Garner & Purpura fired

[Another Blown Save]

Astros fire Garner, Purpura
Ken Rosenthal

The Astros, initiating a major overhaul, have fired general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner, according to a major-league source.

The move comes just two years after the pair took the team to the first World Series in franchise history.

The Astros have called a news conference at 3 p.m. ET to announce the change.

Owner Drayton McLane expected the team to contend after signing left fielder Carlos Lee to a $100 million free-agent contract and adding starting pitchers Woody Williams and Jason Jennings.

Instead, the Astros are 58-73, tied with the Nationals for the third-worst record in the National League, ahead of only the Pirates and Marlins.

Bench coach Cecil Cooper will be the team's interim manager.

Looks like Houston's gonna be in a rebuilding mode for the next few years.

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[cordscords]

Garner could have done a better job, but I think he should have been given 1 more season.

I'm glad Purpura is gone though.

[sliders51]

Not trying to stir up controversy, but would this affect Lidge at all? I know Garner was very patient with Lidge and kept sending him out there after blown saves. Will this interim manager allow Lidge to keep his job after a few blown saves? I need Lidge, so any help from Astros fans would be very helpful.

[AussieDodger]

I'm not surprised at all.

If you are a GM or manager and you want to...........................

Give the rotting corpse of Craig Biggio 436 ABs in 2007 (all sentiment aside , .286 OBP)

Give the ridiculously bad Adam Everett 1278 ABs over '05/'06/'07 (with someone that bad fielding schmielding) - also trading an on-base machine like Ben Zobrist BECAUSE you had Everett.

Jason Hirsh for Jason Jennings - another GM with a "proven veteran" fetish how sad.

Give the afore-mentioned Neifi Perez impersonators more ABs then Luke Scott.

................................................then you are a grade A , B and C moron.

That's all I can remember off the top of my head , I'm sure someone will complete the list for me.

[Diamond Miners]

I wouldn't be worried about Lidge this season.

And for you forgot it was actually Willy T and Hirsh that brought in Jennings.

[spamnon]

so how can I apply for the GM job?