After many days of silence amid the news of being placed on the exempt list, Chas McCormick – the hero who once lit up the Houston sky on the championship journey – finally spoke up. Not a complaint, not bitterness, but an emotional letter to Astros fans, where he fought, devoted and grew up.
“I grew up wearing this jersey. I shed sweat, tears and blood at Minute Maid Park… If this is the end, I just want to say: thank you, Houston, for turning a dreamy boy into the man of today.”
Those were the first lines of the letter McCormick posted on his personal account, along with a photo of him bowing his head and leaving the field – a moment that made thousands of fans cry.
To Houston fans, Chas McCormick is more than just a player. He is the epitome of hard work – the underrated, unheralded player who made a miraculous save in the 2022 World Series with a miraculous catch in the outfield that helped the Astros win the championship.
When news of his exclusion broke, Houston social media went into an uproar. Many fans shared those heroic moments, with the caption: “Once an Astro, always an Astro.”
In the letter, McCormick recounted the long, lonely nights in the hotel during the away games, when he wondered if he was good enough to continue. He wrote:
“I never considered myself a star, just someone lucky enough to be in their ranks. But every time I stepped out onto the field and heard the crowd chant my name, I felt like I belonged.”
He also did not forget to mention his teammates – who have been with him through every game, from glory to suffering:
“Altuve taught me to love the field like I love my hometown. Tucker, Bregman, Yordan – they are not just teammates, they are family. I will carry all those memories with me, no matter which team I play for.”
Remarkably, according to the Houston Chronicle, McCormick volunteered to meet each team employee – from the locker room manager to the groundskeeper – to say thank you. One team member recounted:
“He shook each person’s hand, saying that without them, there would be no Chas McCormick today. He made us all cry.”
That action moved the Astros community more than ever. A series of comments flooded the team’s forums:
“Chas, we will never forget that catch in Philadelphia.”
“You don’t need a title to be loved – Houston will always be your home.”
While McCormick’s future remains unclear – whether he will be claimed by another team or become a free agent – one thing is certain: Houston still has a place in his heart.
He ended his letter with a short but still heartfelt line:
“If I ever return to Minute Maid Park in a different uniform, please know that my heart will still beat with your cheers. Thank you, Houston – for everything.”
In a baseball world where fame can change in a single season, such words are rare. But for Chas McCormick – who was the quiet soul of the Astros – his departure is not the end, but the most beautiful tribute to a journey he has lived.
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