Brad Ausmus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brad Ausmus
Ausmus with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019
New York Yankees – No. 65
Catcher / Manager / Coach
Born: (1969-04-14) April 14, 1969 (age 56) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
July 28, 1993, for the San Diego Padres
Last appearance
October 3, 2010, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.251
Home runs	80
Runs batted in	607
Managerial record	386–422
Winning %	.478
Teams
As player San Diego Padres (1993–1996) Detroit Tigers (1996) Houston Astros (1997–1998) Detroit Tigers (1999–2000) Houston Astros (2001–2008) Los Angeles Dodgers (2009–2010) As manager Detroit Tigers (2014–2017) Los Angeles Angels (2019) As coach Oakland Athletics (2022) New York Yankees (2024–present)
Career highlights and awards
All Star (1999) 3× Gold Glove Award (2001, 2002, 2006)

Bradley David Ausmus (born April 14, 1969) is a former professional baseball player and manager. He is currently a coach for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB).

During his 18 years playing in MLB, Ausmus was a catcher. He played for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers. After his playing career, he managed the Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels. He also coached for the Oakland Athletics and the Israeli national baseball team.

Ausmus was picked by the Yankees in the 1987 MLB draft. He decided to go to Dartmouth College while also playing minor league baseball. As a player, he was an All-Star in 1999. He also won the Gold Glove Award three times (2001, 2002, and 2006). In 2007, he received the Darryl Kile Award for his "integrity and courage."

He was known for his excellent defense as a catcher. He led the league in fielding percentage five times. He also led the league in range factor twice and in percentage of runners caught stealing twice.

When he retired in 2010, Ausmus was third in MLB history for putouts by a catcher (12,839). He was also seventh in games caught (1,938). He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

After playing, Ausmus worked for the Padres from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, he became the manager of the Detroit Tigers for four years. He then managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019. In 2022, he became the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics. He also coached for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Since 2024, he has been the bench coach for the New York Yankees.

Brad Ausmus's Early Life and School

Ausmus was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His mother was Jewish, and his father was Protestant. His father was a history professor. Ausmus has said he is proud of his Jewish heritage.

High School Sports Star

Ausmus was a great baseball player at Cheshire High School. As a freshman, he played with future hockey star Brian Leetch. Ausmus played shortstop and then catcher. He was named the Cheshire Area High School Player of the Year as a senior. He was also a good basketball player.

Ausmus was also a strong student, scoring well on his SAT exam.

College and the Draft

The New York Yankees drafted Ausmus in 1987. However, he chose to go to Dartmouth College instead of signing right away. He was able to attend classes during the baseball offseason. Because of college rules, he couldn't play for Dartmouth's team. Instead, he helped out as a volunteer coach.

He graduated from Dartmouth in 1991 with a degree in government. It's rare for major league players to have a four-year college degree. In 2005, Ausmus was the first Ivy League catcher to play in the World Series since 1916.

Even though he was drafted late, Ausmus played in MLB longer than almost all the players drafted before him.

Brad Ausmus's Playing Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues (1988–1993)

Ausmus spent five years playing in the Yankees' minor league teams. Then, the Colorado Rockies picked him in the 1992 MLB expansion draft. He played for their minor league team in 1993.

Playing for the San Diego Padres (1993–1996)

In July 1993, the Rockies traded Ausmus to the San Diego Padres. He made his first MLB game two days later. In 1995, he had his best batting average, hitting .293. He also stole 16 bases, which was a lot for a catcher.

In 1996, the Padres traded Ausmus to the Detroit Tigers. He is still one of the top catchers in Padres history for games played, hits, runs, and stolen bases.

Time with the Detroit Tigers (1996)

Ausmus played for the Tigers in 1996, batting .248. Later that year, the Tigers traded him to the Houston Astros.

Playing for the Houston Astros (1997–1998)

Ausmus played two seasons with the Astros. In 1999, the Astros traded him back to the Detroit Tigers.

Back with the Detroit Tigers (1999–2000)

In 1999, Ausmus had his best offensive year. He batted .275 and made the All-Star team. He was hit by pitches 14 times, which was a career high.

Return to the Houston Astros (2001–2008)

In 2000, the Tigers traded Ausmus back to the Houston Astros. He stayed with the Astros for eight seasons.

Ausmus with the Houston Astros in 2006

In 2005, he had more walks than strikeouts. In 2006, he hit a career high with nine sacrifice hits. In a big playoff game in 2005, Ausmus hit a home run in the ninth inning to tie the game. The Astros then won in the 18th inning, making it the longest playoff game ever at that time.

Ausmus was known for being very smart about baseball. Many people thought he would become a manager after he stopped playing. In 2007, he won the Darryl Kile Award for his "integrity and courage."

In 2008, Ausmus played in his 44th major league stadium. Only a few players had played in more. On May 13, 2008, he got his 1,500th career hit. He was one of only eight catchers in history to have 1,500 hits and 100 stolen bases.

Ausmus is the Astros' all-time leader for catchers in games played, hits, walks, and runs.

Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2009–2010)

In 2009, Ausmus joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as a backup catcher. His manager, Joe Torre, said Ausmus was "a smart cookie" and could definitely be a manager. Ausmus batted .295 that year.

In 2010, Ausmus was one of the oldest players in the National League. For the first time in his 18-year career, he went on the disabled list due to a back injury. He played in only 21 games that season.

Ausmus announced his retirement from playing baseball on October 3, 2010.

Brad Ausmus's Defensive Skills

Ausmus was known as a "brilliant defensive catcher." He was praised for his strong arm, quick throws, and smart way of handling pitchers. He also played a few games at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop without making any errors.

He led National League catchers in putouts in 1994. In 1995, he caught 39 opposing runners trying to steal bases. In 1997, he led the league in caught-stealing percentage (49.5%). He won his first Gold Glove in 2001. He won two more Gold Gloves in 2002 and 2006.

In 2006, he caught the second-most games ever by a catcher at age 37. In 2007, he passed Gary Carter for second place in career putouts by a catcher.

When he retired in 2010, Ausmus was third in MLB history for putouts as a catcher. He was also seventh in games caught and tenth in fielding percentage. He threw out 30.2% of runners trying to steal bases during his career.

After Playing: A Manager and Coach

Working for the San Diego Padres (2011–2013)

In 2011, Ausmus became a field executive for the San Diego Padres. He held this job until 2013.

Managing the Detroit Tigers (2014–2017)

Ausmus in 2015 managing the Detroit Tigers

On November 3, 2013, Ausmus became the manager of the Detroit Tigers. He was one of the youngest managers in the American League. In his first year, he led the Tigers to win their division title. However, they lost in the playoffs.

In 2015, the Tigers had a tough season. In 2016, they finished second in their division. The Tigers decided to keep him as manager for the 2017 season. In 2017, the Tigers lost 98 games and finished last. The team decided not to extend his contract. He finished his time with the Tigers with 314 wins and 332 losses.

Managing the Los Angeles Angels (2018–2019)

In 2018, Ausmus worked as a special assistant for the Los Angeles Angels. In October 2018, he was named the Angels' new manager. He signed a three-year contract. However, he was let go after just one season in 2019. He finished with 72 wins and 90 losses.

Coaching for the Oakland Athletics (2022)

On January 14, 2022, Ausmus became the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics. He left this role in November 2022 to look for a front office job.

Coaching for the New York Yankees (2024–present)

On November 21, 2023, Ausmus was hired by the New York Yankees as their new bench coach for the 2024 season. He continues in this role today.

Managerial Record

Brad Ausmus and the Israeli National Team

Ausmus, Israeli president Shimon Peres and U.S. ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro in 2012 (l-r)

Ausmus managed the Israel national baseball team in the qualifying round for the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Under WBC rules, players of Jewish heritage can play for Israel, even if they are not Israeli citizens. Israel lost in the finals and did not make it to the main tournament.

Ausmus was also a coach for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Personal Life

In 2001, Ausmus chose not to play on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. He was inducted into the National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Ausmus and his wife, Liz, got married in 1995. They live in New Haven, Connecticut, and have two daughters.

See also

In Spanish: Brad Ausmus para niños