Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
The lowly Houston Astros are desperately seeking a new manager for the future. The team had interest in former Philadelphia Phillies manager Larry Bowa but after a few conversations, Bowa and Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow have both agreed that the 66-year-old Bowa is too old for the Astros and the team would do better trying to find a younger manager.
Bowa has managed the San Diego Padres as well as the Phillies in his six years as a manager. His last stint with the Phillies lasted from 2001-2004. He recorded a 337-308 record with the team. Since then, he has bounced around from being a third base coach to the announcer’s booth at ESPN. He will not get another shot at being manager with the Astros as the team will look for someone younger, more hip than Bowa.
However, will a younger, inexperienced manager be better than someone who knows the game. Look at the Chicago White Sox. The team hired Robin Ventura this season and are now in the middle of a pennant race. You can also look at Davey Johnson, who’s been around since the stone age, leading the Washington Nationals to the top of the NL East.
It really is the luck of the draw when it comes to managing.
The Astros fired Brad Mills in August as the team is dead last in the overall standings only recording 48 wins so far this season. Tony DeFrancesco replaced Mills but has not made anything better.
For the Astros, a new beginning will start when a team that does not look like a Double-A minor league team is out on the field. Houston houses a bunch of nobodies on the field of play and if they want to put fans in the seats and wins on the board, a big name face will have to emerge from the crowd.
As for the vacant manager spot, Tim Bogar, Boston Red Sox bench coach, will interview for the position Wednesday. Other possible replacements include Bo Porter, Nationals’ third base coach, Dave Martinez, Tampa Bay Rays bench coach, DeMarlo Hale, Baltimore Orioles third base coach and the interim manager DeFrancesco.
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