Tal Smith will serve as interim general manager.

Garner took over the Astros in the middle of the 2004 season after Jimy Williams was fired.

He guided the team to its first National League Championship and World Series in 2005.The Astros lost to the White Sox in the World Series after overcoming a 15-30 record early in the season. It was the first time the World Series had ever been played in Texas.

Purpura, in his third season as General Manager, was also a part of the World Series team.

"But the last two years have not been what the Houston Astros can achieve," said Astros Owner Drayton McLane. "What we want to do is move forward, to continue to be successful."

The Astros were 82-80 last year, finishing 1 ½ games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central, and following the departures of Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte slumped to 58-73 this year, nine games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs.

“When we started the season, I felt we had a great team,” McLane said. “The team is there. It’s how do we change what’s there, renew some of them.”

Purpura has taken a lot of heat this season for a trade that brought pitcher Jason Jennings to Houston in exchange for Outfielder Willy Taveras and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsch.

Jennings, with a 2-9 record and 6.45 ERA, has been a huge disappointment and is currently on the Disabled List for the second time this season. He is out for the season with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.

Astros fans booed Purpura Sunday during a ceremony to retire Jeff Bagwell's surgery. They also booed him when Craig Biggio was honored a couple of weeks ago.

The manager position will be evaluated at the end of the season, while a search for a new general manager will begin immediately.  Both Garner and Purpura’s contracts, each of which run through the 2008 season, will be honored fully.