By Clint B.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on July 13, 1999.

Well, here we are- the midway point of the 1999 season. Lots of surprises have filled the world of baseball this season. Who would have thought that the Diamondbacks, who finished with the majors’ second worst record in ’98, would be in contention in the N.L. West? Who would have ever imagined that Cincinnati, instead of say Chicago, would challenge the two-time defending N.L. Central champion Houston Astros? Not many. Right now, there are lots of questions surrounding the state of the Astros. Sure, they have played extremely well under the horrific circumstances, but have lacked some enthusiasm the past month, and have let the Reds creep into the race and into first place after the Fourth-of-the-July weekend series split with Cincy. Here are some of the things I will expect in major league baseball’s second half. Read More

By Clint B.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

So what? The Astros coughed up a division lead. They did the same last year with Chicago. The important thing is the ‘Stros went on a tear in July and cruised to their second straight division title. There’s no reason to think that won’t happen this year. But, some things must be resolved before Houston reclaims their division lead.Read More

By Kool
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

I’m 23. Been following the Astros in Houston for most of my life. But I wouldn’t ever have considered myself a die-hard fan. Not in a million years.

This all changed when I found the Talk Zone.

I went to college in Boston in 1994. We all know how the Stros were back then – Bags broke his wrist, the players went on strike, and another season went down the tubes. MVP? Small victory. Up in Boston, fans were pretty pissed the Sox stunk. But nothing got them more pissed that year than two little words from an Astros follower.

Larry Andersen.Read More

Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

How can I explain what baseball has meant to me so that it will make sense to other people? My mother told me that my dad started rolling a ball to me when I was less than a year old, so I guess I never had a chance. Playing the game was a major part of my life growing up:  Little League, Pony League, Austin High School, American Legion, the University of Texas. I was a pitcher, and my dad caught several million pitches from me in our back yard. Dad emphasized control, control, control, and I could hit spots when I was eight years old. My dad, who was a good enough player to be offered a contract by the Detroit Tigers, was my first and best coach. My mom was my biggest fan. My brother played from Little League through his freshman year at UT. We spent most spring and summer afternoons and evenings at one ballpark or another, at my games or my brother’s games or watching UT or the Austin Senators/Braves. My dad and I played catch for years and years, until he was too old to see the ball well enough to play, and I treasured those times with him. He is dead now, and I wish I could bring him back merely by building a baseball field.Read More

By Astro Pete
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

It isn’t the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, nor the Colossus of Rhodes. It isn’t in the same class as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon or the Pyramids of Giza. However, it’s greatness is just as monumental as each of the Seven Wonders of the World. It, of course, is the Harris County Domed Stadium, or more commonly known as, the Astrodome. Originally envisioned by Judge Roy Hofheinz, it is still as breathtaking today as it was in it’s inception thirty-five years ago. The general public may not see our ballpark in the exactly the same light, but we feel differently. We know the truth. Fact is, the Astrodome is a marvelous building and a wonderful place to watch the game we recognize as our National Pastime. We know the scent of the Dome. We can smell it even when we are away. The scent is warm to the senses and sensitive to the soul. If fills your lungs as open air would on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Spring. It is the scent of the Astrodome, the smell of baseball.Read More

By Clint B.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

While some consider 1998 to have been the greatest year in baseball history, the Astros’ season ended in frustration and disappointment. While the Central sluggers, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, caprtured the hearts of millions the world over, the Astros were quietly establishing themselves as one of the best teams in baseball. When the ‘Stros set the record for most wins in their franchise, that not only pumped up many Houstonians, it raised a lot of expectations around the country. After failing to hit the broad side of a barn against Atlanta’s pitching staff in the ’97 NL divisional series, much was expected out of this new and improved offense which saw the additions of Moises Alou and Carl Everett. But it was the same-old, same-old for the Astros, as they once again failed to win their first postseason series, dropping the ’98 divisional series 3 games to 1 to the eventual NL champion San Diego Padres. In the offseason, the ‘Stros welcomed back an old friend in ex-Padres’ third basemen Ken Caminiti.Read More