When you take into account Raul's tenure in the Houston minor league system, Chavez had the third longest service time with the organization of any current Astro after Biggio and Bagwell.
I echo other posters' well wishes for Raul.
(Taken from the culinary classic, From Home Plate to Your Plate)
Raul Chavez' Spicy Black Bean Soup
1 cup black beans, dried
8 cups water
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
6 oz. tomato paste
3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. tamari
2 cups brown rice, cooked
¼ cup green chiles, chopped
¼ cup Tabasco sauce
2 Tbsp. fresh coriander, chopped
Place beans in water in large soup pot. Bring to boil, cook for two minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let rest for about 45 minutes. Return to heat. Add onion, garlic, green pepper, oregano, and cumin. Cover and let cook over low heat for 1½ hours.
Add tomato paste, vinegar and tamari. Cook an additional 30 minutes. Add chiles, rice, Tabasco and coriander. Cook ten minutes.
Serve hot.