Congratulations to Bruce. It’s an award he never would have won if he’d been in the majors.

ST. LOUIS — Reds outfielder Jay Bruce has been selected as Sporting News’ 2007 Minor League Player of the Year. Bruce, the 12th overall pick in the 2005 draft, was slated to have a two-stop summer: first, show he could hit high-Class A pitching in Sarasota, then settle in at Class AA in Chattanooga. But his hot bat – and an injury one level up – opened a door at Class AAA Louisville, and Bruce never looked back.After compiling a stat line of a .319 batting average, 26 home runs, 46 doubles, 87 runs and 89 RBIs in 133 games at three levels, it’s evident Bruce, 20, will be swinging his lumber in Cincinnati before too long.

Sporting News, covering baseball since 1886, has been handing out the Minor League Player of the Year award since 1936.

Press release out of Cardinal country:

ST. LOUIS — Bill DeWitt Jr., chairman of the board and general partner of the St. Louis Cardinals, today announced that the team is parting ways with senior vice president and general manager Walt Jocketty.”Walt will be remembered as the Cardinals’ GM during one of the most successful and memorable periods in team history, and we will always be extremely grateful for his contributions to our many triumphs over the past 13 seasons,” DeWitt said. “It is now time to move forward with an undivided vision and purpose that is consistent with the St. Louis Cardinals philosophy of building and operating the best top-to-bottom organization in baseball.”

DeWitt today named John Mozeliak as interim general manager. Mozeliak recently completed his fifth season as the Cardinals assistant general manager.

The Cardinals will immediately conduct a search for the club’s new general manager and honor the remaining terms of their contract with Jocketty, who was hired by the Cardinals in October 1994. Jocketty helped build Cardinals teams that won seven division titles, two National League crowns and the 2006 World Series championship.

“The Cardinals and Walt Jocketty are turning the page today with mutual admiration and appreciation for each other,” DeWitt said. “Today’s news does not come without disappointment and regret. But it also comes with great opportunity, and with that we will immediately begin our search for the new general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.”

Tough crowd: did they expect him to win the World Series every year? I wonder how this will affect Tony LaRussa’s decision to stay with the team. I wonder how it will affect Bob Castellini’s criteria on what makes a good GM.

The Reds are running some special in the month of September. The Red Hot Family will be in attendance for the game against the Cubs on the 30th so that the tot can run the bases with the rest of the Reds heads afterward.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 7:10 p.m.

* Oktoberfest Music at GABP - The authentic German polka band, Heuboden Musikanten, will perform at the Crosley Terrace entrance of the ballpark from 5:10-6:10 p.m. A pregame concert on the field will follow from 6:40-6:50 p.m. The band is in town from Germany for Cincinnati's annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
* Reds Community Fund Wheel Spin - For $10 you can spin the wheel to win Reds memorabilia.

Wednesday, Sept. 26 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 7:10 p.m.

* Bleacher Discount Special - Fans may purchase bleacher seats for only $5. Subject to availability.

Thursday, Sept. 27 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 7:10 p.m.

* Senior Citizen Special - Fans 60 and older may purchase non-premium seats at the Super Saver price - a 45% savings! In advance of game day only.

Friday, Sept. 28 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:10 p.m.

* Pepsi College/Teen Night - It's a Friday night party at the ballpark, complete with live music in the Fan Zone as part of the half-price student deal in September. Tickets are available at the GABP ticket windows or online at reds.com/students. Valid for non-premium seats only.
* Happy Hour at Club Red - $3 Bud and Bud Lights from 5:10 p.m. until the end of the first inning.
* Photo Friday - Stop by the RCF booth for your own customized digital photo taken with one of several ballpark backgrounds. The keepsakes are just $5.

Saturday, Sept. 29 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:10 p.m.

* Fifth Annual Mascot Wiffle Ball Game - Pregame event will feature mascots from Tri-state sports teams, universities and businesses including Smokey the Bear, Snappy, Buddy Bat and many more!
* Silent Auction - Bid on autographed memorabilia, game-used equipment and other one-of-a-kind baseball collectibles.

Sunday, Sept. 30 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 1:15 p.m.

* Fan Appreciation Day - Prizes will be given away to lucky fans throughout the game. Postcard entries accepted.
* Joe Nuxhall Book Signing at the Reds Hall of Fame - Stop by the Reds Hall of Fame from 12-1 p.m. to meet Reds broadcaster Joe Nuxhall and purchase a signed copy of his book, Joe: Rounding Third and Heading for Home. Proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund and the Reds Hall of Fame.
* Free Copies of Baseball America - The Reds will provide a free copy of the latest edition of Baseball America to the first 5,000 fans in attendance.
* Reds Youth Baseball Parade - Youth baseball and softball groups throughout Reds Country will have the opportunity to walk on the same field as their favorite Reds in a pregame parade.
* Buddy Roger's Music Reds Rocker - Kids, make your rock star dreams come true on the Bud Select Stage! It's your chance to step up and play your favorite songs, and we want to see you there!
* Mystery Ball - For $20, you can select a bag that will contain an autographed ball signed by a Red, former Red, or visiting team player or coach.

Featured Throughout This Homestand

* Half-price Tickets for Students presented by Pepsi - It's your last chance to take advantage of half-price tickets for all students to every remaining Reds home game! Students can show their school IDs, hats, shirts or anything else school-related and receive half-price tickets in selected seating areas. Tickets are available at the GABP ticket windows or online at reds.com/students.
* George Foster Autograph Signings - The Reds Hall of Famer will be here all week signing autographs at the RCF booth both pregame and from the seventh inning until the end of the game.
* Raffles - For $5 you can have a chance at winning the raffle prize on Sept. 26 and 27.
* Reds Rally Games - Pick up your Bingo card at the entrance gates or the RCF booth on Sept. 26 and 30. Then watch the game and cross out spaces based on the action on the field. Get a whole row crossed out and you will receive a prize! Prizes are first come first serve.
* Pete: The Exhibit! at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum - Make sure to stop by and see the exhibit honoring all-time hits leader Pete Rose on your way in or out of the ballpark!

Holy crap, did you guys know that the Astros fired their manager and GM today? Thanks to Lambo for the tip.

And BTW, while I was digging up the press release, I saw that Houston has already retired Jeff Bagwell's number. Jeepers, the Reds just got around to Concepción!

Anyway, here's the scoop. Not sure I'm seeing the point with a month to go in the season, but whatever:

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has replaced manager Phil Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura, effective immediately. Astros bench coach Cecil Cooper will serve as interim manager and Astros President of Baseball Operations Tal Smith will serve as interim general manager for the remainder of the 2007 season. The announcements were made by Astros Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Drayton McLane.

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.

“I feel it was time for the Houston Astros to embark upon a new direction,” said McLane. “The bar and standards have been raised in Houston, and our great city is now a baseball town. With that status comes high expectations from our fans, and I felt a change was necessary to get our organization back on track toward our mission, which is to be a World Series champion.”

The 57-year-old Cooper is in his third season as the Astros bench coach, and he is the 16th manager in Astros history (including Salty Parker, who was 1-0 as interim manager in 1972). During his career in baseball, Cooper has been an All-Star player as well as a minor league manager, coach, player development director, and player agent. He previously served as the bench coach for Milwaukee in 2002 and spent both 2003 and 2004 as the manager of the Triple A Indianapolis club in the Brewers organization.

Cooper was named to five All-Star teams as a player and hit .298 (2192×7349) with 241 home runs and 1125 RBI in 1896 career Major League games with Boston (1971-76) and Milwaukee (1977-87). He earned two Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at first base (1979, 80) and helped lead two clubs to the World Series (1975 Boston, 1982 Milwaukee).

The 2007 season is Smith's 50th in the game of baseball. He started his baseball career in the Cincinnati Reds farm department in 1958 and came to Houston in 1960 when he was named assistant to general manager Gabe Paul for the new National League expansion franchise that would become the Colt .45's. He was named farm director for the Colt .45's in 1961, assistant to the president of the Houston Sports Association in 1963, and vice president and director of player personnel for the Astros in 1965, a position he held for eight seasons.

In 1973, Smith left the Astros to become the executive vice president of the New York Yankees, serving in that capacity until his return to Houston as general manager of the Astros in August 1975. He was named president of the club in 1976, serving in that capacity until 1980. The primary architect of the 1980 NL West

Division Champion, the first division title-winning team in franchise history, Smith returned to the organization on Nov. 22, 1994, when he was named president of the team once again. Since 1981, he has also been the owner and operator of Tal Smith Enterprises, a firm which has provided consulting services to 26 of the 30 Major League clubs, with particular emphasis on the preparation of arbitration cases, and operational reviews.

In 1999, Smith was chosen by Baseball America as one of 25 panelists to provide an overview of baseball in the 20th century, and the publication also recognized him for his career of achievements and innovations in December of 2005 with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

Garner, 57, led the club to a 277-252-1 (.524) record as the Astros manager from July 16, 2004 through August 26, 2007. In 15 seasons as a Major League manager, Garner owns a 985-1,054 record (.483). His teams advanced to the postseason twice during his tenure as Astros manager, including an NLCS appearance in 2004 and the first World Series team in franchise history in 2005. Garner also played in the Majors for 16 seasons, including seven with Houston from 1981-87.

Purpura was the 10th general manager in franchise history and spent 14 years with the Astros organization. He joined the team in 1994 as assistant director of minor league operations and director of player relations. From Oct. 24, 1997 until being named general manager on Nov. 1, 2004, Purpura was the assistant general manager and the director of player development, directing the operation of the club's player development system and its six minor league affiliates.

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Reds Executive Vice President and General Manager Wayne Krivsky today announced the acquisition of SS Jose Castro and OF Sean Henry from the New York Mets in exchange for IF/OF Jeff Conine.

IF/OF Jorge Cantu will be recalled from Louisville to take Conine's spot on the roster. Castro and Henry will be assigned to Class AA Chattanooga.

Castro, 20, this season batted .318 with 2 HR, 25 RBI and 7 stolen bases for Class A St. Lucie. He ranked second in the Florida State League in batting average.

Henry, who turned 22 on Wednesday, hit .293 with 26 doubles, 7 triples, 11 HR, 57 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 114 games at St. Lucie. He is tied for first in the FSL in hits (132) and tied for third in triples.

Conine, 41, this season for the Reds hit .265 with 6 HR and 32 RBI in 80 games and 50 starts for the Reds.

Cantu, 25, on July 28 was acquired from the Devil Rays, along with OF Shaun Cumberland and cash, in exchange for RHP Calvin Medlock, LHP Brian Shackelford and future considerations. In 24 games at Class AAA Louisville he hit .309 with 2 HR and 13 RBI.