Three Astros are Nominees for 2022 Houston Athlete of the Year

The Astros have three nominees for the 2022 Houston Athlete of the Year.

On Thursday, the 2022 Houston Sports Awards nominees were announced, as three Houston Astros were among the group. Along with Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles, Kyle Tucker, Carlos Correa and Yuli Gurriel were the other athletes nominated.

Tucker came on the scene as an All-Star caliber outfielder in 2021, while slashing 30 home runs and hitting .294. The left-hander scored 83 runs, while also driving in 92 himself. The 24-year-old also led the Astros in stolen bases with 14, after the departure of Myles Straw.

Correa is now a free agent but was also the Astros’ most-valuable player based on Wins Above Replacement. The right-hander slashed to a .279 batting average with 26 home runs and 92 RBI, while the ideal captain for the clubhouse.

Gurriel, who won the American League batting title with a .317 batting average, became the oldest first baseman to ever win the Gold Glove award at 37-years-old. The right-hander’s team option was picked up for the 2022 season, too.

Manager Dusty Baker is also up for an award: Coach of the Year. The second-year manager is a nominee, along side Tom Arrington of San Jacinto Community College and Dan Holgorson and Kelvin Sampson of the University of Houston.

Baker took Houston to their second-consecutive American League Championship Series under his reign and their third World Series in five years.

For Moment of the Year, the Astros have three nominees: Correa’s Game 1 home run of the ALCS and the Astros clinching the ALCS and advancing to the World Series. Correa’s home run came with the signature “it is my time” gesture, which has been redone in the National Football League by New York Giants’ receiver Dante Pettis, son of Astros’ coach Gary Pettis.

The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Wortham Center.