The New York Yankees have introduced another new face to their coaching staff today by hiring Brad Ausmus. He will replace the Mets new manager, Carlos Mendoza, as Aaron Boone’s bench coach. While this is the first time Ausmus will coach for the Bombers, it isn’t his first time in the organization.
The Yankees drafted the 18-year veteran catcher in the 48th round of the 1987 draft. Ausmus then spent his first five years in the Yankees minor league system but was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 expansion draft. Throughout his playing career, Ausmus would spend time with the Padres, Tigers, Astros, and Dodgers. Additionally, he would win three Gold Gloves and make an All-Star appearance before retiring in 2010.
However, Ausmus would only spend a little while away from the game as he returned to San Diego, having been named Field Executive of the Padres in 2011. He would hold this position until the end of 2013 after accepting an offer to succeed Jim Leyland as manager of the Detroit Tigers. In his first year at the helm, Ausmus would lead the Tigers to a 90-72 record and an AL Central title before being ousted by the Orioles in the ALDS. The 2014 season would be the pinnacle of his success in Detroit as the next three campaigns saw disappointing returns — two last-place finishes and one second-place finish, falling just short of the second Wild Card spot in 2016. By the end of a disappointing 2017, the Tigers organization decided against extending Ausmus. He finished his managerial career in Detroit with a record of 314-332 with no playoff wins.
To start 2018, Ausmus accepted a spot as special assistant to former Mets general manager Billy Eppler with the Los Angeles Angels organization. Ultimately, Ausmus would replace Mike Scioscia as manager of the club in the middle of the 2018 season. By the end of the year, the Angels offered Ausmus a three-year deal to remain as manager. He would be fired, however, at the end of the 2019 season, having recorded only 72 wins and 90 losses.
In January of 2022, after a two-year hiatus, the Oakland A’s extended Ausmus an offer to serve as bench coach beside manager Mark Kotsay. He decided not to return in that role for the 2023 season and now finds himself second in command behind Aaron Boone. He is the latest addition to the Yankees’ revamped coaching staff behind newly hired hitting coach James Rowson.
