New York (AFP) – Joe Espada will not return as manager of the Houston Astros while Don Mattingly has signed a two-year contract to manage Philadelphia, the Major League Baseball teams announced on Wednesday. Both teams were eliminated in the opening round of the MLB playoffs.
The Astros decided not to renew the contract of Espada, whose deal expires at the end of October. The 51-year-old Puerto Rican was an assistant coach with Houston from 2018-2023, helping the Astros beat Philadelphia in the 2022 World Series. Espada took over as manager in 2024 and went 256-229 over three campaigns, losing twice in the first round of the playoffs. Their 81-81 record this season won the AL West division title but was the worst mark to ever reach the postseason.
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“We’re thankful for Joe’s hard work, his passion for the game, and for his commitment to the Houston Astros,” said Jim Crane, the team owner and chairman.
Mattingly, who took over the Phillies as an interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in April following a 9-19 start, went 79-55 the rest of the way and was rewarded with a deal through the 2028 campaign. Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora rejected an offer for the job in April and told Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski last week he was not planning to manage in the 2027 campaign, setting the stage for Mattingly’s return.
Mattingly, 65, reached the playoffs for the fifth time as a manager this season, his deepest run being to the National League Championship Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.
© 2024 AFP
