Burt Hooten latest to be shown the door

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 the Astros are parting ways with Burt Hooten. The Astros minor league pitching coach for the past eight seasons told Berman his contract will not be renewed. This is, along with the renewing of Doug Brocail’s contract, the most surprising move the new regime has made to date.

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

Prior to overseeing minor league coaching duties, Hooton spent five seasons as the Astros pitching coach. Hooten is highly regarded as an excellent teacher and overall pitching guru. Hooten played a major role in the development of several young Astros pitchers over the years including Bud Norris.

The news comes less than 24 hours after the Astros announced that the contract of bullpen assistant Stretch Suba would not renewed. Suba, who had been with the club since 1978, was the last remaining link to my childhood days of watching the Astros play in the Astrodome.

Both of these firings come as somewhat of a surprise to me. And honestly, I don’t like it.