Bob Watson Has Eyes for Drayton McLane

It's been a rough year for the Astros. They are, after all, in the only division in recent memory in which a .500 team might actually take first, and they're stuck in the back of the pack with the Pirates. They've since fired GM Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner, and are building a new city, hopefully with the brick and mortar of rock and roll. (I have no idea what that means.)

Anyway, despite the struggles, the Astros are already attracting interest:

Of all the candidates for the job, [Bob] Watson is the only one who truly knows what it is to love Houston, to love the Houston Astros and to have literally shed his blood and sweat trying to bring a winning product to Houston fans on the field and in the front office.
"I have really a real feeling for the Houston Astros," he said. "As you know, and hopefully our readers know, that in 1964 I signed with then the Colt .45s, so I go a way back. I've been with this organization in a number of capacities. And I left to go to New York, and bottom line is I left a job undone. I'd like to culminate my career of some 43 years as we speak with bringing in and putting this club where it needs to be.

"And I think the other reason is I think Drayton McLane deserves to have a championship club. He has worked so hard and tirelessly. He has spent a lot of his money and energy trying to make this a championship city, and I'd like to help him accomplish that."

So there you have it. Whether or not you think the Purpura firing was a bit of overkill -- the point was made with Garner, who didn't seem to be having much fun anymore anyway -- it's good to see that the Astros have at least somebody waiting in the wings. People, including former employees, actually want to work there! Who knew?

(HT: Baseball Musings)