The 2005 Astros were a rare species of pennant-winner. They finished 11th in runs scored, the first National League team since the 1973 Mets to claim the flag with so lowly an offensive output. Consequently, improving the batting order was an offseason priority for general manager Tim Purpura.
“As far as on the field, the only thing I wanted to be remembered as is that I was consistent.”
Jeff Bagwell’s situation looks like it could get a lot worse before it gets better. And Bagwell’s “situation” isn’t a reference to his shredded shoulder — it’s a reference to the contractual conundrum and public relations fiasco Bagwell, the Astros and the Astros’ insurer are in.
At the very least, Houston’s signing of Preston Wilson should help quiet the do-something crowd of Astros fans clamoring for a big-time move this offseason. Wilson may not be a grade-A free agent, but given the market, signing him for $4 million seems reasonable.
In the middle of the 18th inning Sunday, after watching eight-and-a-half scoreless frames from behind the right field foul pole in Minute Maid Park, my dad told me that he felt like something was about to happen. I asked him, “good or bad.” He wasn’t sure.
It is rare for a player to collect 500 home runs or 3,000 hits. It is even more unusual for a player to surpass both milestones. But it would be unique for a player with that pair of achievements to fail to gain entry into the Hall of Fame. That is a prospect Rafael Palmeiro may face, however, when his entry to Cooperstown comes to a vote.
