A summary of A.J. Hinch's Astros tenure
Sports // Astros
Steve Schaeffer , Houston Chronicle Jan. 13, 2020 Updated: Jan. 13, 2020 9:44 p.m.
Manager A.J. Hinch kisses the trophy presented to the Astros after they won the 2019 American League pennant.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
A.J. Hinch file
Hired as Astros manager on Sept. 29, 2014, his second job as a major league skipper.
In first season, led Astros to 86-76 record in 2015 and their first postseason berth since 2005. They beat Yankees in AL wild-card game before losing to division series to Royals in five games.
After playoff absence in 2016, guided the 2017 Astros to 101-61 record and the first World Series championship in franchise history, a seven-game triumph over the Dodgers.
Managed Astros to club-record 103 wins in 2018. Lost AL Championship Series to Red Sox in five games.
Led team to a club-record 107 victories and the 2019 AL pennant before a seven-game World Series loss to the Nationals.
Fired on Jan. 13, 2020, with a record of 481-329 (.594) for the Astros and three seasons left on his contract. According to MLB investigation, Hinch knew of the Astros' sign-stealing scheme and, although he neither devised nor participated in it, did not stop it or express his disapproval to players or bench coach Alex Cora. Commissioner Rob Manfred said there was no justification for Hinch's failure to act or at least bring the issue to the front office's attention.
Steve Schaeffer
Employed by the Houston Chronicle since 1993, Steve Schaeffer is presently the Assistant Sports Editor and oversees Astros coverage. He has won numerous awards for his headline writing.
A native Oklahoman and University of Arkansas graduate, Steve had previous newspaper stints at the Houston Post and Tulsa World and for two years was the sports director for KBRS, a now-defunct radio station in Springdale, Ark.
A summary of Jeff Luhnow's Astros tenure
Astros vs. Nationals: How they match up in the World Series
Astros vs. Yankees: ALCS matchups
Forrest Whitley headlines Astros' non-roster invitees to spring training
Billy Wagner making progress in Hall of Fame vote
Eduardo Perez joins pool of Astros' managerial candidates