Brad Mills hired as Astros manager

HOUSTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Brad Mills, who spent 11 seasons as a major-league coach and another 11 as a minor-league manager, was hired Tuesday to manage the Houston Astros.

Mills, 52, most recently was the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox, a position he's held for six seasons. In Houston, he replaces Cecil Cooper, who was fired Sept. 21. Mills is the team's fifth manager since 2002.

He was offered the position after former Washington Nationals Manager Manny Acta turned down the job to take a similar position with the Cleveland Indians. Former Astros Manager Phil Garner and Dave Clark, who finish out the 2009 season on an interim basis, were also considered.

Mills takes over a team that hasn't been to the playoffs since a World Series appearance in 2005. Houston was 74-88 last season, finishing fifth in the National League Central.

He has no major-league managing experience but managed minor leagues teams in the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations for a total of 11 seasons.

Mills played four seasons in the majors, hitting .256 in 106 games, all with the Montreal Expos.