Brad Ausmus: From Elite MLB Catcher To Respected MLB Coach
Explore the journey of Brad Ausmus, a Gold Glove-winning catcher who played 18 seasons in the MLB and later led teams like the Tigers and Angels as a manager. Discover his lasting impact on and off the field.
Jul 19, 20251.7K Shares59.3K Views
From the first time he caught behind home plate, Brad Ausmusshowed he was more than just a catcher, he was a thinker. Over his 18-year MLB career, he became known for outstanding defense and leadership, earning Gold Glove Awards and an All-Star selection. He later moved into major league coaching and managing, including leading the Detroit Tigers and later serving as bench coach for the Yankees. Known for his calm intelligence and deep baseball knowledge, Ausmus continues to influence the game today.
Early Life
Brad Ausmus was born on April 14, 1969, in New Haven, Connecticut, to a Protestant father, Harry Ausmus (a history professor), and a Jewish mother, Linda Ausmus. He grew up in Cheshire, where he starred at Cheshire High School in baseball and basketball. As a junior he hit .436 and earned All-State honors, and in his senior year he was named Cheshire Area Player of the Year after batting .411. Ausmus was drafted by the Yankees in 1987 but chose to attend Dartmouth College, earning a degree in government in 1991. While in college, he balanced undergraduate studies with playing minor league baseball, working as a volunteer coach and bullpen catcher for the Dartmouth team.
Playing Career
Brad Ausmus played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher, appearing for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He began his MLB career in 1993 with the Padres and quickly earned a reputation as a top defensive catcher. In 1999, he was named to his only All-Star team while playing with Detroit.
Ausmus won three Gold Glove Awards in the National League, earning them in 2001, 2002, and 2006 for his strong defense behind the plate. He often led the league in fielding percentage and range factor and threw out more than 30% of runners trying to steal. Over his career, he ranked third all‑time in putouts by a catcher and seventh in games caught by the time he retired in 2010. At the plate, Ausmus had a .251 batting average with 80 home runs and 607 RBIs in 6,279 at-bats. He also appeared in eight postseason series, including the 2005 World Series with the Astros.
Post-playing career
After retiring as a player in 2010, Brad Ausmus worked for three years as a special assistant in the front office of the San Diego Padres. In November 2013, he was hired as the manager of the Detroit Tigers. In his first year, the team won 90 games and made the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the first round. He managed the Tigers for four seasons, finishing with a record of 314 wins and 332 losses.
In 2018, Ausmus joined the Los Angeles Angels as a special assistant to the general manager. Later that year, he was named the Angels' manager. He led the team during the 2019 season, ending with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses. After that, he took some time away from coaching.
In 2022, he became the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics. Then, in November 2023, he was hired by the New York Yankees as their bench coach. He started that role in the 2024 season, bringing his experience as a manager and front office advisor to support the Yankees’ coaching staff.
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