So the skipper pulled out his phone and asked if a certain someone was at Daikin Park, and that someone was Smith’s mom, Stephanie Hocza, who then gave her teary-eyed son a big hug in the clubhouse as he received the news he’d be with the big league club.

Now, call Cam Smith a major leaguer. Smith made the Houston Astros’ Opening Day roster, three league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday, completing his six-week captivation of an entire coaching staff and clubhouse.

As Joe Espada aspired to be a big league manager, he dreamed of one day making a future player’s call-up to the Major Leagues a special moment.