‘Weird’ visit triggers memories for Stassi

Scouting reports in one hand and a smile across his face, Max Stassi meandered through a clubhouse at Minute Maid Park. A familiar group of reporters awaited the former Astros catcher who, at one point, stopped and looked down at the big “A” on his chest.

“It was kind of crazy coming here, being a part of this city and being familiar with everything,” Stassi said. “Coming back to it, it’s weird. Weird is just the best way to put it. I’ve said it 100 times, but I don’t have words for it. It’s just weird.”

Lost in the frenzied final hours of last month’s trade deadline was Stassi’s nerve-wracking experience. Houston traded the seventh-year catcher to the Los Angeles Angels for two rookie ball prospects, a minor deal toward the end of the deadline that Zack Greinke’s stunning acquisition dwarfed.

“It was a day I’ll never forget,” said Stassi, who won Astros Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and was a clubhouse favorite.

At around noon on July 31, the Astros traded Tony Kemp for Martin Maldonado. Stassi, owner of a .446 OPS in 90 atbats and the clear backup to Robinson Chirinos, immediately saw his position in peril.

“My mind was racing,” Stassi said. “The human nature of it is to see the writing on the wall. It was pretty wild. I showed up to the yard … I knew something was probably going to happen but I didn’t know officially if something was going to happen or what the case may be. It did and it was wild.”

Stassi spent around two hours at Progressive Field without concrete word of his status or future with the organization. He milled around the field and outside the third-base dugout on his cellphone. A call finally came and informed him of his trade.

Manager A.J. Hinch and Stassi had a 20-minute conversation inside the dugout. Hinch, a career backup catcher himself, offered Stassi various comparisons and advice for how to further his career.

Hinch retreated into the clubhouse and, eventually, called a team meeting where the Greinke trade was revealed. Celebration was rampant inside the clubhouse, save Stassi.

The 28-year-old packed his locker, told his jubilant teammates goodbye and held back tears while conducting one final interview.

“I just remember walking on the concourse about 5:00 there in Cleveland with my backpack on in street clothes and walking away,” Stassi said. “It was kind of an out of body experience.”

Stassi did not start Friday’s series opener against the Astros, but spent most of batting practice reconnecting with old teammates, coaches and stadium personnel.

“I’m really happy here,” Stassi said of his new home. “My teammates have been great and made this transition really easy.”