Astros: Evan Gattis states he is done playing baseball

Former Houston Astros slugger Evan Gattis has said his career is done.

Former Houston Astros catcher/DH Evan Gattis has confirmed that his professional baseball days are over. While this doesn’t come as much of a shock, given that he did not play in 2019, it gives us a chance to look back at what was a remarkable career.

It was remarkable in the sense that it even happened. Gattis battled mental health issues and the resulting substance abuse, causing him to leave the game for a few years after a short stint in college. Improbably, he returned, was drafted by the Braves and became a solid major leaguer for a few seasons.

He started off with a pair of 20-homer seasons in Atlanta, splitting time between catcher and left field. The Astros traded for him prior to the 2015 season, sending Mike Foltynewicz and Rio Ruiz to the Braves and also getting James Hoyt in the deal. Gattis spent four years with the Astros and certainly made his mark.

El Oso Blanco

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He drove in a career-best 88 runs in his first season with the Astros, hitting 27 homers. In one of the most inexplicable stats you’ll ever see, the burly right-hander also bagged 11 triples that year. He had only one triple combined in his other five MLB seasons.

He followed that up with a career-high 32 homers in 2016 to go with a career-best .826 OPS. Gattis played in only 84 games in 2017 but tied his career-high .263 batting average and hit a career-best 22 doubles. In the team’s World Series run, he hit a homer against the Yankees in the ALCS.

His production dipped a bit in 2018, though he still hit 25 bombs. That would be his final season with the Astros before reaching free agency, concluding his four Houston years with a .245/.298/.471 line and 96 home runs.

Though the numbers weren’t overly impressive, Gattis nonetheless endeared himself to the Houston faithful. He was part of the 2017 World Series championship team, and his story is one that fans won’t soon forget. Best wishes to El Oso Blanco in his retirement.