Readers react to Brad Ausmus' hiring as Astros manager

Brad Ausmus has been named the new manager for the Houston Astros. (John McCoy/TNS 2019) Houston Astros have named Brad Ausmus as their next manager.Ausmus, 57, returns to the organization where he spent 10 of his 18 major league seasons as a player. He will take on his third managerial job after leading the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. He spent the past three seasons as the New York Yankees' bench coach.Here's what some readers had to say about the managerial news:"Yes I remember him as a player on the team years ago and his initial success at Detroit." - Robert Sander"I hope for the Best but predict declining fortunes for the Astros. Ausmus is fine but no Buck Showalter or Sparky Anderson or Dave Roberts. Not immediately sparked by the choice." - Charles Boisseau"Ausmus was a very intelligent and capable catcher during his playing days. Remember he played a long time and has been coaching since. I think his experience will help the Astros. Our pitchers and catchers need a lot of help in holding runners on base. We have had some good managers and hopefully he will add to the list." - Aric Barnes"Dusty Baker moved around and finally got a World Series when he came to Houston. Joe Madden took over from Ausmus in Anaheim and he got fired too. A manager can only manage what he has to work with. A lot of times managers take the blame for a poorly assembled roster--Joe Espada may have been a victim of that--" - Poyntz Carswell"Yes, he's a smart guy and I'm sure he's learned from whatever mistakes he's made, as we all do. I do think an experienced manager is the way to go. " - James Lile"Would rather have someone exciting like Puhols or a manager with a better track record of past wins. Also concerned with Randy Flores not having independent authority on this decision." - David Keyes"Frankly, I was hoping for Martin Maldonado. At one time I would have been excited to have Ausmus as manager but I worry that he will simply be a puppet for Jeff Bagwell. Loved Bagwell as a player, not so much as Jim Crane's seemingly top advisor. Ausmus is also a managerial retread. The organization needs new blood!" - Alan Beaubien"I hated Albert Pujols as a player, especially after the media roasted Lidge about it. After all, the Astros won that series. But I would have preferred Ensberg or Pujols. At least they don't have losing track records as a manager. I just hope he doesn't try to turn the catchers into players like he was. as in generally bad." - Bob Mingoia"I hope Jeff Bagwell is only one of several voices that Mr. Crane listens too. Our hitting last year was unacceptable. That resulted in hiring a new hitting coach, but it caused many fans to question whether Bagwell had some responsibility for those disappointments." - John BSubscribeThere’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Readers react to Brad Ausmus' hiring as Astros manager.