AstrosTalk 2008 Season Thread

[T Park]

Randy Wolf is a solid lefty.

He improves their rotation considerably.

[midgetonadonkey]

I just got an email from the Astros that says, "Trade increases Astros' playoff hopes".

:lmao

Playoff hopes

:lmao

:depressed

[sribb43]

I just got an email from the Astros that says, "Trade increases Astros' playoff hopes".

:lmao

Playoff hopes

:lmao

:depressed

The Astros must have forgotten that they are no longer in the NL West:rollin

They arent catching the Cubs, Brewers or Cards...maybe the D-Backs or Dodgers

[BRHornet45]

fuck this goddamn team sons

[MavDynasty]

fuck this goddamn team sons

lmao

[Mister Sinister]

:smokin

[BRHornet45]

sons of course the Astros start getting hot and Carlos Lee hurts his pinky and looks to be done for the season. it's a shame for him because he was on pace to have the best season of his career.

[midgetonadonkey]

No shit. The Astros are nothing without El Caballo.

[Horry For 3!]

sons of course the Astros start getting hot and Carlos Lee hurts his pinky and looks to be done for the season. it's a shame for him because he was on pace to have the best season of his career.

It also hurts because I have him on my fantasy team and he won't be back for me in the playoffs :pctoss

[Mister Sinister]

No shit. The Astros are nothing without El Caballo.
La la la la la la la Can't hear you la la la la la la la la. :lol

[Mister Sinister]

.500

[BRHornet45]

we should be in the NL West like the Rangers are in the AL West .... we would take the division over there.

[ATRAIN]

Finally back to .500 oh and SONS hell of a sig!!!

[Mister Sinister]

I am more than mildly ok with that.

[Mister Sinister]

Whose house? Puma's house.

[ATRAIN]

Whose house? Puma's house.

That slam was pretty sweet. Its amazing how everyone is hitting the ball as of late. Imagine if we still have Lee.

[ATRAIN]

7 in a row but the fucking cubs,brew,cards dont fucking lose either!!

[Mister Sinister]

Cards are my 2nd team, so...w00t on them. Or half of one, anyway. But they have to lose sometime. Game at a time.

[ATRAIN]

8 in a row after today's sweep of the Giants. 16 of last 20, thank got the brew crew lost today. I am afraid there wont be enough baseball to make the WC.

[Mister Sinister]

Anything can happen. Believe.

[T Park]

The Stros just don't have the pitching, and the loss of Lee for the year was the death stroke.

Just bring up your youngsters and go for 2009.

[ATRAIN]

The Stros just don't have the pitching, and the loss of Lee for the year was the death stroke.

Just bring up your youngsters and go for 2009.

Actually our pitching is ok. Wandy has been solid. Moehler has been a huge surprise this year and Wolf has been ok since we got him. Roy hasnt had an outstanding year but he is Roy. We just need to get Backe out of the rotation, that guy gives up a HR in the first inning almost every single time. Im pretty sure our season is pretty much over because although hot right now, so are the brewers, cards, and cubs and without Lee its only a matter of time that we cool down. If we can somehow sweep Arizona, then I say we still have a shot at the WC, but we can win all we want but we need others to lose and there are too many teams ahead of us in the wild card hunt.

[Mister Sinister]

The Stros just don't have the pitching, and the loss of Lee for the year was the death stroke.

Just bring up your youngsters and go for 2009.
http://images.wikia.com/marvel_dc/images/thumb/7/7b/Deathstroke.jpg/300px-Deathstroke.jpg

[BRHornet45]

sons we are still winning WITHOUT Lee ... that isn't our problem. The problem is that we are in the NL Central which is the best division in the NL. Even after winning 8 in a row, we are still 7 games out of the wild card. Our ONLY hope is if we can sweep the Brewers next week to get within 3 or 4 games from the Wild Card with over 30 games left. Don't count em out yet sons.

[BRHornet45]

gotta love Biggio ... its crazy knowing that he and Bagwell will never play again. I just keep waiting for them to come back sons lol

[ATRAIN]

gotta love Biggio ... its crazy knowing that he and Bagwell will never play again. I just keep waiting for them to come back sons lol

Yeah man it was pretty awesome seeing his number 7 up there with Bags. I wonder if Berkman will only play for the Stros? As much as I respect the whole 1 player 1 team thing, its really hard to hold on to a player that long especially when he doesnt do much for the team. Bags in his las year was pretty much useless and took up a roster spot. Bigg however still did good but he was batting what like .240 if even that? Sometimes for the team you just got to let it go. BR your right man its still odd they will never hit the field again and I will always miss the B-G-O chants and the Killer Bee sound over the P.A.

[MajorMike]

Yeah, now it is just the bumbling bees.

[ATRAIN]

Yeah, now it is just the bumbling bees.

The days of the killer bee's is over. Im sure they will try to revive it if we get at least 2 more players with their last name starting with a B. They should just let it go though because without Bigg its nothing.

[Mister Sinister]

Puma.

[Mister Sinister]

Hell yeah.

[Mister Sinister]

7.

[ATRAIN]

7.

Man that was a hell of a game last night. Looking at our overall schedule and looking back, FUCK if we had not lost the games we should have won, we would be leading the wild card and could be closing in on the cubs. As of right now we are 8-5 against the cubbies. 7 wins in a row and 7.5 back from the wc. Im not going to get excited until we are 5 back which could be at the end of the week. Why can't we get these win streaks early so we arent playing catchup!!:pctoss

[Cry Havoc]

Look at it this way, you've only got 3 teams in front of you for that wild card spot. :lol

[ATRAIN]

Look at it this way, you've only got 3 teams in front of you for that wild card spot. :lol

yeah I know thats what pisses me off, we shouldnt be in this situation, but if we continue this run we could pass up 1 or 2 of them soon.

[leemajors]

i kinda wish they hadn't got hot. they need to tank and make moves, not be tricked into believing they can contend with this finish. drayton better not make wade stand pat.

[ATRAIN]

i kinda wish they hadn't got hot. they need to tank and make moves, not be tricked into believing they can contend with this finish. drayton better not make wade stand pat.

LOL thats the thing about this team, they believe they still arent out of it.

[BRHornet45]

fat boy Berkman better get to the 100 RBI mark.

[ATRAIN]

fat boy Berkman better get to the 100 RBI mark.

He has been pretty silent the last few months. Everyone else Blum, Wiggi, and Pence have been hot.

[BRHornet45]

He has been pretty silent the last few months. Everyone else Blum, Wiggi, and Pence have been hot.

yea hopefully Berkman can get to the 30 home run and 100 RBI mark. Also, with Pence I think that he fell into the typical sophomore slump for the first half of the season. His rookie year success may have gone to his head, but for the last couple months he has looked to be back on track. I think that next season Pence will hit .290 -.310, 25-30 Home Runs, 90-110 RBI's. .... unfortunately for guys like Blum and Wiggy, I think their hot streaks are simply just flukes.

[ATRAIN]

yea hopefully Berkman can get to the 30 home run and 100 RBI mark. Also, with Pence I think that he fell into the typical sophomore slump for the first half of the season. His rookie year success may have gone to his head, but for the last couple months he has looked to be back on track. I think that next season Pence will hit .290 -.310, 25-30 Home Runs, 90-110 RBI's. .... unfortunately for guys like Blum and Wiggy, I think their hot streaks are simply just flukes.

Well they are good players and I wouldnt mind keeping both of them. I think what it was with Pence was that he was too anxious and was swinging at almost every first pitch and was chasing a lot. He is still young and learning, so its good to see him back on track.

[Reggie Miller]

Well they are good players and I wouldnt mind keeping both of them. I think what it was with Pence was that he was too anxious and was swinging at almost every first pitch and was chasing a lot. He is still young and learning, so its good to see him back on track.


Facing Chicago's middle relief pitching is a great way to get back on track.

Bob "Slumpbuster" Howry: they call him Dr. Feelgood, because he'll cure what ails you.

Seriously though, Pence looks like he will be part of the future of the franchise, so to speak.

[ATRAIN]

Facing Chicago's middle relief pitching is a great way to get back on track.

Bob "Slumpbuster" Howry: they call him Dr. Feelgood, because he'll cure what ails you.

Seriously though, Pence looks like he will be part of the future of the franchise, so to speak.

LOL yeah once Z got hurt I was thinking ok here comes the run fest. Our middle of the pack is wishy washy as well. Birdak is either on or off. Wright is good but he is only used in situations. Nieve came in and did good forcing a double play, which is what he is good for. Brocail pretty much blew it. Valverde is pretty good.

[Reggie Miller]

LOL yeah once Z got hurt I was thinking ok here comes the run fest. Our middle of the pack is wishy washy as well. Birdak is either on or off. Wright is good but he is only used in situations. Nieve came in and did good forcing a double play, which is what he is good for. Brocail pretty much blew it. Valverde is pretty good.


He looked good to me last night. You don't strike out E-Ramis in that situation very often. (Maybe his mind was still on the second error, or whatever...)

[ATRAIN]

He looked good to me last night. You don't strike out E-Ramis in that situation very often. (Maybe his mind was still on the second error, or whatever...)

Well he leads the NL in saves. I think he has blown 6. A lot of Astros fans dont like him, but I am a fan now. Sucks that we get rid of Lidge and he is lights out again. BASTARD!!

[Reggie Miller]

Well he leads the NL in saves. I think he has blown 6. A lot of Astros fans dont like him, but I am a fan now. Sucks that we get rid of Lidge and he is lights out again. BASTARD!!


After everything that has happened, you just couldn't rely on Lidge anymore. After 2005, I always felt like he was one really bad outing away from completely melting down, Ankiel-style.

Probably the best way to analyze the Astros is this: they are a much better team when Berkman is their second-best player. They do alright by squeezing maximum production out of someone like Blum, but they have to reinvent their offense every damn season. That HAS to get old.

[Roxsfan]

Astros just swept the cubs:lol
Wiggie and Blum be clutch baby.
8 game streak, 6.5 games back
all of the teams ahead of them in the wildcard lost today mil, st lou., philly

[Mister Sinister]

Oh, God, I love living in Chi-town. You should have heard Santo when we got our 4th run.

[midgetonadonkey]

Fuck the Cubs. I'm glad Wolf got a CG SO. It's fucking impressive.

And yeah, fuck Valverde. I hate the prick.

Astros still have a shot at the WC, although it is an outside shot. I'm proud of what they have done this season.

[ATRAIN]

Fuck a sweep at the cubs and Shagia is right all the teams ahead of us lost. Like they say its not over till its over. 8 in a row!!

[ATRAIN]

1 game behind the cards, 2 behind the phils, and 6.5 behind the brew crew for the wc. Day off today and we pick back up against col tomm. Man I love this shit and midge is right. Playoffs or not I am proud of this team. We already have more wins than last years team so that proves that our off season changes have improved our club. Hopefully we make a push for pitching this off season. I would like to see Wolf back and move Moheler back to the bull pen. Hopefully we can make a play for one of the big name pitchers for our 2nd slot behind Roy and ahead of Wandy and if we could re-sign wolf for our number 3. I have officially given up on Backe. He might fit a good mid relief roll like Sampson.

[ATRAIN]

Man I was looking at the projected 09 free agent pitchers and FUCK there are a shit load of big names. It would be a shame for us not getting one. Sheets has been on our rumor mill, I would love that.

Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Kyle Lohse (30)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/2009-mlb-free-a.html

[BRHornet45]

Brewers lost again tonight sons ... we are now an even 6 games behind them with 22 games left. Its a shame that we don't have one last 3 or 4 game series with them this season at MMP!

[ATRAIN]

Brewers lost again tonight sons ... we are now an even 6 games behind them with 22 games left. Its a shame that we don't have one last 3 or 4 game series with them this season at MMP!

Yeah I was watching that game online. Hopefully be the end of this weekend we can be at or below 5 away.

[BRHornet45]

Yeah I was watching that game online. Hopefully be the end of this weekend we can be at or below 5 away.

its going to be a VERY long shot chance of us taking the wild card ... but if the Astros can finish the last 22 games with a record like 18-4 or better, we should be able to take it. the schedule is in our favor. we play sub .500 teams the rest of the season other than 3 games with the Cubs.

[ATRAIN]

its going to be a VERY long shot chance of us taking the wild card ... but if the Astros can finish the last 22 games with a record like 18-4 or better, we should be able to take it. the schedule is in our favor. we play sub .500 teams the rest of the season other than 3 games with the Cubs.

I was comparing schedules and the 2 teams that have easy schedules are us and the Cards. The Cubs have a very tough one, its kind of funny hahaha. After an easy reds they have Cards, Astros, Brewers, Cards, Mets, Brewers. If the cubs keep playing as bad as they have been the last 2 weeks the division might come down to the last week and maybe even the last series.

[Mister Sinister]

Roy.

[Mister Sinister]

Hell yeah. 2 in a row, 10 out of the last 11. Ain't over yet.

[ATRAIN]

Sucks that we still are 6 back, I was hoping to close the game by at least 1 game, which we would have had we swept Col, but im happy with the series. Now on to the Nady and Bay less Pirates.

[Mister Sinister]

Can you believe it?!

[T Park]

Do not go near Ben Sheets.

Trust me on that...

[ATRAIN]

well only 5 back now man I hate this shit.

[ATRAIN]

holy shit, we win again 4 in a row now 11 of our last 12 and since the bew crew lost!!!! 4 back from the WC!!!

[BRHornet45]

sons its just such a damn shame that we don't have one final series with the Brewers.

[ATRAIN]

yeah I know what you mean, we just need to keep at it and keep winning. If we can sweep the pirates and cubbies this weekend we can knock them down to around 4 games on the div. The way the brewers and cubs are playing we have a great rest of the schedule to sneak in. The Cards are the team im worried about right now.

[BRHornet45]

I think that if we can finish 14-3 we will win the wild card ... the rest of the teams ahead of us will be lucky to finish above .500

[Mister Sinister]

Let's fucking do this, sons.

[ATRAIN]

Brew Crew game begins in around 15 mins, im going to be watching that shit with the game day trackers, hopefully they lose again!! Sabathia vs Arroyo, great pitching matchup!!

[ATRAIN]

Looking good so far 3-1 Cincy bottom of the 5th.

[ATRAIN]

damn tied at 2 in the 6th, went up one, then Tejada with a slam to but us up 4 more!!! Brewers won but looks like cards and phils are going to lose!! Getting closer!!

[Mister Sinister]

4.

[ATRAIN]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn


ROCKIES REPEAT?

By Mark Simon, ESPN
On July 27, the Astros were in last place in the National League Central, trailing even the Pirates. Six weeks later, they're no longer a laughingstock. Instead, they may be this year's version of the Rockies.

The Astros have won 13 of 14 after beating the Pirates again on Wednesday, and are now even with the Phillies, four games behind the Brewers in the NL wild-card race.

What has been the key to their success? Roy Oswalt and Jose Valverde have basically been unhittable. Even without Carlos Lee, the offense has clicked, with Geoff Blum, Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada, who belted a grand slam in Wednesday's win, picking up the slack.

Astros, since July 27

• Have gone 32-11.

• Wigginton (32) and Blum (29) lead the team in RBIs.

• Are now 16-2 record in games started by Oswalt and Randy Wolf. Oswalt alone is 7-1 with a 2.20 ERA.

• Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins have allowed one run in 34 2/3 innings. Valverde has 16 saves during the hot streak.

• Won all four extra-inning games they've played.

• Posted a 22-8 record without Lee.

[ATRAIN]

sons its just such a damn shame that we don't have one final series with the Brewers.

Damn Sons thats a nice pic of Kiebler!!!

[Spurminator]

3 back now.

Oswalt has been unreal.

[ATRAIN]

fucking crazy!!

[Mister Sinister]

Hell yeah, bitches!

[ATRAIN]

Hell yeah, bitches!

You got that right!! Are the cubbies fans in chi town worried Shagia?

[Mister Sinister]

You got that right!! Are the cubbies fans in chi town worried Shagia?
They're trying to fake it, but I can see through it. They know their team's history too well not to be worried. Any word on where the Cubs-Stros series is going to be played? My dad said he heard something about St. Louis, which would be better for us than Chi-town, for sure.

[ATRAIN]

They're trying to fake it, but I can see through it. They know their team's history too well not to be worried. Any word on where the Cubs-Stros series is going to be played? My dad said he heard something about St. Louis, which would be better for us than Chi-town, for sure.

They scrapped the idea of playing anywhere else for now. It all depends if they can play on Sunday and just double header on monday. I hope thats what happens and we can continue to own them this year. Stupid Cubs wanted to play in Milwaukee, fuck that last time the cubs played there it was like 50% cubs fans and if that happened it would be 99% cubs fans.

[Mister Sinister]

They scrapped the idea of playing anywhere else for now. It all depends if they can play on Sunday and just double header on monday. I hope thats what happens and we can continue to own them this year. Stupid Cubs wanted to play in Milwaukee, fuck that last time the cubs played there it was like 50% cubs fans and if that happened it would be 99% cubs fans.
Yeah, that was my thought too. At least in St. Louis we'd have anti-Cub support.

[ATRAIN]

Yeah, that was my thought too. At least in St. Louis we'd have anti-Cub support.

LOL well there is no love loss for us there either but yeah I think they hate the cubs a little more. Considering we are in the ahead of the cards they might want us to lose.

[Mister Sinister]

LOL well there is no love loss for us there either but yeah I think they hate the cubs a little more. Considering we are in the ahead of the cards they might want us to lose.
I dunno about that...A lot of Cards fans I've met personally don't hate the Astros.

[Mister Sinister]

Aww, HORSEshit!

[Spurminator]

http://www.astrosdaily.com

Petition for Divorce: Petitioner - Willie B, Astros fan; Respondent - MLB

"It never ceases to amaze me how many of baseball's wounds are self-inflicted." - - - Bill Veeck from The Hustler’s Handbook.

This notice is to serve as my official separation and divorce from Major League Baseball. After following the league for about half of century, I've finally reached the point of irreconcilable differences.

Before anyone thinks this is just an angle for a weekly AstrosDaily.com piece or some silly knee-jerk reaction to Bud Selig and MLB announcing that Milwaukee’s Miller Park would be the 'neutral site' for the Astros-Cubs series, it's not. The decision to play the games in Milwaukee did push me over the edge and bring this split to a head. But like so many actual marriages, it's rarely a case of one event that brings a couple to call it quits. It's been building inside me for a while now, and parting ways is simply the best thing for me at this time.

The game of baseball will forever be an unshakeable part of me. But the business of baseball, marketing the product off the field instead of the action on the diamond, has been something I have never been able to adjust to. The business of baseball isn't anything new, either. It's been there certainly since I've been around and was finding joy in following players like Yogi Berra, who was on the back side of his career, Carl Yastrzemski, who was just beginning his, and Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, both of whom were in their prime. I've never faulted an owner for looking out for his business interests or a player who simply chooses the contract that pays the most money. At the same time, I expect the owners and players to not find fault with me placing the interests of the game ahead of their cash cow or believing that pitching at Coors Field, regardless of the schools in Denver, isn't a very good career choice.

Moving this series to another stadium is not the issue; it's the location and stadium they chose that chaps my ample backside. And my beef about the way the whole thing has been handled and remedied is not just with the commissioner's office. Let's start with Drayton McLane's idea to move last Friday's game up to the afternoon in order to squeeze it in just before Hurricane Ike's arrival. If that really was McLane's idea, then shame on him for thinking with his wallet instead of his head. You simply don't make a plan to bring people into an area about to be struck by a Cat 2 storm. If that was the grand plan of one of McLane's bean counters or marketing stiffs, then let's hope he puts that person in the unemployment line.

I never expect a fair or wise decision from Selig, so his approval - - if not his own bright idea - - of playing the games in Milwaukee and calling that a neutral site is not a big surprise. If what I'm reading is true, that the plan is to not even sell tickets in the upper decks or bleachers of Miller Park while all other tickets will cost $25 to $60, then it goes against the precedent set in early 2007 when the Indians and Angels moved a canceled set from Cleveland to Milwaukee. When weather forced that decision, tickets ran $10 and I don't remember reading about any part of the stadium being closed off. Why the big jump in ticket prices this time, and just who decided the prices? One can only guess the tickets were priced lower for the Tribe and Halos since it truly was a neutral site and MLB was dependent upon the good citizens of Milwaukee to come out. Now, with Chicago Cubs fans a mere 90 minutes away, you have to assume they're counting on Cubs fans to scoot up old US 41 to Beer City for this 'neutral site.'

With a large portion of the stadium closed off, seems to me that packing 13,000 or so fans into Dell Diamond over at Round Rock at $25 to $60 a pop would be a bit more just to the Astros. Hell, there are probably some Houston Astros fans that had tickets for this weekend series before they evacuated to the Austin area to get away from Ike. Can't help but wonder if Selig gave any thought to his customers who have already shelled out money for the games, money that is sitting in MLB's pockets right now.

It's also worth mentioning here that this probably bothers me more because of the fact it involves the Cubs, a team that has been on my doo doo list since 1962 when one of their fans welshed on a nickel bet after my Houston Colt .45s finished ahead of Chicago in the National League standings. I'm not afraid to admit my bias along these lines. If it was a series against the Marlins or Pirates, it's likely that I wouldn't be as angry and frustrated with the events that have transpired. Come to think of it, given the attendance figures in Miami, the Marlins probably play at a neutral site all the time their schedule calls for them to be the home squad.

And yes, I do understand that 46 years is a long time to carry a five cent grudge. Still, it's the principle of the matter. I have offered to forget the wager if a Cubs fan would supply me with a 1962 Topps Lou Brock card, something I could've purchased with a nickel that year. Nobody has taken me up on the offer to date.

A lot of talk is going around about how this hurts the Astros' playoff chances, but I'm not buying into that too heavily. It's nothing short of amazing that Houston has pulled itself back into postseason contention, but from my seat it's what happened back in June that will be the cause of the club not playing on into October, not what happens in Milwaukee the next couple of days.

As for the disposition of all properties accrued in this union since I was the young, naive kid falling in love with baseball, I ask that MLB keep the boat that I might have purchased over time if I hadn't been spending thousands of dollars going to baseball games. I'll keep the scrapbooks filled with ticket stubs. MLB can also keep all of the Holy Toledo's that Milo Hamilton has uttered and will utter; I'll hang on to the understated style of Gene Elston who was as much a part of me growing to love the game as anyone. And Major League Baseball can have all of the $7 beers, $4 hot dogs and Chick-Fil-A Fowl Poles while I hang on to the priceless memories of going to games at 19 different MLB parks across this great country with my family and friends over the many years.

It's going to be difficult not following the majors in general and the Astros specifically. No doubt there are going to be times in the next two weeks and coming seasons that I'll be surfing on the idiot box and come upon a game, and I won't be able to help but stop and take a gander. But the simple truth is it's finally become something that just isn't fun any longer, and I accept that as ultimately being my problem and nobody else's.

So to Bob Hulsey and Scott Barzilla, to Darrell Pittman, Ray Kerby and John Lauck, to AstrosDaily.com readers who have dropped me notes over the years, including those who questioned the genus and species of my parents, to the many good friends I've made in the last eight years or so at several baseball fan sites as well as the friends and family who have been part of my baseball journey for decades, I bid y'all adios. Here's hoping that I regret this in two weeks time when the Astros are indeed in the playoffs. And here's to very safe, happy and healthy seasons ahead for everyone, regardless of where your team plays its home games.

[Mister Sinister]

Yeah, neutral site my ass.

[ATRAIN]

we got fucked but that but giving Big Z a no hitter was just pathetic.

[turiaf for president]

astros v dodgers NLCS! both teams are playing the best baseball in the NL this month

[BRHornet45]

sons this was the biggest joke ever. yes we should have played better, but taking away 2 of our home games and playing them 90 minutes away from Wrigley Field cannot be justified in any way as fair. Fortunately for the Astros, we are still within 3 games of the wild card. Let's just hope this bullshit favoritism for the Cubs from MLB didn't effect our momentum.

[Reggie Miller]

sons this was the biggest joke ever. yes we should have played better, but taking away 2 of our home games and playing them 90 minutes away from Wrigley Field cannot be justified in any way as fair. Fortunately for the Astros, we are still within 3 games of the wild card. Let's just hope this bullshit favoritism for the Cubs from MLB didn't effect our momentum.

The Astros swept the Cubs in Wrigley a few weeks ago (September 1-3. 2008). I have a sneaking suspicion that there were more than 24,000 Cubs' fans on hand at those games...

The Cubs had to play 22 games in 21 days in September of 2004 due to a hurricane, which helped Houston make the playoffs. I don't recall Houston fans bitching about that.

Zambrano was dominant in that game. He hasn't had that kind of velocity for nine innings in at least three years. Lilly had one of his better performances of the year today. Zambrano's game could have been played on Mars; it wouldn't have mattered. After being pantsed, the Astros could only muster one hit against Thedore Roosevelt Lilly. I would prefer to tip my hat to the other team than think my own team was that mentally fragile.

Did the Hurricane make it more difficult for the Astros? No doubt. Bitching about the site is pretty lame, however. Zambrano is a whopping 7-5 with 3.24 ERA at Miller, close to his career ERA of 3.41 (all figures include the no-hitter). This was Lilly's first win at Miller Park. His ERA in previous starts had been 4.50. Hardly a definitive advantage.

I am sorry for the city of Houston, but the Astros and their fans need to let these games go. Odds are they will face the likes of Ronny Cedeno and Felix Pie if the third game is necessary.

[Mad_Hatter]

location doesnt bother me as much as the fact the stros had to travel and play in the same day after 2 sleepless nights.

[ATRAIN]

location doesnt bother me as much as the fact the stros had to travel and play in the same day after 2 sleepless nights.



Im sure their families still recovering has something to do with our bats getting cold. Time to snap out of it today!!

[Reggie Miller]

Im sure their families still recovering has something to do with our bats getting cold. Time to snap out of it today!!

I'm not so sure. Did you see the games? Zambrano could have no-hit any team with his stuff from Sunday night. It wouldn't have mattered who or where the Cubs played.

The real question mark is the Lilly game. Lilly had great stuff, for Lilly. I can't necessarily say that the travel arrangements and general situation didn't play some role in that game. Lilly likes to pitch to contact and averages nearly one HR allowed per game, so great for Lilly isn't necessarily Nolan Ryan territory.

[Reggie Miller]

location doesnt bother me as much as the fact the stros had to travel and play in the same day after 2 sleepless nights.

How do you know they were sleepless nights? Did the entire team call you to tell you they couldn't sleep?

Maybe if McLane had let the team leave town when it was obvious that a Category Two storm was going to hit Galveston and Houston, then this wouldn't have happened. I guess Drayton doesn't get the Weather Channel. Clearly, the Cubs are responsible for the fact that the Astros didn't evacuate in time.

Bottom Line: It sucks. I feel sorry for the city of Houston. However, the other NL Central teams hope that the Astros themselves are brooding over this as much as Cooper and the fans. Trust me.

[Reggie Miller]

Bottom Line: It sucks. I feel sorry for the city of Houston. However, the other NL Central teams hope that the Astros themselves are brooding over this as much as Cooper and the fans. Trust me.

This wasn't directed at the people here at SpursTalk, but some of the real delusional freaks at the Crawfish Boxes.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2008/9/15/614784/astros-cubs-stymie-the-ble#comments

Check out that thread. Some people are actually saying that the Zambrano game should have an asterisk or something. That's the kind of crap that got my ire up in the first place.

EDIT: I see I was banned (along with a lot of other people) and a lot of this thread was deleted. Some of it was real trolling, but I was banned for pointing out the following: 1) The Astros had just swept the Cubs at Wrigley; 2) Zambrano's career stats at Miller and Minute Maid are pretty similar; and 3) Zambrano always has a LOT of movement on his pitches when he has more than seven days' rest.

[BRHornet45]

regardless we are still only 2.5 games back with 13 games to go ... we need to win at least 10 out of the final 13.

[Reggie Miller]

regardless we are still only 2.5 games back with 13 games to go ... we need to win at least 10 out of the final 13.


Damn it! I can't stay mad if you keep posting that picture of Stacy Keibler...

(When that much blood is diverted, I can only... Nevermind.)

[BRHornet45]

WTF is up with Lance Berkman? he was on pace to have yet another career setting / MVP caliber year, but since the all star break his power has disappeared. Lance will have 1 or 2 good games in a row, then he will go on a 2-3 week long streak of not hitting a home run or driving in any runs. He has been stuck on 28 home runs and 100 RBI's for 2 weeks now.

[Reggie Miller]

WTF is up with Lance Berkman? he was on pace to have yet another career setting / MVP caliber year, but since the all star break his power has disappeared. Lance will have 1 or 2 good games in a row, then he will go on a 2-3 week long streak of not hitting a home run or driving in any runs. He has been stuck on 28 home runs and 100 RBI's for 2 weeks now.

I have often wondered that about him as well. He seems incapable of putting two good halves together. I am no Astros expert, but he is not known within the division as a guy with tendencies or holes in his swing, either. That is, he obviously makes good contact in most of his AB.

The Astros seem to struggle to find their offensive identity every year, even when their pitching has been dominant. That's not unheard of, but they really seem to make a point of it.

[Mad_Hatter]

How do you know they were sleepless nights? Did the entire team call you to tell you they couldn't sleep?
common sense... not to mention several of them saying so to reporters.
why couldnt a double header have been played monday? instead it was a day game. :bang

[Reggie Miller]

common sense... not to mention several of them saying so to reporters.
why couldnt a double header have been played monday? instead it was a day game. :bang

I was picking on you because the media repeats that sort of speculation until it magically becomes "fact" by osmosis. For all we know, most of the players were passed out after snorting ground-up phenobarbital from their mistresses' navels.

I wonder if Stacy Keibler would let me do that if I asked nicely enough...

[BRHornet45]

well it was fun while it lasted, but this team has obviously completely given up now. good run at the end, but just not enough. let's hope to pick up some decent pitching for next season.

[ATRAIN]

well it was fun while it lasted, but this team has obviously completely given up now. good run at the end, but just not enough. let's hope to pick up some decent pitching for next season.

Yeah after the last 2 sweeps, there isnt much left to be done than remember the run we went on at the end. It was a valiant effort but Ike fucked us over. I will always wonder, had IKE not gone into Houston, would things have ended differently?

[leemajors]

Yeah after the last 2 sweeps, there isnt much left to be done than remember the run we went on at the end. It was a valiant effort but Ike fucked us over. I will always wonder, if the Astros had quit whining about shit they can't change, would things have been different?

[ATRAIN]

LOL ^^ that too

[Spurminator]

Yeah Cooper really pissed me off with the whiny stuff. I have to think his attitude rubbed off on the players.

Oh well. They were bound to come back down to earth. This really isn't a Playoff level team at this point.

[ATRAIN]

Yeah Cooper really pissed me off with the whiny stuff. I have to think his attitude rubbed off on the players.

Oh well. They were bound to come back down to earth. This really isn't a Playoff level team at this point.

Yeah your right, we are 2 or 3 pitchers away from being a true playoff team. We also need to address the need at catcher. We can't get a decent hitter there.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Looks like Hampton signed a 1 year deal for 2 mil. I hope he stays healthy enough to do something for this rotation. And it looks like Wolf is out.

http://blogs.chron.com/gamedayastros/2008/12/simply_put_astros_cant_afford.html

[leemajors]

thanks drayton

[ATRAIN]

Brocail is coming back..........FUCK WHY HAMPTON??? I wanted Wolf back.

[BRHornet45]

I wish we could have kept Loretta .... he comes dirt cheap and delivers in clutch situations. stupid move for the Astros to let him walk.

[Dr. Gonzo]

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3706844&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

LAS VEGAS -- Ty Wigginton, Jose Valverde and Miguel Tejada are the three Astros names generating the most activity on the rumor mill at the Winter Meetings, but in all likelihood, it's Wigginton and Tejada who will stay on the front burner, while Valverde has the best chance to still be wearing a Houston uniform in 2009. Speaking from his plush suite on a top floor at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, general manager Ed Wade stuck to his policy to not discuss trades, but he did indicate he'd rather not deal Valverde. Wade did not go as far as to say that he wouldn't trade him, but clearly, Valverde is not someone the club is anxious to get rid of.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/2008/12/01/zWS9iAl2.jpg (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/mlb/news/winter_meetings/y2008/) "I don't normally talk about trades, but we're not interested in trading Valverde," Wade said. "I'm not saying we're not going to. I'm not going to say 'never' to anything, but if we can figure out a way to make it work and preserve Valverde, we're going to try to do that."
The same cannot be said about Wigginton and Tejada, although Wade's camp is mum on that front. However, the lobby scene at the Bellagio is something quite different, and at the end of Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, there were strong indications that both players were generating interest from other clubs, with Wigginton drawing the bulk of the attention.
The Twins expressed an interest in Tejada, but it's likely they're more focused on Wigginton. It could be a while before anything is resolved on both the shortstop and third baseman fronts as many teams wait for the market to establish itself.
The Astros may agree to absorb some of the $13 million Tejada is owed in 2009, although how much they'd be willing to take on is unclear. That would largely depend on who they would receive in return, and if the Astros can nab a young pitcher from the Twins' pitching-rich farm system, they may be swayed to pay a chunk of Tejada's remaining salary.
Interest in Wigginton appears to be more abundant. The offensively sound third baseman displayed versatility when he thrived as a substitute for Carlos Lee in left field late last season, and with a number of teams looking for a third baseman, he could be in high demand. The picture will become clearer once free agent third baseman Casey Blake signs, and observers believe Wigginton's trade value will increase as soon as Blake is off the market.
The Twins, believed to be out of the Blake sweepstakes, may be interested, and again, their pitching-rich farm system has the Astros' attention.
In a perfect world, the Astros would not be shopping any of the players who helped the club win 86 games in 2008, and would instead be pursuing a veteran free-agent arm, like Randy Wolf. But economic realities hit the Astros' front office with the same urgency as felt by most of the other 29 clubs, and instead of adding, the Astros must subtract, all the while keeping the Major League team competitive.

"I'm not going to say 'never' to anything, but if we can figure out a way to make it work and preserve [Jose] Valverde, we're going to try to do that." -- GM Ed Wade Those are undoubtedly tough marching orders for Wade, who has to pare down the payroll by $10 to $20 million to hit the $100 million mark projected for '09. Insistent that the Astros will be competitive next season no matter what happens this winter, Wade stated the obvious when he acknowledged that any trades he would make would ideally bring in young pitching.
"Controllable players, close to the big leagues," Wade said. "Those are probably the most precious commodities out there. Short of that, prospects to continue to build the system are very important. We have a few specific needs, and we've talked about them. I think there's ways of filling those things in a number of fashions, whether it's trades or being patient in the free-agent market or the Rule 5 Draft or the non-tender market. There's going to be all kinds of opportunities to do those sort of peripheral things.
"If we were in the midst of moving a significant player, we'd like to try to get some type of significant return for the player. At the same time, the reason why, at this point in time, we'd be putting a significant player in the mix is try to reconcile where we need from a payroll standpoint."
The Astros' rotation, as it stands now, consists of Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Mike Hampton, Brandon Backe and Brian Moehler. Backe could be non-tendered on Friday, but with so few starting options, the Astros may have no choice but to give the right-hander another chance, despite his disastrous finish to the 2008 season that included a 7.82 ERA in August and a 19.64 ERA over his final three starts.
In other news, the Astros continue to pursue a veteran catcher who can either serve as a backup to Humberto Quintero or share equal playing time. They can't take on a lot of salary to fill that need, making it unlikely that they would explore a trade for Orioles backstop Ramon Hernandez, who is owed $8 million in '09 and has a $1 million buyout on his $8.5 million option in '10.

[ATRAIN]

Dammit Backe again!!!! I think our pitching is going to be worse than last year!!

[Dr. Gonzo]

Tuesday, January 27 – Round Rock/Austin2:30 - 4:00 - University of Texas - Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, North End Zone, 403 23rd St., Austin4:30 - 6:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 12250 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78759http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/images/email/y2008/list_star_white.gifAstros Participating: pitcher Mike Hampton, infielder Mark Saccomanno, former player Jeff Bagwell and broadcaster Milo Hamiltonhttp://mlb.mlb.com/images/trans.gif

Wednesday, January 28 – Austin/San Antonio4:30 - 6:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 714 West Loop 1604 North, San Antonio, TX 78251http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/images/email/y2008/list_star_white.gifAstros Participating: pitcher Mike Hampton, infielder Mark Saccomanno, former player Jeff Bagwell and broadcaster Milo Hamilton

[Dr. Gonzo]

I'm gonna try and go to the San Antonio date and get a Bagwell autograph.

[ATRAIN]

I'm gonna try and go to the San Antonio date and get a Bagwell autograph.

Yeah same here im going to get a ball for him to sign. Ill put it up there right next to my Larry Dierker autographed ball.

[ATRAIN]

Also a Milo Autograph would be cool too

[Mister Sinister]

Man, this is what sucks about being a 'Stros fan in Chicago. ...Well, that, and all the crap I get from Cub fans.

[200 miles]

Are the 'Stros ever going to get Ben Sheets?

Or is it just a pipe dream?

[Dr. Gonzo]

Fucking Bagwell. 10 people left in line in front of me, ten, and he is done. :pctoss

I waited an hour and a half to be 10 people too late. :madrun

:depressed

[ATRAIN]

Damn dude that sucks, I didnt get to go up here because I was busy getting my mirror on my car fixed.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Anyone know where I can get audio of the game going on now?

[TheProfessor]

Anyone know where I can get audio of the game going on now?
It was on AM 790 when I was driving home, did you try streaming from their site?

[Dr. Gonzo]

It was on AM 790 when I was driving home, did you try streaming from their site?

Yeah I tried but no dice. I think they play other stuff online during the game because of the MLB audio league pass crap.

[ATRAIN]

Today's game will be on ESPN2 I think at either 12 or 1.

[ATRAIN]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6281692.html

Kissimmee, Fla. — So the day began with Chris Johnson and Drew Sutton making things a bit more interesting for the Astros.

Aren’t they what spring training is all about? It’s where the improbable becomes the possible.

“Maybe we’ll have a great story this spring,” Tal Smith was saying the other day.

Hunter Pence was ticketed for the minor leagues two years ago when he began hitting moon-ball home runs. The Astros knew they had something special by the time spring training ended.

Pence spent a month at Round Rock before getting a chance. He has brought energy and enthusiasm to the ballpark every single day of his brief career.

Young players are the foundation on which good organizations are built, and for the first time in years, the Astros can see their next generation taking shape.

Remember the names Chris Johnson, Drew Sutton, Tommy Manzella, Brian Bogusevic, Bud Norris, Brad James, Jason Castro and Sergio Perez.

They’re eight reasons the Astros are more optimistic about the future than at any time in recent years. They probably won’t all be big league stars, but no one is betting against them .

Best of all, they may make a difference in 2009. They’ll set their own timetables.

“We’re not going to wait until a guy turns 28 to give him a chance,” Smith said.
First-time thrill

It’s an hour after the first spring training game Wednesday afternoon, and the kids are hanging around the clubhouse long after the veterans have departed.

Some of them have played in a major league game for the first time, and afterward, they hit the weight room and the whirlpool and then just hang around to talk baseball.

The Astros may have baseball’s weakest minor league system. Yet even weak systems have a few players.

So far, this spring has two story lines. One is that Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton appear to be everything the Astros hoped they’d be. It’s way too early to draw conclusions, but they got off to good starts with two shutout innings apiece in a 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

The other story line is the impression the young players have made.

“We’ve got some big, strong athletic guys,” hitting coach Sean Berry said. “They just need to play.”
Skipper impressed

Cecil Cooper and Ed Wade are going to give them that chance. Johnson hit a towering home run in his first game Wednesday, and Sutton had a pair of singles.

“Johnson was impressive. So was Sutton,” Cooper said.

Both opened eyes in the organization last season with big years at Class AA Corpus Christi. Both went to the Arizona Fall League and played well.

Now both seemed ticketed for Class AAA Round Rock, but that could change.

If Kaz Matsui stays healthy — and that’s a huge question mark — he’ll be the everyday second baseman. All Sutton can do is show he’s ready for a chance.

“Being in Arizona around some really good players at Double-A and Triple-A and some guys that had been in the big leagues gave me some confidence,” Sutton said. “Coming in here and having a good two first days builds on it.”

The Astros plan to open the season with a platoon of Geoff Blum and Aaron Boone at third, but they’re going to give Johnson the opportunity to show he belongs.

“I saw him in the Fall League, and he hit two of the longest home runs I’ve ever seen,” Cooper said. “I’m not going to rule him out. The kid has tremendous ability.”

Johnson was jumpy upon entering the game in the sixth. He grounded into a double play but batted again in the eighth and homered.

“I’m pretty confident,” he said, “but you’re going to be a little nervous around these guys.”

He said his goal was to make a good first impression. He has already accomplished that. How much more he does will be the fun part of this spring.

[email protected]

[ATRAIN]

Astros up 7 to 2 against the Braves

[Dr. Gonzo]

The Astros suck.

lol

1-16-3

I know it's Spring Training but fuck, win a game.

[ATRAIN]

The Astros suck.

lol

1-16-3

I know it's Spring Training but fuck, win a game.

Yeah man we cant be THAT bad can we?

[Dr. Gonzo]

Yeah man we cant be THAT bad can we?

Apparently they are . I'm looking forward to seeing the Hooks beat them down. It will be bittersweet for me. My hometown minor league team beating a major league squad will be great but it just means my favorite MLB club since I was a kid got beat by a AA club.

[Silver21_Black20]

the astros suck.

Lol

1-16-3

i know it's spring training but fuck, win a game.

lol

[Silver21_Black20]

Yeah man we cant be THAT bad can we?

Yes, they can. They suck. Get over it!!!

[weebo]

Yeah man we cant be THAT bad can we?

They suck as hard as your momma does on a Saturday night

[gaKNOW!blee]

Holy fuck Oswalt blows.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Anyone else going to the game in Corpus on Thursday?

[ATRAIN]

As it stands, here is the projected Opening Day roster:

Rotation:
Roy Oswalt
Wandy Rodriguez
Brian Moehler
Mike Hampton
Ortiz

Catchers:
Ivan Rodriguez
Humberto Quintero

Infielders:
Lance Berkman
Kazuo Matsui
Miguel Tejada
Geoff Blum
Keppinger
Smith

Outfielders:
Hunter Pence
Carlos Lee
Michael Bourn
Darin Erstad
Jason Michaels

Bullpen:
Wesley Wright
Tim Byrdak
Chris Sampson
Geoff Geary
LaTroy Hawkins
Doug Brocail
Jose Valverde

Officially, Jose Capellan is still in the picture, but it's likely he will not be when the deadline to set rosters passes on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. CT.

In other camp news, Lance Berkman [bicep tendinitis] was held out of the lineup again on Wednesday, but he'll likely DH when the team plays the Double-A Hooks in Corpus Christi on Thursday.

Cooper plans to DH Berkman on Saturday against the Indians, too, but Puma's status for Friday is to be determined.

"I'm still thinking about what I'm going to do on Friday," Cooper said.

Also, Roy Oswalt's start on Wednesday ended a bit prematurely, due to the right-hander experiencing light-headedness and dehydration. Oswalt threw 45 pitches over four innings.

"He didn't eat breakfast," Cooper said. "It was pretty hot out there today. He's fine."

[ATRAIN]

Im happy Russ Ortiz is getting that 5th spot, I wonder what is to become of Backe? Ortiz has looked good in ST so lets see how that translates to the reg season. 4 more days!!

[Silver21_Black20]

Anyone else going to the game in Corpus on Thursday?

The only positive to come out of going to see the Astros was getting to see
Pudge.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Too bad he didn't do shit.

[Silver21_Black20]

Too bad he didn't do shit.

He's an Astro now, what do you expect?

[Dr. Gonzo]

He's an Astro now, what do you expect?

At least 1 hit against a A.A. team.

:depressed

[Silver21_Black20]

At least 1 hit against a A.A. team.

:depressed

He's just trying to fit in with all the others who didn't do shit.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Don't talk shit woman. You know you are going to be secretly cheering for the Astros when I make you sit through over 100 of their games this season.

[Silver21_Black20]

Don't talk shit woman. You know you are going to be secretly cheering for the Astros when I make you sit through over 100 of their games this season.

I'll sit through over 100 of their games but I'm sure after the second game you'll get tired of me laughing at them.

[Dr. Gonzo]

You know you don't laugh. Their mediocrity stops being funny after game 10 and it just starts getting sad.

[Silver21_Black20]

You know you don't laugh. Their mediocrity stops being funny after game 10 and it just starts getting sad.

Very true. Looks like another disappointing season for the both of us.

:depressed

[Dr. Gonzo]

Not for you. The Braves have a solid rotation and a very good lineup. They should be in the playoffs.

[Silver21_Black20]

Very true. Looks like another disappointing season for the both of us.

:depressed


Not for you. The Braves have a solid rotation and a very good lineup. They should be in the playoffs.

In regards to the Astros, I don't watch much Braves anymore.