Astros fans turn on Alex Bregman in Houston return with Red Sox

No love for a familiar face.

The Houston Astros did not fully welcome back Alex Bregman to Daikin Park as the former homegrown third baseman and two-time World Series winner was showered with boos in his second plate appearance Monday night.

Bregman received a warm welcome initially for his first game back in Houston, as the Astros prepared a video tribute for a key piece of their title teams who also finished second in AL MVP voting in 2019.

That affection quickly turned sour when Bregman took former teammate Cristian Javier deep to left field in the first inning for a two-run home run.

Bregman heard some boos from fans as he rounded the bases with the Red Sox taking a 2-0 lead.

When Bregman returned in the third inning, all of that goodwill had evaporated.

“Interesting reaction the second time around for Alex Bregman,” play-by-play analyst Todd Kalas said on the Space City Home Network.

“Not shocked,” color analyst Geoff Blum added. “You do damage against the Astros that will immediately put you in sour favor of the faithful who showed up. Pretty good crowd tonight to watch Bregman coming back, and Carlos Correa, maybe waiting for a ground ball to third base. That would be kind of interesting to write into the scorebook.”

Bregman signed a three-year contract worth $120 million as the Red Sox decided to bring in Bregman and eventually trade away Rafael Devers at the relationship with their longtime third baseman soured over a position change brought on by Bregman’s signing.

Bregman starred in Houston from 2016-24 after being selected with the second pick of the 2015 MLB Draft.

The Astros rallied from the early hole for a 7-6 win, although that was not without another hiccup.

All-star closer Josh Hader did not close due to shoulder discomfort and was being sent for an MRI exam.

The Astros are 67-52 and in first place in the AL West, one game ahead of the Seattle Mariners.