7) Jason Castro
Jason Castro signed with the Astros for a second stint leading into the 2021 season. “Castro the Astro” had previously played with the franchise from 2010-2016, stabilizing the team through its darkest days. The catcher was the lone all-star on the 2013 team that finished 51-11.
After five seasons away, Castro returned in pursuit of a ring.
Although Houston came up just short in the 2021 World Series, their Game 6 victory over Philadelphia made Castro’s mission a success. Unfortunately for Castro, he was unable to contribute on-field in October, after suffering a season-ending injury having appeared in only 34 games.
In his final at-bat of the season, Castro went deep, giving the Astros a 2-0 victory over the Mets way back in June.
Questions loom about Castro’s future, but if his time with the Astros is done, he went out on top. A game-winning home run in his final AB and a World Series championship in his final appearance in the dugout–what a way to go out.