Brad Ausmus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brad Ausmus
Ausmus with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019
New York Yankees – No. 68
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)

Brad Ausmus (born April 14, 1969) is an American baseball coach and former player and manager. He is currently the bench coach for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB).

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

Ausmus was picked by the Yankees in the 1987 MLB draft. However, he chose to go to Dartmouth College while also playing minor league baseball. He became an All-Star in 1999 and won three Gold Glove Awards (2001, 2002, and 2006). He also won the 2007 Darryl Kile Award for being a player with great honesty and bravery.

Ausmus was known for his excellent defense as a catcher. He finished his playing career in 2010 ranked third in MLB history for putouts by a catcher. He was also seventh in games caught. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

After retiring as a player, Ausmus worked for the Padres. Then, he became a manager for the Detroit Tigers and later the Los Angeles Angels. He is now a coach for the New York Yankees.

Early Life and Education

Ausmus was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His mother was Jewish, and his father was a retired history professor. His father wrote a book that Ausmus calls his "favorite."

Ausmus said that even though he wasn't raised in the Jewish religion, he is proud of his heritage. He enjoys when young Jewish boys tell him he is their favorite player.

High School Sports

Ausmus was a talented baseball player at Cheshire High School. As a freshman, he played with future National Hockey League star Brian Leetch. Ausmus played shortstop as a sophomore and then became a catcher in his junior year. He was named the Cheshire Area High School Player of the Year as a senior. He was also a top basketball player.

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

College and Draft

The New York Yankees drafted Ausmus in 1987. But he decided to go to Dartmouth College instead. He made a special arrangement 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.

Ausmus graduated from Dartmouth in 1991 with a degree in government. It's rare for major league baseball players to have a four-year college degree. In 2005, Ausmus was the first catcher from an Ivy League school to play in the World Series since 1916. In 2010, The Sporting News called him the ninth-smartest athlete in sports.

Even though he was drafted very late, Ausmus played in MLB longer than any of the 1,150 players picked before him.

Playing Career

Ausmus played five years in the Yankees' minor league system. He was then picked by the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 MLB expansion draft.

San Diego Padres (1993–1996)

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

In June 1996, the Padres traded Ausmus to the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers (1996)

Ausmus batted .248 for the Tigers in 1996. In December 1996, the Tigers traded him to the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros (1997–1998)

Ausmus played two seasons for the Astros. In January 1999, the Astros traded him back to the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers (1999–2000)

In 1999, Ausmus had his best offensive season. He batted .275 and was chosen for the All-Star team. He led the American League in fielding percentage in 1999. In 2000, he played in 150 games, leading the AL in assists and putouts for catchers.

Houston Astros (2001–2008)

In December 2000, the Tigers traded Ausmus back to the Houston Astros. He re-signed with the Astros several times.

Ausmus with the Houston Astros in 2006

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

Ausmus was known for his baseball smarts and was seen as someone who could become a manager. He won the 2007 Darryl Kile Award for his integrity. In 2008, he got his 1,500th career hit. He was one of only eight catchers in MLB history with 1,500 hits and 100 stolen bases.

Ausmus played in his 44th major league stadium in July 2008. He also scored his 700th career run, becoming the 25th catcher to do so. He announced that 2008 would be his last year in Houston. He wanted to be closer to his home in San Diego.

Ausmus is Houston's all-time leader for catchers in games played, starts, hits, and runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2009–2010)

On January 26, 2009, Ausmus joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as a backup catcher. His manager, Joe Torre, said Ausmus was "a smart cookie" and could be a manager. Ausmus batted well in limited chances in 2009. He had never been on the disabled list in his 17-year career.

He returned to the Dodgers for his 18th season in 2010. On April 10, 2010, he went on the disabled list for the first time in his career due to back surgery. He played in only 21 games that season.

Ausmus announced his retirement on October 3, 2010.

Defense as a Catcher

Ausmus was known as a "brilliant defensive catcher" and "one of the most respected game-callers." He was praised for his strong arm, quick release, and smart handling of 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 threw out a league-leading 39 opposing runners trying to steal. In 1997, he led the league in caught-stealing percentage. He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2001 and another in 2002. In 2005, he led the league in fielding percentage and putouts.

Ausmus won his third Gold Glove 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.

Ausmus finished his career ranked third in MLB history with 12,839 putouts as a catcher. He was also seventh in games caught. He threw out 30.2% of runners trying to steal during his career.

Post-Playing Career

San Diego Padres (2011–2013)

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

Detroit Tigers Manager (2014–2017)

Ausmus managing the Detroit Tigers in 2015

On November 3, 2013, Ausmus was named the 38th manager of the Detroit Tigers. At 45 years old, he was the second-youngest manager in the American League. In his first year, he led the Tigers to win their division. However, they lost in the playoffs.

In 2015, the Tigers had a disappointing season. In 2016, they finished second in their division. The Tigers decided to keep Ausmus as manager for the 2017 season. In 2017, the Tigers lost 98 games. On September 22, 2017, the Tigers announced that Ausmus would not return in 2018. He finished his time with the Tigers with 314 wins and 332 losses.

Los Angeles Angels Manager (2018–2019)

Ausmus worked as a special assistant for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. On October 21, 2018, he became the 17th manager of the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a three-year contract but was let go after just one season in September 2019. He finished with 72 wins and 90 losses.

Oakland Athletics Coach (2022)

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

New York Yankees Coach (2023–Present)

On November 21, 2023, Ausmus was hired by the New York Yankees as their new bench coach.

Managerial Record

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. This tournament allows players of Jewish heritage to play for Team 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 religious holiday. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

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

See also

In Spanish: Brad Ausmus para niños