There were none. But the same goes for Coop. Up until the last two series, I bet that the Astros won more games than their Pythagorean would suggest. Coop should get some of the credit, but of course some of the fans remember that one scorecard, that one intentional walk, etc. We won the scorecard game. Now the Astros have to hire another manager for a team that still has at least two years of suckitude before the next wave of talent shows up. I just can't see why a quality manager would sign up for that.
None of that is on Wade. The only thing on Wade is trading for Tejada, which has hurt payroll flexibility, but we know Drayton wanted Tejada even before hiring Wade. The team needs to be rebuilt. Wade hasn't done anything to wow anyone, but he hasn't done anything I would consider stupid.
I actually never really cared about the scorecard thing specially considering Madden did it a few days before but two things that I think really sealed his fate.. Coops use of the bullpen was HORRIBLE...he burned out alot of his arms way to early in the year. Coop also pissed off the wrong people in the clubhouse and part of a managers duties is to mesh all the different personalities into a well oiled machine. It became apparent the Stros came togather in July in spite of Coop isntead of because of him, kinda of a us vs Coop mentality. Not saying its right but just obvious so you can't fire the players thus you fire the coach.
Wade built the roster. The Astros W-L record accurately reflects the team he assembled. If the Astros fired Coop for team performance, Wade's should also be fired.
I agreed that the bullpen was overused. What do you think Coop should have done? Leave Paulino et al in there until he finished the 6th, no matter the run differential?
Drayton is a liar. Didn't he say he would evaluate the coaches and team after the season ends? Why not just let Coop finish the season and then go? Is two weeks really going to make a difference?
I really don't get what Wade did that was wrong. He took a team with little to no assets and still managed to get an aging all-star @ shortstop and a budding to-be all-star in center. Over two drafts under his watch (yes with Bobby Heck) there appears to be some quality coming up. He's been limited in regards to budget, most especially this season. Is cause he didn't sign Wolf?
exactly, and your previous post was great too. he's got wandy, roy, and? oh yeah he lost his best mid reliever in sampson who was getting worse before he went down. you know what, actually his use of the entire pitching staff probably was that bad
Not about that necessarly, he got pitchers up constantly and never brought them in which is a big no no! You warm up a pitcher more often then not you need to bring them in. To many days in row was also another problem but I do understand your point about what does he do when his starters are getting slammed, in that argument neither are guilty as the same bullpen was great last year.
Never really was a huge fan of promoting him in the first place. I don't think the Astros really looked much elsewhere and as has been said already, it just seemed like a move that basically rewarded mediocrity. Now I'm hoping they bring in somebody than can last for awhile, that can work to rebuild a team and develop the young guys while keeping the veterans happy. I'm tired seeing a new manager every few years. And to that end Ed Wade should definitely stay. He's made some bad moves, Hampton and Villareal and Ortiz and Matsui all come to mind (Chacon at least was decent for a short while). But he's made some good moves too (Bourn, Erstad last year, Keppinger and Blum have been ok, Brocail, Hawkins). And really the most important thing about this team right now is rebuilding the minor league system. And it's gonna be a few more years before we see the fruits of that labor. Ideally I'd just like to see a coaching staff that shifts the team's approach to the game. I'd like our hitters to show a little more patience at the plate and work counts more. I'd like someone that can really develop these young pitchers that have good arms but lack control (Norris and Paulino). It's just a chance to start fresh, and I hope they really go about doing this right, that goes not only for the coaches but the players they bring in for next year too.
I thought Cooper was going to be used as the cheap guinea pig manager when we go through our rebuilding phase. I wasn't expecting much from him, I sorta got less then that this year. I really hope the Astros spiral into one of the worst teams next year so I can see Uncle Drayton, Tal "That's My Hill" Smith, and Ed Wade really sweat. But alas, seems we are just good enough to be around a .500 team or a little below it.
Interesting Tweet from Footer the Hottie! alysonfooter Wade to Tags: "I have great respect for what the coaches have done for us here, but realistically we feel that it's appropriate to... alysonfooter"...give the new manager the ability to evaluate his staff and have some input into its composition." Sounds like Dave Clark is just keeping the seat warm.
I just want see exactly why they fired him now. If it was the rumors that he basically stopped listening to Ed Wade (among other things) concerning the callups, then yeah I could see why. If it's more simplier than that and it was because the team sucked, then there is a problem...
The timing might be questionable..but if they are serious about Dave Clark being a candidate for the position next year, these two weeks can serve as a good evaluation period.
It's a great opportunity to go out and get a new face and try something different. A rookie manager would happily take the Astros job, and you never know if you might find someone really good. It's better than going with re-treads, and it's probably why they went with Cooper in the first place. If it doesn't work out, dump him again in a few years like they did with Cooper. Unlike other sports, there's no real loss or rebuilding or change of schemes or whatever with changing managers in baseball. You can do it anytime without any problem.
Couldn't be said any better. I'd love to see the Astros bring in Jackie Moore (ex-coach of the Express and current Rangers bench coach). Moore was great with the young guys coming through the minors and could help bring along the prospects that should be coming up in a few seasons and make the adjustment to the majors. I also like to see the Astros make a run at Dave Duncan (pitching coach for the Cardinals who by many reports is unhappy in St. Louis). Even if it were just to bring him in as bench coach if he didn't want the manager gig. Manny Acta is ultimately who I believe will be the next Astros' skipper. Much like Ed Wade, Acta has ties to the Astros organization and that probably puts him ahead of everyone. Tim Bogar could also be another candidate that could be the next manger since he also has ties as having organizational ties as well.
