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Messages - Snuffy

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1
Talk Zone / Re: Team of the Decade?
« on: November 02, 2019, 09:47:51 am »
A perspective from ESPN: Astros a great team that fell short of true greatness

Three stats pop up:
Quote
....They won 117 games between the regular season and playoffs. Their run differential during the regular season (plus-280) was the 12th-best total of all time.
....The 2019 postseason was a relatively slow roll for the Astros. They were outscored by their opponents 72-71.
....Houston entered the fray as the favorite and exited it as a near miss, but at no time during its sojourn did the outcome feel like a foregone conclusion.

2
Talk Zone / Re: No Joy in Mudville
« on: October 31, 2019, 12:54:44 pm »
It's not as hard for me to see it as if we lost to the 2017 Astros....

3
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 11:21:37 pm »
Caught a glimpse of Bregman w/ someone beside him in the dugout.  His eyes were red. 
Here's why.

4
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 10:55:06 pm »
Look at those fans celebrating in DC!

5
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 10:51:40 pm »
The Nationals played their asses off.

They earned it.

6
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 10:26:58 pm »
Gonna have to hypnotize them and convince them they're in DC.

They're wearing the orange jerseys that they wore in LA.

7
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 10:09:40 pm »
2017 was more fun.

DC was fun.
Stop the bleeding.

8
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 09:10:47 pm »
As Greinke walks around the mound, the expression on his face almost seems like he's thinking "why are all of these people in here yelling?"

Lotta noise!!!

9
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 09:06:07 pm »
Greinke doing well....

10
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:59:49 pm »
Your turn, Chirinos.

11
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:55:50 pm »
I'm certain they still go by runs to determine the winner.

True.
Not much to count so far; this may come into play later.
(Added later: check that!)

12
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:44:03 pm »
Thru 5.5: Scherzer 76 pitches; Greinke 59

13
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:29:48 pm »
Another hard hit ball.  Eventually - hopefully - they will fall in.

14
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:26:03 pm »
Springer making him work.

15
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:24:55 pm »
Reddick single to RF; Astros have a base runner in every inning so far.
Runs, please.

16
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:23:29 pm »
Chirinos was doing all kinds of chasing.

Isn't he the exception?
67 pitches....

17
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:19:44 pm »
Not chasing!

18
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:18:36 pm »
Isn't that Greinke through 4, Scherzer through 3?

Yes, corrected.
Thanks.

19
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:16:15 pm »
Thru 3.5: Scherzer 55 pitches; Greinke 41

20
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:05:41 pm »
54 pitches.

21
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:00:51 pm »
46 pitches after walk to Bregman, 1 out.

22
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:59:07 pm »
I missed that.  He was in pain?

Just admiring his joy.

23
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:58:35 pm »
I missed that.  He was in pain?
42 pitches with 2-0 on Bregman

24
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:57:17 pm »
Jose leads off with a single to LF.
Zimmerman looking away smiling as Altuve hops up and down after reaching 1st base...

25
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:54:12 pm »
Tuve!

26
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:43:45 pm »
Some hard hit balls so far...

27
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:42:37 pm »
Springer making him throw strikes

28
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:40:37 pm »
29 pitches so far in 2nd

29
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:30:43 pm »
That was beautiful by Zack.    May it be so tonight...
Yes!

30
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:12:44 pm »
Three outs, 8 pitches.

31
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 07:04:08 pm »
Hoping only 51 outs will be needed tonight....

32
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 04:37:27 pm »
Would not miss it; that's what they have been playing for.
...to the last out.

33
Talk Zone / Re: Game 7
« on: October 30, 2019, 12:21:21 pm »
Hinch’s plan A has to be Greinke - Cole - Harris - Osuna, right?

No Urquidy?

34
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 12:06:20 am »
"Take it Back" now has two goals:
1. Take back home field advantage - make it count!
2. That will take back the WS

35
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 10:54:31 pm »
Hey, we get one more game of baseball before the void...     Tip o' the cap to Stephen Strausburg...

See y'all tomorrow night...

Yep!

36
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:53:33 pm »
Ouch!

37
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:52:25 pm »
Turner’s kind of a dick, isn’t he?

Nah, he just wants to win.

38
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:49:20 pm »
An innovative way to get Turner out WORKED.
He did it himself!

39
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:31:54 pm »
Gotta get it out of the infield.

40
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:25:38 pm »
Nice Hello from Peacock!  Perfect inning!

41
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:22:39 pm »
It’s a one-run game with lots of baseball to play. Just breathe.

Just getting interesting...

42
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:14:06 pm »
IBB for Brantley?

43
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:12:11 pm »
Soft stuff.

44
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:10:06 pm »
Springer has been absolutely fucked this at bat.

Hopefully, not yet.

45
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:07:53 pm »
Need some runs, guys.

46
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 08:04:54 pm »
Soto started the dance and quickly stopped.
Maybe thot better of it.

47
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:55:41 pm »
BB on 42nd pitch to Eaton, 2 out.

48
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:52:02 pm »
Buck's going to go check, maybe give it a massage for good measure.

Whew!  I was worried.  He needs a lot of screen time.....

49
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:36:02 pm »
How is Soto?

50
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:33:45 pm »
Crocked numbers are very good.

51
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:31:26 pm »
The hot Bregman in DC just arrived back in Houston....

52
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:30:20 pm »
21-pitch 1st inning for Verlander, 10 strikes, just one run.

53
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:27:10 pm »
Soto's got such a great arm....

54
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 07:25:00 pm »
Astros' turn!!!
Not taking a lot of pitches so far...

55
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 28, 2019, 11:05:56 pm »

56
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 28, 2019, 09:33:39 pm »
Here's an Astros fan doing it right:

https://twitter.com/john9williams/status/1188861761983844352?s=19

Excellent!
Glad to see it acknowledged.
Love of baseball can/should unite us, not divide us.
Excellence should be acknowledged and celebrated.

We Americans desperately need to follow their example by being able to differ politically in a civil way as well, rather than acting like Yankee fans.....

57
Talk Zone / Re: Yuli Is Gold Glove Finalist
« on: October 28, 2019, 09:01:59 pm »
Folrgive me if I'm engaging in Cabrera activity:

GG finalists include five Astros and three National players

Thank you!

Yuli's glove, among others, have been on display in this WS.

58
Talk Zone / Re: WS 2019
« on: October 28, 2019, 11:03:21 am »
Potential HOF players in this WS....

Includes some projections.

59
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 10:10:59 pm »
Come on, Tucker!
Try not to chase...

60
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 09:47:19 pm »
Wow, that was close.  Thot it was a K.

61
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 09:45:55 pm »
Which is why he sucked so bad all season.

This is what I was talking about: HR drought.

Quote
After launching 27 home runs during his rookie season, Yordan Alvarez had gone 21 consecutive games without hitting a ball out of the park. It was the longest streak of his short career, and he snapped it on Sunday night.

Yes, Come on La Pina!


62
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 09:27:25 pm »
How old is that batter?

He gets old quickly....

63
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 09:19:37 pm »
The real Yordan is back!

Could his 3 for 5 night, 2-run HR, production be due in part that he has not been sitting on the bench b/t innings?
Just wondering....

64
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 11:48:41 pm »
Urquidy is the 2nd Mexican pitcher in MLB to win a WS start, along with Fernandomania.  Jaime Garcia with the Cards is the only other to start one.

also:
Quote
According to Elias, Urquidy is the second pitcher since the LCS began in 1969 to have his first career postseason start be a scoreless outing in the World Series (also Jon Lester in 2007).

Wow!

65
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:50:52 pm »
I knew Tucker was doomed when he missed strike two.

Wasted opportunity.

66
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:48:16 pm »
I'll take a line drive somewhere.

Their BP is having a wild game.

67
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:47:06 pm »
Would it be greedy to ask for another slam?

I would not be disappointed....

68
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:44:32 pm »
Only if they traded him to the other team.

Gotcha!

69
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:43:15 pm »
He's in the game now, he would not be a pinch hitter.

Come on, Marisnick!

70
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:42:05 pm »
Can Tucker PH twice in this inning?

71
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:30:52 pm »
Bregman and Brantley have a discussion during the pitching change...

72
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:27:50 pm »
Fortunately for you and your crystal collection, this idiot can't throw a strike.

Saving strikes for Brantley....

73
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:27:01 pm »
Wow! Thot that was a DP; K & CS

74
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:23:05 pm »
Tucker have green light?

75
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:22:24 pm »
Two Ball fours....

76
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:21:17 pm »

77
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 09:10:43 pm »
James seems surprised at the call to the pen, after walk #2.

78
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 4, October 26, 2019
« on: October 26, 2019, 08:50:31 pm »
Couldn’t have asked for more from Urquidy. He was nails.

Even got the bat on the ball w/ his 1st AB!

79
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 11:16:40 pm »
Halved the lead, hope Washington is back to earth and starts a different kind of streak

Luv it!

80
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 11:10:48 pm »
Great Game!  Great pitching!  Enuf hitting!

82
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 11:02:38 pm »
Ok. Osuna. Don’t make this interesting. Please.

Amen!

83
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 11:00:46 pm »

84
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 10:57:23 pm »
I corrected it.

But it is fun.

Guys, thar is a game going on...

85
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 10:30:45 pm »
bullpen can't sustain pitch perfect effort, long innings on Harris, two nights in a row

Aren't we planning on a long series...

86
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 10:26:42 pm »
Clearly the plan was to make 3 outs so Harris didn't have to hit.

Brilliant! 

87
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 10:24:04 pm »
Whoa, good take by Reddick

88
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:47:31 pm »
Hello, Bregman.,
Your turn.

89
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:44:59 pm »
"Jose" chant in DC.  Niiiice.
Luv it.

90
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:41:31 pm »
At first I thought Tucker waited too long to take off for third.

You are not alone; bad throw..

91
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:39:05 pm »
Tucker shows speed.

92
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:37:20 pm »
Good game...

93
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:33:53 pm »
Go Tucker!

94
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:17:56 pm »
95 pitches for Greinke

95
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:14:58 pm »
Lovely swing.....

96
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 3, October 25, 2019
« on: October 25, 2019, 09:11:57 pm »
Seems like Soto's ABs take 10 minutes....

98
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 11:14:50 am »

Um you do realize what site your posting on right? Telling someone to fuck off is our favorite pastime here....
LOL

Does that mean “FO = Hello (+ or -)”

99
Talk Zone / Re: WS 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 08:17:30 am »
i think Fox called MLB who called the Washington front office who called Soto and told him to drop the crotch grab. That makes his "Soto Shuffle" bullshit slightly less annoying, but it's still an arrogant piece of nonsense. I wish Bob Gibson were still pitching. Soon enough  Soto would have a real reason to grab his crotch.

ROFL

100
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 08:13:30 am »
AJ may issue his first IBB before this series is over.

Prophetic and a the flood gates open.

101
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 07:58:36 am »
If he runs hard out of the box instead of skip-to-my-looing, does he have a triple and score on Altuve's fly out to right?

Springer is dead meat if he tries for 3B.  Tucker had to hold up at 2B, and I was wondering if he was even going to score.  Springer would have had to slow up approaching 2B anyway.  It's possible the Nats misplay the throw and Springer makes it to 3B, but you don't make that out at 3B.

Springer could not sleep until he spoke to Hinch about his base running on this play Tuesday night.

102
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 07:57:58 am »

If he runs hard out of the box instead of skip-to-my-looing, does he have a triple and score on Altuve's fly out to right?
Springer is dead meat if he tries for 3B.  Tucker had to hold up at 2B, and I was wondering if he was even going to score.  Springer would have had to slow up approaching 2B anyway.  It's possible the Nats misplay the throw and Springer makes it to 3B, but you don't make that out at 3B.

Springer could not sleep until he spoke to Hinch about his base running on this play Tuesday night.

104
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 11:07:38 pm »
Altuve hasn't quit!!!!!

105
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 10:55:46 pm »
I'm having fun in a real shitty sort of way. Weird, I know.

I'm grateful that it's just one loss, and that we have at least two more games left in the series...
(Opps, 12-2)  Get it over with and let's play game #3!

106
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 10:49:23 pm »
I'm getting really pissed at that hyper-active kid in the rainbow uni running up and down the aisle of the diamond boxes too.

....the only Astros fan having some fun....

107
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 10:18:27 pm »
What the hell, I'm here for the duration, I suppose.

Doubt that you will be alone...

108
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 10:07:36 pm »
the only thing missing from this inning is a HR, right?
This inning has been so long you forgot that it started with a HR.

That DOES seem like a long time ago.....

109
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 09:36:52 pm »
Do it, Tucker!

110
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 09:32:06 pm »
Incentive, Correa!!!!

111
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 22, 2019, 11:00:48 pm »
Washington is fundamentally better, Yankees are a collection of pricey monopoly pieces

True.

112
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 22, 2019, 10:32:37 pm »
Good base running by Tucker, moving to 2nd on the fly ball!!!!
Scoring on Springer's 2B.

113
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 22, 2019, 08:54:17 pm »
last inning for MadMax?

96 pitches so far, "experts" say 115 max....

115
Pressly just said on the radio it was some scar tissue that broke off, and that it's normal. Sore now, said it will probably be sore tomorrow, but he thinks he's ok.

TY for the good news about Pressly!!!!

118
BP, please...

119
It's time for these assholes to hit into a double play.

You called it!  Specific or not, two outs!!!

120
If you had Maldonado on a bunt single, collect your winnings.
Good one!

121
Talk Zone / Re: Greinke
« on: October 19, 2019, 12:46:43 pm »
Doubt Bregman needs much motivation to be a mensch. So glad he's an Astro.

Absolutely. 
Regardless of the votes, he is a MVP in many ways.

122
Talk Zone / Re: Greinke
« on: October 18, 2019, 12:44:34 pm »
It's like the reporters have never encountered or considered how to interview a neurodivergent person.  Asking two simple questions would typically give them the responses they crave so much:

1) Is there anything you'd like to tell me about the game today?  Risk there is a simple answer of "no" may be the outcome.  But, just as easily, they'd get a stream of consciousness response with tons of nuggets.  Or,

2) What is interesting to you lately?  It's a great question to get someone on the spectrum or who suffers with any number of anxiety disorders to information dump in areas that are interesting to them.  A great way get a peek into their thoughts and thought processes.  The risk there is he may info dump on Starbucks, or hitting or peanut butter cups or butterflies or Princess Bride or any of the things Greinke is known to be interested in but there is also usually really interesting things to write about in there too.

The longterm upside is interest-based trust is developed over time, which promotes more openness and transparency.

Thank you!

123
Welcome back, Pressley!!!!

124
in the back?  hit in the back and those asses cheered.

Could not believe this, but listened to the crowd a couple times (3:45:30) to verify.

When I told my bride about this, her response was quick,
Quote
They don't deserve to win!
Couldn't agree more.


125
Springer caught, but keeping play alive until runners on 2nd & 3rd.......

126
Million dollar smile from Altuve on 1st base.....

127
Don't believe Ottavino threw a strike to Springer.

Nice pitch to and hit by Altuve - runners 1st & 3rd (zero outs)....

128
that was a Cole pitch to end the inning.  gorgeous!

Didn't want any return throws from Maldonado (ouch!)....

129
M-V-P Bregman's glove is #1....

130
Whew!

131
Video of Ford's call of Correa's game winner

Quote
(Correa's view) ....When it hit [Altuve] and I saw the ball go my way, I just went after it. And I grabbed it and when I looked up and I saw [third base coach Phil Nevin] was sending the runner, I thought, ‘Oh, I got this guy.’ So I threw him out. I don’t know why he sent him, but, thank you.”

132
Also, Alex Rodriguez looks like a fucking clown. I mean, literally like a clown with all that absurd makeup he has on.

He just called Carlos Correa Carlos Beltran, when comparing him with Judge as a "transformational player" as a 6'5" shortstop!

133
That'll do it...

134
Poetic justice by the ump.......

135
Presley warming....

136
Wasn't helped by ball 4 being called a strike.
Again!

137
RISP
Yanks 1 for 2
'Stros  1 for 8

Time for the law of averages to work...

138
That was the one.

His arms were extended.

Chapman knew it..........

139
20 pitches for Chapman....

140
Who's in the BP?  James, Peacock, Pressley?

141
If by good you mean fouling back a fat fastball then missing one entirely, sure.

Better a foul ball, than a .... (never mind.)

142
Correa getting good swings....

143
Talk Zone / Re: ALDS
« on: October 13, 2019, 02:46:48 pm »
Curious stats time:

The Astros are 1-5 at the Trop.
The D-Rays are 1-4 at MMP

In all three decided divisional series, the home team lost its elimination game.

More curious stats, this time about the impact of "possible" pitch tipping in Game #5

     AB      R        H   RBI   LOB   Avg
1     33     6       9       4       8     0.273
2     34     3     10       3       8     0.294
3     35     3       7       3       7     0.200
4     31     1       6       1       5     0.194
5     32     6       8       6       4     0.250
    165     19     40     17     32    0.242

Game #5 stats - 1st six batters (5 for 6, a 2B, 4 runs - .833 Avg);
Game #5 Stats - rest of the game (3 for 26, 2 HR, 2 runs - .115 Avg)

Game #2 - #5 stats  - 31 for 132, 13 runs - .235 Avg
Game #2 - #5 stats (excluding the 1st six AB's) 26 for 129, 9 runs, .206 Avg)

Pure conjecture, but based on their anemic hitting - essentially thru the last five games (excluding the tipping runs) - how likely would it be that the Astros have still playing today?

Kudos to whoever discovered the pitch tipping, to the batters that cashed in on those pitches, and to the pitchers have been crucial to the Astros getting to the ALCS!

144
A walk could be a start....

145
Maybe the relievers will be easier to hit.
1st & 3rd so far w/ 1 out.....

146
Talk Zone / Re: NLCS
« on: October 11, 2019, 10:21:42 pm »
Another IBB, this time to Hendrick....

147
Talk Zone / Re: NLCS
« on: October 11, 2019, 09:49:33 pm »
2-0 now. Cards have to be getting a little bit worried.

Sanchez has a no hitter through seven....

148
Talk Zone / Re: was anyone else irritated
« on: October 11, 2019, 03:16:54 pm »
Is it much of a surprise that Girardi would be rooting for the Rays to face the Yankees?

149
Talk Zone / Re: NLDS
« on: October 11, 2019, 03:13:56 pm »
The LA Times is reporting that the Dodgers intend to keep Roberts.
Good news for the rest of the NL?
According to the NYP he has three years remaining on his contract (thru 2022) and the Dodgers expect to honor it.

150
Exclamation point!!!!

151
Good night, Cole!  Cy Young Job tonight!

152
Wow!

153
We like to chase high pitches.

These pitching changes are ridiculous.

Sure makes the game longer and has kept Cole on the bench longer.

154
An insurance run or two would be nice.
A base runner would be a nice start....

155
Talk Zone / Re: NLDS
« on: October 09, 2019, 11:42:36 pm »
Listening to the Dodgers radio broadcast....

156
Talk Zone / Re: NLDS
« on: October 09, 2019, 11:29:20 pm »
Baseball is quite a game.

Indeed. 
Worth watching to the end of the game.....

(Added later) Prime example for not using IBB, esp to load the bases.....

157
Talk Zone / Re: NLDS
« on: October 09, 2019, 11:20:19 pm »
The awful things happening to the favorites today and tonight are not making me feel better about tomorrow...
Understand, but wouldn't put LA losing their lead as awful.  I kinda like it....
Hope our guys show up tomorrow.

158
Talk Zone / Re: NLDS
« on: October 09, 2019, 10:38:16 pm »
Holy shit.  Kershaw gives up solo HRs on back-to-back pitches in the top of the 8th.  Tie game.

Getting interesting!

159
Imagine Snell will come in to face Alvarez if he comes up.
Good call!!!

160
That's a start...

161
If that ball boy had moved his stool, we might have an extra run.

On the road for most of the game and missed the stool "impact". 
Nice take on it, along with a video, here:

Quote
....for one inning, in one game, a puny wooden stool sat in the path of destruction that is the Astros' offense and emerged the victor. That simple stool proved that the Astros can be defeated. The problem is that it may take an army of furniture to do it.

163
Talk Zone / Re: Greinke
« on: October 01, 2019, 06:40:56 pm »
Ben Reiter's article on the acquisition of Grienke (thank you Mr Crane):

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/10/01/houston-astros-zack-greinke-world-series
Crane is apparently a bottom line guy,
Quote
“Who is Josh Rojas?” Crane asked....
(Later) ...“O.K.,” Crane said, measuredly. “So you’re holding up this deal for a late-round utility guy who is having a good year?”

164
Talk Zone / Re: Post Season Awards
« on: October 01, 2019, 11:56:08 am »
If ever there should be co-Cy Youngs it should be this. Pretty amazing that the two best pitchers for the season were teammates who were near carbon copies of each other. Johnson and Schilling at least had some separation between them. But the only way that happens is if all 30 voters equally split 1-2.

Another wild card is to remember who the voters are. The two Tampa writers have dinged Verlander in the past (leading to a Twitter roasting by Kate). Of course the Detroit Free Press guy has an issue with Verlander as well, as evidenced of being barred from the post-game presser earlier this year. Cole probably has a edge there.

Frustrating to see earned recognition of excellence by both pitchers blocked by blind bias.

165
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Angels, September 26th 2019
« on: September 27, 2019, 09:44:22 am »
Kyle Tucker is fucking brutal.

Sure was.  But is that OJT for him @ 1st base?  (11 games in the minors and 4 (to date) in the ML.)
Can't imagine having to react to a screaming line drive on the infield compared to a line drive in the OF.

166
Talk Zone / Re: Stretch run
« on: September 25, 2019, 08:37:14 pm »
CFM looking tough against the Yankees.

Finished w/ 100-pitches in 6 innings, 1 hit, 2 BB, 9 K;s and a 3-0 lead..
Rays still batting in 7th w/ 2 on and the 3rd run having scored.

167
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 9/22 Angels v. Astros Spring Training in September
« on: September 22, 2019, 01:34:26 pm »
Apt title, Rodriguez SP has less than 15 ML IP.

T-1
FO - BB - DP

B-1
HR - George (1st pitch) - trap sprung.

1-0, Astros

168
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 9/22 Angels v. Astros Spring Training in September
« on: September 22, 2019, 01:22:24 pm »
Helo, George!

169
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: September 22, 2019, 12:32:19 pm »
Kemp temporary hero for Cubbies AFTER a K....

170
Talk Zone / Re: Milestones
« on: September 19, 2019, 12:15:23 pm »
1962 for me, which was the season before my senior year in HS. Switched my allegiance from the Pirates to the Colt 45s, and here I am. We are in the Golden Age, and long may it last.

Same here, tho I still root for the Cubbies, Cards, and Reds when they are not playing the Astros.  Grateful their stations had a long reach.  1st chance to see them came in 1965.  It took a while to stop looking up and actually watch the game w/ the Yankees, cause it felt like we were closer to the roof than the game!

Ratified air, indeed, 3rd straight 100-win season, seeing Astros fans cheering in stadiums during away games!  It's a gift. 

171
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros - 9/18/19
« on: September 19, 2019, 07:47:25 am »
What was MM thinking? He had no chance.
This sounds like my friends whenever I asked a girl out.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That was what my inner Snuffy said (more than a few times) a while ago, but like many of you guys I ended up out-marrying myself.

172
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In September
« on: September 17, 2019, 01:18:09 pm »
Snuffy, this is easily your best post ever.

TY, Astros Fan in Big D. 
Glad to have some humor come through. 
All too often I have to explain what I call my jokes.

173
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In September
« on: September 16, 2019, 12:22:49 pm »
All of this, of course, is IF the Astros make the postseason.
Thot we were talking about 2020....

174
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Royals, 9/15/19
« on: September 15, 2019, 07:49:40 pm »
I'll take what I see this season over last season no matter what the circumstances.

Gotta point ther!

175
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Royals, 9/15/19
« on: September 15, 2019, 07:42:09 pm »
The supposed quality of the opposing pitcher seems to have very little correlation to what the offense does. Sometimes they blitz very good pitchers, and sometimes they're completely ineffective against poor ones. They're kind of confounding in that way.

Music to my ears, austro!

176
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Royals, 9/15/19
« on: September 15, 2019, 04:44:27 pm »
Tucker stock rising.

Framber stock not so much.

2 2-out singles then a walk.   A 2 out walk with a 10 run lead.

I have made no effort to hide my bias in favor of Tucker getting his chance, but has most of his production, so far, been off AAA pitchers that are up for a look @ KC?  Looking forward to him facing more major league pitchers.

177
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Royals, 9/15/19
« on: September 15, 2019, 03:00:14 pm »
Aaaaaand Judge Ks looking to end it.

Making of a good day....

178
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Royals, 9/15/19
« on: September 15, 2019, 01:41:39 pm »
Miley has crappy luck.

He did not quit when he could have: 2 swinging K's w/ a runner on 3B and 1 out.

180
You still don’t get what he is telling you. Ty is trying to help. If you do not listen and learn, you will have a hard time. “Read more, post less” is excellent advice for everyone new, not only you.

Should have posted this earlier:

I did not look carefully enough (aka read) before I posted this thread.  I Cabrera’d.  Took some deserved "Cabrera" heat for it.  Now I know what Cabrera is.  Understand how it helps avoid the clutter of multiple posts/threads on the same topic on this busy forum.  Have seen duplicate game threads deleted in the Game Zone in the past, but did not realize until this thread that was a Cabrera correction.

Thank you for trying to help me and for looking for/providing a link to the glossary! 

I am wondering now is a Cabrera is the biggest sin....  If it's not, what the heck is?  (Wouldn't mind finding out b/f I do it.)

Your help is appreciated,
Snuffy

181
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A's at Astros, September 11, 2019
« on: September 11, 2019, 09:23:29 pm »
Very disappointed in James.

A's announcers were surprised that he threw so many curve balls, instead of his fastball.

182
You still don’t get what he is telling you. Ty is trying to help. If you do not listen and learn, you will have a hard time. “Read more, post less” is excellent advice for everyone new, not only you.

Oh, I get it, Coach.  The glossary will help.
Thanks,

183
These 4 words would have solved all of your problems.

...along w/ a much-appreciated link to the glossary
Glad for a chance to read it.

184
Duman posted the link at 12:45. Try looking for things by reading threads before posting your essays.

True.  I have thanked him. 
No more essays! 
Your post here helped.  BTW, I think my definition was in the neighborhood, so a zero feels a little harsh. 

185
Found the link to F & W unless I have been Cabera'd already.

By the way:  Carbera is a Brave.  Or so I have been told.

TY, Duman.  I missed your post.

187
Seriously, man. If you can't bother to keep up with the long-standing norms and idioms of this site, you're the poster boy of the "read more, post less" overly-eager Clark ......

Nice rant, Ty!  Well done!! 

Link?  I have seen the term used a few times w/o definition.  Can you find a link that defines it? 

I couldn't.  No amount of reading - or searching - will produce unwritten definitions of "long-standing" (but unwritten) "norms and idioms of this site".  It's a little like a secret code.  Thanks to Bench - and JimR also - for looking for it in vain and to Astros Fan in Big D for pointing me in the direction of some of his examples.  If he survived being Cabrera'd, maybe I can. 

For any "Guests" that may not know - if there are any - the "Snuffy" definition of "Cabrera" or "Cabrera'd" is "already posted somewhere".  I figured the RS firing was headline newsworthy, since it's an indication of the Astros progress toward "Taking it Back!", but it was posted here by the brave Astros Fan in Big D.

For future reference, has anyone, chronicled a list of the long-standing norms and idioms of this site?

188
Who Cabrera is becomes your homework assignment.

Hum, thot that was a trick.  He's not visible on OWA...
Besides, my bride assigns my homework...

189
Cabrera told us.

Who's Cabrera?  Link?
Did "Money Ball" win or just overspending w/o wins lose? 


190
Talk Zone / Shocker: RS @ 76-67 after loss to Yanks, Dombrowski is gone!
« on: September 09, 2019, 07:28:03 am »
What a difference a year makes! 

Quote
Dombrowski’s firing came minutes after the team finished up a 10-5 loss to the rival New York Yankees. With the loss, Boston now sits 17.5 games back from the Yankees in the AL East at 76-67.  That’s a far cry from the team’s 108-win pace last year, but still decent enough that Dombrowski’s firing is a stunner.


191
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 03:43:42 pm »
Do guys like that just decide at some point in their life, "yeah, I'm just going to be a dick."

Kinda like the dude whistling "Happy Birthday" throughout the game.
Wouldn't you love to be sitting in front of him....

192
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 03:41:17 pm »
Last time we curbstomped a team like this, it put us into a weeklong funk

There are no rookies on the bench...

193
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 03:11:18 pm »
I would say it depends on Correa's health and what A.J. and Jeff want.
True.
At least I hope I fixed it....

194
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:55:35 pm »
Will Stubbs, currently in LF, move in as C once Cole is finished and could we see Abreu in this game?

195
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:47:05 pm »
As a switch hitting 3rd baseman I would think that Toro has a good chance to make a postseason roster should they be fortunate enough to qualify.

Yes!  Thank you!
(It's gone.)
Here's hoping....

196
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:21:53 pm »
Auto corrected quadruple for some reason.

Should it have been what is are six doubles?

197
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:16:28 pm »
Straw is now warmed up....

198
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:11:15 pm »
Quadrupedal double.

Had to look it up....
It's good to learn about something besides (in addition to) baseball...
What is six doubles?

199
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 02:05:45 pm »
Yes.  Very good for young guys to contribute.   Takes some anxiety away and builds confidence.

Great to see Toro's 2B in the 2nd and BB in the 3rd.  Pulling for him to become a presence @ 3B, freeing Bregman to cover SS. 

W/ Correa (funny, had to take a couple seconds to remember his name) out, how does Bregman's coverage @ SS compare with the other options?

200
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Barnacle Backs at Astros- August 8, 2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 01:50:58 pm »
(I know it was mentioned during his AB in the 2nd)  Enjoyed the smile exchange b/t Tucker & Bregman as they return to their  positions after Kyle's catch in LF during the 1st.  He's getting comfortable.  Can't hurt his ability to contribute. 

Marisnick's HR - WOW!

201
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019
« on: September 08, 2019, 07:17:25 am »
Didn’t say that.
Now THAT's a head-scratcher, Coach.

202
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019
« on: September 07, 2019, 08:47:56 pm »
Many of his posts are head-scratchers for me also.

Thankful a few aren't, Coach. 
Aiming for fewer (head-scratchers).....


203
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019
« on: September 07, 2019, 06:49:42 pm »
Fine line between protecting the plate and chasing.

That pitch was far enough off it didn't feel egregious to take it.

Thank you!

204
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019
« on: September 07, 2019, 06:34:26 pm »
I'm not sure where you're going with this.  Tucker had a good at bat,  showed great plate discipline and then got screwed for his effort.  You want him to start waving at pitches off the plate?

Nah.  But what is difference b/t flailing at bad pitches or taking one that that might be "close enough" to be miscalled as a 3rd strike, in terms of an out resulting?  Should a wave at a pitch off the plate for the 3rd strike feel like a wasted AB, while a bad call feels like a stolen AB.

Thankful Tucker is better this year so for w/ the bat, in the field, and on the bases!  Had only glimpses of the game last night, and only part of his AB that was ended by a terrible 3rd strike call.  Comparing that to Bregman's AB - I saw all of it - as he spoiled pitch after pitch that could have been a 3rd called strike, and worked a BB.  What % of the players are able to defend themselves by extending an AB like that?

Thank you for asking, appreciate the 2nd chance.  Sorry for the delayed response.  It's been a full day.

205
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Ancient Albatross Wearers, 9/6/2019
« on: September 07, 2019, 08:31:17 am »
B5:

Brantley flies out F8
Bregman singles to LF
Alvarez...0-2...1-2...hit by pitch...right in the ass...Bregman to 2B
Gurriel grounds into FC, Alvarez out 6-3, but Yuli beats the rap...Bregman to 3B
Gurriel injured on the play...he's out, Diaz
Diaz caught off of 1B...gets in a rundown, Bregman bolts for home, and the throw is in the dirt and Nola can't handle...Bregman scores on the steal of home, Diaz to 2B on the steal of 2B
Tucker...fouling off pitches...works the count full...strikes out looking at a pitch several inches off the plate

5-3 Astros
Hope Tucker watches Bregman's clinic on how to take the keep the ump out of "this part" of the game, spoiling  pitches that could have ended his AB that eventually led to a 14-pitch walk in the bottom of the 6th. 
The last three pitches were actually called balls...
Hate seeing an opponent do that to one of our pitchers, but loved this.

206
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs The Dry Dockers Sept 5 2019
« on: September 06, 2019, 12:05:00 am »
What a great team win! Good for you, Tucker, Straw, and James.

The rookies pulled their weight in the pen as well covering 7 of the 13 innings.
Tho they gave up 6 hits & 4 runs, they recorded 9 of the 15 K's and got the WIN!

207
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs The Dry Dockers Sept 5 2019
« on: September 05, 2019, 11:56:42 pm »
Every out in the game was recorded by the pen.

And all of the 15 K's....

208
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs The Dry Dockers Sept 5 2019
« on: September 05, 2019, 10:44:44 pm »
The AAAA OFer.

Will they pitch to The AAAA OF w/ a ML HR w/ Chirinos and Marisnick behind him?

209
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs The Dry Dockers Sept 5 2019
« on: September 05, 2019, 09:16:23 pm »

210
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 05, 2019, 03:56:01 pm »
Listen to Bagwell's voice when the subject turns to Ken Caminiti.
It's love,  not shame,  that you'e hearing.
No doubt that Bagwell loved Caminiti, still does! 
So does Biggio!  Just learned he received permission from the the family to move Caminiti's body to his ranch in 2007.
Don't our hearts ache for his girls, wishing they had been able to have more memories with him - and that he could have had a chance to become a grandfather.

211
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 05, 2019, 03:52:05 pm »
True. There is no common denominator.... The variables do not all exist inside the family, they are not insular. Also I have seen some pretty messed up people turn their lives around and become good productive people.
Indeed!   No common denominator.
Don't Bagwell and Caminiti seem to demonstrate this? 
Didn't they both play through a lot of pain?
How did Bagwell avoid drugs and survive while Caminiti could not? 

PS: TY for the feedback, Coach.

212
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 04, 2019, 10:06:22 pm »
Is there a reason warning track width shouldn’t be standardized?
Thank you!

213
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 04, 2019, 12:52:57 pm »
Tal's Hill concurs.
10-4
Surprised there weren't injuries there....

214
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 04, 2019, 10:58:34 am »
Snuffy, you appear to be relatively new to baseball. If you want to know the potential consequences of no padded walls and (almost certainly) of no warning tracks, do a little reading about Pete Reiser.

I do have a lot to learn - that's why I am here.
Upset to know that the unusual length of the warning track may have had a part in Springer's injury.
They mentioned he had not played much on this field.

215
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 04, 2019, 10:55:44 am »
Warning tracks are a lot wider than three feet.  The typical track is about 15 feet.  The conventional wisdom is giving the outfielder three strides before hitting the wall.  Normally, outfielders will familiarize themselves with the track and the wall at every ballpark, usually part of pre-game warmups or bp.  I don't know if Springer did that or not, but it's not a park he's used to playing at, so if it's unusually wide, that could be the source of his thinking he was closer than he was.

Correction: Listened to it again: they called it a "five-stepper", rather than a "three-stepper" warning track.

216
Talk Zone / Re: Bivens
« on: September 04, 2019, 10:41:41 am »
Thank you, Duman.  I tried to delete my posts b/c I did not want to kill this thread, but it was too late.  Bivens is needing our prayers now and in coming months and years, as he faces birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays w/o his family.  Blake's loss, as well as other losses and pain that have been shared here, here, and in other places, often leave us struggling to see God and His love through pain. 

We are not alone.
Quote
“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”  C. S. Lewis
Over time it is possible for some of the worst things in our lives to become some of the most precious things.  But that understanding can sometimes take years...

As we remember Blake, let's also remember Nelson W. Bernard, Emily's father, who is also grieving.  He lost his wife, daughter, and grandson - at the hands of his son, Matthew, who is in jail for their murders.

217
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 04, 2019, 09:24:11 am »
Yep, I was really worried about neck damage, a cracked bone or something like that.

Chandler Rome tweet:  Josh Reddick: "When me and Mike got there, (Springer) seemed to be very alert. He just kept saying he had a headache. That was a positive sign. He wasn’t dizzy. He didn’t have any memory loss out there. He made sure he answered all the questions right."

The Brewers announcers discussed the confusion caused by the length of the warning track last night, as Springer was being attended to.

Quote
(1:33:00) The "extra wide" warning track got him there.  He thot he was closer to the wall than he actually was.....


For some reason, the warning track is five feet deep rather than the usual three feet.  That's why he jumped too soon. 

Why is the warning track so deep?

218
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 04, 2019, 07:45:47 am »
As a recovering addict, I agree wholeheartedly with Coach. I no longer buy all the crap about addiction being a disease; big pharma has co-opted medicine. Addiction is a choice, a very reckless choice. I tell people who are suffering in active addiction that they are free to pick their own bottom. Of course, the lowest bottom is overdose/death.

People can come back with the lame reply that they can't help using, but I counter with pick your own bottom. I then tell them that my bottom was a week in the suicide cage of a very cold parish jail. I tell them about a couple of friends who weren't so lucky. But it all goes back to a fundamental choice.

Thank you!

219
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 04, 2019, 07:44:08 am »
I have no problem with a memorial.  My problem is with the over the top tributes.  If you watched or listened to the coverage on the MLB Network and MLB Network Radio, Skaggs was a saint.  So maybe be a little more circumspect.

I agree.  Only the players know how much their tears and tributes may be include some guilt - wondering what they could have said or done to help their hurting friend who died such a horrible death.  Did he die alone? 

Funerals sometimes can bring mixed emotions for me: grief mixed with some regrets.  It's way too easy to be distracted, forget what's important.  We don't know how much time anyone's got.

220
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/3/19
« on: September 03, 2019, 08:28:18 pm »
Springer hurt on an amazing catch at the wall. Looks pretty bad.

Hit the wall hard, but slide his hand out of the glove w/ the ball in it - 3rd out!!!!
Wow!

221
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 03, 2019, 11:31:34 am »
I wasn't wanting him to punch himself in the face or punt his glove in to the stands. But a simple acknowledgement that you fucked up is a good thing for everyone involved. A chest pat "my bad".

Agree, but we spectators have the advantage of being detached from the action and reactionary in the stands or in  front of a screen.
I wonder if behind his blank look he might have been thinking, "What did I just DO!", not believing the answer.
Can't get into his head and it's easy to 2nd guess.
Three FASTBALLS "quickly" got the last out of the inning - that was effective use and aim of his anger.

222
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 03, 2019, 11:01:34 am »
(to MRaup) ...Perhaps he should have done as you suggested. He was stoic. He came back to get the next hitter on three pitches, and I imagine Hinch will take care of any perceived lack of competitiveness. I also do not know what he said to Hinch or to his teammates in the dugout or in the clubhouse. Maybe he said “my bad” to them.

Not you necessarily because I always think the best of you, but much of the profane venom on here, in my opinion, is directed at his past, not his performance....

My anger related to his stoic response to his error was wrong. 
I can never "unsee" Giles beating himself publicly for his mistake.  It was/is painful to watch.
Thankful Osuna is on the team and has taken full advantage of his 2nd chance.  Tho a gifted athlete, it is all to easy to forget that he is human, just like me.

223
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 03, 2019, 10:33:43 am »

224
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 03, 2019, 09:13:02 am »
....Speaking for only me, law enforcement turned my daughter’s life around. Her arrest and pending trial, along with a hard shove from her lawyer (a friend of mine since JHS), were the combined impetus to get her to rehab. From there, she made the decision to get clean and to change, as all addicts must. .... She had lived a life largely without consequences to that point (for which I deserve blame), and she needed consequences for her behavior. I am happy law enforcement intervened, and if I could have stopped the court proceedings, I would not have done it.

I have written about her if you are interested enough to read. See “Redemption” on the front page.

TY for sharing, Coach.  Thankful the consequences helped her hit the wall and seek changes.
Pls provide a link for "Redemption".

225
Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 03, 2019, 09:05:41 am »
(to JimR) I'm glad your daughter has overcome her addiction issues and is prospering but your singular experience aside, I'm wondering if you read the whole article?  It's not about legal heroin as much as it's about lessening crime by supplanting the black market trade and saving lives by reducing overdose deaths. I'm not saying I think it's the right thing to do or even that I'm for it, I'm saying it is being done in other places with positive analytical results.

I have read the article several times and this is part of what haunts me....
Quote
"....The concept is rooted in several key ideas: (#3)  Public health policies should be determined by pragmatism, not morality.

....van den Hoogen (who runs the clinic) '…It's a last-resort option.   It's not a program that is meant to help you stopIt keeps you addicted.'"

Skaggs appeared to be "connected" but was his addiction known and intervention offered?  Did he seek help other than getting the pills?  Surely he was not the only one in the clubhouse using drugs.

226
Talk Zone / Re: Recalled players
« on: September 03, 2019, 06:00:12 am »

As far as postseason eligibility, anyone under contract before September 1 is eligible.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

TY, Doyce7,
I was trying to speed read this article and it did not work.
Understand now that Straw, tho he has not yet been called up, is also eligible for postseason.
Much obliged.

227
Talk Zone / Josh James
« on: September 02, 2019, 10:24:58 pm »
What's the difference between being called up and being activated from the IL on 1 Sep? 
Does the 1 Sep date not matter w/ the IL move?
Since Josh James was activated from the IL on 1 Sep, will he be eligible for the post-season roster?

PS: Once home field advantage has been determined, I am hoping Stubbs will get some playing time to give Chirinos some rest.

228
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: September 02, 2019, 08:15:22 pm »
Tyler is done for the year:
"Los Angeles Dodgers transferred 1B Tyler White from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Right trapezius strain."

229
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 02, 2019, 07:00:45 pm »
Was pulling for a mirror to last nights script: rookie HR brings win to star pitcher (again), but thankful for the Springer edit.

230
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 02, 2019, 06:58:10 pm »
Osuna gets a blown save and a win.   

He knows and everyone else knows that getting that W ain't a feather in his cap.

His feather will be a little lower....

231
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 02, 2019, 06:51:41 pm »
Osuna with the win.

Fucked. Up.

Ah, could the OS award that win to James?  Just asking...

232
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 02, 2019, 06:47:24 pm »
Welcome back to the bigs, kid.
Yes!!!

233
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Brewers - 9/2/19
« on: September 02, 2019, 05:41:22 pm »
Suter pitching 2nd 3rd inning of relief - debut after TJ surgery during July 2018.
(Tks, Coach)

234
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Blue Jays, September 1, 2019
« on: September 01, 2019, 08:27:37 pm »
Dude. Now?

My MLBTV did not show the interview or the crowd in the background. 
Saw it later on the complete video as I watched Toro get the last out==> luved it!  ==> shared it.

235
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Blue Jays, September 1, 2019
« on: September 01, 2019, 04:03:58 pm »
Classy! 
Standing O for JV by Blue Jay fans!!!

236
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 01, 2019, 03:38:45 pm »
Correa has yet to swing a bat.

He, along w/ three others on IL, did not make the road trip....

237
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Blue Jays August 30, 2019
« on: August 31, 2019, 12:09:21 pm »
I think that's only if there is no other pitcher of record, and the starter does not qualify.  The rule book says:

"The official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead"

The exception to this rule is the starting pitcher who leaves with a lead but does not pitch enough innings to qualify, in which case the "most effective reliever" rules apply.  But if reliever enters when his team is trailing, and leaves with the lead, he is the pitcher of record, and if his team maintains the lead, he is the winning pitcher.  This is the case last night with McHugh.

Thanks, guys, for turning the Game Day thread into a Baseball #101 lesson. 
No time for an after action analysis during the game, but after....
Much obliged.

238
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Blue Jays August 30, 2019
« on: August 31, 2019, 09:49:43 am »
From mlb.com:

A pitcher receives a win when he is the pitcher of record when his team takes the lead for good -- with a couple rare exceptions. First, a starting pitcher must pitch at least five innings (in a traditional game of nine innings or longer) to qualify for the win. If he does not, the official scorer awards the win to the most effective relief pitcher.

There is also a rarely used clause where an official scorer can deem a relief pitcher's appearance "brief and ineffective." ....

I don't think I've ever seen the 2nd paragraph come into play, didn't know that possibility existed actually.

He did give up a 2B, but he threw 11 strikes out of 14 pitches, including 8 of 10 strikes to K Biggio for the 3rd out - it was a battle!.   

The OS must have called that "effective", especially after seeing Milley take 95 pitches to get 52 strikes....

239
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Blue Jays August 30, 2019
« on: August 31, 2019, 09:17:20 am »
Because the default scorer's judgment is "first guy after the starter" ... or maybe with luck, "first guy to record an out after the starter".

Not a whole lot of "judgment" involved.

I'm far from an expert, but...

Weren't the go ahead runs scored b/f Biagini threw his 1st pitch?
McHugh came into the game w/ the Jays leading 1-0, 2 outs, and a runner on 1st. 
He stopped them. 
Tho he gave up a 2B and there were runners @ 2nd & 3rd, the score was still 1-0 Jays when he got the 3rd out. 
Seems like the only Biagini could get from this was a hold since he inherited the lead.

240
Talk Zone / Re: Bivens
« on: August 31, 2019, 09:04:58 am »
This is an unspeakable tragedy and an unimaginable loss.  There are no words.

While I can't get my mind around that loss, our family understands a small part of it.  Our daughter and her husband are attending a retreat this weekend for couples that are grieving the loss of a child.  It is led by a couple that has been walking thru that loss and sharing their journey. 

Lydia - our daughter's 1st born - had seizures on her 8th day, brain surgery b/f her 2nd BD, and almost lived 10 years w/o walking or talking.  She was fed through a tube.  Friends would show up to bring food, wash dishes, do laundry, etc., and then leave.  Lydia died in 2010.  They have five children and are getting help to do the grief work. 

I can't fathom the loss of a child, a spouse, and a parent (in law) at the same time - especially at the hands of a loved one. 

241
Talk Zone / Re: Bivens
« on: August 30, 2019, 06:38:03 pm »
Texted with Morgan. He said “complete nightmare.”

So good to see Morgan's emotions as he tries to comfort Blake during this indescribable loss. 
There are times when words carry little weight.  This is one of them. 

242
Talk Zone / Re: RR v. SA game 4
« on: August 30, 2019, 07:36:39 am »
I was listening on the radio after the top of the 7th, and the bottom of the 8th featured high and tight pitches, a warning to both benches, ejections, and near fights. SA v. RR is a bitter rivalry which goes all the way back to RR’s Texas League days, and SA did not like losing 3 of 4 with only one series to play. RR still has to win one or two (not sure of the magic number), but the Express caught and passed SA in the last ten days or two weeks after trailing for most of the season. 

ETA: magic number is one. RR is in Omaha.

Wondered about the long delay - much more time than just a pitching changes.  A few guys left the game early.

Glad no one was hurt.

243
Talk Zone / Re: ESPN article about Charlie Morton - 27 Aug 19
« on: August 30, 2019, 07:25:38 am »
Familiar story, which has been told many times by many writers. This is ESPN’s version of it. Maybe you are seeing it for the first time.... I am happy he is not angry or bitter about the negotiations. He is a great pitcher and a better person, and I wishe he had stayed. That said, now I want Houston to beat him, and I enjoyed the game this week.

Well said, and agree, Coach.  But this is a "sequel" and I am glad it has been written.

The ESPN article gives Charlies' story after his time @ Houston.  It's a preview.  We, Astros fans, are going to have to get used to facing other "Chariles" that have been transformed by their time with Houston.  Cole will be next. 

The human side of baseball came out at the end of the article, w/ the invitation from six Astros @ the AS game to join in a group photo:

Quote
"Come on over, Chuck!" the Astros squad hollered.

He did! 

He knows he had better look out when he's on the mound - and our hitters will be facing his best stuff  - but the rest of the time he will be tracked on the ex-Astros thread.

244
Talk Zone / Re: ESPN article about Charlie Morton - 27 Aug 19
« on: August 29, 2019, 11:03:39 pm »
and we kicked his butt on Tuesday

I love Charlie Morton and what he did in Houston, but I do not want him to beat the Astros. Houston made him the pitcher he is today.

Literally, a whooping, but it is a great story, worth retelling.

245
Talk Zone / ESPN article about Charlie Morton - 27 Aug 19
« on: August 29, 2019, 08:43:05 pm »
A good read!  The last two paragraphs give a glimpse of what's special about the Astros.

It's a wonderful sequel to this thread.

246
Talk Zone / Resource
« on: August 28, 2019, 10:47:49 pm »
Just ran across this
Good stuff.  Makes me sympathize with those trying to reach the show while making such little money.

247
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rays at Astros- August 28, 2019
« on: August 28, 2019, 10:20:51 pm »
There ya go.

248
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rays at Astros- August 28, 2019
« on: August 28, 2019, 10:18:25 pm »
He can’t get a save no matter what.

Not looking for a save out of this game....

249
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rays at Astros- August 28, 2019
« on: August 28, 2019, 10:14:49 pm »
Osuna in a non-save situation.

...so far...

250
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 26, 2019, 11:21:11 pm »
Working the game Monday and may go out Sunday too. Season is almost done.

Nice hearing a fan in the broadcast booth; both of you enjoyed the game, and made it enjoyable.
Was that you predicting Ferguson's SB attempts and Dawson's attempt?  Well done!

251
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 26, 2019, 09:36:20 pm »
Loving the broadcast.  I can only get it in my truck, so I'm getting a beverage inside and heading back outside.
Here is a link: https://www.iheart.com/live/am-1300-the-zone-2181/?pname=kvet-am&campid=play_bar&cid=index.html

252
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 26, 2019, 08:56:20 pm »
Looking forward to listening tonight

Found it.  AM 1300 The Zone

253
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 25, 2019, 10:52:49 pm »
I am at the Sunday game. Tucker is not playing. Sorry, Snuffy.,,,.

Aw, Jim, Tucker earned the rest.

254
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels at Astros- August 25, 2019
« on: August 25, 2019, 01:34:20 pm »
Framber had an interesting top of the first but put up a zero.

He used his three strikes very well.....

255
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels @ Astros, August 24, 2019
« on: August 24, 2019, 08:56:01 pm »

256
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 23, 2019, 04:10:46 pm »
If you spent as much time thinking about baseball as you spend writing about it, we would all be better off.

I do, but also don't like wordy posts. 
Will work on shorter ones.

257
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 23, 2019, 03:10:44 pm »
I hope all of our traded prospects do well because I imagine it sets a good track record for other GMs wanting prospects from us in the future.
Indeed!
Does this catch and grin look "Berkman-ess"?

258
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 23, 2019, 12:15:24 pm »
....Answer Homer’s question. What roster moves would they make to bring him up now? Correa and Diaz are on the IL.
Answer his question.

Your question helped me understand the problem was roster-related, not player control.  Don't have enough info, time, or interest to suggest roster moves - it's above my pay grade.  Just frustrated.  It's easy to complain....

Much obliged.

 
….Jake is Verlander's personal centerfielder; I think he has started in each of JVs games.
Chirinos had 4 hits last night.   Springer had 2; the rest of the team was 0 for 25.  They drew 2 walks.  4 baserunners not named Chirinos. 
Point fingers at the botton of the lineup all you want, but the meat of the order is in a collective slump. 7 guys went 0 for 25.
Great points.  Forgot that Marisnick was JV's preference.  (Does Cole have a choice, other than the catcher?)

Agree that no matter what the bottom 1/3 did, JV was doomed by two gopher balls combined w/ the top 6 in the order not named Brantley being shut down.  It did not help that desperate base running killed a potential rally and ended the game w/ two outs at 3B in the 8th & 9th.

Did not mean to suggest that having Tucker replace Marisnick would have turned the game - not at all likely.  As much as Jack is a pleasure to watch tracking flies in the OF, it is hard to watch him waste ABs by chasing sliders, etc. out of the zone.

We were spoiled during the 1st half of the year w/ a healthy Correa (fond memories) and Reddick.  If memory serves, even Chirinos was hitting.

259
Pulling for Toro to get one more AB...

260
Yordan hit it too hard for Bregman to get to third. Not bad for a rookie.

Apparently, the league agrees...
How often do you hear that said about a rookie!

261
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 08:56:33 pm »
Some good words about the "unknown" from the Fisher trade.  A bit long but worth the read: (recent) Astros Betting Cal Stevenson Will Be Steal Of Derek Fisher/Toronto Deal

"Stevenson’s 90-game “taste” of the Florida State League’s High-A Dunedin....  ...Scoring 59 runs (tied for third) complemented his 50 RBIs, while 50 walks (fourth in the league) to 52 strikeouts yields a BB/K ratio that’s unheard of. "

and (last year) Some Interesting Potential- Cal Stevenson

"....probably one of our best baserunners in the organization — and anticipates on the base paths and in the outfield, where he can play all three spots. Apart from being a talented baseball player, he’s such a quality person, and I think that will continue to be a separator for him.....on base in 56 of the 59 games he has played so far."

Slow start (.205) since the trade, but has 9 BB to go with 5 K so far.

262
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 08:24:18 pm »
Seriously, dude. Who cares.
Do you care about the success of your former players?  Maybe his Mom will read it.
Besides...
1. There's a reason for the ex-Astros thread.
2. It reflects well on the quality of the farm system.

263
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 07:59:32 pm »
J. D. Davis is beginning to contribute for the Mets.  He has doubled his combined RBI in two Houston stints.  Good for him.

264
Interesting headline from last night's post game interview.

What's up with that?  It appears to have made the reporter the "victim".


265
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 21, 2019, 10:02:01 pm »
There is a lot you don’t know. He is where he should be.

No argument there.  I know there is much I don't know; that's one reason I am here. 

Does it have to do w/ the team giving up some player control if they don't wait until Sept?  How much?  Games like tonight can make that a hard sell at times.

266
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 21, 2019, 09:27:43 pm »
Please stop this. You’ll see him in September.

Kinda frustrating, seeing three K's (in three AB) from Marisnick who is replacing a "struggling" Reddick!
Why wait!

267
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 21, 2019, 08:46:12 pm »
Remember this HC introduction of Tucker as he was making his debut last year?

Quote
....Within the Astros' organization, Tucker is renowned for his makeup — an uber-poised, almost blase demeanor with which he's accepted his position and prestige.

"He's not going to panic," manager A.J. Hinch said. "His heart rate is as high as it's going to get today, his major league debut, and that's not very high. He's calm, his demeanor is good, he can control himself."

Could this demeanor also be described as "passive and tentative at the plate........as if he would rather be anywhere else...."?

268
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 20, 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 08:23:31 pm »
Alvarez smooth from 1st to 3rd to Yuli's single to RF.

269
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 20, 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 08:10:37 pm »
Jack Morris (Tigers announcer) observes Sanchez FB @ 89 w/ "normally that would be up to 95.  Not the same pitcher I have seen before..."

Is Sanchez OK?

270
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 06:36:17 pm »
You don't give up on talent like he has.

True, but isn't there an inverse relationship b/t his potential value as a player vs the risk that he may be getting significant portion of each years guaranteed money as a resident of the IL.

271
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 06:09:53 pm »
I think Carlos may have just one more year to show he can play a full season. His injury history is becoming a threat to his career potential. He is at least at some risk of having to become a Bill Spiers type player. One with superb talent but only able to play part-time because of back issues.

Of course I could be, and hopefully am, wrong.

It hurts to see such rare gifts w/ so much risk. 

272
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros 08/19/2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 10:20:20 am »
Swinging K, Astros win.


Fortunate.   They played with their food all night.

Funny, but apt, way to put it.

273
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 10:19:24 am »
A few points:

He wasn't claimed on waivers in 2018. He was drafted by the Astros in the rule 5 draft in 2017 and early in spring training he was placed on waivers by the Astros.

Gose was only an Astro for part of one spring training.  He made one very bad outing and was sent back to the Rangers per rule 5 draft rules. He was never on the 25 man roster or Astro minor league regular season roster of any kind. His Baseball reference minor league stats confirm this.   Being flipped to the Blue Jays on the same day meant he wasn't on a roster for those few seconds or minutes between the transactions.

Just a reminder for us all -  This thread is primarily for Ex Astros - guys who played regular season/post season games for the Astros.  For guys who were in the minors, there is a separate thread in the bus ride for Ex Bus Riders News 2019.  With as closely as we have all followed the minors during the rebuilding years, we get them confused sometimes.

That helped!  Much obliged, Duman!

274
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 09:48:18 am »
He hit .194 in July. You can find month by month on the RR MiLB site.

Found it!
Thanks, Coach.

275
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 10:53:06 pm »
Tucker will come up in September.

If it's before that it's because something bad has happened.

Understand. 
W/ the team struggling, I love Marisnick in the OF but hate to see him filling 3-4 ABs for Reddick.

276
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 10:45:59 pm »
Tucker has been very inconsistent. Terrible in April and July.  You cleverly omitted July.
Not an omission; I'm not clever.  I was tempted to mention that he was hitting .360 .333 for Aug, but didn't....

Could not find monthly totals broken out on the site but there was a search option using any two dates.  So I simply isolated the bad April from the rest of the year.

277
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 10:32:23 pm »
Interesting story!  It's a comeback for speedster Anthony Gose, this time as a pitcher finally using his 100 mph fastball.  This 2017 article tells the story about Gose telling teams not to try to make him a pitcher for almost a decade b/f making the transition.

He is barely an "ex-Astro".  Gose was on the Round Rock roster briefly twice -  as a hitter during 2010 as part of the  Roy Oswalt trade to the Phillies (he was then flipped to Toronto for Brett Wallace) and during 2018 when he was claimed on waivers as a LHP b/f being returned to the Rangers.  (The 1st link provides his transaction history.)

278
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 09:10:43 pm »
Mayfield is having a great year at AAA. 25 HRs, 75 RBIs. Hitting 30 points higher than Tucker. It would be great to see some MLB team make him their super sub next year.

I agree.  It's easy to like Mayfield's story and to definitely pull for him to get to the ML. 

But it is also easy to overlook how much Tucker has turned it around after a horrific April (.171 avg, 5 HR & 9 RBI).  His May - Aug (.295, 27 HR & 84 RBI) has brought his avg to .268 with 32 HR & 93 RBI.  He also has 28 SB. 

279
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 06:30:04 pm »
Poor Sneed has been called up and sent back down twice in the last 4 days.

....the 1st return to RR came just after he took the loss in the 12-inning game w/ Oakland. 

280
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 18, 2019, 08:37:27 am »
Don’t broadcast your age.

Saw that.
I could be a history buff.  Regardless, I'm on the sunny side of the grass, so far....

281
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 18, 2019, 08:34:24 am »
I asked cause I didn't know if they were "bush".  Certainly the expansion teams were not loaded with many treasures that the "real" teams wanted to protect.  Your list led to a little trip down memory lane....

Bobby Shantz, Nellie Fox, Don Larsen, Joe Morgan, Rusty Staub and a few dozen other first class pros never played on a bush league team.

The others were great players in their prime (or a few years later) - including home grown  Morgan (1964) & Staub (1965), but only Shantz played on the 1962 "original"  Colt .45s.

I remember thinking the .45s were certainly going to win the WS after Mejias hit not one, but two Alvarez's (3-run HR) in whopping the Cubs on opening day and sweeping the three-game series!  Didn't know about the Cubs were/would be known as the Cubbies. 



282
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 17, 2019, 04:30:44 pm »
I could not stand Lowell. I thought he was bush league.

Wasn't that a perfect fit w/ the Colt .45's?

283
Game Zone 2019 / Re: ASTROS @ ATHLETICS, AUGUST 16, 2019
« on: August 17, 2019, 12:13:56 am »
Pass Bregman for Marisnick Diaz who Ks.

284
Game Zone 2019 / Re: ASTROS @ ATHLETICS, AUGUST 16, 2019
« on: August 17, 2019, 12:11:46 am »
Altuve raw fucked by Tripp Gibson, pops out to right.

What an absolutely shit at bat by the HPU.
Altuve let him know....

285
Game Zone 2019 / Re: ASTROS @ ATHLETICS, AUGUST 16, 2019
« on: August 16, 2019, 11:23:19 pm »
Intriguing Stro Poll tonight.

Did you think Correa would be last?

286
Game Zone 2019 / Re: ASTROS @ ATHLETICS, AUGUST 16, 2019
« on: August 16, 2019, 10:29:56 pm »
The camera panning up to the stands didn't help my stomach acid.
Likewise.  Glad to hear the A's announcer "Reddick to the wall...., catches it!"

287
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 16, 2019, 09:07:42 pm »
Fisher hit his 4th HR - 2 RBI - today in a Blue Jay win.  He has 11 RBI.

288
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Athletics, August 15, 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 10:18:06 pm »
That was the play of a man not accustomed to his team helping him out.
Wow!

289
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 08:44:37 pm »
....There are several posters posting dumber shit than this that don't get roasted repeatedly. Dude loves baseball. That's not a bad thing.
TY, MRAUP.

290
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 11:22:46 am »
Survive this season? Oh, my.

Good!

291
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 11:16:08 am »
Snuffy, I have been involved in baseball since I was 8 years old. If you believe my parents, my dad started rolling a baseball to me when I was 1. I certainly know this is a long season and there always is another game. I apologized for snapping at you but not for the way I feel about players no longer on the Astros. I wish them no harm, but I know longer root for them.
Luv ya, JimR.  Not trying to convert you, just want you to survive this season and many more....

292
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 10:56:46 am »
Why the f are you concerned about this? We have problems enough of our own.

(Added later)  No worries, JimR, and no doubt that you know and love this game and the Stros.

Baseball finds a way to keep us all humble.  Balls & strikes are currently being called by human beings.  It is easy to forget that the game is played by human beings also, including some with crying one-year-olds at home. 

They are not robots and, like us, screw up at times.  No one bats 1.000 or just throws strikes.  There will be more losses and may be more injuries, who knows.  Thinned by recent trades, the depth of the organization will be tested.  I well remember the thrill of beating a team that either just won the WS or was heading toward being in the next one.  Those wins felt like playoff wins, b/c that was the closest we thot we would ever get to seeing the team get to the WS, much less win it all.

It's fun seeing long shots like White and Garlick make the show, and even seeing Nova continue his run of great pitching w/ a CG win against the good guys!  You have to appreciate a well-pitched game, just like a great play in the OF, w/ a tip of the hat.  Hope you can chill a bit and enjoy some of the "rest of the story" behind the games.  It's a LONG season. 

I believe there's another game today.  JimR, let's hang on and see what happens....

293
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 10:28:46 pm »
White on the injured list after going 1-22 with the Dodgers.

Hate that!  10-day IL  Wonder if his right Trapezius Strain could explain some of his struggles at the plate.  Did Bregman's HBP get part of his trap?.
White's replacement, Kyle Garlick, has a story that is similar to White's.  Good stuff  - a 28th round pick as a college senior w/ a $1K signing bonus.
Leaves me wanting to pull for both of them, but the ex-Astro 1st.

294
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 04:48:04 pm »
Last chance, Top of 9th, 9-13 WSox (4 unearned)

Colome pitching,
Maldenaldo - K
Marisnick - K
Springer - GO to short

WSox win 13 - 9 & win the season series

Astros recall Cy Sneed from RR, w/ Biagini  & Straw going down.

295
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 04:35:43 pm »
Bot 8th, 9-9 - finally, a good game.....until McCann's HR

Pressley pitching
Engel  Ks - no swing
Sanchez 1B to CF
Jay Ks swinging
Anderson - 1B to RF, Sanchez to 3B - 2 outs
Abreu - (3-2) - fouls ball 4 - BB, bases loaded
McCann - Slam!!!
Jimenez GO to Correa

9-13, going to top of 9th

296
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 04:18:32 pm »
Top 8th, WSox 9-7

Marisnick sticks it in the LF fence - 2B
Springer PO to SS
Altuve, also scoring Marisnick, ties it w/ a HR to LF (new game!) 
Brantley - bases empty - 2B to left CF
    (Brings 5th reliever out of the pen; Astros have used 3 so far....today)
Bregman (3 RBI already) - lines out to 2B, 2 out
Alveraz - IBB 
    (Reddick is PR - bench is empty)
Correa - (3-2) - BB, bases loaded for...
Yuli - fly out to CF

to Bot 8th, 9-9

297
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:57:33 pm »
Bot 7, WSox 8-7
no umbrellas

Harris pitching
Alvarez looks great tracking McCann's Line out
Jimenez does an Alvarez to CF (434)  ................9-7 WSox
Castillo GO to Correa
Goins K

End 7th, WSox 9-7
Marisnick up

298
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:48:32 pm »
Good read by Alvarez on the Line out!

299
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:46:38 pm »
Top 7th,  8-5 WSox, light rain

Altuve (RF) & Brantley (LF) lead off the top of 7th w/ hits, 1st & 3rd
Bregman !B scores Altuve, Brantley to 2B
ALVAREZ!!!  Ks
Correa - WOW!  BB on Strike 3! - bases loaded.
Yuli 1B to LF, 8-7, bases still loaded w/ 1 out!!!
Diaz for Chirinos to DP

8-7 WSox

Astros LOB 7, WSox 4

300
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:32:48 pm »
Top 6th,  7-4 WSox

Yuli line drive HR, just over the fence
IF "hit" by Chirinos
Marisnick Ks
Springer GIDP

Bot 6th, 7-5 WSox
After two infield GO
Double by Anderson
Single by Abrieu scores him, but he is out at 2B

8-5 WSox, going to top of 7th
Umbrellas out, light rain

Altuve & Brantley lead off the top of 7th w/ hits...


301
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:11:59 pm »
Chirinos smash up the middle - no, that's the bat - pop hit b/t pitcher, 2b, & 1b.  No one covering 1st. 
It's a hit!

302
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:07:23 pm »
Chirinos sneaks a glance at Goins as he Ks on a high strike from McHugh....
He understands...

303
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 03:06:24 pm »
Money has absolutely nothing to do with it.
PRIDE.

304
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:59:55 pm »
Even babies don’t shit themselves this much in 24 hours...

True, esp when they are being paid well to play well.

305
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:54:24 pm »
His “so” was supposed to be “no.”

Maybe the 'Stros misread it also....

306
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:52:01 pm »
It's August,  so time for uncharacteristic bad play on defense,  ineffective offense,  and boneheaded choices on the basepsths.

esp after a DH....

307
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:36:44 pm »
That RF corner bites us this time.
Did Sanchez miss 3B???

308
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:27:24 pm »
Nice sliding catch by RF Jay against Marisnick for 1st out.

309
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:20:56 pm »
Nice try for triple play, now 6-4 w/ 2 outs.

310
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:16:59 pm »
Astros lead 4-0, unless you count 4 unearned runs....

311
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:12:57 pm »
Chirinos bats Ks with the sacks full....

312
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:10:15 pm »
Chirinos bats with the sacks full....

313
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:08:45 pm »
Pulling back to tie after the bottom of the 2nd is no small feat.
Keep going, guys!
Start fielding like you are hitting now.

314
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox 08/14/2019
« on: August 14, 2019, 02:04:41 pm »
Surprised Alvarez saw some strikes....

315
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ White Sox, 8-13, Game 2
« on: August 13, 2019, 09:06:48 pm »
No Walks or Ks so for, either side....

316
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at White Sox - 8/13 Game 1
« on: August 13, 2019, 03:46:12 pm »
Not Tucker, eh?

I saw that.  Not yet, not until after home field advantage has been determined for the playoffs. 
Would stop and watch every AB, just like most watch each Jordan AB.
Nice thump!

317
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 13, 2019, 11:48:19 am »
Typically, but the 2 he hit yesterday were not ABQ cheapies.  They would have been out anywhere.

Link

318
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 13, 2019, 10:13:18 am »
He played 1B last night and did fine, just as Álvarez did when I saw him play 1B in RR. Tucker had one difficult chance moving to his right for a backhand stop and long overhand throw leading the pitcher to the bag. He made that play with no problem.

As I posted last night, he had a major power outage in July. He hit only three homers during the month, and none of them were in RR. Same story last night. He hit two home run distance shots, but they were well foul....

W/ that slow start Preston's brother is hitting .366 for Aug (15 for 41) w/ 5 HR & 15 RBI in the last 10 games!  W/ 32 HR he needs five steals to have a 30/30 year.

Remember him cutting up during a ST interview, joining Fisher w/ a "stare"?

319
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 13, 2019, 09:36:56 am »
Actually, the good family story that involves a baseball or Astros connection is welcomed on my end.
Gotcha.

320
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 13, 2019, 07:41:07 am »
Josh Rojas already called up by DBacks

A great debut
Didn't know he was an Arizona native.

321
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 12, 2019, 09:23:18 pm »
Snuffy needs to trust his stuff


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, MusicMan, JimR, and Happy,
I need to remember OWA is a family; to post only when rested & it has been proof read; and not to pretend I have a blazing fastball....
If I go geezer and start talking about my family, shoot me. 

322
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 11, 2019, 06:29:41 am »
I don't know how smart I am but I do seem to have a certain facility with the chaotic.

Comes in right handy if you happen to have a five year old running loose around your house.

That's a huge gift, Chuck. 

Life makes it hard to focus at times - most of the time - and it's easy to miss what is really important.  Only one of our grand kids is under five,  They grow up really fast and will soon reach the point at which they no longer want much of our attention.  I have to remind myself that while it is easier to type on a computer keyboard than to listen to and play with them, it may not be as rewarding in the long run.  Some of our grand kids call to have us come and play with them.  That's a huge gift also.  I know they can wear you out, enjoy them while you can.  (We have a bag of games in the back of our van, just in case.)

TY for taking the time to read and explain my cryptic post.
Snuff

323
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 10, 2019, 02:55:37 pm »
Patrick, and that LAA trade was in 2018. Kemp to the Cubs in 2019 for Maldonado.
TY for your correction and patience, JimR.

324
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 10, 2019, 10:14:57 am »
To a lot of folks in my life, Jim R. is Coach. Maybe there is another one around here. Dunno.

TY, JimR.  Should have thanked Chuck, rather than Coach, for the feedback.
My bad. (Correction has been made.)
Sorry, Chuck; TY, JimR.

325
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 10, 2019, 10:10:23 am »
Paul Sandoval (from the Maldonado trade) had a great debut on Monday.  He pulled a Sneed, eating 5 innings w/ 90 pitches - giving up no HR's - in a loss!

Well done!

326
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 10, 2019, 09:42:07 am »
Boy!  I get it!  It is so frustrating to try to understand someone who thinks, constructs sentences with undefined pronouns, sometimes does not even complete sentences, and regularly talks in ways I don't understand.  Very aggravating!  I feel stupid b/c I don't understand!  Don't like feeling stupid! 

One big difference b/t that situation and OWA posts is that I can't ignore them.  Communication keeps a relationship alive.  I have to listen and ask questions until I do understand b/c I have to "follow" her.  For some reason, my questions aggravate her.  It's been a challenge we have both faced for almost 50 years.  (It is a challenge that someone new and different brings to a group like OWA that has known each other very well for more than a decade.) 

Apparently, Luhnow knew....”
Do you know he knew Lucroy was about to go? Do you know LAA did not approach him first? Do you know LAA was only one of many calls Luhnow made trying to trade Stassi? I totally agree Luhnow got two somethings for nothing, but did Luhnow know about Lucroy or was he surprised if/when LAA told him Lucroy was headed to DFA?

I have known chuck is smarter than I all along, but this episode proves it. I could not have followed your post to Stassi in a million tries. I am going to go back and read it again.

Of course not.  I thot that "apparently" make it clear that I did not know.  Great questions!  Who knows any of that? 

It would not be a stretch to view at least some OWA posts as being based on assumptions, certainly mine.  It's fun to guess.  Some are more convincing than others and some are based more on knowledge than cogitation.  Sometimes the excitement of the trading deadline may generate so many guesses that the server breaks down from all the hot wind.  But that's part of the fun - and the challenge for Waldo. 

Unless I link to a source to someone that actually "knows" - or at least convinces me that they "really" know - most of the time I am guessing (too) about the game and team we love so much.   That's the only thing I know: I share the love for baseball and the Astros and am thankful for MLBTV and this site.  I wonder about a lot of things...

It was a boring off day, not much to talk about, especially on this thread after the trade deadline cause there are not going to be many more ex-Astros for a while.  My post was an attempt to inject a little humor (& action) by expanding the topic from just including ex-Astros to including the players that were released, traded, etc. to make a place for our guys.  It did not work.  I should have made it more clear by referencing Stassi, but thot/hoped that mentioning Lucroy's move to the Cubbies would be enuf.  Another assumption.  Usually when that happens, there are crickets.  Appreciate the feedback, JimR, Mr. Happy, and Coach Chuck.

I hate having to explain my jokes, but it happens sometimes.  It's a constant reminder that I have work to do. 
 
PS: JimR, I appreciate the effort of taking a 2nd read of the post!

Edit: correction changed Coach to Chuck. - thanks JimR.

327
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 11:16:38 pm »
I didn't know that I had to try to follow you. Are you capable of clearly articulating your points? If not, don't post it.
Understand.  Will work on it.
TY

328
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 08:29:38 pm »
WTF?

Sorry, JimR, I should have mentioned Stassi as Lucroy's replacement. 
It would have helped.

329
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 08:20:10 pm »
He's talking about Stassi I think.

TY, Chuck.  I am sometimes hard to follow.

Apparently Luhnow knew the Angels were looking to replace Lucroy, making a potential landing spot for Stassi and a reward in the form of two prospects.   It was something when nothing seemed likely for a player that the Astros had DFA - Luhnow's magic on a smaller scale.

330
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 06:43:57 pm »
Stretch????? Surely, you jest.
Absolutely!

331
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 06:14:11 pm »
WTF?

It's a stretch, I know....

332
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 09, 2019, 05:56:11 pm »
If Fiers hadn't had a godawful first month or so, and pitched like he has all year, all year, he would legitimately be in the Cy Young conversation.

I have no idea what happened (i.e. did they tell him to change anything?), but I'm happy for the guy.  He pitched his ass off for about 2 months in '17 and really saved the pitching staff.

Good for Mike!

On a slow day, could a player that graciously "gave up" their place on the roster for an ex-Astros count?  If so, then new Cubbie Lucroy had a 3 for 5 day - a 2B and 2 RBI - to go w/ 2 catcher interference calls.  (Kemp did not play.)

333
Talk Zone / Re: Off day question
« on: August 09, 2019, 09:33:04 am »
He was walked with the bases loaded, too.

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/barry-bonds-is-intentionally-walked-with-bases-loaded/c-127075262

TY for this link - amazing respect!  The outfielder feigned a heart attack after making the the catch.

According to this link, it has has been successful four of  the five times it has been done, w/ a Josh Hamilton IBB by TB in 2008.

The Baseball Almanac includes a 6th IBB and the bases full in 1901 when the manager inserted himself as the pitcher, walked in a run w/ an IBB and then retired the next three batters to preserve the win - a strategy has worked five of the six times it has been employed!

334
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 08, 2019, 06:42:19 pm »
Happy for him. I wish him well. He had a chance here, but he blew it through subpar performance. Maybe he changes his swing and becomes the next J.D. Martinez. I wouldn't care one bit, because we needed the pitching at the time.

Yes!  This thread helps fans follow and celebrate the success of ex-Astros.  Who wasn't surprised by the players the Jays were willing to trade for him?  He ended up helping his old team while finally getting a chance to play.  Is that going to be the same story for Mayfield?

(Fixed 2nd sentence.)

335
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Ex-Bus Rider News 2019
« on: August 06, 2019, 10:23:28 am »

336
Talk Zone / Re: The Call - family edition
« on: August 04, 2019, 09:34:03 pm »
Kyle made his debut today vs. the Rays.  1 2/3 IP, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 HR.  Jesus Agular took him 447 to CF on the 10th pitch of an at bat for the one hit.  His mom, grandparents, siblings and nieces and nephews all there for his appearance.  His first strike out was of Mike Zinino.
Congratulations! 
Here's a link: His first strike out was of Mike Zinino.

337
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 05:18:41 pm »
Stage left.
Need all the help I can get....

338
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 04:17:25 pm »

339
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 04:10:59 pm »
LF?

Shift wt 2B playing short LF RF....
I don’t multitask very well.
Just cking to see if you’re paying attention.

340
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 04:00:24 pm »
Alvarez runs w/o limp on GO to LF....

341
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 03:35:36 pm »
Smith jumps on the pogo stick and picks the chopper out of the air,  makes the throw to end the inning.

2-1 mid 7.

Nice!!!

342
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 03:26:30 pm »
18 scoreless innings snapped for the Astros pitching!

343
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 03:21:40 pm »
Amazing, after seeing Alvarez going down and rolling over 2x in extreme pain, then see him stay in and slam to ball almost to the wall in CF.

Seattle announcer:  "Here's the pitch, (pause) clubbed!!!!.... (pause) caught in CF for SF."

344
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seamen at Astros, August 4, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 03:13:30 pm »
WP puts Bregman on 3B.

345
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 3, 2019
« on: August 03, 2019, 09:51:04 pm »
“And I really knew in the 9th, when Gerrit Cole was yelling at the fans to sit down and watch the game.” Hinch.
Luv this!

346
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 3, 2019
« on: August 03, 2019, 09:29:38 pm »
Outstanding!
Hello, Sanchez and  Biagini! 
Wow!

347
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 03, 2019, 07:57:41 pm »
Unfortunate incident for Derek Fisher in Baltimore. He was playing right and came running in to catch a pop fly in short right. He missed the ball and it hit him in the face/eye. He’s been pulled from the game. Hopefully he’s

Saw he had been taken but did not know why.
TY for the heads up.  Agree, hope he is OK.

348
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 02, 2019, 06:54:48 pm »
Nice short hop pickup by Maldonado for the tag. So great to have him back on the team.

Thankful that he made the play  unscathed.

349
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seatwats @ Astros 8/2
« on: August 02, 2019, 06:44:30 pm »
Anyone else at the game besides me?
I’m here. 233
Woot! 109. Go Astros!!

Luv it!
Enjoy the game, Guys!
Yes, Go Astros!!!  (& OWA fans)

350
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 02, 2019, 04:46:58 pm »
Lucroy DFA to make room for Stassi.
WTF?

Some takes on mlbtraderumors.com

Quote
(From the article) 
....Now, Lucroy can’t be traded. If and when he’s placed on outright waivers, rival organizations will have a chance to claim his contract, which would mean taking on the remainder of the $3.35MM he’s guaranteed this year. (The deal also includes bonuses based upon games started as a catcher and plate appearances.)...

From the comments...
.....Man, Lucroy got screwed. First he gets demolished by Marisnick, then loses his spot on the team because of it. Oh, and by a former teammate - Stassi - of Marisnick no less. Ouch.

.....(cold, DFA right after IL) "They had to, you can’t release or demote someone on the IL."

.....His defense behind the plate was really bad even before holy saint Jake hung a left and sent him to the hospital.  I doubt there much of a market for him, but wish him well....

.....Stassi has 3 years of club control and the Angels system is scary thin at catcher. Max will be in training camp next Spring. Lucroy won’t.  but I do agree he creates a new baseline, not a new ceiling.

Who KNEW they were done w/ Lucroy, probably b/f the collision!  That explains why Stassi was worth a couple kids


351
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:14:01 pm »
Machete's 2B started a 3-run rally in the 8th, after three K's

352
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:08:07 pm »
Reddick, knowing the situation (one out man on third) judged the flight perfectly and sprinted over to get in position to make the catch and throw.

Puig did not slide at home.

353
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:05:24 pm »
The fair comment is to say he missed 2 HRs by a few degrees of launch because he definitely didn’t come up short on the power on either one
+1

354
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 08:51:05 pm »
Maybe, lefty on lefty.

Forgot some teams have LH in their BP...

355
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 08:46:15 pm »
Do they want Alvarez rather than Bregman?

356
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 08:21:32 pm »
Boy!  The sound of the bat on the ball when Yordan is swinging it!
Wish he had gotten it out of the IF.

357
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:59:59 pm »
LOB  - Astros 6, Indians just 2!
2-1
Runs, please!

358
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:40:22 pm »
Fun to watch Correa throw a laser to 1B!!!  A thing of beauty

359
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:31:35 pm »
How did Springer not get nailed by the line drive catch!
Excellent base running!

360
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:30:41 pm »
Reddick, knowing the situation (one out man on third) judged the flight perfectly and sprinted over to get in position to make the catch and throw.

What pitcher wouldn"t want to take the mound with these guys behind them!!!

361
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:24:03 pm »
That wasn't even close. Great throw, great camera angle on the replay.

Great defense!

362
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:22:30 pm »
Tribe testing the OF arms; 0 for 2 so far!!!

363
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:20:16 pm »
What a play!

364
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Cleveland
« on: August 01, 2019, 07:08:11 pm »
Yordan’s approach and power combination is like a velvet hammer.

Beautiful!

365
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 02:07:50 pm »
Greinke was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder in 2006 after quitting baseball.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abcnews.go.com/amp/Sports/mastery-mystery-zack-greinke/story%3fid=34389507

Great article!  Tks for the link.
Love his advise to the backup Dodger catcher who had to jump in after #1 catcher was hurt:
Quote
He tells me, 'Put down whatever you want. Everything right now is nasty.'
He sounds like he will be fun to watch!

366
Talk Zone / Re: The Call - family edition
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:46:46 pm »
Very cool. Family friend of ours just got called up as well.

Glad his has your support!
Link?

367
Talk Zone / Re: The Call - family edition
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:40:06 pm »
My cousin's kid got the call up the the Marlins and is on the roster today.
What a thrill to see you child achieve his dream so early in life!
Great reason to root for the Marlins; would love to see his updates on THIS thread.

368
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:34:33 pm »
If I didn't know better I'd guess he's on the spectrum.

If so, he is functioning at a very high level - amazing!

369
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 09:43:48 pm »
And apparently we get two 18-year-old kids for Stassi. Obviously I know nothing about them but props to whatever intern they put in charge of getting this deal done while they were handling all the rest.

Right on!
two 18-year-old kids for Stassi
Quote
....Outfielders Rainier Rivas and Raider Uceta are going to Houston in return, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter).....

....two teenage outfielders from the depths of the Los Angeles minor-league ranks. MLB Pipeline doesn’t view either as one of the Halos’ top 30 prospects, though at just 18 years old, these are far from finished products. Both Rivas and Uceta are playing in the Arizona League with the Angels’ rookie-ball affiliate. Uceta has posted a .278/.341/.373 batting line in 138 plate appearances at the level, while Rivas has batted .400/.512/.543 in 86 PA.

Wasn't Alvarez 18 when he was traded to the Astros?  (Correction: He was 19.)
Just saying....

370
ETA and I have been personal friends for many years, despite that we live in different states. We speak periodically on the phone, and he actually hosted me in Houston for an OWA OD several years back. I buy tickets with the group every year, and it seems that my schedule falls apart at the end, and Mr. & Mrs. ETA get my tickets with my compliments. He doesn't come around as often as he used to, and I'm a little sad about that.
I am around, just little to say. There are good people here.

Not a surprise, since we are rooting for the good guys!
Thanks for sharing!  Great to hear - and see via posted tributes!

371
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 30, 2019, 12:57:53 pm »
https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/anthony-rieber/mets-defensive-metrics-1.34340685
Informative article!  Pathetic defense!

Nod to the 'Stros defense:
Quote
Digging deeper, the Mets’ defensive efficiency ratio (DER), according to MLB.com, is .677, which is 27th in baseball. DER is a statistic that measures for every ball hit into the field of play, how likely is the defense to convert that into an out. For comparison’s sake, the Astros are first at .726 and the Rockies are last at .673.

372
Talk Zone / Re: 1st Place, Fish-slingers, and the schedule so far...
« on: July 29, 2019, 03:16:07 pm »
How astute of him. Who knew?

Doesn't take much to impress me.....

373
He is so much more than that, but a good start.
Aw shucks, ETA. Thanks!!! I so value your friendship.

Good stuff!
How old is your friendship? 
Did it start on OWA?

374
Talk Zone / Re: 1st Place, Fish-slingers, and the schedule so far...
« on: July 29, 2019, 11:26:12 am »
During the games against, former Ranger - now announcer David Murphy, observed that whether or not the opposing team is on a hot or cold streak may be more important than their W-L record. 

375
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Turdinals, 7/28/19 Part Deaux
« on: July 29, 2019, 12:27:13 am »
I blame snuffy.

Nah, doubt it.  Has it happened b/f?

When I watch LOTR w/ my tweener grandsons, there are two sets of questions with each scene and each new character:
"Are they good guys?  What are they doing?  Why?..........."

After a while, I stopped the movie and asked, "Why so many questions?"

Quote
Cause we have never been with someone who knew the answers!

You OWA guys know so much about the game and love it so, I sometimes give into the temptation to ask questions, just like my grandsons.

Will work on it.

376
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 28, 2019, 04:23:41 pm »
WTF, man? There was nothing wrong with the play.

You are in the wrong thread, too.
Just figured that out....
Tks, JimR!

377
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Cards 07-28-19
« on: July 28, 2019, 04:20:26 pm »
Yep. He was out by a lot.
Nice tag!  He must has seen Altuve tap the plate after he ducks the tag.

378
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 28, 2019, 04:02:31 pm »
Maybe not, but I would think SOP would be to get the ball into Correa's hands as quickly as possible.
True!
Any idea about Alvarez's arm/accuracy?

379
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 28, 2019, 03:52:40 pm »
Card's bats could not find Alvarez today.  Check that - only once that I remember.
Cards announcers started "chirping" as Alvarez RAN the ball in after O'Neill's 1B in the 3rd, saying he must be "afraid" to throw.
Did he have to throw with the infielders since he was moving toward them and the runners (1st & 3rd) were not trying to advance?

380
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Cards 07-28-19
« on: July 28, 2019, 01:55:27 pm »
That is accurate.

And George checked his swing on strike 2.
Did he seem to cut down his swing a bit w/ 2 strikes this time?

381
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros search for The Fountain of Youth
« on: July 27, 2019, 09:42:52 pm »
Should I read anything into Carlos being pinch hit for?

Believe the Astros announcers mentioned a spike to his hand in the "slide".

382
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 27, 2019, 09:38:58 pm »
Tucker had a slam tonight; he was 1 for 4 AB. 
Visiting RR leading by a familiar score, 8-2, as they bat in the top of the 9th

383
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros search for The Fountain of Youth
« on: July 27, 2019, 09:28:04 pm »
Should I read anything into Carlos being pinch hit for?
Precautionary?

384
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros search for The Fountain of Youth
« on: July 27, 2019, 09:07:31 pm »
B 8th
Card announcers saw Munoz sliding into Carlos' leg rather than the bag, figuring a called DP rather than a FO.
On the DP that follows, they describe Carlo's laser throw as an "angry" throw!

385
Talk Zone / St. Louis Cardinals hospitality!
« on: July 27, 2019, 06:08:25 pm »
30 years ago, I was staying in a downtown St. Louis hotel that was within walking distance of the stadium.  The Cards were playing the Astros.  Since the game was not on local TV and I was too cheap to buy a ticket, I walked by the stadium during the game while listening to the game on the radio. 

Suddenly, the gates were opened and there were plenty of seats!!!  Turns out the gates were opened each night during the bottom of the 7th inning, apparently allowing walk-in traffic!  Returned the next night, enjoying the last 2.5 innings of two Astros wins!!!  It was great and the price was right!

Have you ever heard of another ball club that allows or did offer this freebie?  Surely, much depends on the neighborhood, but St. Louis was great!

386
Per this article:
Quote
Álvarez is scheduled to start Sunday's series finale in left field, but a more accurate representation of the Astros' full-strength lineup may not arrive until Tuesday's series opener against the Indians at Progressive Field.

Asked whether Álvarez would hit fifth or sixth in a full-strength lineup, Hinch gave a wry grin and only replied "one of those two." The manager intimated Yuli Gurriel — he of 15 home runs in his last 25 games — and Josh Reddick could both hit in the bottom third of the order.

387
We didn't give J.D. Martinez away. The player he was was wasn't in the team's plans. To his credit, Martinez reworked his swing and became a superstar. Hard to predict.
Well said, Mr Happy, and true!  "Hard to predict." Indeed!
I don't recall Bo Porter being at least partially to blame for JD's struggles and his eventual release.  It is mentioned in this article
Quote
....at least one person familiar with the team’s thinking pointed to a particular incident from the year prior that might have expedited the fallout well before Martinez’s release, when then-manager Bo Porter pulled Martinez during a loss to the Mariners in April of 2013 and afterwards called him out publicly for a mental mistake at the plate. Instead of taking him aside privately, Martinez was subject to widespread ridicule....

The Rule 5 pressured the Laureano trade and Brandon Bailey is with Corpus Christi as a result.

Scrubb, received for White, was also Rule 5 eligible.  Hence, his move from the Dodgers.

TY, Mr. Happy - great login name - makes me think of this guy

388
Gave away JD Martinez? Surely you know that story. It has been written a million times.

Loreano? Ok, I give up.
Thot I summarized the story in the 2nd post - that he did not realize his potential, much less show it, until after the trade.  Until then, he had no hope of making the 25-man roster, much less start in the OF.  Possible Rule 5 draftee?

Same with Laureano, tho I believe his was also driven by being eligible for the Rule 5 draft and wanting something for him.

389
Nonsense.


I hope I am wrong, but based on his one AB last night, more work is needed in the OF and/or 1B b/f we can see more than one AB from him at the home of an NL team.

390
Do you remember when the Astros had Berkman play CF? If you can hit, they will find a position for you

Great reminder!  Who can forget his fabulous catch on Tal's hill!!!
Did the work in the OF and at 1B did start in the minors b/f this year?  And, if so, why not?
Looking forward to him honing his defensive skills.
Thanks, Doyce7

391
This is bs. He is a decent OFer, as we had seen in Houston, and as I saw in RR. He can and will play 1B. He played 1B in RR and did fine.Where the hell do you get these ideas? Are you new to baseball? One dimensional? He’ll, no.

Álvarez was 16 or 17, 180 pounds, and had not yet played played a game for the Dodgers. They needed Fields, who was a MLB reliever who throws hard. This was a no-brained for LA because they did not have an inkling of who he would become.

The answer to your question is no. Hell no.

Great to hear eye witness testimony regarding his current & potential OF and 1B proficiency!  That is good news.   My question was based on a limited sample, having seen him handle a few innings in one game, as well as how he has been under utilized (so far) in an NL home game - the St. Louis series.

Thanks also for your take of LA's reason to want a present value of Field's FB to any future value of their fresh and certainly unknown/unproven signee.  That makes sense to me. 

Heck, tho they had been w/ the organization for some time, the Astros gave away JD Martinez and Laureano b/f their potential was fully realized and, until they showed more, they could not break in to 25-man roster, much less the lineup.  The Dodgers trade was based on scant information about Alvarez, obviously less than the Astros scouts had seen.

His ONLY AB last night reminded me why I hated the DH.  It's hard not to enjoy Alvarez as a DH.  (Tho I still get the haunting feeling from my younger self, that I am losing my baseball "virginity"}

I wonder if another former NL Astros fans also feel some minimal discomfort mixed with their joy of having Alvarez as an Astro DH.

Tks, JimR

392
Beer and Queso / Payton helps us learn to laugh again....
« on: July 27, 2019, 08:57:27 am »
Ck out his videos in this article.

393
Talk Zone / Would the Dodgers have had to trade Alvarez eventually?
« on: July 27, 2019, 08:13:02 am »
Hearing the Cardinal announcers getting excited over seeing Alvarez come to the plate - "We finally get to see him!  We've heard a lot about him...." - only to see him take a couple swings, smash a 2B, and then return to the bench after Straw comes in to run for him, it finally dawns on me that the Dodgers had no choice.

W/o a position, Alvarez was limited to a AB per game for the Dodgers.  They could have gotten much more for his bat had they waited, but Alvarez's value was limited in the NL team.

He is a force at the plate, but ultimately he is a one-dimensional player for now - the reason most of us hated the DH b/f the Astros moved to the AL.

394
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 10:35:16 pm »
Cards are hot: 6-game win streak, 1-game lead in 1st place over Cubbies.
Rangers 3-2 over A's in bottom of 4th - in Oakland.

395
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:53:01 pm »
Did the pitcher give the signal to the catcher?

396
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:43:21 pm »
Go, Bregman!

397
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:40:21 pm »
Altuve with 2-0 is hitting over .500; .400 at 3-0
3-2 hits .167

398
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:36:08 pm »
Cards announcers can't wait to see Jordan hit.

399
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:29:02 pm »
Yuli glove work!

400
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:22:06 pm »
6 IP 4 hits 1 run 2 BB 6 K
The kid did great!!!

401
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:14:26 pm »
Martinez grounds behind second, Correa nice play and throws a dart to get him by a few steps.

1 out.

Sight for sore eyes....

402
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 26, 2019, 07:59:59 pm »
Luhnow hornswaggles the Dodgers again. Alvarez 2.0.
There ya go!

403
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Database Hackers, 7/26
« on: July 26, 2019, 07:52:00 pm »
Ok, that was the catch of the year by Chirinos.
Indeed!
Not many batters avoid a HBP by moving TOWARD the plate.....

404
Talk Zone / "Nobody left to bury you."
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:18:36 am »
I got my start "here" in 1997.  It was shocking to me that there would be a community of Astros fans since I had been an Astros fan since 1978 but had never lived in Astros territory so never had a meaningful discussion with another Astros fan.  Completely foreign to me.  Pandora's box was surely opened.

10 years ago tonight I was part of an OWA group outing to watch the Astros lose to the Mets 10-3 and it was one of the greatest life changing nights of my life. Thanks to all, especially those who keep this community going.

So true, Das.  It points to the uniqueness of this site and longevity, where baseball is loved and taught (I learn something almost every time I log in) and Astros fanatics thrive (and sometimes enjoy bantering w/ each other).  Glad you had this experience, Bench.  Thanks for sharing it.  For those of us that live in other time zones, this board is the closest thing to seeing other Astros fans face to face, much less enjoying a game together. 

Thankful for OWA.  Hope registration is fixed or opened again, so more can experience this and this site can become more like Second Hand Lions rather than Edge of Darkness.  The last exchange at the end of the clip highlights the future of OWA with a closed registration: "No one is left to bury you."
Quote
Jedburgh: I don't know what it means to have lost a child, but I know what it means never to have had one.
Thomas Craven: Yeah, got nobody left to bury you.

405
Ran across this review of Scrubb on a Seattle site that was posing three options to dump Gordon.

Quote
(2 Jul 19) Option 2: Seattle sends Gordon to the Dodgers along with $10 million
Potential trade – Scrubb, an 8th round pick of the Dodgers in 2016, is a big-bodied reliever that throws some gas. Armed with a low-to-mid 90’s fastball and a wipeout breaking ball, Scrubb is a pretty good bet to contribute at the major league level in 2020. He’s currently striking out more than a batter per inning at AA Tusla and should get the bump to AAA here soon. He’s currently running a 2.31 ERA and 1.179 WHIP.

Scrubb would fit well into future plans for the Mariners as the bullpen is an obvious position of need moving forward. With guys like Sam Delaplane, Art Warren, Wyatt Mills and others working their way through the system, Scrubb would represent another high-floor arm to add to that promising cavalcade.

Regarding the control issues, it is easy to forget the Astros' ability to help pitchers hone their talents (James, Cole, etc.)

406
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 26, 2019, 07:50:23 am »
....I can't imagine his nerves getting on a Major League field and playing a position that he's not really played, for a team with World Series expectations. He's done an incredible job

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Well said!

407
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 05:20:35 pm »
Not sure how you got that from what I said. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. The most likely reason the Astros and Dodgers haven't made deals tongether since 2016 is that they have both been contending since that time. Contenders don't usually deal with other contenders. Not because the Dodgers are "scared" of making deals with the Astros, which is ridiculous.

Had not read your post, tho the logic makes sense to not help a contender.  Hoping the Alvarez trade may well be to the Dodgers what the Bagwell trade has become to the Red Sox.

Note from Dodger fan site:
Quote
.....RHRP Andre Scrubb (24) has done enough to solidify his position and get protected in December. He is not flashy, but has shown enough to be considered for a future in the LAD bullpen. The same is true for LHRP Logan Salow (24), one of DC’s favorites....

408
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 05:09:07 pm »
white is on a journey I bet he never expected to make. good for him...just not to good if  he goes against the Astros

Totally agree.  While being grateful for the chance to play, we can expect him to try hard to make the 'Stros regret trading him someday.



409
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 04:52:04 pm »
Or it could be that, you know, good teams usually trade for good players on bad teams and bad teams trade for prospects from good teams.

Doubt the Astros would accept a player dump for White, in "appreciation" for Alvarez.

410
The East Bay area is not a small market at all and has a very strong fan base. The payroll is small because the owners want it that way. No sympathy or admiration there.

Correction noted regarding the A's. (Should have remembered that from the movie.)

Perhaps TY IN TAMPA could address whether the Rays PR is limited by market size, owner intentional, or some combination?


411
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 04:36:43 pm »
Frankly I was resigned to the notion that White would be gone with nothing in return. 

Glad the Astros got an asset; time will tell how good he really is or isn't.

Me, too.
We can bet the Dodgers were slow to make another trade w/ the Astros in light of this footnote on the MLB site
Quote
This is the Dodgers’ first trade with the Astros since the Aug. 1, 2016, acquisition of reliever Josh Fields for Yordan Alvarez, who has gone on to be one of the most impactful rookie sluggers in MLB.

412
The East Bay area is not a small market at all and has a very strong fan base. The payroll is small because the owners want it that way. No sympathy or admiration there.

Thank you, subnuclear, for the clarification!
I thot small PR = small market; forgot the limitation might be an owner's decision as to how much $$$ they want to pay for wins.
Much appreciated!

413
Sorry, Jim,
Had been preparing a post about disparities of payrolls in the ML and should not have combined it with the A's win last night, while the pain of the loss was so fresh.

Here's a 2nd try:

....I did not realize the disparity between the Team Payrolls: particularly, the Astros, $161.6 mil (#8), compared to the A's $91.4 mil (#26) and Tampa Bay $62.8 mil (#30)!!!  (Just saw "Money Ball" on TV) According to my calculations, this means each win costs the Astros $1.58 mil, while it costs the A's $1.0 mil and the Rays $0.7 mil. 

It's easy to forget our humble origins, being one of the "have not" teams snipping at the the great teams.  Remember when a close series w/ a "good" team felt like a playoff game to beleaguered Astros fans?  That's one of many reasons to love baseball. 

 It is addicting, seeing the dream come true, seeing the Astros win the WS, while becoming one of the best w/ an enviable farm system. 

414
No.

The loss stings, no doubt, especially when we were w/i two outs of a win - plenty of room for second guessing.  But there's another game today. 
I also remember talk of the Oiler's draft position, often by mid-season.

415
After the 11-1 "statement" game  with the Astros, a local local paper declared
Quote
"Houston is now 8-1 against Oakland this season, with a run differential of 53-21. The A's have made plenty of strides the last two years, but clearly, they're not yet in the same class as the Astros...."
But the very next game, the "out classed" team stunned our Astros with a amazing come from behind 4-3 extra inning win.

That's what I love about baseball: no matter the payroll or the number of all stars on a team, it can fall to a mixed bag of lesser gifted or well known players in any game.

I did not realize the disparity between the Team Payrolls: the Astros, $161.6 mil (#8) & the A's $91.4 mil (#26)!  Tampa Bay is competing with $62.8 mil (#30)!!!  (Just saw "Money Ball" on TV) According to my calculations, this means each win costs the Astros $1.58 mil, while it costs the A's $1.0 mil and the Rays $0.7 mil. 

It's easy to forget our humble origins, being one of the "have not" teams snipping at the the great teams.  Remember when a close series w/ a "good" team felt like a playoff game to beleaguered Astros fans?  After enjoying seeing the dream come true - the Astros win the WS, becoming one of the best - a WS contender - I still find myself enjoying seeing teams win with "Money Ball".  Even when it stings the Astros.

That's one of many reasons to love baseball. 

IMHO.



416
I loved Bagwell talking about Scioscia lobbying for the rule protecting catchers:  "He blocked the plate on me once when I homered".

Bagwell is a hoot, fun to listen to his stories.

417
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A's @ Astros, July 23, 2019
« on: July 23, 2019, 08:55:22 pm »
Pretty fancy slide for a catcher!

419
Forgot the 100% penalty on the signings.

Four of the 7 international signees for $1 mil or more were traded, taking $20 $40 mil with them.

420
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A’s @ Astros - July 22, 2019
« on: July 22, 2019, 10:04:21 pm »
Martini (LF) pitched the 8th for the A's - pitching in the 60's.
Astros don't punish him.
Remember White throwing 60 38 pitches in 0.2 innings of relief, while giving up a couple HR?
Pirates on 26 June (12-1)

421
The Dodgers announcement of Jordan's signing also listed the 2015-16 International Signings.

Four of the 7 international signees for $1 mil or more were traded, taking $20 mil with them.

Pos   Player                   Million   Where     Traded for
RHP   Yadier Alvarez    $16            AA              -
OF      Yusniel Diaz         16            Orioles    Machado
2B      Omar Estevez        6            AA               -
OF      Starling Heredia    3            A (Adv)       -
IF        Yordan Alvarez      2            Astros     Josh Fields
IF        Ronny Brito            2            Toronto   C Russell Martin
IF        Oneil Cruz              1            Pirates     Tony Watson
                                       

422
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A’s @ Astros - July 22, 2019
« on: July 22, 2019, 08:57:05 pm »
Just getting here. Did I miss anything?

Nah! 

423
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A’s @ Astros - July 22, 2019
« on: July 22, 2019, 08:47:44 pm »
Yordan is something else. Amazing.

Luv it! 
A's announcers as they watch a replay of Alvarez HR:
Quote
Well, THIS is our first look at him - THUMP!!! - and he LAUNCHES it here! 
1-0 Astros!
That is a full out swing….

….I don’t know that the Astros lineup needed another bat like that….

424
Anecdote re: the spread...it's protocol for a big leaguer rehabbing in the minors to pay for at least one post-game spread of food for the team.  Remember, these are guys who are often splitting hamburgers on the road.  It's most often something unusually good, especially if the guy is an established player, even more if he's an All-Star...steaks, big BBQ spread...stuff like that.  Word on the street is, Chuck Knoblauch was the cheapest rehabber off all time in this area, only paying for Dominos to be delivered.  And not even a supreme or cheesy bread.  He was positively Trumpian.

Had no idea. 
Following a kid in the Mexican League.  If it's this bad in the minors in the US, can only imagine what it is like south of the border. 
And some of these players are married...
Makes it easy to pull for guys like Mayfield, who has been toiling in the minors for a long time, as well as J. D. Davis - now a Met - and Fisher
TY, HH.

425
Alvarez's signing by the Dodgers came up in another thread.  It may be part of a bigger story:

Álvarez was a Dodgers signee.

Yes, here's the announcement of his signing.

The Dodgers fired the majority of their international scouting department "not long after that signing period opened." 

Quote
During the 2015-16 signing period, the Dodgers invested around $97 million between signing bonuses and tax money on international prospects subject to the bonus pools. Much of that money went toward signing three Cuban players--righthander Yadier Alvarez, outfielder Yusniel Diaz and second baseman Omar Estevez--and doesn't include the six-year, $30 million deal they gave Cuban righthander Yaisel Sierra, who was exempt from the pools.

Not long after that signing period opened, the Dodgers also fired vice president of international scouting Bob Engle, Latin American scouting coordinator Patrick Guerrero and the majority of their international scouting staff.

Did a search some time ago.  Believe several of their million-dollar 2015-16 signees were traded, in addition to Alvarez!.  Others had poor starts.  Some quick searches would reveal where others ended up.

Interesting stuff.

426
Álvarez was a Dodgers signee.

Yes, moved my response to this thread

427
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:33:16 pm »
I'm out!
Fun with some grand kids.

428
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:31:33 pm »
^ 7th  Astros 4-2
McHugh pitching

Odor bunts out to McHugh - #1
Forsythe GO to Altuve - #2
Guzman BB
Mathis  swinging K - #3

v 7th  Astros 4-2

429
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:25:57 pm »
I was supposed to be at today’s game but a plumbing leak burst through my master bedroom ceiling.

This is turning out to be one shitty day.

Sorry for the mess, as well as for tagging on your post.

430
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:23:35 pm »
I was supposed to be at today’s game but a plumbing leak burst through my master bedroom ceiling.

This is turning out to be one shitty day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
v 6th  Astros 4-2
Lynn (92 pitches)

Reddick  3-2, foul 2x, FO 8  - #1
Marisnick  1st pitch PO to SS  - #2
Stassi  swinging K - #3

Oakland has won 21 of their last 27 games.
Lynn (105 pitches)

^ 7th  Astros 4-2

431
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:16:15 pm »
^ 6th  4-1 Astros

Santana swinging K - #1
Andrus GO to Altuve - #2
   almost swings into the path of the 1st pitch  - scary
Mazar - HR to LF

McHugh in; James out
Gallo - 4-pitch swinging K - #3

v 6th  4-2 Astros

432
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 03:04:16 pm »
Top 5th still 2-1 Astros, 
3rd time through the lineup.

"You will not hear that in the replay" - Dave Raymond, Tx Announcer.  A few games back he screwed up a late and mild called K.  He spent several minutes wondering how the pitch could be called a K.  That wondering did not appear on the replay.  Now I know why.

Stassi and Straw LO to RF - #1 & #2 -
    Are the Astros catching up to the FB?
Altuve 1st pitch HR (#14) to CF -
    Yes - 3rd HR by Altuve this season on 1st pitch of an AB
Bregman - GO 1B to Odor
Brantley - 3-1 BB, Bregman to 2B
Alvarez - B to RF, Brekman scores, Brantley to 3B
Yuli - FO to 2B - #3

Bot 5th  4-1 Astros

Lynn (92 pitches) Armenteros (91)

433
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 02:47:24 pm »
crickets.....

Top 4th still 2-1 Astros, 

Guzman GO #1
Mathis  & Choo - swinging K's #2 & #3

Lynn (70 pitches) has 10 K's while the Rangers are trying to wear down Armenteros - Astros' fashion (91 thru Top 5th)
Armenteros highest pitch count in minors was 95.

Bot 4th 2-1 Astros, 

434
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 02:29:52 pm »
Either ISP or id10t keyboard problem.
Please feel free to take over.
(I am worn out; this feels like WORK!)

435
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 02:22:16 pm »
Top 4th - Astros 2-1

1st pitch PO by Altuve to Odor - #
7-pitch swinging K by Bregman  - #2
Brantley 3-1, 3-2, 1B to Right, almost PO by Mazar @ 1B
Alvarez K's on three pitches - #3

Bot 4th - Astros 2-1



436
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 02:12:31 pm »
Top 3rd - Astros 2-0

Guzman foul popup to Bregman - out #1
Mathis BB
    (Mound visit)
Choo 1B to center, Mathis to 3rd
Santana 1B to Altuve, Mathis scores, Choo to 2B
(Two 2-strike hits.)
Andrus swinging K - out #2
Mazara  2-1, tried for the Crawford boxes, next pitch PO to Bregman - out #3

Armenteros was the 1st Cuban player in the Astros organization in 2014.

Bot 3rd - Astros 2-1

Pitch count - Armenteros 61; Lynn 40

437
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:59:06 pm »
Lynn K’s last 5 Astros since the Brantley HR and Alvarez single.

Does it count if it includes K's by Marisnick, Stassi, and Straw?

438
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:55:55 pm »
Bot 2nd - Astros 2-0

(Btw - kudos to Jim - Alvarez was stranded at 1st after a single during the 1st.)

Marisnick  (3-1) and Stassi (3-2) both SO swinging - outs #1 & #2
Straw - a 6-pitch called K

Same score


439
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:49:39 pm »
You missed Alvarez

Yuli, not Juli.

Tks, Jim.  Need all the help I can get.
Btw, what did Alvarez do?  (fill in the blank.)

440
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:48:46 pm »
Top of 2nd - Astros 2-0
Mazaro walks
Gallo K's swinging - out #1 (change up)
Reddick steals a HR from Odor at the wall - out #2

The Rangers saw 53 change ups yesterday (41.7% of the pitches) - the 2nd most change ups in their 13-year history.  "Looks like we're going to see more today...."

Forsyth GO to Bregman - out #3
Armenteros 35 pitches thru 2; Lynn 25 thru 1

Bot of 2nd - Astros 2-0




441
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:30:54 pm »
Bot 1st - no score (yet)
Altuve GO - #1
Bregman 6-pitch walk, swinging at only one pitch.  He usually swings at only 1/3 of the pitches.
Brantley  HR #14 scoring Bregman from 1st
Juli K's swinging on 3-2 pitch
Same with Reddick - total of 23 pitches in 1st inning by Lynn

Bot 1st  0 - 2 Stros

442
Game Zone 2019 / Rangers @ Astros July 21, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 01:25:23 pm »
Since no one has started, I could not wait...

Top 1st - 8 pitches and an overturned call
Choo safe bunt overturned - 1 pitch
Straw ranges into LF to catch out 2
Line out to Brantley - out 3

0 - Astros coming up

444
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 20, 2019
« on: July 21, 2019, 09:45:25 am »
Reddick singles
Chirinos walks
Kemp FO to center, Josh to third
Some guy replaces the other guy pitching
Straw grounds out, Chirinos to second
Springer grounds out

To the ninth.
Astros 6-1

That got it done!  Good job!
Who cares about the name of the pitcher.

445
Talk Zone / Re: Astros just DFA’d Tyler White
« on: July 20, 2019, 02:03:09 pm »
Nicely said.

Even with his struggles to produce this season, he seemed to keep an even keel.   And his defense at 1B was better than I thought it would be. Ultimately though he was here to drive in runs, he didn't,  and that's that.

His contributions in the second half last season were huge,  and played a part in breaking the team out of the August malaise. So we can put that into his Astros bio.

Hoping to see him on a rebuilding team, perhaps living the dream a little longer.
Will long remember him stretching out to over 60 pitches to protect the pen in a losing cause this year, to be relieved by none other than Stassi.

446
Talk Zone / Bregman, a very rare talent!
« on: July 20, 2019, 12:25:20 pm »
It's easy to take for granted a player that has become so familiar.  That's when it can help to see him through the eyes of his opponents. 

Last night the Rangers announcers highlighted Bregman's increasingly rare talent with these stats: "Players with at least 25 HR's & more walks than strikeouts". 

It was a short list.

Only MLB Players with 25+ HR & more walks than strikeouts         
ML Players   HR   BB   SO
Mike Trout   30   77   70
A Bregman   26   76   56

In 2016, only five players had more walks than K's, including one Astro.  This article did not focus just on HR hitters.

Thankful to see Bregman's interview about the HBP and the game last night.

He is a rare talent!


447
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 20, 2019, 08:55:22 am »
474 feet? The right fielder didn’t even budge.

It’s a shame there was no statcast for the Bonds era.

A beauty to watch!  So effortless, like swatting a fly. 
Shouldn't be long b/f there will be 10 minutes of Yordan highlights on YouTube.

448
Good stuff. Marisnick sounds like a leader. I'm so glad he's an Astro.

Me, too.
He makes it look so easy covering the outfield; good to see him hitting better.

449
Talk Zone / Re: Astros just DFA’d Tyler White
« on: July 20, 2019, 07:37:15 am »
The guy was signed as minor league filler and was never expected to play in the Major Leagues. He over-performed at every level except the Majors. The man lived the dream and I salute him.

Farewell, Tyler and success in your future!

Indeed! 
Too easy to forget.
Remember his fast start in 2016?
Early on, some viewed his approach to the plate as a "nice" change of pace.
He gave a lot of Walter Mittys hope.

450
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 10:11:45 pm »
There ya go!

451
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 10:10:06 pm »
He should be thanking God Bregman is OK.

452
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 10:06:39 pm »
Fucking clown.

Acting like he has not completed an inning before...

453
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 10:02:07 pm »
Indeed. My mind can never forget Dickie Thon.
Glad to see him get up quickly.

454
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 10:00:56 pm »
Indeed. My mind can never forget Dickie Thon.
Yes!

455
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:58:38 pm »
That was scary!

456
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:55:01 pm »
James got it done.

Offense,  please feel free to do a little more work.

Osuna needs the rest.

457
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:35:01 pm »
Ribbing us again I see.

Good one.

458
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:03:18 pm »
Bregman!

Only two MLB players w/ 25+ HR & more BB than SO:
Trout  30 HR - 77 BB/70K
Bregman 26 HR – 76 BB/56K – w/ a 34.9% swing rate!

Both are in the bottom five for swing rate: Trout #5 & Bregman #3

459
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 08:52:20 pm »
Altuve is awful.

Should have come home early...

460
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, July 19, 2019
« on: July 19, 2019, 07:57:47 pm »
(Beg pardon if this is old info and since it comes from a foreign source.)

As JV was announced, we were told while the team arrived around 5 AM from CA, JV came early.  When offered the same travel deal, Altuve declined.

After going 0-5 with 2 ER, Hinch joked that he was having second thots about encouraging him to get some extra rest....

461
This falls into the category of a Paul Harvey "Rest of the Story".

His last gift from his Dad pointed him to a life-saving career.

462
Talk Zone / Jake Marisnick - a good villain, a bad guy, or neither?
« on: July 19, 2019, 09:03:05 am »
Good article about Marisnick

Quote
....And so it has been quite the 10 days for a guy whose transgression was diving for the inside edge of home plate rather than the outside edge, a 17-inch miscalculation made in a split second that, first, injured Lucroy and, second, became Marisnick’s to explain.

He has been the adult in the room ever since, from the tenderness he showed Lucroy immediately after impact to the herding of angry teammates when the retaliation finally arrived....

According to the HC, during a team meeting after the loss (and his HBP) that seemed to help the team refocus.

Quote
(Marisnick) "Put this stuff behind us and get out and get some wins," Marisnick pleaded before Wednesday's game. "We got beat up the last couple days, we lost two here, so we're looking to get back out and get a win today."

Well done!

463
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 07-18-19
« on: July 18, 2019, 09:32:47 pm »
Flipping web pages when a quick glimpse of Miley at the mound looked for all the world like White....

464
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 07-18-19
« on: July 18, 2019, 09:31:02 pm »
Home fans bully an Astros fan to toss back Bregman's HR ball.

Opps.....
Nice! 
Dad catches Bregman's HR, hands to son.
Son throws the ball, but not far enough.
Another fan returns it to him.
Happy ending!

465
Game Zone 2019 / Did a team meeting on 7/16/19 help refocus the team
« on: July 18, 2019, 07:54:17 pm »
According to the HC, there was a Tues night team meeting after the loss (and Marisnik HBP).
Quote
Retaliation for a nine-day-old collision with catcher Jonathan Lucroy left so many mentioning Marisnick and ignoring what he felt was the bigger picture. The team itself was teetering. Oakland crept to within four games in the American League West after Tuesday's loss.

His team did so little during this road trip that could count as customary — whether on the field or off. A closed-door team meeting on Tuesday night capped the terrible stretch.

"Put this stuff behind us and get out and get some wins," Marisnick pleaded before Wednesday's game.

Apparently it helped!

466
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 18, 2019, 07:52:17 pm »
I've eaten BBQ at the fight scene location. It's Cele's Store in the country between Pflugerville and Manor.

That movie was one of the best ever...

467
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 18, 2019, 06:25:34 pm »
I got my start "here" in 1997.  It was shocking to me that there would be a community of Astros fans since I had been an Astros fan since 1978 but had never lived in Astros territory so never had a meaningful discussion with another Astros fan.  Completely foreign to me.  Pandora's box was surely opened.

Amen! 

I did not get the humor of introducing the newly drafted Colt .45s via the Sunday comics section until years later, but I kept them in a scrapbook for decades.  Later I listened to their games on Cinn, Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Miami stations - some had very strong signals.  It was great to SEE them in the playoffs on nationwide TV.  Love the Game Zone to actually share the ebb and flow of the games.  Next best thing was reading the HC or HP in the local library if they carried it - or subscribing to the SN when it was a baseball paper.

There are some Second Hand Lions here, but it's still a great place for those that love the Astros.

(Look forward to seeing more being able to join the fun - especially those that live so far away.  This makes the Astros so much closer.)

468
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 7/17/19
« on: July 17, 2019, 11:12:00 pm »
Quick, long stare at Bard by Yuli after he is almost put on the ground by pitch over his head.
Yuli sends smash up the middle that almost takes out Bard - a 4-3 out.

"Hello, Bard!"

469
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 7/17/19
« on: July 17, 2019, 10:51:25 pm »
RISP - 5 for 11

470
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 7/17/19
« on: July 17, 2019, 10:47:37 pm »
Marsnick responding well to being HBP last night: two 2B and a 1B, w/ a RS and RBI.
Nice to see Springer's hit.

471
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 17, 2019, 10:25:21 pm »
I was in Nacogdoches when I first started posting. Yes, I am familiar with both. I still have an old driver's license from there that has my address listed as "5 miles south of Nacogdoches on hwy 59"

Now, I am in the Houston area, but live just off the EasTex freeway, so I figured it would still count.

And yes, April 6th was my last post before today.

I should probably go back to lurking before I say something stupid.

Nacogdoches, beautiful sound but the devil to spell.
Moved from Colmesneil to Velasco.  Later hurricane Carla pushed us back to Colmesneil for a little vacation.
Regarding saying sumthing stupid, it's a good place to learn.  Never thot I would learn so much gammer at a baseball forum.....

472
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros Without Pitchers at Angels, 7/16/19
« on: July 17, 2019, 08:52:50 pm »
On a semi-related note,  I wish MLB would institute an automatic suspension for bullpen personnel running in for these fracases (fracasi? fracaseses? ).

It's an enormous waste of everyone's time,  and they constitute a potentially dangerous second wave in the case of an actual brawl.

I am sure the team is mad at Jake, but....
Not much upside in being in a fight, especially for a professional athlete, out of the pen or otherwise.
They would be wise to be careful to avoid a career-ending injury.
Not many options are available if you can't pitch out of the bullpen.

(PS: Wonder if some of the guys are excited about running from the pen.

473
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 17, 2019, 05:57:59 pm »
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the last time ETA posted before today was April 6.

You obviously have a very high risk tolerance.....

474
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 17, 2019, 03:16:31 pm »
Today?

Before that was April 6th.

Yah, tks!  All help appreciated!

(Try again)  "Curious, when did each of you last post - b/f today?"

BTW, what part of East Tx? 
Ever heard of Colmesneil or Lake Tejas?

475
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 17, 2019, 02:04:10 pm »
Curious, when did each of you last post?
This may become a roll call of OWA lurkers....

476
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 16, 2019, 01:27:45 pm »
I was worried this was somehow about the 2020 census.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some click bait added/small smile/
More like the 2016 OWA census.

477
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 16, 2019, 09:11:15 am »
Registration is not disabled, it's just controlled due to the thousands of undesirables who try to sneak in.  Perhaps everyone who is anyone is already here?

We've had births, deaths, and marriages.  As Steve Earle said:

Fall turned to winter, another year gone
Over and over again
Some took their lives from the land and moved on
Some stayed on to plow it back in
The good Lord he giveth, and he taketh away
And the restless shall go, and the faithful shall stay.

Helpful.  Thanks.
Curious about zero new registrations since 2017.

478
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 16, 2019, 08:32:27 am »
I think registration was (or is) disabled for a long time.

No data available prior to 2007 and 951 registrations in 2010.
I would have expected a surge with the 2017 WS.

479
Talk Zone / Re: Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 16, 2019, 08:29:58 am »
Of course people come and go, and we had at least one death I remember well. OWA will last as long as the Astros do.

Hope so, JimR.

480
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 16, 2019, 08:28:43 am »
This type of thing came up last year with the Josh Donaldson trade https://sports.yahoo.com/report-mlb-clubs-unhappy-josh-donaldson-trade-191250879.html

Players on the IL are not allowed to be traded, I think.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

TY
Did not realize or did not remember that Aiken was drafted #1 the next year by the Indians, #17, and signed for $2.5 mil while still healing from TJS.
Understand that would be different from a trade acquisition, since he was not "owned" by another team, but he became a part of the team despite his injury...

481
Talk Zone / Does census trend = RIP OWA?
« on: July 16, 2019, 08:07:11 am »
Am I reading the census wrong?
According to the forum history,...  (scroll down.)

1.  Only 21 new registrations since 2016!  None in 2018 or so far in 2019.
2.  Of the 21 in 2017, there were 11 since Aug 2017.  My 1 Sep 17 "registration" was not "new".  It was a due to ISP change from a move that blocked my access to FLSnuffy. 

Since 1 Sep 2017, the OWA population appears to have only grown by 10.
How many OWA members have croaked or retired from the site?
This is a great site for folks that love the Astros!
Hope I am wrong, but I would hate to see it die due to negative pop growth.

482
Talk Zone / Re: Nugenix
« on: July 16, 2019, 07:41:41 am »
I’d venture to say the supplement industry might be the only thing more sketchy than the pharmaceutical industry.

Appreciate the humor, but have some questions:
Is a product that is created naturally "better" or worse than an chemical that has been created to mimic it?
Why does the FDA not have the authority to review supplements b/f they are marketed? 
Do consumers really need to be guinea pigs for the supplement industry?

483
Talk Zone / Does the IL stint = the end of a Wheeler trade?
« on: July 16, 2019, 07:21:55 am »
Wheeler to the IL

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Likely a dumb question.  Asking cause I don't know - wondering who might know...
Depending on the nature of the malady and with as extensive precautions as possible, are players on the IL ever traded? 
Would a team allow a physical by another team on a player on the IL as a possible prelude to a trade?
Don't want another Aiken, but his price may be cheaper.

(Changed link to OWA thread.)

484
Talk Zone / Re: "You Can't Make This Stuff Up"
« on: July 16, 2019, 07:06:57 am »
https://theathletic.com/1075126/2019/07/13/you-cant-make-this-stuff-up-angels-combine-for-no-hitter-as-they-honor-tyler-skaggs/

Lengthy but worth the effort.

Indeed!

Could not access this article, but was touched by the available videos and ran across some "pause and think about that" notes about the game. 

....Oddly enough, five of those 13 combined no-hitters have taken place in California, but the most recent one before Friday came on July 13, 1991. As Stats Inc. points out, that was the day Skaggs was born.

....With the team going on to score six more runs the rest of the way, that gave them a 13-0 win. And once again, 7/13 is Skaggs’ birthday.

....The biggest catalyst in the Angels’ first inning was all-world center fielder Trout, who was drafted 16 picks before Skaggs in 2009.

....Two Angels played a key role in preserving the no-hitter, chiefly reliever Felix Peña, who followed opener Taylor Cole with seven dominant innings. That tied Peña’s season high, and he hadn't topped six innings in over two months.  ....he carried a 7.40 ERA with 29 hits and 13 walks in his previous 24 1/3 innings over six outings.

....Every no-hitter seemingly also has a big defensive play to keep it alive, and this one came from another unlikely hero. Rookie Matt Thaiss was manning the hot corner after just making the transition from catcher and first base this season. His diving stop in the sixth stole a single from Mac Williamson.

Apologies, if these facts were included in the Atlantic article.  Shared just in case they weren't.






485
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, July 14, 2019
« on: July 14, 2019, 03:45:24 pm »
Alvarez with an RBI single...bases still loaded...

Rangers announcers marveled at Alvarez's 2019 RBI total - including RR - equals 100, so far.
RR - 71; Astros - 29.

486
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, July 13, 2019
« on: July 14, 2019, 08:03:02 am »
Whew indeed.

Now gotta let the butterflies settle before I can sleep.

It felt like it took a few seconds after Marisnick's catch for the players - and us fans - to believe it was actually the 3rd out (= game won!!!).

487
Talk Zone / Re: Baseball
« on: July 14, 2019, 06:18:40 am »
The events in Anaheim yesterday helped me get things back in perspective.

Tomorrow's score is always 0-0.

That!!!

488
Beer and Queso / Re: Not funny....
« on: July 12, 2019, 12:32:46 pm »
I loved MAD like everyone in my peer group did when I was 13, but since then there has been a huge amount of competition from the Simpsons, South Park, the Onion, Family Guy and whatever the Zoomers are watching, so I guess it had run its course.

I'm older and grumpier now and avoid any satire or political humor like the plague. I still love the art though.

TY for sharing about MAD, subnuclear - does your login hint at  your MOS?  This article agrees with you.

Laughter is a gift and can be redemptive - freeing us from being stuck on ourselves only when we are able to admit how crazy/dense we are at times.  I am limited if I can't laugh at myself - or see why others are laughing.  (Like everything else, it is a work in progress.)  Humor has been weaponized and "neutered" when we can only laugh at others. 

Not much is funny any more - except this.  (Added later: ck out the links in the article.)

489
Game Zone 2019 / Re: -Astros vs Rangers -07-11-2019
« on: July 11, 2019, 11:42:57 pm »
Showed up late and wondered why Straw was dubbed in the box score. What happened?

A scorcher, bad-hop clocked him on the chin. 
He tried to make a play but just turned aside, squatted, and held his head. 
He left groggy, moving his jaw, and rubbing below his left ear, as he walked on on his own.
It is an mlb.com "highlight."

490
Beer and Queso / Re: Not funny....
« on: July 11, 2019, 11:19:21 pm »
MAD Magazine Fans Devastated By Cancellation

Reprints only, no more original content.

I grew up loving the irreverent, but good, humor.  No topic, no one was exempt from becoming a MAD target - mostly self-important folks and unquestioned thots. 

While most of culture was vulnerable to being dissected by MAD Magazine, the Wittenbrug Door aimed at the religious.  Both were quite effective at helping more than a few take ourselves a little less seriously.

I thot, with so much OWA quick wit, that others may have at least smiled b/c of at least one of these publications....

Was I wrong?

491
Game Zone 2019 / Re: -Astros vs Rangers -07-11-2019
« on: July 11, 2019, 10:48:59 pm »
Four stitches, unsure of status for tomorrow.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

TY

492
Game Zone 2019 / Re: -Astros vs Rangers -07-11-2019
« on: July 11, 2019, 10:11:18 pm »
Any word on Bregman?

493
Game Zone 2019 / Re: -Astros vs Rangers -07-11-2019
« on: July 11, 2019, 09:24:32 pm »
That last pitch by Sneed looked pretty sharp.

Almost 4 innings w/ 63 pitches so far.
He stopped the bleeding; now if the bats can start lighting up.

Crickets..................

Come on, guys.
At least root for Snead, and for someone to ruin the SO.

494
Talk Zone / Re: JV:the aftermath
« on: July 11, 2019, 06:47:27 pm »
Unlike every other pitcher in the majors?

Absolutely true, as far as it goes.  But JV does not consider himself = "every other pitcher in the ML".  And the Astros agree, as evidenced by the $33 mil annual contract thru 2020, the year he turns 37. 

Bum Phillips' description of Earl would apply,
Quote
"(Earl) may not be in a class by himself, but whatever class he’s in, it doesn’t take long to call the roll.”
If he wants to remain in that class and be paid well after 37, you might agree that he has extra incentives to address his weaknesses cause time is running out for him to make them.


495
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels at Astros- July 7, 2019
« on: July 07, 2019, 05:02:37 pm »
Tyler checking the dugout.
Is he looking for Straw to pinch run?

Tie game, might still need his bat (not kidding).


496
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels at Astros- July 7, 2019
« on: July 07, 2019, 04:56:15 pm »
Tyler checking the dugout.
Is he looking for Straw to pinch run?

497
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels at Astros- July 7, 2019
« on: July 07, 2019, 04:38:59 pm »
You know, it's not that Berkman doesn't have good insights.  He just needs to stick to the things that add something to the discussion.
On talking too much, just switched to the Angels broadcast to hear complete silence b/t pitches during Bregman's AB.
Refreshing!  "Audio" breathing room!
 Just crowd noise and the crack of the bat on the fly to CF....

498
Talk Zone / Re: JV:the aftermath
« on: July 07, 2019, 12:19:44 pm »
I agree. Off the top of my head, I can’t recall another starter who challenges with fastballs as much as him.
He has a strong incentive to admit and moreso to address this issue as he seeks to be effective - and paid to pitch - for several more years.

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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: July 07, 2019, 12:17:14 pm »
Apparently running the bases on all those hits last night was a little too much for Uncle Mike's hammy.

https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1147603321244606465?s=19
I noticed he literally walked home on Yuli’s HR
Some good questions were asked on the linked thread by Dirty Gringo:
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Would this fall under strength and conditioning?
Maybe these guys aren't getting stretched out properly?
I don't know the answer, and I'm sure someone has some insight. I'd just like to understand it more

Are the tweaks just more noticed while so many have been out of commission already or is this just normal for the season?


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Beer and Queso / Not funny....
« on: July 04, 2019, 09:39:32 am »
MAD Magazine Fans Devastated By Cancellation

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The 2017 reorganization and subsequent 2018 reboot both struggled with finding an identity for MAD in an increasingly satire-saturated world.

Reprints only, no more original content.

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