Dana Brown had an honest reaction to being fired by the Astros

Dana Brown believes frustration over the Houston Astros‘ recent struggles ultimately contributed to his dismissal, even though owner Jim Crane has said the team’s 3-6 homestand did not factor into the decision.

Brown, speaking Sunday in his first interview since the Astros parted ways with him, offered his perspective on the surprising move that came with Houston still competing for the American League West title.

The Astros entered a nine-game homestand with a two-game lead over the Texas Rangers and a four-game advantage over the Seattle Mariners. Houston then lost six of nine games against the Mariners, Los Angeles Angels and Athletics — all teams with losing records.

“We go in and we lose six of the nine,” Brown said during an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “So we go 3-6 and we’re tied, but we have the tiebreaker, so we’re still in first place. And I just think the frustration mounted and it boiled over and that was the end of it.”

The Astros announced the decision the following morning. Crane later said the organization “needed a change” and maintained that the disappointing homestand had nothing to do with Brown’s departure.

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Brown, who became Houston’s general manager in January 2023, nevertheless expressed gratitude toward Crane for hiring him to his first-ever general manager job. He noted that he was only the seventh Black GM in MLB history.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Brown said of Crane. “He gave me the opportunity.”

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Brown also pushed back against any suggestion that Crane had completely controlled baseball operations during his tenure. He said Crane allowed him freedom to run the club, while acknowledging that some decisions required ownership approval.

The former GM defended several moves that had drawn scrutiny, including an offseason trade for Mike Burrows (4-9, 5.99 ERA) and the signing of Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai (6-4, 5.32 ERA). Brown said he believed both players would eventually succeed and suggested the Astros might have been in a different position had they developed more quickly.

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Brown also acknowledged the broader challenge he inherited. Houston had enjoyed an unprecedented run of success, but the roster was beginning to change as veterans aged and key players departed in free agency.

Despite his dismissal, Brown said he remains invested in the Astros.

“My heart and soul’s still in it,” Brown said. “So I’m pulling for the Astros and the city and Jim Crane and the ownership.”

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