Astros surprisingly part ways with mainstay coach

Oct 22, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; The Houston Astros logo is seen during the third inning of game one of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The vibes are about to change in Houston.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Monday that the Houston Astros have decided to let go of their longtime third base coach Gary Pettis after 10 seasons with the team. Pettis’ contract with Houston was up, and the Astros are opting not to renew it.

The 66-year-old Pettis is a beloved baseball figure who was a five-time Gold Glover as a player before going into coaching in the mid-1990s. Pettis had been one of the biggest mainstays on staff in Houston, joining in 2015 and serving under three different managers (AJ Hinch, Dusty Baker, and Joe Espada). He was also the third base coach for both of the Astros’ World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.

Famous for his dramatic pinwheel motions at third, Pettis has long been known as one of the most aggressive senders in baseball. While the team’s baserunning numbers this season had showed a drop-off in performance by Pettis, the news of his departure still comes as a surprise. Pettis may not be the only longtime Astros figure to pack his bags this offseason either.