Coop discusses job security

Astros Notes this morning includes a mention of what has changed since not having Ken Rosenthal calling for his job every other column:

I don’t even worry about that. I figure if I do what I’m supposed to do somebody will hire me, so I don’t even worry about that. I’ve been in baseball for 40-something years, and I’ve always had a job. So I don’t worry about it.”

And acknowledges that a healthy starting lineup makes a manager look a lot smarter:
“It helps when you’ve got healthy players and guys that you counted on to do certain things. It helps. Sure it does. It makes it a little easier. It’s not an easy job, but it makes it easier.”

And finally on the Coop front, the end of the NL Central hasn't happened yet, but is pretty much inevitable:
I am surprised that no one has pulled away from the pack, but that’s good for us,” he said. “I don’t think we have played our best baseball. I say that almost every day. We win three, lose two, win two, lose one. We’re kind of up and down. We haven’t had a streak. We’ve only won five, I think, one time. We’re due to have a (streak of) seven or eight like most of the other clubs. If we do, we could be in great shape. I am a little surprised at some of the clubs predicted to win the division haven’t run away from us, yet.”

We also find out that Kaz is working on his swing, which for a .230 hitter is probably a good idea:
“Sometimes my body goes forward and my hands go up too early. I’m trying to avoid that. I’m just going through that. Maybe I open up too quickly.”

Lee, Bourn, and Michaels joined him for early batting practice. Says Coop:
“Just getting some extra swings in. Kaz has been struggling a little bit. Michael’s been struggling a little bit. Carlos has had some struggles here of late. He’s hit some balls good but hasn’t been able to get anything. They’re guys that want to work on stuff, so I think that’s good.”