Jeff Luhnow wasted no time Sunday morning in announcing Oklahoma City Redhawks Manager, Tony DeFrancesco, as the interim manager for the Houston Astros. It’s a choice that seems logical given the fact that most of the young Astros team has spent time recently playing for Tony and there will be a comfort level from the get-go.

DeFrancesco expressed his excitement at the opportunity. “I waited a long time to come to this level and be on a big league staff as a manager,” DeFrancesco said. “I want to be the guy who changes the environment out there.”

He spoke openly of the attitude that can set in and the lack of confidence that can take root when a team is getting beat up on each and every day. If you’ve followed me on twitter during a game or sat near me at a game this season, you’ve heard me express the same concern. Let’s all hope that the clubhouse is a fun and encouraging place from here on out, win or lose.

The search for a permanent manager will begin immediately, according to Luhnow. He made no comments to help uncover the possible list of candidates that’s surely in his head, but did indicate there was no time to wait to begin the hunt.

As for the the other two places on the staff that were vacated late last night, Ty Van Berkleo, also from AAA OKC, as the interim hitting coach and Dan Radison, a special assistant to the GM,  as interim first base coach.

The pressure is off for all three it seems as Luhnow expressed that all three of these gentleman will be with the organization next season (but who knows in what capacity). All are clear on the needs and path of the organization according to the GM.

So what now? Now we watch and see if there’s anything an interim manager can do in six very short baseball weeks to help mature a very, very young club. In the meantime, it’s business as usual for this team as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks for game three at 1:05pm at Minute Maid Park.

Play ball!

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.