Unhappy with their position in the National League Central at the All-Star Break, Houston fired Manager Jimy Williams yesterday. The Astros replaced Williams with Phil Garner. Houston made a poor choice when selecting Williams to replace Larry Dierker. Williams' poor lineup decisions and attachment to veterans limited the Astros' run production and stalled the development of their prospects. Unfortunately, replacing Williams with Garner seems like an even worse decision.

Garner spent almost eight seasons as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and a little over two as the skipper of the Detroit Tigers. Although the quality of his roster can be questioned in both cases, he demonstrated little aptitude for maximizing the potential of his wards. Houston was attracted to Garner's availability and connections to the city, since he reportedly has resided in the area since 1968 and spent parts of seven seasons in an Astros' uniform. The club also feels Garner will cause a needed attitude shift in a team that had grown complacent with their underachievement under Williams.

While I agree that Williams needed to go, I do not feel Garner possesses the managerial skills to steer this team any more successfully. Given the team's World Series aspirations, turning the club over to a rookie manager was not a particularly viable option. Likewise, the club needed to find someone quickly and the spotlight accompanying the All-Star festivities put Houston in an awkward position. I lack a comprehensive knowledge of the field, but there had to be more qualified candidates available, who could have been identified with the resources available to GM Gerry Hunsicker.

I've been annoyed by the recent popular discussion of the Astros' position in the standings causing them to trade new addition Carlos Beltran, as I felt that Houston was far from out of the race for the wildcard and possibly within range of the division given the unbalanced schedule. Following the appointment of Garner, I am inclined to question the Astros' ability to reach the playoffs. Fortunately, Houston does not seem committed to keeping Garner beyond the season should he fail to realize their goals this year.

The Astros also fired Hitting Coach Harry Spilman and Pitching Coach Burt Hooton, replacing him with the coaches from their AAA club, Gary Gaetti and Jim Hickey respectively. Gaetti did not practice much patience at the plate during his major league career. However, a hitting coach cannot always be judged on his own actions at the plate.

Management was not the only part of the club under fire for the team's disappointing performance prior to the change and likely will not be afterwards. Houston's uninspired record has led to a lack of patience for even the most loved Astros who are underproducing. Former President George Bush even commented during an All-Star Break interview, that Jeff Bagwell "isn't having the greatest year." While Bagwell's skills generally remain strong, the 36-year-old's shoulder injury has zapped some of his power. Morgan Ensberg's breakout performance last season seems to have been all but forgotten.