January 17, 2025

The New York Yankees announced their coaching staff for the 2024 season. Joining Yankees Manager Aaron Boone will be Bench Coach Brad Ausmus, Pitching Coach Matt Blake, Bullpen Coach Mike Harkey, Assistant Pitching Coach Desi Druschel, Hitting Coach James Rowson, Assistant Hitting Coaches Casey Dykes and Pat Roessler, Third Base and Outfield Coach Luis Rojas, First Base and Infield Coach Travis Chapman, and Major League Field Coordinator and Director of Catching Tanner Swanson.

Ausmus, 54, begins his 34th season in professional baseball, his 11th season as a Manager, Coach or front office executive, and his first as the Yankees’ Bench Coach. He most recently served as the Oakland Athletics’ Bench Coach during the 2022 season. Prior to that, Ausmus managed the Los Angeles Angels in 2019 (72-90) and was a Special Assistant to Angels General Manager Billy Eppler during the 2018 season. From 2014-17, he managed the Detroit Tigers, guiding the club to a 314-332 (.486) record, which was highlighted by a 90-72 record and a postseason berth in his first season at the helm.

Immediately following his playing career, Ausmus spent three seasons (2011-13) with the San Diego Padres as a Special Assistant in Baseball Operations. He also managed Team Israel in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and was their Bench Coach in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Widely regarded as a premier defensive catcher, Ausmus batted .251 (1,579-for-6,279) with 718R, 270 doubles, 34 triples, 80HR, 607RBI, 634BB, 102SB and a .325 on-base percentage over 18 Major League seasons with San Diego (1993-96), Detroit (1996, 1999-2000), Houston (1997-98, 2001-08) and Los Angeles-NL (2009-10). Ausmus won three Gold Glove Awards (2001-02, ’06) and ranks fourth in Major League history in putouts by a catcher (12,839) and eighth in games played as a catcher (1,938).

Born in New Haven, Conn., Ausmus graduated from Cheshire High School and was selected by the Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 First-Year Player Draft. He opted to attend Dartmouth College but did not play baseball there, instead playing in the Yankees’ Minor League system while working towards his degree, which he received in 1991. He played five seasons in the Yankees’ Minor League system (1988-92), topping out at Triple-A Columbus in his final season with the organization before being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 Expansion Draft.

 

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