26x106) with five doubles, three home runs and seven RBI.

Alright Ausmus! Thanks for the article Brob!

He used to be a Tiger...

Once a long time ago.....

Twice!...

I thought he sounded familiar...

Ausmus joins select group of catchers
Houston backstop one of eight with 1,500 hits, 100 steals
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Brad Ausmus wasn't sure what to think about his latest milestone, so he instead quoted good friend and teammate Mark Loretta, who put the situation in proper perspective.

"I'm half of a Hall of Famer," Ausmus said.

The catcher's single in the third inning of Monday's game against the Giants was the 1,500th hit of his career. He also has 101 stolen bases, giving him the distinction of being just the eighth catcher in Major League history to log at least 1,500 hits and 100 steals.

"It's nice," he said. "But it might mean I've played too long."

Ausmus joined a small fraternity of catchers that includes a Hall of Famer (Carlton Fisk), two active players (Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Kendall) and a handful of catchers few have heard of: Deacon McGuire (1884-1912), Buck Ewing (1880-1897), Duke Farrell (1888-1905) and Wally Scheng (1913-31).

It's probably a good thing Ausmus doesn't find milestone markers very exciting, because the ball that marked his 1,500th hit is actually in someone else's possession. The ball was used during Roy Oswalt's at-bat, and when Oswalt hit it foul, Hunter Pence, waiting in the on-deck circle, gave it to a fan.

"I had forgotten about it," Ausmus said. "I didn't remember it until the next pitch. When Hunter was on deck and gave it away, that's when I remembered. I thought, 'Oh, I probably should have kept that."

The missed opportunity won't cause Ausmus to lose any sleep.

"No big deal," he said. "I'll keep my 3,000th."

Quote :

"No big deal," he said. "I'll keep my 3,000th."

Which should happen sometime in 2024. When Ausmus turns 55.

GO AUSMUS!!!