Castro the Astro: Houston Astros' Catcher Jason Castro Announces Retirement

Jason Castro has announced his retirement

Early Friday evening, Houston Astros' catcher Jason Castro announced his retirement from the MLB. The backstop spent 12 years in the show, eight of which were spent in Houston.

He retires with 678 career hits, 97 home runs, 325 RBI and one All-Star appearance in 2013.

Castro was a stabilizing force in a dark period of Astros baseball, spending 400 games behind the dish from 2010-2014. He hit .243 with a 716 .OPS and was a bright spot during an era of baseball not filled with many.

He was rewarded with his first trip to the playoffs in 2015, before heading to Minnesota for the 2017 season. After brief stints with the Twins, Angels and Padres, Castro came home before the 2021 season.

He was a key piece of the 2021 team, splitting time behind the plate with Maldy. In 66 games, he hit .235 with eight home runs and a .799 OPS. He especially excelled as a pinch-hitter, batting .389 with an 1.188 OPS off the bench and hitting .375 with an 1.140 OPS in games "late & close".

His late-game heroics carried over into the biggest hit of his career, the go-ahead single in a must-win Game 4 of the 2021 ALCS. He finished that ALCS 2-3 with a home run for his other hit.

This season was more of a struggle for the veteran, playing in only 34 games before a knee injury ended his season.

In his final at-bat in The Show, Castro hit a game-winning two-run blast in the top of the ninth inning to beat the New York Mets.

He walks away from the game with a home run in his last at-bat and a well deserved World Series ring on his finger. Thanks for the good times Jason, and best of luck in whatever is next. Selfishly for us 'Stros fans, hopefully next includes a stint on the Astros' coaching staff.