PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Howe Not Surprised by Padres’ Move

Given the widespread speculation lately, Houston Astros Manager Art Howe was not surprised the Padres fired Greg Riddoch on Wednesday. But Howe did have this to say in support of the former Padre manager:

“I thought he did a pretty darn good job while he was here,” Howe said. “He’s a good baseball man. And he seemed like a good person. I thought he handled the club well.”

Why was Howe not surprised?

“They’ve been talking about that possibility for a long time,” he said.

As for new Padre Manager Jim Riggleman, Howe said: “I know him a little bit from the St. Louis’ organization. Not personally, though. You hear a lot of good things about him.”

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Howe does not have to worry about joining Riddoch on baseball’s unemployment list this winter. Despite the fact new owner Drayton McLane has yet to officially take over control of the Astros, he already has said Howe and his entire coaching staff will be back next season.

One of those coaches is Bob Cluck, a former San Diego State pitcher who is a part-owner of the San Diego School of Baseball. “All in all, we had a real good year,” said Cluck of the Astros’ climb from last place to fourth this season. “Little by little, we’ve solidified our base. I really expect some good things out of this club in the next few years.”