Former Braves helping Astros
HOUSTON — The emergence of slugger Evan Gattis was one reason the Atlanta Braves felt comfortable letting seven-time All-Star catcher Brian McCann leave as a free agent after the 2013 season.
Now the two of them are splitting duties behind the plate for the Houston Astros.
“Who’d have thunk it?” Gattis said of his onceand-again teammate and catching partner. “I mean, small world.”
McCann has started 23 games at catcher this season, and Gattis made his 11th start behind the plate Wednesday as the Astros beat the Braves 4-2 to sweep their two-game interleague series at Minute Maid Park. The victory also gave Houston (23-11) its best 34-game start in franchise history and the most wins in the majors.
The Astros started Thursday with a six-game lead in the American League West, and each of the former Atlanta fan favorites had played a big part. McCann had a .281 average with five home runs, 18 RBIs and an .842 on-base plus slugging percentage in 25 games, including 24 starts (his other start came as a designated hitter). Gattis was hitting .292 with three homers, 16 RBIs and an .852 OPS in 21 games, including 19 starts (nine as a DH).
The 33-year-old McCann, and Gattis, 30, are two of the oldest players on one of baseball’s most dynamic and well-balanced teams.
“We’ve got young, athletic guys, some really talented players,” McCann said. “It’s amazing watching these guys on a nightly basis.”
It’s a group that includes 22-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa, 23-year-old third baseman Alex Bregman, 24-yearold center fielder George Springer and 27-year-old superstar second baseman Jose Altuve.
“It’s a great mix,” McCann said. “We’ve got a great team.”
The Braves traded Texas native Gattis to the Astros in January 2015 for three prospects: right-handed pitchers Mike Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman plus third baseman Rio Ruiz.
In November 2013, McCann signed with the New York Yankees for $85 million over five years — a record-setting contract for a catcher — and spent three productive seasons in pinstripes, averaging 23 home runs and winning a sixth Silver Slugger award in 2015. After that season, he was traded to the Astros for two minor league pitchers.
The Yankees are paying $5.5 million of his $17 million salary this season and in 2018. There’s a $15 million option on McCann’s contract for 2019 that vests if he totals 1,000 plate appearances during 201718 and catches 90 games in 2018.
“I’m just glad it happened,” Gattis said of the trade that brought McCann to Houston. “I don’t think there would be a better duo, man.”
Gattis was used as a left fielder and a DH in his first season with Houston in 2015, then moved back to catch 55 games in 2016 in addition to playing as a DH in 71 games. He has caught about one-third of the Astros’ games this season while learning plenty — again — from one of the players he respects most.
“I remember asking (former Braves pitching coach Roger) McDowell, ‘Who’s the best one you’ve seen at reading swings and stuff like that?’” Gattis said. “And he said, ‘McCann.’ I always put a lot of weight into what Roger said, so ever since then it’s been, like, pay attention to what Mac’s doing when he’s catching.”
The only minor problem, and it’s actually more amusing than a problem, is identity confusion. McCann has a full beard now and bears a striking resemblance to the bear himself, Gattis, whose nickname is “El Oso Blanco” (The White Bear).
Each has been asked for autographs by fans who think it’s the other player.
“Whenever I go out to catch,” McCann said, smiling, “I have people yell, ‘Gattis!’”