Scrap-Iron Deserved Better Than the Scrapheap

"Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life."
- Napoleon Hill

Phil "Scrap-Iron" Garner was fired Monday, two years after leading the Houston Astros to their first World Series in franchise history. The former Vol took over the 'Stros at the All-Star break three years ago from the greatest 3rd base coach/worst manager ever Jimy Williams and managed them all the way to the NLCS before losing in 7 to the St. Louis Cardinals. The next year, the Astros conquered the Cards (and my Braves beforehand) before getting spanked by the White Sox in the Series. Last year, the Astros made a dramatic run down the stretch to come within one game of making the playoffs, falling short of the Cardinals (who went on to win the World Series).

To me, the hallmark of Garner's tenure as Astros skipper was his loyalty to his players. When Houston sports radio was overwhelmed with 'the sky is falling' rants from frustrated fans, Garner would come onto the air to say that a hit here or a good start there would turn things around. He was calm and steady, remembering that the baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. And the Astros responded each year.

Until this season.

The Astros have struggled this year, thanks largely to injuries (Jennings, Everett, Pence, Backe), exits (Clemens & Pettitte) and slumps (Berkman, Ensberg, Lidge). If anyone is to blame for the struggles in Houston, it is now-former GM Tim Purpura who made a series of moves in the off-season that all fell flat. Signing Woody Williams and trading for Jason Jennings have both been disasters, though I'll admit I liked both moves coming into the year.

Carlos Lee has been a nice addition, but the offense hasn't improved with Biggio's diminishing skills, Morgan Ensberg's free-fall since his All-Star appearance and the continued non-production from the leadoff hitter as well as catcher and shortstop positions. Pupura's inability to add offensive punch (post-World Series big move? Preston Wilson...) over the past couple of years helped doom Garner.

So did Roger Clemens. For the past three years, the Astros have been hamstrung by Clemens "maybe I will, maybe I won't" routine, unable to sign free agents, losing games while Clemens does his Spring Training during June, and then this year ending up with nothing as Clemens bolted for the Big Apple for a chance to win (how's that going for you, Rocket?).

Or you can blame Carlos Beltran, who broke the heart of the entire city when he turned down Houston's money after his magical post-season in 2005 to play for the Mets. The Astros put all their eggs in the Beltran basket, letting other free agents be signed away in the hopes of keeping their star center-fielder, and came up empty.

Or you can blame Jeffrey Skilling. He really screwed things up for a bunch of Houstonians.

But blaming Garner? Where is the loyalty? Garner salvaged years of work in 2004 that was ready to be blown up as the 'Stros were under .500 and out of contention with the likes of Bagwell, Biggio, Kent, Berkman, Oswalt, Clemens, Pettitte, etc.. It was Garner who got them turned around and into the post-season, one win away from the World Series.

It was Garner who dealt with Clemens' self-serving schedule and demands for three years, keeping both him and his teammates happy throughout.

It was Garner who managed the team to its only World Series appearance. Ever.

Garner was rewarded for his loyalty to guys who failed to get the job done with a pink slip. Brad Ausmus. Brad Lidge. Morgan Ensberg. Jason Lane. Craig Biggio. It might have been Garner's loyalty to Biggio that hurt him more than anything. He batted Biggio leadoff despite his inability to get on base. He played against right-handed pitching despite hitting below .200 against it. He failed to set the table for Berkman and Lee on a nightly basis. Yet Garner remained loyal, batting him 1st and believing the future Hall of Famer would get it going soon. He never did. If Garner had used his baseball brain, he would have sat Biggio or at least moved him to 7th in the line-up. But then, Garner would have been attacked for treating the greatest Astro of all-time so shabbily. Now Garner's loyalty to Biggio has cost him his job.

Drayton McLane's logic of the Astros needing a "fresh start" in late August is laughable.

The current Astros line-up can't compete in the weakest division in baseball. How is it Garner's fault? Perhaps a fresh start at GM, but not in the dugout. Garner, who at times is certainly a perplexing game manager, is not the problem with this team. He was once the solution to McLane's problems. Now he is the scapegoat.

The irony is that Garner was the voice of loyalty to his team and then was shown none when his team struggled. There is a reason the Astros have only won 2 playoff series in their existance and it was on display Monday.