HOUSTON — Less than three weeks after Dusty Baker announced his retirement, the Astros have their new manager.
At a news conference on Monday, the team made it official that bench coach Joe Espada would be taking over. He becomes the 20th manager in Astros franchise history.
“I’m humbled by this,” Espada said Monday. “This is a dream come true. I just can’t express my feelings about how happy I am to get to stay here and manage this team."
It’s the first managerial position for the 48-year-old Espada, who has been Houston’s bench coach since 2018. At the time, Espada replaced Alex Cora, who went on to manage the Boston Red Sox.
Prior to joining the Astros, Espada worked as the New York Yankees' third-base coach for three seasons. He was also the third-base coach for the Miami Marlins from 2010 to 2013. Between that, he was a pro scout for the Yankees.
“We feel that Joe is a great fit to run our ballclub,” Astros general manager Dana Brown said in the release. “He has a great relationship with our players and staff and has been an integral part of the Astros success for several seasons. He knows the organization from top to bottom.
Espada is a native of Santurce, Puerto Rico. He becomes the team's second Latino manager, joining Cuban-born Preston Gomez, who managed the Astros in 1974-75.
Before coaching, Espada played in the minor leagues for 10 years after being drafted by the Oakland As in the second round of the 1996 draft. He played in the Oakland, Florida, Colorado, Kansas City, St. Louis, Texas and Tampa Bay systems.