West Chester native Chas McCormick of the Houston Astros is prepared for a center field battle in his third season with the MLB, writes Michael Shapiro for The Houston Chronicle. 

McCormick experienced a level of celebrity during the offseason due to his World Series heroics. The Astros defeated the Phillies, his hometown team, for the World Series title and he contributed quite a bit to the victory. After returning home to Pennsylvania, he received the typical Philadelphia welcome. 

“It was cool to be home and get recognized a little bit,” said McCormick. “Most of the time it was, ‘Congratulations, but we hate ya.’ … It was cool to talk to a lot of people and hear their experience of watching the series and watching the Astros play.” 

Now that he is preparing for the next season, the 27-year-old does not have a guaranteed starting role in center field. He will have to compete with fellow third-year player Jake Meyers for the spot. 

However, McCormick is prepared. 

“Every spring training has competition, that’s what the big leagues is,” he said. “It’s harder to stick in your position in the big leagues than actually make it up there.” 

Read more about Chas McCormick in the The Houston Chronicle. 

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