Eusebio Stays With Astros

Catcher Tony Eusebio chose to remain with the team that signed him as a teenager, agreeing Monday to a $2.4 million, two-year contract with the Houston Astros.

Eusebio, 32, hit .272 with four home runs and 33 RBIs as the team's primary starting catcher last season. He is a career .277 hitter with 18 home runs and 194 RBIs.

Eusebio has been in the Houston organization since the Astros signed him as an 18-year-old free agent in 1985. He first reached the majors in 1991 and has been a regular on the Astros roster since 1994.

The trade of Brad Ausmus to Detroit in January and a season-ending shoulder injury to rookie Mitch Meluskey gave Eusebio the chance to play every day.

Eusebio will make $1.1 million in 2000 and $1.3 million in 2001, up from $900,000 last season. The salary in the second year would increase to $1.5 million if he is traded.

Eusebio lives in Kissimmee, Fla., the Astros' spring training home.

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