After Saturday night's game was over, GM Jeff Luhnow made some very bold moves to the clubhouse dynamic, firing Manager Brad Mills, 1st-base coach Bobby Meacham and Hitting Coach Mike Barnett all at once. Notable staff members to survive the massacre were 3rd Base Coach Dave Clark, Pitching Coach Doug Brocail, Bench Coach Joe Pettini, and the entire Bullpen coaching staff, though the roles of the remaining staff members may change as new replacement coaches are announced Sunday, August 18, at a 10:00 a.m Central news conference.
Some speculation could be made about the potential replacements, either interim or on a more permanent basis, as to the coaches who could be hired to replace the roles of those fired. Bench Coach Joe Pettini, hired by Jeff Luhnow in the past off-season is an obvious candidate to take over the managerial position. Another name being mentioned for the managerial position is Dan Radison, who was a minor league manager for nearly 10 years. Radison is currently a special assistant to the general manager and was hired back in January. But even with such obvious scenarios on the board, this team is unpredictable and a move could be made from outside the organization, filled by a person nobody knows anything about. Stay tuned for updates.
Meanwhile, here is some play-by-play on the news as it unfurled:
The Astros have relieved Brad Mills of his managerial duties, GM Jeff Luhnow announced tonight. Barnett and Meacham too
The last four Astros managers have all been fired midseason - Jimy Williams, Phil Garner, Cecil Cooper and Brad Mills.
Brad Mills: "I tried to do the best job I could."
The 2012 Houston Astros: Everything Must Go
Brad Mills after firing: "I appreciate our fans, I appreciate the players and I wish the best for this organization."
Brad Mills' first comment was he feels "horrendous" for Barnett and Meacham
Names to watch tomorrow as Astros fill interim spots include bench coach Joe Pettini and Dan Radison, who could take on either coach's role.
A slew of comments from Brad Mills, including his desire to watch his son play and spend more time with family: http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2012/08/18/mills-reacts-to-astros-decision-to-relieve-him-of-duties/