Going back to the well a second time in the space of a week is pretty ambitious. It’s not really that soon, though, as my debut effort had been written for about a week before K&S got it up on the site. There was a delay while they made room for me in the database – suddenly Dierker’s recent quote about shoveling ten pounds of (manure) into a 5-pound bag seems relevant. Of course, Breedlove went for two columns in as many days, and look what happened to him! The “Brushback” feature doesn’t even get a link on the front page any more.
Franklin
The Astros kissed off their very un-special, lefty specialist this week. Unable to get out hitters of any orientation, Wayne has languished in the Astros system. The only thing of note he’s done is to cause some of the TZ Popes to get all in a tizzy about his presence on the 40-man roster, exposing some of the potential talent on the farm to the Rule 5 draft.
Hipolito Pichardo takes his place, ensuring that the tizzyness over unprotected prospects will continue. Pichardo (I can’t help be reminded of “Alotta Fagina” when I read his name) is a classic retread. He’s dragged himself out of retirement for maybe one last summer on the mound, having had surgery to fix his shoulder. I’m sure we’ll all be underwhelmed by what we see. Of course, a small piece of putty would be more useful than Franklin. Let’s just hope that Jimy doesn’t decide to “check the record” and put in HP to pitch in a crucial situation.
Jefferson
At least Pichardo will be ready to throw during Spring Training. A lot of eyes will be on the Astros’ other two questionable arms, Doug Brocail and Carlos Hernandez. Doug will be less worrisome in ST as he won’t actually be cleared to pitch from a mound by then. In fact, he won’t be throwing properly until the first or second week of the season.
I don’t remember the Astros ever saying that he would be ready or not, but I was quite surprised that his rehab is taking this long. I don’t think we should expect anything good from Brocail this season. Pitchers generally take a season to get back to form after major arm surgery, by which time Doug will be a free agent again. He’ll be surplus to requirements as the continuing youth movement will put him out of a job.
Jackson
Speaking of yoots, young Hernandez will get a chance to show whether he was just a pleasant surprise on MLB, or if he’s the real deal. If Bagwell’s base-running gem is “The Slide”, then Carlos gave us “The Anti-Slide” – possibly the ugliest bit of base running since Caminiti’s “Belly Flop Felt Around the World” in 1999.
Before the untimely termination of his season, ‘Los wowed Astrodom – clocking up 17 2/3rds scoreless innings to open his MLB account. Seemingly cut from the same unflappable cloth as Miller and Oswalt, Hernandez could very well pitch himself to superstardom this year. I just hope someone remembers to put up the letter “P”, not “K”, for his ponches!
Gammons
Big news in Limeyland has been the death of the Queen’s hard-living sister, Margaret. What’s funny is that her antics used to garner such negative publicity that it caused a rethink of the civil list, and cut off a whole bunch of minor royals from their free handouts. This is a woman who smoked 60 ciggies a day and would start the day with a gin and tonic. In death, however, she’s portrayed as a rebel, an artist and “the first Diana”. What a crock. It’s a shame she died, just as it’s a shame when (almost) anyone dies – but when did she turn into Mother freakin’ Theresa?
Windbag
Fashion Tip: This week, I shall be mostly wearing Dolce & Gabbana.
Milo
At last we are within days of some baseball activity that doesn’t involve lawyers or congressmen. There’s been a distinct dearth of noise about the non-existent CBA, and no one seems to be threatening to strike or lock anyone out over it. I don’t like it. It’s quiet… too quiet…