from KTRK.com:
Astros part ways with Garner, Purpura
Owner names interim replacements
AP
(8/27/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - Less than two years ago, the Houston Astros were celebrating their first National League pennant. On Monday, they were starting over.
Manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura were fired by owner Drayton McLane, who said the franchise "needed a fresh start" after a plunge to the bottom of the NL Central.
Bench coach Cecil Cooper was appointed interim manager, and team president Tal Smith will serve as interim general manager.
"I felt for a number of reasons, we needed new direction, invigoration, to play with more enthusiasm and play more like a champion," McLane said.
The Astros slumped to 58-73 this year, nine games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs. They've lost five of their last seven home games, to lowly Washington and Pittsburgh.