Astros part ways with third-base coach Pettis after 10 seasons (source)
HOUSTON — Gary Pettis, whose familiar windmill arm motion has been a staple in the Astros’ third-base coaching box for the past decade, will not return to coaching staff next season, a source told MLB.com on Monday. Pettis, whose contract was up at the end of the season, was the longest-tenured member of the staff and coached baserunning and the outfield. The team has not confirmed the move.
Pettis, 66, spent 10 seasons with the Astros after being hired prior to 2015, when A.J. Hinch took over as manager. Pettis worked under three managers in Houston, including Hinch and Dusty Baker — both of whom won World Series titles. Pettis coached in four World Series with the Astros (2017, 2019, ‘21-22) and two with the Rangers (2010, ’11).
Pettis came to the Astros after spending eight seasons with Texas — two as third-base coach and six as first-base coach — having served as the Rangers outfield and baserunning instructor throughout his time with the club. Pettis was also on the staffs of the Mets (2003-04) and White Sox (2001-02). He began his coaching career as a roving Minor League instructor in the Angels (1995) and White Sox (1997-2000) organizations, and later had a two-year stint as Milwaukee’s Triple-A hitting instructor from 2005-06.
Astros first-base coach Dave Clark has years of experience as a third-base coach and he could be moved across the diamond, but Houston doesn’t expect to make additional changes to manager Joe Espada’s staff for 2025. Espada took over as skipper prior to this year and led the Astros to their fourth consecutive American League West division title before being eliminated in the AL Wild Card Series by Hinch’s Tigers.
Pettis, who won five Gold Gloves and stole 354 bases in 11 years in the Major Leagues with the Angels, Rangers, Tigers and Padres, missed time during the 2020 and ’21 seasons while battling multiple myeloma, which is a form of blood cancer. He returned halfway through the 2022 season. Pettis missed the entire 2022 ALCS sweep of the Yankees with an undisclosed illness but returned for the World Series.
