BOSTON, MA — Brad Mills, the Red Sox bench coach for the last six seasons, was today named manager of the Houston Astros.



“Over the last 30 years I have learned, firsthand, that Brad Mills has a terrific baseball mind and is an even better person,” said Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. “I’d like to not only congratulate Brad but also congratulate the Houston Astros for hiring such a genuine and caring person. While we will miss him, we are thrilled for him and his family.”



“Brad has been an important part of our coaching staff and Tito’s right-hand man for the past six seasons,” added Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein. “His experience and knowledge of the game have earned him respect throughout baseball, both on the field and in the clubhouse. We are thrilled that he is receiving this well-deserved opportunity and wish him the best of luck with the Astros.”



“John Henry, Tom Werner and I join the entire Red Sox family in congratulating Brad and Ronda Mills as they take on this new and exciting opportunity in Houston,” said President/CEO Larry Lucchino. “Brad was a key member of the Red Sox over the past six seasons, and he was instrumental in the club’s two World Series championships in 2004 and 2007. We will certainly miss the professionalism, keen baseball intellect, and warmth and cheerfulness that Brad brought to the ballpark every single day. We gratefully thank them for their remarkable service on the field and in the community and wish them only the best.”



Mills, 52, joined the Red Sox organization on January 9, 2004 as Manager Terry Francona’s bench coach. Former teammates at the University of Arizona and with the Montreal Expos, he previously served as Francona’s first base coach with the Phillies from 1997-2000. Montreal’s 17th-round pick as an infielder in the 1979 draft, Mills also had a stint as Frank Robinson’s bench coach with the Expos in 2003 and managed 11 seasons in the minor leagues in the Cubs (1987-92), Rockies (1993-96) and Dodgers systems (2002).



At this time, no replacement for Mills has been named.