Messages

1

Talk Zone / Thank you

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:01:03 am »

to the owners, admins and moderators on this board that have made this the best astros site on the web.

I've appreciated everything you've done for this place in making it first rate and the best forum for astros discussion on the intraweb.

Pravata-thanks especially for all the links and being eyes and ears to the astros fandom so we don't have to go to the chronicle if we don't want to. I've done that links job before for a short period of time for another site and it's not always fun- you've done it tremendously for years and it's appreciated.

Thanks to all the people that have written the often times hysterical original content in series previews and recaps and the like, and the minor's forum all the hard work that goes in there.

Bravo- yall have created something terrific on the web- the features are cool and the tech stuff is slick.

Thanks to Noe for anwering all of life's questions, like what happened to luke scott and why god hates me.

Anyway, enough people have expressed enough frustration/contempt for me that I don't want to do anything to sully my favorite website.  I'm through posting here since either A) I don't convey myself well enough to make myself understood or B) I really am the asshole some say I am, in which case I am smart enough to know that it ain't right to crap all over someone else's yard, but I have appreciated all the time I've spent here and all the hard work that I know goes into making this what I believe is one of the top fan sites anywhere, any team, any sport around.

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Talk Zone / Re: NYCU 8/24 Patton starting friday...

« on: August 24, 2007, 04:44:00 pm »

Well, obviously if you can pay them whatever they want you do that.  But that's pretty much not an option for most teams.

That's where the whole signability comes in to the draft- the team should have a pretty clear indicator of what the potential player is looking for financially.

It was interesting to listen to the count speak about this with the writer of wrongs the other day. Intimated that the guys they drafted in the 3rd and 4th round changed their minds some after their advisor's got a hold of them.

Said they check, cross check and cross check again with players, families coaches etc. Sometimes it doesn't work. What are you to do? Spend the money in Latin America and Asia I guess, not a bad deal potentially.

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Talk Zone / Re: NYCU 8/24 Patton starting friday...

« on: August 24, 2007, 04:35:17 pm »

I would think you could use it as an advantage.  (Warning I will soon start pulling shit out of my ass.)  If you're drafting HS talent and they're deciding on college vs the pros and you've got a decent chance to be back in TX in a few years anyway (CC and RR), I'd think that would weigh on your decision.

Or you could just pay them whatever they are asking for, which in my mind is more important to getting them signed then geographic advantages.  I doubt location is all that important in whether or not to go pro for the vast majority of guys that get picked. You bounce around too much to worry all that much about it.

4

Talk Zone / Re: 172

« on: August 24, 2007, 03:53:08 pm »

what's a "plonker"?  Is it anything like a yob, a wanker, a sodden wanker, or a hooray henry?

Jason Lane, even with his mostly abysmal season, still has an OPS around .800.  Why would you get rid of a guy, under club control and costing you only around $1,000,000.00 without giving him the benefit of another chance.

He got the chance and failed and they sent him to RR. He hit the ball well there and they brought him up as about plan D to play CF when all else fell apart, and he played an exceedingly competent CF when nobody else in the organization could. He promptly got shipped out again when the regular guy came off the disabled list. Why is this so hard to understand?  The astros rightly gave Lane another shot and he went back to CF only as an emergency and temporary stopgap.  Much ado about nothing imo.

5

Talk Zone / Re: Will the real Richard Justice please stand up...

« on: August 23, 2007, 02:37:37 pm »

I'm starting to wonder if most sports "journalists" believe disseminating accurate information to be their primary job anymore.  I'm confident Alyson Footer is on that page.  Perhaps JdJO deludes himself that is the job he is doing, but is just spectacularly bad at it.  It seems to me that even a lot of those who are more in the analysis/commentary role are completely off the tracks and have lost all touch with journalistic integrity.

I like the use of journalistic integrity. It should apply for an opionion columnist as well as a news gatherer and relayer.  JDJO used to piss me off something fierce when he was the beat writer and he editorialized. This is not doing your job.

His opinions are still unfounded crap, but if he has a stupid and wrong opinion that doesn't bug me if it's on the opinion page. When he dos it without journalistic integrity that is wrong- like his various mickey mouse shit storms he tries to stir up regarding race and then copping out with "some people say"

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Talk Zone / Re: Will the real Richard Justice please stand up...

« on: August 23, 2007, 02:11:36 pm »

Hopefully Pinwheel will hold his own and keep doing the job of being fair, balanced, even handed, and keep making information the prime reason he's in business and not making up stuff, making himself the center of the story and posting outlandishly misinformed opinions on his blog (see: JO, Jd) for the entertainment of the masses who want to call people names and say stupid things to hear themselves talk/type.

I don't disagree with the vast majority of what you are saying Noe- but I have a two part question and cut out the part specifically about it.  Question 1- do you think that Richard Justice's job is parsing out information in a fair, blanced and even handed way? and 2- do you think richard justice thinks this is his job?

My suspicion would be Justice doesn't believe this to be his job- he believes his job is to move the needle and generate readers and emotions.

I'd rather he do his job the way you mentioned, he appears to be trying to do that on the radio at this very second, but I don't know that he believes his job to be information passing.

I think until the reader/listener and the pundit get their expectations in order there is the potential for problems.

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Talk Zone / Re: So you're frustrated with the Astros?

« on: August 23, 2007, 01:16:31 pm »

courtesy www.firejoemorgan.com under the heading " An Excellent Illustration of Why Certain Stats Are Overrated"

The only counting stat that my friend growing up from little league ever got in the bigs. No wins, no losses 1 save (pitched the last 3 innings of a 13-1 or something like that game against the Red Sox). Maybe the stat means something to him- probably not, but who knows.  Save only in the sense of any other bullpen arms having to work.

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Talk Zone / Re: Will the real Richard Justice please stand up...

« on: August 23, 2007, 01:03:13 pm »

FWIW - I never said this, so it's your own opinion and does not mirror mine.  I was talking specifically about Justice's show, which is really good in terms of information.  Perhaps those who wish to be entertained will find it either boring or a bunch of blah, blah, blah.  That's fine, I'm simply looking for at least one show (not an entire station or group of stations) that pays attention to information.  No one else there has to do this.  The other types of shows are fine with me because it's for other people who need/want this sort of stuff.

For all I know, Justice will change his show and start to pander.  At which point, I'll have the same opinion of his show as I do about his blog and the shows that other folks have in the Houston area (and here in Austin).

That's why I threw in the disclaimer of so far. I fear what you are talking about in the future- I heard him make reference to in the future, when he feels more comfortable with the format, he will have less interviews and guests and more of you.  That made me cringe a bit.  Right now, though, how he's stariting I like it.

I got the sense that the drivetime show 2-6 is going to be like this as well- so that's why I have high hopes now. They were talking about all their guests, and they'd done their homework on the guests they had on- good first imprestion- other than that I have a hard time, right now, keeping their voices distinguished. Kinda like the DoRay factor on the astros broadcasts.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:59:19 pm »

Do me a favor, leave me out of this.  Thanks.

Just talking about your repeated insistence to put you on ignore for some posters nothing else- sorry if that's dragging you in- I will not do so in the future.

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Talk Zone / Re: Will the real Richard Justice please stand up...

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:42:49 pm »

Yes.  Purpura even volunteered that this summer he was in the commissioner's office talking about the very same thing.  Justice asked him point blank if it bothers Purpura that the commissioner tells every organization to honor the slot money aspects of the draft and yet many of the same teams regularly ignore the mandates on spending outlines like this.  Purpura said "yes, it bothers me a lot", but of course the commissioner (my take) is powerless to make it more powerful of a mandate than just a outline for spending.

Collusion-gate proved that it cannot be done beyond an outline for spending.  So it is somewhat an issue with the other teams and not with Houston trying to maintain a semblence of sanity at this level. The irony is that the MLBPA is not entirely on-board with huge bonus money for draftees.  In fact, they're pretty much in lock-step with organizations using slot money instead to keep the semblence of spending sanity on those who are unproven and to protect the mid-level to lower-level rank and file of the MLBPA.

They even talked specifically about Chad Jones.  It mirrored what you can read in our Bus Ride section of course, but pretty spot on stuff.  Justice threw out a 2.3 million dollar demand by Jones that Purpura did not deny.  Purpura had Jones sloted at third round money, which is around 300K or slightly more.  That is a huge gap.  Justice even asked about the impact of the draft failure and Purpura volunteered that it hurt the organization but since they have the money, that just means that Al Pedrique now has more money to work with to go sign kids off the Academy system.

Something I did not know.  The budget for what they spend is about slotting money for the draft and also for the Academies.  Now that the money is available, the Academy venue now becomes more viable to sign more players.  So when Justice says it is not about McLane mandating that money *must* be saved, he's telling you something very important to understand.  He reacted indifferent to a e-mailer telling him that it is indeed about "Uncle" Drayton pulling the money strings on "puppet" Purpura.  He told the guy on-air that it was simply not true.  They have the money, had it slotted for the spending, any changes has a ripple effect and then changes what can be spent at the Academies (for example).

Now they have a windfall for the Academies and Purpura volunteered that Al Pedrique has the money to do more.  They have to identify who and where they should go to fill the gaps left from the failure in the draft with that windfall.

He also mentioned something about asia- I didn't hear it other than that they are getting a crackle, late crackle start- taiwan crackle prospects, and then I gave up.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:34:51 pm »

nice change of the statement from brother to a parent who selfishly wants to live. you really should just stop.

I didn't change anything.

I said my kid- absolutely, my parent no way in hell and my brother I'd have think about.  No change in the statement.

Furthermore, I think it would be selfish of a parent- I'd never put that decision on my kid.  What if your brother is a fuck up? what if you've got 9 kids yourself you are taking care of (is it right to put their well being at risk?)  Is that a moral or logical position? What obligation do you have to your own nuclear family. All I said was I don't think it's cut and dried.  Whatever- I'm done with this. You really have no need to be such a prick in your responses- I think so much of your other stuff is so much better than that.

Whatevs.

Again- I asked you a couple weeks ago- please feel free to put me on ignore if you think I bring nothing to the table- I'm perfectly ok with that. Same statement Noe makes all the time

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:30:39 pm »

Wait, isn't Dr. Laura a doctor in the sense that Ms Cleo really was psychic?

Not MD. Psychiatrist.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:08:48 pm »

you should have stopped after one post on this. you are not doing your image any favors by continuing.

would you ask mark for one of his kidneys at this stage in your life if it might have harmful effects to him later on?  That seems incredibly selfish to me.

It's not something I'd ask of one of my kids. I'm just saying I can't sit here and say it's an automatic for me.

Hell- I was listening to Dr. Laura about a month ago when someone called with this very dilemna, she said it was selfish as hell for the parent (around 65) to ask for that from their child- way too dangerous and not the proper role of things. If that makes me an asshole whatever. I promise I'm not the only one to think this way, and gun to a head I doubt I'm even in the minority.

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Talk Zone / Re: Will the real Richard Justice please stand up...

« on: August 23, 2007, 12:04:48 pm »

Funny- I was driving back from Dibol today and figured I'd give Dick Justice the benefit of the doubt.
I liked what I heard in between the static (apparently the bugs will be worked out soon but the signal sucks).

Anyway- I was thinking Dick Justice the columnist sucks compared to Justice the host. Pravata- they did talk about draft pick and slot money, but it was really staticky so I didn't catch what was said. If they had an archive that would be the way to go.

He knows a ton of people, he's had good guests so far- I think he could be a very good radio personality if he keeps this up.

He was giving the the count the benefit of the doubt on some of his moves. He explained that while he didn't agree with them at the time (woody signing and Jennings trade) that the org had thought it out and had solid reasons to do so- he just didn't agree. That's the exact camp I'm in. Since Dick is in the columnist/opinion business I have no problem with him saying here are the reasons, it's defensible, they thought it through- but they were wrong. Talked about Jason Lane as well (I could tell he likes lane and understands why they keep giving him chances).

It's funny- he even referred to his flip flopping problem when giving his opinion. I liked what I heard from him. I like the whole 1560 station so far. When Lance gets re-united with John that was my favorite program of all the locals.  Justice as I've mentioned has been good so far. Was on the way to an appointment yesterday and the cablinasian and John Harris were good. John Harris was on as a guest of John and Lance and that was the best hour of their show imo (but I love college football so I might be biased- but he knows his crap better than any other guy I've heard on TV or the radio talking about his subject.  You bring up any team and I swear he knows their entire depth chart, strenghts and weaknesses and has spoken with someone at the program extensively- a little scary really).

They, for example are doing college football wednesday's where they talk to a beat writer for LSU, A&M Texas, Maybe Tech, houston and Rice. Caught the UT segment and they'd done their homework. They talked the owner of Texags.com and you could tell they knew what they were talking about, and asked some questions that were way more insightful then the run of the mill interview.

Their voices are a little bland, but the content is WAAAAAAY better than all the other local monkeys.

I've got high hopes right now for 1560. Maybe the 4th time is the charm for a sports talk station in houston, as the first 3 are pretty dreadful to my way of thinking.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 22, 2007, 04:13:54 pm »

Please, please, please tell me this is sarcasm.

Kids- absolutely they can have a kidney.

Parents- no way in hell- you don't harvest organ's from a younger generation. Brother I don't know. I'd have to see what the health risks were (I don't really know what the hell they are for going from 2 kidney's to one).

If it's shortening my life 15 years I don't know that I do that. I don't know that I'd ask him to do it for me. If it ain't a big deal then fine- do you use both kidneys?  I seriously do not know.

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Talk Zone / Re: All-time defensive team selected

« on: August 22, 2007, 03:05:31 pm »

The best I have ever seen play ...

C - Ivan Rodriguez
1B - Don Mattingly
2B - Morgan/Alomar
SS - Ozzie
3B - Brooks Robinson
LF - Joe Rudi
CF - Willie Mays
RF - Vlad Guerrero / Dave Parker

Both those right fielders better than clemente? I've only seen like half the guys on your list, so I'm not arguing, just asking.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 22, 2007, 03:04:24 pm »

His brother's. But you knew that.

I knew it was family, but I couldn't remember if it was  brother or sister or cousin or what not.  I wonder if that kidney from his bro cost him anything. I don't know if I'd be ready to give my bro a kidney. I mean I like him, but....

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:25:07 pm »

I would agree with you, if (and granted, this may very well be selective memory) Morgan ever said anything positive about any second baseman.

Morgan also enjoyed his status as the best 2nd baseman in the history of the Astros.  So that is part of it.  He is and always has been an ass.

I could be wrong but I could swear I've heard him rave about Roberto Alomar in the past... Maybe it's just white people like Kent and Biggio he hates.

Actually- I've heard him say (and I know for a fact and remember distinctly hearing him say this, and have seen it in print) that Roger Hornsby was better than him. Then again, hornsby's been dead basically as long as JimR has been alive, so that might be false modesty/ an attempt to not make him look like a blowhard

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Talk Zone / Re: "I'm not calling him a liar... but..."

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:22:31 pm »

I think Palillo in particular is guilty of knowing better.  He knows that Garner's actions are defensible, but he wants to be "the voice" of his stupidest listeners, who are looking for something to complain about.  So he plays the part of the idiot.  Not that I don't think sometimes he is genuinely the idiot...

See- everyone that knows him says that CP is smart. If that's the case then he is pandering and being disingenuous which, to my way of thinking, makes him much worse then a guy like Carl Dukes who is just a barely functional mongoloid.  Rather have honest stupid then disingenuous smart. But that's sort of like saying I'd much prefer the clap to ghonorea

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:19:52 pm »

I don't think the two things are mutually exclusive.

Nope, never was intending to argue that they were. I just don't think he's trying to be self serving. I could well indeed be wrong.

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:19:08 pm »

This right here is where the disagreement between you and I is.  I think he is very self serving in his comments, though he is shitty as well.

Fair enough- I have my opinion and you yours. I don't know that it is possible to ever know the truth of the statement as that would go to intent and neither of us can see into the mans heart/mind. Probably a good thing you can't see into his mind.

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Talk Zone / Re: Pence in RR tonight

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:15:42 pm »

Hunter is an unusually fast first baseman. Which is unfortunate, because the team is loaded with first basemen with unusual traits: unusually inattentive, unusually slow, unusually incapable of hitting a pitched baseball, unusually good at the catcher's position, unusually adept at fielding other positions of defensive need, unusually adept at fielding one position of defensive need, etc.

I love this post.

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Talk Zone / Re: All-time defensive team selected

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:11:47 pm »

in my opinion, yes. best i have personally seen. contrary to popular opinion, i never saw Hornsby play.

Was hornsby regarded as a great defensive player? I've not read super extensively on him but everything I've seen talks more about the bat then the glove. What was his rep there?

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:10:18 pm »

Not to pick nits but, he had a kidney transplant.

sorry- removed and replaced with some other dude's kidney.

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 02:09:35 pm »

wait! you never saw him play but you are saying he is the best of the modern era?

he was very, very good but "one of the best he has ever seen?" was he a Cincy fan?

Statistical comparrison's and Conventional Wisdom was what I was relyinig upon.

Really, it was a throw away comment in response to the poster who was saying Joe was making comments to make people believe he was better than what he was. All I was saying is that MANY people have argued he was one of the best players (offensive, baserunning, defense combination) to ever play the vast majority of his games at 2b. His comments about others like biggio- to me are not necessarily self serving, more indicative that he is a shitty anouncer and quite possibly a shitty human being.  That was the essential thrust of where I was going with my initial post.

No- dad wasn't a cincy fan he was a giants fan. Morgan was more or less past his prime when he played in SF so it wasn't coming from there. Cincy was in the west as was houston so maybe he did a lot of damage against the gints- I don't know. It's not like you had every game around the league at your fingertips, or even hilight shows then.  And the fact that little joe won 2 MVP's and finished high up in various other years would lead me to believe he was one of the best players of his era. That and all the all star apperances, back before the all star game was a fan ballot popularity contest I believe (but I may well be wrong on when the fans took over selection of the teams).

I think Bill James has him #1 or #2 on his list of all time 2b. I've never seen anyone put together a list that has hiim out of the top 5 at that position.  Again- I don't think it's that his comments are self serving, I think he is a shitty journalist.

26

Talk Zone / Re: All-time defensive team selected

« on: August 22, 2007, 01:43:40 pm »

compared to whom?  he was the best second baseman of this era, and maybe the best ever.

That certainly jives with everything I've ever read. Think as good at 2b as Ozzie Smith was at SS or Brooks Robinson was at 3b. Would you say that is accurate?

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 01:42:19 pm »

he was a hitter and baserunner, not a great defender.

Jim-

Never saw him play, so I'm going off what I've read and heard not what I've seen. My dad said he's on of the best players he's ever seen, but I didn't ever really ask him about fielding per se. I'll have to defer to you on that as you've obviously seen him play way more than I (which is not at all)

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 01:40:47 pm »

If you are going to use that reasoning, then you must concider one J. Kent.

I don't know that he did all the things at a higher level then his contemporaries at the position. In the era kent played in a lot of 2b slugged a lot of HR's. Kent did it for a longer period of time, but biggio hit about 300, sandber hit about 300, and indiivdual guys in between had plenty of 20-30 HR seasons.  Jeff Kent should get serious hall of fame consideration. I just don't know if he was above and beyond enough, relative to his era, to talk about him as any better than bottom half of the top 10 (like maybe just barely squeeking in) of 2b (again not purely defensive just someone whose name was written in at 2b on the lineup card).  Of course, if you are arguing if a guy is in the top 10 of his position that is damn fine place. Not Joe Morgan level in my opinion.

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Talk Zone / Re: Blind squirrel, meet nut

« on: August 22, 2007, 01:37:03 pm »

This pertains to all pitchers, not just Jennings:

You can actually hurt yourself at any time whilest throwing a baseball. 

Fact!

It doesn't require a previous boo-boo, pain, rest between starts the previous year, anything like that.  You can simply pick up a baseball, throw it and guess what... you may hurt yourself, right then, right there.  So eggszactly when can I pinpoint, as a pitcher, the day I "injured" myself?

I can't. 

The presence of pain in the shoulder or elbow does not necessarily tell me that is the day I hurt myself.  Heck, I can have pain every time I threw a baseball since middle school (and trust me, it seems that way for any one who has ever toed the rubber).  When I got hurt is entirely different from when I first felt pain.  So if the presence of pain and the swapping of x-rays were end all, be all for MLB organizations to pronounce the readiness of a pitcher to be a member of their team, then it would be so easy to dismiss at least half of the major league pitchers in professional baseball today.  And won't the MLBPA have a field day with that sort of practice on an organization's part too!  Woo-hoo!  Not since the days of collusion-gate would the MLBPA have some serious legal issues to hold over the MLB.  And a huge pay day too.  If an MLB team were to easily just say "I know he's injured in spite of *what he says* and I'm going to DL him or DFA him" and cry foul and demand money back from him, his agent and also for trades to be rescinded, the MLBPA would step in and put a stop to that right away.  The choice is either the MLB organizations and the MLBPA work as a partnership or as an adversary on player treatment.

So when is a pitcher "injured" and when would an organization be good enough to be aware of "damaged goods"?  You tell me, because what eggszactly is the science beyond what is currently in place to make sure you know?  It is hence why the MLB offices and the commissioner has always told clubs "it's buyer beware" in all cases (especially those who think they have legitimate complaints of being sold damaged goods - See: Shirotka, Mike, whose Dad is a one time acquaintance of mine on several teams I played on and I can assure you that Mike never believed he was damaged goods).  There is no good science to this beyond your own due diligence and then when you make the deal, know you did all you could do but injury is part of the risk with pitchers at all and any time. It's also why any contract with a pitcher for more than three years is considered a gamble by any standards (see: Martinez, Pedro).

I think that it is kind of analagous to the Robert Horry Trade that didn't happen with Detroit and Sean Elliot. The Rockets Dr.'s killed the deal b/c he had a bad kidney.  Elliot played another 3 or 4 years before having his kidney removed, and then came back after that to play a year or two. You just never know what is or is not going to keep an athlete from playing and competing at a high level. As I heard someone say today (maybe granato) If you got all 11 pitchers for the astros here under truth serum 8 or 9 of them would say they are dealing with pain of some sort in their arm. How the hell is a player or team to know for sure?  Answer is I think Noe is right you cannot- so it's caveat emptorm baby.

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 01:30:36 pm »

the best second baseman to play the game in the modern era is named Mazeroski.

Sorry- I was not adhering to the OWA credo of a second baseman is simply a defensive position. I was not trying to say that Joe Morgan was the best glove second baseman, just the best overall combination of bat and glove to ever play the vast majority of his games in the field at 2b- better?

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Talk Zone / Re: Bright spots from tonight's game (fiasco?)

« on: August 22, 2007, 11:30:21 am »

Yep I am aware that Joe would find some way to make himself look better.  He really thinks he was the best secondbaseman to ever play the game.

see- the thing is he probably was the best second baseman to ever play the game- at least in the modern era. 

That doesn't stop him from being a trainwreck as an anouncer and a douchebag as a human being, however, which he seems to be both of (at least from his public persona/remarks).

Just an example of another mediot guy with nothing worthwhile to say. There's professionals like that and there's former ball players like that.

32

Talk Zone / Re: Announcer Ratings

« on: August 17, 2007, 12:49:00 pm »

I like the giants radio guys-they are good.

I liked SD radio guys (I was vacationing there when they were playing the astros, so I listened to them for a full 3 game series). They think of Biggio as a padre killer but the respect was highly evident. This was like 2 years ago.

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Talk Zone / Re: Ty Wiggington

« on: August 17, 2007, 11:51:23 am »

Damn... that reminds me... I finished off my Shiner 98 last night. Need more.

You can have mine. I know that it's heresy of the highest order but I wasn't that impressed. I love regular shiner and it is my prefered beer.  I'm probably taste defective.

34

Talk Zone / Re: Burke's fielding fetish

« on: August 16, 2007, 05:22:11 pm »

This is horseshit typical Burke bashing. I have noticed that Burke *always* stays on the bag regardless of where the runner is. JD has made mention of this too (more than once). The difference between Burke and Biggio defensively is enormous particuarly when it comes to turning the double play.

The diving stop last night was unnecessary, but he made the play. Burke also made plays on balls in the Albers game that Biggio would not have come within 10 feet of, but of course that goes unmentioned.

I thought this place was against the petty personal comments that talk radio and chron.com bloggers make against Astros players. Apparently it's ok as long as it's Burke/Ensberg rather than Ausmus/Everett.

That's because Ausmus and everett do their job, what they are paid to do (be above average to excellent defensive players). Burke and Ensberg, however, do not do their jobs as they are paid to do (be a good top of the order table setter with ok gap power and a run producer). Not only that, but Burke has a petulant and pissy attitude (and ensberg couldn't/wouldn't wrap his mind around the fact that he was employed to be a run producer).

That's the difference, and it's a huge one.

35

Talk Zone / Re: Burke's fielding fetish

« on: August 16, 2007, 04:43:14 pm »

I think Burke's a candyass. He bails at first sign of contact around the bag, whether it's the runner bearing down on him to break up the DP or a stolen base. I've noticed that several times this year.

My judgment may be clouded due to his whiny mouth, but he is not the type of player I enjoy watching, for lack of a better description.

Agreed 1000% with this. Also with the earlier people talking about poor technique. I love JD, but when he glossed that as a great play I thought he was FOS. I thought it was an ok play that he made look way harder than he needed to.

36

Talk Zone / Re: Ty Wiggington

« on: August 16, 2007, 04:40:56 pm »

Dobro, I think you have the JimR is a crumudgeon thing wrong. He is rarely ever crumudgeon like about players on the astros or the bigs in general, it is usually manifested with posters around here, especially if they are speaking out of their ass.

I think he gets bent out of shape way more about people saying a ball player sucks (unfairly at times) then with the actual ballplayer.

Just my two cents.

37

Talk Zone / Re: Ty Wiggington

« on: August 16, 2007, 01:08:44 pm »

This post has nothing to do with anything you were saying about Wigginton the hitter (b/c I'm not smart enough to see a lot of what you are talking about) but about Wigginton as a player:

I just like the way he plays the game full tilt. Did anyone notice that DP lane hit into in the middle innings (fairly routine) he busted his ass to get in on kent and took him out. Caused a throw in the dirt that was picked, but hey- it could have just as easily not been picked and saved an out.

38

Talk Zone / Re: What sucked about last night

« on: August 16, 2007, 01:06:11 pm »

I'm just saying this game went with Jim's post about coulda/shoulda/wooda with the recent Milwaukee series.  One more hit in a couple of innings breaks it open. I went into the game thinking there was little chance of a win based upon pitching match ups. It ended up with a very good chance of winning half way through.

Tip of the cap (not blame) if anything for battling throughout the game

39

Talk Zone / What sucked about last night

« on: August 16, 2007, 09:29:19 am »

is that that game was imminently winnable.

I didn't think the good guys had much chance with Jennings against your 2 time NL Starting All Star pitcher Penny, but that game was right there to be won. Just one more hit at a key time or something and the game probably goes the good guys way.  Good AB's up and down the lineup against Penny- looking for first ball fastball and being agressive with it.

Even JD with the knee jerk second guessing (said tongue in cheek) in the bottom of the 6th right before the 3 run jimmy jack saying man- I bet Gar is wishing he bunted Ausmus and pinch hit for jennings in the top of the inning.

40

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings

« on: August 16, 2007, 09:24:56 am »

Arbitrate him.  The offer should not be as good as he can get on the FA market.  Let him make that choice and then get a comp. draft pick.

agreed completely.

41

Talk Zone / Re: Munson

« on: August 15, 2007, 04:05:07 pm »

Anyone read the blurb about backe toward the bottom of Pravatas NewsYCU article on Laundry day?

I thought it was hysterical and pure Backe. Bitching b/c the New Orleans team was moping around about the heat. Hey, it ain't getting any colder guys!

I love Backe- he's a meathead in an endearing way imo.

42

Talk Zone / Re: BBQ Joints (Non-BB)

« on: August 15, 2007, 11:41:03 am »

Yes, but I've always heard that they use a different kind of sauce, sorta like the issue of what's the content of Jack Daniels Green Label....no one's quite sure WHAT it is.

I think it's musky with a hint of tuna.

43

Talk Zone / Re: BBQ Joints (Non-BB)

« on: August 15, 2007, 11:03:34 am »

I can't believe that this thread has stayed on topic for nine pages- that has to be an OWA record.

44

Talk Zone / Going into last sunday the astros had 46 games left

« on: August 15, 2007, 07:58:19 am »

And for all the world it looks like it would take about 36-10 to win the division. The greatest finishing kick in the history of ever (in 2004).  Then winning the first playoff series in astros history. The jeff kent homerun in game 5. The agonizing extra innings loss in game 6. The almost inevitable Clemens meltdown in game 7 (after biggio led off with a HR.) Beltran's brilliance.

Damn that was a fun year.

45

Talk Zone / Re: "You don't need to rebuild, just retool" - Seth Everett, MLB.com

« on: August 14, 2007, 05:20:33 pm »

Actually, they said "Towles needs to play every day", meaning not even Munson should play.

I was just going on you saying catch five days a week. I figured that left a game or two for somebody else.
I might be looking for logic or internal consistency where there is none.

46

Talk Zone / Re: "You don't need to rebuild, just retool" - Seth Everett, MLB.com

« on: August 14, 2007, 05:00:04 pm »

Okay, so let's take a small test here.  Answer this question for me given the phone conversation these nutless worms were having:

1. The big issue with these guys is that Patton and Towles must be called up now so the Astros can evaluate them at the major league level.  Okay, they also say Towles must play five days a week.  Cool.  Now, that means that you want to evaluate how a pitcher who has no idea of the hitters in the National League will do against them and you want to pair him with a batterymate who has no clue about the same hitters himself?

Tell me, just as a wild arse guess: How do you think Patton will do each and every time out?

Noe- you just aren't getting it. Patton needs to pitch to Munson, who we need to look at with towles as a combination. Munson has that type of experience to help Patton out- duh.  No need to get a good defensive catcher- just somebody who hits better than Ausmus b/c he is the anchor dragging the astros offense into the abyss. And that Adam Everett guy sucks shit through a straw as well. He's a bad short stop b/c he doesn't hit like Jeter.

47

Talk Zone / Re: Lamb or Loretta?

« on: August 14, 2007, 04:57:32 pm »

I would think that most teams who are contenders will already have a solution at third or first base.  Maybe the Yankees at first base, but even then, I doubt they'll think of Lamb right away as a solution.  They'll exhaust all other options first.  But then again, they did have Mankeiwosajklasjdaksdjalask at first for a while too.  So if we're not talking contenders, Lamb is looking at teams who need a solution at third or first that is a good cost for them and may help them play better.  So Lamb is looking for trade off of regular playing time with teams that are trying to contend but are not necessarily a contender to being on the Astros and definitely not starting and knowing that they will contend only if the right parts are there in pitching.

So Lamb won't want to go to a team like Pittsburgh (who actually have solutions at third and first already in LaRoche and Sanchez), but I can see him going to teams like San Diego or Cleveland or Seattle.  But he's kidding himself if those teams don't have other options available to them as well.  Geoff Blum and Mike Lamb are great guys to have on a team, because they'll play.  But starters?  I don't see it unless it's a non-contending, lower rung team that just wants to plug a hole more than anything else.

This reminds me of the situation that Ole Mr. Watership Downs (Burnitz) found himself in last year. Not good enough to be a regular on a playoff type team, but good enough to be a regular on a bad team. His experiment with the cubbies didn't go over very well.  A guy like that is a great option on a good team as a professional ab off the bench or a 4th OF. If you are counting on him to be part of the solution on a good team, well, you probably aren't a good team then.
Lamb as a starter and middle of the lineup run producer seems that way to me. I could well be selling him short I suppose, but I can't see him being a full time starter at 3b or 1b on a playoff team. Unless they are loaded elsewhere. He's a great piece, not a key cog imo.

48

Talk Zone / Re: Couch Slouch

« on: August 14, 2007, 04:32:09 pm »

Not really ironic, just unfortunate?

I thought that was good luck- like getting shit on by a bird.

49

Talk Zone / Interesting fight against heat exhaustion (non baseball per se)

« on: August 14, 2007, 01:50:20 pm »

But interesting to me for anyone who is outdoors and competes in sports in the texas heat.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5052992.html


At $30.00 a pill it's probably a bit excessive for a regular guy. Just heard about a construction worker locally dieing of heat exhaustion the other day. I don't guess day laborers could probably afford $30 pill a day, but if it could get down to less (maybe $5.00 a day- like your cost of your daily starbucks- if you are into that) I wonder if people would do this frequently.

50

Talk Zone / Re: "You don't need to rebuild, just retool" - Seth Everett, MLB.com

« on: August 14, 2007, 01:36:10 pm »

You want to waste a few minutes of your life listening to a guy who knows of what he speaks being challenged by two nutless worms?  This is great audio in terms of listening to exhibit A why Houston media/sports talk radio really sucks when it comes to baseball, not just Houston Astros:

Diasy and Dukes In The Morning vs. Seth Everett... quien es mas stupid?

If you wish, list in bullet form all the stupid remarks, illogial thinking you hear from this interview by the nutless worms.  It's fun listening in that regard because these guys don't even know any more (by their own admission indirectly) "what they're arguing about".

Not knowing anything about baseball only makes matters worse or funnier depending on your perspective.

I got a late start to work today so my normal XM programs were over. I got to listen to "daisy" talk about why baseball is his favorite sport. You'd think he'd know something about it then, right?  Wrong. 

I have no idea why but I listen to about 10 minutes of houston sports talk a morning on my hour plus commute. It drives me nuts. I need to stop.


Edit to Add- I couldn't get through more than 5 minutes. Play Burke everyday, play Towles everyday, pitch patton etc.  ughhh- not what I want to see.  I want to see biggio out there everyday at home and on the road at least 50% of the time. I want to see the astros try to win.  These guys are crap.

51

Talk Zone / Re: fuck. me.

« on: August 13, 2007, 08:32:04 pm »

Add Orestes Destrade for the full surround sound effect.

He's the one responsible for me no longer listening to XM radio in the morning- Is the show any better with him gone now for any listeners out there?

He was horrible.

52

Talk Zone / Re: shoulda, woulda, coulda

« on: August 13, 2007, 08:30:55 pm »

somewhat, perhaps, but that is an effort to limit all base hits to a single and to prevent runners from scoring from first on a ball in the gap. this, to me, has a higher percentage of success than a total gamble that the ball will be pulled over the bag.

Fair enough- thanks for the distinction.

53

Talk Zone / Re: St. Arnold's at the Park

« on: August 13, 2007, 05:32:23 pm »

They have only one beer stand on the whole lower section that sells the big-boy Shiners.  Maybe it's the same place.

There's nowhere on the Upper Deck that sells Shiner.

at the sherrif blaylock stand in the upper tank i believe

54

Talk Zone / Re: shoulda, woulda, coulda

« on: August 13, 2007, 04:39:10 pm »

i agree with you and do not think i agree with Old School Book.

What about no doubles deep defense in the outfield. Take the chance of allowing a dinker to fall in that might not otherwise- how do you feel on that. Is that analagous?

55

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman

« on: August 13, 2007, 01:47:33 pm »

Not that it matters a hill of beans what I think, but...

Luke Scott is too much a guess hitter and is prone to hot/cold streaks for my taste as a #5 hitter.  Has Scott ever proven in the majors that he can hit consistently to you?  Last year he was red-hot, the year before he was ice-cold, this year he's been that side of lukewarm, tending towards the ice more than the hot side.  Reminds me of Hidalgo more than anything else.

I like Scott, but I don't see what he is beyond a good #4 outfielder on this team (Lee/CF/Pence), perhaps a semi-regular guy but not much more after that.  And I could be entirely wrong on that one too!

His rate numbers are decent, but he does tend to get them in bunches, so maybe he can't lock down the spot all year long.  If they get a good CFer that can hit leadoff that is ideal. If it comes down to that or a good starting pitcher b/c of budget constraints I'd prefer the pitcher and go to war with Lee/Pence/Scott in the lineup, and Scott at 5 or 6. I like Wiggington as well, but he just seems like more of a 6 hole hitter to me- b/c I'm not sure he's good enough to be an upper eschelon 5 hitter. He is the anti-Luke though, as he seems to be consistent year round on a month to month basis, while scott is mercurial switching between white hot and ice cold.  I guess there is value in consistency day to day (I think luke would be consistent year to year but inconcistent day to day if that makes sense).  He's ok in the OF. Could you switch him between 5 and 7 based upon his trending?  With Munson as a candidate to hit higher when luke isn't on?  Too complicated or too much changing? I don't know.

Glad to hear you had a good vacation Noe.

Very nice read from 2002 Coach- I enjoyed it. thanks for reposting it.

56

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman

« on: August 13, 2007, 01:31:51 pm »

what do you expect from the 5 hole hitter. hint: being left-right balanced is not it.

Someone to drive in runs and clear the bases. Something luke scott has done well with 53 ribbies in about 270 AB's.  Pretty good ratio.  Has some pop. I like him at the 5. not that this matters.

The lefty thing was just a nice bonus to me. Sorry if I implied that was the only reason I wanted to see Luke at #5.  Late in the game they almost always turn berkman around.  Maybe with scott #5 the manager will try to get by lee with his lefty so he has the percentage advantage on Scott as well. Probably not though- which means scott gets a righty as most teams only have one lefty in the bullpen.

57

Talk Zone / Re: shoulda, woulda, coulda

« on: August 13, 2007, 12:36:22 pm »

Watching Braun and Fielder bat this week, makes me a little ill to think about having to face those two a ton over the next 5+ years.

All I can say is I hope Berkman returns to form, cause the Astros might need that to match them.

Thankfully their pitching still isn't very good.  Of course neither is Houston's at the moment...

It's amazing they have all that talent. It's what will happen picking at the top of the draft 15 years in a row and being a seller at the trade deadline. Why can't the D-Ray's figure this out?  I guess they have talent- just can't mold/turn them into anything but a bottom feeder.
I think the brewers (young talent) and cubs(huge checkbook) are going to be the teams to beat for the next 2 or 3 years in the central. Unless they do something stupid to screw things up. Which seems likely b/c they are the brewers and cubs

58

Talk Zone / Re: Emergency catcher... Mike Lamb?

« on: August 13, 2007, 08:59:32 am »

From the Chronicle:

Astros manager Phil Garner was nearly forced to use emergency catcher Mike Lamb on Friday.

Having already taken starter Eric Munson out of the game, Garner raced onto the field to subdue an enraged Brad Ausmus while he was arguing a strike call in the 11th inning.

"I couldn't afford to have Brad thrown out," said Garner, who would likely called upon Lamb to catch had Ausmus gotten ejected and the Astros tied the game.

We were watching Ausmus' meltdown on Friday and wondering who Garner would use if he got thrown out of the game. Lamb? We'd never heard Lamb was the emergency catcher until we read it in yesterday's Chronicle... which made us bemusingly wonder if Lamb had ever heard he's the emergency catcher...

And Jason Lane is our emergency pitcher. And I hope like hell I never see either of those guys in those positions.

59

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman

« on: August 13, 2007, 08:58:29 am »

what is a "five?" do you think this is a basketball team?

bullshit. there is nothing that requires any certain offensive level from a specific defensive position.

I took that to mean position in the Batting Order as well- which would make it fair game.  I think maybe luke is your 5 hole hitter and Wiggington is your 6 hole hitter if all goes right. That way you can go right left right left right 2-6 with Pence, lance, carlos, luke and Wiggington. Throw in Munson catching at 7 and I think you have a decently balanced, at least league average lineup for the national league.

60

Talk Zone / Re: this is called a zombie rumor

« on: August 10, 2007, 05:31:31 pm »

It has no brain and you can't kill it,

Today NY Newsday

Milledge ... Last season, he was the key component in a proposed three-way deal at the deadline for the Astros' Roy Oswalt - a swap the Mets would have done in a heartbeat. Link

Yeah, except that Houston never offered Oswalt, Baltimore asked for him.  And then started trading him to everyone.

Still the most baffling thing to me is that Baltimore thought they had Roy O and the best they were going to be able to flip him for was Lastings Milledge. What a bunch of maroons.

61

Talk Zone / Re: Jose de Jesus Ortiz is a bottom feeder with no professional integrity

« on: August 10, 2007, 05:30:26 pm »

In fact, if a team out of contention doesn't put up the best team possible against teams in contention, the organization, the coaches and management will acquire a negative reputation.   Quitting may not mean anything to a journalist, but it means alot in baseball.

Exactly.

In the NFl and NBA people bitch a little bit but many fans want their teams to lose for the higher draft pick. In MLB to roll over for a contender is an unpardonable sin that will cause you to be the joke of the league. I like MLB's method a lot better.  Teams in the bottom play their best players if the game means something in the grand scheme of things. It's only bottom feeders against each other where the vibe is "lets play this sept. call up and see what he's got"

62

Talk Zone / Re: Jose de Jesus Ortiz is a bottom feeder with no professional integrity

« on: August 10, 2007, 04:45:52 pm »

Did Dukes mention draft picks or did you make that leap?  Most know that tanking for draft picks in baseball is stupid.  From your description, it appears Dukes was talking about a general feeling of changing course that may not set in to management if these Astros keep competing with what they have.

That in itself is absurd.  How dare they keep competing and playing meaningful September baseball!!

No- I made up the part about the draft picks. I was simply saying that in other sports tanking can "work" but in baseball, absent the draft pick bonanza there is absolutely, positively zero reason to ever think about tanking as there is zero upside benefit to it.

63

Talk Zone / Re: Tales from the "lost" season

« on: August 10, 2007, 04:43:27 pm »

Wonderful story all the way around. So glad to hear your son overcoming all that and you being able to take him to a game

64

Talk Zone / Re: A-Rod

« on: August 10, 2007, 04:33:04 pm »

I presume that he's not getting paid while he's suspended, but where does the money go? One would hope that Steinbrenner doesn't get to pocket it.

For that matter, what does the commissioner's office do with the fines they collect?

On a serious note- I read an article about a year ago that says that the vast majority of fines go uncollected. I think that was MLB (but it could have been the NBA). Every league is a little different is the upshot of what they do with the fines.

65

Talk Zone / Re: Jason Lane

« on: August 09, 2007, 05:51:27 pm »

I am curious as to why so many view Lane as a "great" defensive OF'er. He is a good instinctive OF, gets good breaks, and takes fairly direct routes to go along with a good arm. However, he does not run all that well or cover all that much ground in CF. If you are looking for CF's strictly from a defensive standpoint it really shouldn't be all that hard to find one better than Lane.

He has been terrible at the plate since coming back despite being in the lineup on an everyday basis. He is hitting the same way he did before he got sent down.

I understand why he's in the lineup right now, but he's still a bad everyday player.

Shouldn't be hard to find a better defensive CF in Major league baseball- OK- I get that point. It is also totally and completely irrelevant.

The question is can the astros find a better defensive CF for right now (which would be limited to players in the organization or those you could get through a trade or from the scrap heap of available, major league calibre OF'ers who are not presently employed in professional baseball). That is the only question that is relevant to this discussion- right here right now, and I think the answer is no- they cannot find a better defensive CF from that particular talent pool- otherwise they would have done so. Unless you are entertaining the idea that the astros do not want to win right now, which I refuse to believe anyone with any sense would believe.

66

Talk Zone / Re: Jose de Jesus Ortiz is a bottom feeder with no professional integrity

« on: August 09, 2007, 05:47:28 pm »

Water is wet, JimR is old and Limey probably has bad teeth.

JDJO is the most reprehensible member of the local media. His position covering the astros in print and on the radio is enough to make me lose my mind when I think about it. As such, I try not to think about it.

I saw that blurb (right above the blurb talking about how garner was likely joking about the voodoo doll) in the paper and threw up a little bit in my mouth.

+++++++++++++++++++++Addition+++++++++++++++++++++++

I vote that the 2nd most reprehensible member of the local "media" is Carl Dukes. I was listening to that horseshit they call a show for 3 minutes on the way into work today (Wall St Journal was on a 9 minute commercial on XM) and wanted to see what the local yokels were saying about the recent 3 game winning "streak".

Dukes said that he was not happy about it b/c if the Astros get hot and back in contention that will convince the front office that they don't have any work left to do for the year 2008. He was openly rooting for the astros to tank games.

Now, in a basketball and football perspective this is thinking might be considered ok long term b/c of the higher draft pick you can get (for a player presumably able to help you win right now) but as the baseball draft is a long term, crapshoot proposition the idea is not only insulting, demeaning and preposterous, but monumentally stupid. Every time I listen to that show my IQ drops 5 points, even if it's just for 5 minutes. Sadly, the other station is only marginally better from an intelligence standpoint, and the hosts are even more irritating to listen to.  John and Lance can't get their new gig fast enough. Compared to the other Mensa's of the morning those guys are top shelf baseball geniuses.

Matt Jackson was saying that if Jennings shit's the bed tommorrow the astros have a duty to call up Patton (who had a good start last night I guess). Rich Lord, stealing a page from his old butt buddy Charlie Pallilo NTTAWWT, said the astros would refuse to do that b/c they don't want to win by not calling up their prospects.  I need to start listening to music again in the car.

67

Talk Zone / Re: My personal tribute to Biggio

« on: August 09, 2007, 05:18:11 pm »

But are you a published author?

Yes- on OWA.com. Just Google WulawHorn and it'll pop up.  According to Jimr- too frequently 

Seriously, though, back on topic, anyone else interested in trying to do something like this as a group?

68

Talk Zone / Re: I am preparing to duck behind whatever I can find shortly

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:52:33 pm »

You can if you buy the carrier a seat or keep it in your lap.  It cannot sit in the aisle.

Too bad- it could be a fun drunken stumbling obstacle course- try not to kick the baby down a flight of stairs.

69

Talk Zone / Re: My personal tribute to Biggio

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:51:04 pm »

I am beginning to think Wulaw doesn't have one.

Bullshit- I'm in the top 3% of sarcasm detectors on the intraweb. I have the verifiable test results to prove it.

You want a guy who doesn't get sarcasm- Mr. Happy 

70

Talk Zone / Re: Ankiel a co-ard again

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:42:07 pm »

And just when I was about to give up in my quest for POTWA

Homer Simpson Voice

The lesson in life bart, is never try

Homer simpson Voice

71

Talk Zone / Re: My personal tribute to Biggio

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:31:52 pm »

Good idea! (unless your name is Brooke Webster and that's your address)

No- and the check doesn't get made to brooke, just her attention in the mail on the envelope.

72

Talk Zone / Re: My personal tribute to Biggio

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:31:26 pm »

Great idea. I'm guessing that when all is said and done Biggio's charity might do well from OWA contributions.

I'd like to hope we could do better than the $3,000.00 that the braves did from OWA b/c we are all bidge fans.  A little bit can make a big difference, etc. etc.  It was very cool of the bravos to do.  Maybe we could pool our donations and get Uncle D to match.  Hell, if we could get $200.00 for Kearns for lap dances I'd like to think we could do better for a good cause (although lap dances are always a good cause).

73

Talk Zone / My personal tribute to Biggio

« on: August 09, 2007, 04:06:56 pm »

I figure if it is a good enough tribute for the Atlanta Braves for Craig Biggio- us Astros fans should follow suit.

I'm donating a little beer money to the Sunshine Kids in honor of Mr. Biggio. Anyone else similarly moved here is the information below:


You can donate online by going to www.sunshinekids.org/donate or you can mail it in to us at…

The Sunshine Kids Foundation
Attn: Brooke Webster
2814 Virginia Street
Houston, TX 77098

74

Talk Zone / Re: Need to induce vomiting?

« on: August 09, 2007, 03:00:07 pm »

A self-loathing dual alumnus who refers to himself as a tea-sipping sheep fucker, yes.

Outstanding. POTW nominee worthy.

75

Talk Zone / Re: I am preparing to duck behind whatever I can find shortly

« on: August 09, 2007, 02:48:10 pm »

Mark went to his first baseball games--A UT v. TT DH--when he was 6 months old. he slept through both games in his carrier and did not ask for money for food or souvenirs.

IS that the last time that he didn't ask for food and souvenier money at a game?

I try to buy for my dad now when we see our 2 or 3 games a year together. I figure I'm at least 100 behind.

76

Talk Zone / Re: Jesus and Witchcraft

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:54:12 am »

"Some players are uncomfortable with Manager Phil Garner's dabbling in the occult.  None would discuss their feelings publicly, but some privately expressed concerns about the amount of paraphernalia involved.  Especially the robes.  Anonymous sources believe that they make them "look fat".  Also, the Mets are interested in trading for Roy Oswalt."

But only after they consult the jesus to see if he would be a good pitcher for them. We are awaiting a comment from Billy Wagner as well

77

Talk Zone / Re: Jesus and Witchcraft

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:49:59 am »

From today's Chronicle...

"It wasn't voodooo.  I stayed away from the voodoo.  I can't go into details. I'll just have to tell you Wicca (a form of witchcraft)," Garner said, perhaps in jest.

Now normally, I'd assume the writer was trying to be clever, but since it was The Jesus, I get the feeling that he really believes there's a chance that Garner is channeling his wolf spirit and invoking the four corners to win baseball games.

He is a mongoloid. In yesterday's paper he put in the same disclaimer heading into the game that Gar was "probably joking" about his voodoo comments.

Not only is he a fool, but he apparently assumes his readers are as well. He probably isn't wrong.

It reminded me of Footer writing about Roy O being pissed about Pettite pinch hitting all in fun, while the jesus tried to make it into a controversy.  What a monkey.

78

Talk Zone / Re: I am preparing to duck behind whatever I can find shortly

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:46:47 am »

Last year at opening day a cop got fired when he got caught having a 3 way in the family bathroom with his wife and one of her friends. They forgot to lock the door.  Dooooooh!

If you are going to lose your job I guess that's not the worst way in the world to do it.

It wasn't opening day, it was the rangers series.

Here is a link to the story for any who missed it/are interested:

http://deadspin.com/sports/baseball/when-youre-talking-sex-youre-talking-enron-field-175696.php

79

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:43:52 am »

Oh ok.  Thanks.  I haven't seen it in a long time.  It was in real life that he was threatened suspension for hair length though, right?

Yes- the next year mattingly gets in trouble with the boss for hair/sideburn length. This episode was actually shot and aired before that controversy according to Mattingly.

80

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:42:31 am »

Burns originally wants ringers of Tris Speaker, Mordecai 3 fingers Brown and Cap Anson.

Smithers informs him that his players are all retired, and "I think your right fielder has been dead for 120 years."

Burns undetered tells him to scour the country for baseball talent checking the National League, American League and Negro League. I thought they should have mentioned the Federal League.

81

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:38:35 am »

Was it sideburns or was his hair too long?  

Sideburns.

Burns tells him to shave his sideburns hippie (he has no sideburns at the time).

Mattingly tells him he has no sideburns and burns says not to argue with him.  Mattingly comes back with his hair shaved all the way up to the top of his head and burns yells at him for having sideburns still and sends him home.

82

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:36:31 am »

Mattingly.  Boggs turned into a chicken.

Mattingly is correct.

Clemens turned into a clucking chicken.

Boggs couldn't play because Barney punched him out in a bar room brawl arguing over who Brittain's greatest Prime Minister was, Pitt the Elder or Lord Chamberlain.- edit- P is correct it was Palmerston

Scocia got radiation poisoning.

Sax got sent to jail for every unsolved murder in NYC

Smith got lost in Springfields greatest wonder of the world.

Junior got Gigantism for drinking a nerve toxin.  

Jose Canseco had to rescue an entire burning house- baby, cat, piano, washer dryer, couch tv etc.

Boggs with the brawl and Mattingly with the sideburns.

83

Talk Zone / Re: Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:33:14 am »

That episode makes me wonder why we don't call the Tanked Commander "Mr. Burns".

Eeeeeeexcellent.

Burns- Stawberry, take a seat
Straw- What
Burns-  You see, the pitcher is a left handed pitcher and you bat left handed while Simpson bats right handed- it's merely called playing the percentages
Straw- But I've hit 9 home runs today
Burns- Very good, now run a lap and hit the showers.

Also- seeing Straw cry when the simpson kids started the Daaaaaaaaaryl change was priceless. That used to really get under his skin.

Strawberry as a butt kisser to Mr. Burns was hysterical.

84

Talk Zone / Homer at the Bat

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:21:40 am »

Sort of non-baseball sort of baseball, but fox played the rerun of my favorite simpsons episode of all time last night.

Burns brings in 9 ringers to help him win the softball title in their game against Shelbyville nuclear power plant.

The Proposed lineup (1992)

C- Mike Scocia (sp)
1b- Don Mattingly
2b- Steve Sax
SS- Ozzie Smith
3b- Wade Boggs
LF- Jose Canseco
CF- Junior Griffey
RF- Darryl Strawberry
P- Roger Clemens.

8 of the 9 guys run into problems, making them unable to play for the team. The only guy left is strawberry who plays homer's position.

If you haven't seen it it is the greatest Simpson's episode of all time.  Have to watch through the end where they do a rewrite of "talking baseball" to be talking softball.

Homer, Ozzie and the straw...

85

Talk Zone / Re: I am preparing to duck behind whatever I can find shortly

« on: August 09, 2007, 11:02:38 am »

now you have me tring to figure how where

Last year at opening day a cop got fired when he got caught having a 3 way in the family bathroom with his wife and one of her friends. They forgot to lock the door.  Dooooooh!

If you are going to lose your job I guess that's not the worst way in the world to do it.

86

Talk Zone / Re: Need to induce vomiting?

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:53:33 am »

SI ranks DQ has #1 UT athlete of all time

I frankly don't even know where to begin with this.

Absurd. I thought they might be going overall place in sports which one could agree with based upon his accomplishments in pro ball, but Houston Street and the like on the list show that is not the case.  What a ridiculous placing- he doesn't deserve to be in the top 10 in UT athletes from a collegiate accomplishment standpoint.

87

Talk Zone / Re: Me and my Uncle.

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:29:03 am »

I do feel the need to apologize to the folks here since I'm not balding. 

I always assumed that picture in your avatar was a self protrait 

88

Talk Zone / Re: Bonds' homered? That reminds me of another homerun...

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:22:41 am »

Right.  And as for Kent's homerun, you just knew that he was going to do something, and a shibby was not needed, just a base hit.  You don't walk Berkman to get to Kent and expect to get away with it.  Ausmus' dinger was completely out-of-the-blue, holeee shit, type of thing.

I wasn't around for Hatcher's homer, so I recuse myself from any comparisons there.

Didn't even need a basehit, just a sac fly (there were either 0 or 1 outs and guys on 1st and 3rd).

When he hit it I was like- cool- deep enough to get the gw run home.  And then it kept going and going and we all went nuts.

Still my favorite game ever to be at.

The berkman shot a year later to give us the 2 run lead late was pretty freaking sweet. It's hard to compare those two feelings and figure out which was better. Both were awesome.

89

Talk Zone / Re: Jason Lane

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:18:07 am »

He's been the best defensive outfielder all season.  He's pretty much hopeless with the bat.

My gripe is that he's hitting 6th ahead of Bruntlett and Ausmus.  Treat him like you would any other defensive specialist, because that's all he is, and bat him 8th.

Power potential.  He's the last chance to clear the bases (and he has 3 or 4 times in the past week).

90

Talk Zone / Re: Off-day Biggio stats

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:11:44 am »

Maybe.  A pitch or two before his homerun, Zambrano threw an inside belt-high fastball that almost hit Craig.   If Craig was in the get hit mindset, it would have been #286.

That exact same thought went into my mind- I think he's done getting hit on cheapies. It's going to take a really wild one to get him now I believe (and has all year).

91

Talk Zone / Re: So let me pose a hypothetical

« on: August 09, 2007, 10:08:53 am »

Bingo.  I can't imagine the number of "can you believe what that asshat at ESPN said?" threads we'd have.

I'd celebrate like hell.

Yes we'd be the worst champions in baseball history (regular season wise), but we'd still be champs that year. I'd definately have no problem rocking the WS Champs t-shirt swag.

92

Talk Zone / Re: A-Rod

« on: August 08, 2007, 12:15:03 pm »

The whole thing was pretty cut and dried.

AROD screams like a sissy in a bush league move.

Toronto, next chance they get, drill him. Monday.

Toronto's pitcher Tuesday obviously dings AROD on purpose again Tuesday. Benches clear but nothing really happens, as is wont to do in situations where the players all want to look like hardasses but don't actually want to get in a scrap.

Everything settles down until Toronto's pitcher and 1st baseman start jawing at AROD some more. AROD takes offense and starts pointing and generally acting like the Kansas City Faggot he is. Benches re-clear. Larry Bowa goes insane. Matt Stairs is headed off at the pass as he comes flying at AROD like a hairy, fat torpedo. Someone's sister named Shelly comes out of the Yankees dugout to slow him down.

Everything gets settled.

Roger, being the massive douche that he is, dots a Blue Jay in what I assume was his idea of getting even for the 2nd beaning.

Angel Hernandez, in a shocking move, does the right thing and sends Roger to the showers.

Pretty standard.

Good summary. What was with Clemens jawing with Angel. Sure, Angel is a dueche, but Roger had to know that was coming and expect it. Also- he waiting long enough to make sure he had the game in hand and get the win. What a jackass.

93

Talk Zone / Re: Backe report

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:55:11 am »

3 2/3

87-90, pretty good curve, not great command

Gave up 5 hits and 2 runs

Thanks for the report. 

Question- did he have any good streches where he was in command throughout an inning, or was it spotty all the way through?

94

Talk Zone / Re: Woody

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:51:19 am »

To be at least somewhat fair though, sounded on TV like there were a LOT of Cubs fans at the game. Possibli some booing of the cheering, maybe?

I know I heard a Lets Go Cubs chant at one point for about 10 seconds before it was drowned out by booing on Monday night.

Good catch Mark. I myself have booed (along with most of the crowd) after braves HR's b/c 5k people are doing the tomahawk.

95

Talk Zone / Re: A-Rod

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:50:11 am »

i was being sarcastic when i said i was surprised to see clemens do that in the 7th...i don't sense the same sarcasm in your post.
are you talking about a-rod getting hit earlier in that game?  because getting hit in the back isn't exactly above the waist.

No- I was not being a bit sarcastic about saying my initial reaction was that I was surprised that the benches cleared and that Rocket retaliated.  Was listening to the game on the radio and Doray said benches emptied two times and I ddin't get why really

AROD getting plunked was itself retaliation- and usually it just ends there (especally considering his teammates basically thought what he did was bush league with the foul pop). Watching the video the anouncers were saying that it was the second night in a row, so the thought process probably is enough- it stops here.  Notice the first night there weren't any incidents.

Yes- I was talking about the way AROD got plunked earlier in the game. It wasn't at all head hunting or anything close. I think it was the fact he got hit again.

Compare it to when Roy got hit in Chicago after the Kerry Wood v Roy O debacle the week before. Roy just trotted down to first base and it would have been over then if sandy vagina did not follow him down the line yapping like the taco bell dog.

96

Talk Zone / Re: Woody

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:37:38 am »

I thought it was a really interesting game.

After the first four batters, the wife and I were giving each other sidelong looks... not the "Cialis commercial" type but the "this could get out of hand in a hurry" kind.  I'd have wagered some serious money against Woody going 6 innings and allowing just a run at that point.  But that's why it's such a fun game--you never know what you're gonna see.

Other thoughts...  WTF is up with Astros "fans" booing all the damn time?  Woody was getting booed in the first inning.  The first inning!  Borkowski got booed when he gave up a leadoff homer to make the score 5-2.  Pitchers give up runs--it's just what they do.  Booing when it happens is bullshit.

Also, the person who shoots off the homerun fireworks prematurely sucks as bad as the fan who interferes with a ball in play IMO.  Watch.  The.  Fucking.  Umpire.  It's not that hard.  An extra 2 seconds before the big boom will not kill the moment, I promise.

Frontrunning bandwaggoners who've been spoied by a decade and a half of baseball to expect a first place, or damn close to it team every year, combined with the toxic nature of the local media and below average baseball IQ in general of houston sports fans is my guess as to what is driving the booing.

97

Talk Zone / Re: Aww, look ... how cute

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:35:22 am »

So for something like $35 million, so far the Boss has got 12-12 with a 4.00 ERA in 222 innings?

It's costing the boss way more than that when you factor in the luxury tax- no?

98

Talk Zone / Re: A-Rod

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:29:22 am »

surprised to see where dq retaliated and got thrown out in the seventh after hitting toronto's alex rios in the back.
the home plate umpire that threw both he and torre out of the game?
angel hernandez.

I was surprised that the benches emptied and that there was retaliation. Everyone in the world knew this was coming next time the teams played each other.

I guess he also got plunked monday night though (no fireworks) so the thought is that was payback and this is just overkill.

It gets hard to keep up with the unwritten rules of who needs to get drilled and when. Probably just as soon not see anyone get hit.  That was a "professional" way to handle an intentional plunk though- below the waist.

99

Talk Zone / Re: Off to NYC for work and a game, any suggestions?

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:21:39 am »

Also, some NYC recommendations here:
http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=65319.0

Personally, I think the best pizza I've ever had was at a place called Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, basically at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Michael Scott Voice
There's a great little pizza place that I like to go to whenever I'm in NY.  Called Sbarro's. It's right there in times square.
Michael Scott Voice

100

Talk Zone / Re: Arizona extends Byrnes

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:51:42 pm »

when you have to explain your posts, you shouldn't have posted.

message board axiom

OK- ignore the last part about Mays.

Statistically, it doesn't look like Kenny Lofton is washed up (which is what I thought your comment about Mays being available was trying to say).

Has what you've seen with your own eyes told you that he is washed up. I've only seen him play a handful of times against the stros, and he seems to still be a solid major league player.

101

Talk Zone / Re: Arizona extends Byrnes

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:47:34 pm »

Sean - So, Lance... What're you doing after the game?

Lance - I was gonna go see a movie. SAY! Are those new cleats you're wearing?

Sean - What mo... Did you see the blonde in the first row over y'alls dugout?

Lance - Thou shalt not covet thy home team's hotties, Sean. Want some sunflower seeds?

Nominated for POTW

102

Talk Zone / Re: Cubs release WaMi

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:24:44 pm »

perhaps he was jerking you around.

Which is why I said either you or I. It is quite possible I didn't get the joke if one was being made. Wouldn't be the first time.

103

Talk Zone / Re: Arizona extends Byrnes

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:23:50 pm »

I love your posts - They are like down syndrome stream of consciousness.

First part of the post was Lofton's numbers, which was directly related to a discussion of CF FA's for the year 2008.

Last part of the post was about Willy Mays being really old which was a response to Jim's wisecrack, so tangentially related.

104

Talk Zone / Re: Arizona extends Byrnes

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:07:15 pm »

Mays is available.

his line from 2007 so far:

gms   AB     BA     OBP  SLg
94     350   .300  .375  .423


66 runs scored and 21 out of 26 stolen bases- guy can still run effectively.


Doesn't seem like a guy who needs to hang em up at the end of the year.

I went to a giants game about 15 years ago with my dad when Willie Mays through out the first pitch. He was my dad's favorite player ever and dad swears the best ball player ever to lace them up. He 3 hopped the ball to the plate.  Dad was kinda sad to see willy getting so old. Fun to listen to him tell stories about watching him as a kid though.

105

Talk Zone / Someone smart (maybe noe?) explain this wandy thing to me

« on: August 07, 2007, 02:00:56 pm »

He was outstanding again last night. I was sitting behind homeplate (but way up in the 400 section) and it looked like a generous strike zone (was it?)

His mastery at MMP is astounding, and yet he's been as bad on the road as he has been good at home. MMP isn't 10 run field like the national guys still seem to think it is, but it isn't a pitchers paradise either (especially for a lefty who would face a bunch of RH and the short porch advantage).  What is the deal with this guy's splits.

3rd Wandy game I've seen at home and he's been awesome every time. I really like watching him pitch this year at home. Well played game all the way around last night I thought. Mike Lamb was really hustling down the line last night which seemed to be missing earlier in the year. I liked the hustle all the way around.  Good fun night at the yard last night.  Free baseball and still the game only went about 2:40.

106

Talk Zone / Re: Astros-- Playoffs?

« on: August 07, 2007, 01:52:52 pm »

We are about to go on a sick run and make a push for the playoffs. Going into September 4-5.5 games out. Get Readddddddddddddddy!!!!

See- when I posted the same thing a week ago after the two game streak I even admitted I was a delusional idiot deserving of being mocked.

That said I like your spirit.  Need to sweep the rest of the homestand to have any discussion.

I'd like to finish ahead of the cards for the first time since 02.

107

Talk Zone / Re: Arizona extends Byrnes

« on: August 07, 2007, 01:50:10 pm »

Just for discussion, here is a list of free agent CFs after the season that I got on http://www.mlb4u.com :

Name - Team - Yrs Service - Age
Mike Cameron - Padres - 10 - 34
Brady Clark - Red Sox - 5 - 34
Jeff DaYanon - Dbacks - 5 - 33
Darin Erstad - WSox - 10 - 33
Steve Finley - Rockies - 18 - 42
Damon Hollins - Y. Giants (Japan) - 1.06 - 33
Torii Hunter - Twins - 7 - 32
Andruw Jones - Braves - 10 - 30
Kenny Lofton - Indians - 15 - 40
Corey Patterson - Orioles - 5 - 27
Curtis Pride - Angels - 5 - 38
Aaron Rowand - Phillies - 5 - 29

OK- I know he's 847 years old and has a pop gun for an arm, but how about a 1 year deal for kenny lofton as a backup contingency plan.  Fills CF and leadoff.  He keeps raking against the stros, but I have no idea what he has done against the rest of his competition as I don't watch much AL baseball.  He couldn't be that expensive, right?

108

Talk Zone / Re: Cubs release WaMi

« on: August 07, 2007, 01:44:47 pm »

I'm Paul. WaMi was 4-7 for the BoSox and the Scrubs.

Either you or I have a very serious sarcasm problem. I was not being serious in thanking you by misreferring to you as gerry. That was a prior reference to past situation with media and callers ah nevermind.

109

Talk Zone / Re: Cubs release WaMi

« on: August 06, 2007, 04:28:36 pm »

thanks gerry.


Isn't this the guy local mediots killed the astros for letting escape for nothing?

I don't think he won but a couple of games after leaving houston. Just another way the media is/was wrong.

110

Talk Zone / Re: Bobby Kielty?

« on: August 06, 2007, 12:27:40 pm »

Why would the Astros be interested in Kielty?

his career splits vs LHP

 vs LHP as RH  329 (games) .296  .379  .509  .888  ba/obp/slugging/ops

This looks decent. Maybe as a platoon partner for Luke Scott in RF next year (with Pence in CF).  Might figure that frees up the need to worry about OF next year, and now you are only looking for 2b (if upgrade over burke) and Catcher (If ausmus/munson isn't the answer). I assume he's been injured as he hasn't played much this year? (I don't follow the AL all that much)

As a side note- I interviewed him doing some promosional work for the northwoods league when I worked up there one summer. Talked to him (along with another radio guy) for like 25 minutes (he was with the twins at the time). He was the first Northwoods league alum to make it to the bigs, and he did it locally, so there were a lot of people intersted in his career. He seemed like a really nice guy (during the phone interview). 

111

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 06, 2007, 11:32:00 am »

I can't walk 10 feet in any direction at my office without running into a metrosexual, and can tell you with absolute certainty that none of them would be caught dead with a subscription to Maxim or any other magazine like it (anything with a focus on tits, beer, gadgets and shit blowing up). Details, GQ, and lifestyle porn like Metropolitan Home are in their wheelhouse.

You've got to keep up. You are working with older people so they are beyond that stage. Maxim is for "aspiring" Metrosexuals.

Look it up on wikipedia if you don't believe me.

112

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 06, 2007, 11:30:54 am »

We must be thinking about different types of Mets.

No- Metro's and Met's should also not be confused. Everyone knows that they Mets that play in Queens love taking it up the tailpipe

113

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 06, 2007, 11:16:20 am »

And butt plugs.

See, that's the thing about metro sexuals- they aren't into butt plugging (nttawwt). You'd think they were into butt plugging, but they aren't.

114

Talk Zone / Re: I probably deserve to be mocked for this

« on: August 06, 2007, 11:14:01 am »

Were you factoring in a 2-4 roadie before the amazing 5-1 homestand?

I think I'd said right before that paragraph that through the next homestnad they needed to do at worst 6-2.  That pretty much requires 6-0 on this homestand.

That, of course, is not going to happen. I get to go tonight though, so hopefully Wandy keeps up his Minute Maid Mastery.

115

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 05, 2007, 08:38:01 pm »

"aspiring metrosexuals"

i'm glad Wulaw alerted me to this category of folks. are there characteristics to watch for so i'll know them when i see them? other than their Maxim subscription, of course.

Frosted tips (like on clemens is good). Guys that get manicures. People that wear "ironic" t-shirts (whatever the hell this means), guys that buy $200.00 jeans.  All the previous posts about body spray and hair care products and all the like also fit.

116

Talk Zone / Re: From the former astros making good file...

« on: August 05, 2007, 08:29:48 pm »

As with some of your posts, I just wasn't sure.

If anything I am a lackey for the front office. You will never see me making a post condemning them for having done something stupid (I don't think there are idiots in the FO like some seem to think). I may disagree with them, but I know they've got their reasons and I generally endeavor to try to understand them.

117

Talk Zone / Re: I probably deserve to be mocked for this

« on: August 04, 2007, 03:51:21 pm »

Actually, they're one hot week from being one hot week out of the race. I wouldn't say getting within six games of the division lead with six weeks to play is exactly in the middle of the race.

1 game a week is what bagwell always said is about all you could really hope to make up in a pennant race. You're right- 6 games back wouldn't be in the middle of the race- it would be on the periphery (but oddly enough- still involved).

118

Talk Zone / Re: I probably deserve to be mocked for this

« on: August 04, 2007, 03:08:02 pm »

You realize that every other team in the league includes the Astros in this category, right?

Absolutely I realize this. And they are not wrong in including the astros in this category.

The thing is, it looks like the NL central will be won by a mediocre team for the second year in a row. A 7-1 stretch through the next homestand would put the astros in position to make such a run.

The real point I'm making is this:  It is incredible to me, that after such a crappy season, the astros are one hot week (sweeping the cubs and brew crew) away from being right back in the middle of this "race"

I'm sure it's wishful thinking, but it's not out of the realm of possibility to still make things interesting.

3-3 or worse next week and I'm waiving the white flag on the season.  Another 36-10 starting today wins the division. I don't see the talent level on this team for 36-10, but I'm going to keep hoping until I can't hope anymore, and then I'm still going to keep watching anyway, b/c it will be a depressing 5 months without Astros baseball after the 30th of September.

119

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 02:59:04 pm »

do you ever read what you have posted and ask yourself "why?"

you should.

Why did I make that post?  In a word, context.

I was responding to pravata explaining what to expect in the general maxim article.

I've always valued what you've posted here and been polite to you. If you cannot return the favor feel free to ignore me- it absolutely, positively will not hurt my feelings.  Your last three posts in response to me have been totally and completely unnecessary.

120

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 02:56:42 pm »

You're a 21 metrosexual?  Or is that just something you aspire to?  There are people who are taking this article "seriously".   At least serious enough that they are using it to vindicate their opinions regarding Garner.   Nobody in this forum mind you.  I like to think we've all made clear what a large mistake that would be.

No- I thought I made that clear that it was in the past tense. I'm a 29 year old lawyer. And I've never been a metrosexual.  But I think the magazine is geared toward them and aspiring metrosexuals.

121

Talk Zone / Re: From the former astros making good file...

« on: August 04, 2007, 02:54:37 pm »

Is this what the Second Coming of Fredia will be called?

Outstanding- I actually did laugh out loud reading that.

122

Talk Zone / Re: From the former astros making good file...

« on: August 04, 2007, 02:54:08 pm »

Sarcasm:Mr. Happy::fastball down the middle:Morgan Ensberg.

correct- that was sarcasm all the way Mr. Happy.

123

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:52:20 am »

OK, so it's actually a magazine of people having opinions on topics they're not qualified (yeah I can decide that) to have opinions on for some other people who find this sort of thing amusing.   

Near as I could tell, from having a subscription for a year, yes, that's exactly right.

Some of the articles are ok (actually- I'm probably being a bit too charitable as I'm saying this about stuff I didn't know anything about- maybe it all sucks if you knew anything about the subject) factually, but really it's just a platform for sophomoric humor and nearly naked women.  Really, some of the lines are funny, some of the articles are funny (in a way that a movie like knocked up or the 40 year old virigin is funny), but nothing that you should take too seriously. I kind of doubt that the writers of the article even take the stuff seriously.

They'll give you your sex tips, give you your style tips and music tips and movie tips and all that stuff. Teach you how to conform to a 20 somthing hipster metrosexual lifestyle while trying to also provide humor along the way.  Looking back it is really a shallow and vapid magazine. Seeing a link to it made me laugh a bit that anyone would get worked up over the magazine.

So after all that you might ask- why did I subscribe. Well, it was dirt cheap (like 12 bucks for the year with my subscription deal for a cheap priceline flight when I was in school), the articles are funny at times, and the women were hot on the magazine. Not the worst product to try to target to a 21 year old.

124

Talk Zone / From the former astros making good file...

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:31:39 am »

Tim Redding pitched 7 strong last night, giving up 1 run for the nats vs the thirdnals and lowered his ERA to under 3.00.

Tim Redding- sub 3.00 era.  This weeks sign of the apacolyps.

Good job getting rid of him for nothing poopoora

125

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:29:50 am »

It's the rankest of bullshit. Just another in a long series of examples of people having opinions on things they shouldn't. They are criticizing Garner for playing and leading off Biggio.  Everyone with a functioning frontal lobe knows that's not his decision.  Then for his  strategy that "fixed" Lidge when everyone else wanted to trade him for a half eaten bowl of Sheriff Blaylock's.   I like that they think the Lidge decision was because of a "single blown save".  To their credit they didn't mention The Smirking Goon.

Oh- I agree completely. It's just that there were 14 other posts skewering it- didn't feel the need to restate the obvious, that the guy is full of shit. Maxim sports always suck. I remember reading it heading into the 02 NCAA tourney talking about how bad and overrated the big 12 was only to see UT, KU and OU in the final 8, texas out in the final four and Kansas out in the finals. Their college football pieces have always been garbage.  Basically, articles in Maxim are designed to give the writer a chance to include a couple of snarky comments and a your mother blast.  Somewhat funny at times, but rarely if ever enlightening. That's not what they are going for- they are going for a laugh and showing a lot of skin. Don't expect anything profound.

I saw the line about the inflatables peddling lesbian and I think she has more ability/room to comment then the maxim guy, and might be onto something vis a vis different horses for different courses. A managerial change might be made at the end of this season, and it might turn out ok.  To say Garner is crap as a manager is bs though.   

126

Talk Zone / Re: Sampson to DL. randolph to Houston.

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:06:03 am »

I don't think so.  Not unless Jennings says something.   They had that meeting with the trainer and the pitching coach.  That's where the Sampson decision came from.  We can't be tempted to think that they wouldn't DL Jennings if they knew he was hurt just because they already had a pitcher on the DL.

Speaking of DL'd pitchers- what's the prognosis for Backe- september 1 or thereabouts.

127

Talk Zone / Re: I probably deserve to be mocked for this

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:04:45 am »

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

I do know what that word means. I should have typed out the rest of the thought. It would not be inconceivable to make up a six game deficit (against 2 teams hovering near 500) in a month and a half.  I thought that was clearly where I was going with the rest of the post.  A good week gets 6-2 or 7-1) gets the astros right back in the thick of the division race.

128

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 10:01:23 am »

well, thanks for sharing

Ok- that article is bullshit.  Happy?

129

Talk Zone / I probably deserve to be mocked for this

« on: August 04, 2007, 09:55:59 am »

but I was just looking at the schedule and noticing the stros are only 10.5 back. And have a six game homestand coming up with the cubs and brewers.  If they could pull off like a 5-1 type deal they could get to about 6 games back, with a month and a half left.  That is nowhere near inconceivable.

After that is a 7 game trip to LA and SD.  Now, if the go .500 there then it's a 10 game crapfest at home with the dregs of the NL thrown in there (Pitt, Washington and the thirdnals).

25 games counting the 2 left with the fish in August. Not a tough slate at all left. I think that a simple little 18-7 or something like that puts Houston about a handful of games out.  This crapfest of a season still ain't over yet.
Hard to believe- I'm probably just crazy though.

130

Talk Zone / Re: According to Maxim, Garner is the "crappiest" manager

« on: August 04, 2007, 09:28:15 am »

You are not paying heed to Kevin's inflatables-peddling butch lesbians. He is merely a situational manager, who I guess was in the right situations at the right time those two years.

I think that the idea of a situational manager is not necessarily wrong imo.  Some guys are meant for teaching and developing (Jimy Williams, Art Howe) etc and some guys are meant for more veteran teams that kinda run themselves (again, just my opinion).  Maybe Gar isn't the right guy for a retooling/rebuilding job. He didn't seem to have much success in Milwaukee or Detroit when charged with that. I really like Gar, but I don't know that in game decision making is necessarily a strength.  More, getting everyone on the same page, to show up and play hard and more or less keep their mouth's shut, which is, to my way of thinking, more important than how often you double switch or when you hit and run.

131

Talk Zone / Re: Further proof ESPN is bottom of the barrel crap

« on: August 03, 2007, 02:05:35 pm »

I think ric is right. He's trying to be cleverly sarcastic. It didn't work.

I'd like to think that usually clever sarcasm doesn't fly over my head. I'd say I'm certainly in the top 3% of the general population that way.

Maybe the problem was the sarcasm wasn't clever, or maybe the problem is that I'm an idiot.  I didn't read it that way at all. Even upon rereading I don't know that I got that.  If so I think he missed his mark
Dude is writing a book about the "superfly" 70's though, so I don't know if this is toungue in cheek or not, having not read prior works of his.

132

Talk Zone / Further proof ESPN is bottom of the barrel crap

« on: August 03, 2007, 12:44:59 pm »

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=boyd/070802&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2

An article written by a 50 year old calling hank aaron a playa hater and written in street slang ebonics.

What the hell is wrong with the world wide leader- the channel that I grew up loving?

133

Talk Zone / Re: best astro squads ever

« on: August 03, 2007, 12:22:40 pm »

No love for the 2nd best year record-wise in franchise history?  Imagine what would have happened had it not been for a roided up asshole racist Braves relief pitcher.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.shtml

Or Walt Weiss. That still feels like a kick to the groin not getting a run with the bases juiced and no outs.

134

Talk Zone / Re: Good FT. Worth article slamming Tex/boras

« on: August 03, 2007, 12:17:58 pm »

Money quotes from the article:

"[General manager Jon Daniels] and Eric had made a lot of progress talking about the new contract," Hicks said. "And then Scott got involved."

Listening to Hicks talk about Agent Evil leads me to think that the owner isn't scared of Boras. But he clearly has grown tired of him, tired of the wedge that Boras drives between player and team.

Like a stray dog, Boras wanders into a neighborhood, does his business and moves on, leaving the local citizenry to contend with the smell. Hicks, the owner, lives here, and so he is left to weather the daily public relations heat.

135

Talk Zone / Good FT. Worth article slamming Tex/boras

« on: August 03, 2007, 12:15:28 pm »

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/187532.html

136

Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts on upcoming transactions

« on: August 03, 2007, 12:06:29 pm »

Call me crazy but I think that the Astros should resign Lamb and Loretta and give both starting positions.  And I wouldn't be upset if the Astros give Munson the starting job at c and let him be the bridge until Towles is ready for the majors.

Munson c
Lamb 1st
Loretta 2nd
Everett ss
Wigginton 3b
Lee lf
Pence cf
Berkman rf

I think that that is a pretty solid starting lineup (although I'm not sure who leads off).  With the exception of Everett, this is a lineup of solid hitters with a couple of stars in Berkman and Lee (and maybe Pence?).

The bigger question on the Astros is going to be pitching because outside of Zambrano, no one on the list of free agent pitchers really impresses.  The Astros need a #2 and probably a #3 starter.  Sampson, Backe, and Wandy are sufficient for the 4-5 spots.

OK- I'm calling you crzzy. Lamb doesn't hit enough to be a good first baseman, why would you stick him in the lineup there and banish Berkman to the OF- where you really don't want him playing.

If you want to bring lamb back and make him a starter make it at 3b and make wigginton the 2b starter. I don't think your pitchers are going to like that though.

I like Loretta coming back at 2b.

It's not that I don't like lamb, or wouldn't consider giving him a starting spot- but you are not going to inconvenience berkman by putting  him in RF to get lamb's bat on the field (I realize they are doing that now- but that's not the way you decided to go into the season).

137

Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts on upcoming transactions

« on: August 03, 2007, 11:33:52 am »

1.  When Everett is healed, what is the roster move to bring him back?  Lane to the minors?  Bruntlett?

2.  At some point this month, I expect the news that Palmeiro has been released.  This would be a move very typical of how the Astros run things - let the guy go in time to see if he can catch on with a playoff team needing a LH PH.

3.  After Purpura confronting Jennings about his health, I'm wondering how many starts he has before they say "you can have an MRI, or we can just shut you down."  However, I'm not sure if you'd see Albers or Patton take those starts.

4.  Ransom may be raking at RR, but where does he fit in?  They've clearly invested in Wigginton for the next couple of years at 3b, they're going to give Burke at least the rest of the season, if not 2008, at 2b.

5.  When interviewed a couple of days ago, Purp said that they are set at "first base, left field, third base, and either center or right" for next year, and that everything else was up for grabs.  I was surprised to hear that Everett wasn't on the list.  Thoughts?

Heard the same interview as MM and he is exactly right on where he mentioned Purp saying they were set with no mention of AE at SS.  I was kinda suprised.  It wasn't like he was speaking with notes in front of him though, could have been an oversight.

138

Talk Zone / Re: Patton 2

« on: August 03, 2007, 11:31:08 am »

Mark and i saw him pitch last night, which was my second time. efficient outing--no Ks (i think), but they did not hit him very hard. lots of lazy fly balls.

not much velocity: 84-87 with a rare bump to 89. most were in the 85-86 range.

Ransom is making the most of Purpura's attendance (if he still was there). he hit a monster 3-run HR to break the game open.

Thanks for the scouting report coach- much appreciated.

139

Talk Zone / Re: Today's DQ Moment

« on: August 02, 2007, 03:19:02 pm »

Since we're posting former player stats, Morgan hit a 2 run shot in the second for the fathers.

Good for him- I hope he turns it around and has a fine career.

140

Talk Zone / Re: I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 02, 2007, 03:04:47 pm »

Still happens... earlier this season, Corpus had a near dust-up with an opponent because the opposing pitcher plunked a batter after a Corpus baserunner stole 2nd with a sizable lead in the later innings.

When the incident was described to me, none of the Corpus guys appeared angry with the opposing pitcher.  Rather, they questioned their own teammate for taking the base in that situation.

That was the only point I was making at all. That fly ball was to deep second base- I thought the situations were analagous.

141

Talk Zone / Re: Rosenthal - Astros notes as of this morning:

« on: August 02, 2007, 12:23:30 pm »

Twiddle the knobs on your sarc meter, somehow people think it's illuminating to mention Purpura's weight when they are criticizing his trades.

I got that- I was just making a joke is all.

142

Talk Zone / Re: September

« on: August 02, 2007, 12:19:52 pm »

Well I see talk of bringing up Estrada and Conrad who haven't had good seasons either.  Conrad is hitting about .222 and even JimR says Estrada has been bad.  Not to mention come football season in September there are going to be a lot of empty seats in MMP. 

Also, I thought September call ups don't count towards major league time or options.  Is this wrong?

No- it still counts as service time- it is just that there is not enough of it to move up your Free Agent or Arbitration clock. So there's no real penalty to the team from that standpoint to a september call up.  You do, of course, have to pay them a prorated portion of the league minimum. So bringing up 6 guys is equal, roughly speaking, to a full year at major league minimum.  Not a ton to a guy worth a billion- but hey- every couple hundred k counts I suppose.

143

Talk Zone / Re: Baseball America's best tools

« on: August 02, 2007, 12:16:13 pm »

But Reyes and Rollins are better offensively.

THat logic sponsored by Rawlings gold glove award, who gives you Raphy Palmero as 1b winner in a year he played 19 games in the field...

144

Talk Zone / Re: I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 02, 2007, 12:13:38 pm »

What in the world does soccer have to do with anything?

One of my next reading projects is title how soccer explains the world. I'm interested, but not enough so to read it right away- I'm probably saving it for plain/inlaws in a couple of weeks. Maybe then I'll have an answer to your question Arky.

145

Talk Zone / Re: I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 02, 2007, 09:33:45 am »

bs

BS to what- pitchers in the past didn't hit guys basically for sport. BS- that stuff like stealing bags up 10 runs late didn't lead to dust ups?  that stuff all sure as shit happened for a long point in time of baseball.  

146

Talk Zone / Re: I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 02, 2007, 09:26:36 am »

OK- I've seen plenty of incidents stem from shit like that.  Specifically, when I was growing up a stolen base late up 5 or 6 runs almost always resulted in someone getting plunked.

I didn't say I was advocating it Jim- I just said I was surprised when it didn't happen. I guarandamntee you there's some guys out there that would have lit the next guy up in that situation.  Or at least that's the way the game used to be played by the likes of Gibson's and Drysdales and what not when they felt like the other team had done something disrespectful (or hell- in Gibson's case just b/c the other guy got a good swing off of him).

I just reread my post and it sounds like I'm pining for those days. I'm not. I think essentially that it's a chickenshit act to throw a baseball at somebody b/c they beat you. I'm sorry if it's coming out that I'm advocating that, or pining for the old days when "pitchers were men and hitters were afraid to dig in against them" or anything like that. I don't think that headhunting should ever happen, and I think hitting a guy on purpose should be reserved for very special occasions. I'm just saying that it's different now then back then in a lot of ways. This is not a bad change imo

147

Talk Zone / Re: I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 02, 2007, 09:22:12 am »

OK- I've seen plenty of incidents stem from shit like that.  Specifically, when I was growing up a stolen base late up 5 or 6 runs almost always resulted in someone getting plunked.

I didn't say I was advocating it Jim- I just said I was surprised when it didn't happen. I guarandamntee you there's some guys out there that would have lit the next guy up in that situation.  Or at least that's the way the game used to be played by the likes of Gibson's and Drysdales and what not when they felt like the other team had done something disrespectful (or hell- in Gibson's case just b/c the other guy got a good swing off of him).

148

Talk Zone / Re: If you think Houston sportswriters are pricks ...

« on: August 01, 2007, 10:01:01 pm »

Jeff Kent, who is almost as old as you can be to still play this game, batted .447 during the month of July and had a monster home run in Houston, so I asked him before Tuesday night's game if he would take a drug test.

He poured out a bottle of water, and then offered to fill it on the spot, but I explained I was concerned about HGH and that would require a blood test.

"How about I fill the bottle and then spit blood in it," Kent said, and I've heard about 'roid rage, but how would you ever tell with Kent?

Look at me I'm part of the story!

149

Talk Zone / I'm kind of surprised Tex didn't get dusted

« on: August 01, 2007, 09:56:37 pm »

after the bravos had a guy hosed at the plate- up 12-2 or whatever it was in the 7th.

JD seemed a bit incredulous that they were sending a guy in that situation (especially on such a bang bang type play).

I've seen guys pull up at third before on balls they could have trotted home on in similar situations. I'd think this would be akin to stealing a base up by a bunch- which often causes sparks. Plus, with how beat down the stros have been lately I would have thought there was a chance for some fireworks.

150

Talk Zone / Re: Noe, you wanted pitching?

« on: August 01, 2007, 10:13:15 am »

The Diamondbacks won the World Series with just such a team.

kinda what I was thinking- damn that'd be a scary team to face in the playoffs.

151

Talk Zone / Re: godamn it, purpura!!!!!

« on: August 01, 2007, 10:10:17 am »

So much wrong with this post.

1.  Loretta and Lamb will result in draft pick compensation, should they leave after being offered arbitration.  Even a supplemental 1st-rounder should result in more than the "organizational filler" they were offered.

2.  Texeira is not a FA until after next season.

3.  Gagne and Texeira are both much, much better players than anyone the Astros were offering, unless you include "listening to offers for Lidge" under the definition of "offering".

4.  Mahay is no throw-in.  Look what short relievers were bringing in this year - specifically, compare to Linebrink and Wheeler.

5.  Murphy was compared by others to Jason Lane.  I think that's being awfully generous to young David. 

And you still haven't answered the multiple questions of "exactly who was offered for these players that they should have pulled the trigger?"

POTW content wise. I don't know if that is what POTW is about, but you hit the nail directly on the head on every single point.

152

Talk Zone / Re: Noe, you wanted pitching?

« on: August 01, 2007, 10:08:29 am »

Perhaps this guy could be had after 2008.

I mean, it would take at least 7/$140M, but he'll be the biggest free agent of the decade.

If you could do it for those terms I'd jump at it.

With him and Roy taking up 35 million, and lance and Carlos taking up 30 million that doesn't leave much money to fill out the rest of the roster.  If he and Roy and Lance and Carlos are at the top of their games though, you don't need much else.

153

Talk Zone / Re: Second Base next year

« on: August 01, 2007, 10:06:07 am »

Where did this come from? Was it necessary?

Agreed- sometimes Clark on Clark violence is warranted and funny, but this came from out of nowhere. The premise of the OP wasn't ridiculous at all.

To answer the question though, I don't think there is any way the astros want him to be their front of the line option at 2b. I think they are very comfortable having him wait in the wings to take over a greater role in case of injury (see Everett, Adam) as he has this year.

Great guy to have on a club imo.  Not a starter on a pennant winning calibre club agian jmo

154

Talk Zone / Re: Rosenthal - Astros notes as of this morning:

« on: July 31, 2007, 05:46:24 pm »

Also, he's large.  This offends all the skinny people in Houston.

There are no skinny people in houston, don't you read men's health or whatever publication ranks the fattest cities in the fattest country in the world?

155

Talk Zone / Re: The Open Free Agent Market

« on: July 31, 2007, 02:50:46 pm »

And the MLBPA likes to think that the gap between the elite and the not so elite is blurred by the money spent.  Meaning, you get an owner to give A-Rod 30 million, that means the Mark DeRosa's of the baseball world are now worth 10 mil a year.   Remember when giving A-Rod 10 million a year was enough to make your head spin?  I do.  Heck, I even remember thinking that giving him anything above 5 million (at one time) a year was scary.

I don't think it should work like that, many GM's don't fall into that trap, but it only takes one to do a contract to give you that money and then you are a $10 million a year player.

156

Talk Zone / Re: The Open Free Agent Market

« on: July 31, 2007, 01:37:21 pm »

All MLB clubs live under the revenue/cost services rules born out of the disasters that almost happened in Arizona and Colorado.  Owners are not allowed to spend money, future expenditures, unless they can show that they are going to have revenue streams to cover the life of the contracts.  Anything above and beyond the reasonable threshold for spending against revenue generation is subject to stiff penalties including the MLB taking over your franchise.  When Colorado gave out very generous contracts to guys like Mike Hampton, they did so with little regard to future earnings to cover the life of the contract.  They came very close to going into MLB receivership and each and every owner in the MLB would've had to pony up the money to keep the franchise solvent.  Same with Arizona.  That is why there was serious talk about contraction of franchises a few years back that the MLBPA balked at.

So the foundation is in place already to place soft caps for owners.  The MLBPA feared those soft caps, but realized later that it is floating scale.  Meaning the more money you make to cover the cost of player salaries, the better the cap for owners.  No owner in the MLB spends money from their own pockets, it's not allowed.  Not even George Steinbrenner.  So if the trending is correct, there isn't a foreseable near future where your scenario will happen.  However, smart GMs will make the moves like Houston is doing to secure club controlled players who are major league ready to fill out important roles/complement jobs.  Not utility or minor leaguers types, but very good players along the lines of Wiggington.  You don't want to go into the FA market to pluck out a DeRosa for example, if you can trade for a Wiggington who is the same player.

But you do want to spend in the FA market because you almost have to in order to stay a contender and not go into rebuilding mode.  Drayton McLane is not a rebuilding mode type of owner, which is why the media slams against the owner perplex me somewhat.  They paint him out to be a miser, but he's far from it.  Any way, even if your prediction comes true in the somewhat near future, we're talking about this offseason to reload.

Look towards pitching in the FA market and look to spend (wisely) for the middle rotation types who chew up innings.  Makes for a much better bullpen too.

The only thing I disagree with in your scenario is the idea that wigginton is a cheap alternative. For somebody good like that he's going to get arbitration the next two years.  He'll make somewhere between 4 and 5 million next year, and 5 and 6 the year after- so he's not super cheap- but cheaper than getting him (or someone like him) via free agency).

I agree with the point about the astros needing pitching. I think that they need a solid #2 type. Not Jennings (even prior to this year who is arguable about being a #2) but an Andy Pettite in NY before houston type #2.

Those guys don't grow on trees- I have no idea if there are any even out there on the market (Carlos Z is an Ace in my opinion).

157

Talk Zone / Re: calling anyone with inside info

« on: July 31, 2007, 12:34:42 pm »

Hmmm... wish I would've said that!

in less words!  (I like your long posts though).

Houston has the ace- check

Intriguing arms at the bottom of the rotation fairly cheap- Check

Intriguing cheap arms in bully- Check

Dominant closer- Looks good- Check

Just need another stud at the top if you think (which I do) that some combination of Williams, Sampson, Wandy, Patton, Backe can handle the back end of the rotation. None of them are making a ton except maybe woody.

158

Talk Zone / Re: The Open Free Agent Market

« on: July 31, 2007, 12:29:15 pm »

Again, I blame the owners not the players or the GMs who do try to bring in market sanity.  Look, when A-Rod and Boras openly pronounce the market rate for his service is going to be 30 million a year, then you're looking at the first 200 million dollar contract for a player.  The way the MLBPA has looked at this is that as long as the upper echelon players move the scale upwards, the mid-level guys get to ride the coattails and move along with them.  Are they wrong?  They would be if GMs ran the money side, but too many owners have gotten involved now that we are seeing the effect that the MLBPA wished for.  And hence why you have peace in the CBA negotiations in the MLB that is unprecedented.  Then MLBPA has managed to make the dreams of the mid-level guys come true mainly because the owners have gotten the media market windfall and gate receipts to pay that sort of money without doing it in a debt services manner.

IOW - the market is such because the revenues are healthy for the MLB at this time.  Owners will spend and mid-level guys will get the money for the foreseeable future.  But I trust that "spend wisely" is still in effect for those GMs who know they have to spend money, but realize that spending 30 million on one A-Rod is probably foolish when you can buy 1 Zambrano and two mid-level guys for pretty much the same money.

See, I believe that Houston will spend like everyone else.  What they spend on is the key.  If you gotta spend, don't go after mid-level guys that you can trade for (Wiggington is a better example than Bruntlett).  But you do have to spend, so go get some pitching help.  Houston needs a middle rotation guy for the near future, either a solid #2 or #3 that can eat up innings and help bolster the starting five.

Like I said in my oriignal post- that's the way the dollars are trending right now, but I can't imagine it continues on indefinately.  AROD for $30 million a year makes sense to me on a certain level (you can't get anything like him from anyone except him- or maybe Pujols).  8 million per for a journeyman doesn't make sense, b/c you can come close to replacing those guys talents for a fraction.  I could be wrong though- I'm just guessing what the future will be like and maybe it isn't a problem and revenue continues to grow etc.

But I think we've seen most domestic revenue sources tapped. Almost everyone is in a newish stadium with luxury boxes. Many clubs own their own TV distribution networks. Their are ad billboards all over. Owners are getting (presumably) as much as they can from ticket prices. We've got satelite Radio and TV deals. Outside of exploding your market internationally I don't see where the extra revenue is going to come from that we've seen in record amount pour into MLB in the past couple year.  Juberno.

159

Talk Zone / Re: The Open Free Agent Market

« on: July 31, 2007, 11:17:40 am »

I'm not picking on you, but can you explain to me what you just said.

Sure- if Mark Derosa in 3 or 5 years becomes worth 7 or 8 million dollars on the open market- teams are going to say- screw it- I can get Eric Bruntlett (or a guy just like him) to do the same thing for me (but not quite as well) for like $500k a year.  They are going to make those kind of decisions more frequently, and guys like Derossa will be out of a job (this is just my guess).

This happened in the NBA with the last collective bargaining agreement in the 90's.  They guaranteed vets with a certain amount of experience in the league a 7 figure salary and they found that there were no vets with that amount of service time in the league anymore at the end of the bench.  IOW you had to be really good and a key component on the team, otherwise they were going cheaper and younger.  Didn't keep guys around as much for "leadership" or "insurance" or the like.

I would have to think the same thing might happen in MLB if you see salary's for journeymen like Derossa get to the point you are talking about- b/c I can't see how the market could take that.

160

Talk Zone / Re: The Open Free Agent Market

« on: July 31, 2007, 11:02:50 am »

All the talk about Ty Wiggington got me thinking about the actual cost of getting a similar player on the open free agent market.  I looked at Mark DeRosa, a player who has been very similar in career to Wiggington of sorts.  DeRosa played all sorts of positions for the Atlanta Braves trying hard to land a full time job with them.  Later, he spent some time with the Rangers, where he was on a similar path until the one day that second baseman Ian Kinsler went down to injury.  Even then, DeRosa was playing quite a bit as a RF for the Rangers.

All that meant that as a full time player, DeRosa produced his best career numbers:

over 500 ABs for the first time in his career
132 games played
.296 Batting average
.357 OBP
.456 SLG
.813 OPS
13 Homeruns
74 rbis

So this guy hits the open market last off season.  Those are good numbers, but not elite A-Rod numbers for sure.  It speaks to role player, complimentary starter.  So you figure this in days past was a 1.5 million per year player or so.  Maybe 2 million per year tops, perhaps a two year with an option sort of deal... at the high end.  But what the current open market for free agents produced for DeRosa was a 3 year deal at 4.3 million per year.  13 homeruns, 74 RBIs... 4.3 million per year for three years?  Nice.

So if you think the Astros can just dive into the open free agent market and pull back a third baseman that is inexpensive and can produce over 20 homeruns and over 80 RBIs, guess again on the cost.  Maybe it's good to look at Aubrey Huff: 21 homeruns, 66 RBIs, .813 OPS (looks similar to DeRosa) - contract: 3 years at 6.6 million per year.  Remember, the market has been going up, not down each off season (and I blame the over inflation on the spending madness by owners, not the players asking for stupid contracts).

So a GM better pay attention to the market before he thinks he can just go to his owner and ask for money to go buy a shiny new corner infielder.  At the inflation prices, you will be looking a complimentary type player... like DeRosa, like Huff... heck like Wiggington who is younger that the other two... at 3 years and of course probably in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 mil per year.  Soon enough, we will be seeing mid-level players making 10 million per year.  Out-freaking-standing!  We're not talking A-Rod here, we're talking the market to purchase just a complimentary player... oh and you better hope they deliver at the very least their usual numbers instead of career numbers.  Oh wait, let's see... oh yeah... Gary Mathews Jr.: 19 Homeruns, 79 RBIs, great defense in center.  10 million per year, 5 years. Oh yeah, we're there for career year guys for sure.

It means more and more that GMs will be trading for club controlled mid-level guys and we all will be left scratching our heads why in the world they would even bother trading for such a guy.  Prospects we understand.  Prized veteran players we understand.  But trading for mid-level complimentary performers?  Whaaa? 

Perhaps a foray into the market trends helps us understand.

Noe- you are correct that the numbers are trending that way. I don't think that it can continue though. I'd think that you are going to see more young guys up-even if they ain't necessarily better than the older guys, b/c at a difference of 7 or 8 million a year you don't have to be as good as, you just have to be close.  Just what I see when I look in my crystal ball.

161

Talk Zone / Re: Rosenthal - Astros notes as of this morning:

« on: July 31, 2007, 10:56:17 am »

my buddy told me that as union members these guys essential have free health care for life for playing in 1 major league inning. He's coach at a D1 school and has worked on staff with some guys who played in the bigs so I assume he knows what he's talking about.

162

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:34:48 pm »

Yes, 1996 was rather weak, when he batted .263/.311/.418 and still drove in 113 runs. He did hit 40 doubles and 17 home runs, though.

In the four seasons from 1995 to 1998, Bell wasn't that bad: .295/.349/.448, with 38 doubles, 18 home runs, 95 runs and 110 RBI per 162 games while playing half his games in the Astrodome. If the Astros could find a right fielder with Bell's arm who would hit that way over the next four seasons, I'd sign him in a hurry.

I'd do that too if you promissed me operation shutdown #2 after that stretch

163

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:33:34 pm »

With a healthy Pettitte, 2004 would have been better.

That said... I was certain the 98 squad was WS-bound.  Fuck Kevin Brown.

Agreed also. He wasn't though, so they weren't. Could have had a WS champ that year too, with a couple different breaks.  98 was when the Yanks won eleventy billion games though- right?  Stros would have been a dog in that series, but one with a lot of fight.

164

Talk Zone / Re: calling anyone with inside info

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:31:21 pm »

so was i

If you trade him you got to do some bully work in the offseason then. Not the most daunting challenge ever, but an area you'd have to strengthen internally or through FA.

165

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:30:02 pm »

With very solid pitching.  Still can't believe the fucking Braves beat that team.

They didn't. Kevin Brown and Jim Leyritz did

166

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:29:28 pm »

with Biggio, Bagwell and Alou in the same lineup.

That really hurts just looking at it on the screen, and realizing Johnson was dominant as the ace and the bully was pretty damn good.  That was the best astros team I've ever seen I'm confident in sayiing.  Hampton was nails and reynolds was a decent #3 too.

167

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:28:04 pm »

Bell was a quality player in 1998, batting .314/.364/.490, hitting 41 doubles and 22 home runs, and scoring 111 and driving in 108.

You are right- I was thinking of 1996.

168

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:25:27 pm »

there is no such thing

By definition there has to be such a thing. Maybe it's like saying ugliest super model though...

169

Talk Zone / Re: calling anyone with inside info

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:23:54 pm »

the 8th inning pitcher is the least of this team's worries.

sorry if I was vague- I was thinking next year's team and what their worries might be when talking about trading Qualls.

I'm with you in the do it camp though- if you can get a good CF lead off type or a 2nd baseman (or catcher) of the future, and are parting ways with Loretta.

170

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:22:20 pm »

Huh??  As I recall, Bell absolutely thrived in that spot, while Morgan sucked eggs in the 2-spot.

he did. thus my quote about him being fragile and only performing when surrounded by 2 hall of famers in their prime in the lineup.

Still had the worst 100 RBI season I've ever seen on a winning club.  I think it was the year Bidge had 50 doubles and 50 steals.

171

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:18:30 pm »

Derek Bell had been a good player. hindsight....

Which is why I said revisionist bullshit. If you really liked abreau though (which I was never convinced the stros brass did) then you could hand him the job over bell- who was good, but fragile and surrounded by greatness (hitting 2 between top 5 NL players biggio and bagwell in their prime)..

I don't think we are in disagreement at all here. I was just saying the abreau crack is not quite as much bullshit as the Santana crack.  you'd need a delorean going 98 miles an hour to figure that one out.

172

Talk Zone / Re: calling anyone with inside info

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:15:58 pm »

what Limey said. he has more value than Wheeler, imo.

Agreed- but then who pitches the 8th inning next year when I'm guessing the stors will eye themselves as a contender? After the Wheeler trade we is down to two good relievers.

I'm not shedding any tears if Qualls is on the way out- I agree 100% with your assesment re Wheeler and Qualls relative value.

173

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:13:16 pm »

Full bullshit on Abreu.  He was under performing as an Astro and had an overly sandy vagina.

Sure- which is why you absolutely keep hidalgo protected over him. The symptoms you described also fit Derek Bell quite nicely. I always thought it was a false choice to say it came down to Abreau or Hidaldgo- it didn't have to.

But mainly it's revisionist bullshit either which way.

174

Talk Zone / Re: Elarton cut by Royals

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:11:00 pm »

I...uhh...was kidding...thought it was pretty obvious.  You see...i combined Jennings bad performance Sunday with Elarton's bad season numbers and threw them into this 'play on words'.  I'll be sure to clarify next time to make sure everybody gets it.

I didn't read it that way either.  About the time a guy dies isn't the nicest time to kick him.  Elarton's career looks dead- not cool

175

Talk Zone / Re: calling anyone with inside info

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:08:53 pm »

thanks. i was hoping Qualls is still in play.

Idle curiosity- why?

176

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 05:00:49 pm »

I think Johan Santana and Bobby Abreu are better examples of how Gerry was not perfect.

Bulllshit on Santana.  1/2 bull shit on Abreu

177

Talk Zone / Re: Munson

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:58:56 pm »

Jesus is even harder to listen to than read, if that is possible.  I do find it funny when he is on a panel of "experts" and is getting his ass handed to him (or post game).  Problem is he is to smug or stupid to realize he is being had.

Exactly, 100% spot on. I've always strongly disliked the jesus, but it didn't border on pathological hate until I heard him on John and Lance just dog biggio (while he had that bullshit petty vendetta thing going on with craig) and just get worked and abused by some callers. He was too damn stupid to realize what was going on. And he is just painful to listen to stylistically alone- no matter that what he says is crap.  Just a waste of space all the way around, in any format.

178

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler for Wigginton

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:54:25 pm »

One of the hardest things to evaluate is team chemistry.  First off, you have to think really hard what team chemistry actually means.  Does it mean winning?  Usually, it does, so to construct a team with good chemistry... construct one that is built to win.  You're well on your way.   Placing guys in positions to struggle (Burke in center?  Biggio in center?  Berkman in center? Put Luke in the Opening Day lineup?  Don't put Pence in the Opening Day lineup?) is a balance that a good GM must struggle with himself.  At a certain point, you take risk and try to minimize the impact on team chemistry.

So you not only put 'em in a uni and then a lineup, you think about the affect on team chem as well.  When Biggio was in CF, Roy Oswalt held it in but was demonstrably disgusted watching Biggio struggle to catch routine gappers to right center during a series with the Marlins early in the season.  Roy didn't hide his "Aw damnit!" facial expression when Juan Pierre hit a fly ball that fell harmlessly in for a triple when any natural CF would catch like a can of corn.  That season, Houston acquired Carlos Beltran and the first time Oswalt pitched with Beltran in CF for him was in Arlington.  Michael Young hit a long flyball to center against Oswalt and Roy hung his head knowing he just gave up a homerun.  Beltran went back and leaped at the last minute and when he landed, he was sitting on his duff.  He paused for a second and then got up and reached in his glove to pull out the ball.

Oswalt's face went from "Aw shoot!" to "Aw My Gawd!" in nano-seconds!  Later that season, Oswalt offered that having a legit CF on this team "probably adds 10 wins right there...".  Now that is team chemistry.

Quote is almost correct- it was that he said Beltran would save the team 10 runs a week the way I remember it. I thought that was a bit hyperbole, but the thought was definately right.

I remember tha catch up in Arlington well. I think that same game Beltran also had the only RBI in a 1-0 astros win, but I couldn't swear to it- that was too many shiners ago.

179

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:49:03 pm »

Then that is where you should just stop.  Anything else is your own deal as a fan and has no relevence to a discussion about the GM and Manager.  You don't like the trade, fine.  Duly noted.  You understand the trade, fine duly noted also.  Two different things, two distinct and seperate discussions.  All fair game as well.

I personally have a hard time making one mesh into the other, so it's about my inability to straddle the two items and not your problem at all.  Let's move on.

I didn't think that this was really that kind of discussion (on manager or GM).  Maybe I read the mood of the thread wrong.

I'm perfectly ok with letting this drop right now.

180

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:47:28 pm »

Ding, ding, ding.  Fans had their opinions for sure.  Very far from the truth of the matter even though the performance stats probably said Jay Powell sucked!  Just like Jason Jennings sucks right now and Tim Purpura is an idiot to have dealt away Jason Hirsh for him, not to mention Willy Taveras and Buchholz as well.

What about Dave Clark?

I wasn't on the board at that time, but it was a defensible acquistions that went horribly wrong.  I think he's my least favorite astro of all time (performance only-I'm sure he's a great human being etc. etc.) and now he's immortalized for newbies

181

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:42:48 pm »

Clarks don't matter to this discussion.  It matters to the discussion we've had today on confusing the heck out of me with your post about being absolutely sure that you can have the same opinion crop out of fandom reaction and having a clear understanding of the process to make said trade.  I think you said that you "did not like the trade, but understood it".  I find that really hard to juggle in the same sentence.  Because "liking a trade" is about fan opinion and preference.  The color of his eyes maybe?  The "understanding the trade" leaves little to discuss after a failed performance like yesterday in terms of the trade itself.

The performance is a discussion to be had apart from the decision by the GM and also the manager.  We had this sort of thing happening all the time with Brad Lidge for two years.  All the while, the man was actually throwing well.  I could not for the life of me understand how fans could go off on a player like they did with Lidge when their own eyes should tell them to back off just a tad from their own self important opinions.  If Nady hits a homerun off him, so what... it happens to all major league pitchers and it is not necessarily an indication that Lidge SUCKS! or that management was stupid to keep him around instead of DFA'ing this offseason.

See how this works?

See, that seems disingenuous to me to say eye color or the like. I understood the trade b/c you had to get a proven, top of the rotation type guy to eat innings- you need that to win.  And, you have to move Tavarez to give Burke a shot this year and Pence his shot (what was projected to be anyway) in 08.  I get all that.

From a fan perspective I liked watching Wily T dink and dunk and make every grounder an eyelash play. I was at a copule of Bucholtz games where he looked like Cy young. I'd heard good things about Hirsch. I had some emotional attachment with these guys, so I hated to lose all three of them for Jason Jennings.  

These two thoughts dont' seem at all contradictory to me. I'm certainly not saying I know more than Purpura, just that I hated losing those guys in the trade, thus I hated the trade.

When I was a kid I loved Champ Summers b/c he hit a Pinch HR on my birthday in the 9th inning that my dad predicted (also cementing in my 6 year old mind that my dad was the smartest man alive and could certainly  kick your dad's ass).  There doesn't have to be anything more to it then the emotional investment in the team and players. I don't believe I've said one bad word about the trade since the season started though- b/c it was rational and made sense. I'm not trying to second guess.

182

Talk Zone / Re: Elarton cut by Royals

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:33:59 pm »

Sad, I always like Elarton.

Me too- I remember saying no way can you give up Elarton and Hidalgo for Roger Clemens- he's about done and Elarton has such a long career in front of him.

Further proof I'm no GM.

183

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:30:22 pm »

DO you like me? (check one) {yes} /{No}

I'm just trying to figue out where he's coming from. If we are in agreement then there's no real sense going 2 more pages with this thread for me.

Hell- If we ain't in agreement there's no sense in that either, but at least I'd know where he is coming from

184

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 04:26:09 pm »

Here is the rub, no one said it was against any rules or that it was stupid to have fandom opinions.  No one!  I said repeatedly that if you want to have a forum that is about spouting your own opinions and making this about you (the fans), then knock yourselves out.  I just think that is limit talk and really is what just about anyone and everyone does in blogs, radio call in show, blah, blah, blah.  So again, read carefully folks... it's okay to do that!

We're all fans!

Now that this is clear, do you all understand now that the line crossing over into *knowing* (not opinion, facts) more than the GM or manager simply because you *CAN* have an opinion is a different matter altogether and the two do not... repeat... DO NOT... mix.  Oil and water.  Know the difference between the two and all is gravy.  Because when I'm going off as a fan, it's matters very little only to me because at that point it's about me and only me.  It's a fan's right!  But it has nothing, zilch, nada, zip, zero to do with the Houston Astros and in that *CONTEXT* it doesn't matter a hill of beans what I think!

By realizing this, I get a very healthy dose of knowing what I am as a fan and thus will allow me to talk about the team in terms of my fandom and their responsibility.  It is a line that should not be blurred, IMHO of course.

Ok, Noe- I agree with almost every word in this post.

I guess our difference (if we have one) would be that I don't feel like we really see many (any from non-clark's?) posts on here where the poster "knows" they are better than Purp- do you agree or disagree with this premise?

185

Talk Zone / Re: Munson

« on: July 30, 2007, 03:55:13 pm »

The attitude that got him suspended last year has not resurfaced.  He has not missed any playing time to injury this year.  If I were making out my list at this point and time of the top 10 players, he would be the top position player and be #3 overall in the org.  I think he is a long shot, but he also has a great track record of making the most of opportunities.  As I have said several times on here before:

In 05 he was driving to Tri - Cities when he got the call to go to Lexington because Lou was hurt.  All he did was hit .346 for the rest of the season.  This year, his AA call up was supposed to be for a few weeks, but I don't seeing him using that round trip ticket anytime soon.

It will be interesting to watch in the spring. 

Charlie Pallilo has already gone on record as the astros suck as an organization if he isn't catching in the bigs this september...

186

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 03:51:06 pm »

how many people outside your office take shots at how you do your job? would they be qualified to do so?

thanks for your opinion. tell me how you know what moves could "conceivably be made" so that any opinion you have on that is intelligent.

See- my disagrement with Jim wasn't even over my opinion on the deal- but rather what my opinion on the opionions of the general fan base were.

I sometimes wish there was more civility on this site, but only for a little bit as part of what makes it fun is the assholeary of many on here toasting people with weak "takes".  That's not really the site's best purpose (imo of course) as what I really like best is gleaning insight into all things astros on this site. That being said- i appreciate seeing/reading what many of yall have to say on such matters. Sorry if that's not everyone's bag or if I fall into what some don't like with sharing thoughts or opinions. I don't really see the point of the TZ without such a give and take- I think the harshness just works to sharpen most opinions, and make sure people refine how they express themselves.

187

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:59:33 pm »

Loretta is 35 this season, though.

He does have the OBP to bat second on this team. He's also, like Wigginton, affordable for what he brings to the table. They could do a lot worse than an infield of Berkman, Loretta, Wigginton and Everett next season.

I understand Loretta's age and likely to decline skills. I just don't see Burke as ever part of the solution, so even building for the future I'd prefer Loretta next year as a wait and see and then maybe go a different direction afterwards, as I don't think Burke will ever be the man for the job. Presumably you could try to trade loretta next season as well for future help if you resigned him- he will still have value then I would think.

188

Talk Zone / Re: The Hall

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:46:47 pm »

I think that's right.

But more than anything, I think "nobody plays with one team anymore" is simply one of those classic canards, like "expansion dilutes talent," "players don't play as long anymore because of the big money" and "players are brought up younger and with less experience now."

No empirical support is brought to bear on the truthfulness of the statement, and even if it were, baseball pundits would continue to peddle the same lines regardless of the evidence. Of course, every one of these canards harkens back to the golden years of yore, when things were so much better.

Agreed completely.  Players have always moved around- it just used to be the teams that were the only real drivers of it.

189

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:45:14 pm »

Would you (anyone here) rather see Loretta or Burke starting at second next season?

Loretta if you're trying to win now (which I think they will be).

Loretta even if you are trying to win later. Chris Burke is not the answer on a pennant winning calibre team to the question of who's hitting leadoff- 6th, imo. If you are going with defense (which you should) at catcher and SS he's got to hit somewhere there, and he's below average imo.

190

Talk Zone / Re: The Hall

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:33:03 pm »

Moreover, just in the last 10 years of inductees, before Gwynn and Ripken, there were Sandberg, Ozzie, Puckett, Brett and Yount. It's not like they didn't play all or most of their careers in the age of free agency.

I think it might actually help a little bit in the voting. You are identified as Mr. Astro, or Mr. Brewer or Mr. Padre etc., and people get to throw around words like loyalty and character etc as opposed to being veiwed as a mercenary.

191

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:19:01 pm »

My hope is that if they're going to hold onto Lamb and Loretta, they intend to re-sign them. I see no reason to keep them around at this point for any other reason. Also, I'm less than optimistic about the idea that they trade them now and then try to re-sign them after the season.

Not necessarily. If you get a high enough pick for Lamb and Loretta (they are still doing that right?) being lost to free agency that might be better than the quality of player you'd get in return for them if teams are offering suspects as opposed to genuine prospects.

192

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:16:14 pm »

you mean, if you do not leave early so the game won't count for your wife's quota?

Hey- pile on all you want. I was going to the game yesterday until a buddy invited me to the movies and it was raining etc. I'm glad I wasn't there seeing the astros go down 11-0. If that makes me a bad fan so be it.  I chose to take my wife out to dinner instead of continuing to watch a game the stros were losing 6-0 in the first inning, and by doing so made my night better and hers, and went to the game again the next day. It's part of why I live 7 minutes from the ball park- it doesn't have to be a major event to go to the game.

All I was out was the $20.00 total for two tickets in my favorite section (418).

193

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:08:46 pm »

But their thought process probably went something like this:

1) Me like Willy!
2) Me hear Hirsch is good pitcher!
3) Who the hell is this Jennings guy?

It's hard to give credit to that line of argumentation, even in hindsight.

This is exactly the post I made- only yours was more condescending in attitude toward the average fan. I have no problem with the condescending part- it made me smile.

194

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:07:29 pm »

Plenty of men with pedigree to do the job gather in a room, talk about the options available.  Scouts, organizational men, general managers, managers, people who are in the development of the talent.  All of them gather, put forth *information* that feeds into decisions.  Said final decision is up to the GM in terms of personnel moves and on-field moves for the manager.

This again, is done by men and women with pedigree to do the job.  The results of the decisions made after all the information is disseminated is out of their control.  Also some decisions are based on budget.  The easiest job in terms of decision making process is the open checkbook method.  The most hindering job in terms of decision making process is that of the limited checkbook method.  That is why guys like Theo Epstein and Brian Cashman are viewed differently than a Billy Beane and a Terry Ryan (who I personally think is the best GM in the majors, with all due respect for John Schuerholtz of course).  So you have talent information and match that with budget allocation and then you do your job.

The last thing they need is me to be involved and pick a player for them because I love that guy because he's tall and reminds me of my friend from middle school and of course, he has a cool nickname too!

SOrry- I thought I was adequately separating the two points when I said that I both hated the deal (my personal fandom) and understood why the brass did it (objective process result).

I think it's fair to have both parts of fan dom in you. I think most don't have the second. I don't understand how you can be a fan without the first (you are an observer more or less- in my opinion).

195

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:05:32 pm »

I think the average fan listens to the call-in shows and laughs/shakes his or her head at how stupid some people are.

I think that around my generation of baseball fan, the attitude changed. Most people root for the team. The younger generation expect the team to pander to what they want, and when they don't, throw a temper tantrum about it.

I think that you are giving the average fan way too much credit- based upon what I overhear when attending the ball games and based upon conversations I've had at sports bars or elsewhere with people that describe themselves as fans.

196

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 01:03:44 pm »

you have a much bigger problem than Jason Jennings.

Eh- I don't think it would be fair to ask my wife to go to a ball game every night. I watch about 125 a year on tv. I attend 10 or 15 in person. That's a fair number. We don't go check out an entire series over a weekend though- thus the negotiation.  Ended up with a nice dinner and nice night out and went to the ballgame again the next day.

197

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:34:55 pm »

Unless of course the pitcher gives up 6 runs in the top of the first.

Hey, that was so that I could go to a game again the next day. I'm only allowed so many games by the wife so I have to work within that context. If I was only getting one game that day I didn't want it to be that one.

198

Talk Zone / Re: Widespread Panic

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:31:52 pm »

On the other hand, slavery was also still popular in 1850. 

I hope nobody on here in any way takes my comments to mean that I think  dog fighting is ok.

I think it should be punished and punished fairly severely. It just doesn't match up to human murder or human rape, or child abuse with me. I don't really get people that say it's worse than that. I'd put it something like this on a continuam:

Muder, rape, Child abuse, kidnapping, felonious assault, dog fighting, Property crimes (such as stealing, robbery, destruction of others property), minor drug crimes with no victim, Not having a front liscence plate, speeding, parking violation.

The dog fighting is serious to me (above even burglary, robbery), but pales in comparisson to me to crimes involved with human beings getting hurt-that's all I'm saying. To the extent that's what his Neonness was saying I agree completely.

199

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:22:57 pm »

It makes absolutely no sense to me.  Why is it important that I like it?  I have to approve a deal and what criteria do we use: height, weight, beauty, whaaa?

This is ridiculous.

Not at all ridiculous. I'm a fan of the astros. If they do enough things that I don't like then I won't be a fan anymore-it's just entertainment after all. I don't mean that in a pissy- I'm taking my ball and going home kind of way, I mean that I like the astros b/c they have always (since I've watched them) played the game intelligently, hard, never given up and classily for the most part. If you bring in a bunch of guys that don't do that it ain't as entertaining to me. I've always liked everything the astros have been about and always rooted for them. I loathe the Texans (and did well before the VY thing) from the hiring of Charley Casserley to everytime he opened up his stupid self serving mouth to spew forward shit.

Why on earth would I be a fan of an organization that doesn't share my values and does things that actively piss me off?

I would think you get this- you aren't a fan of the jersey are you NOE? that does not seem like you.

This Jennings deal isn't in line with any of what I'm talking about, but it seems bizarre to me that you could contend that having an opinion about the stros doesn't make senes.  Maybe I'm just too emotionally invested. But if you don't do that then what is the point?

200

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:16:37 pm »

I thought he meant he understood why the Astros made the deal, just did not like it personally.  Makes sense to me.

Absolutley BG.

I wanted to see how hirsch would develop. I was high on Bucholtz for his flashes of absolute dominence. I liked watching wily t run his ass off and make every groundball interesting. I thus didn't want to see the deal done.

I understood the astros wanted certainty of 200 innings and thought this made sense in a win now perspective. I got the reasons. I just didn't like them. The reasons were valid- so i won't kill them for it.  I even talked myself into Jennings as a #2 (I was thinking 3 when we acquired him).  The unfortunate thing about the situation is Jennings got hurt then sucked, so it didn't even help for a win now perspective.  But I can't fault the process of the decision making.

201

Talk Zone / Re: Widespread Panic

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:09:22 pm »

I'm not au fait with all the facts of the case, but I believe it also includes dog electrocution and dog-brains being bashed in.  Not sure where the sport is in those pursuits, but then, I like "boring" baseball.

Limey-

I was reading the great train robbery by Michael Chricthon, which is about limey land circa 1850.  A large portion of it discusses how gentlement and commoners alike liked to watch 3 popular dog sports. Ratting, bear baiting and a fight to the death amongst themselves.  The more things change the more they stay the same...

202

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 12:07:23 pm »

I'm neither here to defend nor criticize Alkie, but I come to bury him... ahem... nevermind.

Any way, a "majority" of the fan base usually means the guys who are very vocal about saying right off the bat (pun intended) "I hate this trade!".  Why?  Because they have at least a 50-50 chance of being vindicated in some way.  Mostly in the results/performance, which is how you traditionally get these sort of evaluations of trades by GMs.  The same thing applies to managers, if a player "performs" the hit and run perfectly, then the manager made the *right* decision.  Fans will applaud and say "That Joe Torre is a freaking genius!".  Same Joe Torre of course that was a miserable fucktard in St. Louis and all the know-it-all fans said so too!

But if you really want to impress the ladies, try being one to evaluate the *thought process* by the GM and Manager.  How will you be vindicated?  By the performance?  Hardly and if you're looking for *vindication* to your pronouncements, then what you're looking for is entirely different than having an understanding of what they're doing.  You're looking, primarily, for some sort of pat on the back as to your ability to be "the man!" in your baseball watching circles.

Salute to you Mr. Baseball Know-it-All vindicated One!  You got what you wanted.  Now what?  Fire Tim Purpura to make room for you?  Sure.  Why not?

Noe- agree with you spot on. That was the point I was trying to convey to Pravata. I didn't like the trade when it happend. THat was the emoitonal fan in me you talked about in paragraph 2. I understood the thought process in paragraph three that you talk about, which is why I won't kill management for making the deal.  The thought process was even good. Didn't mean I liked the deal though.

And Jim- I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on fan sentiment. I think that you can measure it on BBS's and call in shows and the like. I think that this board is way smarter then most. I think that the average stros fan is the average clark that gets fried on here. 

203

Talk Zone / Re: Widespread Panic

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:47:10 am »

Why don't you let Neon Deion do the talking for you: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070722/COLUMNISTS41/70722009

See,  Primetime got blasted by white reactionaries in the media- but I agreed with like 85% of what he said. People are making too much of a big deal about this. It's not as bad as the broncos guy getting killed, or Rae Carruth, or Chris Benoit or the like- there does need to be a little more perspective.

Where I don't agree with him is the minimizing of dog fighting acting like it isn't a big deal. It might be a cultural norm, but it's a bad one, that will, I hope, change.  It isn't good, but it ain't as bad as murder I guess is what I'd say. And Vick, for getting caught up in it, is at a minimum guilty of being a not nice guy and asshole imo.

204

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:37:55 am »

Then how is that getting it "right"?  What do you suspect were the reasons they didn't like the deal?  Same issue with Pence.  Shiny objects distract them.

Of the people who didn't like the deal I'd guess it broke down as follows:
Majority saying they didn't want Wily T to go.
Minority saying they like hirsch- wanted to see him develop.
Sizable percentage had probably never heard of Jason Jennings. You know, the usual type stuff.  I don't disagree with your comments on the fans- I am one.  Shiny objects do distract me. After every win I think- this is the thing that's gonna get them turned around. And then I see luke scott misplay a line drive, Jennings not get the pitcher out with 2 down and the bags juiced and I say that it's the worstest team in the entire history of organzied baseball.

I lack perspective. I know this about myself. I didn't like the deal at the time. I did understand it. The fan portion of me though didn't like it.  I'm not criticising the deal at all b/c it was justifiable at the time and justifiable in retrospect.  You can't hold management responsible for Jennings getting hurt and then sucking.  The idea of creating a spot for Burke made sense. They saw Pence and scott as the long term answers in CF and RF- which also made sense.  They just didn't count on Jennings performance being a turd in the punchbowl.  It happens. I ain't gonna crucify anyone over it though (as if I even had that power).

205

Talk Zone / Re: Don't look now...

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:26:55 am »

After Saturday's game, Lidge (on the radio) was asked about the team and its chances this year.  He was asked about this year compared to previous late-season runs.  He said the way the team is playing that it felt like those years, but this would be the most amazing turnaround of the lot.  Next day...

FTR, by way of background to Lidge's comments and the silly questions he was answering, the Astros are 12-12 this month and that was a 4-3 homestand.  With a win tomorrow, the Astros will have their first winning month of the season...13-12.

Hey, 36-10 gets the good guys to like 14 games above .500. if they play .500 in the other handful of games that's like 88 wins. I think that's playoffs good.

PLAYOFFS?

I don't see 36-10. Sure would be a fun ride though.

206

Talk Zone / Re: Heyman on Qualls, plus a WTF?!?! on Saltalamacchia

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:25:07 am »

Not too surprising.

Ummm... yeah, that might have bothered Drayton.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jon_heyman/07/30/scoop.monday/index.html

Yeah- I'd read that before.

I'm calling BS on her not hitting that till he was 18. I'm betting it happened sooner. I'm pretty sure she is hot as well.

207

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:23:03 am »

you think this is "a majority of the fan base?"

delusional. you do not know what a fan is.

Yeah- I think that all those people calling in, writing in and listening are fans. I'm not saying they are smart fans, or great fans or anything like that, but they are fans. And I think, based upon this and observation at the game, and talking to people in public who self identify themselves as Astros fans that the vast majority of fans in our city are morons.

That being said- I think the morons got this one right, but not necessarily for the reason they didn't like the deal in the first place.

208

Talk Zone / Re: Widespread Panic

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:20:31 am »

The scary part of the Vick case is that it began as a narcotics investigation, I believe, meaning there could be so much more coming around the bend that we have an OJ case on steroids before all is said and done.  Throw in the religious fervor of the PETA advocates, and this thing could go Lindbergh baby.

I don't really care all that much about the Vick thing. If you want to say that you want to see a trial before passing judgement that's fine and I get where you are coming from.  I don't think it's by any means required, nor does it make you sound smarter in my mind to say you can't pass judgement in some form or matter without a guilty trial verdict.

It is I think unarguable now that Vick is a dog fighting afficianado, and I think that means he has got a cruel side to him that many people find abhorent. Being involved in breeding and housing dog fighting is pretty bad behavior. Is he guilty in a legal sense? I don't know, will have to see the state prove it's case- but I don't get the sense that's what people are saying when they call in and say they hope Mike Vick rots in hell. I think they are saying that dog fighting is a bad thing and you shouldn't breed dogs to be like that, which he pretty clearly did

I don't think anyone other than the state and juror's really have to buy into innocent until proven guilty. That is just the standard before the state can sentence you for a crime. It can, of course, incarcerate you without proving that you are guilty while you await trial, if you can't meet bond or if the crime is so heinous as to not be able to take the chance to have such a person out on the street.

What I cannot fathom is how anyone can still believe those three duke LAX players are guilty, and that Nifong is involved in some manner of conspiracy due to payolla.  This really scared me and made me shake my head in sadness.

209

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 11:04:07 am »

did you ever see Hirsh pitch? i did, a lot. Taveras is the only one i hated to lose, and if Boras is his agent, that was inevitable.

"most of the fan base was against the move"  how do you fucking say that? have you polled them all? idiocy.

Yeah- I did see Hirsch pitch, in the big leagues and what I saw with my eyes did not match the 14-2 with an era under 2.00 in Round Rock. I thought maybe it was just an adjustment type thing.  You, however, were right in saying he was not the savior he'd been hyped out to be by the media and his stats at RR. I really trust and value your opinion on such matters.

And I'm on record, from the time of the trade, as sayinig I totally and completely understand why Wily had to be a part of the deal- and you are spot on on your boras remarks

But, it's total bullshit of you jimr, to say that one cannot tell the tenor of what most of the fans think and want.  Listen to the call in shows, read the boards and the papers- it's pretty obvious. Hell, there were we love Wily signs (multiple) throughout the yard the first couple homestands of the season.  I'm not saying that fan sentiment needs to be considered in making deals (the team would be silly to do so), but it is possible for most sentient beings who pay a bit of attention to know how the majority feel

I understand, and don't even disagree with the reason for the trade. It didn't work out. Sometimes that happens. I don't happen to think that it severly stunts the stros chances of winning. It ain't going to hurt long term unless Hirsch turns into a top of the rotation starter (1 or 2). He doesn't look like he's on his way to doing that so the trade aint a Chernobyl, it's a three mile island.

210

Talk Zone / Re: Widespread Panic

« on: July 30, 2007, 10:52:46 am »

I've been tuning into the Weather Channel more over the last 36 hours, the nonsense has been so bad.  It pretty much began Saturday with the horror that is CHANNEL 13's EXTRA POINTS and the slob Rich Lord's doing thumbs down for the cameras as the show ended (actually started earlier in the show when Melton got Richie all bent out of shape by introducing him as, "You're not Charlie Pallilo, you're Rich Lord!"). 

Ralph Cooper was the lone voice of reason on there, stating that he saw this most likely as the first in a series of moves. 

Not that it made any difference, but I sent Mr. Lord an email, suggesting that he not equate his failure to understand something as therefore making the transaction inherently bad.

The checker player analogy is damned fine....uhhhhh....analysis.

Slightly off topic here (which never happens around here I know... But is Ralph Cooper the guy that has a drive time show on 1430?

If so then I like him ok, but his callers scare me.  They were talking about the Vick dog fighting thing on friday and most were defending Vick, sayinig don't judge till it's over, innocent until proven guilty etc. etc.  Then he asks this lady if she gave the same lee way to the Duke Lacross players and she responds- no b/c they are guilty. He say's what- even the prosecutor says that it was a mistake and they aren't guilty and the state has appologized.  She then says that they are a bunch of rich white folks so they just bought the prosecutor off to take the fall b/c that's what white people with money do. Then, more people call in and agree with her.

I got very depressed about the state of race relations in our country after that. The scary thing was that she was well spoken and seemed to have some intelligence.  That really bummed me out.

FI that isn't Ralph Cooper I'm thinking of then completely disregard. but I kinda like the guy even though everyone that calls his show just about bashes the stros.  Uncle D is not the most popular guy in the AA community, based upon my listening on 1430.

211

Talk Zone / Re: Dear Mr. Jennings:

« on: July 30, 2007, 10:43:40 am »

I never liked the idea of including Hirsch in the deal. At least he doesn't look like a cy young in the making- which is what I feared. Though getting traded to Colorado tends to make anyone look less than great (pitching wise).

I doubt Colorado is jumping up and down at what they got. Plus, the stros had to find room for hunter pence.

Jennigns has been shit all year- and I really hope that the local nine makes no effort to resign him, unless he wants to sign for 3 year at 15 million or so- which is not at all what he's looking for from what I've heard.  I think most of the fan base was against the move from the begginning, and most of them were right as it played out. I hate defending the average fan, b/c he/she is generally an idiot (myself included) but in this case they were right on about not liking the trade.

212

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler for Wigginton

« on: July 29, 2007, 07:01:36 pm »

I think the other way you have to look at the Wiggington/Wheeler trade is this:

1. Do you have anyone that is near in the minor leagues to being the third baseman/#5 hitter for the next few years?  If the answer is "no", then this is a good idea. (sans signing a high cost free agent this offseason).

2. Do you have anyone that is near in the minor league to replace the setup man you just traded or anyone that you can promote from middle relief to setup man?  If the answer is "yes", then this is a great idea.  (Qualls to 8th inning setup man, Borkowski to setup man in the 7th, Albers, Estrada or Guiterrez to move up in the pecking order as well).

I don't think that Wiggington makes any of us stand up and notice, but if he's a piece of the puzzle, then it's a good trade.  They already have Berkman, Lee and Pence as the premiere hitters on the club, they need a compliment hitter.  Plus this saves the club the cost of signing a high cost free agent third baseman and they can use that money for more pitching if necessary.  Not saying it's going to happen, but a Carlos Zambrano signing would be awesome to think about if Houston could be in the ballpark for his services.  If you're going to dream, go ahead and dream big (and smart) I say!  Say no to A-Rod!

That's all well and good, but if the astros signed Zambrano I'd gouge my eyes out. Please tell me you were joking and would not want that nut job on the local nine.  I can hardly believe that of you Noe (and I'm not talking talent at all- I argued I'd have to seriously think about taking him above Roy O earlier this year when I said Roy would be about the 10th player in MLB I'd pick if choosing up sides from scratch to start a team).

213

Talk Zone / Re: Ensberg DFA'd

« on: July 29, 2007, 06:46:26 pm »

The demise:

2003 .291/.377/.530
2004 .275/.330/.411
2005 .283/.388/.557
2006 .235/.396/.463
2007 .232/.323/.384

The thing I will always remember about Ensberg is that in the most successful season in franchise history, he finished as high in MVP voting as Biggio ever did.

Think about how much it must suck personally to go through the struggles he's had. Imagine going from where he was to where he's at now. At least he got very well compensated in the process, but I imagine he'd forgo most of that money to still be able to start for a big-league team again. I hope he can turn it around and have that chance.

The 06 numbers don't look all that bad rate wise. I mean that's an OPS of over 850 which is above league average. Nobody who saw moberg in 06 would describe him as above league average. I didn't realize his stats were that "good" in 06. He's been a train wreck this year- as I said though, I wish him the best.

214

Talk Zone / Re: You never know what you'll see at the ballpark

« on: July 29, 2007, 06:43:01 pm »

we went to a game last year where we left in the first inning. It was a Wandy-Rod start and we were down 6-0 before getting an out I believe. I turned to the wife and said- If we ditch this and go to Vic and Anthony's can we come back tommorrow for our game we said we'd go to this weekend. When she said yes I jetted- and watched the astros win the next day.

I was going to the game today until I heard that Bidge wasn't playing and then a friend asked me if I wanted to go see the simpsons with him. 

After listening to Jennings give up 11 in the first I was very glad my buddy asked me to the movie. 

215

Talk Zone / Re: Ensberg DFA'd

« on: July 29, 2007, 12:58:15 pm »

I wish Ensberg all the luck in the world- he is supposedly about the best guy around, and I really hope he succeeds elsewhere.

I'm not at all sorry to see him go as a fan of the Astros.

I hope he goes to the AL and becomes an all star (or at least anywhere but the NL Central).

216

Talk Zone / Re: Greek food in Houston (TOTALLY non-bb)

« on: July 28, 2007, 07:43:29 pm »

We go to Niko Niko's when we want greek- maybe 1 time a month or so.

The parking does indeed suck- even if you are just doing carry out (I don't think they have to go parking).

We usually end up parking 2 or 3 blocks away behind an apartment complex, as that lot is always full- and even when you find a spot you take your life into your own hands trying to get into and out of.

Service has always been friendly enough. I like the food- don't love it like Mexican food or anything, but am always agreeable any time the wife mentions it as a place to go.

217

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler for Wigginton

« on: July 28, 2007, 07:40:16 pm »

The immediate concern is that they need to send down a position player and call up a pitcher.

I hope it's Chris Burke- just so I can hear him and Lancy boy whine again.

Acutally, I hope Burke is traded at the deadline for a sack of shag balls.

218

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler for Wigginton

« on: July 28, 2007, 07:39:04 pm »

eh- you traded a middle reliever with an era around 5 for a guy who is going to hit 25 HR's this year and hit around .280.  

People tend to value their own guys a little too much. Most relievers have a tendancy to up and down- who's to say wheeler didn't just have 2 career years and now is declining b/c of too many apperances, pitches or just his lack of dominant stuff catching up to him.

I'm not saying that it plays out that way- that's just the flip side to this coin.  I never saw Wheeler bringing the stros a king's ransom in return (that would be lidge, or to a lesser extent qualls).

If Wigginton can hit 25 bombs, drive in 80 and play an average 3b the astros will be better off there then they were last year or this. Not a terrible price to pay imo.  It aint' like Wheeler is going to fetch Detroit's CF of the future or Atl's Saltamaldkfa;sdfaksjia, that's lidge. I don't know that you wanna make that move but I'd be intruiged- much more so if I thought there was anyone in RR ready to step into the back of the bullpen shoes that have been so well handled here since about the mid 90's.

219

Talk Zone / Re: Tally board: Milo's "guests" at the ballgame

« on: July 28, 2007, 06:26:31 pm »

Milo welcomed the Dunder-Miflin Paper Company today in the bottom of the 6th.

Wife in the car- that's not very nice of them

Me- Milo's a condescending asshole, he deserves it.

Wife- But he's the voice of the astros

Me- yeah- well he still hates dierk for making fun of him about woody's...

Wife- 5 minutes later- that's pretty gross- I don't know why anyone would do that to him, he seems like a nice old man.

220

Talk Zone / Re: healthy teenage pitchers and their parents are seeking reconstructive elbow surg

« on: July 28, 2007, 11:21:31 am »

An undergrad from Nicohls and an undergrad from Rice are not comparable, as a general rule.

If you are talking about graduate level hiring then law school, medical, business school etc are way more imporatant than undergrad.

B/c basically if you went to Nicohls and then got into UT law then you were one of the biggest badasses in your school. If you wnet to Harvard and then ended up at UT law you either- 1) didn't want to stay the Ivy league level, or 2) were toward the bottom of your class. UT is a great law school- top 20 (barely) but it's a big step down from Harvard law and a Huge step up from Nicohls for undergrad. But both candidates from UT law school have proven they "belong" at that level.  You'd generally never see a nichols grad hired over a harvard grad (undergraduate only). Doesn't mean that a nichols degree is worthless, but all degrees ain't equal.

221

Talk Zone / Re: Tally board: Milo's "guests" at the ballgame

« on: July 26, 2007, 03:51:29 pm »

Almost posted something about this

DoRay or whoever it was in the booth asked:  Did you just say BA Barackus had a group?

Milo- that's what it says right here on the sheet, i don't make it up

DoRay- ok, i was just wondering if that's what you said.

30 seconds later-

DoRay- hey milo- what do you think the BA stands for in BA Barackus  (background- laughter all over the booth).

Milo- mumbles something incoherrent about the cough button being on so they can't hear laughing.

222

Talk Zone / Re: the Biggio slam

« on: July 25, 2007, 02:47:21 pm »

It supplanted his homer off Wags in Philly two years ago as my all-time favorite Biggio moment.

without which there is no world series. Also without bags 9th inning walk off single there is no world series.

What a player, what a career, glad I got to watch him for so many years growing up.

FUCK anyone (BA, Rob Neyer, Charlie Pallilo) who intimated it wasn't worth bringing him back for this year to go out on his own terms.

I'd still take him next year as my starting 2b over chris burke.

223

Talk Zone / Re: 101 Simpsons Quotes

« on: July 20, 2007, 09:08:22 am »

My two favorites are the nelson- shoplifting is a victimless crime, like punching someone in the dark and

Homer- sarcastically- Oh, and what would we call this magical animal lisa (when lisa tells him that you get bacon, pork chops, hot dogs, sausage etc. from the same animal).

224

Talk Zone / Re: Vick indicted (non-bb)

« on: July 20, 2007, 08:59:03 am »

Michael...watch out for your cornrow, bud.

I just saw that movie last weekend on regular tv. They changed my favorite line to:

"oh no, now I'm going to end up in federal pound me into ashes prison"

Very lame. I'm guessing they changed watch your cornhole to watch your cornrow as well. I didn't notice

225

Talk Zone / Re: Hey, whadayaknow? It's raining!

« on: July 20, 2007, 08:54:21 am »

This shit's gotta stop.  I forgot what my friggin' lob wedge looks like, much less how to grip it.

Golf instructor to blond- you cannot strangle the lob wedge you have to grip it lightly.  Pretend like it is your boyfriends penis..

blond- I don't know how I'm going to hit a shot with that thing in my mouth.

Hopefully yall have heard the joke- if not it is much funnier told orally, as I had to change it a bit for non-oral (no pun intended) retelling

226

Talk Zone / Re: Vick indicted (non-bb)

« on: July 19, 2007, 02:18:42 pm »

That sounds right. I just read the indictment, and it is unusually detailed.

This is a Federal case. The feds win like 95% of their cases.  They win against guys that have enough money to hire legal dream teams.

This is not some slap dick over worked and underpaid prosecutor in Fulton County.  This is a guy at the top of his profession with virtually unlimited resources, that has most likely bounced the details of the case off everyone he knows to make sure they'd go along with it too and he doesn't come off looking like Nifong.

They've got to have the goods on him and he's got to be going to federal, pound me in the ass prison shortly, imo.

227

Talk Zone / Re: Texas LAW question (NON BB)

« on: July 19, 2007, 02:08:21 pm »

From what I understand, in Arkansas, the front plates all say "D-Mac".

Thank you so much for that link. That and your stubbing are making you my new favorite OWA poster ever (since Alkie quit the site and all).

228

Talk Zone / Re: NYCU: Magellan....

« on: July 19, 2007, 01:15:48 pm »

You're quite possibly right, haven't been able to catch much of Loretta at 3rd.

I was thinking along the lines of:  with holes in CF or RF, 3B, C, SP, possibly 2B, possibly pen, they can't fix everything this offseason, and bringing back Loretta or Lamb to man 3rd, while far from ideal defensively, may allow them to put off finding a long-term fix until next offseason.  Or something.

Adam Everett's return helps carry a non-stellar defensive 3baseman

229

Talk Zone / Re: Texas LAW question (NON BB)

« on: July 19, 2007, 01:02:41 pm »

It seems like a silly law to me when lots of car makers don't make it standard to have a front plate.

It's required so I would always have one- why get yourself pulled over if you could avoid it.

I'm not a car guy though- I think of it as a means of getting from point A to B, not a manner of personal expression, wealth (or lack there of), taste or style. Just someway to get from point A to B.  My buddy had a mustang cobra he loved. It didn't come standard with the plate.  I think he got pulled over ever once, and the cop let him out of a ticket (it was late at night-and a pretext to find out if he was drinking imo).

Certainly nothing worthy of starting a revolution over

230

Talk Zone / I'm starting to dislike this astros team

« on: July 17, 2007, 02:13:47 pm »

not for the losing- any organization is due a bad year or two out of fourteen or so (since 92 I think 2000 was the only real clunker).

No- it's the lack of hustle, piss poor defense, poor decision making on the basepaths etc.

I hope the closed door meeting leads to some professionalism.

231

Talk Zone / Re: My Birthday and baseball memories

« on: July 16, 2007, 04:33:39 pm »

Well, it was Friday the 13th so shit, something weird must've happened to you...

My car wouldn't start and I left it in the driveway blocking my wife's car- so we had to call our friends at the restaurant already to get them to come pick us up.  Just a dead battery, so no big deal. Not near the suck of my worst birthday car experience, where I got a flat in the middle of nowhere near killeen- broke my jack, had no cell phone service, and had to walk 5 miles to the nearest gas station to call AAA on the phone to come change my tire.  That day truly sucked.  Made it back to h-town about 3 hours later at 11:30 at night- which meant I was way late to pick up my wife at her firm party, and came in to the swanky afair sweaty, disgusting and covered in grime and grease.

232

Talk Zone / Re: Coco Crisp?

« on: July 15, 2007, 10:38:36 am »

According to CHicago Tribune,The Link

Crisp is 27, started off hot last year then hurt his finger and never really got going after he came off the DL. Looked lost at the plate the first two months this year but in the last month has raised his AVG from .224 to .265. From what I've seen and heard he plays a great CF; average arm but great range and is not afraid to crash into the wall. He's signed for $3.5 million this year, $4.75 million next year and $5.75 million in 2009, with an $8 million team option for 2010. Of course, if you don't care about defense or K's, the Sox also have Wily Mo Pena.

I've thought about this for a while when I heard he was on the market and the Sox were looking to dangle him for help in the bully. I love this deal for Qualls or Wheeler, not so much for Lidge.

That would make our OF defense pretty good. Makes Luke Scott the odd man out I imagine.

233

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 13, 2007, 04:03:23 pm »

But Exxon Refining would be paying that no matter whom they bought the oil from, right?

Absolutely.

234

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros @ sbuC - 7/13/07

« on: July 13, 2007, 03:33:10 pm »

is the wind blowing in?

They said yes- 12 miles an hour earlier in the gz...

235

Talk Zone / My Birthday and baseball memories

« on: July 13, 2007, 03:32:09 pm »

It's my b-day today.

I was thinking back on my b-day and 3 really vivid memories involve baseball- 2 of them very cool and one of them crappy.

When I was 5 (maybe 6) we got to the yard really early and I told Atlee Hammaker (SF Giants pitcher) it was my birthday and he signed a program for me- it was the year he was an all star on the game in SF.  Won like 12 games in the first half of the year and one in the second half.  The Giants back then were terrible, so that was a pretty cool brightspot, having the all star game starter- even though he got shelled.

A couple of years later I went to a Giants v Pirates game and bonds hit one into the old RF in candlestick. The stadium was arranged in such a way that there was space underneath the bleachers, and the HR didn't reach the bleachers.  I went to try to run down the stairs and get the ball, but security stopped me.   Everyone in the section (again the Giants were more or less crappy at this time so there weren't many) booed the security guy.  My dad told the guy it was my birthday, could he let me go get the ball.  Dude said no, but then walked down in between innings and picked it up and gave it to me. Very cool birthday present.  The paper the next day said that it was the record breaking ball (fathers and sons total HR's in the majors) so we called the Pirates clubhouse to offer it back to them (maybe trade for a bat or something) but they said it was a misprint in the paper and Bonds had hit the record breaker a week earlier (I suppose it was a record breaker as every HR he hits from now on is a record breaker, but not THE record breaker).

The crappy memory (I don't know if it was my birthday but it was the week of it anyway,and we were at church camp so... I'm calling it my b-day).  Dave Dravecky broke his arm in his second game back after his miracle comeback from cancer and losing 85% of the muscle in his pitching arm.  Very sad.  He ended that comeback with a 2-0 record but lost his arm. Inspiring and sad all at the same time.

Been to many astros games since on my birthday, but nothing really cool or crappy happened.  I hate it when my B-day falls during the all star break mini void- or when it is on a day game while I have to work and Zambrano mows the good guys down.

236

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros @ sbuC - 7/13/07

« on: July 13, 2007, 03:23:42 pm »

This is brutal stuff.

Should have added to my last post about a shitty b-day present from the astros...

Every time we face Z I feel like it's going to take a miracle for the good guys to win.

237

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros @ sbuC - 7/13/07

« on: July 13, 2007, 02:29:56 pm »

Bottom 4:

Floyd reaches on a single to CF.
DeRosa singles to LF.  Lee falls asleep, does not notice Floyd going to third.  The "defense" on this team disgusts me.
Jones flies to LF.  Floyd tags and scores, DeRosa tags and takes second ahead of the throw. 

Soto grounds to Lamb.  Lamb with the bad throw to Berkman, Soto safe at first.  Berkman tried to throw behind DeRosa at 3b, for reason known only to him and his pastor, and air mails it to the seats.  Soto to 3b, DeRosa home.  2-0 Cubs.

This is not Astros baseball, and I'm done with PBP in protest.

Disagree completely- this is astros baseball- circa 2007.  It will take a miracle of biblical proportions to win this game.

My freaking birthday and it's a lousy freaking day game with the good guys going against Zambrano- yeah me. What a waste.

238

Talk Zone / Re: There's a little black spot in center field today...

« on: July 13, 2007, 12:01:47 pm »

I wouldn't want Mark Cuban as an owner of the Cubs.  He will make them a big time winner I would bet.  He won't act like they are a mid market team like the tribune company does.

239

Talk Zone / Re: 72-90 Encore?

« on: July 12, 2007, 05:54:32 pm »

I wasn't seeking to specifically respond to your post, but now that you mention it, I don't see how it's not responsive. Wouldn't the effect you're positing ("teams getting worse (intentionally) in the second half") have applied in the seasons 2000 to 2006 as well as 2007? I would think so.

That being the case, then demonstrating the magnitude and frequency of teams improving in the second half for those seasons should reflect the same effect you're talking about for 2007. Unless you think the "weakness" factor is that much more pronounced in the 2007 National League, which I'd need to see data to support.

From 2000 to 2006, roughly a fifth of teams (43 of 210) played .590+ in the second half. Just five of those teams were sub-.500 in the first half, however. They were:

2001 Mets (38-51/44-29)
2006 Phillies (40-47/45-30)
2003 Twins (44-49/46-23)
2003 White Sox (45-49/41-27)
2006 Angels (43-45/46-28)

Again, I'm not saying the 2007 Astros won't be the sixth such team since 2000 to do that, since what a bunch of other teams did in the past is not determinative of what any team will do in the future. But based on recent history, the probability of a 39-50 team at the All-Star break playing something close to .600 ball in the second half isn't very high.

You are certainly correct that two or three National League teams are likely to play .600 ball in the second half, however. That happens virtually every season.

I was only talking about the last paragraph that you mentioned- at no point in time was I saying that the astros were likely to be a 600 team, so that makes data points about teams under 500 that go 11 games over in the 2nd half irrelevant to what I was getting at. I'm not saying that the astros are going to go 11 over 500 in the second half. I'm saying that even though no team in the nl is playing at a level above 580 right now, someone will do so in the second half, and probably more than 1 someone.

240

Talk Zone / Re: 72-90 Encore?

« on: July 12, 2007, 05:14:45 pm »

Here are the best differences between first-half and second-half performance since 2000:

+20 2001 Oak
+19 2005 TB
+18 2000 Hou
+16 2006 Pit
+15 2001 TB
+15 2002 Tor
+14 2001 NYN
+14 2003 Min
+12 2001 StL
+12 2004 Atl
+11 2004 Hou
+11 2004 Mon
+11 2005 Col
+11 2006 Phi
+10 2002 Oak
+10 2003 TB
+10 2005 Cin
+10 2006 LAA
+10 2006 Oak

To reach .500 on the season, the Astros would need to go 42-31 in the second half, a +11 improvement over their 39-50 first-half record. Only slightly less than 7% of teams since 2000 have mangaged to make that kind of second-half improvement. Put another way, if the 2007 Astros were to match the kind of improvement that the 2004 Astros mangaged, they would still only be at .500.

For all teams at least 11 games under .500 in the first half since 2000, the best second-half record is 15 games over .500 (the 2001 Mets, who were 38-51 in the first half and 44-29 in the second half). If the Astros matched that, they would finish 83-79.

None of which makes a comeback impossible. It just means that it would be a fairly rare occurence. Let's see what happens.

Non- responsive to my point about teams getting worse (intentionally) in the second half while striving to make themselves better in the future.  I'm not saying the Astros are going to do it. I'm saying someone in the NL plays close to 600 ball post ASB, and I'd not be surprised if it was 2 or 3 teams.

241

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 12, 2007, 12:33:05 pm »

The way things are now, they should give you a whopping discount on groceries when you fill up with gas.

My wife is from Iowa and their local grocery store was doing the opposite. Show them your receipt with at least $50 in grocery purchase and they give you 8 or 10 cents per gallon off the price (I imagine they are selling it to you at their wholesale cost or something close to that). I don't think the margin on a gallon of gas at the station is particularly high.

242

Talk Zone / Re: 72-90 Encore?

« on: July 12, 2007, 12:30:09 pm »

Generally speaking ok.  But in the context of this season I would argue that 11 games over .500 is out of the realm of reasonable possibility.  Only 5 teams have been able to win at that clip in the first half.

I generally agree with just about everything that you post- but I don't agree with this.

The NL in general, and the Central in particular is pretty weak. I think that it's imminently possible that at least one, maybe 2 or 3 NL teams play 600 ball after the all star break.

You have to realize that it's easier to play quality ball in the back half of the season, b/c some teams will waive the white flag and trade guys for the future and bring up young kids. Some teams are going to get worse (see pittsburg every year seemingly) which will allow others to take advantage.

I'm not saying the astros will, but at least one team, maybe 2 or 3, will.

243

Talk Zone / Re: RIP

« on: July 11, 2007, 09:28:42 pm »

Lady Bird Johnson must have been a great texan to have Hank Hill honor her by naming his dog after her.

244

Talk Zone / Re: Golden Retrievers

« on: July 11, 2007, 09:27:06 pm »

Scary.  Every time I've been to RFK I've taken the Metro.  I've always been arriving or departing at the same time as a majority of the crowd and I've felt safe.  But I wonder what I would do if the game went into extra innings, especially if it ended after the Metro had closed for the night.  I've never left a game before it was over, but in that circumstance, I might have to.  I wouldn't want to be walking around that neighborhood alone; I can't imagine there would be any cabs around and I doubt if I called a cab company I could get a cab to come down there late at night.  I've thought about driving to the ballpark for that reason, but I'm not sure my car would be safe there either.

I summered in DC as an intern, and walked a girl home after a softball game one night.  well, when I went back to the subway I'd missed last call.  And where I was living was so far away from where I was the first couple cabbies I talked to didn't want to take me there. I walked through a ghetto of some sort for about 1/2 a mile before I got a cabbie to take me out to my dorm room I was staying in.  Most scared I've ever been in my life- and I really don't scare easily.

The DC Metro is great but you do not want to miss that last train.

245

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 11, 2007, 04:43:46 pm »

Kroger does it the other way around: if you use your Kroger card to identify yourself for a purchase of groceries, you get a 10c / gallon discount at the pumps afterwards if you scan the same card.

Yeah- but that's Kroger's market strategy for seemingly everything. They overcharge the random schmuk for normal groceries and with your loyalty card you get them for the regular price.

The gas thing was some years ago-I've read/heard stories that pay at the pump really hurt them for people going in to buy convenience items, b/c now you don't really have to leave your car to get gas.  That's why they discontinued this practice.

Pay at the pump has hurt in store sales.

I know I used to always go buy a water or chips while i was paying for gas- now I scan the card and get back in my car, not buying anything. I can't imagine that I'm unique in this.

246

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 11, 2007, 03:43:00 pm »

It's an adage, but what they mean is, the more planes they can get in the air per day, the more paying customers they have.  It's the same with any product.  Take gasoline, for example.  There's no money in it when the gas is sitting in the storage tank, but it earns a fortune when it runs through the pump.  That doesn't mean they can still make money by selling gas at 5 cents a gallon just to get the pump running.

Exactly along the lines of what I was thinking.

Some grocery stores used to sell gas cheaper (as a loss leader) to get you in the store to buy $1.00 moon pies that they paid 12 cents for, but with pay at the pump that has gone away, is my thought.

247

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 10, 2007, 05:16:09 pm »

I don't know the ins and outs of these airline's pricing structures.  They dish up dirt cheap tickets and still manage to make money (mostly without crashing), so there's a model that works for them.  Not saying it's good or bad, just that it is.

I was hoping you might have more of an idea of their pricing structure. You can't give away all (or I wouldn't even think most) of your seats for free or damn near.

Been curious about this for like a month. 

248

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 10, 2007, 04:26:20 pm »

Look at it this way:  If an airplane takes off with an empty seat, how much money does the airline make?  US airlines can get away with charging exorbitant fees for walk-up business because they know that there's always walk-up business.   When that business disappears, you can find really cheap last minute fares because something is better than nothing.  My guess (and it's purely a guess) is that they're not so used to flying as we are over here and so walk-up business willing to pay $1000 for a seat just doesn't exist.  The trains are too good.

That's the point I was making about discounting too much doing away with the value of your product. If you don't charge money for it (or charge a nominal amount) then people figure your product doesn't have a lot of value and it's hard to get what you want for it in the future.

Ever try to scalp a ticket at a Red Sox game?  they have a syndicate there and they've decided they would rather burn the ticket then sell it to you at less then they think it's worth.  They don't discount on the street after the game has started- b/c they have trained their customers that the ticket has a certain value and they won't give it away for less- they'd rather eat it.

I worked for a baseball team in the northwoods league and they didn't charge less than $5.00 a ticket- even though they'd make more (probably) in concessions- said they'd tried that previously and it devalued the product for their customers- attendence was actually worse b/c people weren't paying something for it.

There are situations where lowering price (or putting in a penalty) doesn't work to increase demand. Yachts, day care, private schools etc.  I'd think this airline thing would be similar in that regard to the examples I was citing. Obviously not- that's why I wanted Limey to explain how it worked in depth more.

249

Talk Zone / Re: Austin Pilsener drinkers...

« on: July 09, 2007, 10:30:38 pm »

That's the unregulated European airline market.  Some tickets are even free, so long as you pay the airport taxes.  My sister and her husband go to major European cities for lunch at the weekend.

My mom and dad did this when they went to scottland- it was cold, miserable and raining and they were bummed out about the dollar's lack of value vs the pound- so they flew to spain for like 30 bucks with no advance notice.

Explain to me how that works. How can the airlines give away seats/tickets and make a buck- I don't get it. I want in depth as you can (something more than joys of unregulated) b/c that doesn't make any sense to me and I've been curious since they told me they did this.

Even south west charges like 100 bucks round trip from H-town to Dallas or Austin or SA or somesuch.  I would think giving away seats would devalue the product to the point where you can't charge enough to make money- I don't get it.

250

Talk Zone / Re: Things that make me laugh

« on: July 09, 2007, 10:24:29 pm »

There's a part of me that enjoys the $HIT out of seeing the Yankees trying to stay ahead of the friggin' Orioles and keep up with the socialists in Canada.  There's the OTHER part of me, though, that dreads the eventual rise of those high dollar, devil lovin' assholes into contention.

Until that happens, though, that first part of me needs to start kickin' the lesser half of me in the nuts to get me to shut up.....and stuff.

I disagree. I don't think it is at all inevitable that they make a run this year. That is an old worn down collection of individuals (not a team) that is less as a whole then the sum of their parts.  I see no reason why they should make a charge at the BoSox or the loser of Detroit/Cleveland for a playoff berth. Pettite will break down, and/or suck and Clemens will grow disinterested and troublesome.  It is perfect (except for the Stros not running away with the division as a stick it up team Rakitte's ass).

251

Talk Zone / Re: When Lidge is activated...

« on: July 09, 2007, 10:18:57 pm »

... what roster move do the Astros make?

(a) designate Moehler for assignment
(b) option McLemore to AAA
(c) option Albers to AAA

I think they should choose (a), but will choose (b).

Agreed completely. No way it is C.  Probably not going to be A- even if that's the best idea.

252

Talk Zone / Re: Dan Patrick out at ESPN

« on: July 09, 2007, 10:18:04 pm »

They did, but they found the BBC (as well as Reuters) too pro-Arab for Al Jazeera's tastes.

Wonderful- just wonderful.  I laughed.  I don't comprehend the rampant anti-semetic viewpoint that comes from the Euros.  You'd think after killing like 12 million jews they'd pause, reflect and reorder their thinking. I swear that could happen again with the right mix of lunacy and cowardice (including the part of the US).

Don't want to get too political. I think this bad boy is fixing to get nuked anyway- I won't participate in being the final straw I hope.

253

Talk Zone / Re: Retired

« on: July 09, 2007, 10:07:59 pm »

Nice... I haven't seen a good retirement post since Jester409 left the LonghornFanZone.Com in a huff after another OU debacle in 2002, regaling us with tales of how he was better off coaching his daughter's soccer team, nailing his hot wife, and living it up in his $900K mansion.

That was one of the greatest moments in the history of the internet- I should have voted for Al Gore for creating a medium that could bring that much joy. Good catch my man, good catch.

254

Talk Zone / Re: Pence now leads NL

« on: July 09, 2007, 03:01:11 pm »

i, like everyone else, enjoy seeing Pence hit one off the wall. i am happy for him that things are going so well. his success, however, must be viewed in the context of the game and season, imo. when the game is over and the team has lost, i do not say or think: "well, at least Pence was 3-4 and still has the league lead." that sort of stuff does not even register.

Then you are obviously not a Pirate fan (witness their BA watch last year).

10 years in the cellar will do that for you.

255

Talk Zone / Re: Justice, again

« on: July 09, 2007, 02:59:02 pm »

Careful who you cater to.  If this becomes his (Draytons) reputation, then no one of sound baseball acumen will ever want to work for and with him.  No one.

Funny though, that would be something for the media to hang on the man for years to come and say they had absolutely nothing to do with it too.  Wash your hands of the matter sort of thing.

I'm saying I agree with justice that it would be popular, not that I think Drayton should do it.

256

Talk Zone / Re: Dan Patrick out at ESPN

« on: July 09, 2007, 02:22:11 pm »

The Link

Looks like Price Is Right has its new host.

seriously- or are you making that up about PIR?

257

Talk Zone / Re: Justice, again

« on: July 09, 2007, 02:18:33 pm »

I don't know that he's way off base.  Doing things to make the masses happy is pretty easy.  It's also rarely a good way to run your organization.

Agreed- based upon the chatter on talk radio and blogs (not here- call it the unwashed masses) Purp is the least popular man in town and Gar is not far behind him.

I'm undecided on Purp (I'm not gonna cry if he gets canned- I ain't gonna call for his head at this time either) but really like Gar.  Would hate to see him get scapegoated at this point in time.

258

Talk Zone / Re: Wow- looking at the boxscore from last night...

« on: July 09, 2007, 02:14:38 pm »

the "h" part of your stat has something to do with the defense.

Sure- I'm not at all saying that it (whip) is completely 100% on the pitcher as luck and defense play a part (kinda like we were talking about measuring a team's defensive ability on percentage of balls put in play that end up being a hit- but I digress), but it's a quick and dirty stat that has some value in the correct context (and I think that it is fairer to relievers then ERA) for points brought up by Mr. Happy- consider it a companion stat to something like runners stranded. You want to know if your guy is gonna get you out of a tough situation coming out of the bully- not if he is going to retire the last batter of the inning before a man he is responsible for comes around to score.

A guy that comes in bases loaded and 2 outs and gives up 2 singles and a walk then gets an out has an era for that apperance of 0.00, but that certainly do not tell the story.

Similarly, a guy could come in and get 2 tough outs with the bases loaded to escape a jam, get two outs in the next inning, give up a walk and get yanked for a loogy who gives up a HR and that guy's era is over 5 for his apperance, but he pitched pretty damn well.

that's why ERA wouldn't be the first place I'd look in the bully and I get that- but it tells a story as well.

And the fact that all of their ERA's are high means they ain't bailing each other out of each other's messes either I'd say.

259

Talk Zone / Re: Wow- looking at the boxscore from last night...

« on: July 09, 2007, 01:02:07 pm »

WHIP has to be the way to go.  Especially as specialist relievers will pitch fractions of innings and may benefit from colleagues cleaning up the mess they leave when the one guy they were brought in to get out, doesn't.

Sure- whip is very valuable in looking at (even more so for relievers then starters I'd venture to say) but I be the astros bully blows chunks in this department as well.

260

Talk Zone / Re: Retired

« on: July 09, 2007, 12:55:20 pm »

damn- sorry to see you go you big giant ...  I always enjoyed reading your stuff.


Good luck with your newfound life and freetime

261

Talk Zone / Re: Wow- looking at the boxscore from last night...

« on: July 08, 2007, 06:24:02 pm »

No, it would not have turned out different. Any "quality" reliever like a Wagner would have been burned before the 17th inning. Unless you contend that Lidge-Dotel-Wagner would have been used in the 7th inning to prevent the tying run.

I wanted scraps to pull Woody after six with the one run lead (b/c I view anything woody gives you past 5 or 6 as living on borrowed time, but then I got to thinking about it and thought- screw it- ain't a single swinging one of the bully arms I'd truly trust- it ain't no automatic to get through 3 innings without giving up a run).

Used to be that was a game over situation for the local nine. Not so much anymore.

And Happy- I understand what you are saying vis a vis era, but I think in our bully's case the bloated era do tell the story, more or less.

262

Talk Zone / Things that make me laugh

« on: July 08, 2007, 09:17:38 am »

Andy pettite giving up 8 runs, for his second time in a row Friday night, and then Rocket giving up 1 run in 8 innings and getting a no-decision before the Yankee's lose in 13 innings.

Earlier in the year he lost a game 2-0 against the steM. I think that it's funny b/c there are at least 2 wins that we always heard he would have gotten here in H-town pitching for the vaunted yankees- after all they would never let their pitcher down by not giving him some run support.

Makes me laugh (which keeps me from crying about the astros season) to see that Rackitte's season's are not going like they would have hoped.  Boy oh Boy I hope that the bronx turns on those two later in the season if the Yanks don't make a run.

263

Talk Zone / Wow- looking at the boxscore from last night...

« on: July 08, 2007, 09:10:43 am »

and the astros trotted 8 pitchers out there yesterday. Exactly 2 of them had ERA's under 5.00 for the year.  And those were both well over 4.00.

Not really hard to figure out why this team is where it's at when you take that in context. I think Lidge is the only guy in the entire bully with an era under 4.00.  And he's been out about 3 weeks. And spent a month or so wandering through the wilderness.

Crazy- to me at least.  I really expected the bully to be a strength of the team.  They were good last night though- so this isn't about that per se. Just interesting numbers (to me at least).

264

Talk Zone / Re: Patton report

« on: July 07, 2007, 11:02:01 am »

7 strong innings pitched and got the win. Randolph and Driskill finished.

his stuff is not as good as i expected. FB 87-90, not a big CB, not many Ks, lots of hard hit balls and great defense behind him, very much a "fly ball pitcher" tonight, which to me says he did not keep the ball down

very poised and composed, looked like an established AAA pitcher instead of a 21 year old, good command/control, pitched inside well, did not get rattled, had the game well in hand with help from his fielders

solid effort, but he looks to be a #2-3 candidate in a MLB rotation rather than an ace. nothing wrong with that. great first outing.

i talked to a local BA reporter after the game who told me that he has lost 3-4 mph on his FB this year. he says no one is concerned about it, and he thinks it may be deliberate.

Thanks for the scouting report Coach.  I was hoping to see this this AM when I logged on.

Do you think he'd be ready to answer the bell by opening day next year (with maybe a peek in the bully in september call ups as has been speculated) or is that too quick?

265

Talk Zone / Re: Wandy

« on: July 07, 2007, 11:00:43 am »

Jeriome Robertson, 2003: 15-9, 5.10 ERA, .287/.356/.470 allowed
Wandy Rodriguez, 2007: 6-7, 3.87 ERA, .246/.296/.416 allowed

Wow- that is mind boggling how crappy those stats are to go with that record. That has got to be hard to do. 

Why the hell did cleveland want him- I thought their GM i supposed to be one of the sharpest in the business and they gave us Scott and Wily T for that?

Crazy.

266

Talk Zone / Re: Did my ears deceive...

« on: July 07, 2007, 10:59:07 am »

I think it's safe to say the Astros will not carry 5 middle infielders, although Burke and Bruntlett can play OF also. In my mind, Bruntlett has earned the 25th man slot, and Burke has not.

I'm afraid management doesn't see it this way.  I don't know why they do not, but they don't. Hell, I'd rather have Craig Biggio with all his limitations and being as old as JimR as my 2b of the future, on this date, then Chris Burke.

Bruntlett brings much more quality to his have glove will travel defensive abilities then burke. And he's been a better stick to boot (not something you really worry about with the 25th guy on the roster- but every little bit helps). I trust him more on the basepaths as well.

I'm resigned to the fact management doesn't see it this way. I think it's got to be a dollars and sense, ego thing based upon his draft position.  Because nothing I've seen from either of them over the last 3 years has pointed to Burke being a better option as super utility guy off the bench then Bruntlett.

267

Talk Zone / Re: Uniwatch on the '33 All Star Game

« on: July 06, 2007, 04:54:51 pm »

My five favorites, from growing up with the astros:

Baggy
Bidge
Wags
Doggy
Cammy


Boy, that Milo really can gloss a guy, can't he?  It's not fair to just blame milo- colorful knicknames are no longer the norm.

Always liked El Caballo, just b/c it wasn't like the above 5 I named.

268

Talk Zone / Milo on the radio today

« on: June 29, 2007, 05:57:06 pm »

Davies and Dukes.  I had a 3 hour drive this morning, and trolled around the am dial b/c I wanted to hear biggio retrospective (note- i've stopped listening to local sports talk now b/c it is a beat down lately, but this was special so I wanted to relive the moment- it beat me up again- few even talked about bidge instead wanting to complain about the rockets draft).

Anyway, all that is set up to say I happened to be listeneing to Milo, Davies and Dukes for a 10 minute segment.  Normally, that might make my ears bleed and my head do a 360 but it was actually pretty cool.

Milo got choked up and started crying talking about calling the hit and craig's entire career.  Dukes, in his true dumbass fashion- is on the other end of the line going, go ahead milo- we can hear you- not realizing Milo is fighting back tears.


Milo is a  shell of his former self, irritating to listen to and what not- but it was special to hear him talking about last night, and being so obviously emotional.  A different side to him, as it were. I'm sure he sees bidge getting old and feeble (in baseball terms, measured against his past greatness- I'd still take him 8 times a week over Burke) and some part of him realizes the same is going on with him, so it's a connectivity type deal perhaps.

Anyway- it was emotional for me and it was emotional for Milo and that was kinda a neat thing to hear.

269

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rockies @ Biggio -- 6/28/07

« on: June 28, 2007, 09:33:26 pm »

It was perfect in it's own way- him busting ass out of the box, hustling and making the outfielder make a play.  He's probably got 40 or 50 doubles in his career on the same type of hit, only the OF lazed a bit or missed a throw, or assumed it was a single and non-chalanted it.

Crazy (and typical for bidge from a national perspective) that on a night when he reaches 3,000 he's probably only the third biggest story of the night (behind big hurt and a loaded NBA draft).

270

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:02:53 pm »

he needs to sit back and drive the ball to LF more, but i hate to get rid of a LH power hitter unless we get something good back.

I wouldn't in any way advocate getting rid of Luke (not that it matters what the hell I say). If you wanna call it a place that can be upgraded I'd say that's possible, but I'd start looking at filling in holes elsewhere before I looked to RF.

271

Talk Zone / Re: Notes from SI:

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:01:37 pm »

you cannot do that. who would you put there? it makes no sense to trade relievers for relievers, and there is nothing in RR to build a new bullpen with. imo, trading all three would be irresponsible.

I wouldn't think that you'd be talking about getting relievers back- I'd think it'd be starters, 3B, 2B and Catcher you'd be looking for.  Can you  rebuild an entire bullpen through free agency and the minor's in an off season?  I have no idea.

I'd think it'd be tough though.

272

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 03:48:54 pm »

He was feeling better?

Or an a hot streak as he is prone to do per Pravata's above comments.

273

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 03:48:17 pm »

my crystal ball is broken so i do not know what he projects.

You are on record as saying you think he can be an everyday player and a part of a successful team in the future though- right coach?

274

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 12:04:15 pm »

The slugging average is pretty good. I'd like to see a little more OBP, like he put up last year.

I don't think Luke will ever have a high OBP hitting 250 like a guy like Jason Giambi or Barry Bonds (or even ensberg last year) has- he ain't that type of hitter. If he hits near 300 his obp is gonna be fine b/c he walks some, but not a ridiculous amount and pitcher's aren't gonna put him on on purpose.

275

Talk Zone / Re: Notes from SI:

« on: June 28, 2007, 12:02:07 pm »

I was only kidding. 

Worrell used to say that every single time Puffer was brought in the game.  My friends and I used to say that to each other when we would go out.  We got better the more we were used and tired. 

The other stock quote was, "Baggy is heating up when he starts hitting with power to right." 

Oh- I remember Worrell beating the baggy dead horse. I don't remember him making a ton of use of the other comment- but I tried to ignore Worrell as much as possible (see Worrell button)

276

Talk Zone / Re: Notes from SI:

« on: June 28, 2007, 12:01:01 pm »

What do you think Qualls throws?

When he's right, heavy fastball down in the zone and hard slider down. When he's down he's really tough. When he's up it gets hit hard.  Dunno if some of that is a problem with being too amped up when he's not going good.  Was a starter in the minors for a good bit- right?

Like I said- I don't realy understand how that works- I'm asking a question (of you and other experts on the board) b/c I want some help with understanding the game better.  I'm not trolling for an argument- really. If I came accross that way I appologize.

277

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:57:50 am »

If you're aware he's hurt, why are you projecting anything?  Isn't that a wasted exercise?

Was just looking at the numbers and thinking he needs to pick it up some from watching with the low BA and whatnot- but the numbers show in some ways he has been really helpful (I.E. his power and run production looks reasonable from a 6 type hitter in the NL).

Put anothe way- when the Astros were playing really good ball for a couple of weeks in late april, early may luke was a big part of that with his production.

Goes sorta toward streaks like pravat was talking about.

278

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:55:43 am »

No, but prorating or projecting a streaky hitter like Scott isnt accurate.

Understood the streaky nature.  Is the production ok- even if it comes in spurts and you have to ride a roller coaster to get there?  Or a place that needs to be upgraded (keeping in mind my response to NOE vis a vis do you expect better in the future?)

279

Talk Zone / Re: Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:54:23 am »

He's been hurt all year.  Is this news to you?

No- I'm aware he's been dinged- that's why he hasn't played every day I assume.  That's where my question lay as would you expect better in the future moving forward?

280

Talk Zone / Re: Notes from SI:

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:53:27 am »

Worrell?  Is that you? 

Sampson has had a couple games like that lately. I've heard others on the board make reference to similar- is this not fundamentally accurate?  I've heard the same said of Webb- I really don't know, that's why I was asking Noe if he thought it would be a problem at all- b/c I greatly respect his knowledge on issues of this sort and kind, that I admittedly know/understand little about.

Would like to hear from other experts as well like Jimr et al.

281

Talk Zone / Luke Scott

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:51:29 am »

I think if you prorate over 600 AB's for the year (which is full time every day gig) his numbers would be about .250 with 20 dingers and 85 or 90 RBI's. Is this adequate production from RF- 6th spot in the lineup?

Last year he hit about 80 points higher- but is 250 ok with that level of power and rbi's.

Just a question for the board as everyone seems to be pondering where to upgrade in the future.

Can more be reasonably expected, and/or is what we see good enough if he doesn't produce higher, going forward into the future?

282

Talk Zone / Re: Notes from SI:

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:46:06 am »

The Astros love the potential of Matt Albers as a starter.  Fine, I think they're right.  But right now, if he were a reliever and told to just go up there and go after hitters, this kid would be a very good setup man in a very short time.  I don't know what happened to Paul Estrada, but my first move would be to bring back Albers and try him in the pen for a while to see if this would work.  It would clear the way for a Qualls or Wheeler trade.  IMHO of course.

Noe- interesting thoughts- I'd like to see it happen- but isn't he a sinker down in the zone guy, and would he be successful in 1 or 2 inning stints (a lot of those guys seem like they get better as they get tired and the game goes on).

My question now, with the bully imploding, is do wheeler and Qualls even have any value. they are under club control each for some time, so you don't move them unless you get real value- can you get that value for them with shaky performance lately (I know both their track records are good).

Seems like if you tried to move them now you might be selling low.

283

Talk Zone / Re: 2,997

« on: June 28, 2007, 11:43:20 am »

After 11 years, that is exactly how I feel.  Now enough of this mushy stuff.

I am very bummed about this. I am out of town tonight through wednesday on a trip to vancouver for my annniversary. I'm happy to be going on the trip- and that's more important to me then the biggio milestone (no it's not a "record"), but I think I've seen all non-work day games for the entire year and I'm not even going to get to watch it on tv unless he gets dinged or goes ice cold.  I'd planned on being there whenever it was- except for over my anniversary.

Still I'm hoping for him he gets 3 knocks tonight. I'd hate to come home on the 4th to him still chasing the milestone, as that would be bad for him (but probably good for drayton's bottom line).

284

Talk Zone / Re: 92, 89, 82, ?

« on: June 27, 2007, 08:55:59 am »

Our win totals since 2004.   Why do I feel like I've been watching the water drain out of the tub?

I'm so glad my buddy in Vegas was too lazy to bet the astros over on season win totals at 78.5.  His book didn't have that futures bet and he didn't want to go elsewhere. He was going to put a grand on it for me.

I thought this was easy money.  The lesson is that I'm an idiot.  I'm shocked that this is a sub 500 team though.

To finish that string I'm going 92, 89, 82, 70.

285

Archive / Re: Pence's best position

« on: June 26, 2007, 07:50:57 am »

if Garner really believes this, he is nuts...unless, of course, he thinks that a throw home should be well up the third base line.

I've said repeatedly (and been blasted by pravata for it) that Garner makes stuff up all the time in order to make his guys seem better in the press.  Either that or he's stupid about baseball (which I don't believe).
See- Lamb, Mike is a plus defender, Burke, chris is the best left fielder in the National league etc.

286

Talk Zone / Re: Round Rock perfected by Sounds

« on: June 26, 2007, 07:44:37 am »

There's been some good pitching in that series.  Barzilla through a complete game against the Sounds on Saturday.  He gave up one run on six hits.   

Any chance he gets another look at the big league level. It ain't like the bully couldn't use some help from somewhere... anywhere.  How's he doing this year- I remember he got briefly called up last year- but know nothing about him.

287

Talk Zone / Re: Salty

« on: June 25, 2007, 02:14:34 pm »

LF?  I... ahum... mentioned that one.

Salty ain't going to fix the need at pitching in that case.  You need to dangle more prospects out there.  And offense is a huge problem, so again, why trade an offensive player to actually weaken yourself in a problem area.  Don't make sense to me, but then again... what do I know?  Nada, that is what... zip!

Lidge?  I thought this was about Jennings?  Oh boy...

Noe-  I wasn't saying Salty was hitting 8th in this lineup- I was saying that most catcher's hit 7th or 8th. I think he can be a middle of the lineup type guy (maybe not 3, 4 or 5 but 6 or maybe a really good two hitter).  That ain't great or an offensive savior for a 1b (you expect them to take care of the 3,4,5 positions) but it's good for a catcher. The braves, already have such a catcher though. 

288

Talk Zone / Re: This week's Pinwheel gem

« on: June 25, 2007, 02:12:22 pm »

Today's column - June 25, 2007:

Leads the column with:
From his blog two days prior:

Leads the column with:
And caps it off with:
I'll be back in a minute, I'm a little dizzy.

Purpura did a good job bringing in Loretta.  Carlos Lee has been everything he's been advertised at. Woody Williams is a disaster as a number 3 pitcher (servicable as a #5).  The jury is still out on Jennings trade. Pence call up was good- and part of why Wily got dealt was b/c they wanted pence up in the bigs no later than 4/1/08.  Hirsch and Bucholtz haven't shined in Colorado. That trade- while maybe not great, isn't a disaster anyway.

He has had a reasonable percentage of hits on the moves he made. The rest of the team (moberg, berkman, lane et al) have scuffled.

I'm fine with the stros going a different direction. I'm fine with Purp coming back- he hasn't been the unmitigated disaster he's made out to be.

289

Talk Zone / Re: Salty

« on: June 25, 2007, 12:45:06 pm »

Because they have their catcher, and they don't think Salty can move to 1b fast enough to help.  They're looking to win now - Larry, Andruw, and the last of the Sniveling Women could be gone within a year.

Also (and I know that Noe will hate this with his offense v offense and defense v defense paradigm) great offense from the catcher often translates to mediocre or league average offense from a first baseman.  Or put another way, generally the men that squat hit 7th or 8th in the lineup. The men that play first hit in the middle of the order.

Generally.

290

Talk Zone / Re: The Rumor That Won't Die

« on: June 25, 2007, 11:47:51 am »

I really think you folks are over-reacting to this a bit.

All the NYTimes article is saying is that Gomez, who was called-up earlier this year on a kind of emergency basis, is starting to work his way into the club's thinking for the future to the point where they'll think twice about sacrificing him for a half-year rental like Buehrle.  
They then went on the add that **IF** a pitcher like Oswalt or Willis were to hit the market then that, of course, would be a different story - but I don't see that they're implying that a trade like that is currently being discussed or that Gomez packaged with Milledge would be enough to get it done even if it were.


The talk radio dopes in this town keep talking as if Oswalt being offered around is only a matter of time, but that's a seperate issue.

See Oswalt is signed for 5  years at reasonable money so that makes no sense that the astros offer him around. I'd think he'd be as close to untouchable as it gets.

The only way you would trade him is if you thought you would not be able to compete for the playoffs over the term of his contract- and you could get better in a lot of places at once. I see no way in hell, right now, that trading Roy makes any sense. Maybe in 4 years when he has one year left on his deal and your prospects look grim.

Right now?  Crazy.

291

Talk Zone / Re: Salty

« on: June 25, 2007, 11:44:25 am »

i'll bet the Braves would pay to make you a GM. the "who knows?" part is what you should be focusing on, imo.

I meant who knows b/c I don't think that the astros are going to want to actively trade lidge at the deadline- so who knows what his value in return would be.

Saltaafd;slkjasdgttl;isdtka would be a minimum for what I'd take in return for Lidge. If better was out there I'd be curious.

I'm good with Jennings going away if we can get value long term to improve 3rd, 2nd or catcher.

292

Talk Zone / Re: Salty

« on: June 25, 2007, 11:04:06 am »

Which is why I'd want to see what the Sox get for Buehrle.  Recently, teams have gotten a lot less for their rentals.

And you are quite right about players the Braves give up - but those are usually pitchers, who have been greatly assisted by Mazzone in the past and can't replicate that elsewhere.

I'd do that one for one on Jennings.  Hell- I think I'd do that one for one on lidge.

who knows

293

Talk Zone / Re: The Rumor That Won't Die

« on: June 24, 2007, 04:53:18 pm »

Wes Helms? Greg Dobbs? Abe Nunez?

Eeeeeeeeesh.

I thought that they had a hotshot at 3b that they moved David Bell aside for. Maybe I'm just thinking of Washington with the 3b prospect.

294

Talk Zone / Re: The Rumor That Won't Die

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:18:48 am »

Here's a list of players that Tim Purpura could trade Roy Oswalt for, that wouldn't make him the biggest dumbass in the history of the sport:

Albert Pujols
Johan Santana (which would be like trading Roy for Roy)
Roy Halladay (which WOULD be trading Roy for Roy)

That's about it.

Roy Oswalt doesn't get traded for fucking PROSPECTS.

See- earlier in the year (before the season started) I said that I thought you were overestimating Roy slightly. I said that I'd throw Peavy in a group with Roy, as well as Chris Carpenter.  Peavy's been a lot better than Roy this year, and Carpenter's been hurt. I think that there are more than 3 guys it would make some amount of sense to trade Roy for, but I wouldn't go higher than 10 or 15.  Lasting Millidge isn't one of them. Carlos Beltran would be (ignoring salary).  David Wright or Jose Reyes as a centerpiece (with a lasting Millidge thrown in) might give me pause and make me think for a minute.  Chase Utley and Philly's third basemen as a package would interest me.

There's more out there than what you are saying if you are going for 2 youngish players- but it ain't that crap the steM's are offering.

295

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 21, 2007, 01:16:54 pm »

I'm not making shit up...I'm throwing my opinion out there, and hoping to learn something.  I never understood why innings had to be slotted at the end of the game...why you wouldn't bring your closer in, say in the 8th, if there was traffic on the bases, etc.  If I was managing, that's what I would do.  It's obvious there's a major flaw in handling your bullpen in that fashion, otherwise managers would actually do it.  So what is the flaw?  Enlighten me.

You know, there is a hell of a lot of real smart people (like bill james) who think that a bullpen should be used this way.

If Boston has a one run lead going into the bottom of the eight and the Yanks 3, 4, 5 are coming in then the argument is to bring in Pappelbon b/c it is the highest leverage inning you can pitch.  Human nature says that people like to know what is expected of them in their job, and if you don't rack up saves you don't get paid the big bucks, so that militates against guys being used like this.

That scenario involves bringing in a guy to start the 8th vs wait on the 9th for him. When you get runners on base it gets even messier- does your guy hold runners on well, does he warm up quickly enough to be ready when trouble comes (b/c you don't know if there is trouble until there is etc).

I wouldn't be opposed to seeing such a grand experiment take place, but I don't think many young men whose livelihoods are at stake are going to volunteer to be such a guinea pig (nor old GM's/Manager's).

296

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 21, 2007, 01:03:28 pm »

What situation?  Man on first and second, one out is not that critical a situation and one you don't burn your closer to get out of in the 7th.  You're just making shit up now.

Plus- add that to the fact that Qualls has pitched like 3 or 4 days in a row- correct?

He might not have even been available. besides- this ain't a high school game- we go 9 innings here, so somebody had to take care of the 8th and 9th.

297

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 21, 2007, 12:57:51 pm »

Only $2.35 right now and raised to $5.50 for driving the entire way- someone made it sound like $10 bucks a pop one way.

I'd pay $5.50 a way to drive on the "lexus lanes" if it meant driving instead of start and stopping.

I understand the anger though- the guy came off sounding like a dickhead.

298

Talk Zone / Re: My informal recap:

« on: June 21, 2007, 12:29:06 pm »

When Bruntlett was at bat, I thought to myself "Hmmmm... might the use of Eric Munson be in order here?".  But then I thought "No, let the kid swing the bat and be a hero".  When Biggio came up to bat, I asked again "Hmmmmm.... might the use of Eric Munson be in order here?".  Sadly, I never thought otherwise.  In fact, I replied to myself this way "Damn straight!".

It is sad for me to think this way about Craig Biggio, but I do.  Sad, sad, sad.  Oh, and I hate you Brownie for reminding everyone that two night previous Biggio had a similar situation (bases loaded, two outs, facing K-Rod) and struck out.  I don't need to be reminded what has happened to know what is going to happen.  I know already... m'kay!?!?

That's where I sit on the biggio situation to a t. I knew both nights the odds of a K in that situation against a guy with a great slider was about 100%

299

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 21, 2007, 12:27:23 pm »

Mrs Limey and I have a firm intention of moving inside the Loop; the Heights specifically.  However, every time we blink, my house value drops because we're on 290 which is now the worst freeway in Houston, and the Heights skyrockets.

You are correct that the inner Loop traffic is mostly fine.  I used to work near downtown and once I hit I-10 inside the Loop, it was an absolute breeze.  This is because the vast majority of those who work in the city are jammed up for days trying to get past Hwy 6, the Beltway and the Loop itself.

I've never had any particular problem trying to get around inside the loop from my house at Shepherd and Allen Parkway.

It is easy to take Allen Parkway over to the downtown place, and even westheimer to the galleria around 8:00- 8:30 am isn't that bad.  Traffic inside the loop on 45 doesn't seem that bad to me either. Outside the loop it is a different story for sure, but enough people go enough different ways that 45 ain't all that bad. 59 is pretty much a mess everywhere, inside the loop or out, I've noticed.

300

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 21, 2007, 12:19:00 pm »

lots of businesses, even downtown, are allowing business casual all week during the summer nowadays.  much less the fact that it's not 90-100 at 6-8 am even during the middle of august.

and cmon 3-5 blocks?  if one can't walk 3-5 blocks, put the goddamn mcdonalds down.  go to a park.  and start walking.

Yesterday I walked outside to my car at 6:45 AM and I thought I was in a sauna. If I was wearing a suit and going to day at work I would not want to walk in those conditions.

I play golf and walk 18 holes during the summer time occasionally. It is not that I can't walk 5 blocks, it is that I am a sweaty freaking mess after doing so.  I would not be interested in starting my work day this way.  It's ok wearing shorts and a golf shirt.  Not so much in business or even casual business attire, stuck there throughout the day.

301

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 21, 2007, 11:38:26 am »

I worked as an intern in DC and took the subway to work every day. I'd have rather driven, but there was no parking, and a benefit to the bus/subway (you could drink after work and stumble home).

It meant waiting 5-10 minutes for a bus, riding the bus 10 minutes to the subway, waiting for the subway etc. It made my commute between 30 and  45 minutes, depending on waiting for the bus and subway, while driving would have been 15 minutes or so.  That wasn't the part that would really suck in h-town though. Imagine waiting outside in the 90-100 degree heat, with humidity, and walking 3-5 blocks to get from the subway to your office in a suit.

I'd be sweating like a pig by the time I got to the office during the summer time.  The other months of the year I'd be ok with doing that- especially if it saved money from huge parking bills, and/or allowed happy hour participation.

302

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 21, 2007, 10:59:39 am »

Nobody else but Bork made sense. He's earned the opportunity to try important situations imo, with the instability right now with lidge gone.

No problem at all with him getting the call- even though the inning sucked.

303

Talk Zone / Re: Santana

« on: June 20, 2007, 03:27:05 pm »

Ahhhhh, Tampa Bay.  Thanks.

And the SS in question was Kevin Stocker.  Spent two years with the Rays before being DFA's and picked up by the Angles, for whom he was sub-Mendoza.  That was that.

I already acknowledged that in my post 10 above re Kevin Stocker and the DRAYS- if that's the part you were comparing to then spot on- but I don't expect/hope for competence from other org's GM's, just those of the teams I root for.

304

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to DL - strained oblique

« on: June 20, 2007, 03:24:27 pm »

I think hoping for a good station in unreal, but certainly hoping for a good 3-4 hour show isn't too much to ask for.  I don't mind Palillo, I think he's the best of a bad group here in town. 

I think the folks on ESPN Radio suck but they have the name to get pretty awesome guests which can make things worth listening to.  For instance, I like Andy Katz for college basketball and Kirk Herbstreet for college football.  Jaworskie is the man for pro football.

Agreed Re- the shows.

If I was forced to listen to the radio all day (sports talk only) 3 months ago I'd go with:

John and Lance in the morning till 11:00. Jim Rome for an hour until 12:00. Dan Patrick until 3:00. Then CP until 6 and the night pervs on 610 until 10:00. Also like Doug Gotleib on ESPN Radio- but not sure if the local's pick him up or if it's just an XM thing.

305

Talk Zone / Re: CWS

« on: June 20, 2007, 02:13:04 pm »

he may wait a long time.

Considering that he is at a Colonial Athletic Association School- yes indeed.  He's either got to get to a higher league/program or make that school an ass load better.

Said that he had 7 guys he signed that he was worried about getting drafted. Said to the best of his knowledge they'd never had a signee get drafted before, so he's upping the level of talent- but it is a process.
I hope he gets there. It will be about the happiest I've ever felt for another person in my life if so.  Chasing your dream like that, being poor and working for no money, 70 or 80 hours a week for so long, moving to a billion different cities and places in the first 8 years of your professional life ain't easy.  You've got to have some real belief in yourself to make it like that.  I hope like heck he does.

One of the guys I worked with up in the Northwoods league made assistant at UCLA. I was hoping for him that they were gonna get in, but they got bounced in the supers I believe.  That would have been cool.

306

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 20, 2007, 02:06:30 pm »

[revert to revolutionary Mexican-American AZTLAN wannabe]
Damn straight and California is *STILL* Mexico to many of us!
[/revert to revolutionary Mexican-American AZTLAN wannabe]

I thought everything south of I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso (including those two cities) was mexico.  Who knew?

307

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to DL - strained oblique

« on: June 20, 2007, 02:00:41 pm »

I won't disagree. I was pointing out to Wulaw that he is not some kid on his way up.

Ah, I see. Ok thanks then, didn't realize he was that old, but I really meant kid as in knee jerk reaction to anyone up from AAA.

Does not apply here.

308

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to DL - strained oblique

« on: June 20, 2007, 01:58:40 pm »

740, the one where they broadcast the Astros games.

No- he said all sports- 740 is just sometimes sports, astro centric.

I think 1560 isn't supposed to be sports its supposed to be guy radio where they talk about other things guys are interested in like Sports, girls and movies and such. Not positive on that though.

I listen to the black radio station on 1430 sometimes on the way home and I think that might be even worse than the suck that is 610 and 790 now in the morning.  I hate driving to work in the morning now.

309

Talk Zone / Re: CWS

« on: June 20, 2007, 01:52:59 pm »

it was a huge event for the town, but no TV yet so the rest of the country was not very involved. the citizens of Omaha treated us like major celebs. it was cool. i signed a jillion autographs, and there are many 50ish Nebraskans wondering today who the hell "Jimmy Raup" is.

two and barbecue one year
beat Arizona, then lost two straight the other year. don't remember which was which. the worst that year was losing the second game to St. John's, whose players were all blinking in the bright sunlight because they had not been outdoors much.

i never got in a game. my sophomore year against FSU, we lost in 12, and i pitched the last 5-6 in the BP. Falk told me more than once "if this guy gets on, you're in," but our starter kept wiggling out of trouble and went all 12.

the year i would have pitched a lot up there (1967), Tom Paciorek cruelly tore it from my grasp, leaving serious scars that are unhealed today.

Bill Little called our years "Tradition but no talent" in his book about UT baseball. that likely was true, but i played on three SWC champions. because the small schools would vote in a bloc, the SWC limited its baseball teams to 25 games and prohibited fall practice. as a result, the SWC rep was at a severe disadvantage in the CWS. it took UT and aTm threatening to leave the conference in baseball to force the SWC to drop those restrictions.

Thanks for sharing the stories.

I've been trying to get my buddy who coaches D1 to go. He is adamant that he ain't going until he's particpating.

310

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 20, 2007, 01:02:41 pm »

Well, for one, it's not simply $5.00 a day, there are at least 4 pay stations from one end to the other, each way. So, $2.50 X 8 per day. Second, currently during rush hour it's a parking lot, hence the (purported) reason to increase the toll.

understood- that's what I meant by drive instead of stop and start (which is what I hear the tollway is at rush hour).

Didn't realize there were four booths- that sucks.  $10.00 a day is not insignificant.

311

Talk Zone / Re: CWS

« on: June 20, 2007, 01:00:44 pm »

My understanding is that the only "walk-up availability" is via outrageous scalper prices.

scalp prices were not outrageous when I went.  $40 bucks got me two tickets about 7 rows up, right behind homeplate.

Less than you'd pay comparable for face at MMP.
More than face by about double. Not outrageous to my way of thinking.

312

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:58:45 pm »

Jimmy D a while back was going on about quantifying defense (in particular about Adam Everett) because he felt the measurement for Everett's contribution to prevent runs scored was not easily quantifiable.  Let me see if I can give justice to Jimmy D's point:

If you have two outs, bases loaded and the shortstop fails to make a play and because of that a run scores, does the contribution of said shortstop to the runs prevented end there?  I don't think it does because if the other team winds up scoring, say ten runs that inning, just limiting the runs prevented to 1 to the shortstop is shortsighted.  Conversely, if the shortstop makes a spectacular play to end an inning, how in the world can you qualify that as 1 or 2 runs prevented to the shortstop.  You have to make a ton of assumptions to quantify that scenario, so you're not talking reality, you're talking assumed outcomes and that skews the numbers.

Agreeed.

Without a time machine who is to say though? In my example above about the sampson game all we know is Sampson got 3 outs on 8 pitches in the first innning.

Maybe he throws 30 pitches and gives up 4 runs.  Maybe a mere mortal allows 1st and 3rd with one out and he induces a double play ground ball on the next pitch?  Who knows. All I know is that AE's plays prevented possible trouble, and made young sampson's life easier.

313

Talk Zone / Re: CWS

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:44:50 pm »

twice as a player, never as a fan. gonna do that some day.

How did yall do the two years you went and what was the spectacle (or was it even a spectacle yet?) like as a player?

Would really love to hear your insigts on this.

314

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:06:54 pm »

Do you think that every major European city has a distinct population center and business center?  They don't, yet every one has a mass transit system that works.

They all have moreso of one then H-town. Or at least the 6 or 7 I've visited.

315

Talk Zone / Re: Barrett: a Padre

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:05:51 pm »

Cabrera's a Brave. Twice.

damn- beat to the punch by 12 seconds.

316

Talk Zone / Re: Barrett: a Padre

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:05:12 pm »

Cabrara is a brave.

3rd time this has been posted today.

Good job scoop  

317

Talk Zone / Re: Santana

« on: June 20, 2007, 12:04:37 pm »

Proven major leaguer, 2 seasons removed from hitting over .300.  Of course, if they were so good as spotting a horse's ass, why didn't they see that coming.

True that. I thought it was apparent that DB was on a downslide at the time of the expansion draft. But he still had 100 RBI's the year before. Of course with biggio being such a stud and hitting in front of Bags he also had about 3 billion chances to drive in those 100 runs. It was the worst 100 RBI season I've ever witnessed.

318

Talk Zone / Re: Santana

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:53:47 am »

I think the Astros projection on Abreu was that he was going to be a horse's ass.

not altogether wrong either. I never faulted them for Doggy over abreau- I didn't get why Derek Bell was protected, but I was never a big DB fan.

319

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:47:52 am »

I am skeptical of how mass transit is supposed to work in a city with a population density as low as Houston's.

agreed- there is no population center to business commerce center to make mass transit make a whole lot of sense imo.  Where is the "there" that you are trying to get people to, and where are they starting from. Population density in NY, DC or the euro cities I've been to where subway system is great does not exist for H-town.  We've had cheap land for a long time so we just sprawl all over the place. I don't see how mass transit will be viable in h-town any time in the forseeable future.

Maybe I'm an elitist snob, but I'd be happy if I lived on Westpark to pay the extra $5.00 a day if it meant I could drive instead of start and stop.  Of course I reverse commute and do so north to south, so I generally only use the Hardy if commute time on 45 is greater than 25 minutes from Rayford Sawdust to 610, or vice versa.  I guess there isn't as viable an east west road in that area as 45 provides for woodlands/conroe to H-town.

320

Talk Zone / Re: CWS

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:39:40 am »

Anyone been? As luck would have it, I will be driving past Omaha Sunday late afternoon. What are the odds of walk-up tickets?

I've only been the first weekend. I'm guessing that tickets will be easy enough to find- especially if it is Rice vs a West coast school (neither is going to draw like a texas, LSU, Nebraska, wichita state type program).

The CWS is one of my favorite events ever attending in person, but I'd say the second weekend isn't as much fun as the first, if you don't have a dog in the hunt, b/c a lot of fans/people have left town.

Had a total blast going though- highly recomend it.

321

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:36:48 am »

While given the choice I'd take an additional run prevented over an additional run scored, the effect you are talking about can go both ways. A player who is not consuming as many outs in the line-up is extended the opposing team's pitching and defense, which would presumably have an effect similar to what you're describing. Moreover, even if an additional run prevented is more valuable than an additional run scored, at some point the value of a particular quantity of additional runs scored will outweigh the value of a particular quantity of additional runs prevented. Even if it's not one-on-one linear, there is theoretically a quantitative comparison there.

I don't disagree for a minute about that Arky- If you give me two runs scored for every loss of a run prevented I'm all in favor of that. My point was it was not as simple as the guy at the top of the page posted. The equation is not 10 runs scored vs a loss of 9 prevented automatically is better as he was implying.

You cannot (imo) ignore the fact that runs scored come in bunches, so you have a feast or famine element to it. Runs prevented are more steady, as defense and pitching go on hiatus less often, and for smaller periods of time.

Put another way- I think 750 runs is pretty average for a national league team. That's an average of about 4.5 a game.

If you guaranteed me I'd score four runs 81 times and 5 runs 81 times I'd be happy with that, and figure I'd win a shitload more games than a similar team that scores 7 runs one game and 2 the next, over and over and over again.
That teams gonna win right at 80 games.  Look at alkie's post about what the astros record would be if they scored 4 runs every game.  That doesn't happen- can't happen, so I'd just assume try to keep the other team from scoring, b/c that is more likely in my opinion.

322

Talk Zone / Re: Santana

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:30:27 am »

See also Abreu, Bobby.

Apples and oranges on the abreu comparison- he was advanced enough for the astros to be able to project with some amount of certainty that he'd be a good major leaguer. Why the DRays decided they just had to have Kevin Stocker is beyond me.

Can't cry about Santanna- that's a no way you can figure it out without a time machine situation.

323

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to DL - strained oblique

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:24:20 am »

So Randolph's contract was purchased less than a week after Purp said he wanted to avoid having to put him though waivers again this season.  That means some combination of ...

1.  Lidge really is out for a long time
2.  Somebody is going to get traded
3.  Somebody else in the current bullpen is going to be optioned/dfa when Lidge comes back

Add to that the recent purp comments about people turning things around from a career perspective, and it looks like we might see some changes

I'm guessing the young man gets  a chance to prove himself, and if he does that Moehler gets dfa (absent a trade of course).

Just my sneaking suspicion

324

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:18:07 am »

i do not spend a whole lot of time thinking about this stuff and no time worrying about it. you see, i cannot control it. i watch the games and root for the guys we have--all of them. overly simplistic, perhaps, but it works for me.

I do the same (enjoy watching and rooting for whoever the good guys trot out- as long as they ain't shit bags which seems to be few and far between on this franchise).

325

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:12:27 am »

what i said was that his arm appeared strong to me but that he threw sidearm and was not accurate. that was after two homestands watching him throw from CF. no way did i say he has a RF arm.

Scott's is stronger and much more accurate, imo.

why are you talking about Ichiro? spend your time daydreaming about Hunter.

If I daydream it isn't about Hunter Pence- I have the hearts drawn with my name and Vince Young's name on my big chief tablet in the trapperkeeper.  I think Hunter Pence is going to be a plus player in the bigs for a long time, but I don't think he's the savior of the franchise- just a guy that is going to be cheap for another 3 or 4 years and provide just below all star level play. 

The whole Ichiro thing was just in response to Roy's comments and the other comments about A-Rod vis a vis Ichiro.

I think Pence has got to be part of the long term success of this franchise-otherwise the stros are screwed, as everyone seems to feel they have no difference making everyday talent ready to be in the bigs for at least 3 year, no? If not Hunter to plug a hole and fill a void then who?  you can only do so much with free agency as those guys command huge dollars and the Astros- though not frugal, are not the yankees or red sox either.

326

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to DL - strained oblique

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:06:38 am »

The day after Lidge gave up the homerun to Mark Kotsay, JdJO wrote that he should be traded.  He tried to cover up his disdain for Lidge by saying all the right things about "A Nice guy...blah, blah, blah...", but he basically put himself in a corner that Lidge was not a closer any more and he knew the Astros were tired of him as well.

Nothing, I mean nothing... could be further from the truth than that.

See that's what bother's me about shit bags like JDJO.  He knows so little that he thinks lidge should be traded b/c Pujols has made him suck. I think it would be reasonable to trade lidge if his value is high enough to get you 1 or 2 really good pieces for the future, like saltamadl;fashdpasdofiljia of the braves for example. JDJO is a knee jerk, reactionary fool.

327

Talk Zone / Re: You root for you Astros, you cheer your heart out for your Astros.

« on: June 20, 2007, 11:01:14 am »

2 in my office do. The yammering on the day after sounds like a foreign language, which is fine by me.

Houston- a great place to grab an ice cold coca cola and share it with the ones you love....


As to Idol- I and the wife have never watched it.  A couple of the girls at my work watch it religously.

328

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 10:57:16 am »

I don't see how somebody could think that Arky was just playing mind games.

He was expressing disagreement with Noe.

I never really bought the whole "you can't analyze defense and offense independently" thing. With Everett out, you give up defense but you gain offense. As far as runs goes, the Astros will probably score more runs with Everett out of the lineup. They will also probably allow more runs. If there is a larger increase in runs scored than there is an increase in runs allowed, the net impact is a positive one. Obviously the fluctuations can't be attributed with certainty to Everett. There are metrics which can provide valuable information about that though. Personally, I love AE and think he's a valuable part of this team. The Astros don't spend enough money to have every spot in the lineup occupied by an offensive star. It makes sense to have a light bat stud fielder shortstop.

Go back and read my post- the 2nd on the thread. It is not linear +/- for a player.  There is generally more value in preventing runs then scoring runs, because so many "great" offensive teams waste a ton of their runs in blowout games, but defense and pitching rarely go into prolonged slumps like offense does.

If you can't get guys out in the field it taxes your starters and taxes the bullpen.  Look at the 7th inning the other night as a prime example- you turn that DP and you are out of a whole hell of a lot of mess.


Look at Sampson's last start with Everett playing SS.  Everett made all three plays in the first inning- two of them of the blue star variety.  A lesser mortal might not make those plays, and you have guys on the corner with 1 out. Instead Sampson cruised through that inning and the next two.  What happens if he throws 30 pitches and gives up 2 runs in the first instead?  He damn sure ain't going 7 and 2/3 quality innings and giving up only 2 runs. Instead his line might look like his line looked against the angel's when all those balls were finding holes.

329

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 10:53:00 am »

Luke Scott's arm is far better than Pence's arm

Strength, accuracy or both?

I remember you saying you thought Pence had a good enough arm earlier in the year- before changing that tune once he got up here.  So, would you play Ichiro in RF and Pence in CF?  I like the alignment the other way around, even though Ichiro obviously has the RF arm you drool over- but as we saw this weekend it ain't a waste to have that arm in CF (2 OF assists and stopping two other runners dead in their tracks at 3b).

Ichiro's arm saved them at least 3 runs in that series that I noticed- maybe more when you factor in the lost cause of the outs that the pitcher no longer had to record.

 

330

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 20, 2007, 10:36:06 am »

you do not care about a RFer's arm. oh, my. new to baseball, are you?

i guess you just like the way he looks in a uniform.

That is not what I'm saying. I'm saying I do not care about Hunter Pence's arm b/c it is at a minimal standard necessary to play the position of RF. I care about Chris burke's arm out there because he is a damn turnstyle.

I don't think Hunter Pence's arm is appreciably worse then Luke Scott's arm, and he's getting the majority of the playing time. Would I prefer he switch arms with Vlady or Guillen or some such? Sure- but that ain't what we got and what is going to happen. Ichiro looked so good to me in CF that I'd play him there, even though he has a prototypical RF arm- do you really disagree with anything I"m saying here coach?

331

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 19, 2007, 04:38:57 pm »

I don't really care about Pence's arm in RF if he is flanked in center by Ichiro. I'm telling you- the astros wouldn't even need a third OF.  Everett could get short left and the Ichiro and pence could just play the gaps. It would be beautiful.

Since Lee would have to field his postion his responsibility would be about a 15 foot by 15 foot square.

This would be awesome.  I wouldn't even care about glaring holes at 2b and 3b- I'd even except (justice spelling) Burke at 2b and hitting anywhere.

332

Talk Zone / Re: Has reverT been unlucky?

« on: June 19, 2007, 04:27:13 pm »

Do you know of a fantasy league that uses this for scoring purposes?

I always thought that the best use of this stat would be to judge defense- what % of theoretically playable balls turns into outs.  I think it's at least as effective for telling you how good the leather on a team is vs pitcher's skill.

333

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 19, 2007, 03:35:51 pm »

Scott can play. trade him for someone good or not at all.

Agreed.

Of the four positons that aren't set for multiple years after this one (RF, 2b, 3b and Catcher) RF is the last place I'd look to upgrade.

I wouldn't mind seeing upgraded, but it's last priority imo

334

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 19, 2007, 03:31:42 pm »

If that kind of cash is gonna be ponied up, I want Ichiro in CF.

The idea of Lee- Ichiro- pence in the OF makes me want to wet my pants with excitement.

Ichiro and pence are fast enough that Lee's ineptitude in the field is irrellevant. 

335

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup for Tonight

« on: June 19, 2007, 03:06:07 pm »

I knew that the ensberg out was the end of that inning. As much as I love bidge I assigned about a 100% certainty of a K against K-rod.  No way Bidge hits that slider. I was just hoping that maybe he'd come inside and plunk craig. I got a little bit excited at 2-0, but no luck on a give away from the halos.

336

Talk Zone / Re: How many Pooholes does it take to spell ESPN?

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:44:19 pm »

Wow. It didn't take long to vault Sampson or Pence into some rarefied air.

They are two guys I'm counting on going forward to be plus major league players. I'm not counting on them in the way I am Berkman/Lee and Oswalt- but rather as something between all star/mvp/cy young candidates and league average.

Put it this way- I don't think you need to look to upgrade at any of those positions, thus why I'm calling them "core" players (with Berkman/lee and Oswalt being cornerstone type players). Sorry if that wasn't clear.

And I know that Drayton is a win now guy, I generally appreciate that. I'm just saying I don't agree with that the way this year has played out.

337

Talk Zone / Re: How many Pooholes does it take to spell ESPN?

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:24:11 pm »

There is not the remotest chance that the Astros think they're out of it.

Pravata- I agree completely with your assessment. I just happen to think that trying to win this year (which will take a historical comeback- but not something we haven't witnessed the prior 3 years) is fools gold with this team. If you can set yourself up strong for the future do so.

You are undoubtedly right though- management doesn't think they are out of it. 

338

Talk Zone / Re: How many Pooholes does it take to spell ESPN?

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:22:29 pm »

have you SEEN this division?  Its pathetic.  Each and every Astros team (except for 2000 but that year never actually happened) from 1993-2006 would win the 2007 NL Central.

This is just MY preference- not saying anyone here should/will share it, or that management thinks the same way:

I'd rather see them fold the cards on this season if it can set up the good guys for another run of 5-10 years like the last 10 years that we've seen from them.

Lidge will never have more value then he does right now (due to his contractual terms) and Jennings imo is gone after this year.  These two guys give you the chance to restock a system more or less devoid of impact mlb talent right now. The core of Lee, Berkman, Pence, Oswalt Sampson and the stable of young guys in the minor's gives you some real talent. They are a 3 pieces away from being really good for another 5 years. If you get these pieces to set you up for the future I'm ok on waving the white flag on this season, when you have a crappy team not likely to either A) make the playoffs or B) do a ton of damage when they get there.

The Chisox made such a white flag trade when 4 games out at the deadline and the pieces they acquired helped them win a WS 4 years later- I'd be strongly in favor of the astros doing the same- putrid division or not. It ain't like the division is getting a shit load better in the foreseeable future.

339

Talk Zone / Re: The AE Fallacy

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:16:22 pm »

See, the thing is you can win baseball by preventing runs, or by scoring them (duh).

If I'm team building I militate more toward preventing runs as it has two benefits:

1) It's more consistent/less streaky
&
2) It's more efficient.

What I mean by that is this- a team that gives up 200 less runs then league average will win more games, year after year- then a team that scores 200 runs more than league average.

You don't lose any games giving up 0 runs, and almost never lose a game giving up 1 or 2 runs (roger clemens starts not counting- which was hysterical on many levels to see him lose 2-0 to the Mets but I digress).

You do, however, in the course of being a high scoring jugernaught waste a ton of runs if you are a really high scoring team. There is not a ton of advantage to winning a game 10-5 or 10-3 (the small one being that you can pitch your less effective relievers and blow off some mental stress).

If you are going to score 1000 runs like the Yanks might you have a ton of wasted runs.

If you instead build a team that only gives up 550 or 600 runs you've set the bar really low on what you need to do offensively to win (score 3 or 4 runs a game).  Some of these runs will be given up in blow outs, meaning if you plot it you probably have a whole shit load of games where you are giving up 1, 2 or 3 runs, and even the astros with their anemic offense leading up to the breakout this past week won most of those games where they gave up 1, 2 or 3.

But this team is hitting now w/o AE, but it ain't b/c we don't have him in there anymore, it's b/c lamb got ungodly hot, Berkman is hitting the ball w/ authority, bidge broke out of about a month long coma on the last road trip, and Hunter keeps on plugging away (even ausmus is scorching).

It ain't as easy as subbing out Everett.

That said- I saw the astros lineup announced yesterday and thought to myself that there really wasn't a stretch a pitcher could cruise through without worry about. Then they go out and score 9 runs. Then, it wasn't enough. 

Damn, what a crappy way to start the day (I went to bed in the b7th and tivo'd the end of the debacle). I thought fo sho it would be an easy win when I started watching the end of the game.

340

Talk Zone / Re: How many Pooholes does it take to spell ESPN?

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:02:36 pm »

why would anyone beleive that this team should be serious about winning, this year?

Lidge and Jennings need to get spun off for 3b, 2b, Catcher and Maybe RF of the futurer  Set in Left, Center SS (when AE gets back) and 1b. And I like the arms in the minors.

But those other four positions, not so much.

sorry for the echo- I was typing while MM was posting the exact same thing.

341

Talk Zone / Re: How many Pooholes does it take to spell ESPN?

« on: June 19, 2007, 02:00:53 pm »

And I maintain that a team that is serious about winning needs a shut down bullpen.

why would anyone beleive that this team should be serious about winning, this year?

Lidge and Jennings need to get spun off for 3b, 2b, Catcher and Maybe RF of the futurer  Set in Left, Center SS (when AE gets back) and 1b. And I like the arms in the minors.

But those other four positions, not so much.

342

Talk Zone / Re: My dad cracked me up today at the game

« on: June 17, 2007, 11:09:37 pm »

Channeling strosrays, I guess.

Channeling Dick Justice. I'm on a role tonight.

343

Talk Zone / Re: It's June 17th, You Compare and Discuss:

« on: June 17, 2007, 07:40:56 pm »

Here's another compare and discuss:

Player   AB    H    2B    HR    RBI    BB    SO    AVG    OBP    SLG    OPS
A   807   207   53   15   73   64   162   .257   .329   .385   .714
B   336   85   18   9   36   32   69   .253   .318   .399   .717

I should add, player A doesn't play any particular defensive position extremely well, plays one well, and a few others he's mediocre to poor.  Player B is solid, if not good, at almost every defensive position they put him. 

I'd really appreciate someone telling me why player A has seen over twice the number of at bats as player B?  I am guessing it's because player B is only put in situations where he'll succeed and that if he played every day his offensive weaknesses would be exposed.  But from what I've seen, he's got a very sound approach at the plate and rarely gets cheated in an at-bat.  Your thoughts are appreciated!

I give up is player A burke and player B Bruntlett.


Was talking about this at the game w/ dad and he figured it is b/c so much more has been invested in Burke then Bruntlett. That's about the only thinik that makes a ton of sense to me.

344

Talk Zone / My dad cracked me up today at the game

« on: June 17, 2007, 07:33:53 pm »

I took him for fathers day (and my 10 month old nephew to his first BBall game!) and dad shows up in his roger clemens jersey I got him a couple of fathers day's ago with the clemens and #22 duck taped so that you can't read it.

Really cracked me up for some reason. Those jersey's are expensive, don't want to throw them away or burn them- I guess that's one way to get some use out of a jersey after the guy leaves town.

345

Talk Zone / According to Justice

« on: June 17, 2007, 10:10:05 am »

an NL scout says that the astros can get on a "role" and win a bunch of games

Not a blog, but in the actual freaking newspaper (at least the web version of it- which I imagine they just cut and paste).

It's not like this is the first time I've seen this kind of glaring idiocy.  Do that not have any editor- do they just figure that spell check is good enough.

Damn, people, get some professionalism.

346

Talk Zone / Re: It's June 17th, You Compare and Discuss:

« on: June 17, 2007, 09:46:12 am »

Oh Oh Oh- can I answer this one?

Pitcher B- sampson.  I think it would have been more fun if you kept us in suspense and didn't specifically mention either of them by name- so that we could go down our own path.

347

Talk Zone / Re: Mets interested in Lidge

« on: June 17, 2007, 09:44:27 am »

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/graziano/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/118197192131180.xml&coll=1&thispage=2

Dare I say it? 

LASTINGS MILLEDGE!!!

348

Talk Zone / Re: Astros sign Chan Ho Park to minor league deal

« on: June 13, 2007, 12:27:32 pm »

Assuming the best-case scenario with Park pitching effectively against AAA hitters, I don't see where he fits unless the Astros swing a deal involving either Jennings, Sampson, or Wandy.

Insurance for a Jennings deal to upgrade future at C, 2b or 3b perhaps.  Someone gotta fill out the rotation and maybe they don't see that in the minors at this time?

Doesn't really make sense any other way, unless there is a trade.

349

Talk Zone / Re: SportsRadio 610 loses another

« on: June 12, 2007, 03:16:19 pm »

cool- I'll be following them up the dial if they are re-united (I'd have to think they will be- it just makes too much sense not to be as they were the best local thing on the radio).

350

Talk Zone / Re: Its a crying shame

« on: June 12, 2007, 03:09:18 pm »

I don't know- if Z was going to break down I think he would have already broken down. Not that I'm an expert or anything.

I'm betting on Mets- 6 years north of 100 million.

If I'm the Cubs and not going to resign him I might as well pitch him till his arm falls off.

351

Talk Zone / Re: Mac Talk

« on: June 12, 2007, 03:05:15 pm »

I don't understand this at all. I use IE as a browser, have always had a pc and don't get the vitriol against them

What am I missing (and I'm more or less tech illiterate, but my ipod plugs into my Dell at home and plays just fine for me) in simple language that a tech retard like myself can understand.

352

Talk Zone / Re: Its a crying shame

« on: June 12, 2007, 09:18:58 am »

As others, especially mark, have pointed out, Woody has given you QS over 50% of the time.  That's about all you can ask from a #5 guy.

I knew when Zambrano hit that HR that all was lost. That guy is filthy. How his era has flirted with 5 this year I have no idea.

353

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at sbuC - 6/11/07

« on: June 11, 2007, 09:29:42 pm »

jason dubois?

No- someone more famous- like a 10 year vet type.

Now I'm going to have to go use pravata's google I suppose.

354

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at sbuC - 6/11/07

« on: June 11, 2007, 09:19:11 pm »

that french connection thing reminds me of something that has been bugging me all night.

I remember a couple of spring trainings ago Stark pointed out that the Cubs could field an OF of 3 fake sounding frenchies.

IT was Jaque Jones, Juan Pierre and .....

Help me out with the 3rd fake sounding frenchie that was a cubbie.

355

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at sbuC - 6/11/07

« on: June 11, 2007, 08:47:59 pm »

OK- 26 games left till the all star break. Can Bidge get to 3,000 before the break?

I'm saying it looks like not right now.

356

Talk Zone / Re: Sopranos (non-BB)

« on: June 11, 2007, 08:46:31 pm »

The Office (American Version) = Bill Walsh or Bill Parcells (you pick)

Both Walsh and Parcells won Superbowls but as great as those teams were, each coach has a long legacy of former assistants who have gone on to greatness.  From Bill Walsh you can trace George Siefert, Mike Homgren, Steve Mariucchi, Andy Reid, Mike Shanahan and so forth.  The Bill Parcells family tree includes Bill Belichek, Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, and so forth.

The Office has an incredible staff of writers.  Greg Daniels (executive producer and writer/director) penned some of the best Simpsons episodes and also worked on Seinfeld and SNL.  Paul Lieberstein (Toby the HR guy) was a writer for King of the Hill.  Larry Wilmore (Mr. Black from Season One's Diversity Day) won an Emmy for his work writing for the Bernie Mack Show.  BJ Novak (Ryan the temp) wrote Diversity Day, Sexual Harrasment and The Fire (Ryan started the fire...).  Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor) wrote The Dundies and The Injury.  Michael Schur (Cousin Mose) wrote Office Olympics, the Season 2 Christmas Episode and others.  These guys will eventually all be given their own show to produce/write. 

Best.  Show.  on.  Television.

I sincerely hope that this is the case, as other than sports I watch almost nothing on TV. I watch My name is Earl, the Office, and Hustle (BBC production on AMC), and that is it.  I would love to see more shows that are as funny as the office.

Those episodes you mentionied (minus the dundies which was ok for that show's standard) are among the funniest episodes of any tv show I've ever seen.

357

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at sbuC - 6/11/07

« on: June 11, 2007, 08:20:38 pm »

Ausmus with the one hit.

It is going to take an absolute, certified miracle for the stros to score two runs tonight (which is necessary already) to tie the game.

A miracle (or a pitching change) I tell you.

358

Talk Zone / Re: Anyone going to the game tomorrow night?

« on: June 11, 2007, 02:02:30 pm »

I assumed you knew about my wicked slider.  Why brag?

is it of the 12-6 variety?

359

Talk Zone / Re: Quintero outrighted to RR, McLemore up

« on: June 11, 2007, 12:54:08 pm »

I was under the impression that the org is more worried about Ausums wearing down and being worn out at the end of the year then trying to find a replacement for Ausmus.  They want a compotent backup that can give Ausmus some rest.

Sure- meaning if anyone had stepped up and took charge Ausmus would not lead the majors in games caught. Nobody has so he does.

360

Talk Zone / Re: Quintero outrighted to RR, McLemore up

« on: June 11, 2007, 12:31:39 pm »

They weren't looking very hard.

no- you are right. More of an approach that if this guy surprises us we'd like to give him more time from Brad. Not a "lets make this a priority to find a guy we're comfortable giving brad's time to.

361

Talk Zone / Re: Quintero outrighted to RR, McLemore up

« on: June 11, 2007, 11:47:19 am »

I think that there is some truth to the statement that for the last three (at least 2) years the astros have been looking to give some of ausmus playing time away. Phil has made statements back to at least last spring training that they'd like to find someone that could catch one for sure and maybe 2 guys regularly. I think the org would have liked for closer to a 70/30 situation for a couple years now, but instead ausmus damn near leads the league in games caught year in and year out.  Nobody has stepped up and took that more regular work that is there for the taking (after all Brad is damn near 40).

362

Talk Zone / Re: Quintero outrighted to RR, McLemore up

« on: June 11, 2007, 10:37:33 am »

Plus- Jeroime "15 game winner" brought Wily T and Luke Scott. Wily T and Hirsh (a homegrown guy) netted Jennings- Alkie's favorite #2 pitcher ever.  That is useful in and of itself.


Your standards are too high if you say the astros can't be credited for developing young pitchers this century.

363

Talk Zone / Re: Wandy Rodriguez, Humanitarian extrodaniare

« on: June 11, 2007, 10:34:12 am »

Well, really, no one could have even dreamt that he'd have done as well as he had to this point in the season.

Someone a few weeks ago was calling him TimeBomb.

My post wasn't a knock on Wandy, I just thought it was funny. After each HR and the graphic I kept thinking about how Wandy hates prostate cancer and is going to be responsible for ending it with money raised.

364

Talk Zone / Re: Quintero outrighted to RR, McLemore up

« on: June 10, 2007, 05:37:45 pm »

Why does he think no other team knows he's on waivers?

That's the part of reading the quote that I was wondering about- is JDJO the only person in america to know he was put on waivers?

Quick- get the mets on the phone for a personal recomendation- there might be a build a bear in it for the jesus.

365

Talk Zone / Re: 7 interleague games in NL Stadiums last night

« on: June 10, 2007, 05:33:18 pm »

Yeah, and eventually one day the NL will win another World Series...


Oh, wait.

I understand the cards won the world series- but flukes happen in a short series. There regular season record put them outside the top 10 teams in MLB last year. The leagues are not particularly close right now, that fluke WS last year aside.

366

Talk Zone / Wandy Rodriguez, Humanitarian extrodaniare

« on: June 10, 2007, 05:30:43 pm »

Wandy hates prostate cancer.  $48,000.00 in donations thanks to the longballs. Now he can say that he gave at the office!
Mike Lamb too.

367

Talk Zone / 7 interleague games in NL Stadiums last night

« on: June 10, 2007, 11:34:00 am »

the national league when 0-7.  4-11 overall on the interleague slate last night.

Damn, that's crazy.  How long will this inbalance last with the NL being the inferior league. It seems like it's been that way for 5 or 6 years, becoming really pronounced in the last couple. I hate AL baseball and this is getting ridiculous.

368

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge to transition back to closer role

« on: June 10, 2007, 11:17:42 am »

transition? thjere is no such thing. he either is or is not closing.

I think the transition will last all of saturday (a scheduled off day for lidge).  Sunday he's in the 9th inning in a save situation, imo.

369

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 01:12:05 pm »

I think you need to seperate for a second what makes *you* pissed and what makes a teammate a little put off.  Ausmus is a leader on this club.   So is Biggio.  Oswalt, Berkman and Lee will have their times as well.  I know what would make me unhappy and that is all good and well, but what really makes me concerned is when the actual team has issues.  All clubhouses can have problems, not one of them is immune.  Some are personality related, some are not.

But where you tend to draw the line is flat out not playing hard nor hustling.  By "you" I mean the guys on the team and not you and I.  It matters to them that they can count on guys busting their tail, even on a night when you know a guy is hurting a little or maybe having some off-field issues at home but yet still shows up and gives it his all.  You tend to play just a tad harder when you see that in other folks, but moreso when you see your leader doing it.

Ausmus needs to run hard(er) and he knows it.  No excuses, play hard or... don't play at all.

Noe- I have absolutely zero idea what does or does not make a guy on the astros pissed off about another person's effort and or hustle. I could speculate, but I'd probably be wrong.

I'm just going with what made me mad- and I said that I'm possibly wrong and/or full of shit.

That said- I appreciate your points and thoughts on the matter. It is from a perspective I had not thought about.

370

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:44:43 pm »

Asking a guy to at least run down the first base line 4 times a game is not quite the same as running with your hair on fire, come on now.

No- I don't think it's asking too much- I'm just sayinig that it makes me less pissed when it is a 38 year old catcher not hustling, or a pitcher not busting it out of the box. Not saying I like it- just that it is less "wrong" then a guy like Carlos Lee doing it.  Degrees of sucktitude. What a season so far.

371

Talk Zone / Re: OK, for arguments sake, Purpura is inept

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:37:18 pm »

No, no.  At shortstop.  Let's get Edmonds too.  That gives our team the flexibility to move PENCE!! into Woody's slot on the mound.

chuckling to self thinking of PENCE!!! being responsible for hitting a target on his wild throws. The guy has been great, makes watching the astros a bit more palatable, I'm glad he's here doing what he's doing but that "accuracy" of his on throws is shite.

372

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:36:01 pm »

He grounded one back to Cook, who threw it in the ground and Helton had to try to catch the hop-skip throw... twice.  All the while, Ausmus is jogging to first base.

That was pitiful.

Agreed NOE- agreed. I just generally cut pitchers and catchers a little slack on that kind of thing though. Catcher's got it rough squating a billion times a season, and pitchers I don't generally want running around like a guy with their hair on fire on the basepaths. They ain't used to it and bad things can happen, see Hernandez, Carlos.

373

Talk Zone / Re: Two Games and a Fine.

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:16:36 pm »

For God's sake! Stop!

Don't worry about Russ.  He's on record as being first and foremost a chisox fan.  He's attempting to jinx the astros for his favorite team.  The BBG's don't like such treachery.

374

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:12:31 pm »

Lee wasn't going to break up the double play anyway. But stopping and making a right turn before the ball is at 2nd is inexcusable.

At least run hard until you're out.

see- I don't like that assumption you are starting with Mr. Raup, about not being able to break up the double play. I feel (maybe i'm full of shit- it's happened before) like Bidge or Bags or Everett or Pence would have been busting into second to try to break up the potential, inning ending twin killing.  Maybe I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first.

375

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 12:03:59 pm »

I'm not saying bad contract or anything, I'm just saying watching biggio and Bagwell and others like them for 15 years has led me to a certain expectation for how the houston astros approach the game, and Lee doesn't fit that mold.

I assume that Catcher and Pitcher get a more or less free pass on busting ass out of the box on routine ground balls b/c of the nature of those positions.


Lee should have been going hard at 2b in an attempt to bust up the double play. He wasn't, so he wasn't going to bust the double play- then he makes that right turn and can't get to the bag.  Frustrating to watch that.

376

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Lee

« on: June 08, 2007, 10:34:59 am »

I've not enjoyed the Carlos Lee experience except for the time that he is in the batters box.

He's a clown in the field and he has no semblance of hustle at all down the base line or on the bases.

The other day on his double to the wall he pulled up rounding first base.  What happens if the outfielder bobbles, or falls down, or the ball takes a crazy bounce etc.  He cost us the chance at a big inning on his BS right turn on the way to second base.  Could have been the difference in the game (that and his circus clown act in left the last two games).

Anyway, just doesn't seem like an Astros kinda guy from leaving it on the field.  Neither does Berkman for the matter.

It's as frustrating as the losing.

377

Talk Zone / At least we have the 457th pick in the draft

« on: June 07, 2007, 05:18:43 pm »

that should help restock the farm system, picking first at that slot.

378

Talk Zone / Re: I'm betting Lidge to closer, wheels back to set up

« on: June 07, 2007, 05:16:41 pm »

Nice timing.

No- you misunderstood waht I was trying to say- I wasn't saying he hadn't blown a save yet- Gar was the one being quoted as saying that he hadn't blown a save yet...

I guess I posted before he actually blew the save, but I quit watching at bases loaded and had given up on the game already.  Sorry for getting in ahead of it, but I was already chalking it up as a bs mentally, thus the line:

Well now he's got his excuse if he wants it.
 
Edited to add- And I think he wants it.

379

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros @ Rockies rubber game - 6/7/07

« on: June 07, 2007, 05:11:29 pm »

That JD guy that announces is pretty smart. Called it in the 6th I think that they gotta score at least 1 more....

380

Talk Zone / I'm betting Lidge to closer, wheels back to set up

« on: June 07, 2007, 05:06:31 pm »

Gar's been saying he wants to get lidge back the closer job. Wheeler's been scuffling lately, but he hasn't blown a save yet- Gar points out.

Well, now he's got his excuse if he wants to.

Just a prediction- not bitching, ranting or venting.

381

Talk Zone / Re: Trade bait

« on: June 07, 2007, 10:29:36 am »

I can't see Mclane allowing it.

McClane likes ais sure, but he ain't an idiot. If this team is in 5th place 12 games below 500 at the break then there has got to be serious thought put into trading Jennings and Lidge and hell, really any veteran not named Berkman, Lee or Oswalt.  I think you will see a rebuilding if that scenario plays out, regardless of how squemish it will make Drayton.

382

Talk Zone / Re: Trade bait

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:58:50 am »

What are some of the reasons Lidge's name is continually being mentioned in trade rumors over Wheeler?  Why is Lidge better trade material?  I, possessing what little info I have, would rather look to trade Wheeler,  especially in light of his moderate success recently as a closer.  This should have increased his relative trade value,  To me, Lidge offers a higher upside, long term as the Astros' closer, in spite of his struggles last season and early this season.  Which would those of you with more knowledge of the team and the game prefer to see kept?

Not saying I qualify as having a lot of knowledge but the reason I would look to move lidge, if it all falls apart for the astros is 3 fold

1) he would bring the most in return- which is generally what you are looking for in making a trade

2) he makes a lot more money then Wheeler

3) He's only under club control (and at very high priced arbitration) through 08, and I believe Wheeler is under club control through 2010.

383

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:55:56 am »

I always said the problem with wily and all his infield hits was that if your game was built on speed to that extent then you have to be in great shape and health all the time.

What happens when a guy who makes his living completely b/c of his speed tweaks something or strains something.  Many guys can go at 85% of top speed just fine- it really doesn't make that much of a difference on most hits, but if you gotta be 100% to succeed and beat a throw to first by an eyelash how you gonna get on base on infield singles if you are going at less than top speed.

CF defense was the same way with his poor routes and unsteady breaks to the ball.

T

384

Talk Zone / Re: scoring question

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:52:47 am »

cool- makes sense

385

Talk Zone / Re: Milo needs to reconsider

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:52:27 am »

This morning on 740 he had a comment about how the Astros face a difficult decision.  Two veterans, Williams and Biggio, while trying their best aren't getting the job done.  And the Astros might should find someone else for those spots.  Look at yourself Milo.  No one has been able to follow a game on the radio for the past 3 years. 

I do think that Biggio is a difficult decision.  He's clearly not a leadoff hitter at this point.  Who do the Astros have that is?  I suppose Loretta could be forced into the spot.   I think that Houston, the fans and the media, have been particularly graceless in their comments on Biggio's season.  But we'll all stand up and cheer when he gets to 3000.  I posted a news article yesterday from the Rocky Mountain News that talks particularly about Biggio's subtle skills.  We don't get it.

Agreed- Milo can't bang on anyone for sticking around past their prime.

Partialy disagree on houston's fans and their treatment of biggio. I hear people chanting bi- gi-o, bi- gi - o all the time while he is up at the plate, the crowd erupts whenever he gets a hit etc.  I know there's been some bitching on message boards and call in shows, but I think that is a very small, somewhat vocal minority.  I think the city of houston is squarely in bidge's camp.

386

Talk Zone / Re: scoring question

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:49:21 am »

Double, out trying to advance to 3B.

Even if you are called safe sliding into the bag and then out exiting it?

That's why I was asking I saw the ump on one of the triples signal safe and then the runners body kept going and going and going and managed to hang onto the base only by his toes.

387

Talk Zone / Re: scoring question

« on: June 07, 2007, 09:28:59 am »

One more scoring question (this almost happened on one of the triples)

What happens if you beat the throw into say 3rd base and but overslide the bag and then get tagged out.  Triple and out advancing to home, or double and out advancing to third?

388

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 06:41:16 pm »

Lidge's value is somewhere under McCann's considering he's signed to that cheap long term deal mentioned but not too far...the braves moved guys to restore their pen for this year so i dont think theyre ready to do that again unless their pen just really nosedives at some point between now and the deadline...i still think the best suitor is the Giants. a) they have 6 picks between the first, compensatory and second round so they could afford to move prospects, b) theyve been trying to fill the Nen void since his arm fell off and he retired, c) after the armando benitez fiasco theyre fed up with attitudes out there and Lidge doesn't have one. I think we need to get Lidge some save opps and prove he can close again and sell him to the giants as a reliable dominant closer.

Problem- everything I'm reading out of SF paints their farm system (especially as regards everyday players) as even worse than the Astros. The giants have an average starters age of 847 years old. If they had young, mlb ready players, we'd see them.  They don't, so I don't see how that is a helpful trade partner in any way, shape or form for the astros.

389

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 06:13:31 pm »

-the dodgers thought so highly of Andy LaRoche that they traded FOR a third baseman (betemit) near the deadline last year.
-i dont believe scott thorman is as highly thought of as mccann or saltalamacchia, so i am sure the braves could just move thorman out and move either of the catchers to 1B if they dont find a suitable deal for salta...

sure- they could do all sorts of things I reckon, but I just had heard that on the radio and I thought it sounded interesting in a way that most radio proposed trades by mouth breating morons on talk shows are not. Seems like the right neighborhood to me.

Jim says no 1-1 on that, that you have to get more propsects if you are going that route- I'd tend to agree, unless the prospect you get is so mlb ready and legit you think it's a slam dunk. I'm not in favor of moving Lidge for a mixed bag of prospects- leave something like that for an ensberg if you can find someone willing to take him off your hands and give you a return that might be good or might suck (kinda like the crapshoot that is the rest of Moberg's career).

390

Talk Zone / Re: So.......when LANCE BERKMAN hits EXTRA BASE HITS.......the Astros can lead ...

« on: June 06, 2007, 06:09:10 pm »

My understanding and application of the scientific method is as follows:

1. Establish a conclusion.
2. Gather movie quotes, pop culture references and statistics to support the conclusion.
3. If no such supporting data exists, modify Wikipedia entry as needed.
4. Publish conclusion, citing Wikipedia entry.

Above and beyond these points, at no time do I allow for the possibility of being incorrect, nor do I get bogged down in worry over whether the data is valid or repeatable. I'll leave such hand-wringing to the professionals. We are men of action.

This has absolutely, positively got to be the post of the week for next week. Give the man a blue star RIGHT NOW

Genius my man, genius.

391

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 06:05:56 pm »

The Braves just locked up McCann to a crazy-low long-term deal, so I would presume that they're looking to move him, especially since he's right up there with Mauer as the best catchers in the majors.

Good grief.

Agreed- which is why I figured they'd be more likely to move their backup, who's supposed to be pretty legit himself.

I don't think any team can afford to have two assets that valuable at the same position where only one of them can play at a time- doesn't make any sense. So you got to move one of them, either somewhere else on the diamond, or to another team for something you need in return.  A lights out lidge makes them a legit world series contender this year, and he's under club control for next.  I don't think it's likely they are sending McCann anywhere.

392

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 06:02:15 pm »

Are you dealing with a fantasy team owner on the other side?  Because nothing about this says reality to me.  IMHO of course.
[/quote)

 that was just in response to Legg saying the bravos would be looking to move McCants instead of Saltl;kjagsiup;dfsjp;fjasdgf their backup.

What do you think the market for Lidge is?  I'm guessing you could get something (or things) pretty enticing from an organziation that has a stockpile of assets at the same postion.  The Braves have such a stockpile at Catcher- don't the dodgers have a major league ready 3b that is being blocked?  They don't so much need a closer- but perhaps a 3 way like with Beltran and the A's involved? 

Point is Lidge's value has to have rebounded to the point where you can fix other holes in the org long term. If not then keep him, but he gives you the best chip, imo of course, to improve somewhere long term.

393

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 05:57:08 pm »

Chris Burke is the worstest excuse for a roster spot in MLB history now that Jasin LAME (hahahahaha) is off the roster and sent to siberia!!!!!!!

The above would be my thought on the matter.

As to why Purp thought he was a  better option then Chrimson Chin for late inning defense, spelling at short stop in spot duty and what not I have nary a clue.

But as to why he was not included in the trade and Wily was I can speculate (actually I think I read it somewhere too from Purpura) that Burke was considered essential to their long term plans post 3,000 Biggio at 2b and Pence was slated to be in the bigs 4/1/08 and had to man CF so it wouldn't make any sense to trade Burke instead of Tavarez.

I understand the thought process completely, just wish it wouldn't have backfired with Burke shitting the bed.  Maybe he is still salvagable, but I don't see it.  I've never seen it in him.

Of course- I was the idiot (ok one of) that said that I thought the Stros needed to trade lidge to get him out of town and someone else in his ear to get him back right, that I thought he was broken in H-town (I still support trading him if he has enough value to fix one of the organizational black holes at C, 3b and 2b and maybe RF).

394

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 05:42:01 pm »

wickman is the braves closer and has gotten the job done fairly well...dealt with some back pains but came back and has been fine...anyways they have rafael soriano in the pen and mike gonzalez (whose out for the year yes but will be back next), i just dont think theyre that desperate for a 5 million dollar bullpen arm. besides, i heard the other way around, they wanna move mccann to first or another team and keep salty behind the plate full-time. ask my fantasy team, freakin DNPs like crazy for mccann.

Ok- McCann for Lidge?  done.

395

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman not using his head

« on: June 06, 2007, 02:26:45 pm »

Eh- that's enough flailing around peope

ROIDS.

If berkman's body type doesn't scream steroids I don't know what does

396

Talk Zone / Re: astros and fights

« on: June 06, 2007, 02:24:29 pm »

Exactly. TC was simply awful all around. Jimy, while being a bit peculiar, was a great player's coach, and great teacher of baseball.

maybe so on all those positives, I've heard that over and over, but his rainman act didn't play well with me at all (not that he needed to play well with me, but I digress).

397

Talk Zone / Re: astros and fights

« on: June 06, 2007, 02:01:38 pm »

Now that's a group that meant business when they left the dugout. Drabek, Barfield, Brocail, Jones, etc...that's some serious enforcers. The current collection of choir boys are lacking an enforcer or two, well with the exception of Lee, maybe. 

I remember reading some baseball (maybe general sports mag) mid 90's that had all the baseball teams measured by fists on a scale of 1 (weakest) to 5 (most badass) at their guessed fighting abilities.

The giants got a 1/2 a fist and the comment was:  Barry Bonds is only slightly tougher than the detergent he uses to wash his skirt.

Don't know why but that line stuck with me forever and still cracks me up to this day.

398

Talk Zone / Re: astros and fights

« on: June 06, 2007, 01:59:28 pm »

b/c bidge and bags were jealous they didn't get to split open Terry Collins head?

As much as I disliked Jimy's run here he was leaps and bounds better than Collins.

I'm sure some popes will tell me I'm wrong, but good gawd almighty I hated those two skips.

399

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman not using his head

« on: June 06, 2007, 01:30:13 pm »

well stated!

makes you wonder what could cause a hurt shoulder on an an otherwise healthy young man like Berkman.

400

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Guillen on the Astros guest worker program

« on: June 06, 2007, 01:27:24 pm »

For folks who get paid millions of dollars to play a kid's game, some people sure seem to go out of their way to find stuff to be pissed off about.

eh- I would think that we have learned by now that neither the nature of the work you do, nor your compensation for it, stops you from bitching about your job.  We all do it.

And to follow up on an above post... I work for myself, but not really.  All that means is that instead of one boss breaking my balls about something I have 20 customers breaking my balls about something. Most days I'd prefer just having a boss. At least then I could take vacation time to watch the NCAA tournament without anyone tracking me down or bitching about it.

But, I guess I get to post on OWA as much as I want without having to worry about minimizing my computer screen when some corporate type duechebag walks by.

401

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Guillen on the Astros guest worker program

« on: June 06, 2007, 12:47:11 pm »

Ozzie Guillen?  Embellish??  Nahhhh!

Carlos Guillen Remy, Calrlos guillen

402

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Guillen on the Astros guest worker program

« on: June 06, 2007, 12:46:41 pm »

Might that Guillen story be embellished?  What would be the point of forcing a prospect to play injured in a Gulf Coast game???

I don't know, doesn't the club only get like 10 guys they can have playing from the Venezuelan academy at any one time? If he can't play he's got to go to make room for someone else would be my thought. Just a guess though, Jacksonian might have it better nailed down vis a vis the visas the club is allowed and whatnot.

403

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 12:02:05 pm »

What did the Astros offer Andy Pettitte and his hurt elbow?  There is your answer.

$12,000,000.00 Right?  Or was it 13?

Something like that.

404

Talk Zone / Re: Announcement: Post of the Week Award (POTWA), also known as "The Stubbing"

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:59:08 am »

"Ya' got ten bucks."

I nominate whover posted the you tube clips of Jennifer Love Hewitts breasts bouncing up and down for post of the week.

405

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:57:52 am »

Again- 3 or 4 posts back I gave a bunch of different, more artful dodges that you hear all the time that I would have been expecting to hear from Purp here instead, he didn't so juberno.

I'll agree with pravata here that $12,000,000.00 doesn't seem astronomical for Jennings, in this climate.

not saying I'd do it if I was the astros, but I am saying that someone, somewhere, will probably do it, so that's his market value (if we labor under the assumption that whatever you do you are worth what someone will pay you).

406

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:43:10 am »

Purpura: "Our biggest objective is to get him healthy and pitching full-time again for us. There has been absolutely no discussion with Jason or his agents since that one brief meeting."

...."You don't give up that amount of talent with the idea that you're gonna let the player go at the end of the year. But with that said, we now have a situation with a player with some significant injury history and we have to go through this season and see where he does stand from a physical point of view before we make any commitment on dollars, and Jason certainly understands that.

Significant injury history.  Don't want to negotiate.  I don't see any reason to air this in public, and it seems to me likely to inflame.  What do I know though?  I just wouldn't approach it like that and I'm not used to seeing people approach stuff like that (at least with a guy on your roster right now).

Why negotiate in public. Why say anything negative unless and until you have to. I thought that was the very reason the stros never went to arbitration.

407

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:06:43 am »

I just listened to it and I disagree completely with WuLawHorn's perception of the interview. There's nothing here we didn't already know.

I invited comment and already gave my disclaimers. Feel free to disagree. What was your sense of the interview then?

Hell, maybe I will go re listen to the damn thing myself.  Maybe I'm looking to nitpick b/c I'm pissy about the poor play right now- I don't know.

At any rate- it's archived so that's what I was trying to point out.

408

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:04:30 am »

Purpura is an idiot if he said that Jennings is an injury risk, whether he is or not.  Seems like all it would accomplish would be to Piss Jennings off if he wants to resign with the Astros and lowers trade value.

There you go- I was struggling around and writing paragraphs when you more or less captured it in 2 sentences.

Every pitcher is an injury risk, but you don't go around saying it, at least, not about a guy you got under contract.

409

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 11:01:22 am »

Very much appreciate anyone who can listen to the locals without bursting a blood vessel.  I can't do it anymore, but this was important to know about.  The two sides haven't been talking contract for several weeks now.  And it seems only reasonable that anyone would be concerned about Jennings elbow.  Although, he's never had any trouble before.  And 12, in this market?  I don't think that's "unreasonable".

I think what I'm having a hard time explaining is thinking this was incendiary to say about a guy on your team is this:

He could have said nothing, he could have said that they don't like to negotiate mid season if they think it's going to affect the player, he could have said that the organization and player are getting to know each other or any one of a number of other innocuous things.

Instead- I felt like he was pouring gas on the flames- saying Jennings might be damaged goods etc.  I was thinking to myself, while driving, holy shit, if I was Jennings agent I'd be pissed right about now. Purp wasn't seeming to lay the groundwork for a nice relationship to negotiate around.

It's more the kind of stuff I would expect to hear after you trade a guy or fail to sign him.  It's what made me believe there is very little chance Jennings will be an astro next year.

410

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 10:56:35 am »

This is not a wise thing to say publicly.

That said... getting Woody kicked out of a Coors start might not be a horrible idea.

I thought Purpura was way too candid, all the way around in the interview.

he should have never been putting out Jennings is an injury risk, they aren't going to talk money with him etc.  He should have never been implying that someone from Colorado is going to get dusted (but maybe not this series- maybe next series). He was congratulating Lance for running onto the field after getting kicked out of the game.  Just stick with this- he shouldn't come on that 3rd rate davies and dickhead show, for any reason. Listening to them makes my ears bleed.


It was very un GM like- he sounded like a fan or a guy at the bar- I was very surprised by this interview, pretty much every part of it. Maybe he's starting to crack up, doesn't care, or doesn't know enough to speak politically correct- I don't know. Wasn't at all what I expected.

411

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 10:51:24 am »

First off, I was driving into work this morning (and I'm not a morning person), not taking notes at my desk.

Secondly, I was listening to the damn Gerbil with Davies and Dukes- who are horrible.

I only flipped it over b/c 610 had Justice on and the wall street journal this morning on my XM was at commercial- I heard the count so I thought I'd listen in.

The Jennings stuff is what my recollection was. I could not believe what I was hearing. He definately said that they haven't talked numbers, and won't until they guage his injury situation. I'm 90% sure that he mentioned injury history as a reason not to sign him.

He definately said that he didn't want to give him a contract now, and then find out he can't pitch next year.

Also, it seemed, if you read between the lines a bit, (but not a whole hell of a lot) unlikely that the Astros are going to sign this guy.

I was in law school in STL during 2000, so  I experienced the beat down from afar- it was easier to deal with I guess. Still followed the team as much as possible, but that was back before sat radio, internet radio etc and I couldn't get a dish on my apartment (hell, I don't even know if extra innings existed in it's present form yet).

Go listen to the interview yourself if you are of a mind.

Also said that Lee was intenionally plunked b/c of personal history going back to the WBC with the pitchcer (they are countrymen and were on the Panama team together- I guess they don't like each other).

412

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 06, 2007, 10:23:52 am »

exactly. 1-1 is a dumb deal.

Just thought that was intriguing. Not saying the stros need to pull the trigger on this deal or else, just gaging what everyone is looking for as return on Lidge.

What is Jennings worth in July?  Maybe between Lidge and Jennings (and throw in ensberg- someone, anyone) you can fix 2 or 3 of the four holes in this team.

Jennings is gone (see my post after listening to purp on the animal) and with Wheeler and Qualls and the guys in the minors closer is not the most pressing need on this team.

I've always thought you should try to develop closers anyway, and get rid of them when they get expensive.

There are like 5 guys who have done it long term in the bigs right now- everyone else is piecing it together, and most do a more or less adequate job of doing so.

413

Talk Zone / Re: Jennings wants 12 million per?

« on: June 06, 2007, 10:17:04 am »

Anyone listen to the Gerbil this AM with the Count on?

He said that they had absolutely zero intention to talk to Jennings about a contract extension. Said they view him as an injury risk and they wouldn't throw good money after bad.

After listening to the Count I think there is about a 5% chance that Jennings resigns. With the season in the toilet this is a brutal beat down of a trade. Anyway- thought you might want to know what the GM is thinking on that.

414

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 05, 2007, 07:03:48 pm »

Heard on the radio today...

Brad Lidge for Simmontachi (or however you spell it- the Braves supposedly stud catcher in the minors).

Made sense (to me at least) from both points of view, ATL needs a closer- the astros need a long term solution at catcher and McCann is blocking the Bravos guy.  Also leads to a lowering of salary that could potentially be invested elsewhere for the stros.

Too much- Too little?  It seems like if you decide to trade lidge you should be able to solidify one of at least what appear to be 4 gaping black holes in the lineup (both now and future).

415

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler and Lidge's roles

« on: June 04, 2007, 02:19:04 pm »

I'd like to see Lidge traded (not b/c he sucks but b/c he's the only thing of value on this team right now that might be considered expendable) if it meant that you could fix, long term, one of RF, Catcher, 2b or 3b.

Maybe Lidge and Ensberg for a 3b and one of the other positions?

416

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 02:14:42 pm »

Did anyone see the play I linked to the KC blog for with Tony Pena Jr?

I'm curious as to if he didn't understand the rule (sounds like the umps blew it by calling a force when a tag was needed) or did he know he was advancing at his own risk and fail to get there in time?

417

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:59:21 pm »

This thing obviously doesn't come up very often, but it kinda seems to me like what Ausmus and Gar were talking about one day where if you got the sacks juiced and 2 outs you are better off running through 2base to beat a force, even if you get tagged out, b/c it could allow the runner to score.

Would doing this kind of thing be considered being too smart for your own good?

418

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:56:53 pm »

Nicely played.  I think I remember the Astros color guy (JD?) calling it the "cerebral double play".  Of course that could be my own brain bastardizing history.

Actually, I'd say this might be more like the scenario I was imagining and that I thought I remembered from Boston. Pop up to the 2nd baseman (man on first and nobody else) where IF fly rule is not in effect and he dropped the ball on purpose, threw to first for the force, and then they got the guy in a rundown who realized what was happening, broke to 2nd and was out.

Kinda like the baggy play described, but with more people involved.

If you have a lazy guy like Bonds you could drop it out of your glove and go 6-4-3 if the batter ain't running.

Hell- if you had a wily T on base and a lance berkman at the plate you could get an advantage even outside the double play by always dropping it and just getting the force at 2b.

Would anything (other than incurring the wrath of the baseball gods) prevent any of these scenarios which could lead to a competitive advantage? Or is this considered bush league on level with the AROD play?

419

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:51:24 pm »

You're assuming that the runner is really, really stupid.  So stupid in fact, that he doesn't know a basic Little League rule.  Secondly, anytime you forego an easy out to try to get cute, you're asking for trouble.


Everyone is aware of the IFR.  Players are just not this stupid.

I couldn't find the boston play I was thinking of from years back.

Apparently- tony pena jr is just such a stupid player that didn't know the rule (or he thought he could get one over on someone:

http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2007/5/11/131449/962

I'd say you'd get more guys then you might think if you think that  "everybody" knows this rule.

Reading archives on my search and Bonds got doubled up in a bases loaded situation on an infield pop b/c he assumed the rule was in place.  I'm not saying it's a high likeliehood, but a possibility.  Counting the bonds deal I've seen a couple of guys have double play's turned on plays where the infield fly rule probably should have been called, wasn't, and the defense caught a guy loafing.

 

420

Talk Zone / Re: Is this a nightmare series for Purp?

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:32:35 pm »

Which compensates for several players the Astros have who are also almost totally one sided as well.

The problem is they have one sided players (offensively) where these player's aren't exhibiting that side.

Scott (below avg glove/arm in right) not getting it done.  Bidge- way below average glove/arm at 2b.  Lamb if he's trying to play 3rd.  Even Loretta is below average more or less anywhere you want to play him.

Other than Loretta the stros ain't getting that one sided offense out of those guys

421

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:23:45 pm »

Because you're trained to catch a ball, not let it drop.  A runner can advance at his own descretion on that play and if you let it bounce, you're asking for a whole lot of problems.

I understand the point about a runner being able to advance at his own discretion which is the point I was making that you could let it drop and see if you can fake him out for the easy rundown/second out.

I saw this in Boston like 5 years ago and it worked- the guy took off when the ball dropped as if he had no option in the matter and pulled up to be tagged out by the 3rd baseman easily. I've never seen that play attempted any other time. I thought it might work (but if it happens too often the gig would be up and people would be more aware of the rule?

I don't know- just bored here at work.

422

Talk Zone / Re: London 2012 Olympics Logo (Non-BB)

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:17:25 pm »

I definately see the resemblence. I might not have if you didn't point it out though.

423

Talk Zone / Re: Is this a nightmare series for Purp?

« on: June 04, 2007, 12:15:17 pm »

Was talking with my dad about this at the game yesterday when he brought up Wily T...

I think that the move made sense then and now.  They wanted to give burke a legit chance to see if he was going to be worthy of replacing Bidge after 3,000.  They were confidenct in Pence being the everyday CF for 10 years at MMP.

If Burke hadn't shat the bed we'd see Pence coming up around July 1 to take his place in CF while Bidge slides over to make way for Burke. Not a bad plan, and half right, imo.

Losing Wily T wasn't what really hurt imo. Hirsch could be a big blow in the future, but not if other prospects pan out.  Buckholtz looks like not much loss.

All that being said, I'm sure those three will stick it straight up H-town's ass this series, as wily goes 10-15 with steals aplenty and Hirsch and Buck look like Cy Young's in the making.

But that still doesn't mean the trade was necesarily wrong in my mind.

424

Talk Zone / Re: Under Purpura's Watch

« on: June 04, 2007, 11:59:59 am »

Of course it is rant day. Pitiful 2-4 homestand, on the backs of an abysmal 0-7 roadtrip from hell, after dropping three of the last four on a previous homestand.

We haven't had a save opportunity in 18 freaking games!

The villagers are restless. This is going to happen. Especially on an off day. I vote for more you tube posts of Jennifer Love Hewitt and maybe there would be less rants.  Just saying....

425

Talk Zone / Re: Question concerning the "Infield Fly Rule"

« on: June 04, 2007, 11:50:32 am »

I wonder why more guys don't often just not bother catching the ball, but getting a couple feet away from it, let it bounce and see what happens. You see guys get confused every now and again and take off running. Is this just like AROD's deke and considered bush league, etc?

I'd think it'd be worth a try in the right scenario.

426

Talk Zone / No more pujols

« on: June 03, 2007, 05:33:25 pm »

Lidge might not have gone mental over the guy but I sure have. It's affecting my concentration at the game.

8th inning- turn to dad and say- I think we are about due for a HR here with Qualls facing him- you think you walk the guy?

Next pitch- bomb.

10th inning

Dad- well we could theoretically get a run or two in the 10th with the top of the lineup up.

Me- Yeah- but we ain't getting four

3 pitches later- whap- that ball was freaking smoked (so was Hunters) btw.

I'm sick of Pujols kicking the astros in the junk- I don't understand why he does not get the barry bonds treatment- 4 intentional balls anytime close and late- regardless of runners on base etc.


BTW- that pence "single" which is what it was scored in the bottom of the 11th was hysterical- it was worth sitting through the end of the game after the Pujols bomb just to laugh at how ridiculous that play was.
Then, they give him a single for it, which blew my mind.  I think that the official scorer has a crush on Hunter Pence just like everyone else does.

He twice made running catches (3rd and 7th) where he broke the wrong way/took a bad route. He's fast enough to make up for it.  Looked really good climbing the hill in the 1st (would have been a 3 HR game for Pooohole in STL at New Jake City. Maybe the BFIB will petition MLB to make that  a HR, like how they get bent out of shape when a stro hits one into the crawford boxes).

427

Talk Zone / Re: I was gone for the last 5 days,

« on: May 29, 2007, 04:12:38 pm »

Sure- that is a worry- but the way this team is going seems like something needs to be done...

Anyone know how permanent are these changes?

428

Talk Zone / I was gone for the last 5 days,

« on: May 29, 2007, 01:30:07 pm »

No internet or anything like that- only saw the box scores...

Is lance in the OF with Lamb and Loretta a fixture for some time- and if so how long does the experiment go?

I like it- but it didn't seem to  help any. Would like to see it get a full 2 weeks or so.

429

Talk Zone / Re: Happy Memorial Day

« on: May 29, 2007, 01:28:25 pm »

Absolutely- thanks for all  your sacrifices guys.

430

Talk Zone / Re: Question for all you lawyer types

« on: May 29, 2007, 01:24:38 pm »

Not badly enough to sue someone.

Actually- he permanently damaged his right hand and wrist to the point where his right hand is claw like and he can't move his fingers and what not.  Permanent disablity.

I always thought it was bs and he never should have gotten a dime from the company. After that everyone made sure when someone passed out that they weren't sleeping directly on a body part- but I have to think that this was like a one and a million type situation.  Not saying I agree- but I know that it has happened before, and you can get in trouble as a bar even if the drunk only injured himself.

My understanding of the Hancock case is that the tow truck driver was found to have been properly parked with the correct lights/proceedures all set up.

I don't think he should get a dime, but if you don't like that result talk to your state legislature. Maybe in a comparitive liability state he doesn't recover if he is over 50% at fault.  some states don't have such a mechanism, and if you (hancock) are 80% at fault you can still collect 20% of the verdict from defendants for their fault. I don't remember anymore how common this is, but I think most states have gone to barring individuals from recovery if they are at least 51% at fault themselves.

431

Talk Zone / Re: Question for all you lawyer types

« on: May 25, 2007, 08:01:26 am »

not necessarily on the 3rd party damage.


A guy in my fraternity got overserved, slept on his arm wrong and got a decent sized settlement when all he hurt was himself.  I think that depending on the state and laws you can still have liability as a bar even to injuries to the overserved drunk himself. I think I've seen notice of Texas cases even on point.

Disclaimer- I am not an PI guy or a litigator or anything like that- this is just from what I've seen first hand with the guy that gimped himself and stuff I vaugely remember reading about whenever people scream "tort reform"

I about choked on my coke driving into work this morning when I heard he's suing the stalled vehicle driver and the tow truck driver- ridiculous.

432

Talk Zone / Re: Eyes Hurt. Reaction Time Slow.

« on: May 23, 2007, 02:03:17 pm »

I tivo it and blow through the game in about 15 minutes before work. I can't stay up and watch anymore, just too late.

Last night I couldn't get to sleep, I'd watched the astros up 2-1 and tuned in just in time to see the final out of the loss. Delete Tivo- go to bed bummed out.

433

Talk Zone / Re: Garner's postgame

« on: May 21, 2007, 10:13:49 am »

He is the most irritating interviewee on the radio that I think I've ever heard. Both due to content and delivery.

434

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Relievers -- The first pitch

« on: May 17, 2007, 11:46:26 am »

Are you sure you don't mean the Lidge cured thread?  With all the bacon, napalm and sodium nitrates? 

Do we really need multiple threads??

Surprisingly enough- it was on the This woman has her priorities right thread- thought it applied to this thread as well so I posted it here.  Not on the Biggio thread. Damn, this place gets hard to keep up with at times.

435

Talk Zone / How bout the leather last nigh

« on: May 17, 2007, 11:41:49 am »

I counted 4 or 5 verrry nice plays from the good guys last night.  Had some sort of Tivo malfunction so I didn't get to see the game from the bottom of the 7th onward.

This team is even looking pretty good in the field. I thought PENCE!!! took a bad route to that ball in the first- but i think that it was a triple anyway you look at it, but he didn't run diagonally back- more like to his left, then back, then to the left etc.  Looked like on the very next batter Klesko on a similar ball he took a more direct route- though that was uncatchable just like the 1st one.

436

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Relievers -- The first pitch

« on: May 17, 2007, 11:36:52 am »

if the point is throwing strike one, you cannot be too fine. fuck first strike swingers.

Piggybacking on this point to another thread where someone asked why Bidge still sees fastballs- this is the reason, imo.  Hitting leadoff he really gets a chance to hit FB first AB, and it seems, to me anyway, that an inordinate amount of his hits come in the first inning, specifically on the first pitch. He loves first pitch swinging and usually gets that FB the pitcher is trying to establish in the strikezone

437

Talk Zone / Re: That had to hurt!

« on: May 15, 2007, 05:19:14 pm »

One of the scarier moments of my life came when my brother was an all star in little league as a 12 year old.  The ball got smoked up the middle and his cap came flying off and he went down hard. I was playing CF (they had a couple of the older brothers helping them work out to get 9 per side for their games- and the ball went past me and rolled to the fence, as I wasn't playing it after seeing Matt go down like a sack of bricks. 

Thankfully, it didn't hit his mellon, just the top of his cap- and he went down out of surprise/fear.  The ball traveled an extra 140 feet (200 foot fence) after hitting his head. Could have killed him I think if it was 6 inches lower.

That Billy Wagner deal was brutal. It makes you sick to your stomach for a long time seeing something like that- especially when it's a friend/loved one down.

438

Talk Zone / Re: MLB Strikes Again

« on: May 15, 2007, 05:15:17 pm »

I'm pretty sure this game was on Fox.  I don't have cable, and I watched it.

sort of, but not really. It was on Fox in Houston, STL and select other markets with Bos v NY on FX there. 

Almost everywhere else in the country (~80%) it was NY v Bos on Fox and Backe v stl on FX.

439

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 07:11:27 pm »

parents teach 7-8 year olds to be competitive. all they want to do is play. parents teach them that big trophies are more important. there should not be any concern whatsoever about that at 7-8. play and learn to play is all that is important. parents are the ones who have to win.

what is bullshit is a parent jumping an 8 year old's ass for not paying attention in a game.

"give your best effort" is bullshit too at 7-8. have fun and learn to play. if you look at airplanes flying over, so what?

I think it is about time for me to bow out on this conversation. I'm not a parent, and I haven't coached kids yet- so I really am not seeing/understanding what yall are saying. I could always pay attention to the game, and that was what was "fun" to me- to think through the scenario's, think strategy, action etc. That's how I watched games from the time I was really young with my dad- me asking questions about why stuff happened- what was going on etc.  Some (most?) kids aren't wired like that- I had some self awareness about myself, and that I was a bit different, but not all that much general awareness of what made others tick at that time.

I'm sure I'm taking adult views and ascribing them to kids I guess. I didn't like kids watching airplanes while the game was going on.  My brother was one of those kids- and he was a waaaaay better athlete then me, we both love sports to this day- and love to watch them/bond with our dad/each other while doing it.

Thanks for the insights, and thanks to guys like Noe who sound like a great coach for kids nowadays- Good job Noe and Houston, Jim etc for working with kids and having your heart in the right place.

 

440

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 05:33:22 pm »

The proper answer is none or whatever the child, on his or her own, decided to give.

I guess I'm just in the total minority here then. I always was taught that if you were going to do something you should try your best/hardest at it, or don't do it at all.  Maybe that's too intense for a kid. I  was never taught not to do something b/c you suck at it (I sang in the church youth choir for a while and I can't carry a tune- but I sang my best/loudest), but if you try you need to give your best effort.

441

Talk Zone / Re: Now THAT Is a Trade.

« on: May 14, 2007, 05:15:33 pm »

Harry Chiti, 1962.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/chitiha01.shtml

I don't remember the story if he was that guy or not, but they way I heard it was that two GM's were friendly and hated an opposing team, so the one GM essentially lent his player to the other team by making a trade for a PTBNL and then getting him back after the stretch run was over. I believe b/c of this they changed the rules up a little bit.

442

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 05:13:36 pm »

Briefly...

Local Telemundo dude--McLane says Hispanics aren't smart enough to understand the nuances of baseball

Mclane--I said no such thing

John Lopez--shame on mcLane, the racist

National Media--McLane thinks hispanics are dumb

McLane--I didn't say it

CEO of Telemundo--I apoligize to McLane, as I have no evidence he said such a thing

Lopez/National Media--   

Thanks. Incredible fuckwittedness by Lopez. I've come to expect it from him

443

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 05:10:45 pm »

focus? an 8 year old? oh, please.

we really have nothing to discuss, and i have somewhere to be. if you live in Austin, let's have a beer. i can go on for hours about how parents have killed youth sports.

I'd like to do that. I'll try to look you up the next time in austin- I think it would be fun to hear stories about the greats like Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson 

I'm sure there are a lot of whack parents. I just think that it's not fair to put it all on them. Some kids are just really competitive. It's the parent's job to try to reign that in and teach them how to be ok at life.

Focus maybe isn't the right word.  I don't know what is. It just seems that if you aren't paying attention to the game- why are you playing it? It always detracted from my idea of fun if a teammate wasn't trying. I used to pick geeks and "losers" for my team though, when choosing up sides in recess. I didn't care if they made a shot or got to a grounder, but I did care if they weren't trying/paying attention.  I don't think this is an unfair distinction to expect from a kid- I don't have any yet- so maybe I'm wrong. 

My dad would have jumped my ass if I wasn't watching what was going on in a game while I was in the field. I could make 4 errors and strike out 3 times and it wouldn't matter. This strikes me as a decent way to approach the issue.

I know it isn't an easy issue though, and way too many parents are on the wrong side, living vicariously through their kids. That is bullshit imo.

444

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:58:43 pm »

Ok- like I said I'm probably misinterpreting.

What is an appropriate level of focus/effort from an 8 year old?

445

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:56:00 pm »

you've got it, Jack. you need to do seminars for parents who put 6-8 year olds on travel teams.

I'm probably misreading you Jim- but the quote of Jack saying he's got it in perspective (which i also said I agreed with his take and hope my son/daughter behaves similarly) seems to imply that it isn't ok to chase gofers in the outfield, or wear your glove on your head.  I was reading you earlier as saying that is ok and normal behavior for kids.  Maybe I misinterpreted it.

446

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:53:25 pm »

Jack-

I know what you mean- the last game of the season, win or lose, was always a killer. It sucked to not be able to play anymore.

447

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:51:47 pm »

You know, this conversation has careened around all over the place, but it seems to have started somewhere in the neighborhood of of being hyper-competitive and giving 100% effort. Did I miss the part where these things became synonymous? When I was a kid, my stepdad taught me not to do things half-assed. This was valuable, and it served me well, but it had nothing to do with being hyper-competetive. I'm pretty much the opposite of hyper-competitive.

I couldn't possibly have given less of a shit about who won the games when I was a kid. I tried to play well because I enjoyed it, and felt like I should. I didn't much care about the score. The first time I remember being really affected by a loss was when I was 8, and my LL team lost a playoff game - the reason I cared was because it meant that we didn't get to play a game again that week.

Somehow, in spite of playing games only for fun and trying to give a good effort only for the sake of giving a good effort, I've managed to be successful in life in the most basic and unspectacular of terms. I feel fine about that. Am I missing something?

I personally think that this is probably what I would hope for my kid when I have one.  I was too hypercompetitive. The downside was that losing really messed with my head. The upside was I went at whatever I was doing full tilt- and I think that has benefited me more or less in my life.

I don't agree with the idea that not giving it your best effort is particularly ok at any age (though best effort is of course defined by age to a certain extent- the younger you are the less ability to maintain focus etc.) But you shouldn't ever base your self worth on your batting average, era, handicap or goal scoring.

448

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:44:18 pm »

I have always maintained that baseball players and golfers are the most humble of professional athletes b/c they are both games with so much failure built into them.  Most all great players though have an incredible belief in themselves (ego perhaps?) that they can execute at the highest level possible or they could not be great.

I was that 7 year old that Curly described- I didn't want to play with a kid chasing gofers. If fun is chasing gofers then do that in the back yard on saturday instead of playing baseball.

Now, if you are just a spaz, or mess up a grounder, or strike out, or someone else makes a play on a liner you hit then that is the breaks, and you try to get them next time. I don't see why it's ok to not try or care about what you are doing.  

449

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:28:04 pm »

too bad for you. i'm sorry.

I can play golf now without the number I shoot determining how I feel about myself. I had a hard time doing that in while I was competing. I'm also not as good now, and hopefully a bit more mature. The downside is I don't focus as well as I used to, and don't always get as good a results. I used to be a scratch player- now I have a hard time breaking 40 on the front, and by the time I get to the back nine I'm not focused at all. It's more fun, now, I guess, but I'm not competing anymore.

I don't think I always had the healthiest attitude toward winning. Whenever I've brought this up its to counter people who say that kids don't think like this- I did. I've seen others that do. And it came independant of parents in my situation.

I still though, to this day, don't see what the benefit is to having a 9 year old chasing gophers or picking dandelions in the outfield. If you want to chase gofers than do that and don't play baseball. Just my opinion. Maybe I'm wrong. I didn't regret being that way as a kid and still had fun, kinda/sorta

450

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 04:21:40 pm »

Noe-

I've heard the Telemundo thing referenced several times lately- mostly by you.

I was in law school in Misery at the time- can you give me a primer on the story/controversy/grandstanding.

I hope that the AA leadership and rank and file blacks see through this race baiting twat. 

451

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 03:37:03 pm »

I believe, since no *actual* Black Community leaders have stepped up publically to make this a public forum issue, that none really exist.  This is JdJO's own agenda and he's using the e-mail he recieves from some fans who probably honestly want to know why the Astros passed on Chris Young, since he's in their backyard.  It is now twisted into a pretzel of an issue in the name of honest dialogue.  Well, truth be told, the Black Community leaders in Houston have some issues with McLane but they were economic in scope... not racial.  They wanted to know from McLane if he intended to bring the Black Community into the fold of the economic development boon that was to happen when the stadiums were being built.  Those were legitimate concerns by the leaders of said community and they did this all by themselves without the help of JdJO.  The Houston Chronicle did it's job in that it *covered* the story about the Black Community leaders want for economic inclusion by McLane.  But there is a huge... I mean *HUGE* difference between covering a story and being *THE* story.  One you actually remain unbiased about and report the facts.  The other, you raise your own agenda in order to draw attention to yourself.

These Chron blogs have done more to draw attention to the actual writer than to the stories they may be wanting to cover.  It is what it is, but they (the Chron) shouldn't include the community leaders into a discussion like this after the fact.  It is insulting to a leader to think that someone in the newspaper industry thinks this lowly of them that he can just say "racism" and that will automatically trigger the reaction necessary to stir up a whirlwind story.  People who are true leaders will not fall for that, just like in the Telemundo flap when the Chron and Telemundo did the same thing.  Leaders in the Hispanic community called for calm and reasonable people to dialogue about this thing before the tar and feather job got out of hand.  This is while Lopez at the Chron was stirring up the masses with his "if it walks like a Duck..." comments and then the Hispanic radio stations in town decided that they could spare some time away from Tejano Music in order to do the same.  They even had a game they invented that was supposed to be a mock "pin the tail on the donkey McLane" they played all day Friday in a sign of protest over what they believe was an actual true story.  By Saturday, the story went National with guys like Aldante (?) in LA writing about it as if it really happened.

By Monday following, the truth came out and McLane was absolved, forcing Telemundo's CEO to issue a public apology for his employee Marco Camacho's behavior.  All the while, community leaders in the Hispanic community, like Al Lopez kept saying to everyone to let this story play out.  So Al Lopez was right and the media frenzy was absolutely wrong.  A little research by the local and national media that went crazy for two days on McLane would've revealed that Camacho had done the same thing only a few short months earlier when he accused the Houston Livestock and Rodeo about the same thing.  The Rodeo people accused Camacho back of grandstanding in order to garner attention to himself and his station to boost ratings and that there was absolutely no substance to his accusations.  The only media to cover the story of Camacho's grandstand ploy was the Houston Press.  A little fact finding by the media who went crazy over Telemundo-gate would've revealed the character flaws of the main accuser in this he said/she said accusation.

And only Telemundo issued an apology too.

So if we are to have Chris Young-gate, the sequel to Chronicle goes wild with accusations of racism towards the Astros, then let's do it.  I mean, be a man and do it or shut the fuck up about it.  Because it seems from here that this is a ploy to stir up some good folks in the Black Community and then leave them hanging with a less than strong accusation against the Astros.  In fact, only those who are prone to use these sort of things to gain camera time (*cough* Jesse Jackson *cough*) will truly care.  I'm convince the same way Al Lopez called for rationale and calm behavior from the actual community, the leaders of the Black Community will do the same if push came to shove.

Thing is, will JdJO be man enough to say he wants to push or run away like that kid we all knew in the neighborhood who would kick other kids in the shins and then run and hide behind his mother's apron.

Noe- didn't get a chance to finish reading all of this. I know the Rainbow coalition was in ATL demanding answers as to why they didn't have nay AA players. It is an issue in that sense with black leadership- will read the rest after my meeting.

452

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 03:23:02 pm »

NO ONE gives maximum effort in everything they do...not even you.

i wanted my players to give their best, of course, but that does not always mean win.

i coached at a fairly high level of competition, but we lost some big games.

better calm down before you try to coach your own son. turn him over to someone who believes in fun, not maximum effort/winning. HS is soon enough for your attitude, if then.

I always had a hard time separating the fun from winning.  I never wanted to play with no score kept, or people who were half assed about rules/structure of the game. It just was not fun for me.  If I lost I was a pain in the ass to be around and it ruined my day. My folks used to look at me like I was crazy. I wasn't allowed to play recess for a semester by them- they thought I was too intense- that killed me having to watch the other kids play- but it made me treat my teammates and opponents better- b/c if I didn't do that I wasn't allowed to play. I was probably harder on myself then anyone else, but I didn't find the 9 year old wearing his glove on his head in left field amusing in any way, shape or form.

453

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 03:17:04 pm »

NO coach is beloved by everyone he coached.

i was some of those things your dad was, too, i am am saying without equivocation that the attitude you typed today is bad for kids' sports. chill.

His dad is the greatest coach I've ever seen or played for. It's funny- he raised him the way that it was explained- but now he kinda echos what you are saying jim- he's mellowed a bit.

I think it is fair to expect 100% effort and attention in what you are doing.  Results-  no way, effort, sure.

There were probably a couple people who didn't like his dad but that was their malfunction, not his. His dad was a great coach for every talent level available- awesome.  I want to teach/coach b/c of peope like my mom (teacher) and his dad (teacher/coach).

I think from what Noe types he has got to be one hell of a little league coach. I know my dad was (minus the part that he knew little about teaching the mechanics of baseball/hitting- but he tried and was a great and fair organizer).

It's nice that many on here get it.  I just don't think it's bad if a kid really wants to win b/c of that kid. It always drove me.

454

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 14, 2007, 02:23:54 pm »

Little league is about having fun and learning baseball.

Most kids that get turned off to the game usually lose interest because of daddy screaming/yelling at them from the stands, and when they get home.

I can't tell you how many great ball players were turned off of the game due to overbearing parents thinking they were helping by being the win-at-all-costs living through their kid parent.

Like I said- that wasn't my dad at all. 

He was our manager and was a great one. We didn't win all that much in baseball (we dominated in basketball though) but he played everyone, and usually more than the required 2 innings and bat once. 

Even the crapiest players were told that they would get 3 games throughout the year (about 18 games per year) where they would play all six innings, and they got to choose their position within reason.  This way they could invite grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles so that they could see little johnnie play an entire game. And even the worst players would get to play 4 innings 3 or 4 other times.

You either played 2, 4 or 6 innings, and the better kids played 6 more often, but they played 2 innings every now and again also.  Most played at least 4, every game, and didn't get buried. Dad never raised his voice during a game, except for the game he got into a yelling screaming match with the coach of the other team that was the typical little league dad.  He got after us in practice if we weren't trying/paying attention, but never yelled during the games b/c he said that practice was the time to teach and the game was to have fun.

Like I said- I got it on my own being pissed about losses. I hope that I can be as good a coach some day as my dad.

If my kid acted like me I might worry about it a little bit, but I think I grew up reasonably well adjusted.

I will say basketball was way worse than baseball- b/c we lost so infrequently it killed me when we did.

455

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 01:29:25 pm »

Hey, stop that!  Quit doing a reasonable amount of research to answer what some have asked a legit reporter to answer for them: why did the Astros not even call Young or pass on him during the draft (like the other major league teams did).  Are you saying it is that *easy* to just research to find a reasonable answer these days?  Get out of town!  Hmmmm... isn't it better to forego research though and make a story out of a non-story instead?  And manage to place yourself in the very middle of the story as well?

It is an insult to the Black Community to have a race-baiter to fan the flames and stir the emotions of said community because he thinks they cannot handle information, instead they must hear the words "racism" at every turn.  We're managing to go backwards in this dialogue that everyone seeks because it seems that those who want to be champions on this cause actually are thinking very little or in low regard of the fine people they protent to look after.

I'm sure those who sincerely asked the question wouldn't mind a reasonable answer like this that is easily found in Baseball America.  Yes, I'm very sure of it.  I know I would be offended if someone said I was incapable of reading stats because I am a Hispanic and that the view is held by the owner of the Houston Astros... so why not tell the Black Community the answer that is available instead of hiding it and saying "yes, you're right... it's a systematic problem... I need to ask them to answer this charge... yes, you can't handle a simple answer, you're incapable of it so I won't bother to research the real reasons... I'll make it into an agenda for you... and blame you for asking too once everything is settled."

Man, this is seriously whack.

Nice well thought out post NOE.

Unfortunately, in this country today, we cannot have an open and honest race conversation without smarmy little pricks like jdjo interjecting themselves and their agenda into it.  I don't get it, maybe b/c I'm white, but it seems to me like the leaders of the black community do a disservice to race relations in this country with the way they pander to the lowest common denominator.  I'm not saying there isn't racism in this country- I absolutely believe that there is.  What I'm saying is that when the community leaders cry racism everywhere, even when there is none- it does nothing to advance the constituency they are trying to advance.

Sports have the least amount of racism anywhere, in my opinion. There is not a greater meritocracy anywhere that exists, in my mind, then the diamond, gridiron or court.  If you can play they will find you. If someone ignores talent b/c of prejudice they will lose, lose badly, be exposed and fail. None of those owners want to fail with their teams.
They are ego boosts, not profit centers. Almost every owner is in it to win it. They aren't ignoring talent b/c it has the wrong skin color attached to it.

Shame on that smarmy prick JDJO.  Shame

456

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:53:12 am »

FYI Jamaal Hollis (25th rd) and Lennell McGee (26th rd) are both black high school players from the Chicago area drafted by the Astros in 2006.

The Astros drafted high school SS Tim Johnson (7th rd) and TSU pitcher Brandon Stricklen (42nd rd) in the 2005 draft.

Jonny Ash in 2004.....

No matter how many examples there are that undercut such a ludicrous claim, the Astros are racists for not drafting Carl Crawford.

Tim Johnson?  How is he a high schooler. Wasn't he in Vietnam?

457

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup i hope to see

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:35:49 am »

which is a reason not to trade him. Oswalt would be even more value.

I understand what you are saying, but... If the astros looked dead with no prospects to help fill his position you'd have to say that Roy would be a valuable chip and maybe look into trading him.

The Marlins traded many guys like this after their first WS and won another one 6 years later (after sucking most of that time). They traded away most of their valuable chips again after their second WS and look to me like they could be contenders for the whole thing again in 2 or 3 years. It isn't suicidal to trade a guy like Roy O if you get the right talent in return. Seatle did well in getting a core of players for Johnson and Junior that was the nucleus of a 116 win team.  Usually, though, you get 2 quarters and a nickle back, so you don't want to do that.

I don't think, and don't advocate that the stros trade Roy, but you could imagine a scenario where it would make sense.  Say, last year if they didn't get a deal done with him and he told the team he would be out the door in a year after free agency. I'm glad they locked him up instead and don't have to consider something like that his year- which, w/o the extension would be a possibility.  Maybe Lidge wants out here (he's only under club control for 1 more year), or he's too expensive for their budget and you got to get value for him while you still can and fill in from the farm afterwards.

458

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup i hope to see

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:09:27 am »

I would prefer to duct tape Iceberg to Wheeler to get that legit 3b run producer.  I think Lidge will be an integral part of the Astros' run in 2007.

OK- I just think Lidge would bring more value heading back to you in a trade.  That's all I'm saying.

459

Talk Zone / Re: Wandy

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:07:59 am »

is this year's start really much better than last years. Going from memory I thought he did a decent job the first month or so last year and then cratered.

460

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:05:33 am »

And a majority of people get all their news from TV.  And have now for many years.

I get most of my news from internet blogs. Not the bloggers/posters opinions, but links to stories that are interesting/topical on other sites. I have little to no use for most of the "news" that they show on regular or cable tv.  There isn't much information reporting/ more like opinion screaming on Cable. Network is incredibly slanted, imo

461

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup i hope to see

« on: May 14, 2007, 11:00:58 am »

The problem is, because these guys are not hard to find, you don't tend to get much in trades for them either, unless a team is really desperate.  Lidge might yield something more because he is a closer and the Astros do have some decent candidates to replace him both in AAA and in Qualls/Wheeler.... although Wheeler is highly limited in that area IMO.

If you could get something of real value for Lidge that would plug a different hole I wouldn't mind seeing that. You have to trade something of value to get something of value, and the stros have always been able to find adequate closers.  Lidge for a run producer (prefereably at 3b makes sense). If you could duck tape Moberg to him and get a legit 3b run producer I would be in favor.

462

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup i hope to see

« on: May 14, 2007, 10:58:07 am »

no, and i hope he is back to a setup role soon. that time bomb's ticking is getting very loud.

wheeler grip, grip, regripping in the glove stresses me out a little bit. I wish he worked a little bit faster.

463

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 10:56:42 am »

Chronicle, yes.  All local papers? No.

Sorry- I thought that was implied about the chronicle.

Now that I found rottentomatoes.com I don't even get the newspaper anymore on saturday/sunday to check for movie listings.

The only time I get the paper now is on saturday morning's for the TV listings on college football games. There are so many different channels that show football games it is nice to have the tv listings for all 20 games and not have to toggle through the cable guide on my time warner and worry about missing a mountain west tilt on verses or something like that.

464

Talk Zone / Re: I am done with the Chronicle

« on: May 14, 2007, 10:36:50 am »

Of those 30% that don't have internet and don't plan on having it, I would expect hardly any are current or potential subscribers to the newspaper.  I'd expect that most of the 30% without access are less weatlhy and less educated than the 70% who do have access.  Not exactly a demographic that would be in the market for a newspaper.

Regardless, there are good sports writers out there and hopefully the Chronicle will manage to employ one or two of them in the near future.

I don't know- for 50 cents a homeless guy could clean out the newspaper box and have blankets and pillows for the ngiht. That might be about the best/most appropriate use of the chronicle.

465

Talk Zone / Re: Pallilo about to interview Chris Burke on espn 790 am (the animal)

« on: May 14, 2007, 10:26:49 am »

Why should anyone feel sorry for chris burke?  He has done almost nothing to show that he deserves to have a regular job in the big leagues handed to him.

He isn't appreciably better than a 41 year old biggio. HE sucks in CF.  He deserved to get sent down.

Edit- Deserved to get sent down might be a bit harsh- rather - he hasn't shown he deserves a regular spot would be more appropriate.

466

Talk Zone / Re: Do the Blue Jays Have Anything the Astros Might Want?

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:43:55 pm »

Position players who could improve the Astros (where there isn't an immovable incumbent) would be Glaus at 3B, Wells in CF and Rios who plays RF but would be nice if he can play CF.

Glaus then, for Moberg and Wheels. Done.

467

Talk Zone / Re: Do the Blue Jays Have Anything the Astros Might Want?

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:37:32 pm »

Thus he would be a 1 year commitment for the Jays, which fits that one criterion.  So, what do they have that the Astros need that they might be willing to part with for a Lidge-plus package?

No real idea- I don't much follow beer league softball comings and goings...

468

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:36:57 pm »

i coached 8/9 year olds. they did not remember the score by the time they got to the concession stand. winning at that age only matters to parents and to some coaches.

I must not be wired right (probably true). I kept score when nobody else did and hated losing, from 5 on. I didn't get it from either of my parents- they thought about not letting me play b/c I was too intense about stuff like that- I hated losing at anything at any time.

My brother was exactly as you described.  My friends were usually in between.

469

Talk Zone / Re: Do the Blue Jays Have Anything the Astros Might Want?

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:32:00 pm »

Perhaps it's genuine, perhaps it's posturing to head off a dry humping.  How long is Lidge's contract?

I don't suppose Wells or Glaus are available...

Just this year is Lidge's contract- but like I said- if you want him next year you have to pay at least 5,000,000, or whatever you can get him for in arbitration. You can't cut his salary by more than 15% I believe, while under club control

470

Talk Zone / Re: roster move

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:30:22 pm »

Explain?  

Palmeiro was terrible last year -- stuck out way too much for a guy who supposedly is a contact hitter (17 K's against 4 walks in 119 at bats).  He is batting .154 this year and we hardly use him.  He is a horrible defender.  He is 38 years old and is declining.  For a guy who is supposed to be an ace pinch hitter, he is -- next to Quintero -- the last option off the bench.  Again, why keep him if you don't want to use him.  Bruntlett would help out a lot more than Palmeiro.  He is faster and has more pop and can play almost any position, many very well and would be a great defensive replacement.

Miller has pitched 9 innings this year.  If we aren't going to use him, why keep him?

IP's don't matter for LOOGY's they need to be judged by apperances- as by definition they are on the roster to get out the best lefty, in the most important situation- 1 time.

Palmero is your best contact guy off the bench.  10%k rate is not bad for a pinch hitter- considering he is ab cold off the bench, late in the game- against their relief ace. These guys in relief almost all strike out 10 guys per nine innings- or in other words- 1/3 outs come via K.  10% K's against guys that get 33% of their outs via K's in those situations, make you a good contact hitter.

I predict bidge might strike out 35-50% of the time against closers, who almost always are looking for punch outs in high intensity positions, have the best stuff on the team, and are amped up and don't have to worry about "saving" their energy for the next hitter/inning.

471

Talk Zone / Re: Do the Blue Jays Have Anything the Astros Might Want?

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:25:43 pm »

If I was them I'd want Wheeler more- both are under club control- Lidge might have more upside- but Wheels could get the job done this year and then go into set up man at about a million per, whereas Lidge they'd have to trade or carry for at least 5 million with Ryan on the books at 9 million per.

472

Talk Zone / Re: quick scoring question

« on: May 11, 2007, 02:24:08 pm »

I always write "T" on the basepath that the batter/runner advanced, but then again I adhere to the guideline Pravata mentioned of being able to reconstruct it in my own mind, as opposed to being "official."  I never use "FC" for anything but the first action of an at-bat, so I would never indicate a hit followed by a FC.

Also, there are times when an FC is appropriate even if no out is recorded, e.g. routine grounder, fielder tries to make a play on the lead runner but is not in time, everyone is safe.

I agree- I wouldn't call it a fielders choice- b/c upon rereading I might get confused, especially if the next batter hit into a 4-3 or somesuch and think I noted it wrong.

I always put A/T, for advanced on the throw.

I had to write recaps and enter all the stats and recreate the game for STATS for my summer prospect league team, and write all the media- so that always reminded me in case I'd forgotten of how it happened. I don't remember the exact way we did it, but STATS had a legend for it in their stat input.

473

Talk Zone / Re: "Pitchers you'd pay to see"

« on: May 11, 2007, 10:28:46 am »

Never enjoyed watching a pitcher more than the Unit in the last half of the 1998 regular season.

Agreed- I made it to every unit start in the summer of 98- it was awesome fun, totally loved it.

I love to see Roy pitch and try to see him whenever I can.  He's even the wife's favorite pitcher (not a huge baseball fan) b/c he works so fast that there is not the down time there is with other guys- she says everyone should pitch that way and I agree.  Get ball, throw ball, attack hitters.  With his stuff he can do it.  I don't think there is the same electricity as in a Johnson 98 start, but day in and day out he's great- just doesn't come with the resume of hype of those other guys.

I'd pay to see dice k pitch (but hell- I pay to watch Wandy pitch too) just b/c he's supposed to be so different.

474

Talk Zone / Re: Letting Ausmus bat. Bases juiced down 4 in the 8th

« on: May 10, 2007, 04:57:09 pm »

the slider trouble started in 1998, i think.

Which was also Biggio's best year ever- an absolutely phenominal year, that if not overshadowed by McGuire, Sosa and their chemists might have netted him an MVP.

But you are right- I remember this vulnerability at least as far back as then. I thought he would be washed up after the 2000 knee injury, and with this vulnerability. He has adapted and survived later in his career- but he's dead meat against a good slider- he simply cannot lay off of it.

475

Talk Zone / Re: Letting Ausmus bat. Bases juiced down 4 in the 8th

« on: May 10, 2007, 03:58:23 pm »

Well, he's been bad on sliders for the last seven years for sure, perhaps longer.  But not always.  He had to speed up his bat to get to the fastballs so he doesn't really care to do anything above and beyond hitting a fastball now.

If he gets one, he's ready to hit it.  If he gets a diet of sliders and trying to speed up his bat, he'll strike out.  But if a starter tried that with Bidge, sooner or later, he'd just take the walk... a starter has to keep him honest.  But not a reliever.  Unless said reliever is Billy Wagner of course.

He's always been susceptible to a good slider from my recollection- but that's fuzzy and that of a 12 or 14 year old for much of it.

He used to absolutely kill mistakes though.  Throw him a slider that doesn't slide and he'll lose it or hit it in the gap for a double.  Great mistake hitter back in the day- still pretty good mistake hitter.

476

Talk Zone / Re: Letting Ausmus bat. Bases juiced down 4 in the 8th

« on: May 10, 2007, 03:55:54 pm »

Ausmus is hitting .278 this season.  Very recently he was hitting .300.  Ausmus is streaky.  He's in a good streak right now.

If I was a betting man I'd say the average going from north of .300 to about .280 means the good is done and we are in for a bad cycle.

That being said- who really cares, Ausmus is on the team for his leather not his lumber. He is what he is a gold glove winning catcher that is about a .240 hitter with little to no pop but who does a good job hitting 8th in the order of turning the batting order over.  Also- as P mentioned, a guy that generally has one pro-longed, month like stretch every single year where he hits 330 and then goes back to his career norm.

I saw him pissed off the other night as well. He is going to have to accept it- he is getting lifted in important bat situations. While he's in the middle of a good run I get the point- but the fact of the matter is that almost everyone on the bench is a better hitting option than Ausmus.

477

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 03:05:21 pm »

It doesn't matter.  The pitch was too close to take.  Never assume the ump is going to call a ball on a close pitch.

Also- from what everyone is saying he got spared getting wrung up on the 2-2 count.  An umpire rarely lets you get away with that on 2 pitches in a row- if it looks like he might have missed one.

I've heard JD say it 100 times after that type of situation- you better be swinging next time- you won't get that call twice in a row.

478

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:57:07 am »

That didn't sound like a HR call by DoRay me or whoever is on the mike- I'm out from listening to the radio. THanks to anyone who can give up PBP, it is appreciated.

479

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:49:12 am »

How bout now?

wha happened?

480

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:48:34 am »

PBP anyone? bueller, bueller...

481

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:47:50 am »

And a day off is going to bring the momentum the a crashing halt?

What the hell man? You're Paul Hooding...

Hopefully not- 4 in a row and back to level would be nice though...

482

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:47:01 am »

Nice recovery, but I dunno.  What feebleness against Harang?

hasn't he won like 4 or 5 starts in a row, over the last couple years, against the good guys.

Should probably not post in this format with all the calls I'm having to catch.

Thanks for the pbp whoever is doing it, it is very in and out attention wise at work.

483

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:43:06 am »

Is the game over?  Come on, this whining before the fact is highly unnecessary unless it's humorous or sad or both.

Sorry - I just had to catch a phone call. My next sentence was going to be, "unless you win in which case it is awesome..." gets the bench guys work- keeps em sharp etc.  

Cincy isn't exactly going with their OD lineup either.

Plus, with the feebleness against Harang for some time changes were probably in store anywya.

484

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:40:12 am »

I understand the reason for the radical lineup change- with all the travel, and the day game after a night game on getaway day. The think that sucks is it looked like they were starting to get going. Bad time for this day game getaway.

485

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:20:02 am »

I suppose that's one word for it. Others that occurred to me were "scary", "lots of holes", and "Reds-like".  But the bench has to get some game time, too, so let's see what they can do.

Why does the Austin paper say this is a 7pm game?

Kirk Bohls on fact check.

Holy shit- I didn't read the lineup carefully enough- didn't even notice Loretta at short and Luke in CF. Somehow my brain skipped over Burke in CF and Pence not in the game.

Scary is better than interesting, for sure.

486

Talk Zone / Re: the Reds should be good

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:16:45 am »

What is missing for any conversation about a hitters park is how you decide to pitch.  Chris Holt had a terrible time adjusting to Enron Field because he never adjusted his approach from the Astrodome.  Holt nibbled the corners on the outside, never pitched inside and thus he walked a fair amount of guys.  In the dome, the chances of a big inning happening were slimmer for Holt because a fly ball went to die in the dome.  At Enron, it's a three run cheap homerun.  So the best thing to do is not walk anyone, which means you come inside more and quit nibbling at corners.  But to come inside means you have to pitch to contact and trust your fielders to make the outs for you.

Last night, Woody Williams basically pitched to contact and allow his fielders to work for him.  He had success at Tammy Faye, just like he has had success at Minute Maid too.  Don't be afraid to pitch to contact unless you've got ungodly stuff and can just dominate the other team with your stuff.  Few and far in-between any of those kinds of pitchers.  So the Reds problem is one of adjustment for pitchers.  Don't walk anyone because that could mean lots of bad things at Tammy Faye.  And if you pitch inside, trust your fielders to make the play.  But are they making the play?  I dunno exactly, but haven't they had this same sceanrio before with Encarnacion and revolving door at shortstop?  Looks like they need to pay attention to that pronto because if the left side is shaky, pitchers may not want to come inside to right handers any more.  And you're back to square one.

And of course, this goes for the bullpen as well.

Encarnacion has been an error machine through his time there. He makes some great plays, but he can't throw accurately and boots routine plays often (that's the knock anyway).
They've gotten outstanding defensive play from their SS this series- don't know if that is consistent or a mirage.  2b and CF look ok to me. Ross behind the dish seems to know what he is doing.  JR is terrible in RF.  Dunn is indifferent toward D in left.

487

Talk Zone / Re: the Reds should be good

« on: May 10, 2007, 11:00:55 am »

I'm sorry- I wrote LF but I meant Left Hander's (LH)- my bad.

He's said- mulitple times- to look up the numbers- MMP depresses numbers for LH (not LF) hitters.

Sorry for the typo.

488

Talk Zone / Re: Will they or Won't They?

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:49:40 am »

I was mearly asking a question asshole, not making a suggestion.  I don't think his number should be retired but Uncle Drayton just might think about it.

I'm not an asshole- I'm a whinny bitch- get it right.  It was a dumb suggestion. I've made them myself and noted that with the rest of my post.

Get some thicker skin.

489

Talk Zone / Re: the Reds should be good

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:47:07 am »

Berkman is adamant about saying that MMP is not a good hitting park at all for LF. I've noted that many a time myself- not only are the dimensions a lot shorter in left but the jet stream seems to take the ball out that way better.

Also-it's a much more hitter friendly park- imo when they pop the top.

490

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/10/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:44:55 am »

innuresting. Is this OP's first start of the year?

491

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 5/9/07

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:44:16 am »

The Griffey swing gave everyone rise to think he actually got it all.  It was a mirage, he was late on the ball and didn't get it at all.  His beautiful swing actually made the ball travel as far out to deep right field as it did (two feet short of the warning track), any other mortal man's swing either hits that ball weakly to left or foul backwards.  Lidge was aggressive going after the hitters last night, he knew what he was doing and just basically went out and did it.

From what I saw, he was never in trouble nor unsure of what he wanted to do no matter who was in the batters box.

I thought it was gone off the bat- It wasn't really all that close in reality- but it was a breathless second waiting for the camera to pan out to RF.

492

Talk Zone / Re: Will they or Won't They?

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:24:43 am »

Eventually, do you think the Astros will retire Clemen's number?

Sorry if this has already been talked about but I missed it if it did.

Emir- was this a serious post?  The single most collossally stupid suggestion I've heard that doesn't involve me trying to make a point I've seen on this board in at least 48 hours 

493

Talk Zone / Re: DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:22:42 am »

I try not to.  He had me fooled at the beginning of the season but he has returned to his rumor mongering ways.  So, he's no longer credible.  McTaggert is the only one I'll use, and that is only when he has something different, which is rare.   The problem is that the majority of the fans get their Astros news only from the Chronicle.  I'm following the Astros, the fans affect what the team does, I try to be aware of what and why the fans think what they think.  Unfortunately that requires reading this drek.  And occasionally listening to the radio.

I'm surprised you gave him another chance. Thank you for trolling through the shit to bring us the occasional nugget (or rather the sense of how this team is perceived in the media). I like McTaggert ok, but he's pretty vanila.

To paraphrase (analogize?) Noe- he is redundant with the coverage footer provides.

494

Talk Zone / Re: DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:20:31 am »

Ther personal contract aspect of this whole thing is really a non-issue to me, as a fan.  It is about business between McLane and whoever he is doing business with.  Clemens would be really good to have in the fold for McLane on so many levels, it would be stupid for him to hold a grudge.

Even the issue of leaving town because they prefer New York doesn't bother me.  They wouldn't be the first to leave here to go there for any business endeavor.   Baseball, adverstising, wall street... doesn't matter, if your chosen profession is helped by being in the Big Apple, then by all means go there and be happy.

Just don't be too concerned about what anyone thinks about you nor take the "the former employer *forced* me to leave" b.s. stance with me.  It sucks, it is highly offensive and really only makes you out to be the whiner that you really are.  Oh and... on your way out, don't feed me the line about "it's not about money".  That is when you know it is entirely about money.  Lastly, if you had a chance to feed your over massive, out of control, growing like godzilla on steriods ego by making the primo club in baseball actually bow down to your whims, then don't pretend you're not loving the attention and honor of being the one guy who is above the game.  You proved it, you win... embrace it and be happy.

But if someone even dares to say "It's not right, no one should be above the game", don't freak out about it... your ego should be able to sustain someone screaming "Hey look, that sumabitch emporer has no under pants!".

A more level headed approach then I would take, NOE, but to be honest probably the correct one.  Drayton is miles better as a businessman then I would ever be. If he thinks the longterm benefits of having a 10 year service contract with Rocket are beneficial to the team he will do that- and maybe tell Gar or anyone else not to burn any brides. Just b/c I say I would rip it up doesn't mean that's the best way to do it.  Like Alkie says- I'm a fan, it's my job to overreact. I think that's what you might see going on with Gar backtracking a bit, and the rest of the org more or less silent on the issue.

No sense airing dirty laundry in public, especially if the dirty laundry pertains to a guy who has a contract in place to be a future employee of the organization again

495

Talk Zone / Re: Backe update from BP

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:11:44 am »

I really like Backe- but the dude is a meathead. I wouldn't trust him to be forthright about the injury were I the org.

Thankfully- I trust this organization to do the right thing- so I'm not concerned. Backe will pitch when they are comfortable that he is ready I'm sure- not before.

496

Talk Zone / Re: DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:07:46 am »

Why in the world would the Chronicle do this?  Look how many people are talking about him.  This seems to be a wet dream for a newspaper.  Doesn't matter if he is factual.  He is helping to sell ads.

Well BG- I have stopped reading the chronicle b/c of this freaking hack. I only hear what he has to say by links here, which I don't read myself, just listen to someone else recap it. They ain't getting any ad revenue from me specifically b/c of this prick.

If there are enough like me (doesn't prav not even link the chron/jdjo?) then maybe there would be a change.  It isn't good to have a writer with no credibility in my opinion.

497

Talk Zone / Re: roster move

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:05:32 am »

has a team ever had such a glut of people to play center field before

If by glut of people you to play you mean bodies they throw at an important defensive position that are miscast and can't handle the situation then I'd say no- I can't remember anyone this cavalier about that position.

498

Talk Zone / Re: The Raups Couldn't Ask for More

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:02:23 am »

I think the Reds need to trade for pitching, so I don't think Belisle or anyone else in their rotation is going anywhere soon.  And why would anyone take Griffey?  Certainly not anyone sane in the NL (obviously this excludes the Cubs), because he is a liability in the field these days.  Maybe someone rich and desperate in the AL.  Who's the Yankmees DH?

A little outside the box- but would NYY have any interest in playing him at 1b. Coach has said over and over all you really have to be able to do is catch, and they are not fond of doug manckeoaijndao;fjadsfgch. 

499

Talk Zone / Re: the Reds should be good

« on: May 10, 2007, 10:00:11 am »

I'm no defensive expert- that's part of why I was asking. They are shit at the corners- but all the way up the middle they look pretty solid to me- thoughts?

500

Talk Zone / Re: DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

« on: May 10, 2007, 09:58:48 am »

there it the matter of that personal services contract (that were I drayton I'd seriously consider tearing up). Maybe Drayton is worried about him coming back to the fold and wants to make sure it's a smooth transition back into the Astros organization, and he doesn't feel the way that the rest of us do- or he is comfortable taking a more long term approach?

Who knows?  What we can and should all know is that Jose the Jesus is a no talent, smug, grudge holding dick that has no credibility anywhere. I wish the Chronicle would boot his slimy little ass to the curb.