By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on June 15, 2001.

The Astros were on the receiving end of a terrible policy from Major League Baseball in their June 14 contest with the Minnesota Twins. After surrendering a leadoff double, Astros phenom Roy Oswalt hit Twinkie outfielder Torii Hunter with an inside fastball to put runners on first and second with a 2-1 lead. Hunter began an aggressive stare-down with Oswalt and advanced toward the Astro righty, resulting in a benches-clearing breathing match.Read More

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on May 24, 2001.

“Leading off for the Houston Astros… Number 7… Second-baseman… Craig… Biggio.”

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard those familiar words. They’re warm and fuzzy and they feel like home… and it will help the Astros win if we hear them again.Read More

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on May 17, 2001.

With a fifth of the schedule complete and no real production from third base since the early weeks of the season, the Astros began to examine ways to solidify the starting eight. Despite his maturity, great attitude, and a healthy homerun binge to start the year, at .217/.289/.450 with an error every five starts, Chris Truby just was not getting it done. Read More

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on April 23, 2001.

Clearly Astros pitching has improved tremendously. Right now the staff sits at 9-6 with a smooth 4.03 ERA. That falls in the middle of the NL pack – excellent coupled with the team’s potent offense and a half-run better than the next best team. In 2000, their ERA of 5.41 was dead last in the National League, and the biggest culprit in the rotation was Jose Lima. So why is El Loco still a Stro when given Brad Ausmus, winter-ball, and time for an attitude adjustment he has shown no improvement?Read More

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on April 20, 2001.

The Astros started the season with a 4-2 homestand, then followed that up with a 4-4 showing on about as long a road trip as they will have all season. That puts them at 8-6, good for second place in the NL Central. An 8-6 record doesn’t sound very special, but if they were to go 8-6 every 14 games all season, the Astros would end with over 90 wins. Read More

By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on March 27, 2001.

Train Wreck 2000 – The Astros’ pathetic inaugural display at Enron Field at Union Station.

While many in the Astros organization spent the last six months trying to wake up from that nightmare, Gerry Hunsicker had to relive it over and over to decide what had to be done to keep it from happening again. Much of his work goes on in the offseason, and it was his responsibility to use that time to ensure the Astros do not suffer a similar fate in 2001: A Baseball Odyssey. Here Brushback begins to openly wonder what hath Gerry wrought. Read More