Brad Ausmus

Bradley David Ausmus (born April 14, 1969) is an American former professional baseball player, manager, and coach, best known for his 18-season career as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) and subsequent roles managing teams including the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. A graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in government, Ausmus was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 MLB Draft out of Cheshire High School in Connecticut before attending college.

Ausmus debuted in MLB with the San Diego Padres in 1993 and played through 2010, appearing in 1,971 games over his career, primarily as a catcher for the Padres (1993–1996, 2010), Detroit Tigers (1999–2000), Houston Astros (2001–2008), and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009). Over his playing career, he compiled a.251 batting average with 1,579 hits, 80 home runs, 607 RBIs, and 102 stolen bases, while excelling defensively with 12,839 putouts (third all-time among catchers) and a.994 fielding percentage. He earned three Gold Glove Awards (2001, 2002, 2006) with the Astros, was selected to the 1999 All-Star Game as a Tiger, and played a key role in the Astros' 2005 National League pennant, including a pivotal home run in the NLDS. Ausmus also managed Team Israel in the qualifiers for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where they reached the final but did not qualify for the main tournament, and served as their bench coach in 2023.

Brad Ausmus was born on April 14, 1969, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Harry Jack Ausmus, a Protestant of German descent, and Linda Susan Ausmus (née Dronsick), who was Jewish. His mother's Jewish heritage provided a cultural foundation, though the family did not observe religion strictly, with occasional celebrations of high holidays alongside her relatives. This background later influenced Ausmus's involvement in international baseball, including managing Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.

His parents emphasized education and strong moral values in the household; his father, a professor of European history at Southern Connecticut State University, instilled a love for learning and intellectual pursuit. Ausmus's mother, who worked for the Southern New England Telephone Company (later AT&T) and enjoyed playing tennis, contributed to a nurturing environment that balanced academics with physical activity. Ausmus showed early academic aptitude, demonstrating curiosity and confidence beyond his years, while exploring interests in sports like tennis alongside baseball. Jewish cultural elements from his mother's side, including family gatherings, were part of his upbringing.

Ausmus was born to a Jewish mother and a Protestant father, and while he occasionally observed high holidays with his mother's family during childhood, he was not raised in any religion and did not have a strong connection to his Jewish heritage growing up. His deeper engagement with Judaism began later in life, particularly through his involvement with Team Israel, where he embraced his cultural roots by managing the team in international competitions and participating in Jewish community initiatives. In 2001, Ausmus chose not to play on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, highlighting his growing observance of Jewish traditions. He has since been active in Jewish events, such as a 2015 fundraiser for Project Baseball, a Jewish National Fund program aimed at developing youth sports facilities in Israel.