Joe Espada

Last updated

Joe Espada
Joe Espada on June 12, 2015.jpg
Espada with the New York Yankees in 2015
Houston Astros – No. 19
Manager
Born: (1975-08-30) August 30, 1975 (age 49)
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
World Baseball Classic
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2013 San Francisco Team
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2017 Los Angeles Team

Josue Espada (born August 30, 1975) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball coach and former Minor League Baseball player. He is the manager of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously coached in MLB for the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, and the Astros. In international competition, Espada has coached for Puerto Rico, winning two silver medals in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Contents

From Santurce, Puerto Rico, Espada attended the University of Mobile, Alabama, where he played baseball for the Mobile Rams. He was selected in the second round of the 1996 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics, and played in the A's minor league system until 2000. As a free agent the following year, Espada signed with the Florida Marlins, and subsequently played in four other organizations and independent baseball, reaching as high as Triple-A with a total of five seasons at that level.

After his playing career, Espada became a coach in the Marlins organization and was promoted to be their major league third base coach from 2010 to 2013. He then joined the Yankees as a special assistant to the general manager in 2014. Prior to the 2015 season, the Yankees named Espada as third base coach. The Astros hired Espada as bench coach after the 2017 season, and promoted him to manager after the 2023 season.

College and minor league playing career

Espada attended the University of Mobile, where he played college baseball for the Mobile Rams. He set a Mobile record with a .442 batting average. [1] The Oakland Athletics selected Espada in the second round, with the 45th overall selection, of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. [2] [3]

The Minnesota Twins selected Espada from the Athletics in the 1998 Rule 5 draft, but he failed to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, and was returned to the Athletics. [4] Espada played in Oakland's system through the 2000 season. [1]

A free agent in 2001, Espada signed with the Florida Marlins organization, and was traded to the Colorado Rockies organization for Juan Acevedo in August 2001. [5] He later played in the minor leagues for the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays organizations. [6] In 2004, Espada played for the Pensacola Pelicans in the Central Baseball League, an independent baseball league. [1] He retired as a player following the 2005 season, reaching Triple-A, but never playing in the majors.

Coaching career

Florida / Miami Marlins

Espada with the Florida Marlins in 2011 Joey Espada 2011.jpg
Espada with the Florida Marlins in 2011

After retiring, Espada became a coach in the Marlins' organization. He served as the hitting coach of the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2006, and for the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in 2007. Espada spent the next two seasons as the Marlins' minor league infield coordinator. [2]

The Marlins named Espada as their third base coach prior to the 2010 season. He also coached for the Puerto Rican national team during the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Espada served as the Marlins' third base coach through the 2013 season. After the season, he was reassigned to manage Jupiter, as the Marlins wanted Espada to gain managerial experience. [2] Instead, Espada took a job with the New York Yankees as a special assistant to general manager Brian Cashman. [7]

New York Yankees

On January 11, 2015, the Yankees hired Espada to be the team's infield coach and third base coach. [8] He managed the Gigantes de Carolina of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in winter baseball. [9] Espada again coached the Puerto Rican team in the 2017 WBC. [10]

Houston Astros

2018–2023

The Houston Astros hired Espada after the 2017 season to become their bench coach. [11] He interviewed for the Texas Rangers' managerial position after the 2018 season [12] and for the Chicago Cubs' managerial position after the 2019 season. [13]

In 2022, the Astros advanced to the World Series and defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to give Espada a World Series title. [14]

2024

On 13 November 2023, following the 2023 season, Espada was promoted to manage the Astros after the retirement of Dusty Baker. [15] [16] On April 1, 2024, Espada's first victory arrived via a no-hit effort from starting pitcher Ronel Blanco, the 17th such achievement in franchise history. Espada became the first manager in MLB history to earn his first win as a result of a no-hitter. [17]

During Espada's first season as manager, the Astros produced a record of 12 games under .500 at two points in the season, and, on June 18, with a 33–40 record, were 10 games behind for the division lead, the largest margin by which the team had trailed since 2016. A seven-game winning streak ensued, and the Astros claimed their 40th win to reach .500 for the first time. [18] On September 13, the Astros secured the 5,000th win in franchise history with a 5–3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. [19] The Astros clinched the American League (AL) West division title on September 24 with a 4–3 victory over the Seattle Mariners, Espada's first guiding a club as manager, as well as qualifying him for his first postseason entrance as manager. Additionally, it was the club's fourth consecutive division title, 14th in franchise history, and ninth postseason berth in 10 seasons. [18] The Astros faced the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series in Espada's first postseason experience as manager; however, the Tigers swept the Astros in the best-of-3 series. [20]

Managerial record

As of October 2, 2024

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GamesWonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
HOU 2024 1618873.5471st in AL West02.000Lost ALWCS (DET)
HOU total [21] 1618873.54702.000

Personal life

He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Espada is married to Pamela Dearth, the sister of Brandon Hyde's wife. [1] The Espadas live in Fulshear, Texas, with their two daughters.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Pedrique</span> Venezuelan baseball player and coach (born 1960)

Alfredo José Pedrique García is a Venezuelan professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop for the New York Mets (1987), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987–88), and Detroit Tigers (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandy Alomar Jr.</span> Puerto Rican baseball player and coach (born 1966)

Santos Alomar Velázquez, known as Sandy Alomar Jr., is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher between 1988 and 2007, most notably as a member of the Cleveland Indians where he was a six-time All-Star player and won two American League pennants. Alomar was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickie Thon</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1958)

Richard William Thon is a Puerto Rican-American former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers, during the course of his 15-year big league career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Cora</span> Puerto Rican baseball player and manager (born 1975)

Jose Alexander Cora is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and Washington Nationals. After retiring as a player, Cora served as the bench coach for the Houston Astros when they won their first World Series title in 2017. Cora was named Boston's manager the following season, winning a franchise-best 108 games and leading the team to victory in the 2018 World Series. He is the fifth MLB manager to win the World Series in his first season and the first Puerto Rican manager of a World Series-winning team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Girardi</span> American baseball player and manager (born 1964)

Joseph Elliott Girardi is an American sports broadcaster and former professional baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). Girardi played the catcher position for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals during a big league playing career that spanned from 1989 to 2003. He won three World Series championships with the Yankees in the 1990s and served as the catcher for both Dwight Gooden's no-hitter and David Cone's perfect game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Listach</span> American baseball player and coach (born 1967)

Patrick Alan Listach is an American professional baseball shortstop, coach, and manager. As a player, Listach appeared in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros from 1992 and 1997. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1992. Listach has also been a major league third base coach and minor league manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Virdon</span> American baseball player and manager (1931–2021)

William Charles Virdon was an American professional baseball outfielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). Virdon played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 through 1965 and in 1968. He served as a coach for the Pirates and Houston Astros, and managed the Pirates, Astros, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Meacham</span> American baseball player (born 1960)

Robert Andrew Meacham is an American former professional baseball shortstop, who spent his entire six-year big league playing career with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since retiring from active play, Meacham has managed and coached for several organizations in the majors and minors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Cora</span> Puerto Rican baseball player and coach (born 1965)

José Manuel Cora Amaro is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball player with an 11-year career in MLB spanning the years 1987 and 1989–1998 and current third base coach for the Detroit Tigers. He played for the San Diego Padres of the National League and the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians of the American League. He primarily played as a second baseman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eduardo Pérez</span> American baseball player (born 1969)

Eduardo Atanasio Pérez Pérez is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and current television sports color commentator. He played in Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional Baseball league as a first baseman, third baseman, and outfielder from 1993 to 2006. After his playing career Pérez became a baseball analyst with ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Latin America as well as a host on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Howe</span> American baseball player and manager (born 1946)

Arthur Henry Howe Jr. is an American former professional baseball infielder, coach, scout, and manager, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1974–1975), Houston Astros (1976–1982), and St. Louis Cardinals (1984–1985). Howe managed the Astros (1989–1993), Oakland Athletics (1996–2002), and New York Mets (2003–2004), compiling a career managerial record of 1,129 wins and 1,137 losses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Bogar</span> American baseball player and coach

Timothy Paul Bogar is an American former infielder, coach, manager, and front-office executive in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the New York Mets, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, coached for the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals and managed the Rangers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Thomson</span> Canadian baseball player, coach, and manager

Robert Lewis Thomson, nicknamed "Topper", is a Canadian professional baseball manager for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Snitker</span> American baseball coach and manager (born 1955)

Brian Gerald Snitker is an American professional baseball coach and former player who is the manager of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Snitker has been in the Braves organization in different roles since playing in their minor league organization as a catcher and first baseman from 1977 to 1980. He became their manager in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Tuck</span> American baseball coach (born 1954)

Gary Robert Tuck is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played one game in Minor League Baseball as a catcher in 1978. He has coached in the minor leagues and in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Florida Marlins, and Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Romero</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1957)

Edgardo Ralph Romero Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball infielder and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Tigers. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 160 pounds (73 kg), he batted and threw right-handed. He was later a coach for the Houston Astros, and a manager for several Minor League Baseball teams. His son, Eddie, is an executive with the Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Porter</span> American baseball player and manager (born 1972)

Marquis Donnell "Bo" Porter is an American former professional baseball player, manager, and coach. He is the current first base coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was a special assistant to the Atlanta Braves general manager and former third base/outfield and base running coach for the Braves. Porter previously served as manager of the Houston Astros for two seasons until his termination on September 1, 2014. During spring training in 2018 he ran the Major League Baseball Players Association free agent camp. In 2019, he became a television broadcaster for the Washington Nationals on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Hillman</span> American baseball coach

Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is an American professional baseball coach. He has also served as the manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League, the Kansas City Royals in the American League and the SK Wyverns in the KBO League. Therefore, he is the only person to have served as manager in these three countries. He has also been a coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and the Miami Marlins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edwin Rodríguez (baseball)</span> Puerto Rican baseball player and manager (born 1960)

Edwin Rodríguez Morales is a Puerto Rican minor league manager. He is the former manager of the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball's National League. He also played Major League Baseball briefly in the early 1980s as an infielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Houston Astros season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 2020 Houston Astros season was the 59th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas, their 56th as the Astros, eighth in the American League West, and 21st at Minute Maid Park. The team entered the season as both the defending champions of the American League and the American League West; and runner-ups of the World Series.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lemire, Joe (October 18, 2019). "Steeped in Astros' and Yankees' Ways, Joe Espada Is a Hot Commodity". The New York Times . Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Rodríguez, Juan C. (September 22, 2013). "Miami Marlins reassign third-base coach Joe Espada". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Overachieving Marlins third-base coach Joe Espada true to Puerto Rican roots". Miami.marlins.mlb.com. September 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Twins Spring training notebook". Star Tribune. April 1, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2013.(subscription required)
  5. ↑ "Baseball: National League roundup; struggling Karros delivers for Dodgers". The New York Times. The Associated Press. August 7, 2001. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Joe Espada minors, winter, and independent leagues statistics". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Rodríguez, Juan C. (November 5, 2013). "Miami Marlins: Yankees hire third-base coach Joe Espada as special assistant". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ Marchand, Andrew (January 11, 2015). "Yankees hire 2 new hitting coaches". ESPN . Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ Rosa Rosa, Carlos (August 3, 2016). "Josué Espada continuará en Carolina: El también coach de tercera base de los Yankees confirmó su regreso a la dirección de los Gigantes de la liga invernal por tercera campaña seguida". El Nuevo Dia . Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  10. ↑ Miller, Randy (March 14, 2017). "How Yankees' Joe Girardi would change World Baseball Classic for better". NJ.com . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  11. ↑ R.J. Anderson (November 2, 2017). "Yankees lose third base coach and managerial candidate to the Astros". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  12. ↑ Fraley, Gerry (October 16, 2018). "Rangers managerial candidate Espada in demand". Dallas News. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ Gonzales, Mark (October 23, 2019). "As the next manager, David Ross will bring a no-nonsense style to Cubs team that lacked accountability". chicagotribune.com.
  14. ↑ Rome, Chandler (November 5, 2022). "Undisputed: 'It proves we're the best team in baseball ... They have nothing to say now.'". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  15. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (November 13, 2023). "Espada introduced as Astros manager: 'This is a very special place'". MLB News. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  16. ↑ Smith, Colby (November 13, 2023). "Astros Officially Announce Joe Espada As New Team Manager". Secret Houston. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  17. ↑ Kawahara, Matt (April 1, 2024). "Astros manager Joe Espada becomes first manager in MLB history to earn first win with no-hitter". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Houston Astros clinch fourth straight AL West title". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 24, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  19. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (September 13, 2024). "Astros remain unblemished with Kikuchi on the mound". MLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  20. ↑ Rieken, Kristie (October 2, 2024). "Gritty Tigers close out playoff sweep of Astros with 5–2 victory in Game 2 of Wild Card Series". Associated Press (AP) News. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Joe Espada managerial record". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
Sporting positions
Preceded by New York Yankees third base coach
2015–2017		Succeeded by
Preceded by Houston Astros bench coach
2018–2023		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.