Astros look in the mirror

Any team in last place has to look itself in the mirror. The Astros did, and they didn't like what they saw.

Phil Garner and Tim Purpura are gone, casualties of a season so disappointing that the Astros are lumped these days with the likes of Kansas City and Tampa Bay. Actually, Kansas City (.263) and Tampa Bay (.266) are hitting better than the Astros (.256).

The 2005 season was a long, long time ago. Then, Garner guided the Astros to their first World Series appearance.

Garner did the best he could with what he had. He made a lot of questionable moves, but the roster he was given played a much lager role in the team's dismal season than anything Garner did or didn't do.

Who COULDN'T win with Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt? Who COULD win with the injuries, inconsistency and ineptitude that plagued this team?

Purpura was doomed from the time the Jason Jennings deal was consummated. That trade, as it stands, is certainly one of the worst in franchise history.

But here's the REAL reason Drayton McLane fired Garner and Purpura: They made me look bad!! I picked this team to win the division!!

Jason and Roy, there's still hope. If interim manager Cecil Cooper can go undefeated the rest of the way, the Astros are IN.

Don't let me down, Coop. Don't let me down.