Hal Lanier Named Astro Manager, Promises an Aggressive Style of Play

Hal Lanier, a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals for the past 10 seasons, has been named manager of the Houston Astros, General Manager Dick Wagner said Tuesday.

Lanier replaces Bob Lillis, who was fired Oct. 7 after the Astros finished in third place in the National League Western Division last season.

Lanier said he signed a two-year contract with the Astros and also announced he expected former New York Yankee manager Yogi Berra to become an Astro coach.

“I like the club that I’ve seen so far,” Lanier said. “I am a very aggressive manager. I see us doing more running. I like to put people in motion and make the defense come up with a lot of mistakes.”

Lanier said he saw no obstacles in obtaining Berra’s services. Wagner said Berra is still under contract with the Yankees, but the Astros expect to receive permission within two days to talk with him.

Lanier ended his major league playing career with the New York Yankees in 1973.