All-Time Manager List
by Darrell Pittman and Ray Kerby

Last Updated: November 20, 2022

Harry
Craft
1962-64
Luman
Harris
1964-65
Grady
Hatton
1966-68
Harry
Walker
1968-72
Salty
Parker
1972

Leo
Durocher
1972-73

Preston
Gomez
1974-75
Bill
Virdon
1975-82
Bob
Lillis
1982-85
Hal
Lanier
1986-88

Art
Howe
1989-93

Terry
Collins
1994-96
Larry
Dierker
1997-2001
Jimy
Williams
2002-04
Phil
Garner
2004-07

Cecil
Cooper
2007-09

Dave
Clark
2009

Brad
Mills
2010-12

Tony
DeFrancesco
2012

Bo
Porter
2013-14

Tom
Lawless
2014

A.J.
Hinch
2015-19

Dusty
Baker
2020-22



(c) Topps Baseball
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1962   64   96  .400  NL-8   36
 1963   66   96  .407  NL-9   33
 1964   61   88  .409  NL-9   27
Total  191  280  .406
Baseball Reference

Harry Craft

  • Full name: Harry Francis Craft
  • Nickname: "Wildfire"
  • Born: 4/19/15, Ellsville, MS
  • Died: 8/3/95, Conroe, TX. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 360-485 (.426) with A's, Cubs and Colts.
  • Last manager of the Houston Buffaloes of the American Association (AAA), 1961.
  • Houston's first major-league manager, 1962.
  • Wouldn't have been hired as Colt .45s manager had Gabe Paul not resigned as Houston's first GM in favor of Paul Richards.
  • Managed Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the minors.
  • Outfielder for Cincinnati Reds, 1937-42.
  • Played on two World Series teams (1939-40).
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1964    5    8  .385  NL-9   27
 1965   65   97  .401  NL-9   32
Total   70  105  .400
Baseball Reference

Luman Harris

  • Full name: Chalmer Luman Harris
  • Nickname: "Lum"
  • Born: 1/17/15, New Castle, AL
  • Died: 11/11/96, Pell City, AL, of diabetes. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 466-488 (.488) with Orioles, Astros and Braves.
  • Colt .45s pitching coach under Harry Craft (1962-64).
  • First Houston manager in Astrodome.
  • Pitched for Philadelphia A's (1941-46) and Washington Senators (1947).
  • Led Atlanta Braves to the first NL West Division title in 1969.
  • Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Topps Baseball
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg  GB
 1966   72   90  .444  NL-8  23
 1967   69   93  .426  NL-9  32½
 1968   23   38  .377  NL-9  25
Total  164  221  .426
Baseball Reference

Grady Hatton

  • Full name: Grady Edgebert Hatton, Jr.
  • Born: 10/7/22, Beaumont, TX
  • Died: 4/11/13, Warren, TX; natural causes (See In Memory Of...)
  • Career managerial record: 164-221 (.426), all with Houston.
  • Previously Colt .45s/Astros director of player personnel, 1961-65.
  • Attended University of Texas.
  • Signed by Cincinnati in 1946 and became their regular third baseman as a 23-year-old the same year.
  • Played for Reds, 1946-54, and named to 1952 All-Star Game but did not play.
  • Continued career as utility player for the White Sox, Red Sox, Cardinals, Orioles, and Cubs, 1954-60, retiring with a .254 career average.
  • Inducted into Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, 1996.
  • Served in U.S. Army during World War II
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1968   49   52  .485  NL-10  25
 1969   81   81  .500  NLW-5  12
 1970   79   83  .488  NLW-4  23
 1971   79   83  .488  NLW-4  11
 1972   67   54  .554  NLW-2  10½
Total  355  353  .501
Baseball Reference

Harry Walker

  • Full name: Harry William Walker
  • Nicknames: "The Hat" (for adjusting his cap between pitches) and "Little Dixie".
  • Born: 10/22/16, Pascagoula, MS
  • Died: 8/8/99, Birmingham, AL, of a stroke. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 630-604 (.511) with Cardinals, Pirates and Astros.
  • First Astros manager to post a .500 season record, and an above-.500 managerial record with the club.
  • Outfielder for Cards (1940-47), Phillies (1947-48), Cubs (1949) and Cardinals (1950-51, 1955).
  • NL Batting champion in 1947 with .363 average.
  • Appeared in three World Series (1942, 1943, 1946) and two All-Star Games (1943 and 1947).
  • Son of Ewart "Dixie" Walker. Nephew of Ernie Walker and brother of Fred "Dixie" Walker.
  • First manager at University of Alabama-Birmingham, 1979-86.
  • Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1972    1    0 1.000  NLW-2  10½
Total    1    0 1.000
Baseball Reference

Salty Parker

  • Full name: Francis James Parker
  • Nickname: "Salty"
  • Born: 7/8/13, East St. Louis, IL
  • Died: 7/27/92, Houston, TX. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 5-7 (.417) with Mets and Astros.
  • Coached for Astros, 1968-72. Stayed with the club as a scout after one-game managerial stint caused by delay in Leo Durocher's travel to Houston.
  • Only undefeated Houston manager.
  • Infielder (1B, SS) for Detroit Tigers, 1936.
  • Remained active in Houston-area baseball, coaching Karl Young League until shortly before his death in 1992.
  • Posthumously inducted into Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, 1992.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1972   16   15  .516  NLW-2  10½
 1973   82   80  .506  NLW-2  17
Total   98   95  .507
Baseball Reference

Leo Durocher

  • Full name: Leo Ernest Durocher
  • Nickname: "The Lip", for his mouthy demeanor.
  • Born: 7/27/05, West Springfield, MA
  • Died: 10/7/91, Palm Springs, CA, of natural causes. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 2008-1709 (.540) with Dodgers, Giants, Cubs and Astros.
  • Posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1994, by the Veterans Committee.
  • Skippered three World Series teams ('41 Dodgers, '51 Giants, '54 Giants).
  • Famous quote: "Nice guys finish last."
  • Shortstop for Yankees (1925-29), Reds (1930-33), Cardinals (1933-37), and Dodgers (1938-45). Teammate of Babe Ruth.
  • Suspended for 1947 season by commissioner Happy Chandler for allegedly associating with gamblers.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1974   81   81  .500  NLW-4  21
 1975   47   80  .370  NLW-6  43½
Total  128  161  .442
Baseball Reference

Preston Gomez

  • Full name: Pedro Martinez Gomez
  • Nickname: "Preston", due to his hometown.
  • Born: 4/20/23, Preston, Cuba
  • Died: 1/13/09, Fullerton, CA of injuries after being hit by a truck. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 346-529 (.395) with Padres, Astros and Cubs.
  • First minority manager in Astros history.
  • Coached in Dodgers organization before hiring as first manager in Padres history.
  • Long-time scout and assistant with Angels after managerial days ended.
  • Played 2B, SS for Washington Senators, 1944 (8 games).
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg   GB
 1975   17   17  .500  NLW-6  43½
 1976   80   82  .494  NLW-3  22
 1977   81   81  .500  NLW-3  17
 1978   74   88  .457  NLW-5  21
 1979   89   73  .549  NLW-2   1½
 1980   93   70  .571  NLW-1   0 (+1½)
 1981   61   49  .555  NLW-1   6
 1982   49   62  .441  NLW-5  12
Total  544  522  .510
Baseball Reference

Bill Virdon

  • Full name: William Charles Virdon
  • Nickname: "Quail"
  • Born: 6/9/31, Hazel Park, MI
  • Died: 11/23/21, location and cause undisclosed. See In Memory Of...
  • Career managerial record: 995-921 (.519) with Pirates, Yankees, Astros and Expos.
  • First skipper to guide Astros to a division title, 1980.
  • Longest tenure (7+ seasons), and most wins (544) of any Houston manager.
  • Bench coach for Astros, 1997, to assist rookie manager Larry Dierker.
  • Outfielder for Cardinals (1955-56) and Pirates (1956-65, 1968) with career .267 average.
  • NL Rookie of the Year, 1955 with Cardinals.
  • Member of 1960 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 1982   28   23  .549  NLW-5   12
 1983   85   77  .525  NLW-3    6
 1984   80   82  .500  NLW-2   12
 1985   83   79  .457  NLW-3   12
Total  276  261  .514
Baseball Reference

Bob Lillis

  • Full name: Robert Perry Lillis
  • Nickname: "Flea"
  • Born: 6/2/30. Altadena, CA
  • Career managerial record: 276-261 (.514), all with Houston.
  • First former Colt .45/Astro to serve as manager.
  • Infielder for Dodgers (1958-61), Cardinals (1961), and Colt .45s/Astros (1962-67) with a career .236 average.
  • Starting shortstop for the first game at the Astrodome.
  • Attended the University of Southern California.
  • Coached with Giants after managerial stint in Houston.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 1986   96   66  .593  NLW-1    0 (+10)
 1987   76   86  .469  NLW-6   14
 1988   82   80  .506  NLW-5   12½
Total  254  232  .523
Baseball Reference

Hal Lanier

  • Full name: Harold Clifton Lanier
  • Born: 7/4/42, Denton, NC
  • Career managerial record: 254-232 (.523), all with Houston.
  • Skippered Astros to its second division title, 1986.
  • NL Manager of the Year, 1986.
  • Seventh major league manager to lead a team to a division title in his first year.
  • Shortstop, San Francisco Giants (1964-71), New York Yankees (1972-73) with a .228 career average.
  • Son of pitcher Max Lanier.
  • Coached with St. Louis Cardinals before coming to Houston.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 1989   86   76  .531  NLW-3    6
 1990   75   87  .463  NLW-4   16
 1991   65   97  .401  NLW-6   29
 1992   81   81  .500  NLW-4   17
 1993   85   77  .525  NLW-3   19
Total  392  418  .484
Baseball Reference

Art Howe

  • Full name: Arthur Henry Howe
  • Born: 12/15/46, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Twitter handle: @ArtHoweRS
  • Career managerial record: 1129-1137 (.498) with Astros, A's and Mets.
  • Infielder for Astros, 1976-1982.
  • Homered and drove in four runs in 1980 one-game playoff win.
  • Once held club record for longest batting streak (23 games, 1981).
  • Also played with Pirates (1974-75) and Cardinals (1984-85) with a .260 career average.
  • Attended the University of Wyoming.
  • Baseball career almost ended before it began when Pirates did not sign him after a tryout. They signed him the next year, in 1971, at age 23.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 1994   66   49  .574  NLC-2    ½
 1995   76   68  .528  NLC-2    9
 1996   82   80  .506  NLC-2    6
Total  224  197  .532
Baseball Reference

Terry Collins

  • Full name: Terry Lee Collins
  • Born, 5/27/49, Midland, MI
  • Career managerial record: 444-434 (.506) with Astros and Angels.
  • First manager in Astros history with no major league experience as a player. He had been a shortstop in the Pirates and Dodgers organizations.
  • Previously coached for Pirates, 1992-93.
  • Managed the Orix Buffaloes in Japan (2006-2008) and managed the Chinese National team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 1997   84   78  .519  NLC-1    0 (+5)
 1998  102   60  .630  NLC-1    0 (+12½)
 1999   97   65  .599  NLC-1    0 (+1½)
 2000   72   90  .444  NLC-4   23
 2001   93   69  .574  NLC-1T   0
Total  448  362  .553
Baseball Reference

Larry Dierker

  • Full name: Lawrence Edward Dierker
  • Nicknames: "The Wrangler", "Moonman", "Sluggo"
  • Born: 9/22/46, Hollywood, CA
  • Twitter handle: @larry_dierker
  • Career managerial record, 448-362 (.553), all with Houston.
  • Skippered Astros to NL Central titles in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.
  • NL Manager of the Year, 1998.
  • Highest win percentage (.553) of any Houston manager.
  • Led Houston to first 100-win season in club history, 1998.
  • Eighth major league manager to lead a team to a division title in his first year.
  • Missed 27 games in 1999 due to seizure. Matt Galante served as interim manager, going 13-14.
  • Astros starting pitcher, 1964-76.
  • Houston's first 20-game winner, 1969.
  • Pitched no-hitter vs. Expos, 7/9/76.
  • All-Star: 1969, 1971.
  • MLB and Colt .45s debut on his 18th birthday, 9/22/64.
  • Astros jersey #49 retired, 2005.
  • Broadcaster for the Astros, 1979-1996.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2002   84   78  .519  NLC-2   13
 2003   87   75  .537  NLC-2    1
 2004   44   44  .500  NLC-5   10½
Total  215  197  .522
Baseball Reference

Jimy Williams

  • Full name: James Francis Williams
  • Nicknames: "Peanut Head", "Crazy Jimah"
  • Born: 10/4/43, Santa Maria, CA
  • Career managerial record: 910-790 (.535) with Blue Jays, Red Sox and Astros.
  • First Houston manager with previous MLB managing experience in 20 years.
  • Coached for Blue Jays (1980-85) and Braves (1990-96).
  • AL Manager of the Year, 1999 with Red Sox.
  • All three teams he managed reached the World Series within four years of his firing.
  • Shortstop, Cardinals, 1966-67 (14 games).
  • Got last Cardinal hit at Busch Stadium (formerly Sportsman's Park), 1966.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2004   48   26  .649  NLC-2   13
 2005   89   73  .549  NLC-2   11
 2006   82   80  .506  NLC-2    1½
 2007   58   73  .443  NLC-6   10
Total  277  252  .524
Baseball Reference

Phil Garner

  • Full name: Philip Mason Garner
  • Nickname: "Scrap Iron"
  • Born: 4/30/49, Jefferson City, TN
  • Career managerial record: 985-1054 (.483) with Brewers, Tigers and Astros
  • Skippered Houston wild card teams, 2004 and 2005
  • Managed National League Champions, 2005
  • Infielder, Houston Astros, 1981-87
  • Member of 1986 NL West Champion Houston Astros
  • Also played for A's (1973-76), Pirates (1977-81), Dodgers (1987), and Giants (1988) with a .260 career average
  • Member of 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Three-time All-Star: 1976, 1980, 1981. Managed NL in 2006 All-Star Game which was lost, 3-2
  • Attended the University of Tennessee. Inducted into their Hall of Fame, 2009
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2007   15   16  .484  NLC-4   12
 2008   86   75  .534  NLC-3   11
 2009   70   79  .470  NLC-5   17
Total  171  170  .501
Baseball Reference

Cecil Cooper

  • Full name: Cecil Celester Cooper
  • Nickname: "Coop"
  • Born: 12/20/49, Brenham, TX
  • Career managerial record: 171-170 (.501), all with Houston.
  • First black manager in club history.
  • Named permanent manager, 9/28/07 after being named interim manager, 8/27/07.
  • Bench coach for Astros, 2005-07.
  • Managed AAA Indianapolis Indians, 2003-04.
  • Played for Boston (1971-76) and Milwaukee (1977-87) with a career average of .298.
  • Five-time All-Star (1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1985) with Brewers.
  • AL RBI champion, 1980 and 1983.
  • Played in two World Series, 1975 and 1982.
  • SABR Bio


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2009    4    9  .308  NLC-5   17
Total    4    9  .308
Baseball Reference

Dave Clark

  • Full name: David Earl Clark
  • Born: 9/3/62, Tupelo, MS
  • Career managerial record: 0-1 (.000), all with Houston.
  • Named interim manager, 9/21/09.
  • Managed in Pirates and Astros minor leagues, 2003-08.
  • Played for CLE (1986-89), CHI-N (1990), KC (1991), PIT (1992-96), LA-N (1996), CHI-N (1997) and HOU (1998) with a career average of .264.
  • Outfielder, Houston Astros, 1998.
  • Member of 1998 NL Central Champion Houston Astros.
  • Was 26-0 as a Golden Gloves boxer while in high school.


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2010   76   86  .469  NLC-4   15
 2011   56  106  .346  NLC-6   40
 2012   39   82  .322  NLC-6   34
Total  171  274  .384
Baseball Reference

Brad Mills

  • Full name: James Bradley Mills
  • Born: 1/19/57, Exeter, CA
  • Career managerial record: 171-274 (.384), all with Houston (through 2012).
  • Career .256 hitter in four-year career with Expos (1980-1983)
  • Was strikeout victim of Nolan Ryan that broke record of Walter Johnson, 4/27/83.
  • Managed in farm systems of the Cubs, Rockies and Dodgers. Assistant coach for Expos, Phillies and Red Sox.
  • Of all Astros managers since the mid-1960s, was probably given the least on-field talent to work with
  • Fired after game of 8/18/12


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
 2012   16   25  .390  NLC-6   42
Total   16   25  .390
Baseball Reference

Tony DeFrancesco

  • Full name: Anthony John DeFrancesco
  • Born: 4/24/63, Bronx, NY
  • Managerial experience: Oklahoma City (AAA, 2011-12), Sacramento (AAA, 2003-10), Midland (AA, 1999-2002), Visalia (A+, 1997-98), Southern Oregon (A-, 1995-96), AZL Athletics (R, 1994). Career record 1231-1085 (.532) over 18 seasons.
  • Played nine seasons in minors (1984-92), mostly as catcher. Highest level: AAA
  • Drafted 1984 (9th round) by Boston Red Sox, out of Seton Hall
  • Named Astros interim manager, 8/19/12, replacing the fired Brad Mills
  • Last National League manager for Houston


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
2013    51  111  .315  ALW-5   45
2014    59   79  .428  ALW-4   25
Total  110  190  .367
Baseball Reference

Bo Porter

  • Full name: Marquis Donnell Porter
  • Nickname: Bo
  • Born: 7/5/72, Newark, NJ
  • Twitter Handle: @Boporter16Bo
  • Managerial experience: Jamestown (A+, 2006)
  • Coaching experience: Greensboro (A, 2005), Florida (2007-09), Arizona (2010), Washington (2011-12)
  • Played outfield for CHC (1999), OAK (2000), TEX (2001)
  • Drafted 1993 (40th round) by Chicago Cubs, out of University of Iowa
  • Named 20th Astros manager, 9/27/2012, replacing interim manager Tony DeFrancesco
  • First American League manager for Houston
  • Fired by Astros 9/1/2014, reportedly for internal dissension. Tom Lawless named interim manager for remainder of season.
  • At time of firing, was MLB's youngest manager (42) of MLB's youngest team


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
2014    11   13  .458  ALW-4   28
Total   11   13  .458
Baseball Reference

Tom Lawless

  • Full name: Thomas James Lawless
  • Born: 12/19/56, Erie, PA
  • Managerial experience: Lancaster JetHawks (A, 2009), Lexington Legends (A, 2010), Corpus Christi Hooks (AA, 2011), Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA, 2014 interim)
  • Coaching experience: Roving infield instructor in Astros' system since 2013
  • Drafted 1978 (17th round) by Cincinnati Reds, out of Penn State
  • Named 21st Astros manager (interim), 9/1/2014, replacing Bo Porter
  • Played for CIN (1982, 84), MON (1984), STL (1985-88), TOR (1989-90)
  • Only player ever traded for Pete Rose, 1984
  • Hit game-winning homer in Game 4 of 1987 World Series for St. Louis (with famous bat-flip)
  • While with Toronto, broke up no-bit bid by Mariners' Mark Langston in ninth inning 5/10/89


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
2015    86   76  .531  ALW-2    2
2016    84   78  .519  ALW-3   11
2017   101   61  .623  ALW-1    0 (+21)
2018   103   59  .636  ALW-1    0 (+6)
2019   107   55  .660  ALW-1    0 (+10)
Total  481  329  .594

Baseball Reference

A.J. Hinch

  • Full name: Andrew Jay Hinch
  • Born: 5/15/74, Waverly, IA
  • Twitter handle: @ajhinch
  • Previous MLB career managerial record: 89-123 (.420), Arizona Diamondbacks, 2009-10
  • Managed 2017 World Champions
  • Skippered two American League Champions (2017, 2019) in five seasons
  • Named 22nd Astros manager, 9/29/2014, replacing Tom Lawless
  • Suspended by MLB and fired 1/13/2020, for role in electronic sign-stealing scandal. Became Detroit Tigers manager in 2021
  • Drafted 1996 (3rd round) by Oakland Athletics, out of Stanford
  • Catcher for OAK (1998-2000), KC (2001-02), DET (2003), PHI (2004)


(c) Houston Astros
 Year    W    L   Pct  Stdg    GB
2020    29   31  .483  ALW-2    7
2021    95   67  .586  ALW-1    0 (+ 5)
2022   106   56  .654  ALW-1    0 (+ 16)
Total  230  154  .599

Baseball Reference

Dusty Baker

  • Full name: Johnnie B. Baker, Jr.
  • Born: 6/15/49, Riverside, CA
  • 19-year playing career as OF for ATL (1968-75), LA-N (1976-83), SF (1984) and OAK (1985-86).
  • Managed 2022 World Champions
  • Skippered two American League Champions (2021, 2022) and one National League Champion (2002)
  • Previous MLB career managerial record: 1863-1636-1 (.532) with SF (1993-2002), CHI-N (2003-06), CIN (2008-13) and WAS-N (2016-17)
  • Postseason record: 51-46 (.526). With Houston 28-14 (.667)
  • 9th-highest winning manager all-time
  • Named 23rd Astros manager, 1/29/2020, replacing AJ Hinch



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