Messages

1

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 19, 2019, 10:41:35 am »

I imagine that MLB would have to drum up something totally new and recent (which would also mean that punishing regarding the 2017 World Series would also be off the table) if the Astros are going to punished harshly.  Fiers' statements, and an article about goings on in 2017, likely wont cut it for a severe punishment because MLB has already punished the Red Sox and Yankees.  The Astros losing draft picks, or vacating games or any other nonsense for violations would need to be proven to be violations of some sort of magnitude greater than what the Red Sox got for their Apple Watch thing.  It would be vindictive and show bias and would almost certainly be challenged if the Red Sox got one punishment, then MLB found out about the Astros doing the same thing earlier, and the Astros were given a harsher punishment.  In some respects the framework of any possible punishment (unfortunately for the haters) has already been established.

As far as how high tech you could possibly get, and how this isnt all that high tech?  The system described in the original article is clearly one that has its genesis in the minds of ballplayers, not computer/surveillance/security nerds.

2

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 13, 2019, 12:42:53 pm »

There's blood in the water around this team, from a number of different angles, creating a feeding frenzy that probably isn't going away anytime soon.  Should help the media outlets involved keep the hot stove warm while Boras fucks around.

The narratives:

1. Cheating/sign stealing.  Fiers is a butthurt snitch, and this is widespread throughout the league.  He just went on record about it.  How brave. /wanking motion   As noted above, MLB has already taken the steps to make this illegal for all teams; unless I'm missing something, it wasn't illegal in 2017.  WFW.

2. Taubman.  He's an asshole, and he probably wasn't the only asshole on staff.  The PR bungling creates the perception that they're ALL assholes.  "I'm surrounded by Assholes!"

3. General front office nonsense.  Because Luhnow et al are clearly cold, heartless numbers-driven sharks, any slip up in free agent negotiation, staff turnover, etc. is viewed through that lens.

The thing I hate most about this is that (unlike the Patriots), we have a genuinely likeable group of players to root for here.  I can't think of better representatives for our city that Altuve, Springer and Verlander.  And Hinch, for that matter.

In summary, they hate us 'cause they ain't us.

The media template right now to generate clicks or social media traffic for pretty much any major league baseball offseason discussion that doesnt have anything to with like free agency or hot stove or whatever is as follows...

1) Headline that implies or outright says that "the Astros are awful, here is what they are doing"
2) Story about a widespread "problem" that all of major league baseball has

Example...this was ESPN.com's big Astros story yesterday before they got railroaded by this story.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/28059274/why-george-springer-free-agent-winter

3

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 13, 2019, 07:36:11 am »

The Mets and Red Sox may not enjoy a punishment of the perpetrators

4

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 12, 2019, 04:37:33 pm »

BTW, MLB already knew about all of this and has had teams coming to them for years accusing other teams of this.

This article is a whole year too late to the party, MLB already instituted rules prior to the 2019 season specifically to prevent this exact method of sign stealing.

For 2019, they banned all non broadcast cameras in the outfield from foul pole to foul pole.  They instituted a mandatory 8 second delay on all clubhouse and dugout video feeds.  Teams are allowed one live clubhouse video feed with one employee specifically for use in replay review and an MLB employee observes while it is in use (so two people watch it, effectively) to make sure no other club player or employee can use it.  MLB also banned all monitors and video in the tunnel between clubhouses and dugouts (specifically to fight this).  They also created an audit system where both scheduled and unscheduled inspections where all ballpark cameras and video monitors are audited and must be accounted for to MLB for a specific approved purpose.

5

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 12, 2019, 04:31:18 pm »

Fuck Jomboy and his on-camera outrage. Cheating must be why the Astros ousted NYY three of the last five years.

There are high speed cameras all around every ballpark. The recent book on Bauer and player development made that clear. I will wait on the investigation of every team. This is two articles each for Rosenthal and Drehlich to target the Astros.  That is the price of winning big, I guess.

Jomboy's asshurt is my favorite thing to come out of this story...

6

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 12, 2019, 01:25:31 pm »

We were clearly better at stealing signs from cameras in opposing parks in 2017-18

7

Talk Zone / Re: More controversy

« on: November 12, 2019, 12:49:54 pm »

So reading between the lines...the accused player/coach is going to end up being Cora and Beltran and is also the reason the 2018 ALCS was so bizarre and nutso with the paranoia?

8

Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy

« on: October 22, 2019, 06:05:55 pm »

All of this seems like its just PR though, not real feelings or real compassion or whatever.  Does Taubman really think he did something shitty?  Judging by waiting two days, having the story come out and basically nothing, it doesnt seem so.  His "apology" after that doesnt seem so.  Do the astros feel like they did something shitty that they need to apologize for? It doesnt seem so, they didnt say anything when asked to comment about it beforehand, they blasted the story and journalist as irresponsible after it came out, and now finally I guess they have also kinda sorta "apologized"

I think if you apologize you should hopefully mean it, or at the very minimum at least seem like you actually meant it.  And...basically yes, I think that an obviouslyinsincere apology actually is far worse than just not apologizing at all.

9

Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy

« on: October 22, 2019, 05:06:58 pm »

No apology was ever going to be viewed as a real apology, thats why I put "apologized" in quotes.  All thats really been accomplished is admitting guilt, especially with regard to now seemingly conflicting statements by the organization.  So now everyone gets to yap about what punishment they think everyone involved should get, instead of about what actually happened.

10

Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy

« on: October 22, 2019, 04:47:25 pm »

So officially "apologizing" not only didnt make it go away but now "official investigations into the incident" immediately ramp up? Shocking.

11

Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy

« on: October 22, 2019, 11:38:37 am »

I have to think that the Astros response (and possibly the idiotic incident from the beginning) means that they believe that this reporter has an axe to grind, or that there is some sort of ongoing history here about this.

12

Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy

« on: October 22, 2019, 07:23:51 am »

I have a some level of care and distaste for Osuna, but kinda feel its just something you basically almost have to live with. After all he's done with law, and served a half season, without pay suspension from MLB as well.

It seems likely that this was an attempt to basically stir shit up (a reporter trying to create the news, essentially, not necessarily malevolently even, but possibly just to shine a light on a cause), and I think thats why you see the very negative reaction from the Astros.  The only real fact that is the heart of this story is the quote by Taubman...a quote that says nothing at all on its face  about domestic abuse or about anything at all really, except that the Astros have Osuna and this executive supports him.  Everything else about the story is just subjective context added to shade the story.  The Astros say he got mad and supported the player, the reporters likely want the impression that this guy is a sexist, anti-woman, who loves domestic abuse and having abusers on his team.

The thing that strikes me as crazy about a story like this is how it ties in to the viral mob, like we're upset that Osuna is playing baseball, but we're supposed to get out our pitchforks and go after this executive and get HIM fired, or whatever?  I'm glad the Astros didnt apologize.  If Taubman was in the worng and an asshole I hope he is punished and even fired if it was really bad and stupid enough, but apologizing in the media for a story like this just encourages the mob, it doesnt make it go away, or even improve the PR, IMO.

 

13

Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018

« on: October 08, 2018, 03:16:15 pm »

He had no business swinging at that

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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018

« on: October 08, 2018, 03:15:12 pm »

Ha. Beautiful

15

Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018

« on: October 08, 2018, 03:08:13 pm »

I feel like Bauer could use a little something on his hands...

16

Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018

« on: October 08, 2018, 01:35:41 pm »

Damn I thought he got that

17

Talk Zone / Re: The Shift

« on: July 13, 2018, 10:32:06 am »

Do you honestly think it's easier to take your normal swing against 7 guys clumped up on the side of the field you usually hit vs. just trying to drag your hands through the zone and go the other way on purpose? Or even easier, drop a bunt?

To answer your question. Maybe.   It makes sense to me that it would be easier to get a single doing that than it would be to get a single hitting into the teeth of the shift.  But the total value of my plate appearance? I think that obviously its worth more when measured in runs for a player to swing hard into the shift than it is to try and take the given up single.  If it wasn't players wouldn't be almost universally doing it.  It's a league where we got one team that starting middle relievers, if there was even a hint that it might be better trying to get singles against the shift there would be some team doing it and either they would fail miserably or it would work and teams would have to stop shifting against them altogether.

18

Talk Zone / Re: The Shift

« on: July 13, 2018, 10:25:44 am »

I suspect that major league baseball clubs know almost exactly how much easier it is and even have a number on it and act accordingly and have for several seasons now.

19

Talk Zone / Re: The Shift

« on: July 13, 2018, 10:16:38 am »

Well, obviously its not really "worthless" or "meaningless" thats just for emphasis in comparison to how big an extra base hit is.  Obviously a basehit is almost always a good outcome.

The problem is that from a hitter's perspective, he does not know what the outcome is going to be before the fact.  He doesnt know he's gonna miss and hit a flyball instead of a homerun or a double.  Obviously if a hitter knew he was going to hit a flyball out guaranteed, he would change it up and try to hit a single. 

You say getting on base is hard. Do you think getting on base by hitting against the shift is easy?  I suspect thats its not very easy, and if someone could even hit .500 or .450 or something by doing it I suspect they would, but they cant so they dont and take their chances hitting the ball hard.

20

Talk Zone / Re: The Shift

« on: July 13, 2018, 09:59:15 am »

dp

21

Talk Zone / Re: The Shift

« on: July 13, 2018, 09:57:54 am »

An extra base hit or a homerun is worth way more than a single, especially in shift situations (a defensive team is not going to shift to give up a single in a situation where a single is a big hit). 

The difference comes in our perception that its a guaranteed single, which it isnt. You can still strikeout (in which case youve struck out trying to hit a worthless single instead of striking out trying to get an extra base hit), or hit a tapper, or pop it up, or fail in your bunt or whatever. 

We think of the shift in terms of "Player X" always hits the ball to the right side, so lets shift to take that away.  But its not really that, its also math, that if Player X  tries and gets a meaningless single, we dont care, because it means he didnt hit a double or a homerun instead.  The defensive team doesnt care about giving up that single all that much.  The offensive team can do the same math too, and the reason they dont try for the single is because the conclusion after doing the analysis is the same one the defensive team came to. They dont care about getting that single just like the defensive team doesnt feel bad about giving it up.  Trying for that single means giving up the chance at a bigger hit.

22

Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A's at Houston Astros July 10, 2018

« on: July 11, 2018, 10:10:14 am »

I don't see any real indications of like insubordination or relationship problems with Giles words and body language, like some elsewhere are making it out to be.  It's stupid and kinda disrespectful, but it seemed like it was an angry (at himself) sarcastic response to whatever Hinch said when he took the ball from him.  It's more disturbing that he continues to have random meltdowns and act like a lunatic afterword, than any concerns that "oooh he said Fuck You to the manager!"

23

Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains 2018

« on: July 05, 2018, 08:21:22 am »

https://media.tenor.co/images/dbb3e5ca8f10fd037fbc6b230e552234/tenor.gif

24

Talk Zone / Re: The stadium the White Sox didn't build

« on: April 17, 2018, 10:49:17 am »

I've actually seen this discussion in a couple other different place/articles recently regarding upper decks and also stadium footprint, and neighborhood, recently.

The common denominator in all three of them, is that for some reason not a single one mentioned a single word about Minute Maid Park (and I think all three I've seen mention the Astrodome).

25

Talk Zone / Re: Ex Astros News 17-18

« on: April 02, 2018, 02:49:02 pm »

Who's Moran with?

Just saw DDJ is out 4-6 weeks with the dreaded hamate injury

Traded to the Pirates for Cole

26

Talk Zone / Re: Unwritten rule?

« on: April 02, 2018, 10:53:39 am »

The Twins were shifting up 7-0 but they are mad that the Orioles bunted? They need to fuck off with that nonsense.

27

Talk Zone / Re: Bill James on AL MVP

« on: November 21, 2017, 08:58:28 am »

The notion that clutch hits are nothing more than luck is something I have disputed for years. On my tiny stage of HS baseball, I have seen ordinary players be better in clutch situations. The BP guys would be wasting their time trying to tell me Altuve’s 5th inning AB against Maeda in Game 5 was luck.

It doesn't even matter, really, for this purpose.  Even supposing it were true that Jose Altuve was "just lucky" to get more hits in close situations, it was still an important factor in what actually happened during the 2017 season. Eliminating and adjusting luck is only useful to predict what is likely to happen in the future. Its stupid not to use that data to determine who was actually the MVP based on the events that actually happened.

28

Talk Zone / Re: Excellent Column from Jeff Passan

« on: November 13, 2017, 10:27:42 am »

People hear what they want to hear and if they want to hear bad things about someone they will read it into anything.  Jeff Luhnow is not normally the dictator of the Houston Astros.  He's got guys he's hired  and previous regimes have hired to tell him what to do and I'm sure they dont all agree.  Acting like the entire organization marches to Jeff Luhnow's whims unless he is "ordered" to do something else is ludicrous.  It's a team game, even outside the white lines, and it's clear that team made the right decisions in the end, and Luhnow is a big part of that.

Even if Luhnow really didn't want to do the deal, the process still has value.  A deal for a  player like Justin Verlander can be seen as such a slam dunk that somebody needs to be holding the brakes on the bus.   It's part of the reason he's hired all those information decision guys.  If 30 team employees are all in lockstep screaming "oh my God yes, we have to get Justin Verlander, it'd be so amazing" then thats how you end up making a deal that looks more like Tucker and Whitley for Verlander rather than the one we actually made.

29

Talk Zone / Re: world series stuff

« on: November 07, 2017, 09:13:09 am »

I bought a hoodie and have a hat coming in the mail.

I also bought a couple of world series champions pint glasses, hopefully those can stand the test of time. Plus the beer never tasted so good.

30

Talk Zone / Re: Excellent Column from Jeff Passan

« on: November 06, 2017, 04:03:42 pm »

It's amusing to look back now at all the gnashing of teeth over the Aiken non-signing, and then realize the player they got instead is Alex Bregman.

The Astros 2014 draft is pretty insane already. The next 4 picks in that draft all have made the majors (Derek Fisher, AJ Reed,  JD Davis, Daniel Mengden) plus ending up with the #2 pick in 2015 out of it (Bregman).

31

Talk Zone / Re: Game 6

« on: October 30, 2017, 11:38:08 am »

The only problem with McCullers getting the ball in game 6 (which on the surface I really like if we have the lead)...is that Morton and McCullers were flipped in games 3 and 4 from how they started in the ALCS.  If you use McCullers in game 6, that means Morton is now the starter for game 7 on short rest whereas he started game 7 of the ALCS on full rest.

32

The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 3 - Dojers @ Astros- Oct. 27. 2017

« on: October 27, 2017, 11:42:12 pm »

Are we seeing the first postseason of the piggyback rotation era and the beginning of the end for the relief pitcher?

33

Talk Zone / Re: An Appreciation of Dave Roberts

« on: October 26, 2017, 03:23:38 pm »

Or at least nobody had put any pressure on them to make them see the problem yet.

34

Talk Zone / Re: An Appreciation of Dave Roberts

« on: October 26, 2017, 03:21:41 pm »

Apparently they are willing to burn through them like wildfire.

35

Talk Zone / Re: An Appreciation of Dave Roberts

« on: October 26, 2017, 03:18:12 pm »

That was his 6th appearance of the postseason so far and at 1.1 innings was his longest as well.

36

Talk Zone / Re: An Appreciation of Dave Roberts

« on: October 26, 2017, 03:15:15 pm »

He was a regular-season starter.  Pitched as many games / innings as Hill.  No reason to lift just because of a lefty at the plate.  That was gripping of Larry Bowa-esque proportions.

I know, but thats not the role they have picked out for him.

http://dodgerblue.com/2017-nlds-dodgers-view-kenta-maeda-right-handed-specialist/2017/10/08/

37

Talk Zone / Re: An Appreciation of Dave Roberts

« on: October 26, 2017, 02:58:32 pm »

The Dodgers have been using Maeda vs righties only, so they were always going to take him out as soon as he got to McCann, Marwin, Reddick.

38

Talk Zone / Re: McCullers

« on: October 21, 2017, 10:32:25 pm »

can Lance do that type of work for multiple games in a series?

39

Talk Zone / Re: Game 6

« on: October 19, 2017, 09:53:50 am »

Anybody got a live chicken?

40

Talk Zone / Re: Yankees@ Cleveland, Game 5 ALDS

« on: October 12, 2017, 02:32:11 pm »

So Judge was 1 for 22?

1 for 20 with 16 strikeouts

41

Talk Zone / Re: Team pic on the infield at Fenway

« on: October 10, 2017, 10:52:43 am »

I think Springer is in the back like behind Martes where you cant see him.  This video plays like crap for me so I can't tell for sure but may help you find him.

https://twitter.com/astros/status/917531527189286912

42

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017

« on: August 02, 2017, 04:07:29 pm »

I also think we were involved with Hand, but unlike Duquette having to deal with Angelos, that guy is just a moron.  The idea that he's ever gonna get more value out of Hand than what he probably could have had on Monday is extremely extremely small.

43

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017

« on: July 27, 2017, 04:35:23 pm »

I would assume that some of the pieces in the Giles trade probably were on the table for Hamels.

44

The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017

« on: June 06, 2017, 11:59:49 pm »

I would be surprised if this club believed there was a real benefit to be gained from "keeping the roles consistent" for the playoffs.  Nor do I believe from watching postseason baseball that it's even something that's typical except for teams who have pens overflowing with great arms who can just punch them up Dotel-Lidge-Wagner style.

45

The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017

« on: June 06, 2017, 11:17:13 pm »

Personally, reading the tea leaves to see the future, I pretty much think that when we get down to the games and final outs that decide how the season ends up, it's going to be Devenski on the mound with ball, even if he's not the closer until that point.

46

Talk Zone / Re: BBGs

« on: May 31, 2017, 04:07:47 pm »

So you're saying I shouldnt make the Astros SI cover my laptop wallpaper?

47

Talk Zone / Re: Nate Silver: Saves, Goose Eggs, and Bullpen Usage

« on: April 20, 2017, 04:30:27 pm »

Devenski would have 9 of these Goose Eggs so far this year in 11 IP, just in case anybody wanted a count.

10 and 11

48

Talk Zone / Re: Nate Silver: Saves, Goose Eggs, and Bullpen Usage

« on: April 18, 2017, 09:58:40 am »

Devenski would have 9 of these Goose Eggs so far this year in 11 IP, just in case anybody wanted a count.

49

Talk Zone / Re: 2017 HOF Class

« on: January 05, 2017, 01:37:41 pm »

Jorge Posada, huh. Nice ballot.

50

Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2016-2017

« on: January 05, 2017, 01:31:18 pm »

Does he serve as a tackling dummy?

51

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline Rumors

« on: August 04, 2016, 11:58:49 am »

Agreed. Appel would be the obvious comparison if he were still in the organization. Although the Rangers dealt Tate very quickly.  Appel was still widely considered one of the best prospects in baseball a year and a couple months after he was drafted and I dont think Tate was ever that highly regarded despite the high draft slot.

52

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline Rumors

« on: August 04, 2016, 11:53:08 am »

So...we're sticking with Daz Cameron then, I guess.   Those guys are really similar. They're even both black guys!

53

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline Rumors

« on: August 04, 2016, 11:32:38 am »

I too would have liked to see us add a bat.

However, to me, the price to land Carlos Beltran was to high.  The closest thing I can come up with in our Farm System to Dillon Tate would be Daz Cameron.  And to me, someone with that high of a ceiling is to rich for my liking to give up for a rental, that doesn't make you the runaway favorite (AKA Randy Johnson in 98).

And two top 100 players (likely AJ Reed and Francis Martes) was to steep of a price for Lucroy.

IMO, there is at least an argument to be made that Dillon Tate's most comparable comp in the Astros system is actually Bregman.  Both college players drafted in the top 5 in 2015, both were roughly, top 50ish prospects in MLB for most of this year (although Bregman's stock skyrocketed this year to where its not totally accurate, and I think Tate's season has been not so good).  Daz Cameron is the same level of prospect, but IMO the number of years remaining until he's gonna be on a biog league roster has to have an impact on his actual current value compared to an older more ready pitcher.

54

Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline Rumors

« on: August 01, 2016, 03:46:02 pm »

Feldman was hogging a roster spot as one of two (or even three if you count Feliz) long relievers.  He was dealt to clear a 40 man spot for either Hoyt, or perhaps the outfield situation has them desperate enough to start considering bringing up Hernandez.

As far as someone like Gomez/Rasmus etc, those type expensive players who aren't performing can still be dealt. They will clear waivers.

55

Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Angels @ Astros July 22, 2016

« on: July 22, 2016, 09:38:00 pm »

He stepped off with his right foot, which takes him off the rubber out of his delivery position.  I thought it was clearly not a balk.

I would agree if I felt like his first move was stepping off. Didn't look like that to me.

56

Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Angels @ Astros July 22, 2016

« on: July 22, 2016, 09:36:32 pm »

I feel like the 3B ump thought it was a balk but failed to adequately explain why and he was overruled because the others said he stepped off.

57

Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Angels @ Astros July 22, 2016

« on: July 22, 2016, 09:34:12 pm »

His upper body went into his twisting windup while he stepped off with his right foot. I thought it was a balk.

58

Talk Zone / Re: Yoan Moncada and other Cuban prospects currently unsigned

« on: July 15, 2016, 03:47:00 pm »

Luhnow seems to have repeatedly floated the idea of Bregman to OF eventually, so I think maybe they have considered this option and keeping Bregman.

59

Talk Zone / Re: Keith & Lance

« on: June 17, 2016, 04:14:09 pm »

I thought this was a Voltron thread

60

Talk Zone / Re: The Competition

« on: May 20, 2016, 02:29:17 pm »

So if the Rangers apparently already need a new park...it surely it bodes well for the future of ours that their plan seems to be to just copy MMP.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AHgUUAAamp9.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AHjUgAAXLJF.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AK6U4AARaFZ.jpg

61

Talk Zone / Re: Hitting

« on: May 17, 2016, 01:13:58 pm »

I dont know about this roster composition. Sending out an outfielder leaves only 4, right?

So with 4 outfielders basically Springer must play every day. Rasmus must play every day. Gattis DHing on days where he is not catching is semi-risky if Castro has to leave a game early.

And we have Altuve, Correa, Marwin, Valbuena, Moran, and White, of which only 3 at best can hit plus 2 rookies, and of which 5 out of 6 might have to be in the lineup if Gattis is catching, or 5 even plus Castro if Gattis isnt going to DH? 

62

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Quad Cities River Bandits 2016

« on: April 27, 2016, 10:59:13 am »

Please tell me that 27 strikeouts in 63 at bats for Cameron is some kind of typo in the stats.

63

Talk Zone / Re: Let the Stove be Heated

« on: December 08, 2015, 08:13:03 pm »

Are the dbacks taking crazy pills?

64

Talk Zone / Re: I'll just leave this here...

« on: October 29, 2015, 05:12:13 pm »

Nerds don't know basebaw!

65

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: ALCS Game 4...Royals @ Astros, October 12, 2015

« on: October 12, 2015, 04:45:26 pm »

Soft tossing bullpen...   If the Astros could have managed a couple more wins in September, I wonder if they would have aggressively transitioned both Velasquez (who could only get mop work since things were so tight) and also McCullers who was seemingly 5th wheel with Fiers and Kazmir to hard throwing late inning bullpen arms.

66

Talk Zone / Re: Take out slides...

« on: October 12, 2015, 10:20:41 am »

Needs to be removed from the game. It's not really part of the game at youth levels because its dangerous. Just like it wasn't ever allowed when I played as a kid to go plowing over some 12 year old catcher at the plate. It's only part of the game at the professional levels because of crazy macho culture that allowed that kind of hard nosed bending of the rules until they break. Can a runner run over the third baseman as he's fielding a ground ball if he's in the baseline to break up a ground ball out? Hell no and the same principles should apply at a bag. A runner should slide only to attempt to be safe and avoid contact with a fielder making a play or else its interference and everybody is out. That's baseball and its already basically in the rules. It would also eventually allow the umpires to get rid of the neighborhood nonsense and call the play at the second base bag correctly without interpretation as well.

67

Talk Zone / Re: An Exceptional Pitching Staff

« on: August 24, 2015, 10:25:21 am »

At Dodger stadium you may pipe one in on 3-0 and at Coors you still hope you can throw a pitchers pitch.  The park does affect walks.

68

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos "Show-rea"

« on: August 10, 2015, 12:16:09 pm »

If money didn't matter and it was picking a player for multiple years I think unless someone is insane that clearly Trout, Correa, Harper would be the first 3 off the board.

69

Beer and Queso / OT - UVerse

« on: August 04, 2015, 07:11:42 pm »

No matter how "broadcasting is changing" as long as there is still an exchange of rights to different entities, there will always be restrictions.

This same type of issue is why 790/iheartradio has to shut down their internet streams during games. They don't own the right to broadcast the Astros on the Internet. MLB reserves that to itself and grants limited rights to other broadcasters such as SiriusXM.  If there were a way to pirate an Internet feed from 790 somehow, you would be stealing those broadcast rights from MLB/Sirius the same as stealing the TV broadcast in market from mlbtv.  I don't have a huge issue with it, but it really is pretty much the same as filching a pack of gum and the rationalizing with "they can't stop me or find out, and it's only .25 cent gum, so who cares. Plus it's only really worth one cent at most anyway."

70

Beer and Queso / Re: OT - UVerse

« on: August 04, 2015, 04:10:44 pm »

I don't think that restricting MLBtv rights are to protect the owner's gate.  If protecting the gate were a concern they would not put it on live TV in market at all.  The concern is that MLB/The Astros have granted the in market media rights to a specific entity for cash (in this case to Root Sports).  MLB would be undercutting the media contract and violating any exclusivity that they signed for if they then sold those same rights to someone else or if they sold those rights directly to consumers on the side.

71

Beer and Queso / Re: OT - UVerse

« on: August 04, 2015, 03:05:20 pm »

MLBtv's package that they sell is by definition all of the out of market games.  That's what you pay the subscription for. If you use it to get the in market games too, then you're obviously taking more than you're paying for. It really is pretty simple.

72

Talk Zone / Re: Trade rumors

« on: July 31, 2015, 10:26:21 am »

Who knows, but he'd have to be a PTBNL until next summer.

Rule changed. Only until after the world series, and I think they closed the ptbnl loophole.

73

Beer and Queso / Re: OT - UVerse

« on: July 28, 2015, 02:12:18 pm »

Root is available on U200 and above. I have U200 and have it.

74

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fresno 2015

« on: July 22, 2015, 10:22:06 am »

Like Mitch Meluskey?

75

Talk Zone / Re: Will Keuchel start at home against the Angels?

« on: July 21, 2015, 05:22:33 pm »

Keuchel is on pace for like 250 IP.  They wont be skipping people to get him more starts.

76

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Lancaster 2015

« on: July 20, 2015, 01:36:44 pm »

Heh. Chris Carter vs Teddy Ballgame is a ridiculous comparison, but I ask you this....would you rather have 2015 Chris Carter or 2013 JD Martinez batting for you?

77

Talk Zone / Dallas Keuchel and the running game

« on: July 20, 2015, 11:38:17 am »

I was milling around on B-R, looking at some of Keuchel's stats.  Based on what I can tell is that 2 guys have stolen 2B off of him this year and he has 3 "bases taken" against him which it says is bases advanced on fly balls, passed balls, wild pitches, balks, and defensive indifference.  So...in 144 IP only 5 players have moved up a base on anything other than a hit, sacrifice, fielders choice or error?  That seems fairly incredible but I don't exactly have a baseline understanding of what is normal.

78

Beer and Queso / Re: Gold Cup

« on: July 13, 2015, 11:27:38 am »

Morris is injured

79

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Quad Cities

« on: July 13, 2015, 09:43:49 am »

I'm guessing it wasn't worth talking about?

80

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2015 Draftees and Status

« on: July 08, 2015, 10:19:04 am »

Although we got off cheap last year and that's part of it too.

81

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2015 Draftees and Status

« on: July 08, 2015, 10:18:03 am »

Expected?  I think 8-10 million is expected. $18M is a significant investment compared to a typical year.

82

Talk Zone / Re: Jose Altuve:: 2015 All-Star Game Starter

« on: July 06, 2015, 01:46:34 pm »

I wonder how many votes Jed Lowrie got?

83

Talk Zone / Re: Jose Altuve:: 2015 All-Star Game Starter

« on: July 06, 2015, 11:50:48 am »

no way. as crazy as I am about him, no way to justify it.

Well, theres really 3 ways of looking at it. 

#1 is basing it on "star power."  My guess is that right now Correa would be the person most fans would want to see start the game.  Problem is that he wasn't on the ballot, and thus had no chance to be selected through the avenue reserved for that.

#2 Best player.  I think if most managers went in thinking they were going to pick the best player from the talent pool the way a competitive team would be picked, then Correa might actually be the shortstop picked from the AL.

#3 Who "deserves" it.  This is the one where there is no argument.  If you think that the All-star game is a reward for performance over the season or whatever.

Of course with the All-star game its always going to be subject to other weird rules, like fitting in a player from every team, and obviously we have other candidates, and it may be that AL shortstop is a spot where a team gets their 1 player in.

84

Talk Zone / Re: Aches, Pains & Muscle Strains

« on: July 02, 2015, 10:27:00 am »

It was probably preventative more than anything.  For all Hinch may say that getting into that kind of thing isn't the "Astro way" or whatever, the ump has to also know that getting into these kind of things kind of is the KC Royal way lately.

85

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Royals @ Astros July 1, 2015

« on: July 02, 2015, 09:53:21 am »

10.17 Winning And Losing Pitcher
 (a) The official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher that pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, unless
 (1) such pitcher is a starting pitcher and Rule 10.17(b) applies; or
 (2) Rule 10.17(c) applies.

10.17(c) The official scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead. In such a case, the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the judgment of the official scorer.

Rule 10.17(c) Comment: The official scorer generally should, but is not required to, consider the appearance of a relief pitcher to be ineffective and brief if such relief pitcher pitches less than one inning and allows two or more earned runs to score (even if such runs are charged to a previous pitcher).

My reading of this and that first "OR" is that 10.17c can come into play any time not just when the starter doesn't qualify. It also looks like a scorer could ignore it.  There is a "shall not" statement but then also "generally should, but not required to" that probably gives the scorer some leeway to not make that call.

86

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2015 Draftees and Status

« on: June 30, 2015, 03:04:49 pm »

Should there be an all-waterfowl league?  Pensacola Pelicans, Long Island Ducks, Madison Mallards, ... Others?

Toledo Mud Hens

87

Talk Zone / Re: I don't think I've seen this link posted.

« on: June 26, 2015, 02:19:44 pm »

The article does go on to say this...

It’s also worth mentioning that the Astros are one of the more ultra-analytical teams in baseball. The front office is full of dudes who used to work for Baseball Prospectus and NASA, which means there’s a good chance that this strange formula for success wasn’t created by accident. This team is a good reminder that the answers to baseball’s many math problems don’t always look like Kevin Youkilis and Adam Dunn.

88

Talk Zone / Re: Qualms to the DL, Singleton up

« on: June 26, 2015, 02:14:42 pm »

I find it odd that they would give Carter a day off and then call Singleton up the next day. 

89

Talk Zone / Re: Qualms to the DL, Singleton up

« on: June 26, 2015, 01:38:26 pm »

Chad Qualms. Excellent.

90

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Astros @ Halos June 22, 2015

« on: June 22, 2015, 10:19:32 pm »

Well he only had to throw to a base on steal like 1500 times. Maybe that never happened to him.

91

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Astros @ Halos June 22, 2015

« on: June 22, 2015, 10:07:21 pm »

Dear Ash and Blum,

Youre not out on a swing follow through if the ump doesn't think it's intentional. It's only a dead ball.

Regards,
The rules.

92

Talk Zone / Re: Jakes investigated by FBI for hacking Astros!

« on: June 21, 2015, 04:00:26 pm »

Jakes fans...

93

Talk Zone / Re: Jakes investigated by FBI for hacking Astros!

« on: June 19, 2015, 01:13:13 pm »

If they used old passwords, then Im guessing Jeff, and others, like most of us probably uses fairly similar passwords so that he can remember them with a certain set of parameters.  Certain words with changed up symbols and numbers.

My guess is that the security problem with this system is its similarity to RedBird.  This isn't a matter of just going to Astros.com and logging in, the Cardinals had to find out where they needed to go to break in, and my guess is that its very similar if not the same to how they log into their own network.  They didn't need a bunch of hacking knowledge to find out where to go.  Once you know where to go, figuring out the password could have a reasonable chance of success with a little time and information about how particular employees constructed their other passwords in the past.

94

Talk Zone / Re: Correa

« on: June 18, 2015, 10:30:46 am »

Jed Lowrie's WAR is 0.9.  So...1.0 + 0.9 + X = 1.2.  Solve for X to get the WAR of Villar and Gonzalez at SS...

95

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2015 Draftees and Status

« on: June 15, 2015, 03:53:15 pm »

Going over by 0-5% of the pool only carries monetary fines, so that $864k that they can use and only have to worry about paying a little more money.

96

Talk Zone / Re: Tal's Hill a goner

« on: June 11, 2015, 10:28:00 am »

0-7 since announcement

97

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Astros @ White Sox June 10, 2015

« on: June 11, 2015, 06:56:23 am »

Curse of Tal's Hill.

98

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Astros @ White Sox June 9, 2015

« on: June 09, 2015, 10:09:28 pm »

That lady almost died.

99

Talk Zone / Re: I don't understand tonight's lineup at all

« on: June 09, 2015, 10:18:31 am »

Villar was always going to play over Valbuena.  There is MAYBE an argument with Tucker's apparent reverse splits to let him try it instead of Marwin (who hits better from the left side), but Sale's vs LH splits over the past 3 years are nuts.  Tucker also isn't exactly forcing his way into the lineup with his numbers over the last week or two weeks which are probably roughly the same as Marwin's.

100

Talk Zone / Re: Correa

« on: June 08, 2015, 12:33:40 pm »

This doesn't clear up the active roster picture.  We have 2 in, 1 out so far on the 25 man.

101

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Orioles @ Astros June 4, 2015

« on: June 04, 2015, 10:59:55 am »

I looked at that lineup, saw Tucker was missing, then went up and down it looking for a left fielder 3 times.

102

Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Orioles @ Astros June 2, 2015

« on: June 02, 2015, 05:20:02 pm »

I keep waiting to go to Altuve, Tucker, Springer at the top but we're sticking with this I guess. (Not that I think its a problem or anything)

103

Talk Zone / Re: 2015 Road to Omaha

« on: June 01, 2015, 11:49:46 pm »

I've seen some crazy things on baseball diamonds, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a more total entire team collapse in a big game than this.

TCU - Bottom of 8th
J. Olczak pitching for NC State
C. Wanhanen safe at first on error by second baseman R. Willard.
E. Skoug flied out to left.
D Odell safe at first on error by second baseman R. Willard, C. Wanhanen to third.
N. Brown struck out swinging.
K Jones walked, D Odell to second.
G Crain reached on infield single to shortstop, C. Wanhanen scored, D Odell to third, K Jones to second.
T. DeJuneas relieved J. Olczak.
D. Steinhagen walked, D Odell scored, K Jones to third, G Crain to second.
K Jones scored, G Crain to third, D. Steinhagen to second on balk by T. DeJuneas.
C Jones walked.
T. Orwig relieved T. DeJuneas.
J Fagnan singled to left, G Crain and D. Steinhagen scored, C Jones to second, C Jones to third, J Fagnan to second on throwing error by left fielder J. McLain.
T. DeJuneas in left field.
C Jones scored, J Fagnan to third on passed ball by A. Knizner.
E. Barzilli walked.
E. Barzilli stole second.
E. Skoug flied out to right.   
6 Runs, 2 Hits, 3 Errors, NC State 8, TCU 7

 TCU - Bottom of 9th
T Orwig pitching for NC State
D Odell singled to left.
N. Brown sacrificed to third, D Odell to second.
D Odell to third on balk by T. Orwig.
K Jones struck out swinging, K Jones safe at first on passed ball by A. Knizner, D Odell scored.
C Britt relieved T. Orwig.
G Crain flied out to center.
K Jones caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.   
1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, NC State 8, TCU 8

 TCU - Bottom of 10th
C Britt pitching for NC State
E. Williams singled to center.
E. Williams safe at second on throwing error by pitcher C Britt.
C Jones walked.
J Fagnan sacrificed to pitcher, E. Williams to third, C Jones to second.
E. Barzilli singled to right, E. Williams scored, C Jones to third.
1 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors, TCU 9, NC State 8 FINAL

So they scored 8 runs on 4 hits, 5 walks,  4 errors including a botched pickoff throw, 2 passed balls, and 2 balks. Brutal.

104

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fresno 2015

« on: May 22, 2015, 04:25:46 pm »

The context is that Simien has 16 errors in like 40 games.

105

The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fresno 2015

« on: May 22, 2015, 10:14:27 am »

Villar is probably a more desirable trade commodity in a deal to get a pitcher.

106

Talk Zone / Re: Former Astros news

« on: May 18, 2015, 11:34:35 am »

The 40 man roster spot occupied by Tucker is the spot cleared by DFAing Torreyes.  So if DeShields had been in that spot instead, DeShields or someone else like Hoes or someone at another positions would still need to be let go to add Tucker.  Alternatively they'd have to leave Tucker at Fresno.

107

Talk Zone / Re: Former Astros news

« on: May 18, 2015, 09:26:08 am »

Regardless who we kept back then, it still would have meant making room or leaving Tucker in AAA.

108

Talk Zone / Re: Correa

« on: May 08, 2015, 09:37:17 am »

Interesting. That made me look up Bagwell's minor league stats (not that he was there long) and oddly enough he only had 6 steals and was caught 8 times according to b-r.

109

Talk Zone / Re: Correa

« on: May 08, 2015, 09:09:24 am »

Another stolen base also. 14/14.  Is he supposed to be that great of a baserunner?

110

Talk Zone / Re: So....how good is this team, really?

« on: May 06, 2015, 11:09:57 am »

Obsession noted.

111

Talk Zone / Re: AL West News

« on: May 04, 2015, 05:32:18 pm »

Yeah but I don't think you can "option" a Rule 5 player without him going through waivers and the original team declining to take him back.  And when the original team gets him back he is no longer on a 40 man roster and thus I don't think "sending him down" counts as an option either.

112

Talk Zone / Re: AL West News

« on: May 04, 2015, 04:09:59 pm »

I think waivers has to happen before he can go back to the original team.  This allows another team to have a shot at the player under the Rule 5 terms that might otherwise not have gotten a chance because he had already been selected.  Without that waiver process, theoretically shenanigans could occur where teams select players in order to offer them back to the original team just to keep them away from other teams, or pick each others players and offer them back or whatever.

113

Talk Zone / Re: AL West News

« on: May 04, 2015, 03:11:58 pm »

Options years are for players on the 40 man roster.  Rule 5 players are players not on the 40 man roster with the original team, so when that player gets taken back I assume his option years don't start until that team places him on the 40 man.

114

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Miscellany

« on: May 04, 2015, 02:33:35 pm »

I like how he skates along after saying Carter/Gattis/Springer have been bad, but goes into detailed analysis why players who have been good will obviously regress.

115

Talk Zone / Re: So....how good is this team, really?

« on: May 04, 2015, 11:37:31 am »

The thing that annoys me that I get from some others elsewhere who say "it's early" is when its meant to be kind of dismissive in manner, as if what the Astros have done so far doesn't mean anything and to come back in June or whatever and they will be at the bottom.

116

Talk Zone / Re: So....how good is this team, really?

« on: May 04, 2015, 10:50:05 am »

Unfortunately they aren't playing right now, so my mind is wandering. 

117

Talk Zone / So....how good is this team, really?

« on: May 04, 2015, 10:45:06 am »

I know whenever I hear other people talk about the Astros they are still giving the "it's early" caveat.  And my "gut feel" wants to mostly agree with that, but the Astros have built up such a nice lead so fast that the math is starting to say that this team will definitely be in contention this year.  Baseball Prospectus says that the Astros have 53% chance of winning the division or wild card. 44% chance of making the divisional round and are the most likely playoff participant and most likely division winner in the AL West (which is apparently wide open, unless you're the Rangers).

Also, the underlying assumption to the math is that the Astros are really a .486 team, and even with that, the probabilities are suggesting they will be in contention to the end this year.  If they are actually a better than .500 team, then really the Astros are already in the drivers seat,

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/

118

Talk Zone / Re: Postolos out?

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:47:40 am »

Just hire Biggio and Dierker as co-President's and gie them each alternating months in power with veto over the other.  Great things will follow.

119

Talk Zone / Re: In case anyone cares...

« on: August 11, 2008, 01:43:11 pm »

Someone told me that Dunn had been acquired by the Dbacks this afternoon.

120

Talk Zone / Re: ESPN rumor mill says......

« on: December 21, 2007, 01:39:27 pm »

Does she look better without glasses?

121

Talk Zone / Re: In better news...

« on: December 12, 2007, 03:02:53 pm »

LMAO @ "The blonde beauty wants to be taken seriously as an actress and believes baring all is the best way to earn the respect of Tinseltown"

122

Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30

« on: December 12, 2007, 12:12:50 pm »

Any "moves this sets up" better be awesome because you just traded a lot of pieces that would be helpful in making them...

123

Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30

« on: December 12, 2007, 11:55:24 am »

Looks we should have a super sweet rotation next year.

124

Talk Zone / Re: Major announcement at 12:30

« on: December 12, 2007, 11:48:45 am »

This sucks if we only get Tejada. 790 says Costanzo involved also.

125

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:40:43 am »

If only they had the forsight to have Barry Bonds drinking the nerve tonic....

126

Talk Zone / Re: Ankiel

« on: May 29, 2007, 10:21:52 am »

Im going to assume my sarcasm meter is faulty and/or Im missing critical details about the game in question. 

127

Talk Zone / Re: Ankiel

« on: May 29, 2007, 10:19:33 am »

If so I would LOVE to see him start "handling" ML pitching in front of the BFiBs....

128

Talk Zone / Re: Ankiel

« on: May 29, 2007, 10:18:32 am »

I want to see him do it at the ML level. ...But yeah, he seems to be able to handle hitting at the AAA level.

Are we discussing the same Rick Ankiel that has so far handled AAA pitching to the tune of .240/.310/.325 so far this year?

129

Talk Zone / Re: Rules question...

« on: August 31, 2006, 12:15:52 am »

I dont think the bag you are forced from offers you a safe base. I think he could have been tagged out while on the base and then Huff forced at first. Anybody else agree, or actually know?

130

Talk Zone / Rules question...

« on: August 31, 2006, 12:03:06 am »

On the final play tonight...

Cirillo could have gotten a double play simply by tagging Berkman and then touching the bag right (even though Berkman was inexplicably standing on first base), right?

131

Talk Zone / Re: TSN: New stats make defenders like Everett stars

« on: August 30, 2006, 06:16:44 pm »

I wonder what NL shortstop is going to screw Adam out of a gold glove this year?

132

Talk Zone / Re: next Astros retired numbers

« on: August 25, 2006, 10:44:40 am »

The Astros are going to have 9 or 10 numbers retired before the organization is 50 years old...

133

Talk Zone / Re: They did it

« on: August 18, 2006, 04:59:21 pm »

Wilson is 2-3 with a single, a homerun, and a stolen base so far in his first game with the Cards.

134

Talk Zone / Re: Deja Vu

« on: July 14, 2006, 12:19:05 pm »

Not wearing ring? Eh, so what. Mine doesnt even fit anymore.

Not whooping in public? OK fine.

Not thinking Coach Fran is the worst coach of all time and should be burned at the stake? You might be the worst Ag of all time!

135

Talk Zone / Re: Deja Vu

« on: July 14, 2006, 11:00:22 am »

How do you live with yourself?

136

Talk Zone / Re: Deja Vu

« on: July 14, 2006, 10:54:51 am »

2%er

137

Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner

« on: July 12, 2006, 04:33:51 pm »

I think the Astros will end up paying roughly $1.6 million to Huff.

138

Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?

« on: July 12, 2006, 11:28:15 am »

I doubt its anything that will be a big deal for this current season.

139

Talk Zone / Re: 2nd Astro All Star

« on: July 07, 2006, 06:24:52 pm »

Greatest Astro starting pitcher of all time?

140

Talk Zone / Re: Howard in Memorial

« on: May 05, 2006, 10:09:11 am »

Ken Griffey Jr is still playing.

141

Talk Zone / Re: Non BB: Texans sign Mario Williams...

« on: April 28, 2006, 11:12:54 pm »

 

Quote:
But that doesn't mean Williams is who they will end up with. I'm assuming all the consternation about Vince and Bush was regarding their actually playing with the texans, but I guess it was possible that everyone in the city just had a fetish for seeing their name on the Texans draft card.  

Stupid. If that were the case they could have just traded the #1 pick now instead of locking themselves into Williams and trading him...

142

Talk Zone / Re: Vote Now!

« on: April 28, 2006, 05:30:30 pm »

I refuse to vote if I cannot vote for Chris Burke.

143

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 28, 2006, 05:27:38 pm »

We hate this thread.

144

Talk Zone / Re: Comedy Central no more

« on: April 28, 2006, 04:45:34 pm »

Strength of Schedule in major league baseball? Give me a break...

145

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 28, 2006, 01:27:47 pm »

 

Quote:
So they know what plane to get on? Are you suggesting the city of Houston owns the team?  

No, but the organization known as the "Houston Astros Baseball Club" actively and aggressively associates itself with the city of Houston, its residents, its businesses, and its charity organizations. The Club cultivates this symbiotic relationship with city ON PURPOSE in order to further its own business interests. In effect the Houston Astros place themselves in the position so that they represent the Houston area. They position themselves so that they represent the city in major league baseball.  It's no surprise then that the fans of the team use the term "we" when refering to their representation of us in MLB.

I have never really seen any proble with using the "we" or "they" when referring to sports teams. The only time it ever gets on my nerves is when someone who it would appear not to be represented by said team uses the term "we." ie an alum of a small college or university who is also a fan of a bigtime sports school referring to them as "us" or "we" despite no affiliation with the school or a bandwagon fan in another city latching onto a good team and using "we".  Still its nothing that I ever felt the need to confront anyone about.

146

Talk Zone / Re: Comedy Central no more

« on: April 28, 2006, 01:15:13 pm »

The division is currently 31-13 (.705) in inter-division games.

147

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 28, 2006, 10:00:06 am »

 

Quote:
egggg... cellent. We pay. When you go to a movie do you yell at the screen? Do you write to the producer how you felt the lighting when Sam was carrying Frodo up the mountain should have had more shadows? Do you write books and articles about how you could have found more motivation for Zach Braff's character in the fireplace scene in Garden State? No, you don't. Yeah it's a figure of speech, it's also a delusion. They are playing, we are watching. We are seperate from them. Understand it or don't. Doesnt make it "overdone".  

Why do they have "Houston" emblazoned across their chests when they play on the orad then?

148

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 06:43:50 pm »

Just count the doubles.

149

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 06:27:39 pm »

Casey Candaele played 2nd before Biggio. Mark Bailey was traded for Candaele before Biggio came up. Alex Trevino and Ashby split time the year Biggio was brought up.

150

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 06:16:57 pm »

Besides. Everyone knows Astros players dont break into everyday status until they are roughly 33 years old.

151

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 04:12:14 pm »

 

Quote:
You make too quick assessments based on stats alone. Don't do that.

I wasn't making an assessment. Just pointing out that if Burke's double numbers are largely influenced by speed, then Biggio's certainly were. Biggio had doubles power but I *DO* remember hustle doubles. I wasnt trying to insinuate that Burke's doubles and extra base hit numbers will continue to outpace Biggio's or try to use that to determine what Burke will do in the future, just saying that so far, Burke hasn't really been a huge disappointment in the extra base hit department.

I view the stats as simply a record of what happened during Biggio's early career and Burke's young career. mihoba, I believe, told me that Burke's .383 SLG made him punch and judy. I responded by saying that Biggio didnt typically have .383 SLG numbers when he was Burke's age, and the rest of my stats were really just an exploration of what makes up the difference between the realitiy and the stats between the two players. I think it was a discussion which you have greatly aided with your opinions.

 

Quote:
You were trying to compare him to Biggio, not I.  

Correct. But it seems to be a natural thing to do given the frequency that it crops up.

 

Quote:
Hey, have I told you about Royce Huffman lately? (And no, I'm not kidding!). How about Charlton Jimerson? Remember Ryan Bowen from yester-year? Yeah, I do!
 

To the innumerable mass of sheeple...every player they havent seen play is the next great <fill in the blank>

The backup quaterback is the guy who will lead us to the Super Bowl, the white guy on the end of the bench should be in the game cause he's such a spark plug and last game he hit a couple three pointers in garbage time, etc etc etc.

152

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 01:03:13 pm »

 

Quote:
The best ones hit good pitchers pitches as well. Burke has not been impressive like Biggio was when he started his career in terms of being the type of hitter who had all the essentials for becoming what he eventually became. Burke is nice, he'll have a pretty good career. Heck, he may even become a better hitter than I expect.
 

Thanks!

153

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 01:01:40 pm »

 

Quote:
Numbers? Who mentioned Burke's numbers as an indicator that he has flaws in terms of power? I didn't.

Nobody. But numbers are all I really have for 22-25 year old Biggio. I was 8-11 years old at the time, and while I was a huge fan and saw him play a lot, I dont exactly remember the details too well.

It WAS mentioned that Burke's relatively high number of doubles was likely keyed to his speed earlier in this thread and not necessarily a product of power. Biggio had great speed also and actually hit fewer doubles than Burke at roughly the same age (Burke has a double every 10.9 ABs Biggio had one double every 22.5 ABs, Burke has an extra base hit every 10.9 ABs in his career and Biggio had one every 15.6 Abs at the same age.)

I cant really go back and see the difference with how much authority and pop each player hit the baseball with in the minor leagues and early in their careers. I'm hoping someone here can.  I have seen nothing in Burke's major league ABs that tells me he can't hit for decent middle infielder power later in his career.

Is Chris Burke less likely to develop power than Craig Biggio was? Obviously in hindsight we know Biggio was destined to be a great one, but what about the book on him when he was Burke's age?

Actually, this kind of proves someone else's point...the only way Burke was really screwed is being destined to always be compared to Craig Biggio. Theres really no way he could ever come out looking good.

154

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 11:59:50 am »

True.

155

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 11:50:35 am »

 

Quote:
Perplexing, even now when you watch his game developing into a nice player, but not the next HOF to be like Biggio.  

I am curious what expectations were for Craig Biggio when he was 26 years old. He was obviously already a starter and had been in the major leagues for 3+ years at that point. I guess in 1992 (26 years old) he became an all-star for the second straight year, but his numbers at that point were not particularly impressive like they were to become in 1993. A handful of homeruns per year, about 20+ doubles or so per season. Good speed. Lots of singles and decent plate discipline.  The criteria for great offense has certainly changed a lot, it seems, since then.

156

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 11:02:54 am »

Tough to say what that slugging percentage makes him . Craig Biggio only slugged over .383 in one out of his first 4 full season in the major leagues...

157

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 10:50:34 am »

The guy has about 400 ML PAs right now and if you expand what have basically been pretty mediocre numbers (.250, .315, .383) you still end up with 37 doubles, 3 triples, and 8 homeruns per 600 PAs. Those are hardly punch and judy numbers for a .250 batting average player who's natural position is 2nd base.

158

Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight

« on: April 27, 2006, 10:42:43 am »

A guy with 7 extra base hits and 4 singles is a singles hitter?

159

Talk Zone / Re: Borkowski with well deserved POTG nod.....

« on: April 26, 2006, 02:00:29 am »

Smoke and mirrors. That was some entertaining stuff.

160

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge ... not mentally recovered from post season

« on: April 25, 2006, 10:32:17 am »

When Lidge is good, he's throwing fastballs right at the knees on guys.  I dont think its an unwillingness to challenge hitters, as much as the guy just cant find it out there. He's got to come over the plate eventually, and when he does its not his best stuff lately because he cant spot the good fastball early and at some point youve got to throw a strike however you can get it done.  Hitters are laying off anything they see (and thus arent prone to swinging even if he gets off a sharp slider) until they see strikes lately because the fastball on the outside black right at the knees just isnt coming anymore.

161

Talk Zone / Re: Pretty much at a loss for words here...

« on: April 18, 2006, 10:41:21 pm »

4 GGs

162

Talk Zone / Re: Fantacrap

« on: April 13, 2006, 03:19:24 pm »

 

Quote:
Macha's requirement is that the player must have a 75 percent steal success rate."

Well, this is only an educated guess...but he probably has his green light removed when he starts getting caught more often...

163

Talk Zone / Re: Someone please tell our pitchers...

« on: April 10, 2006, 06:26:50 pm »

Id almost swear that someone has been telling certain ones the exact opposite for years...

164

Talk Zone / Re: Just finished a little quiz

« on: April 05, 2006, 10:23:19 am »

I already heard from a jackass Spurs fan I know that "his" team destroyed mine last night

165

Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett

« on: February 28, 2006, 04:25:21 pm »

 

Quote:
I read something about Pythagorean wins and losses, which assumes the ratio between runs scored and runs allowed equals a team's win-loss record. However, it has nothing to do with the sum of two sqaured figures equalling the square root of another figure, so I have no idea how it got its name.

Pythagorean win percentage = Runs squared divided by the sum of runs squared and runs allowed squared.

166

Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett

« on: February 28, 2006, 04:23:06 pm »

Quote:
The method described by the original post seems to fall more in line with what, IIRC, what James believed would be necessary to make any defensive statistical assessment worthwhile. The key point being that the same person, using the same criteria to evaluate each player, reviews every player and every opportunity they had to make a defensive play. I'd love to see the game footage library those guys have! Although, I don't see how this differs from scouting other than the documented results are being published.

Bill James contributed to The Fielding Bible and I believe wrote the introduction to the book which is the section that compares the best shortstop in the game (Adam Everett) to the worst (Derek Jeter) one (at least according to whatever methodology they used).

167

Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett

« on: February 28, 2006, 10:13:30 am »

The Fielding Bible by John Dewan

168

Talk Zone / Re: Out of curiosity

« on: January 24, 2006, 05:49:08 pm »

I dont know if he was snubbed or not, just asking. I seem to remember him seeming enthusiastic about the idea of pitching in it last year, so its mildly surprising that he wouldnt submit his name.

169

Talk Zone / Out of curiosity

« on: January 24, 2006, 05:38:38 pm »

does anyone know why (or how) the fuck Roy Oswalt isnt a candidate for team USA???

170

Talk Zone / Re: Ms. Footer getting snippy?????

« on: December 20, 2005, 10:51:04 am »

Give me a break...aside from the K numbers there is basically no similarity between Adam Dunn's game and Pete Incavaglia's.

171

Talk Zone / Re: Clemens...

« on: December 15, 2005, 10:18:46 am »

Thanks for clearing that up...that would make sense.

172

Talk Zone / Clemens...

« on: December 15, 2005, 09:55:32 am »

Isnt Clemens under a personal services contract with the Astros for several more years???

173

Talk Zone / Re: Lopez...

« on: December 09, 2005, 03:59:51 pm »

I think its pretty clear that a "shocking" deal along with a jibe about the "loss of an icon" (which appears to refer to Clemens), a deal where the Astros take on salary, deal for an outfielder means the scenario I translated. I didnt write it, Im just translating Lopez-speak.

He definitely means Manny. No other OF on the market fits the bill.

174

Talk Zone / Lopez...

« on: December 09, 2005, 03:11:12 pm »

 Lopez@Large

 

Quote:
Roger Clemens will be wearing a different hat in 2006. While it might seem the Astros would not expand the budget now that their biggest-ticket item is gone, I would suspect otherwise.

I believe a blockbuster deal is on the way and it might include more than one team and involve the Astros having to expand their budget in order to make it work Brad Lidge is on the trading block, is my hunch. He has been and will be offered, because he is the best commodity -- and would bring the most in return. The Astros also feel strongly about Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler perhaps sharing time as the 2006 closer, relieving each of some closer pressure, until one distinguishes himself.

Mark it down.

They're dangling Lidge and another player (not Jason Lane) and dealing for an outfielder. The magnitude of this deal could shock you and make you feel a bit better about losing an icon ...

 

Translation:Lopez thinks we might trade Jeff Bagwell and Brad Lidge for Manny Ramirez.

175

Talk Zone / Re: If you ask me, the 2006 Houston Astros need....

« on: November 02, 2005, 12:59:49 pm »

Dont forget that we may have multiple pitchers pitching games in March for the USA next year.

176

Talk Zone / Re: Hunsicker

« on: November 02, 2005, 12:57:27 pm »

The mighty have fallen much further than the second post speculated then...

177

Talk Zone / Re: Hunsicker

« on: November 02, 2005, 12:20:23 pm »

Is he the GM in Tampa? 610 is saying that he's just been hired as a consultant by the D-Rays.

178

Talk Zone / Re: MLB to Make the Call on the Roof: Official

« on: October 24, 2005, 10:10:06 pm »

 

Quote:
 (Does anyone know the date of the last roof-open game this season?)

I was at the last two open roof games. The Thursday and Friday games we lost vs the Cubs in the last series of the year.

179

Talk Zone / Re: Roof OPEN For Game Three???

« on: October 24, 2005, 04:41:21 pm »

.719 with the roof closed if you include the 5 playoff games...

180

Talk Zone / Re: Roof OPEN For Game Three???

« on: October 24, 2005, 04:31:43 pm »

.685 this year in games where the roof was closed at the beginning of the game (including 2-0 in games where it was opened).

.577 this year in games where the roof was open.

181

Talk Zone / Re: Not the Bill Wagner Quote Thread

« on: October 19, 2005, 05:02:25 pm »

Yes

182

Talk Zone / Re: A Bravos fan at my forum told me...

« on: October 18, 2005, 01:35:52 am »

There is no curse. Go out and win a game.

183

Talk Zone / A Bravos fan at my forum told me...

« on: October 18, 2005, 01:31:33 am »

that if this type of loss happened to the Bosox, they'd talk about it 100 years from now. And thet he bets my grandkids will never hear the end of how Lidge cost the 'Stros the pennant back in '05.

This was my response.

You damn well better believe they would. We arent going to lose though. Fuck 'em. Win another game and it'll be the Cards talking about how fucking Pujols went Carlton Fisk one night in Houston but they lost anyway. Just win bitches.

184

Talk Zone / Your Chevrolet Player of The Game...

« on: October 18, 2005, 01:06:18 am »

Lance Berkman!!

Wonder who he'll donate the cash to...

OMG this blows.

185

Talk Zone / Re: "In any other park, it's gone"

« on: October 17, 2005, 04:38:07 pm »

The ballpark giveth to the Astros, taketh away from the Jakes.

186

Talk Zone / Re: Lane's Home run

« on: October 17, 2005, 12:07:38 am »

Yep unfair advantage...the Cards are forced to hit 410 foot outs to center while Astros are allowed to pop them up into the Crawfords...

187

Talk Zone / Re: So.........NO ONE Has Gotten an Email Yet???

« on: October 16, 2005, 09:18:07 pm »

Nope

188

Talk Zone / Re: WORLD SERIES TICKET THREAD

« on: October 16, 2005, 04:56:59 pm »

Last year didnt the entire board take the collar on WS tix?

189

Talk Zone / Re: WORLD SERIES TICKET THREAD

« on: October 16, 2005, 02:21:15 pm »

I thought "winning" members were notified on Sunday and you could purchase tickets on Monday from 10-5.

190

Talk Zone / Re: StL Dispatch Forum

« on: October 14, 2005, 12:28:42 pm »

I liked the flagpole when it was knocking down Richie Sexson homeruns with extreme prejudice.

191

Talk Zone / Re: StL Dispatch Forum

« on: October 14, 2005, 12:22:37 pm »

we must defend the honor of the pole, even if we hate it! Its OUR pole dammitt!

192

Talk Zone / Re: Oswalt Wakes up the Co-Dispatch

« on: October 14, 2005, 12:19:10 pm »

There are guys who think their toothbrushing and sock wearing habits affect their play. Pretending they are cheering for you is probably unlikely to help.

193

Talk Zone / Re: StL Dispatch Forum

« on: October 14, 2005, 12:13:50 pm »

He doesnt care about any of that...he thinks MMP sucks because he's a Jakes fan and no stadium can possibly be better than Busch II or the new most fabulous park ever built, Buch III. If it wasnt a pole in CF he would find something else to be an idiot about, whether it be the stadium, or the team, or anything.

194

Talk Zone / F the Jakes.

« on: October 09, 2005, 08:47:29 pm »

nm

195

Talk Zone / Re: Big-Salary Players and Titles

« on: October 05, 2005, 11:27:50 am »

So does this mean we have no shot?