AggieJohn
11-01-2005, 09:31 AM
Phil Garner was rewarded for leading the Houston Astros to their first World Series when the team extended his contract by one season Monday.
The manager's new deal runs through 2007. With his familiar mustache and occasionally unexpected moves, Garner has guided the Astros to a 137-99 record in 1 1/2 seasons. Houston also won a playoff series for the first time last year and made the World Series this season before getting swept by the Chicago White Sox.
``This is a show of confidence in what we did this year,'' Garner said. ``It is important to have continuity in the organization, that players and staff and everybody knows that we still have someone that's going to be here this year, next year and the year after.''
ADVERTISEMENT
The Astros needed big comebacks to win wild-card berths the last two seasons, overcoming a 15-30 start this year to become the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to reach the World Series after falling 15 games under .500.
``We are very pleased about the performance of our team under Phil,'' owner Drayton McLane said. ``It is an exciting time for the Houston Astros, and we feel Phil's leadership and efforts have contributed greatly to our success. We look forward to having him as our manager as we continue our mission toward a World Series championship.''
McLane had a huge smile on his face Monday as Garner said he was ``delighted'' and ``flattered'' by the extension.
But the Astros face many obstacles in reshaping their club for 2006, starting with the futures of Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell.
Clemens hasn't decided whether to return for a 23rd season. Houston already has about $65 million committed to only five players, including Bagwell, who isn't sure whether his surgically repaired right shoulder will be able to handle the strain of playing the field.
``We have not yet reached out to Roger's agent, but we will in the next several days,'' general manager Tim Purpura said. ``We will at least start the process on finding out what his thoughts are for next year.
``We have no indication at this point.''
Purpura said the only drawback to reaching the World Series is having about a month less to handle offseason business.
Garner has a career record of 845-901 (.484) in 13 seasons as a manager, including stints with the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers. He also played seven of his 16 big league seasons for the Astros and was a member of the 1986 club that won the NL West.
Houston finally reached the World Series this year after 44 seasons of waiting, but Garner is far from satisfied and doesn't plan to rest.
``We didn't complete the task,'' he said. ``We got most of it done and I got to tell you it was a remarkable season in a whole lot of ways. But the bottom line is we want to bring a trophy to sit here in Houston so the people can come by here and see it.''
Purpura said the club wanted to recognize Garner for the strides he's made with the team, not just this year but also last year after arriving midway through the season.
``I think it's certainly a show of how much we appreciate what Phil has done and what we expect him to do in the future,'' Purpura said. ``We want to continue to build on what we have had here
The manager's new deal runs through 2007. With his familiar mustache and occasionally unexpected moves, Garner has guided the Astros to a 137-99 record in 1 1/2 seasons. Houston also won a playoff series for the first time last year and made the World Series this season before getting swept by the Chicago White Sox.
``This is a show of confidence in what we did this year,'' Garner said. ``It is important to have continuity in the organization, that players and staff and everybody knows that we still have someone that's going to be here this year, next year and the year after.''
ADVERTISEMENT
The Astros needed big comebacks to win wild-card berths the last two seasons, overcoming a 15-30 start this year to become the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to reach the World Series after falling 15 games under .500.
``We are very pleased about the performance of our team under Phil,'' owner Drayton McLane said. ``It is an exciting time for the Houston Astros, and we feel Phil's leadership and efforts have contributed greatly to our success. We look forward to having him as our manager as we continue our mission toward a World Series championship.''
McLane had a huge smile on his face Monday as Garner said he was ``delighted'' and ``flattered'' by the extension.
But the Astros face many obstacles in reshaping their club for 2006, starting with the futures of Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell.
Clemens hasn't decided whether to return for a 23rd season. Houston already has about $65 million committed to only five players, including Bagwell, who isn't sure whether his surgically repaired right shoulder will be able to handle the strain of playing the field.
``We have not yet reached out to Roger's agent, but we will in the next several days,'' general manager Tim Purpura said. ``We will at least start the process on finding out what his thoughts are for next year.
``We have no indication at this point.''
Purpura said the only drawback to reaching the World Series is having about a month less to handle offseason business.
Garner has a career record of 845-901 (.484) in 13 seasons as a manager, including stints with the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers. He also played seven of his 16 big league seasons for the Astros and was a member of the 1986 club that won the NL West.
Houston finally reached the World Series this year after 44 seasons of waiting, but Garner is far from satisfied and doesn't plan to rest.
``We didn't complete the task,'' he said. ``We got most of it done and I got to tell you it was a remarkable season in a whole lot of ways. But the bottom line is we want to bring a trophy to sit here in Houston so the people can come by here and see it.''
Purpura said the club wanted to recognize Garner for the strides he's made with the team, not just this year but also last year after arriving midway through the season.
``I think it's certainly a show of how much we appreciate what Phil has done and what we expect him to do in the future,'' Purpura said. ``We want to continue to build on what we have had here