After somewhat of a roller-coaster ride through the first three-and-a-half months of the season, Preston Wilson currently has the following line for 2006:
Avg OBP Slg OPS G AB H 2B 3B HR R RBI BB -------------------------------------------------------------- .283 .321 .422 .742 85 332 94 18 2 9 34 47 18
I actually agreed to write this article back in December but had to keep it under wraps for a couple of reasons…a) Physically we all know I can’t hold up writing columns for an entire season. By the end of a season, at my age, there’s always father time and uncle groin-pull there to keep me from churning out column after column and, b) my ego is a constantly shrinking combination of hair-dye, University of Texas paraphernalia and self-loathing.Read More
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.
