From 1994 to 1999 the Astros were a superb baseball team, finishing second three straight years then winning a trio of division titles. Their 507-400 record over that span trailed only the Braves, Yankees and Indians. In 2000 the wheels came off, as they finished fourth and lost 90 games for the first time since 1991. Yet the Astros can salvage some good news from their otherwise depressing season.
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Opening The Wallet
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on September 11, 2000.
The most important numbers for Astros fans this winter won’t be wins and losses or home runs and RBIs, but how many dollars Drayton McLane agrees to spend to improve the team. Fans cried foul last offseason when the payroll dropped from $56.3 million to $52.4 million despite the opening of publicly subsidized Enron Field. Fortunately, there’s reason to believe McLane will dig significantly deeper into his pockets to help the Astros return to contention in 2001.Read More
Opening the Wallet
The most important numbers for Astros fans this winter won’t be wins and losses or home runs and RBIs, but how many dollars Drayton McLane agrees to spend to improve the team. Fans cried foul last offseason when the payroll dropped from $56.3 million to $52.4 million despite the opening of publicly subsidized Enron Field. Fortunately, there’s reason to believe McLane will dig significantly deeper into his pockets to help the Astros return to contention in 2001.
The Case For Dotel
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 25, 2000.
Perhaps the best predictor of a pitcher’s longevity and future success is his strikeout rate. From that perspective, although he hasn’t filled Mike Hampton’s shoes, Octavio Dotel hasn’t been such a disappointment this season.Read More
The Case for Dotel
Perhaps the best predictor of a pitcher’s longevity and future success is his strikeout rate. From that perspective, although he hasn’t filled Mike Hampton’s shoes, Octavio Dotel hasn’t been such a disappointment this season.
Worst To First?
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on August 14, 2000.
It could be worse. That’s small consolation for Astros fans, but by winning their 42nd game last week, they avoided the inglorious distinction of suffering the most catastrophic single-season turnaround since 1901. That ignominy belongs to the 1915 Philadelphia Athletics, who endured a reversal of 56 games. Read More