[Wattleigh]

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/...oe-espada.html

Houston Astros name bench coach Joe Espada as team's new manager

By Chandler France – Reporter, Houston Business Journal
Nov 13, 2023

Following the retirement of Dusty Baker, the Houston Astros didn’t need to look far for their new manager.

The team named Joe Espada as the new manager during a press conference at Minute Maid Park on Nov. 13. Espada has spent the past six seasons with the organization as the team’s bench coach. A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Espada is Houston’s second Latino manager in its history and the 20th manager overall.

“I am humbled by this,” Espada said during the press conference. “This is a dream come true.”

Espada has big shoes to fill as he succeeds Baker, who led the team to three American League West titles, four consecutive American League Championship Series appearances and two World Series berths — including winning the 2022 championship — during his four-year tenure. Baker announced his retirement from the MLB on Oct. 26 after spending 19 years in the league as a player and 26 years as a manager. Espada said it was a great opportunity to have a front-row seat to Baker’s leadership, and it helped him develop as a coach.

“To say that I was the bench coach to a future Hall of Fame manager is incredible,” Espada said.