Russ Ortiz News

Seems to me some of the local journalists are missing a real good story regarding the Astros.

If you're a veteran catcher, have your agent give the Houston Astros a phone call.

Brad Mills is the new manager of the Houston Astros. The 52-year-old Mills has been Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston for the past six seasons.

Manny Acta was the guy they wanted. The Astros liked everything about him. His presence and personality.

We're learning that Manny Acta and Terry Francona's bench coach Brad Mills are among the finalists for the new Houston Astros managerial job.

Considering the Astros had the oldest Opening Day roster in the Major Leagues and didn't add any impact players via free agency in the offseason, general manager Ed Wade knew a lot of things would have to go right for his team in 2009.

Raise your hands if you really think this can happen. The Braves handed out "Believe" signs to those who entered Turner Field on Monday, not that a lot of folks deigned to enter.

It has become popular to blame Drayton McLane for everything that has gone wrong with the Astros.

Do you remember when the Astros used to be fun to watch? Yeah, you have to go back a while.

Astros managers with winning records: Manager Years W-L Pct. Larry Dierker 1997-01 448-362 .553 Terry Collins 1994-96 224-197 .532 Phil Garner 2004-07 272-252 .524 Hal Lanier 1986-88 254-232 .523 Jimy Williams 2002-04 215-197 .522 Bob Lillis 1982-85 276-261 .514 Bill Virdon 1975-82 544-522 .510 Leo Durocher 1972-73 98-95 .507 Cecil ...

As expected as this firing has been, it almost goes without saying that Coop's fate isn't completely on him.

So who will be in the World Series, Mr. President? President Barack Obama is such a big Chicago White Sox fan that he's not making any predictions as long as his beloved home team has a mathematical shot at the playoffs.

I've read that there are companies out there that employ people who do nothing but Quality Control.

I don't know about you, but I got real nervous when I saw all those dogs at Minute Maid Park this afternoon.

It sure has gotten boring around here with this sorry, no-account baseball team.

The first thing Drayton McLane ought to do this morning is telephone Jeff Bagwell and ask him to manage the Astros for these final 33 games.

Milton Bradley? There are three possible solutions for the Cubs: continued patience and hope, endless headaches while hoping some team is silly enough to deal for him or pay him his money and send him home.

Penny is an attractive target for several teams. The Rockies' interest in right-handed starter Brad Penny is waning because of concerns about how he would fit in their clubhouse.

The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has agreed to a minor league contract with infielder Jason Giambi.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd's search for a left-handed bat in the season's final month drove him to pursue Jason Giambi, who on Monday completed a Minor League deal with the Rockies.