We already know that the Chronicle’s beat writer for the Stros — Jose de Jesus Ortiz — is not very good at evaluating baseball players. But this puff piece out of the box this year on the Stros’ chronic albatross — Brad Ausmus — is lacking in objectivity even by de Jesus Ortiz’s dubious standards:

With two spots up for grabs at the back end of the rotation, the Astros will need Ausmus to help those pitchers settle into the majors.[. . .]
Ausmus was just as valuable to veteran stars such as Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte when they switched over to the NL after spending their careers in the American League. [. . .]
Ausmus may be many things, but idiot is not one of them. He’s witty, a voracious reader and a charismatic leader.
He’s likely the most respected person in the clubhouse, riding both sides of the divide that usually separates position players from the pitchers.
“He does a great job behind the plate,” said Garner. “He’s another one of the veteran guys that adds stability on the field for us. But he really runs the pitching staff real well. Pitchers have confidence in him. They trust him. [. . .]
Some fans are critical of Ausmus’ production at the plate. A career .253 hitter, he hit .230 with 16 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 39 RBIs last season.
If the middle of the Astros’ offense had been more productive, Ausmus’ batting average would hardly have been an issue. The catcher’s position isn’t generally an offensive one.
Nonetheless, Ausmus takes pride in his hitting. He’s prone to let off steam throughout the year after a poor at-bat. His value to the team, however, was recognized when opposing coaches and managers voted him the 2006 National League Rawlings Gold Glove.
“I’m not really sure what my role is, per se,” he said. “I know that a catcher has the most dramatic effect on the team on the defensive side of the ball as opposed to the offensive side of the ball.”
The Astros know that, too. It’s why they appreciate Ausmus so much.

So, it’s the fault of the Stros hitters batting in the middle of the lineup that Ausmus’ horrible hitting is so evident? And what is this about the catcher position not being “an offensive one?” Last time I looked, the rules of baseball still required the catcher to hit. Only the Stros’ inexplicable attachment to “catch and throw” catchers such as Ausmus has rendered the position the black hole of outs in the Stros’ lineup.
Ausmus may be the baseball equivalent of Peyton Manning calling a game from behind the plate, but that doesn’t change the fact that Ausmus is the worst hitter in Stros franchise history. As I noted in my evaluation of Stros players after last season:

Brad Ausmus: F Ausmus (-38 RCAA/.308 OBA/.285 SLG/.593 OPS) took his level of poor play to new depths during the 2006 season as he had the worst season of hitting in Stros history:

Ausmus is also far and away the worst hitter in Stros history:

Given that Ausmus is not even a particularly good defensive player anymore (his arm is no longer strong enough to throw out basestealers consistently), there is no justification for Ausmus remaining a regular Major League player. The only reason he received an F rather than an F- is that he blocks pitches well.

There is really no valid reason for the Stros to maintain a roster spot for Ausmus at this point; he is far worse than a replacement-level player. If he is such a good influence to have around the clubhouse, then the Stros should hire him as a bullpen coach. But paying the worst hitter in Stros history $4 million smackeroos this season to cost the club runs does not make any sense. No matter how hard de Jesus Ortiz tries to make sense of it.
Update: The Chronicle’s Richard Justice expresses an opinion of me shared by my teenage daughters.