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Talk Zone / Re: Reid Ryan phasing out
« on: November 07, 2019, 03:35:59 pm »
I was about to bitch about nepotism and then I remembered that this is protesting Reid Ryan leaving, so...
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 10:21:03 pm »
The fifth inning is the season killer.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 6, October 29, 2019
« on: October 29, 2019, 09:14:47 pm »
Jose, dude, come on. That could mean the fucking series.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 10:37:50 pm »
Josh James is fucking depressing.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:32:19 pm »When he was missing his spots that inning, he had a very dejected attitude after each pitch. He’s fighting himself for the first time in a long time.
When he struggled a bit early in the season (I am thinking of a road game in Arlington), I noticed that Cole got noticeably down when some calls did not go his way.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels @ Astros, 9/20/19
« on: September 20, 2019, 08:57:22 pm »Freaking Simmons. That guy can really play.He's a wizard.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Angels @ Astros, 9/20/19
« on: September 20, 2019, 08:31:13 pm »
Timely double play. Let's hope Greinke's grunting ass can right the ship.
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Talk Zone / Re: The Mets
« on: September 20, 2019, 02:30:39 am »
I was at the game 5 loss against the Phillies. I am still not over it.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, September 7, 2019
« on: September 07, 2019, 08:44:35 pm »
James is now shitting the bed. Cool.
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Talk Zone / Re: Skaggs autopsy
« on: September 07, 2019, 08:22:10 pm »
Now it just feels like there is a money play going on. It's not our son's fault. It's the Angels fault. So they should pay. Waiting to see how this plays out.
I definitely think we should see how this plays out- we don't have enough information and never have. His family, friends and team are going to be hurting regardless.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 10:19:58 pm »
Osuna right the ship this week. We needed it. Nice come back win!
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 10:11:40 pm »
I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue...
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 09:59:26 pm »
Rondon is fucking awful.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:58:02 pm »
Yuli has to be in the running for team MVP.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:54:48 pm »
That first pitch to Yuli is a strike if the catcher wasn't fooled and flailed to catch it.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:32:30 pm »
Damn. Josh is scuffling.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:06:46 pm »
Nice pick up, Jose!
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:03:11 pm »
Springer's uniform/bat combo is next level.
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Talk Zone / Re: Off day question
« on: August 09, 2019, 02:32:11 am »I think that I vaguely remember seeing that one. Who was the best pure hitter you've ever seen? I'm too young to have seen Teddy Ballgame, and by the time I got interested in baseball, Mickey Mantle was trying to hit with one knee. For me, Barry Bonds was the best overall hitter.
I agree. I have never seen a hitter so locked in as Bonds was in 2001. Pitchers couldn't make a mistake. Ever.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 3, 2019
« on: August 03, 2019, 06:37:52 pm »
Sanchez looks pretty good to me.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 07-15-2019
« on: July 15, 2019, 11:20:30 pm »It's been a long time since I've seen a team this talented and this well-run generally continue to try something that has been proven to fail so consistently. Sending Framber out there every five days is something like the Cleveland Browns or some other organization wedded to failure would do.That and the Tyler White Experience.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 07-15-2019
« on: July 15, 2019, 11:14:47 pm »
Is this just a save the bullpen at all costs kind of game?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 08:48:08 pm »
Ump is helping the Rays here.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 07:58:02 pm »
Cole grooved one.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 07:34:33 pm »Doesn't work when it's obviously insincere.
I wouldn't say that.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 07:21:19 pm »
Morton is masterful tonight. Easy victory for the Rays.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 07:12:20 pm »
Not feeling that pitch.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 07:09:27 pm »
Not getting that 0-2 call was tough.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 06:58:43 pm »
Big hit from Brantley!
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 06:36:29 pm »
That Charlie Morton guy is pretty good.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Game 2: Astros at Rays, 3/29/19
« on: March 29, 2019, 06:24:05 pm »
This game is going to zip by.
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Talk Zone / Re: Bryce Harper
« on: November 10, 2018, 02:58:12 pm »
Jeff Luhnow was certainly swinging for the fences there.
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Talk Zone / Re: Bryce Harper
« on: November 10, 2018, 02:44:27 pm »
I don't have a subscription to the Athletic. Is the article saying that Luhnow and Mark Rizzo had an agreement to a trade of Harper and the owners overruled this?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ACLS Game 5: Red Sox at Astros, October 18 2018
« on: October 18, 2018, 09:15:38 pm »The opposing pitcher has yielded 3 hits.
Don't troll anti-AJ shit.
I am not doing that. Nothing I said was wrong, by the way.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ACLS Game 5: Red Sox at Astros, October 18 2018
« on: October 18, 2018, 09:05:05 pm »I must have missed the memo stating the game is over after 4 innings.
I hope they come back. They look listless and today's lineup changes have resulted in three hits.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ACLS Game 5: Red Sox at Astros, October 18 2018
« on: October 18, 2018, 08:42:11 pm »
Getting swept at home would be a bitter pill to swallow.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 18, 2018, 12:17:58 am »
Baseball is a cruel mistress.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:41:59 pm »
Is Marwin high?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:30:54 pm »AJ had the bullpen magic touch last postseason. This season, either he hasn’t or the shit pitching has been so widespread it’s impossible to avoid.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The Astros won last year despite how Hinch handled the bullpen.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:26:13 pm »
Can the Astros go an inning without stepping on their dicks?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:14:11 pm »
Nice fucking job, White. Can any of the bearded assholes on this team earn a paycheck this month?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:08:45 pm »
I am not crazy about the pinch hitting options here.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 11:07:13 pm »
Great hit!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 10:59:58 pm »
I'll take it, Marwin.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALCS Game #4: Red Sox @ Astros October 17, 2018
« on: October 17, 2018, 10:48:25 pm »
Fuck this shit.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 04:50:48 pm »
Keuchel gives a shout out to McCann's defense in the postgame interview. I withdraw my criticism.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 04:36:15 pm »
The Astros took care of business.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:52:49 pm »
Marwin ascending the all-time Astros badass list.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:46:13 pm »
Damn, what a beautiful sight.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:38:59 pm »
Colin McHugh looks dominant.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:17:42 pm »
I love Marwin Gonzales.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:14:58 pm »
Green light here?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 03:12:28 pm »
Yuli had to pause...the ump has called that 3-2 pitch a strike a few times today.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Gam 3: Astros @ Indian s, October 8, 2018
« on: October 08, 2018, 02:46:24 pm »
At least Correa can field his position. What exactly are we getting from Brian McCann right now?
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: ALDS Game 2: Indians @ Astros October 6, 2018
« on: October 06, 2018, 05:51:06 pm »
Gattis pinch hitting there is stupid.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Orioles, 9/29/18 (Game #2)
« on: September 29, 2018, 08:55:51 pm »
Lance looked suited for playoff bullpen duty there.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Orioles, 9/29/18 (Game #1)
« on: September 29, 2018, 06:06:22 pm »
1-0-2!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Orioles, 9/29/18 (Game #1)
« on: September 29, 2018, 06:00:51 pm »
Damn, Hector.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Orioles, 9/29/18 (Game #1)
« on: September 29, 2018, 05:26:51 pm »
Verlander has pitched so many gems only to have the arson squad in our bullpen burn his wins to the ground. I'll say this: Joe Smith should have no playoff roster spot.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels at Astros, September 22, 2018
« on: September 22, 2018, 09:38:23 pm »
Pop up Bregman is back.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels at Astros, September 22, 2018
« on: September 22, 2018, 09:21:50 pm »
AJ Hinch gets this loss.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels at Astros, September 22, 2018
« on: September 22, 2018, 09:16:12 pm »He's trying to show confidence in him, but Rondon really needs about a week off to rest. He's just worn out.
I get it, but, fuck his confidence. Do that in another situation. We need the fucking win.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels at Astros, September 22, 2018
« on: September 22, 2018, 09:12:57 pm »
This is on Hinch for running Rondon out there in this situation.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels at Astros, September 22, 2018
« on: September 22, 2018, 09:10:00 pm »
Hinch should have the shortest of leashes. We need this one.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 9, 2018
« on: September 09, 2018, 10:15:07 pm »Sipp coming in to try and clean up Colin’s mess.Hinch does not do his relievers any favors.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 9, 2018
« on: September 09, 2018, 10:06:18 pm »
I would like Hinch to intervene now.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 8, 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 06:33:04 pm »Need double play.Good call!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 8, 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 06:29:51 pm »
Don't blow this, dude.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 8, 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 06:08:13 pm »
Better have the bullpen up.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 8, 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 05:09:35 pm »
Charlie is trending down.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 8, 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 04:55:07 pm »
Charlie can't piss away a four run lead after having the bottom of the order with two outs and nobody on. Come on.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 09:14:20 pm »
Our wild pitch offense is amazing!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 09:13:08 pm »
Don't look at fastballs over the plate...swing!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 09:10:05 pm »
This is your time, Carlos. Come on!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 08:53:37 pm »
Walks are death.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 08:44:21 pm »
Astros fans taking over Fenway Park is one of the best things of the season.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 08:38:22 pm »
Kemp is my hero!
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Sept. 7, 2018
« on: September 07, 2018, 08:08:13 pm »
I had a feeling that this NFL weekend jersey stunt would go the same way as the lettermen jackets went with the Texans when they traveled to the Boston area.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Angels @ Astros, Sept. 1, 2018
« on: September 01, 2018, 06:56:55 pm »
Felix Pena is having his way with the Astros. No more home games.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: 8/22 Astros @ Sea Hags Day Game!
« on: August 22, 2018, 05:33:26 pm »Ok, this bunting shit has got to stop.
That essentially fucked the inning and, on cue, they hit into a DP. The Astros are playing like chumps.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: 8/22 Astros @ Sea Hags Day Game!
« on: August 22, 2018, 05:30:56 pm »
I would like the offense to get a few runs back, please.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, August 20, 2018
« on: August 21, 2018, 12:54:30 am »I feel like I want to blame this guy... but I am pretty sure they would have fucked it up without his help.
I will take the L. My bad.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, August 20, 2018
« on: August 20, 2018, 11:48:12 pm »
Come on, Carlos. Let it fly.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, August 20, 2018
« on: August 20, 2018, 11:43:25 pm »
Colin McHugh continues to be awesome out of the pen.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, August 20, 2018
« on: August 20, 2018, 11:28:36 pm »
Alright, it's time for somebody other than Marwin Gonzalez to wake the fuck up.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Houston Astros @ Oakland Athletics - 18 Aug 2018
« on: August 18, 2018, 04:13:45 pm »Marwin breaks out his patented unsuccessful bunt for a hit strategy.The fucking cleanup hitter is doing this.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Houston Astros @ Oakland Athletics - 18 Aug 2018
« on: August 18, 2018, 03:26:25 pm »
The A's have that look. The Astros look like shit.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros VS Oakland 08/17/2018
« on: August 18, 2018, 12:52:09 am »
Well, fuck.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros VS Oakland 08/17/2018
« on: August 18, 2018, 12:29:45 am »
They wilt in one run games. It's not a good development.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros VS Oakland 08/17/2018
« on: August 18, 2018, 12:25:38 am »
Shit call. And another shit performance by Rondon.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rockies at Houston 08-14-2018
« on: August 14, 2018, 09:14:05 pm »
Team wide slump.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rockies at Houston 08-14-2018
« on: August 14, 2018, 08:57:44 pm »
Can hold a lead for a fucking inning now.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rockies at Houston 08-14-2018
« on: August 14, 2018, 08:44:22 pm »
Tucker gave that one a charge.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rockies at Houston 08-14-2018
« on: August 14, 2018, 07:52:55 pm »
Gattis is either incredible, or a dumpster fire this year. Suboptimal.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Mariners at Astros, August 12 2018
« on: August 12, 2018, 04:04:08 pm »This would be a helluva time for Tucker’s first homer.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It would be, indeed.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 11, 2018
« on: August 11, 2018, 09:06:23 pm »
Forget comparing the home and road performance of the team. Just look at Marwin Gonzalez. He was just sorry today. From *bunting* with two outs in a one run game to this strikeout now. Lousy.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 11, 2018
« on: August 11, 2018, 08:51:39 pm »
Baserunning team of doom.
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Game Zone 2018 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 11, 2018
« on: August 11, 2018, 08:06:48 pm »
I felt it was a bad omen yesterday when the broadcast crew were paying tribute to the 1979 Astros.
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Talk Zone / Re: Astros just acquired Osuna
« on: August 03, 2018, 12:54:55 am »This reply probably belongs in "Beer and Queso" instead of here, but since domestic violence is now a topic for baseball related activity, it's probably okay.
Violence Against Women in Mexico
I am an American of Mexican decent. I grew up in second ward, a predominantly Mexican-American community. All the great things of being of Mexican decent were certainly celebrated in my community growing up. The blind-eye in our community was exactly the serious amount of domestic violence women suffered from Men still prone to cultural morays learned in Mexico (Machismo). Women wanting to learn to drive, to have a voice, to opine... they were the most victimized. I know because my aunt was a victim for many years at the hand of an uncle I hated and never wanted to be around, even though I was forced to at a family get together. How could I be around a man who beat his wife severely as he did. How come this was covered up or things said like "well, she asked for it" (by her attitude, her independence, her ability to drive herself to go shopping, you name it, they were pointed out as reasons she was "asking for it"). My uncle was macho... very macho. Ask my cousin, who also learned to fear his Dad from the fist to the face and slamming against a wall so hard, he left dents on the wall. My cousin was only 10 years old when he started to get violently abused. I was sickened, even as a young boy, at knowing about all this because I grew up in a loving home with a Dad who wasn't violent, but at the same time knew how to use a booming voice to let everyone know to walk on egg-shells for a while... Dad's not happy. But my Dad was a kind man, very giving and he never raised a fist to anyone, not children, not my Mom, not anyone. My uncle, however, was a different matter altogether. I remember the day one of my sisters ran out of our house to said uncle's house to tell him I was yelling mean things at her (I was). He rushed to our house because my mom and dad were out and only the kids were in the house. My uncle slammed the door open and found me in the den area. He approached me with his fist clenched. I knew I was in for the same type of beating my cousin suffered. I was going to get punched in the face... punched hard. He yelled at me "So you think you're a tough guy, huh? How about picking on someone like me instead of your younger sister!" But right then my oldest sister stood between him and me, I was not standing up to him, I was covering my face trying to shield myself from the hard punches to come. My sister told my uncle to leave our house... emphatically. I was really scared now because my uncle had no qualms beating on women either. But for some reason, it worked... he laughed, turned around and left our house. She asked me if I was alright and through my tears I told her I was fine... but inside I was a nervous wreck. My youngest sister came and hugged me and told me she was sorry she went to his house... she wasn't thinking straight and she regretted he even responded.
I hated this man.
Cultural-Specific Gender Ideology and Wife Abuse in Mexican-Descent Families
As much as you might not like hearing this, but culture plays a huge role for Men from Mexican decent when it comes to domestic abuse. I have not been surprised when I hear older Mexican men consul younger men about how to "control your wife". Much of that consultation centers around "golpear la mujer". Translated, "hit her so she can learn never to do that again", whatever the "that" may be that insulted the machismo of the Man of the house. It becomes ingrained into most Mexican young men and they then pass it on to other young men they may have an influence on. Have I heard it as recently as this year, for instance? Yes, I have. I played in the volleyball tournament with some really great young men who played outstanding volleyball. Two of them were American males of Mexican decent (first generation). They told me, for whatever reason, of how an uncle or grandfather told them to always remember to "golpear la mujer" when they needed it. I told them if I ever heard of them doing such a thing, I'd be the first to beating the living shit out of them and then also turn them into the police. They understood, but they also said it was hard to tell those men who gave them said advice that they were full of shit. They had to respect their elders (culturally), even if it was wrong and not something they even remotely wanted to do. My cousin, who suffered abusive violence for all his young life into his teens... when he got married and raised his own family, little did I know (at the time) he would be an abuser himself. I witnessed it when one day I was visiting with him and we were both in the couch watching a game. His young son passed in front of us blocking our view of the game (Rockets game). My cousin raised his leg and caught his son with his foot right in the chest and flung him clearly across the room. He yelled at him "Stop running around in here, we're busy watching the game!". His son was hurt, both physically and emotionally from the trauma my cousin just inflicted. I was mad and told my cousin to step outside with me for a minute. He didn't think I was serious so he said ok, just to find out what was bothering me. I grabbed him by the neck and said "If I ever see you touch that boy like that again, I will not hesitate to hurt you... hurt you badly too". He smiled and told me to relax, it was okay. I was not okay, but as the years went on, my cousin... by the grace of God... got help and became a very loving father to his family. The oldest son... it took years to repair the damage my cousin inflicted but they did. The youngest boys were never aware of "that" Dad, they love him and admire him for being so good to them. When I visited that family several years ago in Heyward, CA, they were all very proud of their old man, including the oldest son. I had a chance to sit with my cousin and just talk and while we never touched on the subject of violence and abuse, it was on the periphery of everything we said to each other. He told me he thanked God and family that he was able, with their support and love, to become a changed man. I knew it too, it was evident I was not talking to same man who at his young married life was not a good guy at all.
My uncle? I don't know if we've ever gotten on good terms like I did with his son, my cousin. I knew too much about his abusive and unrepentant self for many years. He now lives in Chicago, living out his retirement years with his other kids near him and my aunt. Yes, she stayed with him for over 50 years. My aunt and I got along really well. I loved her spirit of independence and how she influenced my sisters and other younger Mexican-American females in our small community to take charge of their lives and seek professional jobs and even go to college. My aunt was born and raised in California. She was a very different Mexican-American. She drove her own car, went to college, was a really great speaker at community rallys and such. But she married the wrong guy. A Mexican man who immigrated from Northern Mexico, very much the training ground for machismo. My uncle... what a piece of work he was. He is my mother's older brother. He fancied himself to James Dean or Sal Mineo and that sort of attracted my aunt to him. It did not take long after their marriage that he was more the Dr. Jeckyll - Mr Hyde type. Alot more Mr. Hyde though, a whole lot more. One incident I remember the most was the day my little cousin came running to our house from his (we all lived within blocks of each other) to tell us his Mom and Dad were fighting. My Dad jumped off his favorite chair and as bad timing would have it, so did I from the floor near his feet as he and I were watching a western on television. My Mom followed us out the door. I don't know why my Dad did not notice that I was right in stride with him, probably because he was too focused on what he might have to do since he knew what my uncle was capable of doing to my aunt with his heavy fist. When we arrived, we heard a cry from the laundry room and when we went into that room, we saw my aunt on the floor beneath the old style clothes washer... the kind that had a pair of rollers at the top of a very large spin cycle tub. She was bruised in the face from the violence my uncle inflicted on her. I was shocked and let out a cry. It was then my father realized I had come along to help him but he didn't want me involved. "Go home and don't tell anyone what you saw... do you hear me... no one!" "But Dad...." "No buts, let me handle it.... you should not have followed me... now go home!"
The next few days I never left the house to go do what I normally did... go to the park and play pickle with my baseball loving friends or ride my bike with them. I feared my favorite aunt had died that night. She didn't, but I didn't get to see her until many weeks later. When I did, I hugged her and said "I'm so glad to see you!". She was surprised and a little concerned I was hugging her so tightly. "Are you okay?" she asked me. "Ah... yes" and then I hugged her again. She didn't know I was there in the immediate aftermath of the beating my uncle gave her. I don't know to this day if she knew. She just smiled at me and said she was glad to see me too. But many years later while traveling to Chicago for some business, my aunt picked me up at the airport. My Mom called her and told her I would be in Chicago for a week and perhaps I would like to stay with her and my uncle while there. I didn't know about these plans, but was so happy to see her at the airport waiting as I walked towards the baggage claim. "You're staying with us mijo. I have a guest room for you." I resisted at first but then thought it might be nice to get home cooking for a week. It late that night while drinking coffee with my aunt that my uncle walked into the kitchen. I had not seen him all night as he was visiting with some friends in town as well. When he walked in, he gave a shout "NOAH!" (it's what he always called me). I raised my hand to shake his and he slapped it away and said "Come on!" while hugging me. My arms were down while he hugged me and it was apparent I did not want to return the affection. My aunt noticed.
"He's a different man. He's changed alot." This is what my aunt could not wait to tell me after my uncle said he was going to bed and we were welcome to keep talking and drinking coffee all we wanted. I didn't answer my aunt, I just listened. I found it hard to excuse my uncle for all those years of his behavior. Nothing could change my mind, or so I thought. Now many years later and my uncle nearing his last days here on earth, I still don't know how I feel about him. My aunt is a saint for loving him through all of this abuse. I could not. I could not understand how my Dad tried to make my uncle understand that this behavior was wrong and he needed to change. I sometimes fantasized about the day I would be big enough and strong enough to just find my uncle one day and give him a severe beating that I thought was justified. That feeling went away soon enough but I still have a hard time seeing my uncle in anything other that abusive man that I grew up with. That's on me to work out for myself, even to eventually say in an audible way "I forgive you" to the memory of that man. I'm getting closer to it each day. But it's not easy.
Not even my aunt stroking my hair at my age and loving me like as if I was a little boy all over again worked magic to destroy the memory. But one day.
One day.
Noe, I appreciate you sharing your experiences and insight about this issue. This all brings backs some uncomfortable memories of the abuse I saw my mother take from her husband when I was growing. Growing up in a violent household, you tend to compartmentalize your life and move on the best you can. Sometimes, though, the terror and dread all comes back. Anyway, the cultural aspect of Osuna's behavior is something I had not considered. Thank you.
100
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Seattle, July 31 2018
« on: July 31, 2018, 10:14:10 pm »
Grim times.
101
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Seattle, July 31 2018
« on: July 31, 2018, 10:11:07 pm »
Tyler White: still can't hit.
102
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at M’s - 7/30/18
« on: July 30, 2018, 11:30:33 pm »
That was shit. Another pitching gem flushed down the toilet.
103
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at M’s - 7/30/18
« on: July 30, 2018, 11:27:47 pm »
Seattle is 55-0 when leading after 8 innings.
104
Talk Zone / Re: Astros just acquired Osuna
« on: July 30, 2018, 06:51:16 pm »No doubt. I think it also matters that Osuna is Mexican. I'm not saying he compromised his integrity to deal for Osuna. Luhnow has worked very hard to turn the Mexican market toward Houston, and I think that played into the decision to deal for him.
The Not Supporting Teams With Wife Beaters market would surely be a consideration, too. I don't know what Osuna did, but the Blue Jays trading such a young, talented closer cannot be ignored.
105
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at angels - 7/20/18
« on: July 20, 2018, 11:41:04 pm »
Tucker seems to always be in an 0-2 hole.
106
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at angels - 7/20/18
« on: July 20, 2018, 11:28:19 pm »
Marwin should have to walk to the hotel tonight. What a boneheaded play.
107
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A's at Houston Astros July 10, 2018
« on: July 11, 2018, 12:38:13 am »Say something like what? That he’s been misused?
I’ve just been flummoxed by his use all year and feel like, if anybody has, he’s been set up to fail. My heart goes out to the dude. That he’s now aggressively digging his own hole doesn’t help but it doesn’t mean I run away from him either calling him an asshole. And I didn’t see him tell his manager to fuck off.
I think Hinch has been trying to protect Giles after his playoff meltdown and the face-punch incident against the Yankees.
108
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A's at Houston Astros July 10, 2018
« on: July 10, 2018, 10:55:16 pm »
Damn. Bullpen blues.
109
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A;s at Houston Astros July 9, 2018
« on: July 09, 2018, 10:05:14 pm »
The A's bullpen is something else.
110
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A;s at Houston Astros July 9, 2018
« on: July 09, 2018, 09:53:18 pm »
The ump is really giving the pitchers the outside of the plate to left handed hitters.
111
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A;s at Houston Astros July 9, 2018
« on: July 09, 2018, 09:36:33 pm »
Peacock to Harris to Joe Smith...ok.
112
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Oakland A;s at Houston Astros July 9, 2018
« on: July 09, 2018, 09:17:33 pm »
Fowler with the golden sombrero.
113
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Jays @ Astros, June 25, 2018
« on: June 25, 2018, 10:23:02 pm »
How can these guys look at so many called third strikes?! Jesus.
114
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Jays @ Astros, June 25, 2018
« on: June 25, 2018, 10:16:24 pm »
George is just closing his eyes and swining as hard as he can. Easy money.
115
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 10:07:17 pm »
Springer's cunning bat-on-the-shoulder-attack strategy finally pays off!
116
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:33:27 pm »
The Royals have a closer. His fastball looks nasty.
117
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:31:27 pm »
That's just garbage, Springer. It's unbelievable that he looked at that.
118
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:30:24 pm »
Knock the hell out of it, George.
119
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:18:11 pm »
Hit it on the screws. Damn.
120
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:11:53 pm »
Alright, Evan. Be the hero.
121
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:08:28 pm »Except for the McCullers 2-1 meatball.Yes, that's a big exception.
122
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 09:04:00 pm »
Everything but the bats has been great tonight. Let's win this.
123
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 08:55:10 pm »
Will Harris here to close it out.
124
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Royals @ Astros, June 23, 2018
« on: June 23, 2018, 08:27:13 pm »
3rd time looking at strike three is incredible.
125
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Rangers June 7, 2018
« on: June 07, 2018, 10:13:40 pm »
Odor stared at a meatball.
126
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Rangers June 7, 2018
« on: June 07, 2018, 08:40:42 pm »
Professional hitters being awesome...cool!
127
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Rangers June 7, 2018
« on: June 07, 2018, 08:24:15 pm »
The Bermuda Triangle part of the lineup. Hope dies there.
128
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Fishmongers @ Astros, 6/5/18
« on: June 05, 2018, 08:35:27 pm »
Scott Boras cannot be happy right now.
129
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Red Sox @ Astros, June 3, 2018
« on: June 03, 2018, 09:45:53 pm »Giles "getting work" again.The Astros actually have a great bullpen, people.
130
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Red Sox @ Astros, June 3, 2018
« on: June 03, 2018, 09:30:34 pm »
Sorry swing from Gattis. He should have to walk home and contemplate life after that piss poor effort.
131
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Red Sox @ Astros, June 3, 2018
« on: June 03, 2018, 08:37:21 pm »
There should be Turd Warnings for the entire Southeast Texas Region. The depth and variety of Astros shit raining down today should be studied for posterity.
132
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Red Sox @ Astros, June 3, 2018
« on: June 03, 2018, 07:37:07 pm »
Two on, nobody out with Bregman, Altuve and Correa up and they don't do shit. That's fucking pitiful.
133
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Yankees, May 3, 2018
« on: May 30, 2018, 07:43:08 pm »
Let's make up for that run, Marwin.
134
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at Yankees 5/29/2018
« on: May 29, 2018, 09:58:34 pm »
Another kick in the junk loss.
135
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Indians - Sunday, May 27th
« on: May 27, 2018, 04:50:43 pm »O BBGs, we humbly offer supplication and alms, and ask forgiveness for any hubris that has offended thee.+1
136
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Indians, May 25, 2018
« on: May 25, 2018, 09:14:48 pm »
I love Jose Altuve.
137
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Indians, May 25, 2018
« on: May 25, 2018, 08:58:02 pm »
Hard luck, again, for Davis.
138
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 19, 2018
« on: May 19, 2018, 06:23:36 pm »
Too bad this game did not go 10 innings.
139
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 19, 2018
« on: May 19, 2018, 05:59:58 pm »
Big ass swing.
141
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 19, 2018
« on: May 19, 2018, 05:25:29 pm »
Let's do this, Gattis.
142
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 10:02:35 pm »
I am happy for Ken Giles.
143
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:58:54 pm »
I'm tired of Ken Giles.
144
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:49:13 pm »
That is a professional AB from Gattis. Nice.
145
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:32:45 pm »
Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.
146
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:20:14 pm »
Bregman is having a forgettable day.
147
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:15:22 pm »
Fisher missed the plate. Fuck.
148
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:12:06 pm »
Fucking fan cost a run! Get your head out of you ass, moron! Somebody should punch that fuckhead in the nose.
149
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:10:23 pm »
Be the man, Kemp.
150
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:07:07 pm »
AJ Hinch says fuck the bunt.
151
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 09:03:41 pm »
Hey, fuckers doing the *wave* in 2018: there's a baseball game right in front of you.
152
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Indians @ Astros, May 18, 2018
« on: May 18, 2018, 08:54:41 pm »
The Astros just keep serving up shit sandwiches for their pitchers at home. I can't get mad at Morton.
153
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 16, 2018, 12:28:15 am »100 percent a strike, though. He should've mashed that junk.That's what I was thinking. Still, Giles got the save and the team showed some 2017 cajones with the comeback win.
154
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 16, 2018, 12:24:10 am »
I mean, yay for the K, but damn, that was way up in the zone.
155
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 16, 2018, 12:21:11 am »
Pujols hit against the shift.
156
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 15, 2018, 11:47:24 pm »
It is your time to shine, Jose.
157
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 15, 2018, 11:40:06 pm »
Josh Reddick: being awesome.
158
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 15, 2018, 11:22:50 pm »
Marwin: bamboozled.
159
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Angels, May 15, 2018
« on: May 15, 2018, 09:41:08 pm »
More strike outs and double plays. Regression to the mean is a cruel mistress.
160
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros , May 11, 2018
« on: May 11, 2018, 09:31:45 pm »
Sandy Koufax has really pitched well today.
161
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros , May 11, 2018
« on: May 11, 2018, 09:26:17 pm »
Wake the fuck up, batters.
162
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros , May 11, 2018
« on: May 11, 2018, 08:31:32 pm »
Reddick is making his Gold Glove audition tape this inning.
163
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros , May 11, 2018
« on: May 11, 2018, 08:25:39 pm »
That was one of the most feeble at bats I have ever seen from McCann.
164
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros at D-Backs May 6, 2018
« on: May 06, 2018, 05:01:36 pm »
Repeating is hard.
165
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Los Astros @ Las Serpientes, Cinco de Mayo, 2018
« on: May 05, 2018, 09:18:05 pm »
What exactly are they expecting from Gattis at this point?
166
Game Zone 2018 / Re: May 3, Yanks v Astros
« on: May 03, 2018, 04:23:55 pm »
The Tiny Casey struck out.
167
Game Zone 2018 / Re: May 3, Yanks v Astros
« on: May 03, 2018, 04:16:56 pm »
Harris was tried at closer a couple of years ago and he just did not have it. I am not sure if it is a mental thing, or just a small sample size, but it's officially a thing.
168
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Yankees at Astros, May 1 2018
« on: May 01, 2018, 09:50:46 pm »
The Giles renaissance was nice while it lasted.
169
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, April 16, 2018
« on: April 16, 2018, 11:35:37 pm »guess that makes sense. we do that at UH games. just reminded me of Atlanta.
The starting pitchers need to meet with the rest of the team and give them what for. This is embarrassing for this team. I hope Hinch, the psychologist figures it out soon.
I want Luhnow, the General Manager, to get better hitters on the club.
170
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, April 16, 2018
« on: April 16, 2018, 10:41:48 pm »
Ball game. 5 out of 6 losses incoming.
171
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, April 16, 2018
« on: April 16, 2018, 10:20:08 pm »
It is a sad state that prolonged outs from Gattis and Marisnick are signs of progress.
173
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, April 14, 2018
« on: April 14, 2018, 06:29:16 pm »
I don't like any of this.
174
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, April 14, 2018
« on: April 14, 2018, 06:11:08 pm »Why not send Giles back out?
May as well build his confidence.
175
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, April 14, 2018
« on: April 14, 2018, 06:00:36 pm »
Derek Fisher pinch runner time?
176
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, April 14, 2018
« on: April 14, 2018, 05:39:57 pm »Bullshit. Get out off here with that crap.
It was a joke, Jim.
177
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, April 14, 2018
« on: April 14, 2018, 05:35:45 pm »
Well, it usually takes until August before Hinch ruins good middle relievers, so, ahead of schedule.
178
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins April 11, 2018
« on: April 11, 2018, 01:53:59 pm »
The Astros look bamboozled.
179
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins April 11, 2018
« on: April 11, 2018, 01:45:18 pm »
I did not expect an 8 run inning here.
180
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins, April 10, 2018
« on: April 10, 2018, 09:07:59 pm »
Bregman needs to get his head out of his ass.
181
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins, April 10, 2018
« on: April 10, 2018, 08:28:00 pm »
Sit on one, Marwin!
182
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins, April 10, 2018
« on: April 10, 2018, 08:21:51 pm »
Dallas did well to get out of that inning. Let's see if we can get something back.
183
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins, April 10, 2018
« on: April 10, 2018, 08:13:31 pm »
Dallas is totally getting squeezed. Good God.
184
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Twins, April 10, 2018
« on: April 10, 2018, 08:10:33 pm »
Dallas got none of the borderline calls. Hope the Astros get the same leeway.
185
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @Twins, April 9, 2018
« on: April 09, 2018, 10:38:35 pm »
I could use less excitement.
186
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @Twins, April 9, 2018
« on: April 09, 2018, 10:17:51 pm »
Just like we drew it up.
187
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 7, 2018
« on: April 07, 2018, 06:43:44 pm »Good to see Orbit get his ring.
Orbit must wear a size 32.
188
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 7, 2018
« on: April 07, 2018, 06:34:57 pm »
Slump town: population Astros.
189
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 7, 2018
« on: April 07, 2018, 06:28:44 pm »
This is going to be a sub 2 hour game.
190
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 10:22:20 pm »
Let us never speak of this game again.
191
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 09:37:26 pm »
Chin music.
192
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 09:19:20 pm »
Our lineup looks pretty damn feeble today. The Greenland sized strike zone doesn't help, but Yuli can't return soon enough.
193
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 08:51:07 pm »
Lance has elite stuff, but there is something missing.
194
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 08:16:59 pm »
Marwin will see no fastballs in the fat part of the plate.
195
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 08:11:24 pm »
The zone is out of control.
196
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 08:10:22 pm »
Excellent baserunning from Springer.
197
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 08:07:56 pm »
TIme to claw your way above .200, Alex.
198
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 07:52:29 pm »
Yikes, that pitch was both high and inside.
199
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 07:50:42 pm »
The crowd's reaction to McCann's routine fly ball was a little over the top.
200
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Padres @ Astros, April 6, 2018
« on: April 06, 2018, 07:20:02 pm »
That was a big strikeout for Lance.
201
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Baltimore Orioles @ Houston Astros - April 3rd 2018
« on: April 03, 2018, 10:04:37 pm »
Holy crap. Reddick turn on that!
202
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Baltimore Orioles @ Houston Astros - April 3rd 2018
« on: April 03, 2018, 10:02:12 pm »
Gift strike one from the ump.
203
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 09:53:53 pm »
Two DPs in one game- there is a Ginger Lynn joke in there somewhere.
204
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 09:41:57 pm »
0-2 count and this is the result? No bueno.
205
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 09:14:31 pm »
That's lousy.
206
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 09:08:50 pm »
Gattis stared at fastball down the middle. Jesus.
207
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 09:05:59 pm »
Do something, Marwin.
208
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 08:55:55 pm »
A cold rush of blood to the head.
209
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 08:40:46 pm »
Alex Bregman is my hero.
210
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Astros @ Rangers, March 30, 2018
« on: March 30, 2018, 08:28:15 pm »
Excellent play by Correa and Marwin.
211
Game Zone 2018 / Re: Opening Day March 29, 2018 Astros at Rangers
« on: March 29, 2018, 05:40:12 pm »
Great job, Astros!
212
Talk Zone / Re: Astros to visit White House , Keuchel buys new suit
« on: March 27, 2018, 04:40:23 pm »Good for the two Astros from PR. Fuck Trump.
What he said.
213
Talk Zone / Re: New York Times
« on: March 21, 2018, 10:08:00 pm »
The candor that Charlie had during some of the radio interviews he gave during the playoffs made me really like him. Of course, he's a fantastic pitcher, but I will root for him forever.
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Talk Zone / Re: Free Agents
« on: February 21, 2018, 06:32:45 pm »
Any word on the status of Carlos Gonzalez? I was under the impression that the Astros had submitted an offer for him.
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Talk Zone / Re: my father
« on: January 23, 2018, 01:21:10 am »
What a nice post, Mike. Thank you.
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Talk Zone / Re: Free Agents
« on: January 13, 2018, 06:56:50 pm »
Having no real holes with a young juggernaut coming off a World Series victory is the best leverage. Nabbing somebody like Cole without having to give up the best prospects means they can still go after somebody like Yellich, or Realmuto.
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Talk Zone / Re: Astros to acquire Gerrit Cole
« on: January 13, 2018, 06:14:15 pm »New report says Cole is ours for Musgrove and Moran. If that is all Luhnow is a freakin’ genius!!
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Michael Feliz and outfielder Jason Martin are part of the deal, as well. The Pirates and Astros have both announced the deal as official. Cole will be a badass #3 starter.
https://twitter.com/astros/status/952332249873244160
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Talk Zone / Re: Free Agents
« on: November 11, 2017, 01:15:54 am »
There are some interesting relief pitchers mentioned in this article: http://www.astrosfuture.com/2017/11/astros-free-agency-potential-reliever-targets/#disqus_thread
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Talk Zone / Re: Excellent Column from Jeff Passan
« on: November 11, 2017, 01:14:06 am »Lunhow goes to my church and we had an organized outing before an Astros game at MMPUS with him right after July 31. Lots of people in a conference room with him talking on various topics for about 30 minutes.
At the end he took questions and said - please no questions about the Aug 31 deadline. We're not getting Verlander.
I realize he wouldn't have told us either way, but it sure seemed like he was resigned to not getting him.
Interesting. Do we know which team re-ignited the talks?
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Talk Zone / Re: Free Agents
« on: November 08, 2017, 08:15:45 pm »
One of the many positive aspects of winning the World Series is that the Astros may get some veteran ring chasers interested that might otherwise go to one of the teams they beat during the playoffs. I know relievers will be a priority, but I think we could use another left handed bat in the lineup.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 7 - For All the Marbles 11-1-2017
« on: November 02, 2017, 12:01:15 am »Yes, that was a depressing time. A healthy J.R. would have made all the difference. He was unhittable until the stroke.
I attended that game as a 9 year old. I remember we were chanting Art Howe's name.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 7 - For All the Marbles 11-1-2017
« on: November 02, 2017, 12:00:06 am »
I am so happy for all of the lifelong Astros fans who have followed through thick and thin to taste this victory. This team and organization truly did earn this and showed so much heart and talent in adverse conditions. Thank you to this community who always had the best perspective about the game. This is the best!
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game Six - Astros v Dodgers. Oct. 31, 2017
« on: October 31, 2017, 10:44:23 pm »
That was disapointing. Well, one more game to go. No excuses. We can still do this.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series - Game 5 - 29 Oct 2017
« on: October 30, 2017, 12:31:08 am »
Now we get a pitcher's duel...
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series - Game 5 - 29 Oct 2017
« on: October 29, 2017, 08:41:24 pm »
Man, talk about coming up microscopic at home in the biggest game of their lives.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series - Game Four. Astros v. Dodgers. Oct. 28, 2017
« on: October 29, 2017, 02:30:05 am »http://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-manager-A-J-Hinch-backs-embattled-12310086.php
That's why his players love AJ Hinch. I just hope this is not the Astros version of this quote:
http://familyrambling.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Web-Images-6-Page-091-800x380.jpg
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series - Game Four. Astros v. Dodgers. Oct. 28, 2017
« on: October 28, 2017, 11:07:34 pm »
Having a shaky closer in the playoffs is depressing. From Dave Smith to Ken Giles, we've seen a few.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 26, 2017, 01:22:43 am »No more two-inning appearances. Inning Two Giles is shit.
It's a lot to expect. It hurt the Dodgers, too.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 26, 2017, 01:04:08 am »231
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 25, 2017, 11:05:21 pm »Laddies and Gentlemen, I present to you the 2017 World Series. It is always going to be this nail biting. It is a glorious game.
It's not glorious. This is abject failure.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 25, 2017, 11:02:50 pm »
Fuck Ken Giles forever.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 25, 2017, 11:01:22 pm »
Man. One time, Ken.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 25, 2017, 09:08:13 pm »Pederson celebrated the fuck out of that trip around the bases. I don't think I've ever seen a big leaguer dance that much.
If I hit a homer off of Verlander in the World Series, I'm moonwalking around the bases.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 2, Astros @ Dodgers, Oct. 25, 2017
« on: October 25, 2017, 09:06:34 pm »
This is like our last World Series appearence so far.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 09:36:09 pm »
Damn, George.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 09:30:22 pm »
A confident (and competent) Devo would do a world of good for this team.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 09:25:19 pm »
The Dodgers are no joke, but I wish we had more batters at least having good abs today.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 09:14:23 pm »
That change up was filthy.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 07:50:16 pm »
That's just not going to cut it. Yuli, Marwin and Springer have looked bamboozled.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 07:45:02 pm »
Screw you, LA fans.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 07:32:21 pm »
Well, that was quick.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: World Series Game 1 - October 24, 2017
« on: October 24, 2017, 07:23:17 pm »
Keuchel wins the first battle of bull run.
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Perhaps the worst comment I have seen on here was Hinch was “out of his depth.” Please. This team has now won 108 games. The best comment ever he made under the scrutiny of the malaise in New York: “This series was not over after two games and it is not over after five.” This team feeds off of his positive, confident approach, and we fans are lucky to have him.I cop to that. I was wrong about Hinch, like so many things. Glad to eat those words.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 5: Astros @ Yankees, Oct 18, 2017
« on: October 18, 2017, 07:28:07 pm »Why the fuck was Reddick shaking his head on the called strike? That was clearly a strike, right?
Reddick is just exhausted from his epic celebration of a first round playoff victory.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 5: Astros @ Yankees, Oct 18, 2017
« on: October 18, 2017, 06:22:02 pm »
Why bring in Peacock now? I would save him for winnable games.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 5: Astros @ Yankees, Oct 18, 2017
« on: October 18, 2017, 05:53:53 pm »
Why does this feel like the Astros versus the Rangers last year? I know it's a young team, but when they face adversity, they will fucking fold.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 5: Astros @ Yankees, Oct 18, 2017
« on: October 18, 2017, 05:10:47 pm »
The other best team in Astros history, the 1998, saw their incredible offense fall off the cliff in the playoffs. It happens, particularly with younger players. Dallas is not going to be able to shut down the Yankees by himself, particularly with this ump.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 4: Astros @ Yankees, Oct 17, 2017
« on: October 17, 2017, 07:47:13 pm »
Now they are really going to have to earn. This is a bad, bad loss.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALCS Game 3 -- Astros vs. Yankees
« on: October 16, 2017, 08:53:37 pm »
Well, this makes Hinch's decision not use Will Harris in game 3 of the Boston series more understandable.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 4: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 09, 2017, 02:29:05 pm »Hindsight being blah blah blah, but Verlander struggled with Benintendi in Houston Thursday. Weird situation to put him in.
Hinch is out of his depth. Let's face it.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 4: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 09, 2017, 02:24:25 pm »
Fuck you, Hinch.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 4: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 09, 2017, 02:22:35 pm »I don't like it.
This is the kind of move that either wins a lot of plaudits, or gets managers fired.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 3: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 08, 2017, 04:39:21 pm »
Facing adversity is all good, but I preferred winning games in the playoffs. Hinch, Liriano, Beltran, Marwin and Springer are the goats today.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 3: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 08, 2017, 04:25:55 pm »
Hinch gets the L today. Liriano and Beltran.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: ALDS Game 3: Astros vs. Red Sox
« on: October 08, 2017, 04:11:57 pm »
Lance is dealing! Come on, offense!
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros at Rangers - 9/27/17
« on: September 27, 2017, 04:04:10 pm »
This is deeply satisfying. I was against moving the team to the AL, but if they wanted to create a rival that I would hate more than the Phillies, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, Cubs and Cardinals combined: mission accomplished. Between Hamels, Bannister, Odor and Gomez and the odious Metroplex and bandwagon fan base, last year hit me hard. Not gonna lie-
their comeuppance this series has been sweet.
Also, it's great that so many different hitters seem to be getting right just in time for the playoffs!
their comeuppance this series has been sweet.
Also, it's great that so many different hitters seem to be getting right just in time for the playoffs!
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros at Rangers - 9/26/17
« on: September 26, 2017, 11:09:44 pm »Another nugget. Keuchel aint the most popular guy in the org. From what I gathered, the chances of hm gettting signed when he becomes a FA are close to zero.
The organization needs to keep Cy Young winners and get over themselves (as much as Keuchel does at times).
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Sea Turds @ Houston 09-16-2017
« on: September 16, 2017, 03:12:47 pm »Sipp entering the game to "Sabotage" is a little too on the nose.
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Do the Beastie Boys have a song called "(It's been) two years since I didn't suck?"
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Sea Turds @ Houston 09-16-2017
« on: September 16, 2017, 02:59:18 pm »
Managerial malpractice. Again. What a fucking shit show.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Sea Turds @ Houston 09-16-2017
« on: September 16, 2017, 02:55:53 pm »
Hinch has zero feel for handling the bullpen.
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Talk Zone / Re: September
« on: September 14, 2017, 05:19:53 pm »In 2015, the Astros went 11-16 in September and went from 3 games up on the division to 2.5 games back at the close of business on the 30th.
In 2016, the Astros went 12-15 in September and missed out on a wildcard spot.
In 2017, the Astros are 7-5 in September so far, but the 5 losses have been horrific.
Any thoughts as to if the September performances are a monkey that the team just needs to get off their back by eventually winning a division (part of the maturing process when your core is still pretty young) or if this is more of an issue with Hinch's management style?
I kind of think that it's more of the former, but interested in the conversation.
I think Hinch, like Luhnow, is maturing into his job. However, games like last night make question Hinch to an extent. With an expanded roster, there was no call to pitch Fiers. Some of the lineups he has put out in the last few weeks have also raised questions with me. I guess you can second guess everything, but it's fair to wonder if some of the qualities that make Hinch effective- his calm demeanor and willingness to think outside of the box- might hinder the team, at times. I don't know, but it is fair to notice the pattern and have a discussion.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Angels...September 13, 2017
« on: September 13, 2017, 10:34:43 pm »
Managing malpractice.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, 9/10/17
« on: September 10, 2017, 08:13:45 pm »
With the way this team fires scouts and parted ways with Tony Defrancesco, I would expect Hinch to be on the hot seat if they continue to play this bad.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, 9/10/17
« on: September 10, 2017, 05:29:47 pm »A's get three runs without putting a ball in play.
Keuchel did the same fucking thing his last time out. He didn't get a call on Davis, he pouted, them crumbled.
Dallas has not exactly showed the kind of fortitude you would like from your staff ace.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Game 2
« on: September 09, 2017, 10:41:28 pm »And the Astros no longer have the best record on the league. So now maybe Kalas can stop fucking talking about it.
That shit is well and truly over. The difference in the whole damn season may come down to the six games they lost to the two teams in the AL that are tanking, Chicago and Oakland. FML
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Game 2
« on: September 09, 2017, 10:00:00 pm »
This is some ultra shitty baseball and Hinch's bullpen decisions are a big part of this.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Game 2
« on: September 09, 2017, 09:38:32 pm »
This is fucking horrible. What a disgrace. Utter shit.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Game 2
« on: September 09, 2017, 09:19:25 pm »
That have failed every test this series against a team 20 games below .500. Time to step up, boys.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, Game 1, 9/9/17
« on: September 09, 2017, 05:36:22 pm »
I can't remember a team this good that had so many choad smokers in the bullpen. I have more confidence in Sean Spicer than I do James fucking Hoyt. God damn, Hinch.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, Game 1, 9/9/17
« on: September 09, 2017, 05:25:33 pm »
Clippard detractors just about broke the internet when the Astros picked him up. I now understand why.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, Game 1, 9/9/17
« on: September 09, 2017, 04:53:45 pm »
Bregman has really emerged as the best hitter on the team lately. His approach is so much better than anybody else.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's, Game 1, 9/9/17
« on: September 09, 2017, 04:50:04 pm »
Let's get on the board, Astros. It's time.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ A's September 8, 2017
« on: September 09, 2017, 12:14:53 am »
Giles looked utterly dominant for a while now. What a strange game.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Angels August 26, 2017
« on: August 26, 2017, 11:57:03 pm »This loss falls 100% on Hinch's shoulders. What a shitshow management-wise.
It's true. Martes was dealing. Bringing in Giles for that one out would have been questionable since Martes was pitching so well. Bringing in fucking Tyler Clippard?! Come on, man.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Angels August 26, 2017
« on: August 26, 2017, 11:39:33 pm »
Why the fuck was Clippard in the game at all? Jesus fucking Christ, Hinch.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Nationals @ Astros August 24, 2017
« on: August 24, 2017, 11:06:36 pm »He won't shut up about the World Series...who should the Astros start in Game 1...
Kalas clearly does not fear the wrath of the BBGs. He should.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Snakes @ Astros August 16, 2017
« on: August 16, 2017, 10:07:38 pm »
Speed kills.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Snakes @ Astros August 16, 2017
« on: August 16, 2017, 10:02:10 pm »
I miss Luke Gregerson not doing Human Torch impersonations at home. Let's get some of those runs back!
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros at Rangers 08/12/2017
« on: August 12, 2017, 10:16:26 pm »
Liriano is pitching worse than Tony Sipp which is hard to contemplate.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros at Rangers 08/12/2017
« on: August 12, 2017, 08:52:32 pm »
We need some sort Santeria ritual sacrifice to get us out of this funk.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ stRangizz August 11, 2017
« on: August 11, 2017, 10:41:08 pm »I’m (probably) overreacting, but they look like they’re going through the motions. Which I was hoping Beltran, McCann, Reddick were supposed to help them avoid. 11-15 since the break isn’t a good look.
Beltran and McCann have not played up to their contract at all.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ White Sox August 10, 2017
« on: August 10, 2017, 10:14:35 pm »
The BBGs are going Old Testament deity style on the Astros these days.
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Talk Zone / Re: Luhnow on the radio
« on: August 10, 2017, 12:07:11 am »In addition, Boston has a $200MM payroll. Houston has a $124MM payroll and although Beltran and likely Gregerson will come off the books after this year healthy raises are due to Keuchel, Gattis, Springer, McHugh, Fiers, Marisnick, Giles, McCullers, and Peacock.
Luhnow will need to lean on his farm system a lot more than Boston to maintain a team as good as they have today, which is pretty fucking good considering they have a 7.5 game lead over Boston right now.
The Little Payroll the Could bullshit is embarrassing. If Crane spent too much on the team because he wanted a shiny toy so badly that he didn't carry out his due diligence in checking out the local TV contract sufficiently, then I have no sympathy. Their payrolls have been at the bottom of the league for the previous 3 years and now they are #18. They have certainly been profitable in recent years and their valuation has skyrocketed since Crane's purchasehttps://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2016/03/astros-among-most-profitable-in-the-mlb-value.html If they are not adding pitching because they are worried about payroll with *the best team in the AL* and a clear need to add arms, then they probably have no intention of keeping their core together when the big contracts come due. That's depressing. Maybe their budget is not why they failed at the deadline, but they still failed, at least thus far. Other contenders were after Britton and they moved on and added better pieces than we did. That's not hindsight. That's the way it is. I don't know about you baseball Zen Buddhists around here, but I want my team to win a World Series before I die. Jeff Luhnow doesn't have such an incredible resume that he is above criticism.
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Talk Zone / Re: Luhnow on the radio
« on: August 09, 2017, 03:33:31 am »FWIW
@alysonfooter
"Basically everyone who has talked about the Astros on @MLBNetwork today thinks Verlander to Houston makes too much sense not to do it."
It made sense in f-ing June to pick up a starter. Hell, it made sense in the off-season to use their vaunted farm system to nab a TOR starter considering their top two pitchers were coming off injuries. Boston did. I don't want to hear anymore of this "we tried hard" rhetoric from Crane and Luhnow. You either get the job done, or you don't. Windows can shut fast.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ White Sox August 8, 2017
« on: August 08, 2017, 09:02:09 pm »
Maybe Dallas was so irate at about the club not picking up a starter at the deadline because he knew he wasn't right.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ White Sox August 8, 2017
« on: August 08, 2017, 08:21:12 pm »
One of the worst teams in baseball is slapping Keuchel around like Jack Nicholson did Faye Dunaway in "Chinatown." Not good.
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Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017
« on: August 02, 2017, 10:22:57 pm »I keep reading and hearing "Why didn't Luhnow have a backup plan?"
I follow this stuff pretty closely, and had never ONCE heard a rumor connecting the Astros and Liriano.
So my question is: What makes y'all think that *wasn't* the backup plan? If you know that the Britton deal is going down to the wire, and you know Angelos often scuttles deals, don't you go ahead and execute your backup plan just in case?
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The 5.88 Liriano and nothing else is not a great back up plan.
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Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017
« on: August 01, 2017, 07:34:31 pm »
Keuchel "threw his teammates under the bus" is the narrative now? Horseshit. The GM identified upgrading the pitching as a priority going into the deadline- was he throwing his players under the bus? You want Keuchel to show more maturity and keep it in house, fine. I can't dismiss his frustration, or be too critical of his professionalism. Keuchel struggled through injury last year and nothing was made public and he went about his business. I respect him and I bet his teammates do, as well.
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Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017
« on: August 01, 2017, 05:33:19 pm »
If the players are disappointed with the "we tried really hard" rhetoric from management, maybe we shouldn't dismiss them out of hand. Either Crane and Luhnow did not take the time to communicate with their players about what happened, they did not communicate effectively, or they don't have credibility with some in the clubhouse.
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Talk Zone / Re: Trade Deadline 2017
« on: August 01, 2017, 05:00:39 am »
The chicken little fans should be forgiven a little considering that the Astros had one of the worst four year stretches in MLB history. Those more knowledgeable fan bases have experienced World Series titles. We can't say that as Astros fans. With greatness seemingly there for the taking, it is understandable why people are lamenting today's trade deadline results. This is especially the case given that Luhnow, himself, has signaled the importance of adding pitching.
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Talk Zone / Re: McCullers
« on: July 24, 2017, 02:50:29 am »
The Astros should not depend on him being the staff ace, or even a #2 pitcher even though he has that kind of talent. I believe management should stay aggressive and try and get a front line starter. The is a World Series there for the taking, but their bullpen is getting wore out and it is only July.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 5, 2017
« on: July 05, 2017, 09:01:54 pm »
The final step for a pitcher is poise.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 4, 2017
« on: July 04, 2017, 08:15:59 pm »Correa's attempt wasn't a great calculated risk.
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Yeah. It's the one flaw in his game, but, damn, aren't they aggressive.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 4, 2017
« on: July 04, 2017, 07:46:42 pm »
You can't throw it inside to Gurriel.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 4, 2017
« on: July 04, 2017, 07:44:00 pm »
Stop sucking McCann.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 4, 2017
« on: July 04, 2017, 07:34:08 pm »
Altuve was truckin'!
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Braves July 4, 2017
« on: July 04, 2017, 07:17:41 pm »
Gurriel is so damn good right now- he's everything Carlos Beltrain is not.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: A;s @ Astros...June 28
« on: June 28, 2017, 09:58:59 pm »
In my youth (in the Carter and Reagan Administrations) I went to a months worth of home games without this many homers.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Athletics @ Astros June 27, 2017
« on: June 27, 2017, 09:27:05 pm »
The faith that Hinch shows in Hoyt blows my fucking mind. Maybe it's a lack of bullpen options, but, shit, that guy has been the pitching equivalent of a soiled adult diaper after five hours at an Indian buffet for weeks now.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Athletics @ Astros June 27, 2017
« on: June 27, 2017, 09:08:00 pm »
No more home games.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Athletics @ Astros June 27, 2017
« on: June 27, 2017, 08:59:48 pm »
Gattis drives me crazy. What the fuck was he going to do with that pitch at his damn shins in the best case scenario?
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Rangers at Astros, 6/12/17
« on: June 12, 2017, 10:24:24 pm »Good god. I have never seen this many passed balls. And can an Astros catcher actually throw out a baserunner?
There can't be a worse team in baseball where base running is concerned.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Rangers at Astros, 6/12/17
« on: June 12, 2017, 09:52:36 pm »
The Baseball Gods are no joke.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Rangers at Astros, 6/12/17
« on: June 12, 2017, 09:06:06 pm »
Can't build any momentum.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Angels at Astros, Sunday June 11, 2017
« on: June 11, 2017, 03:59:20 pm »
The Angels are rolling through our pitching staff like Sherman into Georgia.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Angels @ Astros June 10, 2017
« on: June 10, 2017, 05:59:10 pm »
Good job, Ken.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Angels @ Astros June 10, 2017
« on: June 10, 2017, 05:46:41 pm »
That was nice, Carlos.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Angels @ Astros June 9, 2017
« on: June 09, 2017, 09:35:41 pm »
Won't have to worry about Martes going in a trade...
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017
« on: June 06, 2017, 10:33:45 pm »
All good things must come to an end, but I have no confidence in Ken Giles.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017
« on: June 06, 2017, 10:22:17 pm »Is Bregman slow?
Alex is of above-average intelligence.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Royals June 6, 2017
« on: June 06, 2017, 10:13:28 pm »
The Royals are like zombie vampires against the Astros. They just keep coming.
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Random note I heard last night. Apparently Crane wasn't happy with the lack of trades like year, and expect the Luhnow to push hard for deals this trade deadline, Archer is the most likely.
From your random note to God's ear.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ stRangizz June 3, 2017
« on: June 03, 2017, 09:00:19 pm »
I feel nauseous when Gregerson comes out with a big lead in an unimportant game...ugh...
315
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Twins May 30, 2017
« on: May 30, 2017, 08:26:16 pm »
McCann has had a forgettable inning.
316
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Tigers @ Astros May 24, 2017
« on: May 24, 2017, 07:42:36 pm »
Experienced baseball observers: is Carlos Beltran merely in a slump, or showing signs of physical decline?
317
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Yankees May 14, 2017 Game 1
« on: May 14, 2017, 03:56:23 pm »
Well, this inning has gone straight to hell. Wow.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Yankees May 14, 2017 Game 1
« on: May 14, 2017, 03:53:15 pm »
Harris and Devinski get ahead in the count and can't get the punch out.
319
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Athletics April 15, 2017
« on: April 15, 2017, 06:35:49 pm »
I feel like I age five years with every Giles inning. Jesus.
320
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Scurvy Turdies April 10, 2017
« on: April 10, 2017, 07:19:46 pm »If Beltran hits more than .220 with more than 10 HRs I'll be shocked.
That would be a calamity. The Astros sure do get a lot of credit and buzz for their so far unrealized potential. I worry that Jeff Luhnow has yet to make an acquisition that moves the needle. I also was confused that there were no staff changes in the off-season. I hope they make these conversations look silly, of course. They probably will.
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The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Scurvy Turdies April 10, 2017
« on: April 10, 2017, 07:00:11 pm »
I wish I were surprised, but this is a .500 team until proven otherwise.
322
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Astros @ Scurvy Turdies April 10, 2017
« on: April 10, 2017, 06:47:53 pm »
Come on, vaunted offense.
323
The Championship Season Game Zone 2017 / Re: Royals @ Astros April 7, 2017
« on: April 07, 2017, 09:54:42 pm »
Gustave has great stuff, but he does not handle adversity well at all. The Astros don't look like world beaters.
324
Talk Zone / Re: Yoan Moncada and other Cuban prospects currently unsigned
« on: October 27, 2016, 01:17:49 am »
Voided now? The player was signed in September. They are just getting around to the physical? I am not willing to give this owner the benefit of the doubt where payroll is concerned.
325
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: stRangizz @ Astros September 13, 2016
« on: September 14, 2016, 02:18:15 am »This team is just mentally screwed up. The weird unbalanced lineup they had most of the year messed with their 'clutch' hitting stats... but they've been so damned undisciplined and 'unclutch' in so many other important areas. The more important the job, the less likely it gets done, even if the player involved has the talent to pull it off. Closer, anyone?
I'm not going to call out anyone by name, because that would not be fair. It's most likely a group dynamic and not the fault of an individual player or players. Any players who could be considered guilty of 'choking' might have had no issues in a different setting.
This is going to make Luhnow's already very difficult job this offseason even harder. Not only will he have to plan moves to make up for deficits in talent (i.e. starting pitching), he's going to have consider making moves based on chemistry. With no guarantee that he guesses right. And if those moves come in the form of trades, the other GM's are going to bend him over the table if they get the slightest hint of what he's trying to do...
I trust Luhnow to do an effective tear down, but I'm not seeing very many positives in how builds a team outside of the draft. Tell me which trades have worked. Which free agent acquisitions have paid dividends? IMO, he has been below average in these areas.
326
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Astros @ stRangers September 2, 2016
« on: September 02, 2016, 08:49:36 pm »They have the distinct advantage of playing 19 games against a team that wilts at the sight of their red and blue caps. I am not convinced that they are a better team than Cleveland, KC, or Boston, but maybe they are. We'll find out in due time.
Quoted for truth. The Rangers may have an unsustainable record in one run games, but their dominance over this bunch of Astros and their manager is fucking guaranteed.
327
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Rays @ Astros August 26, 2016
« on: August 26, 2016, 09:44:05 pm »
You can't trust this team.
328
Talk Zone / Re: What is the concensus here of Hinch as Mgr?
« on: August 18, 2016, 08:25:12 pm »
Most of us have no clue about what makes a MLB manager good, or bad. Sure, the team strikes out too much, has had long stretches of poor base running and has an inconsistent bullpen, particularly in closing games. However, Hinch may not have anything to do with those things. Some of it may be roster construction, bad luck, injuries, or down years. For all we know, Hinch might be like Phil Hartman's version of Ronald Reagan- benign and calm to the public and a caustic control freak behind the scenes. I do know that if this team ends this season in their current state, most people in the organization will be under scrutiny, fair, or not.
329
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Cardinals @ Astros August 17, 2016
« on: August 17, 2016, 04:34:52 pm »
Things have not worked out to plan this year. I did not think that they would be a .500 team, but here we are.
330
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Co-Ards @ Astros August 16, 2016
« on: August 16, 2016, 10:10:01 pm »
I think Giles has electrifying stuff, but I wish he could get through an inning without reminding me of the Russian roulette scene from "The Deer Hunter" every time.
331
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: stRangers @ Astros August 6, 2016
« on: August 06, 2016, 09:43:52 pm »Beltran and Lucroy a combined 5 for 9 with a double and 2 homeruns. There's your ballgame. AJ Reed quickly becoming the next man out when Valbuena or Gurriel is ready. 0 for 10 with a walk and 5 Ks. After raking for 436 in his 11 game AAA stint.
I was wondering why Hinch was not running Tyler White back out there in favor of Reed. White has three hits over the last two games, at least. Reed looks absolutely clueless up there.
332
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Blue Jays @ Astros August 1, 2016
« on: August 01, 2016, 10:03:31 pm »
Players must love playing for Hinch. He is loyal to a fault. I guess that is good.
333
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Athletics @ Astros June 4, 2016
« on: June 04, 2016, 06:25:24 pm »
Gregerson has the most blown saves in the league, has average stuff, before last year was a career set up man and Hinch treats him like he's Mariano Rivera. Loyalty is great, but, damn, stop going to the poisoned well.
334
Talk Zone / Re: Bullpen
« on: May 27, 2016, 05:40:15 pm »
Scott Feldman has pitched really well out of the bullpen, too. His velocity is up.
335
Talk Zone / Re: Whatever
« on: May 15, 2016, 05:02:44 pm »
I will now try and read everything I can find, Dark Star. Marvelous.
336
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Saturday matinee 5/14
« on: May 14, 2016, 04:36:02 pm »
Hinch is lousy. He *just saw* the Red Sox pitch around Altuve. Papi has been smacking us up like Marvin Hagler and, still, he pitches to him with a base open and two outs. Four years of baseball hell, one decent year and now back to hell.
337
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Astros @ Red Sox, Saturday matinee 5/14
« on: May 14, 2016, 04:08:44 pm »
Good job, Jake!
338
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Tribe @ Astros May 11, 2016
« on: May 11, 2016, 04:11:24 pm »
Rain down the boos on this shitty, shitty team, Houston.
339
I agree with you, but I seem to recall that Scrap Iron got a quick hook, as did the Wrangler, so there is some precedent for it.Those managers were a lot more accomplished than AJ Fucking Hinch.
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Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Astros @ Athletics April 29, 2016
« on: April 30, 2016, 12:04:51 am »
It is has been a tough year for Houston analytics.
341
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 24, 2016
« on: April 25, 2016, 12:13:06 am »
It's a moot point. Nothing like staring at strike down the middle after chasing one he practically had to have paddle to hit.
342
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 24, 2016
« on: April 25, 2016, 12:00:19 am »
So, we go through four years of baseball hell, one nice year and straight back to hell? Fuck. But, Club Astros.
343
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 24, 2016
« on: April 24, 2016, 11:56:11 pm »
Jeff Luhnow is not good at trades. It's official.
344
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 24, 2016
« on: April 24, 2016, 11:51:02 pm »
That was just good hitting by the Red Sox.
345
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 23, 2016
« on: April 23, 2016, 06:00:38 pm »
Maybe this is a ridiculous, old fashioned notion, but would it kill AJ Hinch to get off his ass and yell at the umps on calls like that 3rd strike to Gattis? That's ridiculous.
346
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: BoSox @ Astros April 23, 2016
« on: April 23, 2016, 05:39:14 pm »
Nice to see Pat Neshek returning to form.
347
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: April 22, 2016 vs Red Sox...Fuck it, I'm drinking bourbon tonight...
« on: April 22, 2016, 09:11:11 pm »
They may over turn this, but the thinking here is really suspect. The Astros are not as talented as they think they are.
348
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: April 22, 2016 vs Red Sox...Fuck it, I'm drinking bourbon tonight...
« on: April 22, 2016, 08:22:20 pm »
Hopefully, they are getting last September's performance out of the way in April and will play like *last* April in...oh, fuck it.
349
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: April 22, 2016 vs Red Sox...Fuck it, I'm drinking bourbon tonight...
« on: April 22, 2016, 08:04:45 pm »
The Astros are tanking for the top pick of 2017. It's a process, you know.
350
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Tigers @ Astros April 17, 2016
« on: April 17, 2016, 04:03:46 pm »
The Astros are losing ninjas this year- they have a 100 ways to blow a game.
351
Game Zone 2016 Archive / Re: Tigers @ Astros April 17, 2016
« on: April 17, 2016, 03:47:25 pm »
This is an encouraging showing from Neshek over the last two games.
352
Talk Zone / Re: Seriously, folks
« on: October 04, 2015, 12:29:59 am »I hope they Conger the AL West.
I would like a Sipp of what he's drinking.
353
Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Athletics @ Astros September 18, 2015
« on: September 18, 2015, 10:50:12 pm »Neshek has really been smacked around lately.I would like to volunteer another smack his way.
354
Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Tigers @ Astros August 14, 2015
« on: August 14, 2015, 10:07:24 pm »Gomez strikes out, showboats.
He's too old to act that way.
355
Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Tigers @ Astros August 14, 2015
« on: August 14, 2015, 09:12:21 pm »
Jed Lowrie- professional hitter.
356
Game Zone 2015 Archive / Re: Tigers @ Astros August 14, 2015
« on: August 14, 2015, 09:02:00 pm »
The ump's weirdly high strike zone has helped Simon a few times tonight.
357
Talk Zone / Re: keep a light burning for me
« on: September 15, 2010, 01:05:54 am »Mann was closeted gay, too, or at least bisexual. That was the speculation, anyway, and a story like Death In Venice could lead one to think so.
Not that it mattered. What a terrific, depressing story.
The best book I think I've ever read - period - is The Magic Mountain. Mann is in my all-time top five, definitely.
Wow, I did not realize other people could passionately love the Astros and Thomas Mann (NTTIAWT). Kudos!
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Talk Zone / Re: Now tied for third place
« on: September 09, 2010, 01:55:59 am »Anyone who says that "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a 'worst' anything needs to clean the shit out of their ears.
Truth.
359
Talk Zone / Re: Scalped
« on: September 01, 2010, 04:20:21 am »First time I heard something off of Murmur, probably "Radio Free Europe" in '82 or '83, it got my attention. At the time it sounded fresh and different. But it was pretty much downhill from there, especially once Mitch Easter and Don Dixon left.
Wrong.
360
Talk Zone / Re: Nevermind that shit
« on: August 18, 2010, 02:29:48 am »And the worst part about that...Kashmir isn't on Led Zeppelin IV. They could have easily substituted When The Levee Breaks for Kashmir in the movie, and not only had the same effect, actually been accurate.
Well, that's what's funny about it. All of that self-assurance about women (and Led Zeppelin) is bullshit.
361
Talk Zone / Re: The Morning After
« on: July 31, 2010, 03:50:18 am »Yeah, so, this is where you should say your kidding and back away slowly. Feel free to talk shit about Roy, but you're not even close on Lance.
Um, guys, it's a line from Steely Dan's "Showbiz Kids." I was just in the spirit of the previous posts.
See the link. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/steely+dan/show+biz+kids_20130099.html
362
Talk Zone / Re: The Morning After
« on: July 30, 2010, 10:03:13 pm »
It's sad to see Berkman go, but most athletes, are just show biz kids making movies of themselves. You know they don't give a fuck about anybody else.
363
Talk Zone / Re: Rangers not yet to Ryan
« on: July 26, 2010, 03:30:27 am »I'm concerned about the effect of another reckless spender on overall salaries.
Would he more reckless than Tom Hicks was?
364
Talk Zone / Re: Roy Oswalt talking like a man that is willing to get traded this season
« on: May 22, 2010, 07:11:22 pm »
I wouldn't get too emotional about Oswalt...the sense of entitlement is par for the course for most big time athletes. The same ego that puts them above the team is also what drives them to shrug off the pressure and come up big. He got the Astros to their only World Series. I will always be grateful for that.
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Talk Zone / Re: Oh my god
« on: April 13, 2009, 11:30:02 pm »Vin Scully, being the classy, classic Vin Scully:
“If I may speak for every member of the Dodger organization, our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the mother and family of Nick Adenhart, and to every member in the Angels organization, for the untimely accident and death of young Nick last night at the tender age of twenty-two. Nick, from Maryland, had pitched six scoreless innings and was in a car with three friends, and a driver apparently went through a red light and T-boned the car, killing three of the four, including Nick, and one other member is in critical condition. And if there is one thing I’ve learned in all my years — and I haven’t learned much but the one thing I’ve learned: Don’t even waste your time trying to figure out life.
Ground ball through for Andre Ethier, and life continues for those who still have it. And with a leadoff single, Russell Martin will be coming up.
But I would say, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a moment and say a prayer in memory for Nick, especially for his parents. What a shock to lose a twenty-two-year-old.
Andre Ethier at first base, Russell Martin the batter, James Loney on deck, and the Dodgers try to strike in the second inning against Kevin Correia.”
Vin Scully, as transcribed from the Dodgers-Padres telecast the next day.
Thanks for transcribing that.
366
Talk Zone / Re: RIP Mark Fidrych
« on: April 13, 2009, 11:24:47 pm »That really sucks. I saw him at an Old-Timer's Game in Arlington several years ago. There were a huge number of great stars - Ernie Banks, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson, etc. - but apart from DiMaggio it was Mark Fidrych who got the biggest ovation. I wish I could accurately describe the sense of wonder and fun that he brought to the game but that Birdmania of 1976-77 was beautiful. He seemed to take the end of his career in stride too, not getting caught up in what he'd lost but focusing on what he'd had.
A very tragic loss.
I agree. He was such a joyous figure out there. What a pity to die that young. RIP.
367
Talk Zone / Re: Looks like Coop has made his decision
« on: April 06, 2009, 01:19:12 am »"Michaels is a good player, an outstanding player," Abercrombie said. "You can't not go get him. He makes the team better. Hopefully, I can have a chance to come back up here and prove that I can do it."
Pretty classy demotion.
Commendable attitude. You hope things work out for guys like that.
368
Talk Zone / Re: Reading list
« on: December 31, 2008, 09:33:43 pm »I gave the first volume of Shelby Foote's Civil War narrative as a gift this Christmas. If you haven't read it, you definitely should. Some of the passages will make you stop and reflect for a good long while.
Great recommendation. I saw him speak at the University of St. Thomas in the 90's and made the case that a great historian needs to also know how to craft a great narrative. He certainly did that.
I am currently finishing up "Homicide" by David Simon. He was a reporter for the Baltimore Sun before he wrote and produced "The Wire." He had access to the Baltimore homicide division for a year in the 80's. The attention to detail and gallows humor are what I like best about his work.
Next on the list is "Restoration" by Rose Tremain, which is all about Charles II and English Civil War.
Novel for the summer: "Possession," by A.S. Byatt.
369
Talk Zone / Re: Cubs take a dump, trade DeRosa
« on: December 31, 2008, 09:22:41 pm »
It looks more like they are clearing salary and collecting assets to pick up Peavy.
370
Talk Zone / Re: One Quarter of a Billion, with a "B", dollars!
« on: December 12, 2008, 09:00:30 pm »The Yankees and Mets each had over 4 million in paid attendance last year. Each averaged over 50,000 per game. Averaged. Folks can whine, but the fans in NYC freely pay up to support their teams.
There is another alternative, of course. In the spirit of the holidays, some of us may prefer to hate those cocksuckers and be gleeful when they lose. Fuck the Yankees. Fuck the Mets. Fuck their fans.
371
Talk Zone / Re: Playoffs
« on: October 16, 2008, 11:18:16 pm »
If I were a Rays fan (and I am in this series) that Longoria play would haunt me. He did such a great job to grab the ball that it effected his throw.
372
Talk Zone / Re: Playoffs
« on: October 16, 2008, 10:34:13 pm »Ortiz finally remembered what month it is. Too bad Papelbon gave up the two-run double in the top of the inning... what's the largest deficit any team has come back from to win a postseason game?
Fucking Red Sox. They are like Dracula.
373
Talk Zone / Re: The Bitterest Sour Grapes He Ever Had To Swallow
« on: October 16, 2008, 10:20:37 pm »
The sense of entitlement these chumps have is amazing. This article feeds into that garbage. Fuck the Cubs.
374
Talk Zone / Re: Playoffs
« on: October 16, 2008, 10:14:45 pm »Red Sox Nation/Fenway is mighty quiet right now, Rays 7-0 in the 7th. I can hear the champagne chilling in the visitors clubhouse.
It just got a little louder....
375
Talk Zone / Re: Jose Valverde
« on: September 03, 2008, 11:12:15 pm »Hell, why limit him to City Council. He does a fantastic Sheila Jackson Lee impersonation. If only he'd look for the cameras a bit more, it'd be 100% accurate.
Shoot, he should aim higher than that. Valverde on 11 could get a gig as the keynote speaker for the GOP these days...I thought Giuliani was going to start frothing at the mouth.
376
Talk Zone / Re: Berkman's Testimonial
« on: August 14, 2008, 05:03:21 pm »
I am less offended by a sports team allowing a player to promote their religious beliefs at their venue than I am with the constant self-aggrandizement by players who thank God for their success in sports. As if an eternal, omniscient superbeing has some sort of vested interest in *your* success in a particular sports event. It's fucking stupid. They do this shit on award shows, too. If God really did help you get that hit, or win the Best Set Design Academy Award, where was it during the Holocaust?
377
Talk Zone / Re: Judged by the company you keep
« on: August 09, 2008, 02:08:27 pm »What was Mickey Mantle's son doing in Waco?
The whole time I was thinking "what in the fuck was Mick Jagger doing there?" and "Wow, he drives a white Cadillac!"
Brush with greatness: got Elvis Costello's autograph in Houston in 1999. Nice guy.
378
Talk Zone / Re: A-Rod a Slut
« on: July 10, 2008, 05:31:40 am »Don't forget Sam Cassell.
Score one for Madonna...she's going for dicks from other galaxies...when you throw Sandra Bernhardt she's got all forms of masculinity covered! Madonna hooking up with 2/3rds of the earth's (and beyond) DNA doesn't bother me so much as that fake English accent she's been working for the last few years. Fucking is pleasurable, after all.
379
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Rays 6/21
« on: June 21, 2008, 08:00:19 pm »
Hitting Navarro with an 0-2 pitch was probably the fatal blow. I have a feeling that our itchy-fingered owner might wack Cooper sooner than we think.
380
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Rays 6/21
« on: June 21, 2008, 07:55:15 pm »
Does anybody know why Valverde isn't in the game?
381
Talk Zone / Re: Worse Than This
« on: June 18, 2008, 06:24:33 pm »It's certainly less gay.
There's a first for everything. The only thing more gay than the 10,000 Maniacs is a signed photo of David Gest being inserted into Clay Aiken while Erasure plays in the background, NTTAWT.
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Oddly enough, a friend of mine was at a MoMA exhibit/Sigur Ros show in honor of Icelandic National Day last night. Yoko came up to him, asked if she could have a sip of his lingonberry vodka cocktail, and before he could say anything took it right out of his hand and took a big swig. She handed it back to him, thanked him and explained that she was terribly thirsty.
I asked him if that encounter meant he and his fiancee would break up, but he laughed explaining that his only reaction was to throw out the drink and get a new one.
Don't mean to Yoko. Not too many women in their 70's are going to Sigur Ros shows and swiping girl drinks.
383
Talk Zone / Re: What might have been
« on: June 13, 2008, 11:57:24 pm »But that new woman they have to discuss women's issues just might be. I haven't decided yet if she's cute, or just mesmerizingly odd.
She was the obsessed fan on Flight of the Conchords. She's cute. Julianne Moore, Sarah Silverman and Tina Fey are cute. You guys need to break out some true shame shags. Like former secretary of state Madeleine Albright. Or the current version of Nina Hartley. Go Sabertooth, or go home!
384
Talk Zone / Re: Footer defines "rumor"
« on: June 12, 2008, 12:09:47 am »I once found a Tex-Mex restaurant in Bergen, Norway.
I have been on a one man crusade to keep all of New Zealand's Mexican food restaurants in business, but it seems to be a growing cuisine down here anyway. There's a Mexican couple that have a place here in Auckland that I would rank up there with any place I've ever been in Texas, though it's less Tex and more Mex. The strangest place I had Tex-Mex in was in Geneva, Switzerland in the 1990's.
385
Talk Zone / Re: Astros sign another reliever off the streets
« on: May 31, 2008, 06:26:27 pm »Evan Dando is a huge Round Rock fan. He says, "It's a shame about Ray."
High five!
We're all laughing now, but Ray's been through some hard times. Just the other day he wore his throwback Malcolm X jersey and a helicopter landed on him.
386
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Dojers 5/10/08
« on: May 10, 2008, 11:37:33 pm »Jones sucks at the plate. And has for 2-3 years. How he got the money he got just blows me away.
Between the contracts of Jones and Zito, Boras now has two of the crown jewels in horrible contracts.
387
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Dojers 5/10/08
« on: May 10, 2008, 10:28:32 pm »
Kent's ball seemed to die out there...I was getting Astrodome flashbacks, but he might have just got a little under it.
388
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Chavez Ravine, 5/9/2008
« on: May 10, 2008, 12:09:29 am »
Mlb.com is playing the Dodgers feed of the game. I love of J.D. and Brownie, but it is a real pleasure to listen to Vin Scully. I could listen to him describe back acne and I would probably enjoy it. Just had to share.
390
Talk Zone / Re: (spooky voice) I seeeee your fuuuuture Cooooop...(/spooky voice)
« on: May 02, 2008, 11:31:45 pm »That's a valid point, but this isn't the thuggish NBA. If Lou doesn't have control, then that doesn't portend well for Cubs fans because Pinella has won a lot more games than Soriano.
The "thuggish NBA?" You mean "thuggish" like Brett Myers?
391
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 10:31:04 pm »
What has this impostor done with Dave Borkowski?!
392
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 10:08:29 pm »
That at-bat was longer than Gettysburg...the actual battle.
393
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 09:50:19 pm »
Haren was cruising and now he looks a little unsteady all of sudden. Great job by Loretta to muscle that ball out to right.
394
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 09:46:58 pm »
Nice at-bat for Berkman and a big shot from Carlos! Let's see what Pence can do...
Nice job, Hunter!
Nice job, Hunter!
395
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 09:31:31 pm »
Two 0-2 hanging breaking balls has been Sampson's downfall tonight. Not looking good with Haren looking pretty dominant tonight.
396
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Snakes, 4/28/2008
« on: April 28, 2008, 09:15:36 pm »
Nice play by Loretta at 3rd. Considering how hard they hit the ball that inning, we were lucky to escape with only 1 run.
397
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 11:15:45 pm »
Rally time after Pence's single. Let's do it, 'Stros!
(Edit: Fuck the Cards)
(Edit: Fuck the Cards)
398
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 11:08:42 pm »
Word, Limey. Chacon showed a lot tonight in fighting through all of the adversity.
399
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 10:34:22 pm »
On a pleasant note, one of the Fucktardinals announcers said that Lance Berkman was one of his favorite players during his last at bat.
400
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 10:11:25 pm »
Troy Glaus is out of the game.
401
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 10:05:31 pm »
Is this the Billy Bob Thorton version of "The Bad News Bears?"
402
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros @ Jakes, 4/25/2008
« on: April 25, 2008, 09:51:48 pm »That was absolutely beautiful. The Jakes' big inning is undone because the Astros could walk the #7 hitter to get to the pitcher.
Fucking genius!
You don't get it, man. LaGenius batting the pitcher 8th messed with Blum's head, enabling the error. Get with the program!
403
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Astros at Dickities - 4/23/08
« on: April 23, 2008, 08:40:46 pm »
That was an encouraging outing by Sampson. Don't look now, but the supposedly sub par NL Central looks pretty impressive this year.
404
Talk Zone / Re: BB Tonight making up BS about an Oswalt trade?
« on: April 23, 2008, 05:48:41 am »
I saw this report. Peter Gammons mentioned that he talked to two former Astros who said that Roy would be willing to wave his no-trade clause if the Astros were out of contention and that he was committed to winning. Then he mentioned that Hank Steinbrenner would be very happy about this. He must have talked with Ensberg and Lane. I am disgusted with this attitude that the rest of baseball is a glorified farm system for Boston, New York and LA.
405
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 10:03:48 pm »
Nice victory against a pitcher that usually gives them fits. I imagine the Astros haven't scored 10 runs, or more in two games in a row in a while. Matsui and Tejada are playing great and even Valverde looked good tonight.
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Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 09:46:23 pm »
What clutch hitting from Matsui! And he steals a base...take a bow Ed Wade!
407
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 09:42:06 pm »
I really like Towles' patient approach at the plate.
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Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 09:33:02 pm »
Great play by Pence and Towles. It was the correct call, but close.
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Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 09:27:07 pm »Fuck that.
I was kidding. He's pitched well this year for the most part. Nice fielding play to get one out, too.
410
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Padres @ Astros - 4/22/08
« on: April 22, 2008, 09:23:19 pm »
Doug, a Mr. Retirement is on the phone for you...he says it's urgent..
411
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Pads at Astros - 4/21/08
« on: April 21, 2008, 07:43:51 pm »
Do they still play the old pitcher going to the showers video they used to use at the Astrodome? I think they need to fire that one up...
412
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Pads at Astros - 4/21/08
« on: April 21, 2008, 07:23:05 pm »
The Astros have certainly started this game off well. It really makes a differences if your top two are disciplined and make the pitcher sweat a little. Anybody up in the Padres bullpen yet?
413
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Rockies Vs Astros 4-18
« on: April 18, 2008, 08:46:19 pm »
So, it was probably a bad idea to bet the under...
414
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/15/08: HOU @ PHI
« on: April 15, 2008, 08:48:18 pm »
That was a sudden collapse.
-The Hindenburg
-The Hindenburg
415
Talk Zone / Re: Milo and Tejada/Tejeda
« on: April 14, 2008, 05:46:32 pm »I don't think Dolan & Raymond are bad, but what kills me is when Dolan/Raymond (I can't remember which one it is) gets excited. He sounds like Kermit the Frog
If *only* he sounded like that more often! If they could get a Statler and Waldorf sounding duo, I would be very happy indeed. Viva Muppet sound alikes!
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Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: Ballgame: FLA 0, HOU 5
« on: April 12, 2008, 09:28:00 pm »
Nice performance, Astros! 90 more of those and we've got something!
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Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: fish @ stros 4-11-08
« on: April 11, 2008, 09:25:17 pm »
The guy who pitched the Astros into the World Series and closed out Busch Stadium should never be booed in Houston. Unbelievable.
418
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: fish @ stros 4-11-08
« on: April 11, 2008, 08:05:16 pm »
Wow...the bottom fell out. A five run third after such a nice start is surprising. Sigh...
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Talk Zone / Re: Puma's pop
« on: April 11, 2008, 07:41:15 pm »I much prefer the blind Lance Berkman sculpting a bust of Don Baylor in red clay...but that's just me.
I am a married, heterosexual man, but I love you for that post. I tend to think, however, that Lance would be sculpting something of the snack cake variety, something in the Little Debbie range, perhaps. Lionel Ritchie taught us that you sculpt what you love the most.
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Talk Zone / Re: It's official: The Cards are dirty
« on: April 11, 2008, 07:33:00 pm »If Bagwell stood there and admired his shot, I would have expected Cammy to get beaned.
If people were as touchy with these non-issues in real life then we sure would have a violent society...oh wait....
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Talk Zone / Re: Hakeem Olajuwon elected to basketball HOF (non-BB)
« on: April 07, 2008, 08:40:53 pm »Do you think he will he go in as a Rocket or a Raptor?
That. Never. Happened.
Hakeem retired a Houston Rocket.
422
Talk Zone / Richard Justice Being a Dick Again...
« on: April 04, 2008, 04:02:57 pm »
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/who_the_hell_is_richard_justice/
Mitchel Licthman, co-author of the "The Book," has a run-in with Justice. As usual, all the trouble started with a discussion about bunting...
Mitchel Licthman, co-author of the "The Book," has a run-in with Justice. As usual, all the trouble started with a discussion about bunting...
423
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Re: 4/2/02: HOU at SD (Game 3)
« on: April 02, 2008, 11:51:11 pm »
A two-out, four run rally against Trevor Freaking Hoffman is pretty damn special, at that! Well done, Astros!
424
Talk Zone / Re: Marketing Slogans You'd Like to See But Won't
« on: March 25, 2008, 07:57:51 pm »
The 2008 Houston Astros- We'll Run Through a Glass Wall to Win!
The '08 Astros- Come for the Ballgames, Stay for the Anal Fissures!
The Houston Astros- Where Everybody Gets to Pitch (In)!
Your 2008 Astros....Now Ensberg and Lane Free!
The '08 Astros- Who the hell are these guys?
The Houston Astros- 5.50 ERAs Live Here
The 2008 Astros- Scapegoating Shortstops Since 1999!
The Houston Astros- Eating Everybody's Lunch in 2008!
The '08 Astros- Host to Houston's Best $9.00 Beer!
Your 2008 Houston Astros- Shooting for Third!
The '08 Astros- Come for the Ballgames, Stay for the Anal Fissures!
The Houston Astros- Where Everybody Gets to Pitch (In)!
Your 2008 Astros....Now Ensberg and Lane Free!
The '08 Astros- Who the hell are these guys?
The Houston Astros- 5.50 ERAs Live Here
The 2008 Astros- Scapegoating Shortstops Since 1999!
The Houston Astros- Eating Everybody's Lunch in 2008!
The '08 Astros- Host to Houston's Best $9.00 Beer!
Your 2008 Houston Astros- Shooting for Third!
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Beer and Queso / Re: Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA
« on: March 25, 2008, 07:09:13 pm »
If you are ever in New Zealand try Monteith's. It's a beer produced by a South Island brewery located in the oh-so-appropriately named, Greymouth.
My current favorite:
http://www.monteiths.com/nz/siteFiles/showroom/summer.html
My current favorite:
http://www.monteiths.com/nz/siteFiles/showroom/summer.html
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Talk Zone / Re: Bill James suddenly discovers the aging process
« on: February 27, 2008, 03:42:23 am »At least Mozart didn't hang around to pack his stats, like that no-talent Salieri dude.
"Hayden was overrated. He compiled most of his symphonies during the tainted Sturm und Drang era of music and stuck around too long and padded his symphonies."
-Robert du Neyer, Classical Update Nightly Times, Chain Letter, Feb.-May 1808
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Talk Zone / Re: Blame it on Debbie
« on: February 17, 2008, 04:37:24 pm »In 2001 Debbie could sew 3.47 sequins per minute (SPM). In 2002 she increase that number to 3.69 SPM. In 2003 when most jacket hags her age start getting carpal tunnel, Debbie just got faster and better reaching an amazing 3.99 SPM. Then in 2004 she broke the once unimaginable magic 4 SPM barrier, with 4.06. Coincidence? Arky?
I say we need to test Debbie's Bedazzler, too. Somebody get Wexler on the phone, stat!
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Beer and Queso / Re: Pole Tax (Non-BB)
« on: December 29, 2007, 12:05:15 am »I know for certain that a few years back there was a program similar to both above, but the funds were intended to assist unwanted cats.
I forget the name.
Titties for Kitties.
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Talk Zone / Re: CJ Nitkowski defends the Finger Man
« on: December 16, 2007, 12:45:04 am »Hey Chico, she came after me. I don't need her projecting her failures on me! I don't have a dog in this fight, well maybe her, but my points are to be taken and understood by all here. Kinda like the song Jack and Diane!
When you busted off a "Tell you what, Raul" in your first post and I was thinking your odd little meltdown had style. Your rhetoric versus Batgirl was a bit disappointing, though. Meth labs and seahags? That's a bit boring, isn't it? Kudos on going back to what works for you- being fucking weird! "Hey Chico" and *any* John Cougar Mellancamp parable works for me! Listen up Juan Carlos- the 2008 Astros are going to R.O.C.K. in the...never mind, I can't hang with you, dude.
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Talk Zone / Re: Mclane speaks
« on: December 14, 2007, 05:54:23 pm »He nailed it. Mixing in this was brilliant:
"I’ve never seen anything that no one had idea of anything"
One can only assume a striking writer helped him out to really nail the essence of the role.
This is straight out of the GWB "nobody could have predicted..." PR manual.
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Talk Zone / Re: Clemens in the Mitchell Report
« on: December 13, 2007, 12:29:34 pm »Maybe my pop-culture reference was too obscure, even for this place.
I'm reading that biography of Joe Orton right this very minute. This would be relevant if George Mitchell was investigating cottaging, or angry postwar playwrights, but alas...
432
Talk Zone / Re: Say it ain't so!!!
« on: December 06, 2007, 05:43:21 pm »
I just don't see this one happening. It seems like the deals that actually get made aren't speculated to death in the media before they happen. Did anyone see the Tigers-Marlins deal going down? Also, I would trust a deal with Pol Pot before Peter Angelos.
433
Talk Zone / Re: Aggie/Longhorn Smack
« on: November 24, 2007, 12:48:56 pm »Fuck you too.
Comparing Texas A&M to Clemson was not intended as an insult to either program. I'm a University of Houston alumnus, for Christ's sake! They are solid, but not necessarily elite (top 10 level) football programs.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aggie/Longhorn Smack
« on: November 23, 2007, 11:05:06 pm »That sounds like Sherman to me.
Sherman is a pretty damn good football coach. Considering all of their other job openings in college football (let's face it...A&M is probably on the same level as Clemson right now), this might be the best that the Aggies can do without backing up the Brink's truck. My only question with him is if he us to the recruiting part of the job.
435
Talk Zone / Re: cactus records (non-bb)
« on: November 11, 2007, 05:30:52 pm »I think that was Sound Exchange.
Those places bring back memories. Another one was Infinite Records.
Infinite Records was great...I got a great David Bowie standup cardboard display when they released "Station to Station" on Rykodisc in the early 90's. It was nice to have a record store where the staff could clue you in on some interesting music without making you feel like a country bumpkin for not memorizing the back catalog of Neu. This reminiscence was brought to you by the I'm-Fucking-Old Club...
436
Talk Zone / Re: Another Affirmatively Stupid Action Hiring?
« on: October 16, 2007, 01:20:08 am »Sober as a judge. Dusty Baker is a retread who has left bad ballclubs in his wake. PC has forced MLB to do these minority hires. There are more qualified black and hispanic coaches than Dusty Baker. Aaron Harang can look to a great year next season. I don't see how Dusty Baker sells any tickets, so I don't see that as a factor.
Finally, the plight of white people is being addressed! Retreads, you know, only have dark faces....ask Phil Garner, Art Howe, Buddy Bell and Jim Tracy!
437
Talk Zone / Re: Anyone Else?
« on: August 28, 2007, 09:13:02 pm »Shiner and Queso stands at the end of every aisle.
I would move back to Texas and get season tickets for this!
438
Talk Zone / Re: my email to a friend today
« on: August 28, 2007, 02:10:36 pm »
The email is spot on. Drayton talks about leadership incessantly but displays almost none. Leadership may be about taking decisive action and will, but it is also about setting an example, knowing your limitations and trusting your team.
439
Talk Zone / Re: what's the big announcement in 30 minutes?
« on: August 27, 2007, 07:31:29 pm »
I find the manner of this firing and Drayton's comments pretty disturbing. The Astros have not been in decline over the last two years because of a lack of enthusiasm. The have lost a lot of talent to age, trades and free agency in recent years and it is catching up with them. Jennings was their big gamble and it didn't work out, but the move was defensible given the dearth of pitching talent available. I am worried that the organization is liable to follow the Baltimore Orioles model (the current one) of signing splashy free agents rather than building over the long term through pitching, defense and youth through the farm system. Maybe Purpura got caught up in this difference of philosophies. I hope it was over something like this and not in response to the boos of a bunch jackasses.
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Talk Zone / Re: Golden Retrievers
« on: July 12, 2007, 04:25:04 pm »To your original question, the answer is yes. Much like the B-Sharps and "General Admission," it was one of those things that was funny at first, and then less and less funny each successive time you heard it.
Totally. It just got depressing in the same way that Wal-Mart greeters make you feel like somebody got screwed over in life to end up *there* doing *that.*
442
Caro is a good writer and I enjoy his books, but his biographies tend to come with an agenda. His Robert Moses bio was a fantastic read, but really only came from one angle while playing lip service to the other.
I don't see how you can say Caro has an agenda about Johnson if you read "Master of the Senate." Does the scholarship add up? I think it does. I don't think he was unfair to Johnson at all in any of these books. I admire Johnson, but he was flawed. His wife was not. Rest in peace.
443
Talk Zone / Re: The "Greatest" Guitarists -- Rock, Funk, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, etc. (non-bb
« on: July 12, 2007, 04:12:47 pm »Dick Dale!
Good call!
I would add:
Steve Cropper, of Stax Records and Booker T and the MGs fame
Richard Thompson, British folkie and singer-songwriter
James Burton, Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley
Link Wray, rockabilly instrumentalist
Blind Willie McTell, blues singer-songwriter
Les Paul, jazz instrumentalist (and worked with Mary Ford)
Don Rich, king of the Bakersfield sound with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos
Jack White, the White Stripes and Raconteurs
444
Talk Zone / Re: Ichiro close to 5 year $100 million
« on: July 10, 2007, 08:58:04 pm »They shed their losing culture already? That was fast. I'm sure $20 mil per annum didn't influence that opinion in the slightest.
Was shedding Hargrove the key issue then (besides the boatload of cash)?
445
Talk Zone / Re: Dan Patrick out at ESPN
« on: July 10, 2007, 12:21:03 am »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).
In the land of Lou Dobbs, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, people bitching about the lack balanced and fair journalism from the BBC is fucking funny. Maybe you don't comprehend this "Euro attitude" because you don't actually have examples of the BBC, or any other mainstream European media source demonstrating such a viewpoint. Do you equate being critical of Israel's foreign policy to antisemitism? Anyway, while there are most assuredly racists and bigots everywhere there is no more a unified "Euro" viewpoint then there is one for Arabs, Americans, or Israelis. I don't trust people, or media that perpetuate this garbage. If I wanted cheerleaders in the news I would have stayed in Channelview.
446
Talk Zone / Re: When Lidge is activated...
« on: July 09, 2007, 06:15:37 pm »I've thought that Moehler perhaps might be being "saved" until closer to the trading deadline for a deal with a team desperate for pitching.
By trading Moehler to "a team desperate for pitching" do you mean an organization like the New Hampshire Fisher Cats? He's been a lousy pitcher for a long time in the Major Leagues.
447
Talk Zone / Re: The Untouchables
« on: July 06, 2007, 07:23:19 pm »
Everything is touchable if the price is right. I wouldn't want Oswalt, Patton, Pence, Berkman, or Lee giving lapdances at another club, but if some drunk with a lot resources makes a Herschel Walker offer (to further mix the metaphor), you would have to listen. I think the only untouchable for me is Craig Biggio.
Question about Lidge- does he still have a problem with his pitching mechanics that could cause arm trouble down the road? If this is true, how would this factor into his availability and what you could actually get for him?
Question about Lidge- does he still have a problem with his pitching mechanics that could cause arm trouble down the road? If this is true, how would this factor into his availability and what you could actually get for him?
448
Archive / Re: "I'm not greedy," AJones said.
« on: January 19, 2007, 03:46:48 pm »
Andruw Jones looks like a tool here, but how can anybody living in 2007 say this is in the top 5000 things that are "what's wrong with society today?" The fucking US Attorney General just said that habeus corpus is not guranteed for everybody and I'm supposed to take out my pitchfork and torch for some dumbass outfielder for the Braves?!
449
Talk Zone / Re: Grand Slam LaRoche now a Pirate
« on: January 19, 2007, 12:11:18 am »
Hey, the ex- San Jacinto Gator gets to go to a real major league team! I think this is a pretty good trade for both teams. The Pirates needed some pop in the lineup and the Braves bullpen was pretty awful. The Braves are kind of rehauling this year...what kind of minor league talent do they have replacing Giles and LaRoche?
450
Talk Zone / Re: Missing Ashes Update
« on: January 05, 2007, 06:15:05 pm »
I have been following cricket since I moved to New Zealand and I have learned that Australian cricket culture mixes the worst elements of the Yankees, Cowboys, Notre Dame and the Celtics...except they win all of the time.
451
Talk Zone / Re: Vince Young (non BB but what a CFer he would be)
« on: December 11, 2006, 08:30:39 pm »
I don't think there is enough evidence to convict Young of being anything other than a little cocky and ungracious. He's certainly not a punk. I am not ready to put him in the Hall of Fame, though. Ben Rothilsberger, Duante Culpepper, Eli Manning, Tony Eason and Michael Vick are only a few recent (well, except for Eason) examples of QBs who set the world on fire and came back down to earth after the defensive coordinators of the NFL picked them apart. The Titans usually put Young in a good position, but you have to credit him with rising up when it counts. He's definitely a winner. It will be fun to watch him.
452
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte a Yankee
« on: December 08, 2006, 05:34:25 pm »Quote:Quote:
I don't think people will be getting out the pitchforks and torches for Drayton because he didn't push $14 million to Andy Pettitte. Tough to see him go, but it's probably for the best at that price.
You don't think so? Sit back and watch the spectacle begin.
You're probably right. Drayton dropped another free agent in the well and the (Rice) villagers will be coming after him!
Good luck to Andy. No hard feelings. If you find some suckers willing to pay you that salary, God bless you. The Astros will be fine. I hope he takes Roger and all of that prima donna Hamlet shit with him.
453
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte a Yankee
« on: December 08, 2006, 05:21:38 pm »
I don't think people will be getting out the pitchforks and torches for Drayton because he didn't push $14 million to Andy Pettitte. Tough to see him go, but it's probably for the best at that price.
454
Talk Zone / Re: the rest of the off season
« on: November 25, 2006, 05:07:51 pm »
For all of you up in arms about the Astros overpaying for Carlos Lee, check out the Giants offer. Reportedly, they offered Lee $112 million over six years!
The Link
The Link
455
Talk Zone / Re: thank you, Astros!
« on: October 01, 2006, 07:35:03 pm »
I agree! The Astros showed a lot of spirit and kept me on pins and needles for 162 games. Can't ask for more than that!
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Talk Zone / Re: There are no words...
« on: September 28, 2006, 10:49:31 pm »Quote:
A new standard of depravity. Has 99% of the fuckin' world gone mad?
Yeah..that's pretty much my reaction. So many questions come to mind.. Why is this a fetish in the first place? Do so many people do it that it deserves a name? How do people with the surname "Sanchez" feel about this new cultural development? Does the "moustache" get extra kink points if it is a full Fu Manchu?
457
Talk Zone / Re: Thanks to the Stros
« on: September 27, 2006, 12:31:05 am »Quote:
I think the order is going to be a little different. I think that the Astros get the Mets in the NLDS and the Phillies in the NLCS. Equally good for me. I've hated those Philly cocksuckers for a very long time. Maybe the Astros can make Art Howe an honorary coach and somehow pull off a triple play. Now that would be karma.
You've got the dream scenario, Todd. I was at game five against Philadelphia in 1980 and that was tough to live down. The revenge tour sounds sweet to me. Let's do this William Tecumseh Sherman style and drive 'em all into the sea!
458
Talk Zone / Re: I Picked the Wrong Week to Give Up Drinking
« on: September 26, 2006, 02:02:26 am »Quote:
i have one better. i smoked like maybe one pack of cigarettes in college in the 70s. tonight all i could think of was i need a cigarette ....
I hear ya, sister. Having not an ounce of liquor in the the house, I was eyeing a can of paint thinner something fierce during the last few innings. Do Yankees fans get bored of pennant chases? Games like this are stressful, but they sure are exciting. Very proud of the guys tonight. Great stuff.
459
Talk Zone / Re: I Got It!
« on: August 31, 2006, 03:55:35 am »Quote:
David Wells. Good grief. Please no. And I like fat drunks who suffer from gout.
He had gout? Isn't that the dietary disease that Henry the VIII got from eating the offal and Renaissance maiden diet? I say we hold out for a consumptive to be named later and see if Epstein bites.
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Quote:Quote:
Man, I wanted to keep the insults flying, but I've run out of ways to call you a cocksucker. Give me time.
I'll answer your question. When I say "corrosive effect" I mean a corrosive effect on the team's confidence. They are gripping harder than last year. If some Astros like Oswalt and Clemens have complained about the lack of hitting, I think Lidge's struggles have to be inside the heads of the other players, too. Do we know the extent of this? Of course not. Can you say that Lidge is the sole cause that is fucking up the rest of the team. No. I just don't think you can deny *some* link between his struggles and that of the team in other areas. If there was a snowball effect during the runs during the last two years where people like Jason Lane were really productive hitters, I think there can be a...shitball..effect when key people start having problems, too. Lidge's blown saves in key series' certainly have prevented the team from building up any kind of momentum. I think people in team sports are influenced by what is going on with other players, good and bad.
It seems obvious from your weak attempts at baseball commentary that you are the most comfortable when expressing your just beneath the surface scatalogical and homosexual fantasies, however, the idea that Lidge's struggles have affected the hitters is absurd. Your comments don't even stand up to a passing glance at logic, much less explain what's going on with the Astros.
The Astros were one of the worst offensive teams last year. Starting in June 06, they once again are that team. How was Lidge responsible for that? Did the Lidge effect begin in June, was it due to him being affected by Albert Pujols and psychically affecting the hitters? How is Lidge responsible for Lane's obvious inability to adjust to the way he's being pitched? How has it affected Ensberg's bat speed? If Lidge's blown saves have such an effect, why is Mike Lamb hitting much better this year than last? Why don't the other players consult Willy Taveras who seems to have found the antidote to Lidge's "corrosive effect"? Why are Luke Scott and Lance Berkman seemingly immune to the Lidge effect? Will Preston Wilson ever recover?
You say I am a latent homosexual with a scat fetish like it's a *bad* thing. Incidentally, now I understand why you have 13,000 posts around here. It's not the anklebiting, or batting down straw man arguments like King Kong swatting at planes on top of the Empire State Building, it's the sound baseball analysis you offer. Have the Sporting News and the ghost of Branch Rickey contacted you about your valuable insights into Googling Phil Garner quotes? It's amazing you could deign to fit me into your busy schedule by responding so regularly to my bullshit.
Arky Vaughn managed to counter my argument without being a total, gaping vagina about it, so thanks for that. I don't for a moment think I have some special, or even average insight into baseball and I don't expect to have my ideas treated with respect just because I say them. I don't expect anything, in fact. Pravata, if your panties are in such a twist that you have to repsond to a message that wasn't addressed to you, then go for it. If you keep going to Defcom Asshole then I will respond in kind.
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Quote:Quote:
I'll answer your question. When I say "corrosive effect" I mean a corrosive effect on the team's confidence. They are gripping harder than last year. If some Astros like Oswalt and Clemens have complained about the lack of hitting, I think Lidge's struggles have to be inside the heads of the other players, too. Do we know the extent of this? Of course not. Can you say that Lidge is the sole cause that is fucking up the rest of the team. No. I just don't think you can deny *some* link between his struggles and that of the team in other areas. If there was a snowball effect during the runs during the last two years where people like Jason Lane were really productive hitters, I think there can be a...shitball..effect when key people start having problems, too. Lidge's blown saves in key series' certainly have prevented the team from building up any kind of momentum. I think people in team sports are influenced by what is going on with other players, good and bad.
I don't buy this. First, I haven't seen the numbers to suggest that the correlative effect is really there and, second, even if the numbers showed a correlation, you'd have to make the case that this is also causation. I understand that you're not saying that Lidge is the cause of all the Astros' problems, but I think you're overstating that his poor performance is even partially to blame for the way the rest of the individuals on the team are playing. The Astros are a team with a thin margin of error that has been exceeded by a number of players not living up to expectations -- Lidge, Ensberg, Lane, Taveras, Pettitte, the back of the rotation, assorted others in the bullpen. There's nothing improbable that this could happen. It doesn't have to be explained even in part by something like Lidge getting other guys down. It's just something that happened.
And I don't think you're helping your argument by eroding the level of discourse here even further.
Duly noted.
462
Man, I wanted to keep the insults flying, but I've run out of ways to call you a cocksucker. Give me time.
I'll answer your question. When I say "corrosive effect" I mean a corrosive effect on the team's confidence. They are gripping harder than last year. If some Astros like Oswalt and Clemens have complained about the lack of hitting, I think Lidge's struggles have to be inside the heads of the other players, too. Do we know the extent of this? Of course not. Can you say that Lidge is the sole cause that is fucking up the rest of the team. No. I just don't think you can deny *some* link between his struggles and that of the team in other areas. If there was a snowball effect during the runs during the last two years where people like Jason Lane were really productive hitters, I think there can be a...shitball..effect when key people start having problems, too. Lidge's blown saves in key series' certainly have prevented the team from building up any kind of momentum. I think people in team sports are influenced by what is going on with other players, good and bad.
I'll answer your question. When I say "corrosive effect" I mean a corrosive effect on the team's confidence. They are gripping harder than last year. If some Astros like Oswalt and Clemens have complained about the lack of hitting, I think Lidge's struggles have to be inside the heads of the other players, too. Do we know the extent of this? Of course not. Can you say that Lidge is the sole cause that is fucking up the rest of the team. No. I just don't think you can deny *some* link between his struggles and that of the team in other areas. If there was a snowball effect during the runs during the last two years where people like Jason Lane were really productive hitters, I think there can be a...shitball..effect when key people start having problems, too. Lidge's blown saves in key series' certainly have prevented the team from building up any kind of momentum. I think people in team sports are influenced by what is going on with other players, good and bad.
463
Quote:Quote:
Pravata, with all due respect, I don't come to your job and knock the dick out of your mouth. My opinions don't give me immunity from being wrong (or being a dumbass) any more than the cocks you take up your ass gives you immunity from having rectal cancer. The fact that you spent *any time at all* anklebiting my opinions and being such a fucking douche in the process does make me wonder what happened to you in life. You're such a *sensitive* little prick. All of this vitriol over baseball opinions? I don't understand people like you. I resort to evoking the magical "shut the fuck up" and "get a fucking life" and bid you adieu.
Are you this big of a candy ass every time someone calls you on your bullshit? Lidge has nothing to do with anything except the way he pitches. The rest of this act you seem to have honed at MySpace. It will get you nothing but banned here.
Oh, shit, Pravata, I knew you were a bit unstable, but I didn't think you would be such a pussy as to ban me because your little feelings got hurt. The only way you "called me on my bullshit" was by creating an argument I never made and responding to that. By the way, you go to "candy ass" as your out pitch as about as effectively as Brad Lidge's 2006 slider. Work up some new material in between your therapy sessions.
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Pravata, with all due respect, I don't come to your job and knock the dick out of your mouth. My opinions don't give me immunity from being wrong (or being a dumbass) any more than the cocks you take up your ass gives you immunity from having rectal cancer. The fact that you spent *any time at all* anklebiting my opinions and being such a fucking douche in the process does make me wonder what happened to you in life. You're such a *sensitive* little prick. All of this vitriol over baseball opinions? I don't understand people like you. I resort to evoking the magical "shut the fuck up" and "get a fucking life" and bid you adieu.
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Quote:Quote:
having a closer with an ERA over 5.00 is bad. Having a closer with an ERA on this Astros team is particularly bad.
wait a minute, i thought having a closer with an ERA over 5.00 is good. shows what i know.
You had to edit that weak shit? Come on, Joey! You're better than that!
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Quote:Quote:Quote:
It's all Lidge's fault. Ok.
Fuck you. You idiot. Did you even read the post?
The "corrosive effect" phrase is particularly hilarious. Is the point that Lidge was the reason they only could scrape up 2 runs vs Tomo Ohka? There's a number of erasure phrases in those 2 paragraphs, hard to tell.
"A number of erasure phrases?" Like Andy Bell? My phrases are more like Billy Squire..short, ridiculous and forgotten. Anyway, I am glad that "corrosive effect" amused you, Generalisimo. I thought I put enough qualifiers to appease a charging rhino, but I guess not. Brad Lidge is not the sole cause of the Astros sucking this year, anymore than he was the reason they have been a playoff team the last two years. But, having a closer with an ERA over 5.00 is bad. Having a closer with an ERA on this Astros team is particularly bad. *I believe* that having a closer who has been very dependable turn into the Human Torch on a team without a lot of room for error in the best of times has had a corrosive effect on the team.
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Since their great start in April the Astros have been one of the worst teams in baseball. While it takes a lot of turds to make a proper cesspool, Lidge's performance this year has been exceptionally foul. When Lidge was getting saves (albeit pretty shaky ones) early in the season the Astros were winning. Since he became the anti- Red Adair they have been losing. I know Lidge is not out there forcing Morgan Ensberg to change his batting stance seemingly with every pitch and watch a thousand called third strikes with runners on base. I know Lidge did not wave a shit encrusted rag over the line-up and put a 'can't hit Paris Hilton's weight' spell on them. I know if you look close enough at the numbers you can find a bunch holes in the team that have nothing to do with him.
I still think there is a correlation between his struggles and that of the rest of the team. That kind of uncertainty with the closer has a corrosive effect on the rest of the team. It's like having an alcoholic parent..you never know when they will be out in the middle of the street yelling at traffic and soiling themselves, or when they will be reasonably normal. Lidge is that guy right now. He may bring home the groceries and be clean shaven every now and then. When things go smoothly you can fool yourselves that it's like old times. But we all know that this just isn't going to last. Next time instead of groceries he might bring home his new best friends he met at the bar, pee on the couch and steal money out of your piggy bank. Just say no to Lidge for the rest of '06.
I still think there is a correlation between his struggles and that of the rest of the team. That kind of uncertainty with the closer has a corrosive effect on the rest of the team. It's like having an alcoholic parent..you never know when they will be out in the middle of the street yelling at traffic and soiling themselves, or when they will be reasonably normal. Lidge is that guy right now. He may bring home the groceries and be clean shaven every now and then. When things go smoothly you can fool yourselves that it's like old times. But we all know that this just isn't going to last. Next time instead of groceries he might bring home his new best friends he met at the bar, pee on the couch and steal money out of your piggy bank. Just say no to Lidge for the rest of '06.
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Talk Zone / Re: 5 game series?
« on: August 18, 2006, 11:32:52 pm »Quote:
I still shudder at the mention of Woodie Fryman, old school Astro killah...
Or was that "000 000 000ld school?"
Was he with the Expos? I seem to remember him reaming us like John Holmes on Free Crystal Meth night.
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Talk Zone / Re: Worst song ever made... (Non-BB)
« on: August 11, 2006, 04:00:08 am »Quote:Quote:
Actors turned singers have provided some strong contenders:
Don Johnson - Heartbeat
Patrick Swayze - She's Like the Wind
Eddie Murphy - Party All the Time
Anything by a member of the original Star Trek cast, most notably Nimoy or Shatner.
Shatner's versions of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Mr. Tambourine" are much, much tripper than the originals. Also, if Shatner's "It was a Very Good Year" does not make you curl up in the fetal position and cry your Goddamned eyes then you are a fucking robot!
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Talk Zone / Re: Worst song ever made... (Non-BB)
« on: August 10, 2006, 03:56:03 am »
BudGirl, shall we re-christen you CrackGirl? (I keed, I keed...) In a world of Creed, Sting and Journey there is no fucking way that "Tainted Love" is the worst song ever. Pointless trivia: "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell is a cover of a great soul record by Gloria Jones from the '60's. Seek it out and thank me later.
Worst song ever? How about "Muskrat Love" by THE Captain and Tenille. I would rather be stuck in a room with a wolverine on angel dust than listen to that song again.
Worst song ever? How about "Muskrat Love" by THE Captain and Tenille. I would rather be stuck in a room with a wolverine on angel dust than listen to that song again.
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Talk Zone / Re: Justice on 610
« on: August 02, 2006, 03:11:51 am »
I could get mean here, too, and mention that the side with less drug addicts, traitors, chickenhawks, male prostitutes, warmongers, constitution shredders, budget busters and religious freaks on the payroll has more credibilty but that would get in the way of a good Richard Justice thread.
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Talk Zone / Re: Eating Around MMPUS? (Non-Tejada Related)
« on: July 31, 2006, 02:24:50 am »
I was just about to mention Ninfa's. That place is fucking good. If I could take the entire concept and execution of a restaurant and fellate it I would give the O' Ninfa's the college try. Not before a few margaritas of course..
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Talk Zone / Re: Houston, Tx.
« on: May 13, 2006, 04:36:55 pm »
Sorry to exhume a dead thread, but the funeral museum Old Blevins mentioned is seriously pretty cool.
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Talk Zone / Re: Lidge ... not mentally recovered from post season
« on: April 25, 2006, 08:42:09 am »
I have spent a lot of years around the game. I've seen them come and go for a long time. I've seen the ups and downs of the game...from the inside. I know what it's like to deal with pressure and come back stronger than ever. I've seen champions take a shot in the face and come back for more. Time and time again I've seen people lie flat on their backs only to summon up the strength to rise up to their knees and keep fighting the good fight. But, enough of my observations about pornography.
I don't know how anybody can presume to get into Lidge's mental state anymore than I can figure out what Seka was thinking when Ron Jeremy was astride her like a furry avalanche. Lidge is clearly having trouble throwing his slider for strikes and the batters are laying off of everything but fastballs. I didn't expect Lidge to maintain his 2004 level of dominance without any adjustments because, well, it never happens like that. Even the best reliever of all time, Mariano Rivera, has had huge blown saves and periods where he had to regroup himself. This is hardly Mitch Williams we are talking about here. For that you need to go see one Francisco Cordero...
I don't know how anybody can presume to get into Lidge's mental state anymore than I can figure out what Seka was thinking when Ron Jeremy was astride her like a furry avalanche. Lidge is clearly having trouble throwing his slider for strikes and the batters are laying off of everything but fastballs. I didn't expect Lidge to maintain his 2004 level of dominance without any adjustments because, well, it never happens like that. Even the best reliever of all time, Mariano Rivera, has had huge blown saves and periods where he had to regroup himself. This is hardly Mitch Williams we are talking about here. For that you need to go see one Francisco Cordero...
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Talk Zone / Re: My World Is Shattered. Say It Ain't So, Barry.
« on: March 10, 2006, 04:06:58 am »
What is this "the owners let the players get away" with taking steroids stuff? If you don't think the owners knew *exactly* what the players were doing then you must have missed several thousand "chicks dig the longball" commercials Major League Baseball put out in the late 90's. If the owners were so fucking serious about the steroid problem then they wouldn't have to have Congress pull them by the short hairs to get them to address the issue.
I think the tragedy of the steroid era is that a player like Bonds felt he had to go there in the first place. Think of the pressure that put on borderline players who never had a real sniff of the big leagues, but juiced up anyway to see if they could get over the top. Bonds and the Cansecos and McQwires of the world can look after the health when their playing days are over, but a lot of former players are fucked.
I think the tragedy of the steroid era is that a player like Bonds felt he had to go there in the first place. Think of the pressure that put on borderline players who never had a real sniff of the big leagues, but juiced up anyway to see if they could get over the top. Bonds and the Cansecos and McQwires of the world can look after the health when their playing days are over, but a lot of former players are fucked.
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Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Facts about the offense last season
« on: December 23, 2005, 11:46:21 pm »
Nice contribution by the original poster in this thread. I think the evidence points to the Astros having the potential to have a decent offense, but I am leery of extrapolating too much from this limited sample size. While the 2006 Astros may not have bad stretches comparable to April and May of last year, I can't discount the possibility of prolonged slumps from many in this lineup. As Limey pointed out, they don't have many players who hit for a high average, or get on base enough.
It is more reasonable to expect their offense to be below average, as it was for the majority of the year, then it is to predict them being a high scoring offense based on their being the second best run producing club in the league as it was for last July. Throw out the top and bottom month and the Astros are a middle of the pack of lineup. While they don't need to be the '27 Yankees, I think they will need to improve since their pitching is unlikely to be quite as good.
I guess I am not sold on solely depending on the young players improving across the board to boost the offense since you could argue that Ensberg peaked last year and Biggio had an above average year for a 39 year old. Picking up the Rondell Whites of the world will never make, or break any team, but adding somebody like him would give the Astros a few more options in case the kids, or Bagwell don't produce as expected. Oh, well..it's only Christmas. Can't panic too much about the line-up...
It is more reasonable to expect their offense to be below average, as it was for the majority of the year, then it is to predict them being a high scoring offense based on their being the second best run producing club in the league as it was for last July. Throw out the top and bottom month and the Astros are a middle of the pack of lineup. While they don't need to be the '27 Yankees, I think they will need to improve since their pitching is unlikely to be quite as good.
I guess I am not sold on solely depending on the young players improving across the board to boost the offense since you could argue that Ensberg peaked last year and Biggio had an above average year for a 39 year old. Picking up the Rondell Whites of the world will never make, or break any team, but adding somebody like him would give the Astros a few more options in case the kids, or Bagwell don't produce as expected. Oh, well..it's only Christmas. Can't panic too much about the line-up...
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Talk Zone / Re: Let's talk '06...will there be $$ to bring everyone back
« on: October 29, 2005, 06:01:13 am »
I think the '06 Astros are hamstrung by some bad contracts and a not very enticing group of free agents. I don't mind letting Taveres and Lane develop in favor of overpaying for Burnitz-like talent, but if they have a reasonable chance at Adam Dunn they have to go get him. Maybe when the Reds fall out of playoff contention in May the Astros can pull off a package for him. I just think the possibility of getting a young and proven power hitter to put in the middle of Berkman and Ensberg is worth giving up some prospects and dealing with the strikeouts. That's the plan, anyway. I guess I gravitate to the Dunn option because he actually wants to play in Houston and it doesn't appear that we have much young hitting talent in the pipeline. There is no way in hell Paul Konerko will ever play for us. For the more knowledgeable fans around here, how much pitching should we give up for Dunn and what do you guess the Reds would accept?
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Talk Zone / Re: Friday, post-World Series, fandom thread.
« on: October 28, 2005, 05:39:08 pm »
I picked the Astros because I was born in Baytown and grew up Channelview. I loved playing baseball moving from shortstop to center field to catcher in my teens. My father was a catcher. I have always thought that baseball is the best sport not only to play and watch, but also because of its rich history. I probably read every baseball biography at my elementary and middle schools. My favorite show was "This Week in Baseball" when I was growing up. What I'm trying to say is that I was a disturbed and lonely child. Pathetic, really. But, I really, really loved baseball.
Initially, I think I feel in love with the Astrodome more than the Astros. I just remember how incredibly green the field looked, how high the roof seemed and how long George Foster could hit the ball. My grandparents got season tickets in 1979 and 1980 and I went to dozens of games, including game five of the 1980 NLCS against the Phillies. I vividly remember chanting Art Howe's name until I was horse when he came up to bat in that game.
I have lived in Alaska, Colorado and now New Zealand and the Astros will always be my team. The 90's and 00's Astros are even more memorable than my childhood teams and I am glad I have been able to catch several games at Minute Maid. I look forward to coming back and catching some minor league ball at Round Rock.
Initially, I think I feel in love with the Astrodome more than the Astros. I just remember how incredibly green the field looked, how high the roof seemed and how long George Foster could hit the ball. My grandparents got season tickets in 1979 and 1980 and I went to dozens of games, including game five of the 1980 NLCS against the Phillies. I vividly remember chanting Art Howe's name until I was horse when he came up to bat in that game.
I have lived in Alaska, Colorado and now New Zealand and the Astros will always be my team. The 90's and 00's Astros are even more memorable than my childhood teams and I am glad I have been able to catch several games at Minute Maid. I look forward to coming back and catching some minor league ball at Round Rock.
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Talk Zone / Re: Best. Season. Ever!
« on: October 27, 2005, 01:31:18 am »
I agree completely, Noe. They sure gave us an exciting ride. I can't wait until Spring Training!
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Talk Zone / Re: Sox Fans Attack Mrs Biggio
« on: October 25, 2005, 02:00:47 am »
I want to thank that drunken loser from Chicago. I was almost lulled into giving the White Sox credit for being a worthy adversary. I almost felt a tinge of respect for their city and their history. Well, fuck that. The next four games we take from those assholes will be as sweet as if we ripped them from Tommy Lasorda, Tony LaRussa, or a team with Barry Bonds on it combined. Almost as sweet as beating the Cubs. Almost. Fuck winning a World Series title, I want to impose another 88 years of pain. Let's start with by closing them out in Chicago and celebrating on their field. Let's rub their bulbous, red noses in another baseball disappointment. Fuck Chicago. Up the ass.
<sorry about the vitriol, but I'm pissed>
<sorry about the vitriol, but I'm pissed>
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Talk Zone / Re: So, Now...
« on: October 23, 2005, 12:47:03 am »
We might still get a decent start out of Roger in Minute Maid. Maybe the Astros can pull one of 2003's six pitcher winning specials, or something. The Astros showed some spunk in keeping this one close and answering most of the White Sox rallies. I think we can still win this bitch.
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