A. J. Hinch

Andrew Jay Hinch (born May 15, 1974) is the manager of the Houston Astros. Prior to joining the Astros, Hinch played as catcher for the Oakland Athletics (1998–2000), Kansas City Royals (2001–2002), Detroit Tigers (2003) and Philadelphia Phillies (2004), managed the Arizona Diamondbacks from May 2009 to July 2010, and was the vice president of professional scouting for the San Diego Padres from September 2010 to August 2014. He has a degree in psychology from Stanford University.

Early life

Hinch lived in Nashua, Iowa, until he was eight and moved to Oklahoma. He is a 1992 graduate of Midwest City (Oklahoma) High School where he was drafted in the second round. He elected to attend Stanford University where he was a third-round pick after his junior year in 1995. He decided to return to school and was again a third-round pick as a senior in 1996. While at Stanford he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. Hinch won a bronze medal for the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was named to the 1998 Topps All-Star Rookie Team.