Years Past

[BudGirl]

So, this morning as I was driving into work I remembered seeing Lucas Harrell pitch a great game (which the Astros lost) at Petco Field in 2012.  It just made me realize how far this team has come since then.  Harrell, Anuery Rodriguez, Happ. 

OMG, we weather a drought and a hurricane to get to the Promise land! 

[HudsonHawk]

I remember many nights turning on the game and thinking "whoa...who the hell is this guy and where did he come from?"  It's nice to be discussing who will be the 25th man on the roster.

[Bench]

I really thought Justin Maxwell was going to put it together.

[VirtualBob]

I really thought Justin Maxwell was going to put it together.

I thought the same about Charlie Maxwell, but when he did, we traded him to the White Sox.

[subnuclear]

I really thought Justin Maxwell was going to put it together.

He put in a good run in KC in 2013 and then fell off the map.

i had high hopes for Jordan Lyles and Brett Wallace and Matt Dominguez (god help me).

[JimR]

He put in a good run in KC in 2013 and then fell off the map.

i had high hopes for Jordan Lyles and Brett Wallace and Matt Dominguez (god help me).

Ditto on Wallace. I thought he would hit.

[BlownRanger]

I really thought Justin Maxwell was going to put it together.

Man, when it came to crushing hanging breaking balls, Justin took a backseat to no one.

[juliogotay]

Ditto on Wallace. I thought he would hit.

Me too on Wallace. On Lyles, I saw him pitch a AA game at Frisco and did not see what it was about him that rated a 1st round pick.

[BudGirl]

I had higher expectations for Jared Cosart.

[jaklewein]

So, this morning as I was driving into work I remembered seeing Lucas Harrell pitch a great game (which the Astros lost) at Petco Field in 2012.  It just made me realize how far this team has come since then.  Harrell, Anuery Rodriguez, Happ. 

OMG, we weather a drought and a hurricane to get to the Promise land!

And I remember Lucas Harrell acting like a 12-year old on the mound, throwing his hands up in the air every time the opponent hit a ground ball single to RF (where traditionally a second basemen would be positioned) against the shift.   

[Mr. Happy]

If only Lucas Harrell hadn't started nibbling and lost all semblance of command. I thought that a guy with a mid-90's two seamer would be successful. But then again, look at Mike Pelfrey. I remember having a spirited discussion about Harrell one day with Noe. I thought more of Harrell than Noe, who was right.

[Jacksonian]

Me too on Wallace. On Lyles, I saw him pitch a AA game at Frisco and did not see what it was about him that rated a 1st round pick.

As a kid he looked every bit the part hence his success in rookie ball.  He just didn't develop as an adult as much as other players. 

[VirtualBob]

I thought the same about Charlie Maxwell, but when he did, we traded him to the White Sox.

[/timewarp]

[das]

I remember many nights turning on the game and thinking "whoa...who the hell is this guy and where did he come from?"  It's nice to be discussing who will be the 25th man on the roster.

The "McWho?" questions on McHugh's first game ring in my ear each time I see his name in the lineup.  He represents so very, very much about what is good with the current Astros; from the way he was pulled from obscurity to the way he was shaped to be the pitcher he is to where he sits in the depth chart right now.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I thought Jason Bourgeois was the second coming of Gerald Young.

[NeilT]

The "McWho?" questions on McHugh's first game ring in my ear each time I see his name in the lineup.  He represents so very, very much about what is good with the current Astros; from the way he was pulled from obscurity to the way he was shaped to be the pitcher he is to where he sits in the depth chart right now.

He really did show up out of nowhere.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

 My routine during the dark times was to check the score,  then if the Astros had 0 check the linescore to see if we had a hit.

I had to check the linescore a lot.

[BUWebguy]

I thought Jason Bourgeois was the second coming of Gerald Young.

When Kenny Lofton got his September call-up with the Astros, 13-year-old me called a local sports radio show to ask if they thought Lofton could be as good as Gerald Young was.

After sitting on hold for close to an hour, they ran out of time before I got on the air, so I never got an answer. But I did get free tickets to Mike Scott Night in the Dome just for calling in, so I got that goin' for me, which is nice. (Still have the giveaway poster.)

[Reuben]

Jiovanni Mier, who I think of as one of our first bright new hopes of the dark era, will turn 28 later this year. He spent last year with the Mets' AA and AAA teams, batting .231/.272/.349.

[Bench]

Jiovanni Mier, who I think of as one of our first bright new hopes of the dark era, will turn 28 later this year. He spent last year with the Mets' AA and AAA teams, batting .231/.272/.349.

Oh shit. I forgot about him.  What ever happened with Kvasnicka?

[Jacksonian]

Oh shit. I forgot about him.  What ever happened with Kvasnicka?

He got traded.

[Jacksonian]

Jiovanni Mier, who I think of as one of our first bright new hopes of the dark era, will turn 28 later this year. He spent last year with the Mets' AA and AAA teams, batting .231/.272/.349.

The year 21 teams passed on Mike Trout.

[Reuben]

Oh shit. I forgot about him.  What ever happened with Kvasnicka?

Looks like he retired after a decent year in Indy ball in 2015. Had a famous OF collision with Byron Buxton when both were in AA in 2014; he was fine but Buxton missed the rest of the year due to a concussion.

At least the Astros drafted DeShields and Folty earlier in the 1st round that year, so they didn't completely blow the top of that draft. They did, however, draft Kvas (33rd overall) instead of Aaron Sanchez (34th) and Noah Syndergaard (38th). That would've been a heck of a pick.

[Lefty]

This was before the darkest of years, but Wilfredo Rodriguez was supposed to be a witch on the mound.  The only pitch I remember him throwing was the meatball to Bonds.

[BizidyDizidy]

This was before the darkest of years, but Wilfredo Rodriguez was supposed to be a witch on the mound.  The only pitch I remember him throwing was the meatball to Bonds.

He threw it a hell of a long way though

[JimR]

This was before the darkest of years, but Wilfredo Rodriguez was supposed to be a witch on the mound.  The only pitch I remember him throwing was the meatball to Bonds.

I know a little about him thanks to my year doing Express Radio. He decided he was a star after his A Ball year, hired him and agent, and was never the same. He was a disappointment beginning in AA.

[VirtualBob]

I know a little about him thanks to my year doing Express Radio. He decided he was a star after his A Ball year, hired him and agent, and was never the same. He was a disappointment beginning in AA.

Yes.  He was hyped (and so was I!) that first year of the Express, and that was the beginning of the end of my trusting pundits.

[geezerdonk]

Brian Bogusevic actually played in the major leagues.

[JimR]

Yes.  He was hyped (and so was I!) that first year of the Express, and that was the beginning of the end of my trusting pundits.

He did not work hard in RR. His success the year before convinced him he was great.

[Dark Star]

I thought Jason Bourgeois was the second coming of Gerald Young.

In a way, he kind of was.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Wonder what ever happened to the Dutch fellow they signed. Remember him?  A northern European shortstop, I think. Named Jan?

I remember he (supposedly) posted here one day, and we asked him a bunch of pertinent and prescient baseball-related questions.

I don't think I ever heard anything else about him, after that day.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wonder what ever happened to the Dutch fellow they signed. Remember him?  A northern European shortstop, I think. Named Jan?

I remember he (supposedly) posted here one day, and we asked him a bunch of pertinent and prescient baseball-related questions.

I don't think I ever heard anything else about him, after that day.

A shortstop named Jan. Here is the thread from yesteryear, my friend.

[Craig]

An article from December 2009:

"The Houston Astros released the Rotterdam-native Jan Baldee according to the latest set of Minor League transactions at Baseball America. The 19-year-old shortstop played 31 games through two seasons for Astros affiliates in the Venezuelan Summer League and the Gulf Coast League. He collected during his professional career just four hits total in 84 at-bats, while striking out 43 times."

[Duman]

I guess I'll just say it and get it out of the way:  JR Freakin Towles

[Mr. Happy]

I guess I'll just say it and get it out of the way:  JR Freakin Towles

Mitch Meluskey.

[Ty in Tampa]

A shortstop named Jan. Here is the thread from yesteryear, my friend.

Well, that's a wealth of forgettable names.

[hostros7]

I guess I'll just say it and get it out of the way:  JR Freakin Towles

This year, while at the rodeo, I found myself spending the preponderance of my time pondering whether or not JR was indeed following his lifelong dream of becoming a rodeo clown now that his baseball opportunity is over.


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[Fredia]

who can forget chris holt? seems like every game i went to he pitched.  one time the alarm went off and it just kept going and no one got up and left.

[NeilT]

You people should be banned from the internet.  This is cruel.

[Lefty]

Mitch Meluskey.

Robbie Wine?

Game 4 of the '85WS is on espn classic right now.  I was 9, this is the first WS I really remember watching start to finish.

[VirtualBob]

Keith Ginter anyone?

[Mr. Happy]

Keith Ginter anyone?

I'll see your Ginter, and I'll raise you an Alan Zinter.

[Duman]

You people should be banned from the internet.  This is cruel.

Just trying not to forget where we came from. 

[Dark Star]

An article from December 2009:

"The Houston Astros released the Rotterdam-native Jan Baldee according to the latest set of Minor League transactions at Baseball America. The 19-year-old shortstop played 31 games through two seasons for Astros affiliates in the Venezuelan Summer League and the Gulf Coast League. He collected during his professional career just four hits total in 84 at-bats, while striking out 43 times."

4-for-84? With 43 strikeouts? That's not very good, is it?

He must have been swinging down on the ball.

[Craig]

4-for-84? With 43 strikeouts? That's not very good, is it?

He must have been swinging down on the ball.

If his nickname wasn't The Dutch Windmill, then I feel like the system has failed us all.

[Bench]

I was 9, this is the first WS I really remember watching start to finish.

Me too and me too. 

[JimR]

Aaron ?, not at all sure of his name. Big RH 1B who hit a ton of HRs in A ball, then came to RR and was a RF hitter.

[Navin R Johnson]

I’m still upset James Mouton didn’t pan out, I had about 40 of his Donrus Rated Rookie cards

[juliogotay]

Aaron ?, not at all sure of his name. Big RH 1B who hit a ton of HRs in A ball, then came to RR and was a RF hitter.

McNeal?

[juliogotay]

I'll see your Ginter, and I'll raise you an Alan Zinter.

I bet you will recall LSU-ex Russ Johnson.

[JimR]

McNeal?

Bingo! Huge disappointment.

[BlownRanger]

Bingo! Huge disappointment.

I remember him.  He and a pitcher named Ireland were thought to be the best prospects on the brand new Express.

[JimR]

I remember him.  He and a pitcher named Ireland were thought to be the best prospects on the brand new Express.

Eric Ireland. Soft-tossing righty.

[JAforce6]

Eric Anthony and Cameron Drew

[Dark Star]

Well, he actually had a decent career as a platoon guy/role player/pinch-hitter type in MLB, and I think he played a year or two in Japan after that. But early on I thought Eric Anthony would be the power-hitiing first baseman of the future (the just-acquired minor-leaguer Bagwell, was a singles hitting 3B, of course.)

And then there was Tuffy Rhodes.

[JimR]

Eric Anthony and Cameron Drew

Cameron Drew for sure

[VirtualBob]

Eric Ireland. Soft-tossing righty.

No-Hitter in FSL and bust in AA.

[Reuben]

Jimmy Paredes. Chris Johnson. Matt Dominguez. All just helping pass the 3B baton from Ensberg to Bregman, I guess.

[Lefty]

Well, he actually had a decent career as a platoon guy/role player/pinch-hitter type in MLB, and I think he played a year or two in Japan after that. But early on I thought Eric Anthony would be the power-hitiing first baseman of the future (the just-acquired minor-leaguer Bagwell, was a singles hitting 3B, of course.)

And then there was Tuffy Rhodes.

Gerald Young.  His rookie year I thought we had found our leadoff CFer for the next many years.  Nope.

[Navin R Johnson]

I’m still upset James Mouton didn’t pan out, I had about 40 of his Donrus Rated Rookie cards

Actually I messed that up, It was Ty Gainey that I had about 40 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie cards of.   This one. 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/ty_gainey_autograph.jpg

[Navin R Johnson]

Eric Anthony and Cameron Drew

Totally forgot about Cameron Drew, that is probably one of the first prospects I was excited about, I wondered what happened to him.   According to Wikipedia

"Cameron Drew (born February 12, 1964) is an American former professional baseball player. He made his Major League Baseball debut on September 9, 1988. Previous knee injuries limited his major league career to seven games.

Drew was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1st round (12th pick) of the 1985 amateur draft after starring on the University of New Haven baseball team.

Drew collected numerous awards in his brief rise through the minor leagues and was tapped by many scouts at the time to be a superstar. After a seven-game stint during a September 1988 callup, Drew was forced to retire when it was determined that his basketball-damaged knees would never hold up to the rigors of a Major League Baseball career."

[Lefty]

Actually I messed that up, It was Ty Gainey that I had about 40 1986 Donruss Rated Rookie cards of.   This one. 

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/pics/ty_gainey_autograph.jpg

He was no Willie Ansley.

[VirtualBob]

Bingo! Huge disappointment.

Game One at the Dell.  Lead off hitter pops one up sky-high in foul territory.  Aaron watches it as it catches the wind and blows back into play to land about 15 feet from where he is still standing.  Good Effort!

[das]

Well, he actually had a decent career as a platoon guy/role player/pinch-hitter type in MLB, and I think he played a year or two in Japan after that. But early on I thought Eric Anthony would be the power-hitiing first baseman of the future (the just-acquired minor-leaguer Bagwell, was a singles hitting 3B, of course.)

I still pine for what could have been with Eric Anthony.  My goodness, the power in that bat.

[jaklewein]

My what could of been is Carlos Hernandez. If we’d have been in the American League when he was coming up who knows what would’ve happened with him.  He looked special before the injury suffered diving back into second base.

[VirtualBob]

My What kind of man is Carlos Hernandez. If we’d have been in the American League when he was coming up who knows what would’ve happened with him.  He looked special before the injury suffered diving back into second base.

Agree.

[Bench]

My what could of been is Carlos Hernandez. If we’d have been in the American League when he was coming up who knows what would’ve happened with him.  He looked special before the injury suffered diving back into second base.

In the only Express game I’ve ever been to Carlos Hernandez pitched 8 shutout innings with 16 strikeouts and Jason Lane hit 2 home runs. The future was bright!

[Mr. Happy]

I bet you will recall LSU-ex Russ Johnson.

The Gator!!!

[Mr. Happy]

The Gator!!!

Or that sorry Curt Blefary, whom the Orioles sent us in exchange for Mike Cuellar. One of the worst trades in baseball history.

[juliogotay]

Or that sorry Curt Blefary, whom the Orioles sent us in exchange for Mike Cuellar. One of the worst trades in baseball history.

One of many by Spec. All the GMs must have seen him coming from a mile away.

[Mr. Happy]

One of many by Spec. All the GMs must have seen him coming from a mile away.

Spec was a moron. Had we had Cuellar, we might have been much better in the early 1970’s.

[Reuben]

Spec was a moron. Had we had Cuellar, we might have been much better in the early 1970’s.

Kept Cuellar, kept John Mayberry, kept Morgan, kept Billingham... might have won it all.