to Ausmus with a humorous video. Ausmus went on to hit a two-run home run in the game. Ausmus was Houston's all-time leader for catchers as of 2010 with 1,259 games, 1,119 starts, 970 hits, and 415 runs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2009–10) On January 26, 2009, Ausmus agreed to a 1-year, $1 million deal (plus incentives) to be a back-up catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. "There's no question he can be a manager", Joe Torre said. "He's a smart cookie, everybody knows that, and he has an engaging personality." At the end of the season Torre had Ausmus manage the Dodgers for a game. In 2009, Ausmus batted .295, including .333 with runners in scoring position, and .385 with 2 out and runners in scoring position, while limited to a career-low 107 at bats. He had never been on the disabled list in his 17-year career, giving him the most consecutive seasons of not going on the DL among all active players. Ausmus became a free agent after the 2009 season, and on January 26, 2010, he agreed to a one-year, $850,000 deal (with total compensation guaranteed at $1 million) to return to the Dodgers for his 18th major league season. The deal also included a mutual option for 2011 worth $1 million; if either Ausmus or the Dodgers declined the option, Ausmus would be paid $150,000. In 2010, Ausmus was the 5th-oldest player in the NL. On April 10, 2010, he was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 18-year career in the Majors. He missed most of the season after having surgery in April to repair a lower back herniated disc, playing in only 21 games that season, and hitting .222. Ausmus announced his retirement on October 3, 2010. Defense Ausmus was known as "a brilliant defensive catcher," "an incredibly smart catcher," and "one of the most respected game-callers and pitching-staff handlers" in the game, In 2010, he was chosen as the ninth-smartest athlete in sports by Sporting News. Ausmus exhibited superior range at catcher compared to the league average each season in his career. He was known for his strong arm, quick release, nimble footwork, deft framing of pitches, and smart handling of pitchers, as well as being able to block pitches very well. While the vast majority of his games were as a catcher, Ausmus also played a handful of games