Puerto Rican Joe Espada says managing the Astros “is a dream come true”
Joe Espada was officially announced as the new manager of the Houston Astros for the 2024 Major League season, a role he accepts with honor.
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Leer en español: Puertorriqueño Joe Espada dice que dirigir a los Astros “es un sueño hecho realidad”
The Houston Astros officially presented Joe Espada this Monday as their new manager for the 2024 Major League season, a designation that the Puerto Rican has accepted with honor and as a goal achieved in his baseball career.
A Dream Come True: The Emotions of Joe Espada
"I feel honored by this. This is a dream come true, I simply cannot express my feelings about how happy I am to stay home and be able to lead this team," Espada said at the press conference held this Monday at the Minute Maid Park.
When introducing Espada, the team's general manager, Dana Brown, described the qualities that the new manager possesses to take on the responsibility of keeping the Astros a winning team.
"We wanted to continue the success here in Houston and we found the right man for the job. Joe (Espada) was the leading candidate. I think he has a special character, he is a family man, and he has great leadership skills. He is a very good communicator. Without a doubt, he is a good fit for this job," Brown said.
Espada has been part of the Astros' success over the past six years, serving as bench coach on the coaching staff of AJ Hinch and Dusty Baker, with whom he won the World Series twice.
"I had a front-row seat to see two incredible managers," said Espada, who highlighted the historical figure of Baker, whom he replaces, after the strategist announced his retirement last month.
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A Historic Honor: Joe Espada, Twelfth Manager of the Astros
"To say that I was a bench coach for a future Hall of Fame coach was incredible," said the manager born in Santurce, 48 years ago.
Espada, who becomes the twelfth manager in the history of the Astros and the sixth Puerto Rican to command a major league team, highlighted the high level of the team that the Houston management has placed in his hands.
"We have a really good team. This team can win many more years," Espada said of the Astros, who have advanced to the American League Championship Series for seven consecutive seasons.
Espada also thanked his wife and two daughters, who accompanied him at the press conference this Monday.
