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Talk Zone / I've got an extra pair of tickets for Friday's game. (Tickets gone now.)
« on: October 03, 2018, 10:54:37 pm »
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Talk Zone / Starting Pitching
« on: April 22, 2018, 08:02:22 pm »
Game Scores since McCullers imploded on April 11.
Cole 76
Morton 63
Verlander 86
Keuchel 67
McCullers 81
Cole 68
Morton 79
Verlander 70
Keuchel 64
McCullers 54
Not a bad run.
Cole 76
Morton 63
Verlander 86
Keuchel 67
McCullers 81
Cole 68
Morton 79
Verlander 70
Keuchel 64
McCullers 54
Not a bad run.
3
Talk Zone / In search of old Astros programs and magazines
« on: March 04, 2018, 03:03:30 pm »
If you’ve got any you wouldn’t mind selling, please PM me. Thanks.
4
This team's problem is much more of a pitching problem than a hitting problem.
One thing masking this is the fact that run-scoring across the league is down by a significant amount this year, about 10 percent. (Collectively, the league's 15 clubs are on pace to score about 1,000 fewer runs this season than last.) This makes the offensive drop-off this year look worse than it is, and it makes the pitching drop-off this year look less bad than it is.
Other things masking this are the poor hitting with runners on base and in scoring position, the high strikeout rate and the black holes at four places in the batting order. But the strikeout rate was bad last year, there were black holes then too and even the hitting with runners on base and in scoring position was mediocre in 2015, although not as bad as this season thus far.
In 2015, the Astros were fifth in the league with 4.50 runs scored per game. The league average was 4.39 runs scored per game. In 2016, the Astros are ninth in the league with 3.68 runs scored per game. The league average is 3.98 runs scored per game. If the Astros were scoring runs at roughly the same rate as last year, they'd probably be about 10 runs better than they are now. Instead of 8-17, they might be about a game better, 9-16 or 10-15.
In 2015, the Astros were first in the league with 3.81 runs allowed per game. The league average was 4.29 runs allowed per game. In 2016, the Astros are 15th in the league with 4.96 runs allowed per game. The league average is 3.99 runs allowed per game. If the Astros were allowing runs at roughly the same rate as last year, they'd probably be about 35 runs allowed better than they are now. Instead of 8-17, they might be significantly better, probably 12-13 or even just above .500 at 13-12.
This is not to understate the degree of the offensive woes. Since improving your offense and upgrading your pitching are not mutually exclusive, eliminating or reducing the black holes in the line-up and hitting better with runners on and in scoring position would certainly help win more games. But the pitching implosion, both in the rotation and the bullpen, is the primary issue dragging this team down. Until that gets fixed, the Astros are going nowhere even if Gomez, Valbuena and Gattis turn themselves around or help comes from the farm system.
One thing masking this is the fact that run-scoring across the league is down by a significant amount this year, about 10 percent. (Collectively, the league's 15 clubs are on pace to score about 1,000 fewer runs this season than last.) This makes the offensive drop-off this year look worse than it is, and it makes the pitching drop-off this year look less bad than it is.
Other things masking this are the poor hitting with runners on base and in scoring position, the high strikeout rate and the black holes at four places in the batting order. But the strikeout rate was bad last year, there were black holes then too and even the hitting with runners on base and in scoring position was mediocre in 2015, although not as bad as this season thus far.
In 2015, the Astros were fifth in the league with 4.50 runs scored per game. The league average was 4.39 runs scored per game. In 2016, the Astros are ninth in the league with 3.68 runs scored per game. The league average is 3.98 runs scored per game. If the Astros were scoring runs at roughly the same rate as last year, they'd probably be about 10 runs better than they are now. Instead of 8-17, they might be about a game better, 9-16 or 10-15.
In 2015, the Astros were first in the league with 3.81 runs allowed per game. The league average was 4.29 runs allowed per game. In 2016, the Astros are 15th in the league with 4.96 runs allowed per game. The league average is 3.99 runs allowed per game. If the Astros were allowing runs at roughly the same rate as last year, they'd probably be about 35 runs allowed better than they are now. Instead of 8-17, they might be significantly better, probably 12-13 or even just above .500 at 13-12.
This is not to understate the degree of the offensive woes. Since improving your offense and upgrading your pitching are not mutually exclusive, eliminating or reducing the black holes in the line-up and hitting better with runners on and in scoring position would certainly help win more games. But the pitching implosion, both in the rotation and the bullpen, is the primary issue dragging this team down. Until that gets fixed, the Astros are going nowhere even if Gomez, Valbuena and Gattis turn themselves around or help comes from the farm system.
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Talk Zone / Season Tickets
« on: March 02, 2016, 06:07:44 pm »
I've got a full season plan, but, sadly, I doubt I can make it to all 81 games. If anyone wants in (with playoff options, if you take enough of a share), please PM me.
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Talk Zone / Preseason Predictions
« on: October 14, 2015, 09:50:40 pm »
http://athlonsports.com/mlb/houston-astros-2015-preview-and-prediction
2015 Prediction: 4th in AL West
2015 Prediction: 4th in AL West
7
Because the Rangers and the Angels play each other their final four games, the Astros still hold their destiny in their own hands. That series guarantees that the Rangers and the Angels cannot both run the table.
If the Astros were to finish 2-2, 1-3 or even 0-4, they would nonetheless have a chance to tie for or win the second wild card. At 2-2, the Astros would need the Angels to lose at least 3 and the Twins to lose at least 2 for a tie. At 1-3, they would need the Angels to lose at least 4 and the Twins to lose at least 3. And at 0-4, they would need the Angels to finish 0-5 and the Twins to lose at least 5. I am disregarding the Indians here, but they have not yet been eliminated from the wild card hunt.
If the Astros were to finish 3-1, the only way they would be eliminated is if the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 4-1. Otherwise, they would either tie for the second wild card, win the second wild card or even wind up in a three-way tie for the division. The last scenario would occur if the Astros were to finish 3-1, the Rangers were to finish 1-4 and the Angels were to finish 3-2.
And if the Astros were to finish 4-0, they would secure either the second wild card, a tie for the division or a division title. They would win the division if the Rangers were to finish 1-4 and the Angels were to finish 3-2. They would tie the Rangers for the division if the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 3-2. They would tie the Angels for the division if the Rangers were to finish 1-4 or 0-5 and the Angels were to finish 4-1. There would be a three-way tie for the division if the Astros were to finish 4-0, the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 4-1.
As painful as September has been, the Astros still have the opportunity to get up from the mat and get back into this thing.
If the Astros were to finish 2-2, 1-3 or even 0-4, they would nonetheless have a chance to tie for or win the second wild card. At 2-2, the Astros would need the Angels to lose at least 3 and the Twins to lose at least 2 for a tie. At 1-3, they would need the Angels to lose at least 4 and the Twins to lose at least 3. And at 0-4, they would need the Angels to finish 0-5 and the Twins to lose at least 5. I am disregarding the Indians here, but they have not yet been eliminated from the wild card hunt.
If the Astros were to finish 3-1, the only way they would be eliminated is if the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 4-1. Otherwise, they would either tie for the second wild card, win the second wild card or even wind up in a three-way tie for the division. The last scenario would occur if the Astros were to finish 3-1, the Rangers were to finish 1-4 and the Angels were to finish 3-2.
And if the Astros were to finish 4-0, they would secure either the second wild card, a tie for the division or a division title. They would win the division if the Rangers were to finish 1-4 and the Angels were to finish 3-2. They would tie the Rangers for the division if the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 3-2. They would tie the Angels for the division if the Rangers were to finish 1-4 or 0-5 and the Angels were to finish 4-1. There would be a three-way tie for the division if the Astros were to finish 4-0, the Rangers were to finish 2-3 and the Angels were to finish 4-1.
As painful as September has been, the Astros still have the opportunity to get up from the mat and get back into this thing.
8
Maybe this belongs in Beer & Queso, depending on who you are.
https://www.facebook.com/KHOUDanielGotera/posts/1023389384348469
https://www.facebook.com/KHOUDanielGotera/posts/1023389384348469
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Beer and Queso / Chron.com
« on: May 28, 2013, 05:03:22 pm »
I realize that the weakness of the local rag is Cabrera'ed ad infinitum, but today's offering provides a rare form of patheticness, even for Chron.com. I apologize in advance for wasting your time, but please allow me to vent.
Visiting the front page at 4:30 p.m. to check the weather and traffic, I discovered the main headline to be "How arty farty people party" accompanied by a slideshow of pictures of the people who attended the party in question. While we regularly get "news" coverage of "events" social-media-style on the Chron's front page, it's a rare treat to see random people's pictures in the paper accompanied by a rhyming fart reference. At this rate, perhaps the scatalogical humor on the TZ and GZ should go mainstream. At least those jokes are funny.
The story beneath that is a pictorial of a three-bedroom house for sale in Bellaire. How newsy! It couldn't be an ad, could it? The Chronicle doesn't say.
The Chron's Hot Topics! are, in clockwise order, "17 ways to get a better night's sleep," "Kelly Rowland cries onstage, reunites with Destiny's Child," "Researches think they know why your baby won't sleep" and "The best looks from Comicpalooza." (After all, we can't have too many pictures of random people at local events. They and their friends and relatives are driving page views!)
There are some actual "news" stories along the left margin, including one about the much-anticipated opening of three new bakeries in the downtown tunnels and an item about a possible Martian sighting in a NASA photo.
The bottom "news" story caught my eye: "JCPenney in hot water over this ad." Follow the link, and you see a photo of a billboard for J.C. Penney promoting a tea kettle that supposedly, when blurred, looks like Hitler. I suppose it does if you drink enough or slam your face into a wall several times (which, come to think of it, is rather like choosing to read the Chronicle) and are looking for something stupid to say about the billboard.
Then, at the bottom of that page, comes this house ad:
"The Houston Chronicle is the premier local news provider for the country's 4th largest city. Currently the nation's sixth-largest newspaper, the Houston Chronicle is a multimedia company publishing print and online products in English and Spanish that reach millions of people each month. The Houston Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation."
Premier, indeed. A front page filled with Facebook posts, a fart joke and links to tabloid trash. Writing and editing that makes most middle-school newspapers Pulitzer material by comparison. And this without getting into the tendency of its sports "journalists" to stir up shit and try to make themselves the story.
I don't do enough online reading to know whether the mainstream newspapers in other big cities comprise the same level of birdcage liner that the Chronicle does. I realize the industry is dying, but how do any of the self-respecting journalists left at the Chronicle (if there are any) not hide their faces as the enter and leave the building? Working at The Daily Texan and other smaller, lesser college newspapers, I would have been embarrassed to have my name appear in the staff box of such garbage.
Visiting the front page at 4:30 p.m. to check the weather and traffic, I discovered the main headline to be "How arty farty people party" accompanied by a slideshow of pictures of the people who attended the party in question. While we regularly get "news" coverage of "events" social-media-style on the Chron's front page, it's a rare treat to see random people's pictures in the paper accompanied by a rhyming fart reference. At this rate, perhaps the scatalogical humor on the TZ and GZ should go mainstream. At least those jokes are funny.
The story beneath that is a pictorial of a three-bedroom house for sale in Bellaire. How newsy! It couldn't be an ad, could it? The Chronicle doesn't say.
The Chron's Hot Topics! are, in clockwise order, "17 ways to get a better night's sleep," "Kelly Rowland cries onstage, reunites with Destiny's Child," "Researches think they know why your baby won't sleep" and "The best looks from Comicpalooza." (After all, we can't have too many pictures of random people at local events. They and their friends and relatives are driving page views!)
There are some actual "news" stories along the left margin, including one about the much-anticipated opening of three new bakeries in the downtown tunnels and an item about a possible Martian sighting in a NASA photo.
The bottom "news" story caught my eye: "JCPenney in hot water over this ad." Follow the link, and you see a photo of a billboard for J.C. Penney promoting a tea kettle that supposedly, when blurred, looks like Hitler. I suppose it does if you drink enough or slam your face into a wall several times (which, come to think of it, is rather like choosing to read the Chronicle) and are looking for something stupid to say about the billboard.
Then, at the bottom of that page, comes this house ad:
"The Houston Chronicle is the premier local news provider for the country's 4th largest city. Currently the nation's sixth-largest newspaper, the Houston Chronicle is a multimedia company publishing print and online products in English and Spanish that reach millions of people each month. The Houston Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation."
Premier, indeed. A front page filled with Facebook posts, a fart joke and links to tabloid trash. Writing and editing that makes most middle-school newspapers Pulitzer material by comparison. And this without getting into the tendency of its sports "journalists" to stir up shit and try to make themselves the story.
I don't do enough online reading to know whether the mainstream newspapers in other big cities comprise the same level of birdcage liner that the Chronicle does. I realize the industry is dying, but how do any of the self-respecting journalists left at the Chronicle (if there are any) not hide their faces as the enter and leave the building? Working at The Daily Texan and other smaller, lesser college newspapers, I would have been embarrassed to have my name appear in the staff box of such garbage.
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Beer and Queso / Penn State caught on to the lyrics ...
« on: August 27, 2012, 07:32:12 pm »
... how about the Red Sox?
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Sweet-Caroline-gone-from-Penn-State-playlist-3818525.php
http://www.chron.com/news/article/Sweet-Caroline-gone-from-Penn-State-playlist-3818525.php
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Talk Zone / What's a half-century of tradition worth?
« on: November 15, 2011, 10:06:21 pm »
Seventy million pieces of silver, apparently.
Every single cent of that had better be plowed back into the club.
Every single cent of that had better be plowed back into the club.
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Talk Zone / Astros, Rockets set to finalize deal for TV network
« on: October 29, 2010, 04:24:46 pm »
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7270086.html
The pissing match between Comcast and the other providers should be interesting.
The pissing match between Comcast and the other providers should be interesting.
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Talk Zone / DraytonBall 2011
« on: July 31, 2010, 12:39:59 am »
Drayton's comments in his pregame interview about trying to "be a champion" in 2011 suggest what we may be headed for:
C Castro (24)
1B Wallace (24)
2B Keppinger (31)
3B Johnson (26)
SS Manzella (28)
LF Lee (35)
CF Bourn (28)
RF Pence (28)
SP Wandy (32)
SP Myers (30)
SP Happ (28)
SP Norris (26)
SP Paulino (27)
SU Lyon (31)
CL Lindstrom (31)
Even putting aside Lee, whom the Astros would gladly move if they possibly could, that team is hardly younger than 2010, and a majority of those players are moving into the expensive years of their careers. Even with Oswalt and Berkman coming off the payroll, and even if the Astros could somehow unload Lee's salary, the raises owed to all those arbitration-eligible players could easily eat up the savings.
Maybe the Astros will continue to move some of those players who have value, but if McLane plans to reload by sticking a couple of young guys among a group in its late 20s and early 30s, then it would have been better to watch the two franchise players keep playing here rather than shipping them out for a piecemeal rebuilding. Only time will tell if McLane grasps this, but his comments so far, his insistence on obtaining major-league talent in the Oswalt deal and reports that the Astros deem Myers "untouchable" indicate he does not.
C Castro (24)
1B Wallace (24)
2B Keppinger (31)
3B Johnson (26)
SS Manzella (28)
LF Lee (35)
CF Bourn (28)
RF Pence (28)
SP Wandy (32)
SP Myers (30)
SP Happ (28)
SP Norris (26)
SP Paulino (27)
SU Lyon (31)
CL Lindstrom (31)
Even putting aside Lee, whom the Astros would gladly move if they possibly could, that team is hardly younger than 2010, and a majority of those players are moving into the expensive years of their careers. Even with Oswalt and Berkman coming off the payroll, and even if the Astros could somehow unload Lee's salary, the raises owed to all those arbitration-eligible players could easily eat up the savings.
Maybe the Astros will continue to move some of those players who have value, but if McLane plans to reload by sticking a couple of young guys among a group in its late 20s and early 30s, then it would have been better to watch the two franchise players keep playing here rather than shipping them out for a piecemeal rebuilding. Only time will tell if McLane grasps this, but his comments so far, his insistence on obtaining major-league talent in the Oswalt deal and reports that the Astros deem Myers "untouchable" indicate he does not.
17
Talk Zone / MOVED: The Chronicle
« on: March 26, 2009, 08:40:20 am »
This topic has been moved to Beer and Queso.
http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=107893.0
http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=107893.0
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Beer and Queso / Speaking of scams ...
« on: March 11, 2009, 01:17:46 pm »
... perhaps somebody should get his grandmother to buy this for him.
http://houston.craigslist.org/clt/1029153699.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/clt/1029153699.html
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Talk Zone / Negro Leagues Documentary
« on: January 19, 2009, 01:57:18 pm »
I hope I'm not Cabrera-ing this, but I just heard about it and thought other posters might be interested:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090115&content_id=3745001&vkey=&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Looks like it's on 213 on DirecTV.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090115&content_id=3745001&vkey=&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Looks like it's on 213 on DirecTV.
21
POTWA 2013 (The Mihoba) / In Memory of Michael Baker
« on: November 03, 2008, 04:27:04 pm »
On October 31, 2008, the SpikesnStars community learned to its shock and sadness that Michael Baker, a.k.a. Mihoba, had died of a heart attack the previous day. Mihoba was a long-time member at SpikesnStars, OrangeWhoopass and AstrosConnection and an all-around contributor, enlivening the old Sunday morning trivia threads, running the site’s unofficial fantasy baseball league war, sharing recap duties and forming half of the two-man rotation sustaining the Post of the Week Award as a regular feature.
More important than being prolific, Mihoba’s style made him truly a friend of the site. His commentary was the opposite of know-it-all smack. Mihoba was witty, open-minded, curious, considerate and unpretentious. He could make his point without a put-down. Judging by the words of those who had the pleasure of knowing him in person, Mihoba’s class was not merely an online phenomenon.
Michael was 47 and is survived by his wife and children. We hope there is some condolence for them in knowing that he set an example for his peers in the way he conducted himself, and we are all better off because he was a part of this place. It is fitting that we honor him in a way that recognizes in a small measure his large contributions to the site. Henceforth, the Post of the Week Award will be known as the Mihoba Post of the Week Award, or just as the Mihoba.
Perhaps somewhere in eternity Mihoba is watching a reality where J.R. Richard plays healthily through the 1980 season and leads the Astros to their first world title; where the 1986 Astros pull out Game 6 and Mike Scott takes the ball and shuts down the Mets in Game 7; where a ball skips past Walt Weiss to put the 1999 Astros up on the Braves; where a timely hit and a seeing-eye single here and there turn the tables in the 2005 World Series; where Jeff Bagwell’s shoulder heals itself and he leads the team into the sunset of his career rather than an early retirement.
And where Michael and his children can play catch in an East Texas pasture any time they please.
God bless you, Mihoba. Rest in peace.
More important than being prolific, Mihoba’s style made him truly a friend of the site. His commentary was the opposite of know-it-all smack. Mihoba was witty, open-minded, curious, considerate and unpretentious. He could make his point without a put-down. Judging by the words of those who had the pleasure of knowing him in person, Mihoba’s class was not merely an online phenomenon.
Michael was 47 and is survived by his wife and children. We hope there is some condolence for them in knowing that he set an example for his peers in the way he conducted himself, and we are all better off because he was a part of this place. It is fitting that we honor him in a way that recognizes in a small measure his large contributions to the site. Henceforth, the Post of the Week Award will be known as the Mihoba Post of the Week Award, or just as the Mihoba.
Perhaps somewhere in eternity Mihoba is watching a reality where J.R. Richard plays healthily through the 1980 season and leads the Astros to their first world title; where the 1986 Astros pull out Game 6 and Mike Scott takes the ball and shuts down the Mets in Game 7; where a ball skips past Walt Weiss to put the 1999 Astros up on the Braves; where a timely hit and a seeing-eye single here and there turn the tables in the 2005 World Series; where Jeff Bagwell’s shoulder heals itself and he leads the team into the sunset of his career rather than an early retirement.
And where Michael and his children can play catch in an East Texas pasture any time they please.
God bless you, Mihoba. Rest in peace.
23
Talk Zone / What happened?
« on: September 18, 2008, 11:13:23 am »
Did the site go down? Did everyone get through the storm OK? Is anyone else here?
24
Beer and Queso / Continental Changes
« on: September 05, 2008, 02:30:13 pm »
I know the industry is suffering due to high fuel prices and a slowing economy, but I had hoped Continental would avoid charging for the first checked bag. This means more time spent waiting at security and boarding while people try to carry on refrigerator-sized luggage. They're <a href="http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/promotions/registrationDetails.aspx?SID=3BAED3342C11406485D2C7C5906FEA0B&promoCode=A6108>changing up the OnePass program a little too[/url].
25
Talk Zone / Car crash into MMP
« on: August 19, 2008, 05:19:13 pm »
I just heard that a car crashed into MMP off Crawford. That's a long way from the street. Any news on this?
26
Talk Zone / Eerily Similar
« on: May 09, 2008, 02:12:04 pm »
Bagwell, 1994: .368/.451/.750
Berkman, 2008: .368/.449/.752
As hot as Lance has been for six weeks, it's scary to remember Bagwell doing that for a full season. Let's hope Lance keeps eating his lucky snackcakes the rest of the year.
Berkman, 2008: .368/.449/.752
As hot as Lance has been for six weeks, it's scary to remember Bagwell doing that for a full season. Let's hope Lance keeps eating his lucky snackcakes the rest of the year.
27
Talk Zone / "It appears to be shaping up as a three-team race in the NL Central."
« on: May 05, 2008, 03:19:39 pm »
States ESPN: "The Cardinals sit atop the NL Central. The Cubs lead the league in runs. And despite a mostly inconsistent early going, the Brewers are lurking. So, which club will be the last one standing?"
Didn't the Brewers just get swept by a team that's now only a half-game behind them and only four games out of the lead?
Didn't the Brewers just get swept by a team that's now only a half-game behind them and only four games out of the lead?
30
Talk Zone / The Old SZ
« on: April 10, 2008, 08:53:17 pm »
Taking a fresh look at the content that's been ported over to the new front end of the site (great job, by the way, to Noe, Waldo, JackAstro and the others who've led that transformation), I reread Scott's farewell column, where he mentions the old SlamZone. I remember it vaguely, but can someone remind me how long it lasted, what the rules were (wasn't it something like one day a week to raise hell?) and what brought about its demise? Are the archives still anywhere? I seem to remember the graphic being absolutely hilarious.
31
Talk Zone / "With eyes on Prior"
« on: December 17, 2007, 05:06:22 pm »
I'm sure I've been Cabrera-ed, but who cares?
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071217&content_id=2328766&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
"Wade recently made an offer to former Cubs right-hander Mark Prior, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery and probably won't be ready to pitch until sometime in May. That hasn't slowed the steady line of suitors for the 27-year-old, and count the Astros as one of nearly a dozen teams who have expressed interest."
and
"Wade also has scouts in Phoenix to watch Kris Benson throw. Benson is working out in front of several teams with hopes of making a comeback after missing the 2007 season due to shoulder surgery. Last month, the Orioles paid Benson a $500,000 buyout rather than exercise a $7.5 million option."
It won't be long until they've searched the full bargain bin of former NL Central would-be aces.
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071217&content_id=2328766&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
"Wade recently made an offer to former Cubs right-hander Mark Prior, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery and probably won't be ready to pitch until sometime in May. That hasn't slowed the steady line of suitors for the 27-year-old, and count the Astros as one of nearly a dozen teams who have expressed interest."
and
"Wade also has scouts in Phoenix to watch Kris Benson throw. Benson is working out in front of several teams with hopes of making a comeback after missing the 2007 season due to shoulder surgery. Last month, the Orioles paid Benson a $500,000 buyout rather than exercise a $7.5 million option."
It won't be long until they've searched the full bargain bin of former NL Central would-be aces.
32
Talk Zone / Purpura and Wade
« on: December 02, 2007, 10:35:42 pm »
One thing that appears obvious from this offseason's moves is that Wade has formulated and is executing a systematic plan to build the team. A criticism often leveled at Purpura was that he wasn't "doing anything" and didn't have a plan, leaving the team's needs ignored. A common response to this was that Purpura was trying to build the team as best he could, but many times the parts he needed simply weren't there (or weren't there at the right price). In retrospect, in comparison to Wade, does it now appear that Purpura was too conservative to pull the trigger on the deals necessary to carry out whatever plan he had and, relatedly, that he was too complacent in waiting for the existing assets in the organization to fill holes? Of course time will tell whether Wade's plan yields fruit, but from the perspective of activity so far (not just transactions for the sake of transactions, but coherent, step-by-step roster moves), is Wade already ahead of Purpura?
33
In a little less than 12 hours, Craig Biggio will take the field as a major-leaguer for the final time. Some day I might see another Astro who eclipses Biggio in greatness, but I am confident that I will never again see a player who resembles his unique and valuable combination of skills. If I were never to witness another baseball game, I would take solace in having watched him for the last 20 seasons. Every time I hear the opening of "Mysterious Ways," I will always think of Bidge digging into the batter's box and adjusting his pine-tar-encrusted helmet to lead off a game. Thanks for the memories, No. 7.
34
Talk Zone / POTWA - Week 9 Nominees and Winner
« on: August 07, 2007, 02:43:26 pm »
We have our first repeat winner this week.
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103374.0
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103374.0
35
Post of the Week (The Mihoba) 2007 / POTWA - Week 9 Nominees and Winner
« on: August 07, 2007, 02:41:35 pm »
As Noe is apparently on vacation, or rather is off pondering the mysteries of the universe and Astros line-ups but is soon to return as the world's most verbose baseball oracle, presented belatedly below are the nominations for POTWA Week 9:
---------------------------
Envelope please... and the nominees for Week 9 of the POTWA are:
1. Limey uses some very colorful imagery when he posts! Or is that colourful imagery? Whatev, check out this GZ entry:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103167.msg148056#msg148056
2. MRaup take aim and he shoots.... BULLSEYE... right at A-Rod's limp wrist:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103175.msg148226#msg148226
3. Craig. Lawyers. Smack. Great combination:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103161.msg148261#msg148261
4. Has pravata won a Stubing yet? No? Ahum, well this one may just get the master some consideration:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103119.msg148403#msg148403
5. Limey asks for clarification because, well, we all needed to know the terms of this deal:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103201.msg148458#msg148458
6. Craig does a follow up announcement on the "Free Morgan Ensberg" talk:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103201.msg148462#msg148462
7. Looks like Jose Cruz, III figured out the tricky Stubing nomination process, and Limey gets his nod (NTTAWWT):
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103185.msg148279#msg148279
8. Charlie Palillo Mad Lib brought to you by Music Man. Outstanding:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103234.msg149354#msg149354
9. An instant classic term makes it debut in the TZ. Take a bow HPFRic:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103260.msg149741#msg149741
10. Wanna know how deals are made for "prospects" when you have "Morgan Ensberg" as your trade fodder? Pravata will tell you:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103260.msg149729#msg149729
11. Noe actually kept one post under a hundred words and he gets the nomination because of it:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149864#msg149864
12. Austro evaluates the idea of Phil Garner putting himself at third for the remainder of the season:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149912#msg149912
13. Craig announces a disclaimer worthy of a nomination:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103264.msg149933#msg149933
14. It's a record for sure, Arky garners 9 nominations for his interpretation of what exactly Morgan Ensberg meant when he said he was looking forward to eating Mexican Food again. 9 nominations? Wow!:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149947#msg149947
15. Arky gets a second set of nominations for his brilliance. We hate him!:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103244.msg149787#msg149787
16. Look at pravata go! Could this be the week the Illuminati member gets his Stubing?
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150056#msg150056
17. Arky be smokin that killer weed, he's making stranger trade predictions than Todd the Bod:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149911#msg149911
18. Having tried to help a baby sea turtle waddle back to the ocean only to be eaten by a sea gull right at the waters edge, I can attest that The Spleen knows of what he speaks:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103284.msg150294#msg150294
19. This is just so damn screwy, it's actually funny. ValpoCory needs a vacation... from math:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103282.msg150296#msg150296
20. MikeyBoy needs to know the answer to a very important question:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150289#msg150289
21. pravata knows the answer and it's all about the local media:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150290#msg150290
22. Leave it to Limey to finish off the trifecta media slam:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150292#msg150292
23. You know, midget smack rarely goes out of style. Great midget smack done well is absolutely funny! Nicely done Navin!:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150375#msg150375
There you have it, 23 nominations with Arky drawing some rave reviews from the TZers. 9 nominations and none of them signed "Mrs. Arky" either.
---------------------------
And the winner is, with the first ever double Stubings, back-to-back even, Craig for his contribution at No. 3. Next week, Craig tries for the three-peat, for the use of which term he will have to pay royalties to Pat Riley. Congratulations, Craig.
---------------------------
Envelope please... and the nominees for Week 9 of the POTWA are:
1. Limey uses some very colorful imagery when he posts! Or is that colourful imagery? Whatev, check out this GZ entry:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103167.msg148056#msg148056
2. MRaup take aim and he shoots.... BULLSEYE... right at A-Rod's limp wrist:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103175.msg148226#msg148226
3. Craig. Lawyers. Smack. Great combination:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103161.msg148261#msg148261
4. Has pravata won a Stubing yet? No? Ahum, well this one may just get the master some consideration:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103119.msg148403#msg148403
5. Limey asks for clarification because, well, we all needed to know the terms of this deal:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103201.msg148458#msg148458
6. Craig does a follow up announcement on the "Free Morgan Ensberg" talk:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103201.msg148462#msg148462
7. Looks like Jose Cruz, III figured out the tricky Stubing nomination process, and Limey gets his nod (NTTAWWT):
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103185.msg148279#msg148279
8. Charlie Palillo Mad Lib brought to you by Music Man. Outstanding:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103234.msg149354#msg149354
9. An instant classic term makes it debut in the TZ. Take a bow HPFRic:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103260.msg149741#msg149741
10. Wanna know how deals are made for "prospects" when you have "Morgan Ensberg" as your trade fodder? Pravata will tell you:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103260.msg149729#msg149729
11. Noe actually kept one post under a hundred words and he gets the nomination because of it:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149864#msg149864
12. Austro evaluates the idea of Phil Garner putting himself at third for the remainder of the season:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149912#msg149912
13. Craig announces a disclaimer worthy of a nomination:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103264.msg149933#msg149933
14. It's a record for sure, Arky garners 9 nominations for his interpretation of what exactly Morgan Ensberg meant when he said he was looking forward to eating Mexican Food again. 9 nominations? Wow!:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149947#msg149947
15. Arky gets a second set of nominations for his brilliance. We hate him!:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103244.msg149787#msg149787
16. Look at pravata go! Could this be the week the Illuminati member gets his Stubing?
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150056#msg150056
17. Arky be smokin that killer weed, he's making stranger trade predictions than Todd the Bod:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103261.msg149911#msg149911
18. Having tried to help a baby sea turtle waddle back to the ocean only to be eaten by a sea gull right at the waters edge, I can attest that The Spleen knows of what he speaks:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103284.msg150294#msg150294
19. This is just so damn screwy, it's actually funny. ValpoCory needs a vacation... from math:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103282.msg150296#msg150296
20. MikeyBoy needs to know the answer to a very important question:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150289#msg150289
21. pravata knows the answer and it's all about the local media:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150290#msg150290
22. Leave it to Limey to finish off the trifecta media slam:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150292#msg150292
23. You know, midget smack rarely goes out of style. Great midget smack done well is absolutely funny! Nicely done Navin!:
http://www.chestercharge.com/forums/index.php?topic=103268.msg150375#msg150375
There you have it, 23 nominations with Arky drawing some rave reviews from the TZers. 9 nominations and none of them signed "Mrs. Arky" either.
---------------------------
And the winner is, with the first ever double Stubings, back-to-back even, Craig for his contribution at No. 3. Next week, Craig tries for the three-peat, for the use of which term he will have to pay royalties to Pat Riley. Congratulations, Craig.
36
Talk Zone / McCarver on Oswalt
« on: August 01, 2007, 06:13:12 pm »
That's not primarily what the column's about, it's about 300-game winners, but McCarver's just dirt dumb.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/07/31/2007-07-31_tough_to_count_on_300.html
Roy Oswalt, 29 (108): Pettitte named him as his top candidate, but also said he was unlikely to play long enough. "How long can a frame as small as Oswalt (6-0, 185 pounds) throw power?" adds McCarver.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/07/31/2007-07-31_tough_to_count_on_300.html
Roy Oswalt, 29 (108): Pettitte named him as his top candidate, but also said he was unlikely to play long enough. "How long can a frame as small as Oswalt (6-0, 185 pounds) throw power?" adds McCarver.
37
Talk Zone / If you think Houston sportswriters are pricks ...
« on: August 01, 2007, 05:57:31 pm »
... read this guy in the L.A. Times. Kent and Bonds may not be the nicest guys around, but this reporter is a self-important jackass if I ever saw one.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers1aug01,1,4846212.column?coll=la-headlines-sports&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers1aug01,1,4846212.column?coll=la-headlines-sports&ctrack=1&cset=true
38
Working late, I just went to the GameZone to see what's happening tonight, then remembered that it's the All-Star break. D'oh!
I guess if I rush home I can get there in time to see the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Break Airport Tarmac Red Carpet Walk Sponsored by Depends Undergarments and Milwaukee's Best Light. I forgot to set the TiVO for that one.
I guess if I rush home I can get there in time to see the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Break Airport Tarmac Red Carpet Walk Sponsored by Depends Undergarments and Milwaukee's Best Light. I forgot to set the TiVO for that one.
39
Talk Zone / Spotlight: Craig Biggio
« on: July 02, 2007, 03:52:58 pm »
FSN's Spotlight on Craig Biggio isn't bad -- a few nice interviews about his career. I think the next showings are this Thursday at noon CT then next Wednesday at 10 p.m. CT.
40
Talk Zone / New Crunch Time Posted
« on: June 29, 2007, 04:17:40 pm »
Easy on the numbers, long on mushiness.
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=102837.msg141015#msg141015
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=102837.msg141015#msg141015
41
Talk Zone / Free Tickets -- Friday, Saturday, Sunday
« on: June 29, 2007, 11:16:05 am »
I've got pairs for each night to give away:
Friday -- Section 434, Row 4, Seats 10-11
Saturday -- Section 409, Row 11, Seats 1-2
Sunday -- Section 417, Row 2, Seats 1-2
Not perfect seats, but the tickets get you in the park. I can leave them at will call.
PM me if interested.
Friday -- Section 434, Row 4, Seats 10-11
Saturday -- Section 409, Row 11, Seats 1-2
Sunday -- Section 417, Row 2, Seats 1-2
Not perfect seats, but the tickets get you in the park. I can leave them at will call.
PM me if interested.
42
For about seven or eight years, I've been commissioner of a fantasy league with a Sabermetric-style scoring system. We're looking for a few new owners to play this year. If you're interested, please PM me.
The details are as follows:
There are 20 teams.
The player pool is from all MLB.
Each team gets 25 players on its roster plus five players on its DL.
Each team gets scoring from 19 players -- one each at C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, DH, five starting pitchers and five relief pitchers.
Batter scoring is +5 per 1B, +8 per 2B, +11 per 3B, +14 per HR, +3 per BB, +3 per HBP, +3 per SB, -6 per CS and -1 per out. This basically tracks the batting runs system from The Hidden Game of Baseball and Total Baseball.
Pitcher scoring is +9 per IP and -10 per ER.
Each team must select seven keepers. New owners would select seven keepers from teams they inherit.
We play at Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.
The team with the most points wins.
The details are as follows:
There are 20 teams.
The player pool is from all MLB.
Each team gets 25 players on its roster plus five players on its DL.
Each team gets scoring from 19 players -- one each at C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, DH, five starting pitchers and five relief pitchers.
Batter scoring is +5 per 1B, +8 per 2B, +11 per 3B, +14 per HR, +3 per BB, +3 per HBP, +3 per SB, -6 per CS and -1 per out. This basically tracks the batting runs system from The Hidden Game of Baseball and Total Baseball.
Pitcher scoring is +9 per IP and -10 per ER.
Each team must select seven keepers. New owners would select seven keepers from teams they inherit.
We play at Yahoo! Fantasy Sports.
The team with the most points wins.
44
Talk Zone / Bored? Try this.
« on: November 29, 2006, 07:18:21 pm »
What YouTube is to Limey, the new features at Baseball-Reference.com are to me. B-R has taken all the Retrosheet data, which now covers about 50 seasons, and made it easily usable. Here's a good example, Jeff Bagwell's home run logs:
The Link
Or how about Craig Biggio's splits, by position, in close games or blowouts, leading off an inning, etc.?
The Link
Even if you're not a stat geek, you could probably spend some time filling the void with the new features.
(Maybe Morgan Ensberg would like to know that in 2006 when he swung at the first pitch, he batted .276, while he batted just .143 with a full count, .209 with three balls and .153 with two strikes.)
The Link
Or how about Craig Biggio's splits, by position, in close games or blowouts, leading off an inning, etc.?
The Link
Even if you're not a stat geek, you could probably spend some time filling the void with the new features.
(Maybe Morgan Ensberg would like to know that in 2006 when he swung at the first pitch, he batted .276, while he batted just .143 with a full count, .209 with three balls and .153 with two strikes.)
45
Talk Zone / How much is too much?
« on: November 16, 2006, 01:23:59 pm »
If Lee and Soriano command salaries around $15 million per year, is that too much for the Astros to sink into them? I think it is. That's more than they're paying Berkman, who's easily a better player than either of them.
46
"With David Eckstein leading the way, St. Louis is just a game away from rendering the baseball world speechless."
Why speechless? Because sportswriters and broadcasters are too stupid after 100+ years of World Series history to figure out that either team has a shot at winning a best-of-seven series?
Why speechless? Because sportswriters and broadcasters are too stupid after 100+ years of World Series history to figure out that either team has a shot at winning a best-of-seven series?
47
Taking the top 40 in the majors in RBI in each of the last seven seasons (2000-2006), here's how several statistics correlate with RBI:
Total Bases .666Here's the same statistics correlate with runs scored:
Extra Bases .654
Home Runs .608
Hits + Walks .421
Hits .352
Walks .210
Doubles .149
Total Bases .746This sample size is small (280), is confined to the big RBI men and does not take into account opportunities.
Hits + Walks .719
Extra Bases .649
Home Runs .523
Hits .499
Walks .433
Doubles .288
48
Talk Zone / Postseason Diary
« on: October 04, 2006, 05:32:05 pm »
I could generally care less about what's on ESPN's Web site and about the American League playoffs, but this guy's diary on Game 1 between the Tigers and Yankees was far more enjoyable than watching the game itself would've been. There's plenty of cracking on Fox and Tim McCarver in particular:
The Link
The Link
Quote:
Robertson induces a one-out forceout by Bobby Abreu, followed by Tim McCarver telling us, "Normally a left-handed pitcher ? has a lot of success ? against left-handed hitters." Here we go.
...
After a botched hit-and-run gets Ordonez thrown out at third by 45 feet, McCarver tells us, "The manager, by putting this on, forces the baserunner to make the first out at third base. And that's not a good thing to do." Umm, exactly.
...
Is it considered a step up or a step down when you replace Scooter the Talking Baseball with Tommy Lasorda? You got me.
...
Toronto reader E.H. Zwick chimes in: "McCarver should be congratulated for raising our cultural awareness for noting in amazement that Wang and Kuo come from the same 'village' known as Tainan City in Taiwan. This 'village' has a population of about 800,000, larger than San Francisco. It really is amazing that two people from a country that loves baseball has a city that produces two big league players. Thanks, Tim."
49
Talk Zone / Sports Radio Meltdown (non-BB)
« on: September 29, 2006, 03:58:08 pm »
Did anyone else hear the excerpt last night on 610 of the host of a sports radio program in Michigan after Michigan State blew a big lead to Notre Dame? I could care less about those two teams, but I found this guy's on-air nervous breakdown to be hilarious. It's a pretty good verbal representation of what's happening on the Cardinals boards. If you don't want to listen to the whole thing, just move the market to the middle of the clip, and you'll still get the flavor of it.
The Link
The Link
50
To force the Cardinals to have to play the Giants Monday:
Cardinals loss Monday forces one-game playoff in Houston.
To force the Cardinals to have to beat the Giants Monday:
Cardinals loss Monday eliminates Cardinals.
To eliminate the Cardinals without a Monday game:
HOU 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5Cardinals win Monday eliminates Astros.
STL 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5 N/A
Cardinals loss Monday forces one-game playoff in Houston.
To force the Cardinals to have to beat the Giants Monday:
HOU 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5Cardinals win Monday forces one-game playoff in Houston.
STL 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5 N/A N/A
Cardinals loss Monday eliminates Cardinals.
To eliminate the Cardinals without a Monday game:
HOU 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5To eliminate the Astros without a Monday game:
STL 2-3 1-4 0-5 N/A N/A N/A
HOU 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5
STL 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5
52
Talk Zone / Booing Preston Wilson
« on: September 25, 2006, 12:30:16 pm »
Last night's game was a great finish to a wonderful weekend of baseball, but did anyone else find it totally tasteless that Preston Wilson was booed when he pinch-hit in the ninth inning?
53
Talk Zone / Second Place
« on: September 19, 2006, 12:07:23 pm »
The Astros have finished first or second for 11 of the last 12 seasons. I'd sure like to see them make it 12 of the last 13. That would be some consolation for this year's woes.
54
Talk Zone / Getting ahead of ourselves
« on: August 23, 2006, 05:29:07 pm »
Barring a trade that sends some of these guys away, any thoughts on the 2007 position players?
C Ausmus
1B Berkman or Huff
2B Biggio
3B Ensberg or Huff
SS Everett
LF Scott or Berkman or Huff or Burke
CF Taveras or Burke
RF Berkman or Scott or Huff or Lane
The only things I think are fairly certain are Ausmus at catcher, Biggio at second, Everett at shortstop and Berkman somewhere.
Does Huff get re-signed? Does Ensberg start at third? Do they sign someone else, like Lee? Or Soriano? Does someone on the farm get a crack at the starting line-up? Does Burke remain as a utility man until Biggio retires?
C Ausmus
1B Berkman or Huff
2B Biggio
3B Ensberg or Huff
SS Everett
LF Scott or Berkman or Huff or Burke
CF Taveras or Burke
RF Berkman or Scott or Huff or Lane
The only things I think are fairly certain are Ausmus at catcher, Biggio at second, Everett at shortstop and Berkman somewhere.
Does Huff get re-signed? Does Ensberg start at third? Do they sign someone else, like Lee? Or Soriano? Does someone on the farm get a crack at the starting line-up? Does Burke remain as a utility man until Biggio retires?
55
Talk Zone / The Tote Board ...
« on: August 06, 2006, 01:52:53 am »
... is 2-8 so far. If this keeps up much longer, we should immediately become sellers, and our first sacrifice should be our Tote Board administrator. I suggest a force-feeding of Skyline Chili.
56
Talk Zone / Speaking of 2900
« on: August 05, 2006, 01:33:41 pm »
Besides being one hit away from 2900, Biggio is also on pace to end the season in the following company:
1785 runs, ahead of #17, Paul Molitor (1782), and behind #16, Ted Williams (1798). To crack the top 10 before he retires, he'd have to pass Lou Gehrig (1888).
645 doubles, ahead of #8, Honus Wagner (640), and behind #7, Carl Yastrzemski (646). At 665, he'd move ahead of #5, George Brett. The only guys over 700 are Ty Cobb (724), Stan Musial (725), Pete Rose (746) and Tris Speaker (792).
With 274 homers right now, he could hit his 300th home run before he retires.
1785 runs, ahead of #17, Paul Molitor (1782), and behind #16, Ted Williams (1798). To crack the top 10 before he retires, he'd have to pass Lou Gehrig (1888).
645 doubles, ahead of #8, Honus Wagner (640), and behind #7, Carl Yastrzemski (646). At 665, he'd move ahead of #5, George Brett. The only guys over 700 are Ty Cobb (724), Stan Musial (725), Pete Rose (746) and Tris Speaker (792).
With 274 homers right now, he could hit his 300th home run before he retires.
57
Talk Zone / Would Soriano have the right to demand a trade?
« on: July 31, 2006, 04:50:10 pm »
Or is that for 10/5s only?
63
Talk Zone / Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 12:28:08 pm »
So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:
Ensberg's day off:
A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right
Lamb's day off:
B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right
Berkman's day off:
C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right
Huff's day off:
D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right
All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.
Ensberg's day off:
A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right
Lamb's day off:
B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right
Berkman's day off:
C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right
Huff's day off:
D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right
All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.
65
Talk Zone / If the Home Run Derby doesn't strike your fancy ...
« on: July 10, 2006, 04:28:13 pm »67
Talk Zone / Two Perfect Saves, Two Days in a Row
« on: June 15, 2006, 06:16:54 pm »
He must be stuff-trusting now.
68
Talk Zone / Look on the bright side
« on: June 06, 2006, 11:21:17 am »
The bullpen did its job last night. Borkowski pitched four scoreless innings.
69
Talk Zone / Eye-Opener
« on: June 05, 2006, 01:30:43 pm »Avg OBP Slg OPSUgh.
--------------------------------------------------
Astros Outfielders .250 .319 .364 .683
National League Shortstops .267 .329 .382 .711
National League Catchers .261 .321 .379 .700
70
Talk Zone / Call me a lackey homer, but ...
« on: May 31, 2006, 07:11:56 pm »
... in the last five games, the Astros won two, dropped two in extras and lost one on a homer to the best hitter in baseball. The Cardinals dodged two bullets, and a bounce here and there could've brought them home on a 5-0 run.
A slumping team often slumps not only because of not playing well, but because breaks don't go its way. I have faith that this team is fully capable of playing better baseball and some breaks will eventually go their way. They finished a horrific May in which they were outscored 158-120, out-homered 41-22, out-batted .281-.242, out-slugged .479-.365 and out-OBPed .343-.315.
It's time to put that behind them, return to what they know how to do and look forward to Clemens in three weeks. At the very least, adding him to the roster makes less room for keeping Gallo around.
A slumping team often slumps not only because of not playing well, but because breaks don't go its way. I have faith that this team is fully capable of playing better baseball and some breaks will eventually go their way. They finished a horrific May in which they were outscored 158-120, out-homered 41-22, out-batted .281-.242, out-slugged .479-.365 and out-OBPed .343-.315.
It's time to put that behind them, return to what they know how to do and look forward to Clemens in three weeks. At the very least, adding him to the roster makes less room for keeping Gallo around.
71
Talk Zone / Ausmus' RCAP
« on: April 19, 2006, 12:37:46 am »
Shouldn't Ausmus' RCAP be adjusted to reflect Munson letting Lidge's slider roll to the backstop with runners on first and second in the late innings of a tight game?
72
The Yahoo! fantasy league has this note on Jason Kendall's player page:
"Apr 9 Bob Sherwin, of Athletics.MLB.com, reports Oakland Athletics OF Milton Bradley might get added to MAN Ken Macha's green-light list to steal bases. 3B Eric Chavez, OF Mark Kotsay and C Jason Kendall are currently the only three players that have the green light. Macha's requirement is that the player must have a 75 percent steal success rate."
That's the first time I've heard for the A's in particular, or any team in general, using a bright-line rule like that. I wonder if Macha was ordered to use it from on-high.
"Apr 9 Bob Sherwin, of Athletics.MLB.com, reports Oakland Athletics OF Milton Bradley might get added to MAN Ken Macha's green-light list to steal bases. 3B Eric Chavez, OF Mark Kotsay and C Jason Kendall are currently the only three players that have the green light. Macha's requirement is that the player must have a 75 percent steal success rate."
That's the first time I've heard for the A's in particular, or any team in general, using a bright-line rule like that. I wonder if Macha was ordered to use it from on-high.
75
Talk Zone / World Baseball Classic
« on: March 07, 2006, 05:08:36 pm »
Not that many people care -- other than Alkie trying to get rid of some tickets -- but does anyone think the United States stands a decent chance not to win the whole thing? The Dominican team is formidable, as is the Japanese team likely to be.
Plus, baseball is a game where a lesser team can beat a better team on any given day, or even over a few days. That element of randomness may bring some unexpected outcomes.
Plus, baseball is a game where a lesser team can beat a better team on any given day, or even over a few days. That element of randomness may bring some unexpected outcomes.
76
Talk Zone / Looking for a fantasy league owner
« on: February 27, 2006, 02:15:35 pm »
We need a 20th owner in our AL/NL fantasy league. The league is on Yahoo!'s free service. You would inherit an existing team and choose seven keepers off that team. The online draft would probably be March 18. Any interest?
79
Talk Zone / Trade Bait
« on: December 21, 2005, 01:45:03 pm »
If the Astros are trying to swing a major trade for a bat they've got to consider both where the acquired player is going to play as well as which of their existing players they're going to let go of. Besides minor-leaguers, what is the likelihood of the Astros parting with the players currently on their roster? I'm thinking of four categories:
No = not gonna happen
Unlikely = only for a super-sweet offer
Maybe = open to ideas
Likely = yes, please!
I've assumed that for bench players and some of the relievers, the answer is "likely" because the Astros would not consider replacing these players to be difficult. Also, this is only from the Astros' perspective, not considering how potential trade partners value these players.
If someone with minor-league knowledge wants to add some prospects to the list and label them, I'd be interested in seeing such opinions.
C Ausmus -- No
1B Bagwell -- No
2B Biggio -- No
3B Ensberg -- Unlikely
SS Everett -- Maybe
LF Berkman -- No
CF Taveras -- Maybe
RF Lane -- Maybe
C Chavez -- Likely
IF Lamb -- Likely
IF Bruntlett -- Likely
OF Palmeiro -- Likely
OF Scott -- Likely
OF Burke -- Likely
SP Oswalt -- No
SP Pettitte -- No
SP Backe -- Maybe
SP Astacio -- Likely
SP Rodriguez -- Likely
RP Lidge -- Unlikely
RP Qualls -- Maybe
RP Wheeler -- Likely
RP Springer -- Likely
RP Gallo -- Likely
No = not gonna happen
Unlikely = only for a super-sweet offer
Maybe = open to ideas
Likely = yes, please!
I've assumed that for bench players and some of the relievers, the answer is "likely" because the Astros would not consider replacing these players to be difficult. Also, this is only from the Astros' perspective, not considering how potential trade partners value these players.
If someone with minor-league knowledge wants to add some prospects to the list and label them, I'd be interested in seeing such opinions.
C Ausmus -- No
1B Bagwell -- No
2B Biggio -- No
3B Ensberg -- Unlikely
SS Everett -- Maybe
LF Berkman -- No
CF Taveras -- Maybe
RF Lane -- Maybe
C Chavez -- Likely
IF Lamb -- Likely
IF Bruntlett -- Likely
OF Palmeiro -- Likely
OF Scott -- Likely
OF Burke -- Likely
SP Oswalt -- No
SP Pettitte -- No
SP Backe -- Maybe
SP Astacio -- Likely
SP Rodriguez -- Likely
RP Lidge -- Unlikely
RP Qualls -- Maybe
RP Wheeler -- Likely
RP Springer -- Likely
RP Gallo -- Likely
80
Talk Zone / Mapping MLB Fans
« on: December 14, 2005, 12:58:14 pm »
I read about this in the newspaper today and thought it was pretty interesting:
The Link
The premise: "The CommonCensus Map Project is redrawing the map of the United States based on your voting, to reveal the boundaries people themselves feel, as opposed to the state and county boundaries drawn by politicians."
Perhaps of more interest is the related Sports Project:
The Link
This map shows the spread of fans of each MLB team, as identified by the surveys on the site:
The Link
Note that the Braves fans spread out in green, somewhat like mold.
The Link
The premise: "The CommonCensus Map Project is redrawing the map of the United States based on your voting, to reveal the boundaries people themselves feel, as opposed to the state and county boundaries drawn by politicians."
Perhaps of more interest is the related Sports Project:
The Link
This map shows the spread of fans of each MLB team, as identified by the surveys on the site:
The Link
Note that the Braves fans spread out in green, somewhat like mold.
81
Talk Zone / Guess the Line-Up
« on: December 01, 2005, 12:30:28 pm »
Another thread questions what moves Purpura might make and where he has room to make them. I assume, barring a very surprising signing or trade, that the following position players have starting jobs next year:
C -- Ausmus (if he re-signs, obviously)
2B -- Biggio
3B -- Ensberg
SS -- Everett
?? -- Berkman
CF -- Taveras
RF -- Lane
So that leaves one hole to fill. Which of the following do you think it is most likely to be?
(A) Bagwell, who finds he can throw again, at first, with Berkman in left;
(B) Lamb, at first, with Berkman in left;
(C) Burke, in left, with Berkman at first;
(D) Another left fielder, with Berkman at first;
(E) Another first baseman, with Berkman in left;
(F) None of the above;
(G) An assortment of some or all of the above.
C -- Ausmus (if he re-signs, obviously)
2B -- Biggio
3B -- Ensberg
SS -- Everett
?? -- Berkman
CF -- Taveras
RF -- Lane
So that leaves one hole to fill. Which of the following do you think it is most likely to be?
(A) Bagwell, who finds he can throw again, at first, with Berkman in left;
(B) Lamb, at first, with Berkman in left;
(C) Burke, in left, with Berkman at first;
(D) Another left fielder, with Berkman at first;
(E) Another first baseman, with Berkman in left;
(F) None of the above;
(G) An assortment of some or all of the above.
82
Talk Zone / Minute Maid Park
« on: October 27, 2005, 09:19:06 pm »
I'm looking out my office window at the ballpark. It's pitch-black. Sigh.
83
Talk Zone / What's better or worse?
« on: October 24, 2005, 12:31:37 am »
The Astros having been in both Games 1 and 2 with a chance to win, I'm not sure what's better or worse.
On the one hand, it feels like a missed opportunity, because they could've pulled at least one of them out. On the other hand, the fact that they played well, despite losing, suggests that they can beat this team.
We'll have one day and change to worry about that until Tuesday evening rolls around.
On the one hand, it feels like a missed opportunity, because they could've pulled at least one of them out. On the other hand, the fact that they played well, despite losing, suggests that they can beat this team.
We'll have one day and change to worry about that until Tuesday evening rolls around.
84
Talk Zone / Ticket Scalpers and Auctions
« on: October 21, 2005, 03:00:03 pm »
For those of us not lucky enough to be selected in the first- or second-chance drawings, how are you getting tickets?
I think waiting until Monday or even Tuesday is the best bet, as scalpers and eBay are still listing ridiculous stuff like SRO for $800 each. Maybe I'm a fool and that's how much they'll turn out to be, or even more, but I'm willing to gamble that some tickets can be had for less than that on game day.
Has anybody found any scalpers with relatively decent prices?
I think waiting until Monday or even Tuesday is the best bet, as scalpers and eBay are still listing ridiculous stuff like SRO for $800 each. Maybe I'm a fool and that's how much they'll turn out to be, or even more, but I'm willing to gamble that some tickets can be had for less than that on game day.
Has anybody found any scalpers with relatively decent prices?
85
Talk Zone / Rejection E-mail
« on: October 17, 2005, 11:16:56 am »
Here it came, at 9:13 a.m.
"Thank you for registering for a chance to purchase tickets to potential Astros World Series games at Minute Maid Park. Unfortunately your entry was not selected for the online World Series sale. If single tickets remain, or any tickets go unclaimed, you will be automatically entered into the 2nd chance World Series ticket opportunity. If you are a 2nd chance winner, you will receive an e-mail on Thursday, Oct. 20 informing you of what you need to do.
"As a fan, your loyalty to the Astros is unparalleled. Thank you for registering for the online World Series ticket opportunity."
"Thank you for registering for a chance to purchase tickets to potential Astros World Series games at Minute Maid Park. Unfortunately your entry was not selected for the online World Series sale. If single tickets remain, or any tickets go unclaimed, you will be automatically entered into the 2nd chance World Series ticket opportunity. If you are a 2nd chance winner, you will receive an e-mail on Thursday, Oct. 20 informing you of what you need to do.
"As a fan, your loyalty to the Astros is unparalleled. Thank you for registering for the online World Series ticket opportunity."
86
Talk Zone / To the BBGs:
« on: October 16, 2005, 11:22:57 pm »
We beseech you to ignore the twits on the radio after Game 4 tonight who believe the series is "in the bag." They are too stupid to know any better. Please do not punish the rest of us for their foolishness.
We are fully cognizant that (1) the likely National League Cy Young Award winner, who beat the Astros in Game 1, takes the mound in Game 5, and (2) the Cardinals went back to St. Louis down 3-2 last year and still won the series.
While we are grateful fans for the bounty you have allowed us to harvest thus far, we realize that the series is far from over. Please allow us to proceed humbly in the absence of your wrath.
We are fully cognizant that (1) the likely National League Cy Young Award winner, who beat the Astros in Game 1, takes the mound in Game 5, and (2) the Cardinals went back to St. Louis down 3-2 last year and still won the series.
While we are grateful fans for the bounty you have allowed us to harvest thus far, we realize that the series is far from over. Please allow us to proceed humbly in the absence of your wrath.
88
Talk Zone / Pitching Depth
« on: October 09, 2005, 09:26:31 pm »
Pitching depth means having Clemens to pitch three innings of relief in Game 4, since Pettitte was fresh for Game 5 -- as opposed to having to sit on Smoltz to save him for Game 5, and not having a solid starter who could eat innings effectively in the longest playoff game in history.
It also means, even coming out of a meatgrinder like this, having Pettitte, Oswalt, Clemens, Backe, Pettitte, Oswalt, Clemens lined up for the NLCS.
It also means, even coming out of a meatgrinder like this, having Pettitte, Oswalt, Clemens, Backe, Pettitte, Oswalt, Clemens lined up for the NLCS.
89
Talk Zone / Memo to Fox: It's T-a-v-E-r-A-s, not T-a-v-A-r-E-s
« on: October 07, 2005, 12:33:26 pm »90
Talk Zone / Did anyone else try to buy tickets on Astros.com at 9 a.m.
« on: October 04, 2005, 11:33:21 am »
... and find that LCS Games 3 and 4 were already sold out, except for scattered singles?
I figure if you get there at the opening gate there would at least be nosebleeds left. Unless the season ticket holders (or the scalpers) somehow nabbed them all up.
I figure if you get there at the opening gate there would at least be nosebleeds left. Unless the season ticket holders (or the scalpers) somehow nabbed them all up.
91
Talk Zone / Forum Guidelines
« on: January 26, 2005, 01:14:55 am »
The TZ is an open forum for Zone-dwellers to discuss the Astros and baseball in general. Posting in the TZ is a privilege offered by SnS, not a sacred right. The following posting standards should be observed:
Spamming/Solicitation. The TZ is not a bazaar for selling Viagra, mortgages or your crappy sports Web site. If you want to unload an extra ticket for a game, fine. But the TZ is not a general forum for solicitation.
Harassment. The TZ is a rough-and-tumble world, but personal attacks and stalking will not be tolerated. This includes attempts to provoke and taunt other posters, or "ankle-biting."
Threats. Serious threats of any kind -- such as threats of physical violence or threats to release personal information -- are grounds for expulsion from the TZ.
Vulgarity and Profanity. The TZ is not a place for kids, and most content will be tolerated within reason. Posts that cross the line, in the sole discretion of SnS, may be deleted.
Flaming. The TZ has a long tradition of tolerating fans of other teams seeking intelligent baseball discussion. Trolls simply seeking to pick fights or antagonize other posters should expect to get run.
Copyright Infringement. Posting copyrighted material on the TZ is illegal, and such posts will be removed or edited. Quoting brief passages and posting links are acceptable.
Subject Matter. While non-baseball conversations will be tolerated to an extent, repeated use of the TZ to discuss non-baseball matters will be regulated.</ul>
OWA reserves the right to enforce these rules in its sole judgment and to change these rules without notice. The decision to grant, revoke or restore posting privileges belongs exclusively to OWA in its absolute discretion.
The TZOL
Always lurking in the shadows of the TZ is the TalkZone Overlord. TZOL's origins are little known. While most long-time Zone-dwellers have witnessed his handiwork, few who have crossed his path have lived to tell about. When things in the TZ get out of hand, TZOL clears the board. He goes by many names but is hard to miss when he makes an appearance.
Lately TZOL has manifested himself as W.A. "Spack" McGrimm. Spack was a star in the the old Constitutional Brotherhood Base Ball Association, a rival major league in the 1890s. Spack once pitched all 27 innings of a triple-header. A line drive broke his right collar bone in the seventh inning of Game 3, but he managed to finish the day with his left arm. He also held the Constitutional Association record by getting beaned in the head four times in a single game. The licorice stains on the ball left black scuffs on his cheekbones and forehead for a week.
Spack thinks today's game is for wussies, and he don't put up with no foolishness in the TZ.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed on SnS are solely those of the individual expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of SnS. SnS is neither affiliated with nor sanctioned by the Houston Astros Baseball Club, and the opinions expressed on SnS do not necessarily represent those of the Astros. The official Astros site is located at <a href="http://www.astros.com/" target="_blank">http://www.Astros.com[/url].
Spamming/Solicitation. The TZ is not a bazaar for selling Viagra, mortgages or your crappy sports Web site. If you want to unload an extra ticket for a game, fine. But the TZ is not a general forum for solicitation.
Harassment. The TZ is a rough-and-tumble world, but personal attacks and stalking will not be tolerated. This includes attempts to provoke and taunt other posters, or "ankle-biting."
Threats. Serious threats of any kind -- such as threats of physical violence or threats to release personal information -- are grounds for expulsion from the TZ.
Vulgarity and Profanity. The TZ is not a place for kids, and most content will be tolerated within reason. Posts that cross the line, in the sole discretion of SnS, may be deleted.
Flaming. The TZ has a long tradition of tolerating fans of other teams seeking intelligent baseball discussion. Trolls simply seeking to pick fights or antagonize other posters should expect to get run.
Copyright Infringement. Posting copyrighted material on the TZ is illegal, and such posts will be removed or edited. Quoting brief passages and posting links are acceptable.
Subject Matter. While non-baseball conversations will be tolerated to an extent, repeated use of the TZ to discuss non-baseball matters will be regulated.</ul>
OWA reserves the right to enforce these rules in its sole judgment and to change these rules without notice. The decision to grant, revoke or restore posting privileges belongs exclusively to OWA in its absolute discretion.
The TZOL
Always lurking in the shadows of the TZ is the TalkZone Overlord. TZOL's origins are little known. While most long-time Zone-dwellers have witnessed his handiwork, few who have crossed his path have lived to tell about. When things in the TZ get out of hand, TZOL clears the board. He goes by many names but is hard to miss when he makes an appearance.
Lately TZOL has manifested himself as W.A. "Spack" McGrimm. Spack was a star in the the old Constitutional Brotherhood Base Ball Association, a rival major league in the 1890s. Spack once pitched all 27 innings of a triple-header. A line drive broke his right collar bone in the seventh inning of Game 3, but he managed to finish the day with his left arm. He also held the Constitutional Association record by getting beaned in the head four times in a single game. The licorice stains on the ball left black scuffs on his cheekbones and forehead for a week.
Spack thinks today's game is for wussies, and he don't put up with no foolishness in the TZ.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed on SnS are solely those of the individual expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of SnS. SnS is neither affiliated with nor sanctioned by the Houston Astros Baseball Club, and the opinions expressed on SnS do not necessarily represent those of the Astros. The official Astros site is located at <a href="http://www.astros.com/" target="_blank">http://www.Astros.com[/url].
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