Bob Lillis, who guided the Houston Astros...

Bob Lillis, who guided the Houston Astros to a winning record in three full seasons as manager but never to the playoffs, was fired and offered an administrative job in the organization, General Manager Dick Wagner announced.

A replacement for Lillis, who once played for the Astros, will be announced later this month, Wagner said.

Lillis, 55, took over the Astros in 1982, after the dismissal of former manager Bill Virdon, and led the team to a 28-23 record. In his first full season as manager, the Astros finished third in the West Division and last season tied for second place. They finished tied for third in 1985 with an 83-79 record, 12 games behind the Dodgers.