OWA: 40 for 40

[MusicMan]

Oh, great. They're trying original content again.

[Bench]

Nice #content!

Seriously, I always enjoy the original writing by the folks dedicated enough to actually do it.

[VirtualBob]

Oh, great. They're trying original content again.

Off to a good start.

[Mr. Happy]

Terrific!!! Thanks, MM!

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 presents: Kevin Chapman

[Jacksonian]

40 for 40 presents: Kevin Chapman

I believe he's also out of options so you're assessment of his future is dead on.

[MusicMan]

I believe he's also out of options so you're assessment of his future is dead on.

Yes he is. If I didn't include that, I sure meant to.


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[Reuben]

Yes he is. If I didn't include that, I sure meant to.


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I read the words Out Of Options in there.

Great work, MM! Can't wait for the next one. This is awesome.

[Mr. Happy]

40 for 40 presents: Kevin Chapman

Spot on. He reminds me of Dana Eveland, and that's not a good thing.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 presents: Chris Devenski

[chuck]

El Brujo Mendoza FTW! Dale, pana!

[austro]

40 for 40 presents: Chris Devenski

My "favorite" recent what-if: what if the Astros selected Kris Bryant instead of Mark Appel?

[bubba]

Who is Mark Appel?

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 don't need no stinking weekends.

40 for 40 presents: Michael Feliz

[MusicMan]

I believe he's also out of options so you're assessment of his future is dead on.

Chapman entered today's game and surrendered a HR on his third pitch.


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[Nate Colbert]

Chapman entered today's game and surrendered a HR on his third pitch.

A total of 4 runs allowed in 2/3 of an inning (though some shoddy defense was also at work--CF Ramon Laureano allowed a ball to go to the wall for a 3-base error).

[Mr. Happy]

Chapman entered today's game and surrendered a HR on his third pitch.


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To a lefty I think.

[Nate Colbert]

To a lefty I think.

As well as a base hit to the only other lefty he faced, Alex Presley.

[MusicMan]

40 days includes Sundays.

40 for 40 Presents: Mike Fiers

[Mr. Happy]

40 days includes Sundays.

40 for 40 Presents: Mike Fiers

I see what you did there.

[VirtualBob]

40 days includes Sundays.

40 for 40 Presents: Mike Fiers

Unlike Lent.

[JimR]

These are great, Mike! Thanks for doing them.

What if Phil Niekro had accepted the trade to Houston and Richard had not had a stroke? The 1980 4-man rotation would have been Richard, P. Niekro, Ryan, J. Niekro.

Who says JFK would have pulled us out of Viet Nam? He got us in there, and McNamara was his boy. The Oval Office tapes have shown RM's hawkish advice and  persistence overcame  LBJ's better judgment and his desire to protect his domestic programs.

Comparing anyone to Kyle Farnsworth is damnation, not damning with faint praise.

Bryant at 3rd, Correa. At SS, Altuve at 2nd...oh, my. What if, indeed.

[MusicMan]

These are great, Mike! Thanks for doing them.

Thank you, sir. Glad they are appreciated.

Who says JFK would have pulled us out of Viet Nam? He got us in there, and McNamara was his boy. The Oval Office tapes have shown RM's hawkish advice and  persistence overcame  LBJ's better judgment and his desire to protect his domestic programs.

Admittedly not the strongest example, but it went in the same direction as the others - that's why I went with it.

The one I replaced, and the US history counterfactual that fascinates me the most, is what if a Confederate scout hadn't dropped General Lee's plans for the Battle of Gettysburg, allowing the Union to find them?

Bryant at 3rd, Correa. At SS, Altuve at 2nd...oh, my. What if, indeed.

How about Bregman-Correa-Altuve-Bryant as your infield?

[MusicMan]

OK, before I post today's 40 for 40, I want to offer a semi-mea culpa.

In Googling for items on Ken Giles, I discovered that The Crawfish Boxes did a series in Spring Training of 2016 called... "40 in 40".

I know that previewing 40 players in 40 days isn't the most original idea on the planet, but I just wanted to say, for the record, that I had no idea until today that they had done this series, or that it had such a similar name.

To any writers, contributors, editors, or owners of the Crawfish Boxes... any similarity is coincidental. But if anyone wants me to change the name, I will be happy to do so.

[MusicMan]

With that out of the way... this was an interesting one to write.

40 for 40 Presents: Ken Giles

[juliogotay]

With that out of the way... this was an interesting one to write.

40 for 40 Presents: Ken Giles

Great stats you dug up on Giles season. Interesting. I'm thinking , too, he is going to have a great season.

One nit to pick on Score....he was not killed by the line-drive. He recovered to pitch again although not at the same levels. Hurt his arm trying to change his after-release posture on the mount. Mantle called him the best LHer he faced before the  incident.

[MusicMan]

Great stats you dug up on Giles season. Interesting. I'm thinking , too, he is going to have a great season.

One nit to pick on Score....he was not killed by the line-drive. He recovered to pitch again although not at the same levels. Hurt his arm trying to change his after-release posture on the mount. Mantle called him the best LHer he faced before the  incident.

Thanks. I must have gotten my wires crossed between Herb Score and Ray Chapman.

[juliogotay]

Thanks. I must have gotten my wires crossed between Herb Score and Ray Chapman.

I'm really enjoying the series and the humor. 

[Mr. Happy]

Thanks. I must have gotten my wires crossed between Herb Score and Ray Chapman.

Herb Score was the long-time broadcaster after the premature end of his playing career.

[MusicMan]

Herb Score was the long-time broadcaster after the premature end of his playing career.

"Shut up, you'll be stone cold dead in a minute."


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[BUWebguy]

What if Phil Niekro had accepted the trade to Houston and Richard had not had a stroke? The 1980 4-man rotation would have been Richard, P. Niekro, Ryan, J. Niekro.

What was the deal for Phil Niekro? First I've heard of that one.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Luke Gregerson

[Mr. Happy]

40 for 40 Presents: Luke Gregerson

I don't remember Dave Smith having blazing stuff. IIRC, he was more of a location pitcher.

[juliogotay]

I don't remember Dave Smith having blazing stuff. IIRC, he was more of a location pitcher.

correct on Smitty. slider/change-up guy IIRC. Great contol and kept the ball down. Got a lot of k's  though. Could occasionally sneak the low 90s heater by you.

[Ebby Calvin]

Enjoying these, MM.  Thanks for the hard work!

[Lefty]

Where's Doug Jones when you need him?

[MusicMan]

Let's see... Alan Ashby is gone, thank the Lord.
Asher Wojciechowski is now a Diamondback.

DAMN. I should have done Ashur Tolliver today. CURSE YOU, ALPHABETICAL ORDER!

40 for 40 presents: Reymin Guduan

[Mr. Happy]

Let's see... Alan Ashby is gone, thank the Lord.
Asher Wojciechowski is now a Diamondback.

DAMN. I should have done Ashur Tolliver today. CURSE YOU, ALPHABETICAL ORDER!

40 for 40 presents: Reymin Guduan

I hope that you're wrong about Guduan. I'd hate to see a  portsider who has a  lively arm go to DFA waste.

[VirtualBob]

Let's see... Alan Ashby is gone, thank the Lord.
Asher Wojciechowski is now a Diamondback.

DAMN. I should have done Ashur Tolliver today. CURSE YOU, ALPHABETICAL ORDER!

40 for 40 presents: Reymin Guduan

I could have lent you my dictionary.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I really appreciate the effort  made and knowledge gained from this series MM.

[BlownRanger]

What if Phil Niekro had accepted the trade to Houston and Richard had not had a stroke? The 1980 4-man rotation would have been Richard, P. Niekro, Ryan, J. Niekro.

What if the Dodgers had not swept the Astros on the final weekend and Joe Niekro had gotten two starts in the NLCS instead of starting the playoff game?

Losing Richard might very well have cost the Astros a championship, but a lot of folks forget how good Vern Ruhle was in the 2nd half.  With the exception of Carlton and J Niekro, he was probably dealing as well as any starter in the NL.

[MusicMan]

As Curly once said, "Day ain't over, yet."

40 for 40 Presents: Jandel Gustave

[austro]

As Curly once said, "Day ain't over, yet."

40 for 40 Presents: Jandel Gustave

That does it: his nickname is "Heiseberg".

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Sears. How the might have fallen.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

That does it: his nickname is "Heiseberg".

Much better than J-Gus.

[VirtualBob]

As Curly once said, "Day ain't over, yet."

40 for 40 Presents: Jandel Gustave

7.50 ERA?  Really??

[MusicMan]

7.50 ERA?  Really??

The editors in charge of subtitles projections have been sacked.

[das]

As Curly once said, "Day ain't over, yet."

40 for 40 Presents: Jandel Gustave

These are great, btw, MM.

[VirtualBob]

The editors in charge of subtitles projections have been sacked.

Just be sure to keep the moose away.

ETA:  Has anyone every heard the hilarious narrated soundtrack to the above-referenced movie?  "Coming to you from the infamous third stall from the left"

[MusicMan]

I thought about going with one of the ex-Marlins, but we'll stay alphabetical.

40 for 40 Presents: Will Harris

[Craig]

MM, I'm looking forward to these every day. Thanks for doing them.

[MusicMan]

MM, I'm looking forward to these every day. Thanks for doing them.

Well, bringing you out of lurking was well worth it!

[Craig]

Well, bringing you out of lurking was well worth it!

I'm actually looking forward to this season, but I still don't think I'll be able to watch the games. I'm on PS Vue now and I don't see a package that will get me the broadcasts. One good thing about these month-to-month online packages is that you can switch from one service to the other, but I still haven't seen one that gets Root or whatever it is now.

[das]

I'm actually looking forward to this season, but I still don't think I'll be able to watch the games. I'm on PS Vue now and I don't see a package that will get me the broadcasts. One good thing about these month-to-month online packages is that you can switch from one service to the other, but I still haven't seen one that gets Root or whatever it is now.

MLB.tv and a phone/tablet/computer?  I love it and, when I want a big screen, I just HDMI into my TV.  Resolution quality is very good with any decent internet connection.

[Craig]

MLB.tv and a phone/tablet/computer?  I love it and, when I want a big screen, I just HDMI into my TV.  Resolution quality is very good with any decent internet connection.

Hmm, that's a possibility. Then Chromecast it to the TV. I just don't know enough about the streaming and blackout rules anymore. I may start a new topic about it so I don't derail MM's excellent player previews.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: James Hoyt

[MusicMan]

Better late than never, but this one needed some time to think. He's kind of a big deal.

40 for 40 Presents: Dallas Keuchel

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Lance McCullers, Jr.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

40 for 40 Presents: Lance McCullers, Jr.

Chris Jericho is a (Canadian) national treasure.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Collin McHugh

[MusicMan]

I was tempted to jump forward to Tony Sipp while he's still on the 40 man, but I'll stick with the system.

40 for 40 Presents: Charlie Morton

[austro]

I was tempted to jump forward to Tony Sipp while he's still on the 40 man, but I'll stick with the system.

40 for 40 Presents: Charlie Morton

Box score shows a pretty nice little outing today: 3 IP, 0 H, and 4 K.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Joe Musgrove

[Nate Colbert]

40 for 40 Presents: Joe Musgrove

Thanks for doing these, MM.

[MusicMan]

Thanks for doing these, MM.

I really appreciate that, and the kind words from everyone. I'll be completely honest: I started out writing these for me - I just wanted to write. But knowing that it's appreciated, and that a few people even look forward to it, sure keeps me motivated to stick to the every day schedule.

[Mr. Happy]

I really appreciate that, and the kind words from everyone. I'll be completely honest: I started out writing these for me - I just wanted to write. But knowing that it's appreciated, and that a few people even look forward to it, sure keeps me motivated to stick to the every day schedule.

Dude: Your work is most appreciated. And it's damn good to boot!

[MusicMan]

Getting these things done can be a tall order.

40 for 40 Presents: David Paulino

[juliogotay]

40 for 40 Presents: Joe Musgrove

Musgrove with 3 good innings today. BTW, Moran is doing some good things. 2nd HR today and driving the ball.  Reed also having a good start.

[austro]

Musgrove with 3 good innings today. BTW, Moran is doing some good things. 2nd HR today and driving the ball.  Reed also having a good start.

After White's start last year, I'm a little gun-shy.

ETA: That's more about Moran than Musgrove, in whom I have quite a bit of confidence.

[VirtualBob]

Dude: Your work is most appreciated. And it's damn good to boot!

Agreed. Very well done.

[MusicMan]

Feel free to call him The Glitch.

40 for 40 Presents: Brad Peacock

[drew corleone]

Great work, MM! I've been catching up while watching Canada-Columbia. Not  bad way to spend a Saturday morning.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Musgrove sure carries that 275 pounds well.

[chuck]

CoLOMbia, Hooten.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Brady Rodgers

Editor's note: I'll do my best to continue the schedule over the next few days, but unforeseen circumstances have prevented me from stocking up the profiles before heading out on Spring Break this week.

[MusicMan]

Getting it in under the wire, at least for those in the Central time zone:

40 for 40 Presents: Tony Sipp

[juliogotay]

I keep thinking the club will develop a better option eventually through their system but it goes to show how hard these guys are to find. Live left-handed arms often come with poor command or control.

[Navin R Johnson]

Echo what others have said, thanks for putting this together MM!

[MusicMan]

You learn something new every day. For example... Ashur Tolliver is an Astro.

40 for 40 Presents: Ashur Tolliver

[MusicMan]

Enough of these pitchers. WHO WANTS TO SEE SOME DINGERS?

40 for 40 Presents: Evan Gattis

[Ebby Calvin]

Enough of these pitchers. WHO WANTS TO SEE SOME DINGERS?

40 for 40 Presents: Evan Gattis

I'd love to see an extension for EOB.  Great writeup.

[Nate in IA]

Been absent from the site for a while and just now went through all these.   

Outstanding work MM.   Thanks so much for doing it.

[MusicMan]

I'm just here to help the web site. I'm gonna take this one post at a time. Upon completing this preview, I gently placed my keyboard down and rounded the house as fast as I could, keeping my head down. I promise I'm following all of the unwritten rules of player previews.

40 for 40 Presents: Brian McCann

[chuck]

Gattis was a Brave, too, in 2013, the year of the McCann-Gomez home run related incident. Also on that team was a fellow named Terdoslavich, who went on to hit just eight fewer home runs than Gomez hit for the Astros.

[MusicMan]

I hope this doesn't sound overly harsh, but it's tough to work up a lot of deep analysis for a guy that you know won't be here next month.

40 for 40 Presents: Max Stassi

[MusicMan]

Well, this was more fun than a little bit.

40 for 40 Presents: Jose Altuve

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Through age 26 Jose is better than Biggio. We can only hope he can remain healthy and consistent for another 12 or 13 years. Thanks again MM.

[MusicMan]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Yesterday's 40 for 40 will be considered a rainout, and there will be a doubleheader scheduled today.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I'd love to see an extension for EOB.  Great writeup.

Blum described him in a game recently as a "big pile of hate for that little white ball."

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Alex Bregman

[MusicMan]

Well, you knew I was looking forward to this.

40 for 40 Presents: Carlos Correa

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Marwin Gonzalez

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Every game Spiers played he seemed to do something specific--a clutch hit, a clutch defensive play--to help win. I hope MarGo can have a season like that.

[MusicMan]

Update: I injured my right shoulder Tuesday and am in a sling - and m discovering just how hard it is to do everything with one arm, including type.

[juliogotay]

Update: I injured my right shoulder Tuesday and am in a sling - and m discovering just how hard it is to do everything with one arm, including type.

How long will the arm be immobilized. I remember my right arm being in a sling for about six weeks as a kid and when I was free to use it I had that feeling like it had been "asleep".  I kept using my left hand for awhile including writing. Weird as hell feeling.

[MusicMan]

How long will the arm be immobilized. I remember my right arm being in a sling for about six weeks as a kid and when I was free to use it I had that feeling like it had been "asleep".  I kept using my left hand for awhile including writing. Weird as hell feeling.

Just two weeks


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[juliogotay]

Just two weeks


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shouldn't be much muscle atrophy then.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Yulieski Gurriel

[austro]

Update: I injured my right shoulder Tuesday and am in a sling - and m discovering just how hard it is to do everything with one arm, including type.

Sorry to hear that; hope it gets better soon. Typing with one hand is one of the most frustrating experiences around.

[Duman]

Update: I injured my right shoulder Tuesday and am in a sling - and m discovering just how hard it is to do everything with one arm, including type.

Its the little things you would never think of like unzipping pants that are remarkably hard left handed.  Hope you heal quickly.

[MusicMan]

Its the little things you would never think of like unzipping pants that are remarkably hard left handed.  Hope you heal quickly.

I've discovered putting socks on is quite the challenge.


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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

How did you hurt your shoulder?

[MusicMan]

How did you hurt your shoulder?

Best I can tell, the burpee sets I did on Monday were the last straw.

[Lefty]

Its the little things you would never think of like unzipping pants that are remarkably hard left handed.  Hope you heal quickly.

This.  I also seem to remember it took me a couple of sessions before I could wipe my arse in an orderly fashion.

On the plus side, I can still throw darts and write legibly with the other hand.

[MusicMan]

Crunch time. Let's see if I can catch up.

40 for 40 Presents: Colin Moran

[MusicMan]

OK, on a roll now.

40 for 40 Presents: A.J. Reed

[WVastro]

Just in case you weren't aware... these have been great MM! Thanks!

[Mr. Happy]

Just in case you weren't aware... these have been great MM! Thanks!

+1

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Tyler White

[MusicMan]

Wait a minute... 40 for 40 is up at 10:30 in the morning??

40 for 40 Presents: Nori Aoki

[MusicMan]

GOOD GAWD ALMIGHTY! TWO PREVIEWS IN THREE HOURS!

40 for 40 Presents: Andrew Aplin

Home stretch, folks... only 7 to go!

[MusicMan]

Whooooooaaaa Nellie! A triple play!

40 for 40 Presents: Teoscar Hernandez

[VirtualBob]

Whooooooaaaa Nellie! A triple play!

40 for 40 Presents: Teoscar Hernandez

I think you really nailed it with this question:

Can Hernandez actually play center field without causing cringe-related facial injuries to the fan base?

[Nate Colbert]

Whooooooaaaa Nellie! A triple play!

Unassisted and while nursing an injury. Impressive.

[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: Tony Kemp

[juliogotay]

40 for 40 Presents: Tony Kemp

I thing that is consistent in your reporting; baseball players hate to hit curveballs.

[MusicMan]

I thing that is consistent in your reporting; baseball players hate to hit curveballs.

Your point is well taken... I am trying to point that out only when it seems particularly bad.

[MusicMan]

Is he wearing khakis?

40 for 40 Presents: Jake Marisnick

[BUWebguy]

40 for 40 Presents: Tony Kemp

This makes me smile:

Also, Kemp went only 10 for 18 stealing bases last year. One does worry that he’s making his way the only way he knows how, but it may be just a little bit more than catchers will allow.

[juliogotay]

Your point is well taken... I am trying to point that out only when it seems particularly bad.

Not meant as criticism....just an observation. While I know hitters look for FBs I didn't realize just how much disparity there was in the numbers.
You'd think they would find a few more hangers to jump on.

[MusicMan]

Almost there. Stay on target... stay on target...

40 for 40 Presents: Josh Reddick

[Lefty]

I thought about using a condom, but then, hey, when's the next time I'll be in Haiti?

[MusicMan]

I thought about using a condom, but then, hey, when's the next time I'll be in Haiti?

It's easily a top 5 SNL commercial


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[MusicMan]

40 for 40 presents: Chris Devenski

Another look at multi-inning relievers


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[MusicMan]

40 for 40 Presents: George Springer

[MusicMan]

Remember me?

40 for 40 Presents: Preston Tucker

[MusicMan]

Number 40!

YO ADRIAN! I DID IT!!

40 for 40 Presents: Carlos Beltran

[geezerdonk]

Excellent series. Great way to prepare for the season. Many thanks.

[tbone421998]

Great series.  It was most enjoyable.

[juliogotay]

Enjoyed it immensely. Thanks.

[Craig]

Great job, MM. I read every one of them and know a lot more about the team than I did before you started. Thanks for putting in all the work.

[Duke]

Thanks Music Man.  I've enjoyed these immensely.

[MusicMan]

Great job, MM. I read every one of them and know a lot more about the team than I did before you started. Thanks for putting in all the work.

Thanks to all for the kind words.

To say that you learned more about the team means a lot to me... if I was showing new things to an educated group of fans, then I just have been doing something right.


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[Mr. Happy]

Thanks to all for the kind words.

To say that you learned more about the team means a lot to me... if I was showing new things to an educated group of fans, then I just have been doing something right.


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I couldn't agree more, as I learned some things too. I particularly liked the references to players past. You have a very deep knowledge of the Astros, and I for one appreciate that you shared it with us. This site rocks!!!

[Ty in Tampa]

Almost there. Stay on target... stay on target...

"You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Great Job, MM!