The Houston Astros stunned fans when they officially announced the departure of four key members of their coaching staff, including hitting coach Alex Cintrón, pitching coach Troy Snitker, catching coach Michael Collins, and head medical officer Jeremiah Randall. According to the announcement posted on the team’s official website, all four will not return for the 2026 season, ending a long journey of dedication in the Astros’ glorious era.
“We are extremely grateful for their enduring contributions to the Houston Astros’ success, and wish them and their families the best in their upcoming journey,” — the team shared in a statement this morning.
This is not just a personnel change, but also the end of a generation of coaches who contributed to the Astros’ period of dominance. Under the leadership of this quartet, Houston has become one of the most feared teams in MLB — with two World Series titles (2017, 2022), seven consecutive postseason appearances, and a series of records for both offense and defense.
Alex Cintrón, who has been with the team since 2017, is considered the silent heart of the Astros offense. He helped revive Jose Altuve’s form and turn Yordan Alvarez into one of the most feared hitters in the league. Cintrón is also praised for his ability to connect generations of players — a coach with “a big heart and a cool head.”
Troy Snitker and Michael Collins — two close associates of Cintrón — are considered the “golden duo” behind the team’s defensive prowess and catcher-pitch synergy. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Randall, a physical and rehabilitation specialist, was the most beloved person among the players because he was “always the last one to leave the practice field.”
The decision to part ways comes as the Astros have just concluded a turbulent and disappointing season, failing to advance beyond the Division Series. Experts believe this is the beginning of a major rebuild – a signal that the leadership is looking to rejuvenate the coaching system, while preparing for a new phase after the Dusty Baker era.
On social media, thousands of comments flooded under the team’s “Thank You” post. Emotional fans wrote:
“Alex Cintrón is more than just a coach – he is the soul of the Astros. It will be strange to watch the team play and not see him in the dugout.”
“Thank you for all the great years. You have brought confidence and pride to the entire city of Houston.”
Though they are sadly gone, the four men left behind an indelible legacy — a proud, resilient Astros team that has always bounced back from the storm. Now, as the sky above Minute Maid Park prepares to welcome a new dawn, fans can only look up and whisper, “Thank you for the summers, thank you for everything.”
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