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It's not easy to take over a struggling team and guide it to the playoffs. Here are nine men who supplanted fired manager and led their new clubs to the postseason, starting with Phil Garner of the 2004 Astros ...

While serving as an NL coach during the 2004 All-Star game in Houston, Astros manager Jimy Williams got booed by local fans that were not satisfied with the team's 44-44 record. The following day, the Astros fired Williams and hired Garner, who led the club to a 48-26 record and the NL Wild Card berth after winning the last seven games of the season. The Astros went on to get their first postseason series victory in franchise history against Atlanta (3-2) before losing in seven games to St. Louis in the NLCS. Garner would return to lead Houston to its first World Series appearance the following season.

Photo: John Biever/SI