now taking bets on the over/under on when garner gets the axe. jimmy williams, while didn't take us to the playoffs lasted 2 1/2 years, and was fired after 88 games with a .500 record... but the team had quit on him. 2002 84 78 2003 87 75 2004 44 44 Garner 2004 48 26 2005 89 73 2006 82 80 2007 10 15 25 games in, we're 5 games under 500, and 6.5 games out of first. an easy feat compared to what this team has accomplished in the past. maybe i'm jumping the gun, but something seems different this time. i guess another question should be, similar to the JVG status, are there any managers out there that could do a better job?
He'll make it to the end of the year regardless of what the record is because he's not a prick like Jimy was. He also took the Astros to a world series so he'll at least have the chance to get this team turned around in the second half.
I don't think he'll be fired in season. Aside from Jimmy, the Astros just don't do that. Lillis, Lanier, Howe, Collins, and Dierker all coached full seasons before they left. Before Jimmy, the last season the Astros had 2 different managerns was 1982 (unless you cound when Galante had to step in for Dierker in '99). It's just not that common. The ONLY way Gar gets fired is if we continue to suck but are somehow still in the race. In the NL Central, that may not be too far fetched. But like you said, who's out there and available that can come in and right the ship mid-season?
Yeah, the first post was right on. Dierk "resigned" after the Astros zombied their way through a 3-and-out in the '01 DS (and after blasting his players in the media and melting down in a press conference). The great Teacher came shortly thereafter and was canned in May of 2004.
well, garner has a track record every season of putting together a 2nd half rally even when the cards (no pun intended) are stacked against the team. So I can't believe that they'll fire him barring a COMPLETE meltdown (i.e. worse than any of the last 3 years at their worst points)...which isn't all that likely.
Yeah, he's not going anywhere. If we don't make the playoffs, then it'll become an option. The question is, who would replace him for next year if that happens?
It's hard to believe that a guy who has led the team to the NLCS and World Series in the last 3 years is on the chopping block. At some point you've gotta blame the players. Phil Garner isn't batting for Lance Berkman or throwing Brad Lidge's sliders in the dirt.
I think Garner will make it through this season. I think he will not be retained for next season and Purpura will hire the godfather of his children, Tony Pena.
Is Vince Young available? (On second thought, he's probably too busy perfecting his cure for cancer.)
It is up to the players to get the job done...but are they playing with any sense of intensity or urgency? At this point (even during their little win streak) I'd say no...that's starting to frustrate me just as much as anything else. Take note of last season; miracle finishes are just that...MIRACLES. And last season their second half rally came up short. So I'd wish they'd stop giving the same tired responses and show some emotion already.
I always thought Ausmus would be a good manager for this team. IMO, the sooner the better. He's still got a couple good years left in him, so Drayton should make him a player-manager. There hasn't been a player-manager since Pete Rose. I think Ausmus could handle the role very well.
I just don't see much energy in the way they're playing and the things they're saying. I'm not ready to put that on the manager yet cause this team has a history of doing this then turning it on in the second half...but I would like to see this team show a little more concern for their sluggish start and then put that concern into action (easy to say, hard to do I know). Like last season proved, you're not gonna always be able to turn it on in the eleventh hour and make the postseason.
