Mom helps Astros give Cam Smith call to big leagues
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Lorenzo Delgado, Contributor
- March 26, 2025
Astros promote top prospect Cam Smith
HOUSTON – Astros top prospect Cam Smith informed his mother, Stephanie Hocza, about his dream of becoming a professional baseball player at five years old. Like any mother would do, she supported her son’s dream.
Hocza and Smith lived in an apartment through middle school. Smith’s friends thought it was cool that he lived in an apartment because they thought it was just like a hotel.
Hocza, a single parent, would depart to work early to provide for her family. Before she could even open her eyes, Smith was already at the baseball fields developing his skills. Hocza wouldn’t see her son the whole day until it was dinner time. Though, she knew he was dedicated to his preparation for the game he loved.
Through those humbling times, Hocza, Smith’s grandmother Patty Thomas and his coaches were always there for him. Whether it was taking him to practices, tournaments, and games, Smith’s mom and grandmother played a pivotal role in his dreams coming true Tuesday afternoon at Daikin Park.
“Baseball was always our thing,” Hocza said. “It was always something that I felt like shaped him in such a pivotal way. The coaches and everybody around him were such a key piece in who he is today.
“I pretty much did whatever I needed to do to make sure that he could stay in the sport and get to wherever we needed to be. It was tough, and I can’t take anything away from that. It was going to be tough, but we did what we had to do, and it’s all worth it just to get here.”
Cam Smith overwhelmed
Astros manager Joe Espada called both Class AAA Sugar Land and the Astros to a team meeting at 3 p.m. in the home clubhouse. As a player, Espada was never called into the manager’s office to be told he made the Opening Day roster.
“If someone tells me, ‘Joe you’re going to the big leagues, who would be the first person you will call?’” Espada told the players. “I’d say, ‘my mom, my dad, my family.’ Because I think you want to share it with someone who’s been there for you from day one. Little league, travel ball, good days, bad days.”
Espada, who’s now managing in his second year with Houston, dreamt of making this moment happen as a big league manager. He pulled his phone out and called Hocza. She slowly walked into the clubhouse. Cam Smith instantly was overcome with tears while covering his face.
A mother knows best
Hocza walked toward her son’s locker. Smith squeezed his mother tightly as both cried. It was a mother-son moment that will last in their memories forever.
“I was very nervous,” Hocza said of entering the clubhouse. “But as soon as I saw Cameron I had to turn mom on. I held it together because I knew I had to. I saw and heard him crying and had to pull it together and deliver that news. But I was nervous. At first I didn’t think I was going to be able to get the words out, but mom turned on.”
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A mother-son bond is special just like a father-daughter bond. Some families bond over different hobbies such as arts and crafts, sports and recreational activities. Cam Smith and Stephanie Hocza had baseball.
Cam Smith never took anything for granted through his baseball career. Inside the Astros’ dugout, the 22-year-old Cape Cod League All-Star reflected on the challenges and moments he had growing up with his mother.
“You know at one point it was me and her in the house,” Smith said while trying to hold back his tears. “She struggled to take me to baseball games and practice. I’m just happy to do it for her.”
Family affair
The Astros reached out to Smith’s family, Monday night to deliver the news he was going to make the Opening Day roster. However, the family had to keep it secret from everyone, including Smith.
Now that Espada has announced it, Hocza has contacted Smith’s grandparents, aunts, cousins, and travel ball coaches to come for an unforgettable day in his baseball career.
“Cameron always has a huge fan base,” Hocza said. “He’s got a lot of support. It’s a village. We’ve all raised him. They all want to be here to watch this.”
As for Smith, he will have a day to let everything settle in. But come Opening Day, the versatile outfielder is ready to make his major league debut.
“I said there’s no bad days at Daikin Park,” says Smith. “I’m going to be able to live that out starting Thursday. I can’t wait. Bring it on.”
Lorenzo Delgado
Contributor
Lorenzo Delgado graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and is currently attending the University of Houston to earn his master’s degree. Lorenzo was formerly a contributing baseball writer for Call to the Pen on the Fansided Network. He is the host of an Astros baseball podcast called Full Seam Ahead, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found.
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