The Dunn Effect I
In the market for big-league hitters leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, perhaps the most popular player supposedly for sale is Reds slugger Adam Dunn. This 25-year-old native Houstonian busted his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame into baseball stardom by finishing tied for runner-up for the home run crown with 46 long balls in 2004, his fourth season in the league. Dunn also gained notoriety by fanning 195 times, breaking Bobby Bonds’ 1970 record of 189 strikeouts.
Seven Weeks
What a difference seven weeks makes. Defying predictions that their season was effectively over and inane rumors that Roger Clemens would soon return to pinstripes, the Astros spent June and the first half of July clawing their way to a 44-43 record, second place in the Central Division and third place and just five games back for the wild card.