Astros Dump Manager Garner, GM Purpura

Houston owner says it's 'time for a change' in last-place operation
By Joseph Fasano
Posted Aug 28, 2007 5:13 AM CDT
Astros Dump Manager Garner, GM Purpura
Houston Astros manager Phil Garner, shown at a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Houston, was fired Monday, Aug. 27, 2007 lessthan two years after leading the team to its first World Series. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)   (Associated Press)

The Astros released manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura yesterday, temporarily replacing them with bench coach Cecil Cooper and the president of operations Tal Smith. The Astros, who have sunk to 58-73 under Garner and Purpura, are tied with Pittsburgh for last place in the National League Central, and owner Drayton McLane says it's "time for a change."

Though Purpura has declined to comment, ex-skipper Garner says he wasn't entirely shocked by the news. Garner, however, seems less willing to blame his helmsmanship for the team's fortunes than the vicissitudes of the sport. "Things happen in baseball, and sometimes you never know," he said. (More Houston Astros stories.)

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