HOUSTON -- The calculated, cerebral facets of running an organization -- building a roster, mingling in a front office -- appeal to Astros manager A.J. Hinch, a Stanford graduate with a psychology degree. In fact, after seven years as a big league backstop, he sought to become a general manager.
Until a 2009 lunch date with then-D-backs GM Josh Byrnes that led to Hinch becoming the team's manager, he was on that trajectory.
Hinch faces the D-backs as an opposing manager for the first time on Friday in the opener of a three-game set. He still has many connections with Arizona.