He’s really improved over the last year. He’s no longer the manager who gave every Astro a green light to steal and ordered Berkman to bunt.

He still jumps the gun on the bullpen a bit, but he seems to understand how to distribute work to all of it (Brocail’s first half, excepted). And that’s what’s really important. He’s really matured.

That was Yost’s problem: his weird fascination with getting complete games out of Sabatthia and (strangely) Sheets. He had no idea how to handle a pitching staff.

and he’s also willing to stand up for his players. Whether calling the commissioner or arguing with umpires, that’s great.

I also had a bit of anger at the Miller Stadium decision when I read Brandon Backe’s quote in Danyah’s linked Astros.com article. The guy is still shell shocked and wondering if his friends are alive or not. Another interesting quote was in Justice’s column….Mark Loretta said this is the closest team he has ever played on.

I liked Garner. Still do.

for Brewers’ management not to make a mid-Sept. firing. If Yost stayed, and the Brewers didn’t make the playoffs, Yost surely would have lost his job after the end of the season, and everyone would have been happy.