Can't say I expected them to fire Jim Hickey. The story at the main site downplays the Hickey firing, while talking up Garner's one-year extension.
Still, the Garner extension was deserved; it may be difficult to say the same about the sacking of Hickey.
I know that he had some talent to work with, but since Jim Hickey assumed the role of pitching coach after the All-Star break in 2004, the Astros have had the lowest team ERA in the NL, and are one of only two teams to have kept that composite ERA under 4.00.
| Team | ERA |
| Houston | 3.83 |
| St. Louis | 3.95 |
| San Francisco | 4.04 |
| Wash/Mont | 4.05 |
| NY Mets | 4.06 |
I need to think about this some more, although why do I get the feeling that we'll be hearing from Burt Hooton?