HOUSTON -- When Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch went to home plate before Thursday night’s game to exchange lineup cards, he found a surprising face staring back at him: First-year Houston Astros utility man Niko Goodrum.
Goodrum spent the last four seasons with the Tigers before signing with the Astros as a free agent over the winter.
“It was the first time I’d seen Niko in a uniform other than the Tigers,” Hinch said.
Goodrum’s locker at Minute Maid Park is stuffed with a variety of gloves, just as it was at Comerica Park. His job is basically the same as the old one: Play wherever he’s needed on any given day.
“You’ve just got to ready every day because you never know when there’s going to be injuries or where you’re going to have to start that day,” he said during an interview from his new digs before Friday’s game. “I did it in Detroit, so it’s nothing new.”
The Tigers didn’t offer Goodrum a contract for 2022, which was not entirely surprising given their desire to pursue a big-name free agent shortstop and the plethora of younger, cheaper infield options already on the roster.
Goodrum, 30, said he left Detroit on good terms and with good memories.
“The fans were amazing, my teammates, coaching staff, everybody was great,” he said. “There’s no hard feelings. It’s all love. I had an amazing four years.”
After the Tigers cut him loose, nearly a dozen teams made inquiries (including the Astros). Goodrum opted to wait until after the lockout to make a decision. When a deal was reached, the Astros called within minutes.
“This is an amazing team. The culture here is fantastic,” said Goodrum.
Veteran manager Dusty Baker recently reached 2,000 career wins and Goodrum said “I guarantee that every player in here will say they want to play for Dusty.”
After sharing an infield with Miguel Cabrera in Detroit, he’s now teammates with another potential Venezuelan Hall-of-Famer -- Jose Altuve.
“They both have a joy that they play with every day,” Goodrum said. “They’re both amazing hitters. They’re both great people who treat you right.”
Goodrum said he was given a warm welcome by Altuve and his new Astros teammates from Day 1 of spring training, which meant a lot.
“You come into a new team and you’re the new guy, but they made me feel welcome and they still do,” Goodrum.
Goodrum has had a chance to visit with his ex-teammates this week. He also plans to hit up Cabrera for some memorabilia.
“I want to get another bat from Miggy, but with 3,000 on it,” he said.
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