HOUSTON, TX —  The Houston Astros have named Brad Mills as the ballclub’s new manager, General Manager Ed Wade announced today. Mills agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for the 2012 season.

Mills, who was the bench coach for the Boston Red Sox for the last six seasons, was introduced this afternoon as the 18th manager in franchise history at a press conference at Minute Maid Park.

“Brad has a wealth of experience, a lot of that coming in the postseason,” Wade said. “He brings all the elements that we were looking for, knowledge, personality and leadership.”  

For the 52-year-old Mills, who has spent the last 30 years in professional baseball, it is his first stint as a Major League manager. While in Boston under manager Terry Francona, Mills was a part of 45 postseason games as the Red Sox won two World Series titles and made five playoff appearances in the last six seasons. Mills, who was a college teammate of Francona’s at the University of Arizona, was also a member of Francona’s coaching staff when he managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1997-2000.

“I’d like to congratulate Eddie and the Astros organization on getting a great, great baseball man and an even better person,” Francona said. “Brad has really earned this. He communicates well, is organized and energetic. He respects the players, but holds them accountable to play the game the right way. This is bittersweet for us because Brad will be sorely missed, but our loss is the Astros gain.”

In addition to his stints in Philadelphia and Boston, Mills also was a bench coach for the Montreal Expos in 2003 under manager Frank Robinson.

“Brad is a good all-around baseball man,” Robinson stated. “He’s a great communicator, works well with the players and pays attention to detail. I congratulate him for a position well-earned. I’m very happy for him.”

Mills also enjoyed success during his 11 seasons as a minor league manager in the Cubs (1987-92), Rockies (1993-96) and Dodgers (2002) organizations. In 1995, Mills was named the Rockies Player Development Man of the Year after guiding the Triple A Colorado Spring SkySox to the Pacific Coast League championship. Mills also led the Dodgers’ Triple A Las Vegas club to a record 85 wins en route to the PCL’s Southern Division championship in 2002.

Mills , a 17th-round pick of the Expos in 1979, hit .256 with a home run and 12 RBI in 106 career games in parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with the Expos (1980-83).

Wade has hired multiple managers who have posted immediate success. Larry Bowa, his first hire while in Philadelphia, went on to earn National League Manager of the Year honors in his first season after guiding the Phillies to an 86-76 record, a 21-game improvement from the previous season (65-97).

Charlie Manuel, whom Wade hired after the 2005 season, is 447-363 (.552) in his five seasons as Phillies manager with one World Championship, two National League pennants and three division titles. Manuel’s career record is third-best in franchise history in the modern era.