Espada Ready to Become Third Houston Astros Manager to Win World Series
After the official news broke that Joe Espada was being hired by the Houston Astros to be their next manager, a new reality set in.
Is the former bench coach ready to take over this ready-made roster and win a World Series?
It’s fair to ask.
Espada will be a first-time manager in 2024 after getting passed over in two previous interview processes. Bench coach is much different than being the head man and it is an adjustment for those who make that transition.
However, he’s poised to take over this team and put his stamp on the Astros’ franchise.
“I’ve seen this team win a lot of games, and I know what it takes to win. I know how to push these players, when to push them. It matters. The players trust me, but trust is earned and it’s a two-way street, and I think I’ve done a good job making sure these players know what it takes, and I think that helped me to be a good fit for this job,” Espada said at his opening presser.
His experience as bench coach under both A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker can’t be dismissed either.
“I’ve had a front-row seat to two incredible managers. The last four years working for Dusty and watching him connect and work, and to say I was the bench coach of a future Hall of Fame manager, it’s incredible. It’s an honor,” he added.
Baker’s approach to working with his staff has Espada feeling like his is prepared for this moment.
“He really cared about the importance of communication and collaboration, and he allowed us coaches to do our job to get the guys ready to play. I really appreciated that, and I think that’s really going to help me for my next step,” he said.
Whether Espada ultimately reaches the same heights as the two previous managers of Houston will be seen, but he feels like he’s ready to have them competing for championships going forward.
