Astros hire Ed Wade as GM

The Houston Astros on Thursday hired former Phillies boss Ed Wade as the new general manager.

Wade, 51, held the same post with the Phillies from 1998 to 2005 before he was fired on the heels of eight seasons without a playoff appearance.

He was heavily criticized in Philadelphia for his reluctance to make significant moves before the trade deadline and for giving big-money, long-term contracts to players who underachieved.

Wade inherited a Phillies team that had finished last two straight years and had posted losing records in 10 of 11 seasons. He fired Terry Francona after the 2000 season, hired Larry Bowa, and rebuilt the team around young stars such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins.

Francona won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, the same year Wade fired the combustible Bowa and replaced him with Charlie Manuel, another move that was criticized by some.

The Astros had been looking for new leadership since firing GM Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner on Aug. 27. Bench coach Cecil Cooper became interim manager, and team president Tal Smith served as interim GM.

Wade will be tasked with resurrecting a team that, just two years removed from its first World Series appearance, entered Thursday tied for last in the National League Central. At 66-86, the Astros are just a half-game ahead of the NL's worst team, the Florida Marlins.

Others who interviewed for the job included former Dodgers general manager Dan Evans, former Astros general manager Bob Watson and Philadelphia assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

With files from the Associated Press

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