HOUSTON -- George Springer added one more accomplishment to his list of accolades on Tuesday, reaching 10 years of service time in the Major Leagues.
Fittingly, the milestone came at Minute Maid Park, Springer's home ballpark for seven years while he was a member of the Astros. The moment meant a lot to the four-time All-Star and 2017 World Series MVP.
“It’s hard to describe,” Springer said ahead of the game between the Blue Jays and the Astros. “You don’t ever think you’re going to get to it. You hear all these others guys getting to it, and you kind of envy them. Then, here I am.”
Springer was selected by Houston in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft and played his first game with the big league club on April 16, 2014, against the Royals. Back then, reaching 10 years in the Majors wasn't something he was thinking about.
“I was just happy to have a chance to play,” Springer said. “You obviously want to play as long as you can. When you think about playing for 10 years, it’s such a long time off, so for me personally, I never thought about it, but to be here now is extremely special.”
Toronto manager John Schneider said the team recognized Springer’s accomplishment prior to Tuesday’s game.
“It’s awesome,” Schneider said. “It’s pretty cool that he got to do it here, where he got started. I think it’s less than 10% of big leaguers that get to achieve that. It’s nice. We had a little get-together and recognized that accomplishment this afternoon.
“It’s a credit to him for being really productive and durable, fighting through things on and off the field. It’s so hard to do. Like he said to the group, it goes really fast, so you don’t want to take anything for granted. It’s a really cool achievement for him.”
Over his career, Springer has recorded 1,209 hits, 203 doubles, 244 home runs and 658 RBIs. He is second all time in leadoff home runs with 57, trailing only Rickey Henderson’s 81.
In addition to his All-Star nominations and World Series MVP award, Springer also has two Silver Slugger Awards to his name.
“They’re all special,” Springer said of his accomplishments, motioning toward the Astros' dugout. “I owe a lot to all those guys in the clubhouse over there. I have some friendships that will last forever. I still watch these guys play all the time. Just to have it happen here, it’s special for me.”
Reaching 10 years of service time in Houston was not lost on Springer.
“This is where I got my start,” he said. “This is where I got my chance to play. I have a lot of great memories here. I love the city, I love the fans, I love everything about it. For it to happen here, is a little funny and awesome at the same time.”
The Astros noted it too, showing a pregame video congratulating Springer on his milestone. Following the video, Springer tipped his cap to the Houston audience, which responded with a nice round of applause.