Messages

1

Beer and Queso / Re: Friday Beer Thread

« on: March 06, 2012, 04:19:59 pm »

I picked up a Shiner Family Reunion sixer the other day just for a change.  In it was a bottle of "Old Time Alt", which I'd never seen before.  Damn tasty stuff.

You used to be able to get some altbiers in Houston (Frankenheim and Diebels come to mind), but I've not seen either in years.

It's a great style.  Wish Spoetzl would make it a regular thing.  Definitely worth a try if you come across some.

2

Talk Zone / Re: How did you become an Astros fan?

« on: November 17, 2011, 05:24:45 pm »

In 1997 I was living in Charleston, SC.  A girl I was dating at the time moved to Houston for work.  I took a job up the road in Columbia, SC and we did the distance thing.  I visited Texas regularly, probably every 4-6 weeks.

Around the middle of 1998 it became clear that we were going to end up together and that Houston would be a better fit for us for the time being than Columbia.  So, I decided that if I was going to be moving to Houston, I would need to start following the local baseball concern.  Besides, as a life-long Indians fan, I figured that having an NL team to root for for the first time would be a good thing. 

During 1998, I mostly listed to the radio broadcasts over the new-fangled Internet while starting to learn about the team and the city.  We went to a handful of games in the Dome that season and in the first part of 1999.

In September 1999, I moved to Houston for what we thought would be "a couple of years".  (We're still here.)  We went to a few additional games, including both of the playoff games against Atlanta.

Been an Astros fan ever since.  It's a little different path than most of y'all took, but that's my story.

3

Beer and Queso / Re: Travel Reccommendations: Charleston, SC

« on: July 11, 2011, 08:28:26 pm »

Oh, and as far as what to do...

I didn't really do much of the touristy stuff when I lived there, but The Battery, Fort Sumter, Patriot's Point, and even the cliched carriage ride downtown are all worthwhile.  

There are various walking tours downtown that will be good, but it is rather hot and humid this time of year (not as bad as Houston, but in the same ballpark) so I don't know how much walking around you would want to do.

Not really a beach person, but Isle of Palms was my favorite (originally typed Folly Beach, though that's nice too).  Still probably the most beautiful beach I've ever visited.  

Spent some time at the new(ish) Waterfront Park during my honeymoon.  It was nice if you have a couple of hours to kill.

Been to my share of Charleston Riverdogs games.  They play in the Sally League but I don't know who they are affiliated with anymore.  Nice ballpark, great location.

There are some plantation tours but I've never been on one.  

The South Carolina Aquarium is probably the nicest aquariums I've ever been in.  That's new since I lived there.  

Charles Towne Landing is west of the city and is a nice park/historical mix.

Again, I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff.

4

Beer and Queso / Re: Travel Reccommendations: Charleston, SC

« on: July 11, 2011, 08:19:21 pm »

I lived in Charleston for a few years in the 90s, but I was dirt poor and so didn't sample many of the "finer things".  My mother-in-law still lives in Summerville, though, so we make it back semi-regularly.

Andolini's Pizza.  The original is on Wentworth Street downtown.  Good, thin-crust pizza with a wonderful garlicky sauce.

There are 3 SC BBQ places I especially liked.  Melvin's is in Mouth Pleasant and I guess there's one on James Island now.  Bessinger's is on Highway 17 west of the Ashley.  And there are various Sticky Fingers around town.

A good casual place just west of downtown is called California Dreaming.  Nice view of the marina. 

I really wasn't a big seafood fan when I lived there.  I remember Hyman's near the market was generally looked down upon by locals, for whatever that's worth. 

I went to Magnolia's a couple of times.  Widely considered to be one the better restaurants in the city.  Traditional southern food.

Southend Brewery on East Bay Street is a decent brewpub, as is T-Bonz in the market area (but I'm not sure if they still brew their own--they used to).

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff but this is what comes to mind. 

Enjoy your trip.  Charleston is a better place to visit than live (IMHO), but it is a very beautiful and historic place.

5

Beer and Queso / Re: TCU to the Big East

« on: November 29, 2010, 11:41:22 pm »

Remember, act like you've been there before.

Always good advice no matter what the topic is.

6

Beer and Queso / Re: Ags at Horns

« on: November 25, 2010, 08:54:38 pm »

I'm at the in-laws in Savannah, GA. Everyone but me went to bed at 9:00 Eastern (lightweights) so I'm watching the game and drinking the rest of the beer. Don't think this counts as drinking alone because there are two cats hanging out with me.  I really don't care who wins--my loyalties lie elsewhere--but I hope it's a good second half.  Just wouldn't be Thanksgiving weekend without seeing at least part of this.  

7

Beer and Queso / Re: Friday beer thread

« on: October 22, 2010, 10:49:54 pm »

The Brooklyn Brewery sells a pretty fine Oktoberfest--possibly the best domestic version I've had so far.

Never did find the Ayinger version this year.  Sad about that--but it gives me something to look forward to next October.

On to the holiday seasonals!

8

Beer and Queso / Re: Football this weekend (Sept 18-19)

« on: September 18, 2010, 11:10:34 pm »

Trivia question: the last time UH scored 3 points in a half was...?

I don't know the answer, unfortunately.

9

Beer and Queso / Re: Football this weekend (Sept 18-19)

« on: September 18, 2010, 10:58:36 pm »

790 finally switched to the game.  The wife has laid claim to the TV so if/when the game becomes competitive again, we'll see what's going on there.

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Beer and Queso / Re: Football this weekend (Sept 18-19)

« on: September 18, 2010, 10:37:28 pm »

Wow, Cougars are rather stinking up the Rose Bowl.

Following along on ESPN's Gamecast.  Better options?

11

Beer and Queso / Re: Football this weekend (Sept 18-19)

« on: September 18, 2010, 10:18:41 pm »

MSG+.   748 on TWC-NYC.

Nice.  So you're in NYC (Old El Paso commercial: New York City?!) and can see the game, but I'm in fucking Houston and apparently I can't.  

I guess I should start an "I'm moving to New York" thread--maybe it really is all that.

The A&M post-game show is still going.  WTF.

12

Beer and Queso / Re: Football this weekend (Sept 18-19)

« on: September 18, 2010, 10:01:00 pm »

The Cougars and Bruins are supposed to be playing on Comcast channel 110, but they're showing the stRangers and the Mariners instead.

AM 790 has the A&M post-game show.

Anyone know if the UH game is available on TV or radio at the moment?!

13

Beer and Queso / Re: Friday beer thread

« on: September 18, 2010, 09:57:23 am »

Tried Real Ale's O'fest last night.  Can't say that I'm a fan.  Makes me wonder since many here whose taste for beer I greatly respect seem to like it.  

Taste is a funny thing.  

14

Beer and Queso / Re: Friday beer thread

« on: September 04, 2010, 11:24:09 pm »

Nice to see a full-fledged Oktoberfest discussion going. 

I poked around the big Specs today looking for new interpretations of my favorite style.  The only one I could find that I hadn't tried before was from Harpoon in Vermont.  It was quite good--a little more estery than I prefer but had decent bitterness in the finish.  Definitely worth a try.

I'm partial to Paulaner but will also be keeping an eye out for Ayinger's version, which I don't think I'd tried prior to seeing it spoken of so highly here (though I'd been a big fan of their hefe for a while). 

Prost! 

15

Beer and Queso / Re: Hook Em! Game Thread

« on: January 07, 2010, 11:13:41 pm »

What a gutsy performance tonight and a great season overall.  Congrats, Longhorns. 

16

Beer and Queso / Re: Big 12 Title Game Thread

« on: December 05, 2009, 11:07:49 pm »

ESPN now reporting UT is not "definitely" going to the title game.

Goddammit.

I mean, I get that it wasn't a playoff, but how the fuck.

If I was a betting man--and I'm not--I would be quite confident that it'll be Alabama and UT.  And I have no particular allegiance to either team.

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Beer and Queso / Re: Big 12 Title Game Thread

« on: December 05, 2009, 10:31:35 pm »

Congrats, Longhorns!  I'll be pulling for you against the SEC.

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Beer and Queso / Re: Congrats to the Cougars

« on: September 12, 2009, 06:33:45 pm »

I loved it. Best Cougar win in a while.

I was thinking about that.  Best win since _______?  I didn't come up with a good answer.

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Beer and Queso / Re: Congrats to the Cougars

« on: September 12, 2009, 06:08:23 pm »

Very nice win on the road.

Go Coogs!

20

Beer and Queso / Re: Friday beer 9/4 edition

« on: September 10, 2009, 03:00:40 pm »

From a Chronicle blog:

Well, that didn't take long. The downtown Spec's sold out its supply of Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 8 in just 21 minutes this morning. Restricting customers to just two six-packs apiece did little to stave off the inevitable. (I confess to picking up a pair myself; it was $32.45 well spent.)

I like Saint Arnold's beers and enjoyed DRs #5 and #6 (missed out on #7), but this is just nuts.

Still hoping I will be able to snag some of the #8 tonight at a smaller Spec's or grocery store, but if I don't I will not scour the city looking for it.  Previous versions have been good but not that good (IMHO).

Glad to see the brewery doing so well, though.

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Beer and Queso / Re: Friday Beer Thread...August 21, 2009

« on: August 22, 2009, 08:34:40 pm »

So here's some good news: the Oktoberfest seasonals are starting to come out. I was at the Randall's on Westheimer at Shepherd and they had both Saint Arnold and Sam Adams (which, at the risk of cementing my status as a heretic, I must say is pretty darn good). 

22

Beer and Queso / Re: what should i do in penscaola fla

« on: March 31, 2009, 04:57:07 pm »

No idea if the OP would be interested, but if I am ever in Pensacola I am heading for the National Naval Aviation Museum.

23

Beer and Queso / Re: Places to eat in the USS Texas/San Jac Historical Site area

« on: February 09, 2009, 09:33:47 am »

We ended up at Monument Inn, which was entirely satisfactory.  Thanks for all the suggestions.

BTW, the Texas tour was fantastic.  They have an impressive amount of the ship open for viewing.  Highly recommended.

24

Beer and Queso / Places to eat in the USS Texas/San Jac Historical Site area

« on: February 07, 2009, 12:47:30 am »

The resourcefulness of this crew seldom lets me down, so I'm gonna give this a whirl.

I'm meeting up with a friend who's currently living in Beaumont to tour the USS Texas on Sunday.  Not all that familiar with that side of town, so can anyone recommend a place we could grab dinner over there?  Nothing specific we're looking for, and just plan good grub would be fine.  Also, it doesn't have to be TOO close--just hoping to keep from having to come all the way back into Houston (or to Beaumont) to find something decent.

Thanks!

25

Talk Zone / Re: Ballparks in Winter

« on: January 17, 2009, 11:52:22 pm »

You know, I like snow much better in pictures or when I'm skiing.  That said, I saw the Cleveland stadium last march, covered under about 8 inches of snow.  It's a beautiful park from what I saw (driving by and flying over).  Too bad the rest of the city is nasty.  And what they are doing to Lake Erie (I think) is a crime.  It's just disgusting.  I had to ask the locals, that's not really frozen trash in the ice covering the lake is it?  Unfortunately they confirmed it. 

If you think Cleveland is bad now, you should have seen it in the 70s.

Neat gallery.  Thanks to the OP for sharing it.

26

Beer and Queso / Re: Fiesta Bowl

« on: January 06, 2009, 01:23:33 pm »

Great game to watch, and I am saying that as an OSU person.

27

Talk Zone / Re: Herb Score passes

« on: November 11, 2008, 10:09:28 pm »

I grew up listening to him broadcasting the terrible Indians teams of the 70s and 80s.  Hearing his voice still takes me back.

RIP, Herb.

28

Beer and Queso / Re: Divine Reserve #7

« on: October 01, 2008, 10:48:07 pm »

What makes DR 7 special?

Well, the DRs are single-batch, high-gravity (strong) brews that are--at least as I understand it--intended to be stored and sampled over time.  I've only tried a couple of them, and while they are fun and interesting, I wouldn't call them must-taste brews, at least for most folks.

That being said, I went looking for some of the #7 today at the Kroger at Montrose near Westheimer in Houston and no luck.  I had no problems finding the last couple of versions there.  I don't really feel like trekking all over the fair city hunting it down, so if anyone finds some and would be willing to trade me a bottle for a bottle of the #5 or #6, PM me.  I'd be happy to meet you anywhere inside the loop.  [ETA:  Homicidal maniacs excluded, but that should go without sayin'.]

29

Beer and Queso / Divine Reserve #7

« on: September 24, 2008, 09:27:26 pm »

The economy is going to shit, Southeast Texas is recovering from a hurricane, etc. etc. etc., but I have some actual, consequential news to report.

Came up empty on my quest for DR-7 in Houston today.  I went to the Saint Arnold website to see if I could glean any information and came across this:

We are now going to be releasing Divine Reserve No. 7 starting Tuesday, September 30 in Houston . . . Divine Reserve No. 7 will still be released Tuesday, September 23 in Austin, DFW and San Antonio.

Happy hunting, and apologies if Cabrera drinks weizenbocks.

30

Beer and Queso / Re: St. Arnold's Divine No. 6

« on: June 20, 2008, 01:51:50 pm »

Apologies if Cabrera drinks good beer, but it looks like St. Arnold is counting on your continued support.

I finally tried the #6 the other night.  It was a couple of notches below #5 (which has gotten darn near sublime with a little age) but probably better than I expected after reading the comments above.  I am not a hophead--Anchor's Liberty Ale is about where I draw the line between pleasantly hoppy and overdone when I am in the mood for that sort of thing.

31

Beer and Queso / Re: St. Arnold's Divine No. 6

« on: June 14, 2008, 08:32:19 pm »

Score!  There were about two cases on display at the Kroger on Montrose near Westheimer just now so I snagged a sixer.

It was at room temperature and by the time I got home I was ready for something appropriately chilled, so it'll have to wait until later.  Has anybody actually tasted the stuff yet?

Oh, and thanks for the heads up that it was out.  Otherwise I'd have had no clue.

32

Talk Zone / Re: The Schedule

« on: May 25, 2008, 04:38:26 pm »

They weren't scheduled to play on Memorial Day last year, either.  And, like last year, there's not an ESPN game tomorrow.

This is on the list of things to fix once I am put in charge of MLB.

33

Talk Zone / Re: unassisted triple play

« on: May 13, 2008, 09:37:01 am »

The local paper had a list of all of them.  There were 6 of them in the 20's, and there have now been 4 in the 2000's.  Isn't odd how they come in bunches. BTW the guy who did the one in the WS also hit a Grand Slam that game.

Mr. Picky would like to point out that while the unassisted triple play and the first grand slam in WS history happened in the same game, Bill Wambsganss did the former while Elmer Smith did the latter. 

linkified

Still an amazing coincidence, though.

34

Talk Zone / Re: Franco retires

« on: May 04, 2008, 12:25:56 pm »

Ummm, Ms. Doe was referring to Julio Franco, and his career started in 1982. John Franco retired three years ago.

Ah, even better... as Julio is/was the starting SS for the Indians in 1987.

35

Talk Zone / Re: Franco retires

« on: May 04, 2008, 12:49:00 am »

Coincidentally:

He was the winning pitcher for the Reds today in a 1987 Astros game from my Astros/Indians replay in Strat-O-Matic. 

You might be thinking, hmm, 1987 was a really damn long time ago, but Franco's MLB career actually started in 1984.  Wow.

I have lots of questions to ask about these mid-to-late 80s Astros teams and players.  Stay tuned.

36

Beer and Queso / Re: Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA

« on: March 29, 2008, 08:22:30 pm »

I was in the little Spec's on Holcombe near the TMC yesterday and they had some of the Sisyphus, Avery's The Beast gran cru (16.4% abv!), and Dogfish Head 120 Minute.  I grabbed one each of the first two and need to go back for the 120 Minute, which was over $9 for a 12-oz bottle.  The Avery beer was $7 for the same size and I just couldn't justify dropping nearly $20 for two beers.

Tried the Sisyphus tonight; it was okay but a little too citrusy for my taste.  A big dose of American hops is fun from time to time but I prefer English hops in bigger beers.  At least it wasn't soured, though.

37

Talk Zone / Re: baseball movie brackets

« on: March 28, 2008, 06:34:04 pm »

Wish I'd seen this a week ago.  The wife is out-of-town so I've been on a baseball movie bender courtesy of Netflix. 

Just watched 61* today, which I hadn't seen since it was first out.  It's hokey in parts but quite good overall.  And I can't stand the fucking Yankees.

BNB Breaking Training was disappointing, though the late-70s footage of the Astrodome was priceless.

I actually liked the new BNB, though nowhere near as much as the first one.  The scene where an inebriated Billy Bob Buttermaker is throwing BP was so funny I had to watch it twice.

ETA:  Oh, and I also watched a Modern Marvels on ballparks.  Except for the part where they misidentified an old diagram of the layout of Cleveland's League Park for its Municipal Stadium thereby causing me to shake my fist indignantly at the television, it was worthwhile.

38

Beer and Queso / Re: Real Ale Sisyphus Barleywine (non BB)

« on: March 27, 2008, 04:03:19 pm »

Ah, apologies, I didn't know you were a homebrewer.  Sometimes when people on the internets talk about beer, anything that doesn't taste like what they are used to is of concern.  I haven't brewed for a few years.  Even though I was pretty decent at it, the occasional infected or oxidized bottle would turn up.  So if you are anything like I was, you definitely know a bad bottle when you taste one. 

Anyhoo, I can only recall one sixer I've ever had that was soured.  It was Rahr's Ugly Pug last fall.  If I were you I'd shoot Real Ale an email and see what they say.

39

Beer and Queso / Re: Real Ale Sisyphus Barleywine (non BB)

« on: March 27, 2008, 01:38:17 pm »

Spoiled how?  Soured?  Oxidized (sherry/cardboard taste)?  Other?

Have you tasted it previously?

Bad bottles of commercial beer do happen, but they are (thankfully!) pretty rare in my experience.

40

Beer and Queso / Re: Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA

« on: March 21, 2008, 11:43:22 pm »

It's certainly not an IPA but I dug out a bottle of the Saint Arnold Divine Reserve #5 tonight for a six-month tasting.  It was yummy last fall; now it has mellowed considerably and is even better.

41

Talk Zone / Re: Happy St. Patrick's Day

« on: March 17, 2008, 02:30:16 pm »

With a tip o' the hat to Andrew Sullivan...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU&

42

Talk Zone / Re: Josh Hamilton

« on: March 12, 2008, 10:29:59 pm »

If the kid is a dependent according to IRS, FERPA does not stop parents.

Wow, if I was a betting man you could have taken me for some serious cash on this one.

I've wallowed through innumerable mandatory FERPA training courses over the last decade, and I don't recall anything being mentioned about this.  Not once.  The message has always been (paraphrased): don't release information to anyone other than the student, ever.

But that's why you're the law-talkin'-guy and I'm the...

Wait, what am I again?!

43

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 99

« on: March 04, 2008, 09:28:57 pm »

No luck tonight at the River Oaks Kroger on West Gray, so I grabbed some Bohemian Black Lager instead.  Life's a bitch.

44

Talk Zone / Re: pre season and getting whooped

« on: February 29, 2008, 12:12:20 pm »

Someone doing the sports break (or whatever) on KTRH as I was driving to work today said that Oswalt was going to try and "reverse the early season skid" or something like that.  I hope it's not too late.

45

Talk Zone / Re: Hunter meets a glass door - There Will Be Blood

« on: February 20, 2008, 08:47:08 pm »

Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic, but news of a star player running through a glass door at the very start of spring training can only portend good things for the club in 2008.

Eek.

46

Talk Zone / Re: Reminders for 2/14

« on: February 16, 2008, 06:01:53 pm »

Yeah.  Thanks, homer, for posting about this.  I'd seen most of Scott's before but the Ryan and Kile ones were new to me as they happened years before I moved to Houston and became a fan.

Three hours of no-hit Astro baseball on a rainy Saturday at the cusp of the opening of spring training... not too shabby.

47

Talk Zone / Re: Here's your chance

« on: February 01, 2008, 03:11:28 pm »

Doesn't this job and the "stats stringer" job show up every year?  Is there just a lot of turnover, or are these not really available jobs?  I remember thinking the stats stringer job sounded kind of fun.  You mean I get paid to score the game?  Sign me up!

I'm probably overly cynical, and I don't doubt that they need some folks to do the stuff they advertise for, but it's my distinct impression that this is mostly a commercial for monster.com.


Great movie, BTW. 


Samir:  Yes, Peter, but I'm not going to do anything illegal.

Peter:  Illegal?  Samir, this is America!

48

Talk Zone / Re: Friday Beer Thread

« on: January 18, 2008, 10:30:43 pm »

Good ol' Shiner Dunkelweizen for me on this cold, wet winter's eve.  It's the second time I've had some this go-round, and both times it has seemed quite a bit drier than I remember from past years. It's not bad, in fact it's still quite good.  It's just... different.

Tried the Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout for the first time a month or so ago--I really liked it.

49

Talk Zone / Re: Congrats, LSU

« on: January 10, 2008, 01:09:59 pm »

This may have already begun with the Big 10 commish's swipe at the intelligence of SEC student-athletes.

I missed that.  Ugh.

Just one guy's perspective, but I don't know how much of this it is Big-1eleven0/Pac-10 arrogance versus just being slow to adjust to the times.  I come from an OSU family and eventually went there myself.  Growing up in the 70s and 80s, way way way before the BCS obviously, the goal was always--ALWAYS--to beat Michigan and go to the Rose Bowl.  National championship?  Sure, that's nice if it happens, but it's not the goal.

Things are different now.  Personally, I kind of liked it when going to and winning the Rose Bowl was considered a successful season.  Now it seems like if they don't win the BCS title game, it was a disappointing year.  Not what college sports should be about IMHO.

50

Talk Zone / Re: Congrats, LSU

« on: January 08, 2008, 09:37:28 am »

Due to poor planning on my part, last night I was on a plane from central Ohio back to Houston and missed all but the last 5 minutes of the game.   But this OSU grad says congratulations to the Tigers!

Now, let the countdown to spring training commence.

51

Talk Zone / Re: Special occasion restaurants in Houston? non-bb

« on: December 19, 2007, 10:33:24 am »

Damian's is our regular special-occasion place.

52

Talk Zone / Re: Beer Newsflash!

« on: December 16, 2007, 01:56:40 am »

I've been to 3 grocery stores and a (small) liquor store in the last couple of days, and none have had the dunkelweizen.

I swear I've seen it in the last month or so, probably at the Big Specs.

It really is out now, right?  Tell me that I didn't imagine it.

Had to make do with the 97 tonight.  Life is hard.

53

Talk Zone / Re: Mario Williams is a f***ing stud.

« on: December 14, 2007, 10:46:21 am »

Have you? I lived in Michigan for 4 years. The media like to make a lot of Michigan/OSU, and there is definitely something to it, but it's nothing compared to the petty trash that happens every year between UT and TAMU. Although I don't really care much about either, for whatever reason, it seems that TAMU throws the most trash in a middle-school sort of way.

My impression as an Ohio State grad/Ohio native is that there is less day-to-day interaction between OSU and Michigan folks up there than there is here in Texas between UT/A&M fans.  There are certain areas of Ohio (and Michigan too, I'm sure) where they mix-and-mingle a lot, but I just didn't know that many UM people during my time growing up and attending OSU.

I also lived in South Carolina for 5 years and actually worked at USC (no, the other one) for a bit.  The Carolina-Clemson rivalry reminds me a lot of UT/A&M, though on a smaller scale.  Again, I think it's because they are both in-state schools and wherever you go in the state, there are plenty of people who went to one or the other who are constantly at each others throats.

Just my $0.02.

54

Talk Zone / Re: Beer Newsflash!

« on: December 12, 2007, 08:40:19 am »

Their dunkelweizen seasonal is also out.  A bit non-traditional for the style but I really like it; it's probably my favorite Shiner beer.

55

Talk Zone / Re: Cedeno

« on: November 14, 2007, 10:03:00 pm »

Don't recall ever seeing him play so I'm just going by what I've read and gathered from playing SOM for almost 30(!) years:  for somebody who wasn't as good as he "should have been", Cedeño still seemed to be pretty damn good.

Apologies for the (hopefully brief) thread hijack, but I'm sure that someone who reads this thread will know the answer.  How do you pronounce the surname of Houston '62-65 lefty pitcher Hal Woodeshick?

56

Talk Zone / Re: Lineup Machinations 101

« on: November 12, 2007, 08:29:09 pm »

I wonder how many times the Astros opening day lineup actually repeated last year. Garner must have used 30 different lineups.

Since you asked...

57

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 97

« on: November 11, 2007, 12:05:17 am »

Good man. Report your findings while consuming. For science.

I wasn't wearing my lab coat when I did my tasting, so I hope my results are still valid.

The only black lager I've had that's better than Shiner's is Kostritzer.

Kostritzer
Shiner
Sam Adams
Asahi Black (though for $12 for a sixer, it should be awesome)
Xingu--the least lager-like of the schwarzbiers I've had; could almost pass as a porter
Ugly Pug--I actually got a bad (as in soured) six pack so I need to try it again

There's definitely something to be said for a "local" brewery making a decent and affordable version of this relatively obscure style.

As always, I think I need to do some more research.  For science!!

58

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 97

« on: November 09, 2007, 05:03:21 pm »

Success!!

I just found one six-pack at the little Spec's on Holcombe.  Also snagged some Xingu, Ugly Pug, and Asahi Black--which may or may not be a schwarzbier depending on where you look--for comparison purposes.

This weekend might be kind of fun.

59

Talk Zone / Re: Lidge a Phillie

« on: November 07, 2007, 10:39:41 pm »

I know a few folks here (who may or may not know more than me, though I'm wagering on the former) were big on Bourn earlier this year, so put me down as being cautiously optimistic.  I am sorry to see Lidge go; everything I saw and read suggested that he was a stand-up guy, even when things weren't going well. 

Here's hoping for the best for him, for Bruntlett, and for the locals as well.



[typos must die]

60

Talk Zone / Re: Legal Question: Calling all Lawyers (non-BB)

« on: November 07, 2007, 10:34:41 pm »

How does your company even know what options are available to your wife at her place of employment?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

I'm sure they will make him sign something that says he is telling the honest-to-goodness truth, but beyond that I wonder what they would do to enforce this.  Depending on the "surcharge" they would levy, it's hard for me to imagine how paying someone to hunt down working spouse insurance non-enrollees would be worth the effort or money versus just paying for the dang insurance in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big pussy.  I stop at stop signs, I show up for jury duty when I have to, and I don't get in the express lane unless I really do have 15 items or less.  But this seems like a system that's designed to punish honest people.

61

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 97

« on: November 03, 2007, 10:34:21 am »

Still none at the big Spec's on Smith Street as of this morning.

62

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 97

« on: November 01, 2007, 09:01:33 pm »

Good pickup.  I had the Celebration for the first time this year at the Saucer on Monday.  It's got a lot more hops than your average winter beer, but it is from Sierra Nevada for a reason.  Hope you enjoy it!

Dang, you weren't kidding.  I like it but it's just a tad over-the-top for me.  The smell reminded me a lot of Liberty Ale, one of my favorites, but this is a good bit more bitter in my estimation.  Still a nice change-of-pace, though I think I liked SN's Anniversary Ale a little better.

This is a dumb question, but does the new Shiner 97 have the same label as the old one did?

63

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 97

« on: November 01, 2007, 12:05:53 pm »

I was just driving by the little Spec's on Holcombe close to the Medical Center and figured I'd stop and check.  No luck, so I picked up some Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale for tonight.  I told the cashier that I don't usally stop and buy beer before noon, but she just looked at me funny.

Some good news is that while browsing at Spec's I stumbled upon another schwarzbier that I'd never seen or heard of before, something called Ugly Pug Black Lager by Rahr & Sons in Fort Worth (never heard of the brewery, either--anyone know anything about them?).  That makes at least 5 schwarzbiers that I know about that are available in Houston: Shiner, Kostritzer, Sam Adams, Xingu, and Ugly Pug.  I wonder if there are others.  If/when I am able to find the Shiner I think I'm going to do a side-by-side tasting.  Of course, I'll have to buy 30 beers to do it... but I'll find some way to get rid of them.

64

Talk Zone / Re: Beer question (non bb)

« on: October 27, 2007, 04:04:35 pm »

Drat, just came up empty at the big Spec's on Smith Street.  Had to settle for some Weihenstephaner hefeweissbier instead.  Poor me.

65

Talk Zone / Re: 1986

« on: October 25, 2007, 09:40:48 pm »

Nice find.

1986 is on my short list of seasons to play in SOM.  In fact, I just had my cards from that year out the other day to look through.  It was the year I really fell in love with baseball (I was 15 at the time).  I always play the Astros and Indians and let the computer manage the rest of the teams, so that would definitely be a lot of fun.  This was long before I followed the Astros, and the Indians won 86 games marking the first time in my life (at least as I remember it) when they didn't suck.

If anyone cares, I'm only up to the end of May in my 1962 SOM project.  The Colts have won 5 straight and 9 of 10 to move their record to 22-23, good for 5th place but 13.5 games behind the Dodgers who are a blistering 37-11 (.771!).  Good news: the pitching has been excellent and the team ERA is 3.24, just a smidge behind the Reds for best in the league.  Bad news: the hitters suck, as the Colts are last in the league in batting average, runs, walks, stolen bases, slugging %, and OBP. 

It's been a hoot, though.  Been thinking about doing another PBP here for an upcoming game like I did a few months ago; maybe after the WS is finished I'll get around to it.

66

Talk Zone / This game sucks.

« on: October 24, 2007, 10:03:00 pm »

Three straight bases-loaded walks?  Thirteen to one in the fifth inning?  This is what we waited through all those off days for?!

Yet I'm still watching/listening.  Ugh. 

Though in my meager defense, I think the Avery "The Kaiser" I drank with dinner probably explains my behavior better than anything else.  At least that was fun.

67

Talk Zone / Re: Actober Sucks...

« on: October 18, 2007, 12:01:40 am »

The conversation in our house went something like this:

Me:  Is that dude in the MLB October commercials somebody famous or just some guy?

Wife:  Just some guy, I think.

Me:  I think so, too.  OK.



So, we're either so cool that we knew Dane Cook was not cool, or we were so uncool that we didn't know that he was...

Wait, I'm getting dizzy.  Who are we talking about again?

68

Talk Zone / Re: Beer

« on: October 17, 2007, 11:11:04 pm »

I've only been to Fredericksburg once but I loved it; not sure why a return trip hasn't been planned.  Stopped in somewhere in town (name escapes me at the moment) but I remember the food and beer were both excellent.  Will check with the travel coordinator--I need to go back.

Kostritzer (Shiner 97 fans should love this) and Aventinus here tonight.  Life is good.

69

Talk Zone / Re: ALCS 5th inning rules question

« on: October 16, 2007, 09:44:03 pm »

Ok, as usual, I'm an idiot.

I was wondering the exact same thing, so you're in... uh, well, not so great company I guess.  But I'm glad you asked.

70

Talk Zone / Re: Don Nottebart RIP

« on: October 07, 2007, 02:53:18 am »

Wow.  Can't believe I almost missed this.

Thanks for pointing it out.

71

Talk Zone / Re: I'm officially rooting for the Rockies

« on: October 04, 2007, 10:51:56 pm »

In the NL, I don't care as long as it's not the Cubs. 

In the AL, I am pulling for the Indians--the team of my youth.  It's been a long time since I've been a day-to-day Indians fan in the same way that I'm a day-to-day Astros fan now, but since they're in I say, Go Tribe!

I didn't think I would be very into the game tonight but I found myself pacing, whooping, and, yes, burning in effigy that Joe Torre model I painstainkingly built over the past several years. 

(Just kidding about the model.) 

72

Talk Zone / Re: Attention Raups:

« on: September 27, 2007, 08:04:51 pm »

As mentioned, always happy to see him do well.  I agree with this statement, though.

I'd just as soon his perfect game not come against the Astros.

73

Talk Zone / Re: Attention Raups:

« on: September 27, 2007, 07:52:29 pm »

I don't think this was me.  He pitched another perfect inning after I posted.  Maybe it was somebody over at AstrosDaily, but I refuse to go check.

74

Talk Zone / Re: Attention Raups:

« on: September 27, 2007, 07:33:46 pm »

Based on what I've read here I like to see him do well.  Maybe not THIS well, though my ability to influence baseball games happening a thousand miles away is, not surprisingly, very limited.  But I'll shut up just in case. 

75

Talk Zone / Re: Attention Raups:

« on: September 27, 2007, 07:15:41 pm »

Perfect though five.  As in no hits, no walks, no HBPs, etc.  Perfect.

Perfect, I say!!

That ought to do it.

76

Talk Zone / Re: was it just me or did berkman look like he did not give a damn

« on: September 26, 2007, 10:32:38 pm »

I hope Fredia picks on Lidge or Burke next, but only because Lane and MoBerg are gone.

77

Talk Zone / Re: TOWLES!!!!

« on: September 23, 2007, 12:23:09 am »

Teaching opportunity:

Who (if anybody) screwed up on that play where they had a Card in a rundown between home and 3rd?  I only saw it live + a replay, but it seemed like Towles (held the ball too long), Ransom (late to cover 3rd), and even the veteran Wigginton (let the runner almost get behind him) could have done better on that one.  But I'll hang up and listen.

Not that this was a big deal, of course--just trying to learn something.

ETA:  This was in the Saturday night 7-4 loss.

78

Talk Zone / Re: calling all beer snobs (non BB)

« on: September 22, 2007, 10:53:17 pm »

Picked up some of the Divine Reserve #5 today (they have plenty at the Kroger mentioned above).  It is very good, though for $11 a sixer it ought to be. 

My unsolicited amateur advice:  this beer is way too young.  It will mellow with age and could become something really spectacular.  Buy some and taste it, but put most of it aside to be revisited at four-month intervals.  The only problem is that not dipping into the stash is much easier said than done. 

Thanks for the recommendation.

ETA:  Forgot to mention that it went incredibly well with some very sweet Italian dark cherries my wife picked up a few weeks ago.  Gotta love dessert beers.

79

Talk Zone / Re: local radio sports guy

« on: September 21, 2007, 08:20:00 am »

Merritt Ranew.

ETA:  Oh, if we're talking about the Astros specifically then Ron Brand, who I believe posts here occasionally and looks a lot like Ray Walston.

80

Talk Zone / Re: milo's guest

« on: September 20, 2007, 12:27:52 pm »

Things just seemed to get out-of-hand.  There were three that I caught the other night (see the other thread) and who knows how many more that went over my head.  If just one would have been dropped in every now and then the hilarity might have gone on for some time longer. 

Fun while it lasted, though.

81

Talk Zone / Re: Pinwheel: Amaro leading candidate, may be named today

« on: September 20, 2007, 11:01:19 am »

Does anyone know the whereabouts of Amaro, Jr.?

He's probably off getting drunk with GreatBagwellsBeard.

82

Talk Zone / Re: Hunter

« on: September 20, 2007, 09:14:21 am »

I swear I heard the thump when he hit the wall.  He hit it hard.

I was sitting in the mezzanine section and watched him disappear... then heard the thump... then the gasp... then saw Chris Burke running out from second base and expected the worst.

Glad he seems to be relatively okay.

The video is available on the Brewers' site but I'll be damned if I know how to link to it.

 

83

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

« on: September 18, 2007, 08:31:37 pm »

Louis Winthorpe III Group

ETA:  Two others that sounded fake so I looked them up.

Johnny Castle Dance Studio

Johnny Utah

I need a new hobby.  Though I do feel a little bit better about myself in that I did not know the second two off the top of my head.

84

Talk Zone / Re: calling all beer snobs (non BB)

« on: September 17, 2007, 01:08:50 pm »

I also just got an email from somebody I don't know stating the following:

Shiner is about to reproduce their 97 Anniversary beer, but this time it will be a full-time edition to the family and not just a limited edition run. Look for Shiner Bohemian Black Lager on tap in mid-October and in stores November 1.

No idea if this is true or not, just passing it on.  Here's hoping!

85

Talk Zone / Re: calling all beer snobs (non BB)

« on: September 17, 2007, 12:57:45 pm »

I tried the St. Arnold's Divine Reserve #5 this weekend after it was recommended here.  Unbelievable.  Try it with dark chocolate.  Beautiful beer.  It ain't for chugging.

I was looking for their Oktoberfest this weekend and saw a bunch of the Divine Reserve (I originally typed Divine Reverse; I guess posting about a 10% ABV beer will do that to you) but it didn't dawn on me what it was until after I'd gotten home.  D'oh.  I definitely need to go snag some.  Love the imperial stouts.

Other random beer thoughts:

I did eventually find some SA Oktoberfest.  It was hidden in a display at the end of an aisle at the Kroger on Montrose close to Westheimer.  I liked it but it was far too fruity to really be a Märzen lager IMHO; would make a nice amber ale, though, and went well with the homemade soft pretzels I had on Saturday night.  Too bad I don't know where to find decent bratwurst around here else I'd have been all set.

I also noticed that this particular Kroger has a bunch of the Shiner 98 left.  I don't recall seeing it elsewhere recently, but I haven't been looking for it, either.

86

Talk Zone / Re: Twins GM Terry Ryan expected to resign this afternoon

« on: September 15, 2007, 07:58:32 pm »

Drayton was just on the broadcast with Milo.  Was asked about Terry Ryan.  Paraphrased...

Tal looked into it.

Ryan is mentally tired.

Ryan is also close to the Pohlad family, so the Twins told us clearly that he will be a special executive and complete his career in Minnesota.



Nothing particularly new or groundbreaking, but I figured that since I was listening anyway I might as well document this for future reference.

McLane also hinted that they were very close to making an announcement RE: the GM, saying something like they were going to move well before the season was over.

87

Talk Zone / Re: Brewers tickets--Tuesday OR Wednesday

« on: September 14, 2007, 03:52:29 pm »

Gone.  That was fast.

88

Talk Zone / Brewers tickets--Tuesday OR Wednesday

« on: September 14, 2007, 03:34:05 pm »

Next week is shaping up to be a crazy one for me.  I have a pair of tickets to each of the games on Tuesday and Wednesday and would like to unload one set of them. 

The Tuesday tickets are section 310, row 3.  I can forward these electronically.

The Wednesday tickets are section 252, row 3.  I only have hard copies of these so would have to meet you somewhere close to downtown or else drop them in the mail tomorrow.

Free to a good home, of course.  PM me if interested.

89

Talk Zone / Re: calling all beer snobs (non BB)

« on: September 14, 2007, 03:28:57 pm »

1.  The previously discussed Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest,
2.  Guiness
3.  Chimay
4.  Paulaner Hefeweizen
5.  Pilsner Urquell

I might quibble a bit on specific brands (Paulaner Oktoberfest--you knew I was going to say that, didn't you), Ayinger hefe, and probably the red Chimay (even though it's probably my least favorite of the three), but that's an outstanding list.

90

Talk Zone / Re: Welcome to Houston, Humberto

« on: September 13, 2007, 12:15:08 am »

I spent a good half-hour carrying plants and things indoors this evening, so I'm reasonably sure that this storm is going to completely miss us.

It's a gift.  I don't try to understand it. 

It just is.

But now that I've posted this, it'll be Allison pt 2.

*shrugs*

91

Talk Zone / Re: Beer thread?

« on: September 12, 2007, 10:45:29 pm »

So I stopped at The Pinnacle of Man's Achievement tonight and picked up some O-Fests that I hadn't tried before (or at least I could not find my tasting notes for; yes, I am that much of a geek): Ayinger, Hacker-Pschorr, and Hofbrau.  According to the Spec's website they were supposed to have others, too (Beck's, Erdinger, and St. Arnold), but three different beers is about the maximum I can taste in a night and have my notes make any sense so I didn't search very hard beyond what I found.

The Hacker-Pschorr and Ayinger were excellent.  HH, I can see where the H-P could be a favorite.  I think I still prefer Paualner, but that plus H-P and Ayinger are in the same ballpark to me.

I was a little disappointed with the Hofbrau.  It was rather thin for a Märzen IMO and was somewhere between that and a helles.  Not that helleses(?) are bad by any stretch, but it's just not what I expected or was in the mood for.  I'm far from an expert but from what I've read, the beers at the real Oktoberfest in Munich have started to gravitate towards these lighter styles (maybe somebody here can enlighten me on this), so if that's what you are into I suppose this would do nicely. 

There you have it, my very own little Oktoberfest-fest courtesy of Tropical Storm Humberto and my employer being closed until noon tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll be able to score some of the St. Arnold version after 10/1 and, who knows, maybe I will be able to track down a taste of the others I mentioned, too.

92

Talk Zone / Re: Beer thread?

« on: September 08, 2007, 11:11:06 pm »

I've been thinking forever that I'd like to try beer.  This thread is exactly what I needed to motivate me to achieve this long-term goal.  Thanks, OWA!!

Actually, the seasonal Oktoberfests are out.  If I had to pick a "favorite" style, and I have no earthly idea why anyone would want to pick just one favorite, Märzens would be it.  Had some of the Sam Adams version tonight which was good but not great, and I've seen the St. Arnold's around but they didn't have any at the Kroger on West Gray this afternoon.  The best O'Fest for my money is still Paulaner's.  Yum.  Munich malt just rocks.

93

Talk Zone / Re: Lee

« on: September 05, 2007, 10:56:40 am »

The funny thing was (and, heaven help us, I'm going by memory here), right about the time they were talking about the Lee issue was the play where Loretta(?) hit a grounder to second(?) and Fielder sort-of juggled the ball after a bad throw, allowing the batter to be called safe (even though he apparently should have been called out).  But the point is, had Loretta not been hustling down the line, it wouldn't have been close enough to maybe get the call.

94

Talk Zone / Re: Wagner coughs up the lead and the game

« on: August 31, 2007, 12:53:47 am »

Oh, and "All you can eat and drink for $____ will be a financial disaster for you and your co-partiers."
 
I promise that that WILL be the case. 

Eat and drink all you want. 

Suggesting that crappy price will be your downfall.

95

Talk Zone / Re: Hey, Manso, little help?

« on: August 30, 2007, 10:09:20 pm »

2. i don't know what the coach was doing, but Pence did not look at him and was stopping at second until he looked up and saw him waving. i'm pretty sure he apologized when he got to third.

That was my impression too, but I just saw it once live and I am very good at missing little details--which is where y'all come in.

Fun game today, but any day I skip work to go to a ballgame is pretty much by definition a good day.  Love those businesspersonswhomaybemaleorfemalewedon'tcarejustcomeandbuystuff specials.  Absolutely love them.

96

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 10:19:33 pm »

I'm glad some folks enjoyed this.  I had a fun time typing it up.  Perhaps I'll do another game someday, though not for a good while.

97

Talk Zone / Re: Much Better

« on: August 28, 2007, 09:55:35 pm »

I will say this about the crowd... I was supposed to be there but the weather from 6-7:30 was so bad that I did not make it from the Medical Center to downtown.  Ended up sitting in a parking lot off San Jac between Alabama and Holman for over an hour waiting for the water on the street to recede.  Decided I'd had enough excitement for one night, said fuck it, and came home.

Can't say that I am terribly disappointed with that decision based on how things went.  But I did try to go.

I grew up in Ohio and can drive in snow; I have no earthly idea how to drive in 2 feet of H20.

98

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 12:26:39 am »

Code: [Select]

BOXSCORE: 1962 St. Louis Cardinals At 1962 Houston Colt .45s        4/24/1962

  Cardinals          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Colt .45s          AB  R  H RBI AVG
  C.Flood CF          5  1  3  1 .438     B.Lillis SS         5  2  4  0 .184 
  J.Javier 2B         5  1  2  1 .372     A.Spangler LF       5  0  2  0 .406 
  B.White 1B          5  1  3  1 .348     R.Mejias RF         4  0  1  2 .386 
  S.Musial LF         5  0  0  0 .268     N.Larker 1B         3  0  2  1 .372 
  K.Boyer 3B          5  0  3  1 .295     J.Umbricht P        0  0  0  0 ---- 
  C.James RF          5  1  2  0 .294     C.Warwick CF        4  0  0  0 .333 
  G.Oliver C          4  0  0  0 .324     B.Aspromonte 3B     4  0  0  0 .175 
  J.Gotay SS          5  0  1  0 .233     H.Smith C           4  1  2  0 .343 
  L.Jackson P         4  1  3  0 .556     B.Goodman 2B        3  0  0  0 .000 
                                        B-M.Ranew PH          1  0  0  0 .111 
                                          K.Johnson P         2  0  0  0 .000 
                                          D.Stone P           0  0  0  0 ---- 
                                        A-P.Browne PH,1B      2  0  0  0 .000 
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---     
         Totals      43  5 17  4                 Totals      37  3 11  3

A-Pinch Hit For Stone In 7th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Goodman In 9th Inning

Cardinals....... 0 0 0  0 2 2  0 0 1  -  5 17  0
Colt .45s....... 0 0 0  0 0 1  2 0 0  -  3 11  2

Cardinals (7-3)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
L.Jackson WIN(2-0)        9      11   3   3   0   3   0 135   4.63
Totals                    9      11   3   3   0   3   0

Colt .45s (7-4)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA
K.Johnson LOSS(1-1)       5 2/3  12   4   2   0   4   0 122   1.35
D.Stone                   1 1/3   1   0   0   0   1   0  13   2.70
J.Umbricht                2       4   1   1   1   1   0  38   1.35
Totals                    9      17   5   3   1   6   0

ATTENDANCE- 21,199 DATE- Tuesday, April 24th 1962 TIME- Night
T- 2:52
LEFT ON BASE- Cardinals:12  Colt .45s: 8
DOUBLE PLAYS- Cardinals: 1  Colt .45s: 0
ERRORS- R.Mejias, B.Aspromonte
DOUBLES- B.White-3(5th), B.Lillis(2nd)
TRIPLES- C.Flood(2nd)
CAUGHT STEALING- C.Flood
WALKS- G.Oliver
HIT BY PITCH- N.Larker
STRIKE OUTS- S.Musial, C.James, G.Oliver-2, J.Gotay, L.Jackson, C.Warwick,
             B.Goodman, K.Johnson
GIDP- B.Aspromonte
Thanks for indulging me!

99

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 12:25:35 am »

Bottom 9th, 5-3 St. Louis

Jackson is going to try to finish it.  He's thrown 125 pitches.

Catcher and Ball Four supporting cast member Merritt Ranew will hit for the secondbaseman Goodman.

Ranew flies to center.  Browne will be next.

Browne pops to second, Colts down to their final out.

Bob Lillis, 3-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored:  he singles to left.  Tying run comes to the plate in the person of Al Spangler, who's 2-for-4.

Spangler hits a shot up the middle--knocked down by Javier--throws to first--out!  Nice play.

Game over.

5-17-0 for St. Louis
3-11-2 for Houston

The 17 hits by St. Louis is the most given up by the Colt .45s staff so far.

100

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 12:16:05 am »

Top 9th, 4-3 St. Louis

Umbricht remains in to face White, Musial, and Boyer.

White doubles to center to lead it off.

Musial grounds to 1st, White to third with one out.

Infield comes in.

Boyer singles up the middle--through the drawn-in infield!  D'oh!  Three hits on the night for Boyer.  5-3 St.L, that's the first run surrendered by Umbricht in 6 innings of work this year.  Man on 1st, still 1 out.

Charlie James strikes out, 2 down, man still at 1st.

Oliver draws a walk.  2 on, 2 out for Gotay. 

Gotay retired on a slow roller to 2B.

1R, 2H, 1BB (first of the game for either side!), 1LOB.

5-3 Cardinals, going to the bottom of the 9th.

101

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 12:09:42 am »

Before we go to the 9th, let's check some other scores from the NL:

Milwaukee beat Philly 5-1.  Hank Aaron hit his 3rd home run of the year.

San Francisco over the Pirates 9-4.  Willie Mays hit #4.

The Dodgers edged the Cubs 7-6.  Maury Wills stole bases 6, 7, and 8 of the season and scored twice.

And the Mets trounced the Reds 13-7 for only their 3rd win; they're 3-8.  Marvelous Marv Throneberry had 2 hits and 4 RBIs.  Frank Robinson had 5 RBIs for the Reds in a losing effort.

102

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 28, 2007, 12:03:07 am »

Top 8th, 4-3 Cards:

The trivia answer was Lou Gehrig with 23.

Colts make a double-switch:  Pidge Browne stays in the 9 slot and will play 1B, RHP Jim Umbricht will come in and bat in Larker's #4 slot.

Bottom third of the order coming up. 

Oliver flies to right, one down.

Gotay singles to right, he's 1-4.

Quick throw to first, Gotay is back safely.

Jackson, at 115 pitches, will bat for himself.  I love 60s baseball.  He lays down a great bunt and beats it out.  Fudge.  Men on 1st and 2nd, still one out.

Top of the order, Curt Flood:  3-4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI

Flood pops to 2nd, 2 outs, 2 on.

Javier up, he's 2-4, 1R, 1 RBI:  pops out to second.

0R, 2H, 2LOB.

Still 4-3 Cardinals.




Bottom 8th:

Warwick strikes out, 1 down.

Aspromonte pops to 1b, 2 outs.

Hal Smith next, he's 2-3.  Smith grounds to short.

3 up, 3 down. 

4-3 St. Louis after 8.

103

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:52:14 pm »

Top 7th, 4-1 Cardinals:

Lefty Dean Stone to face the lefty firstbaseman Bill White, who's 2-3 with 2 doubles and an RBI. 

White grounds to Aspromonte, 1 out.  Lefty-hitting Stan Musial next.

Musial strikes out, 2 down.  Real-life career totals for Musial:  1599 BB, 696 K.  That's 86 BB and 37 K per 162 games.  Wow.

Ken Boyer with a single to center, he's 2-4, man on 1st with 2 outs for James.  Boyer looks like he may run...

Boyer stays put, James flies to center.

0R, 1H, 1LOB.

Stretch time, St. Louis leads 4-1.


The trivia question is an easy one:  What NY Yankee slugger holds the record for grand slam home runs?  (presumably for his career)




Bottom 7th, 4-1 Cards:

Hal Smith bloops one towards right... and James can't get there.  Leadoff single.

Billy Goodman flies to right, man on 1st, 1 out.

PH for the pitcher Stone will be lefty Pidge Browne.  (Pidge?)  He's 0-3 for the season, all as a pinch hitter.

Browne pops to third, 2 outs, man still on 1st, back to the top of the order.

Bob Lillis singles, he's 3-4, Smith holds at 2nd.  1st and 2nd, 2 outs.

Spangler singles to right, Smith, who runs like Tony Eusebio carrying two Bob Watsons on his back, is held at 3rd.  Bases juiced, 2 outs for Roman Mejias.

Mejias rips a single to right.   Smith scores!  Lilliis scores!!  Spangler to third.  4-3 Cards, men on the corners, 2 outs for Larker.

Larker flies to center, side retired.

2R, 4H, 2LOB. 

4-3 St. Louis after 7.

104

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:31:37 pm »

Bottom 6th, 4-0 StL:

Top of the order. 

Bob Lillis leads off with a single, he's 2-for-3.

Spangler lines a hit to center, Lillis to second.  2 on, none out for Mejias.

Mejias hits a comebacker to the mound, Spangler forced at second, Mejias beats the relay at first.  Men on the corners, 1 out.

Larker with a base hit to right, Lillis scores, Mejias being waved to third... he's safe!  (Whew!)  Larker takes second on the throw.  He's now 2-2 today with an RBI and a HBP.

4-1 Cards, runners on 2nd and 3rd, still 1 out.

Warwick pops to 1st, 2 out.

Aspromonte flies to center.

1R, 3H, 2 LOB.

4-1 St. Louis after 6.

105

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:23:48 pm »

Top 6th, 2-0 Cards:

Leadoff single for RF Charlie James. 

Gene Oliver strikes out, man on 1st, 1 down.

Gotay lines to third, man still on 1st, now 2 down and the pitcher's up next

Jackson lines a base hit to right... and Mejias overruns the ball!  James scores, Jackson makes it all the way to third, Cardinals lead 3-0.  Colts are playing like, well, an expansion team.

Jackson on 3rd, still 2 out, back to the top of the order with Curt Flood.

Flood singles to left, Jackson scores, 4-0 Cardinals.  Johnson is at 122 pitches... and here comes Harry Craft with the hook.  It'll be lefty Dean Stone making his second appearance of the season.  No record, 2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, but only 1 run allowed his last time out.

Line on Johnson:  5 2/3 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 earned, still responsible for the man on 1st, 0 BB, 4 K.

Okay, Stone is ready...

Flood dancing off first, Stone steps off.  Now he's ready, Javier in... he pops out to short

2R, 3H, 1E, 1LOB

4-0 Cards

106

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:11:57 pm »

Bottom 5th, 2-0 StL

Aspromonte sends one straight up, Oliver makes the catch in front of home plate, 1 out

Hal Smith singles to left.  Man on 1st, 1 down.

Goodman strikes out, 2 down.  Joey Amalfitano is the usual starter at 2b but he's getting the day off.  Man on 1st, 2 down.

Now... Johnson is at 94 pitches after 5 innings and is the tying run in the bottom of the 5th.  PH?   Naaaaahhhhh, it's 1962.

And he pops out to third.

0R, 1H, 1 LOB

2-9-0 for the Cards
0-3-1 for the Colts

107

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 11:05:39 pm »

Top 5th, no score:

Larry Jackson strikes out, 1 down.

Curt Flood triples to deep left-center.  That's his 2nd triple of the year.  Man on 3rd, 1 out, infield is in for Javier (who is an excellent bunter, BTW...)

Javier is swinging, hits one to Aspromonte who throws the ball away!  Scored a hit + an error, Flood scores, Javier to second.  1-0 Cards, still 1 out.

Bill White doubles to right-center, Javier scores.  2-0 Cards, still 1 out.

Musial sends one to deeeeeep CF (Colt Stadium is 420' to dead center), Warwick runs it down, White tags and goes to third.  Man on 3b, 2 outs.

Boyer grounds to third.

2R, 3H, 1E, 1LOB.

Halfway home, 2-0 Cardinals

108

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:55:32 pm »

Top 4th

Boyer rips a solid single to left.

James pops to short, 1 out.

Oliver strikes out, #14 on the year for Johnson, 2 out, Boyer still at 1st.

Gotay strikes out. 

0R, 1H, 1 LOB



Bottom 4th:

Top of the order

Lillis with a leadoff double to left-center. 

Spangler rolls one into the hole on the right side, Javier tracks it down and throws him out, runner moves to 3rd with 1 down.  Nice situational hitting.  (OK, just good luck.)

Mejias up... he's at .390 and has provided some good pop so far.  Infield is in.

Way to jinx him.  Mejias fouls out to catcher, man still on 3rd, 2 outs.

Jackson hits Larker with a pitch.  Men on the corners, 2 down for Warwick.

Warwick flies to deep right.  Nuts.

0R, 1H, 2LOB.  Colts outhit 6-2 so far but still no score.

109

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:45:28 pm »

Top 3rd

Pitcher Larry Jackson bloops a single to left that LF Al Spangler could not get to.  Spangler is a poor defender with a lousy arm, but he can hit so he's out there trying to will people to not hit the ball that way. 

Top of the order, Flood hits a grounder to short.  Jackson is forced at second, but Flood beats the relay to first.  Flood on 1st, 1 out. 

Javier singles to center, Flood is held at 2nd by 3b coach/occasional player (and eventual HOFer) Red Schoendienst.  Men on 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Bill White grounds to Aspromonte who steps on third for the force.  Still men on 1st and 2nd, 2 out.

Musial flies to center.  He's way past his prime but still dangerous.  Whew.

0R, 2H, 2LOB. 

Still no score.




Bottom 3rd:

Hal Smith flies to center, 1 out

Billy Goodman grounds to third where Ken Boyer makes a nice play.  2 out.

Pitcher Ken Johnson strikes out on 3 pitches.  Not a good hitting pitcher.

3 up, 3 down.

No score after 3

110

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:34:20 pm »

Top 2nd:

Boyer flies to medium-deep left

James singles up the middle

Oliver flies to deep center, James holds at first, 2 down

Gotay grounds to short

0 runs, 1 hit, 1 left

Ken Johnson has pitched really well so far--1 ER in 16 1/3 innings.  This is his third start of the year.  Most of you probably know him because of the no hitter he threw in a losing effort in 1964.



Bottom 2nd:

Larker leads off with a base hit to right

Warwick pops to first.  Should have tried to bunt Larker over, oh well.  Man on 1st, one out.

Aspromonte GIDP, 6-4-3.

0 runs, 1 hit, 0 left. 

No score after 2.

111

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:21:58 pm »

Bottom 1st:

Lillis flies to short right.  Not much production from the leadoff spot so far in 1962.

Spangler lines to first

Mejias lines to second

3 up, 3 down.  No score after 1.

112

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:20:08 pm »

Top 1st:

Flood pokes a base hit through the left side, tries to steal 2nd on the first pitch and is gunned down by Hal Smith.

Javier fouls out to catcher

White doubles to RF gap, man on 2nd w/ 2 outs

Musial grounds to third

0 runs, 2 hits, 1 left. 

113

Game Zone 2007 Archive / SOM: Cardinals at Colt .45s, 4/24/62

« on: August 27, 2007, 10:17:09 pm »

I don’t know if anyone will be interested, but since there’s no big Astros news to talk about tonight, it’s an off day, and nobody seems to be using this forum for much anyhoo, I thought I would regale you good folks with a game from my 1962 Strat-O-Matic season.  I enjoyed it when Jose Cruz III posted a (real) game that he had scored in the 80s a couple of months back.  I probably should have contacted a mod to clear this, but if it's not kosher just tell me to... well, I'm sure you'll think of something.  But don't worry; this is a one-time thing.

Basically, I am playing the Colts’ and the Indians’ schedules and the computer is managing the rest of the teams.  I’ve been playing SOM since I was old enough to add the dice together, and I’ve found that it’s a wonderful way to learn about baseball history.  1962 is the third season from the sixties I’ve done, 1967 and 1968 being the others (though I only managed the Tribe when I did 1967).

So, it’s Tuesday, April 24, 1962 and the Colts are off to a surprising 7-3 start in the first 10 games in Houston MLB history.  Interestingly, in those 10 games they have only outscored their opponents 37-36.  The squad leads the league in fewest runs allowed and ERA (2.80).  They are dead last in runs scored.

Tonight’s lineups:

Cardinals (6-3)
Curt Flood, cf   .419/4/13
Julian Javier, 2b   .368/0/5
Bill White, 1b   .317/2/11
Stan Musial, lf   .306/2/6
Ken Boyer, 3b   .256/1/7
Charlie James, rf   .276/1/5
Gene Oliver, c   .364/2/5
Julio Gotay, ss   .240/0/1
Larry Jackson, p   1-0, 5.65

Colt .45s (7-3)
Bob Lillis, ss   .114/0/1
Al Spangler, lf   .407/0/0
Roman Mejias, rf   .400/4/9
Norm Larker, 1b   .350/3/9
Carl Warwick, cf   .375/2/6
Bob Aspromonte, 3b   .194/0/2
Hal Smith, c   .323/2/7
Billy Goodman, 2b   .000/0/0
Ken Johnson, p   1-0, 0.63

One editorial note:  the way I do rosters and transactions is not 100% historical.  For example, Carl Warwick was not actually acquired until May 7th yet he appears in the starting lineup above.  I won't go into details about why I do things this this way, but just thought I would mention it before hand. 

I’ll be reporting this “live” as I play so we'll see how it goes.

Batter up!

114

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Stros vs. Roots 8/24/07 The chase for last.

« on: August 25, 2007, 01:17:10 am »

Just got home from the park a few minutes ago.  While sitting there in the darkness at 12:15 on a Saturday morning with a couple thousand new friends waiting for the fireworks to start after watching 15 innings of two second-division teams slugging it out (and by "slugging it out" I mean "waiting for the other guy to run out of players first"), I had a bit of an epiphany.  There must be more to life than this; there just has to be.  Thus, I have decided to become a monk.  Or else a sherpa, I'm not sure which yet.  I've never been mountain climbing and I understand that monks get to drink beer (at least some monks, but I'll be sure to seek out a group where this wouldn't be a problem), so I'm leaning monk right now.  But that could change.

Seriously, that was a very interesting game even though the end result sucked.  I'm going to bed.

115

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

« on: August 21, 2007, 11:24:25 pm »

One bright spot is that I will get to eat a meal at Damian's since, according to the wife, that's what it's going to cost me for making her stay until to the bitter end tonight.

The downside, of course, is that I am going to have to pay for it.

116

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

« on: August 20, 2007, 09:09:30 pm »

Happy Gilmore is at the game this evening. 

117

Talk Zone / Re: games this weekend

« on: August 18, 2007, 08:51:11 pm »

When the Astros play on the coast, it usually gives me the chance to listen to the Indians, the team of my youth.

Tonight was 70s night at Tropicana Field and the guy who played Greg Brady threw out the first pitch.  At one point the Indians announcers said that one of the Tampa Bay TV guys told them a story about Florence Henderson that was not fit to be mentioned on the air.  I've never been more thankful for the FCC than I was then.

Anyhoo, pretty good race in the AL Central at the moment.

118

Talk Zone / Re: Announcer Ratings

« on: August 17, 2007, 10:27:22 pm »

If you've never heard it, here's a short-but-hilarious clip of Jon Miller's "Vin Scully in Japanese" imitation.  Starts at about 8:50.

119

Talk Zone / Re: Announcer Ratings

« on: August 17, 2007, 12:10:55 pm »

Brown has gotten on my nerves at times this year; I don't know exactly why.  I think it's probably the previously mentioned obligatory and sometimes-forced guffaws at JD's comments.  I do agree that Deshaies is top-notch, though, and I think Brown is good too but I don't really watch enough baseball besides the Astros to have much to compare him with. 

I have been listening to the non-Milo radio guys a lot of late and, though I can't say I was overly impressed last year, they have grown on me.  They're quite funny in a subtle way and the more you listen to them, them more you catch and appreciate that.

I do listen to lots of baseball over the Internet (GameDay Audio is so awesome that I've been waiting for years for MLB to screw it up somehow).  The west-coast NL teams' (LA, SD, SF) broadcasters are all pretty good IMHO--Scully, the Morgan-less Jon Miller, et al. ensure I waste lots of hours at the PC when they are playing at home.

120

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dodgers 8.14.07

« on: August 15, 2007, 12:25:19 am »

Yeah, that's what I meant. 


Good job with the PBP, BatGirl.  I enjoyed it.

121

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dodgers 8.14.07

« on: August 15, 2007, 12:13:58 am »

Ha, Sweeney doubled off first.

Game over.

122

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dodgers 8.14.07

« on: August 14, 2007, 11:30:36 pm »

Dang, Jason, that would've been a great snag to keep Hillenbrand from getting that triple...

Listening to the LA radio announcers just for a change... at first it almost sounded like Lane misplayed it but as they went over it and over it again it sounded more and more like what you posted.

I don't know shit, but Lane has been better in CF than I thought he'd be.  I think it was that OWA-approved site BP that said something a couple of years ago along the lines of, Lane's biggest problem as an outfielder is that he doesn't look good doing it... but he usually gets the job done.

123

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Dodgers 8.14.07

« on: August 14, 2007, 10:28:28 pm »

hey, hey, hey!
it's maaaaaat albers!

I might be the only one, but I still laugh every time I see that.

Is August really almost half over already?  Unbelievable.  Before you know it we're all going to be going, "Hey, what the hell happened to baseball season?"

124

Talk Zone / Re: Ankiel a co-ard again

« on: August 09, 2007, 09:58:57 pm »

I love baseball.

You never know.

125

Talk Zone / Re: New Pittsburgh Mascot (non-BB)

« on: August 09, 2007, 01:16:21 pm »

I guess "Beaminowski" would have been too big to fit on the back of his jersey. 

126

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

« on: August 09, 2007, 12:24:25 pm »

My own personal favorite is the mustard-based sauce prevalent around Columbia, SC. 

Love the mustard-based sauces.  Lived in Charleston for 3 years and Columbia for 2; both have some great regional barbecue places.  Honestly, it took me a while after moving to Texas to get into the whole brisket thing but now I like it just as much.

The wife is going out to dinner with a friend tonight, so after reading through all this I am compelled to go find some take-out BBQ.  Any suggestions in this part of town that haven't been mentioned yet?  I usually just stop by Demeris because it's close. 

Damn I'm hungry.

127

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

« on: August 09, 2007, 07:51:57 am »

Actually, the city ordinances I've seen define how commercial wood-burning BBQ pits are to be constructed.

God bless Texas.

128

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Cubs at Astros 8/8

« on: August 08, 2007, 10:21:59 pm »

is anyone else listening to this on the radio right now?

I was.  Was this the point where DoRay (or whatever the OWA vernacular is) asked Milo if the suit he had on tonight was the same one he wore when he made his famous 715 call in 1974?  

129

Talk Zone / Re: Astros at Marlins – Bottom-feeders Prefer Stinkbait

« on: August 08, 2007, 01:18:28 pm »

And home of some damn fine Moravian Sugar Cake.

We throw at least 3 pounds of those away each year, not because we don't like them but because my father-in-law and his wife, who live in Lewisville, apparently think we are on a Moravian-sugar-cake-only diet and give some to us at every opportunity. 

There, that sentence was not 756 words but I do believe I have the record for the day.

130

Talk Zone / Re: Woody

« on: August 08, 2007, 11:34:12 am »

I thought it was a really interesting game.

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

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

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

131

Talk Zone / Re: Orel Hershiser and Dusty Baker

« on: August 05, 2007, 01:30:09 am »

Did you folks hear McCarver during the Cubs-Mets game today? I'll try to quote as precisely as I can.

"You know, the Dallas Cowboys at one point were considered 'America's Team.' If these Chicago Cubs can find a way to get to the playoffs, and find a way to get to the World Series, and find a way with Lou Piniella to win the World Series, that would be one of the top three athletic accomplishments in American history. I don't think I'm overstating that."

I'm gonna go out on a limb and sat that was an overstatement.

132

Talk Zone / Re: Tidbit on Wigginton from the Marlin Announcers

« on: August 05, 2007, 12:21:08 am »

It saddens me that all the wit and creativity on this board isn't focused on more important tasks.

Anyhoo, I vote for "Forceps". 

133

Talk Zone / Re: Astros at Marlins – Bottom-feeders Prefer Stinkbait

« on: August 04, 2007, 11:12:38 pm »

Steak fingers?!

<-----------obviously not a native Texan

134

Talk Zone / Re: Orel Hershiser and Dusty Baker

« on: August 04, 2007, 12:28:44 am »

Don't recall hearing Dusty but I agree that Orel does a much better job as a broadcaster than I would have expected.

135

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Post Rain Delay Astros/Fish 8/3/07

« on: August 03, 2007, 08:23:53 pm »

Thanks for the heads up... I had switched over to the Indians/Twins feed. 

Astros>Indians>any other NL game>Astros minor-league affiliates>any other AL game

What the hell did I do before the Internet?  Besides, you know, work and stuff.

136

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

« on: August 03, 2007, 08:20:25 pm »

When I look at pictures at maximonline.com, this is not the type of thing I want to see.

137

Talk Zone / Re: best astro squads ever

« on: August 03, 2007, 01:52:37 pm »

that 2004 team would have gone all william munny in greely's on the 1998 team.

Sounds like a great Strat-O-Matic project for this evening.

Is it beer-o'-clock yet?

138

Talk Zone / Re: Historic Night?

« on: July 31, 2007, 10:59:57 pm »

Nay on #2.

Nay on #3.

I agree with Phil WRT #1, though it still could happen tonight.

139

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Press Conference

« on: July 31, 2007, 03:30:17 pm »

This is Major League Baseball. The chances of this happening are somewhat less than the chances of acquiring A-Rod for Ensberg.

Fine, just take all my hopes and dreams away.

140

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Press Conference

« on: July 31, 2007, 03:27:10 pm »

Maybe they're announcing an upcoming 10¢ beer night.

141

Talk Zone / Re: ESPN: Ensberg to Padres

« on: July 31, 2007, 02:26:42 pm »

I listen to a fair number of Padres games when they are playing at home or elsewhere out west and I'm at the computer after the Astros are done.  Will have to remember to keep an ear out for MoNews.

142

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

« on: July 29, 2007, 01:14:00 am »

Yia Yia is suppose to be good, going there tonight.

BG,

My wife swears by Yia Yia's.  She visits there often with her friends.  Did you go?  What did you think?

Feta cheese for the win!

143

Talk Zone / Re: Wheeler for Wigginton

« on: July 29, 2007, 12:13:43 am »

I know it's a business and all, but I'm sorry to see Wheeler go.  Y'all will debate whether this was a good move or a bad one, and you will surely do a much better job than I could ever do, but he seemed like a good guy and a solid teammate.

Best wishes, Wheels. 

144

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

« on: July 27, 2007, 08:44:41 pm »

Jason Bourne and friends are apparently attending the game tonight.  Sounds like things must be going better for him.

145

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

« on: July 27, 2007, 04:47:09 pm »

I am not a connoisseur of Greek food.  Having said that...

Yia Yia Mary's is quite yummy.

The link

I've heard nothing but good things about Niko Nikos but haven't tried it myself yet.

146

Talk Zone / Re: Another season highlight

« on: July 27, 2007, 10:32:38 am »

The usher even tried to stop him before he grabbed the ball, and he couldn't stop himself. He reminded me of my cat at Christmas time: "Must... swat... ornament...", even as I spray her with the water bottle.

That's perfect.

I've always thought that people should have to pass an exam to be allowed to sit that close to the field.  It would just be a few multiple-choice questions with maybe some role-playing thrown in.  Instead of blooper highlights, between innings they can show clips of people failing the audition so we can point at them and laugh. 

147

Talk Zone / Re: Instant Replays at the Stadium, Ensberg Homer

« on: July 27, 2007, 10:26:06 am »

Ball lodges under or behind tarp - DEAD BALL.

Is there really a tarp at MMP?

148

Talk Zone / Re: the Biggio slam

« on: July 25, 2007, 04:15:27 pm »

I liked Milo's radio call, too.

Or at least that's probably what I'd say had he done anything than just yell "Grand Salami" into the microphone.

149

Talk Zone / Re: Oswalt injured - leaves game in 7th

« on: July 20, 2007, 08:17:25 pm »

costo = ribs
chondral = pertaining to cartilage

I need to hurry up and edit Wikipedia to point out that an injury in this area inevitably results in a vast improvement in pitching and bulldozer-steering abilities.

Seriously, doesn't sound too too bad.  [obvious]Hopefully it won't turn into one of those lingering problems.[/obvious]

150

Talk Zone / Re: 101 Simpsons Quotes

« on: July 20, 2007, 03:13:01 pm »

Since it's Friday:

Homer: Got any of that beer that has candy floating in it? You know, Skittlebräu?

Apu: Such a beer does not exist, sir. I think you must have dreamed it.

Homer: Oh. Well, then just give me a six-pack and a couple of bags of Skittles.

151

Talk Zone / A beer thread that's about, well, beer?

« on: July 18, 2007, 12:30:26 am »

Why the heck didn't one of you folks let me know about the Real Ale Brewing Company out in Blanco?  Went to the Pinnacle of Man's Achivement tonight and came across their rye ale; it's a very nice pale ale, though it could in my not-so-professional-opinion do better with some more rye malt. 

Still, a nice change and a good brew.

152

Talk Zone / Re: Mini-Void

« on: July 10, 2007, 10:32:25 pm »

I watched a bit of the ASG but decided to spend some time on the computer.  I was so desperate to have baseball on in the background while "working" that I'm listening to the archived Greeneville Astros game from tonight through MiLB.com.

One broadcaster, no commercials so it's just some dude talking constantly.  I'll never bitch about Milo again.

Actually, it's kind of interesting in its own bizarre way but there no way I'm gonna last nine innings.

153

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

« on: July 07, 2007, 10:51:23 pm »

What are all you guys still doing up?

I haven't decided whether this game is compelling or just a battle to see who drops the ball first.  Not that the two are mutually exclusive, of course.

154

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 11:45:53 pm »

Just thinking out loud:  I can't believe that Hunter Pence's mom's title is "disappointing rookie".  Shouldn't she be, like, "Hunter Pence's Mom!!!" or something?  (Winky would go here.)

Missed that exchange; thanks for the link. 

155

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 11:29:34 pm »

Meh.  He should have won more chicken sammiches for everyone. (D'oh--JaneDoe beat me to it!)

Great job, GZers.  Always a pleasure.

156

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 11:27:51 pm »

Wow.  Trying to give me a heart attack here.  And I'm out of beer.

Then switch to bourbon. You do have a Strategic Bourbon Reserve... right?!

Love games like this.  Especially when I don't have to get up and go to work the next morning.

157

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 11:18:26 pm »

Okay so, spill the Biggio/Bagwell numbers.

Actually, it's funny you should mention this as I planned this "project" as a tribute to Bagwell after he announced his retirement.  Probably his second-best season after 1994.  I've said this many times before, but I am not a life-long Astros fan and missed most of the glory days of Bagwell and Biggio.

That said, here are the numbers:

Bagwell: .315/.451(!)/.570 (real life), .300/.425/.562 (Strat)
Biggio:  .288/.386/.415 (real life), .273/.351/.434 (Strat)

The Astros' record is currently 58-68.  I don't think it's a coincidence that they are doing worse than they acutally did when Bagwell and Biggio are playing (slightly) below their historical performaces.

The NL Central race still looks interesting, though (it's 8/22):

Code: [Select]

Cards  67 59 --
Cubs   65 60 1.5
Reds   62 62 4
Roots  63 63 4
Stros  58 68 9

158

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 11:06:50 pm »

Tony Pena.

Irrelevant factoid:  in my Strat-O-Matic replay of the 1996 Indians and Astros seasons, Tony Peña has 169 ABs and zero extra-base hits. 

Real life:  .195/.235/.236
Strat:  .148/.196/.148

Talk about offensive futility.

159

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:59:49 pm »

My neighbors went to the game tonight. 

They have 2 kids, approx. 3 and 1.5 years old. 

They do not seem to have come home yet.

I'm impressed.

160

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:55:43 pm »

Not that I don't believe in Luke, but what's the bench/pen situation?

Radio says just Munson on the bench.

161

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:47:40 pm »

"The league hits .500 against him..."

Now that's what you like to hear when the opponent brings in a new pitcher.

162

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:34:45 pm »

Yes, and I missed calls, too. But I wasn't the the world's highest paid professional in my given field fucking up a routine call.

Listen, I'm happy the call worked out to the Astros' benefit, but I despair for the level of umpiring we've seen over the last five years or so. It is bad and getting worse.

Well, it's not like the phrase "kill the umpire!" was just coined.  And infielders still boot routine grounders.  You may be right--the umpiring may actually be getting worse--but until the SeligTron is unleashed after the Great Robot Rebellion of 2020, we're stuck with what we have. 

163

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:24:26 pm »

I'm with you. As long as they do what they can and keep their ego out of it I'm OK with the occasional missed call. I just don't understand how someone who has such a huge amount of training can fuck up a call like we just saw. I mean, it was not close. Close, OK. Not close, I don't get it.

FWIW, I also thought it was clear that Lee was out at first, and on close calls my success rate is about 50:50.  

164

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:15:33 pm »

It's amazing to think that a professional who makes a minimum of $350k a year and who gets a month off during a six-month working year could fuck up such a simple call. It was not particularly close.

The quality of umpiring really seems to be deteriorating quickly.

I dunno, I should probably keep my mouth shut but I tend to take the same attitute towards umps as I do players.  They are going to fuck up on a regular basis.  As long as they hustle, are in position to make the call/play, and (in the case of umps) don't try to enourage confrontation and make the game about them, I'll give 'em a great deal of slack. 

Especially when they bail out the 'Stros and keep a game alive.

I don't have an answer to the CB Bucknor/Angel Hernandez question(s), though. 

165

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 10:05:38 pm »

last night in the gz, there was a question about the glass panes that make up the wall in the outfield...
i did some digging, and got this info:

each glass pane weighs 480 pounds and is 5 feet x 12 feet.  each pane is 3 layers thick - the inner and outer layers are glass, the middle layer is laminate.

i know this doesn't address the flagpole debate, but i like to tie up loose ends when i can.

Hey, that was me.  Thanks!

166

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros - 7/3/07

« on: July 03, 2007, 09:50:17 pm »

Nah, fuck it, don't answer that.  Let's just wait until it happens in 2021 and see what the ruling is.

The SeligTron Automated Robotic Umpiring Unit will know what to do.

167

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 01:17:18 am »

Cool.

I'm up WAAAAAYYYY past my bedtime.

Thanks.  Nicely done.  w00t!

168

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 01:12:44 am »

And...

169

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 01:02:58 am »

Wow.

That was unexpected.

170

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:59:40 am »

1988 bully?

I would have been a 17-year-old rising senior who was on 6/6/88 a generally disgruntled teen looking forward to college.

Too bad I only turned out to be 1/10 as smart as I thought I was.

171

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:54:23 am »

1988 bully?

I would have been a 17-year-old rising senior who was on 6/6/88 a generally disgruntled teen looking forward to college.

172

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:43:45 am »

...This is part where you tell us what happened in the top of the 7th...

173

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:40:26 am »

Haven't done it yet!

174

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:40:00 am »

Luckily for you, The Astros weren't on national TV too often. I only have a few games.

Am I the only one who is tempted to skip over to retrosheet.org and see who won? 

175

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:36:23 am »

I wouldn't want to do this too often, but this has been pretty interesting.  Love catching up on Astros history.  I have a lot to learn.

176

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:24:36 am »

I'm just curious. 

I grew up (born 1971) a Cleveland Indians fan in rural NE Ohio and I remember that most games were not televised.  On the occasions--maybe once a week or so--where they were on, my brothers and I huddled around the set to see the game.  But getting to see the team play live was the exception, not the rule.

We've come a long way, baby.

177

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:15:14 am »

I may have missed it, but how did you catch this game before the days of FSN?  Did you live in LA?  Was this on TV in Houston?

178

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:04:35 am »

This is a long-ass commercial break. Get back to the game! 

179

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 03, 2007, 12:00:25 am »

The level of detail in your scorebook is impressive.  I've never been into scoring enough to track balls and strikes.

180

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 02, 2007, 11:57:03 pm »

Sorry to say that I don't know that much about all those 80s Astros teams.  They are near the list of the top of my Strat-O-Matic projects to complete, though.

181

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston Astros @ LA Dodgers 6/6/88

« on: July 02, 2007, 11:52:55 pm »

I won't make it until the end, but I'd be interested in seeing where this goes.

Let 'er rip.  Lineups?

182

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 10:21:16 pm »

Their pitching sucks. 4.90 ERA - 16th in the league.

Being first in the league in offense and last in the league in defense is a pretty rare thing.  I don't know how rare; that would require an Arkyvention.

Oh, and Arky:  Look out for your buds, bud.  (I only know this because it's a frequently mentioned as a good example of specificity in Hill's criteria.)

183

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 10:04:01 pm »

My profession is far less reputable than engineering.

I enjoy reading your posts in any case.

184

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 10:02:45 pm »

I was just gonna say.. why aren't the Phillies phucking awesome?  Radio guys say they are first in the league in runs scored. 

Their pitching must suck.

Whew. 

185

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 09:54:15 pm »

Dang, 'Stros just asking for trouble here.

186

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 09:51:23 pm »

I suppose a two-by-four at above the rated velocity would bust one. So whatever the mass of that, divided by the mass of a baseball, times the rated velocity, would suggest how fast a ball would have to be traveling to break it.

I would assume that's extremely unlikely.

You wouldn't happen to be an engineer, would you?  (Would put smiley here it this were that sort of place.)

And Lurch:  I think I probably made the list long ago. 

187

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 09:41:50 pm »

Stupid question:  What are those "glass" panes out there above the train tracks made from?  They are supposedly hurricane-resistant, no?  So what would it take to break one?  Is that even possible?

188

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 09:34:06 pm »

Milo:  "Tomorrow he [Victorino] might be stiffer than a 3-horned goat."

189

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Bot 7: Astros 4, Phillies 3

« on: July 02, 2007, 09:21:55 pm »

Good heavens, I was not aware that Mesa was still bipedal let alone pitching in the majors.

190

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 08:31:58 pm »

Milo has actually had some funny lines tonight. 

Lee's play on that foul ball a couple of minutes ago (paraphrased):  "I think Lee may have hit the barrier except it's still standing."

On Berkman's nice dig (paraphrased again):  "Woody's thrown two good change-ups tonight and they've both been to first base."

Must have gotten lots of sleep.

191

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Phillies @ Astros, 7-2-07

« on: July 02, 2007, 08:15:57 pm »

Dammit, that's at least twice now that PENCE!!! has given out free chicken sammitches, and I've missed both games.  

192

Talk Zone / Re: From NYCU:

« on: July 02, 2007, 12:32:24 pm »

The only reason to question this is if one believes Berkman will hit lefties from the left side as well as he hits righties from the left side; or if one believes he will hit lefties from the left side better than he hits them from the right side.  

So you are saying that the handedness of the batter AND the pitcher are important?  Fascinating.

Baseball Prospectus also brought up the Berkman-should-drop-the-switch-hitting thing in their annual a few years ago.

193

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rockies @ Astros July1

« on: July 01, 2007, 03:03:57 pm »

Milo and the radio-twin-of-the-moment just said that today is Michael Barrett bobblehead day at Wrigley.

[Nelson]HA-ha[/Nelson]

194

Talk Zone / Re: Boras calls for best-of-nine World Series

« on: June 30, 2007, 10:20:55 pm »

And yes, I know the WS was best-of-nine for a few years ca. 1920.  If anyone not named Boras wants to make a case that it should be again (without using the words "super" or "bowl" in their reasoning), I'd be happy to listen.  Thanks.

195

Talk Zone / Boras calls for best-of-nine World Series

« on: June 30, 2007, 10:17:38 pm »

The link

It seems to me that making the World Series more like the Super Bowl could only be a REALLY GREAT THING, especially if it generates more revenue for Boras and turns it into a great opportunity to show cool commercials rather than spotlight the actual contest on the field.

Pass.

196

Talk Zone / Re: Okay, so Shiner 98... (non-BB)

« on: June 30, 2007, 08:21:01 pm »

There has been plenty at the Randall's and Kroger I go to here in Houston.  I'd say it's good but not great, yet every time I see it I buy some thinking "well, it's not going to be around forever."

197

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Hey look, a ballgame! - Rocks at Stros 6/30

« on: June 30, 2007, 08:16:57 pm »

Milo just said somebody was "talking like a Dutch uncle out there."

What?!

198

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rukkakes @ 3002 - 6/29/07

« on: June 29, 2007, 10:24:42 pm »

That Loretta guy can play a little bit.

8 straight losses for Colorado.

199

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rukkakes @ 3002 - 6/29/07

« on: June 29, 2007, 10:17:13 pm »

According to Milo and the radio twin of the moment, the Rocks pitcher threw two to the backstop during his warmups...

200

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rukkakes @ 3002 - 6/29/07

« on: June 29, 2007, 10:14:18 pm »

This is the one that impressed me.

I, for one, welcome our new multimedia-quoting overlords. 

Never been able to figure out how to link directly to mlb.com videos.  Of course, I can barely tie my shoes so there ya go.

201

Talk Zone / Re: Like the new banner on the main site

« on: June 29, 2007, 04:08:54 pm »

Well, "we" (as in "you all") have made this possibly the most unproductive Friday afternoon of work that I've ever had.  That's an accomplishment on the same scale as, well, you know.

202

Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts from being there:

« on: June 29, 2007, 11:46:37 am »

Can't really add much to the above except to say that I think my (now) wife's hankerin' for Biggio was the only reason she would sit and watch baseball with me when we first started hanging out together.  After his first AB I said, "Well, looks like we're not going to see the big hit" and she replied, "You just wait and see."  She got pretty teary-eyed after the big 3k.

OTOH, she wanted to leave after they went down 4-1 in the 8th (or at least said she did; she knows about our strict "We Do Not Leave Early" policy).  I think what (understandably) kinda got lost in the brouhaha last night is what a wonderful baseball game it was.  Too bad 3/4 of the crowd left early and didn't get to see the big finish.

203

Talk Zone / Re: Paging Elias ...

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:49:30 pm »

Ah, good catch.  Fortunately I work in a profession where attention-to-detail is not that important.  (I'm a pharmacist.) 

204

Talk Zone / Re: Paging Elias ...

« on: June 28, 2007, 04:13:16 pm »

Did Stark ever answer this in a column? If so, I missed it. Or did anyone else here ever finish the research?

Dunno about Stark's column, but I believe T. J.'s answer above was correct.  I looked into it using baseball-reference.com's lineups tool when this thread was originally going and couldn't find anything more recent.  It took about 10 minutes of research, not hours and hours.  They've done a lot of improvements to that site this year.  So instead of merely being awesome it's now super, duper awesome. 

Great piece of trivia.

Oh, and I don't know what I was thinking before... it was Kirkjians's book I was commenting on above, not Stark's.  I always get them confused.

205

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Brewers - 6/27/07

« on: June 27, 2007, 02:07:56 pm »

Literally no AC, or did they just not have it on?  That must be miserable...

IIRC from when the Indians played their series there back in the "spring", it can be heated but not cooled.

206

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Brewers - 6/27/07

« on: June 27, 2007, 01:50:57 pm »

That Loretta guy can play a little bit.

207

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Brewers - 6/26/07 - 12 games under .500, 12 games back

« on: June 26, 2007, 09:33:42 pm »

the bug on his hat is gonna get a lot of play on ESPN.

It was stealing signs and relaying them back to the Milwaukee hitter.

Fucking cheaters.

208

Archive / Re: Pence's best position

« on: June 24, 2007, 11:40:22 pm »

I certainly don't know the answer but I keep reading about how he's "better suited for a corner OF position" and then think about his arm and Carlos Lee's long-term contract, and, well, I guess we'll see what happens. 

209

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 11:19:19 pm »

Thanks, GZers.  Enjoyed it, as always.

210

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 11:11:27 pm »

Make it stick.

211

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 11:00:48 pm »

Sweet.  A two-run lead.  No way the bullpen blows one of those tonight.

212

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:55:41 pm »

Go go Biggio!

213

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:45:26 pm »

Surely you can't be serious.

214

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:39:47 pm »

Geez, this is starting to sound like an AL game.

Oh, wait.

Sorry.

215

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:35:20 pm »

"...and Berkman races home."

Races?  Berkman?!

216

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 10:25:21 pm »

Geez, by the time I went and got a beer and returned, it's a tie game.

I'm glad the video was so bad on KNWS/Comcast today (never mind the audio, it was from an entirely different program) that I didn't feel obligated to see it with my own eyes.  I'll let the radio twins suffer on my behalf.  

Yikes.  

LOL, they did just mention the "safer counter tops" again.

217

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rangers, say no to a sweep (6-24-07)

« on: June 24, 2007, 09:31:12 pm »

He has to wait until next Sunday, dammit.

NoNoNoNo.

I'm thinkin' Thursday would be an [MrBurns]exxxxxxcellllent[/MrBurns] day to hit the big 3k.

218

Talk Zone / Re: Friday afternoon trivia

« on: June 23, 2007, 01:16:43 pm »

If geekiness makes you queasy, I strongly suggest you stop reading now.

After I finish my current Strat-O-Matic project (1996), 1962 is the next season I'm going to play.  I don't know much about the very early days of MLB in Houston so I'm really looking forward to it. 

I do have Robert Reed's Six-Gun Salute book, though.  It is excellent.  Any other books about the early Houston teams/players that you'd recommend?

219

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Arlington, the boot battle

« on: June 22, 2007, 10:48:16 pm »

I'm coming to Houston next week for 3000.  Maybe I can pick some  '98 up if I can get a refrigerator in my hotel room.  I'm also going to Milwaukee, but I don't hold out much hope for anything non-Miller there.

Two words:  ice bucket.

Silly rookies. 

(This is where I would put a smiley if this was that sort of place.)

220

Talk Zone / Re: where is the alternatvie programaing

« on: June 21, 2007, 07:10:36 pm »

The listings here in Houston showed that the Hooks were on FSN at 7.  I haven't actually checked yet to see if the game is on.

221

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 21, 2007, 04:25:18 pm »

Classic!

From the linked article: 

Some Westpark Tollway drivers had said they would stop using the road when peak-hour pricing went into effect from 6-9 a.m. for inbound traffic and 4-7 p.m. for outbound traffic.

That was the point, wasn't it?

222

Talk Zone / Extra ticket for 7/3 game

« on: June 20, 2007, 10:25:43 pm »

I have an extra ticket for 7/3 against the Phillies (currently scheduled to start at 7:05).  The seat is in section 310 just in case you would be thinking about actually sitting there.

Free to a good home.  PM me if you are interested.

223

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston at Anaheim - 6/20/07

« on: June 20, 2007, 09:57:56 pm »

JD- Conflict of interest with 'Angel' Hernandez behind the plate.

Whichever of the radio twins is calling the game with Milo tonight just used this one, too.

224

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston at Anaheim - 6/20/07

« on: June 20, 2007, 08:43:19 pm »

What do you base this on?

What, I'm supposed to have a reason?!

225

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Houston at Anaheim - 6/20/07

« on: June 20, 2007, 08:41:37 pm »

I can already see that tonight's GZ has much potential.

226

Talk Zone / Re: Qualls suspended 3 games, fined

« on: June 20, 2007, 08:05:32 pm »

appeal and try to get it reduced by a game

I was thinking storm the castle with torches and pitchforks, but your idea is pretty good too.

227

Talk Zone / Re: Houston Introduces Congestion Tax (Non-BB)

« on: June 20, 2007, 07:56:10 pm »

This is an interesting discussion.

I'm moving into the "midtown" area. It would definately be cheaper to live farther away.

The wife and I live just across the spur so I'm technically in the Montrose area.  We both work in the Medical Center so we carpool to and from work.  We only own one car.   (When I tell people this I am usually met with disbelief and/or derision.)  The light rail works out perfectly for days when one of us needs to stay late or take the car somewhere during the day or whatever.  Between the two of us we drive about 5,000 miles a year.  We put gas in the car every 3-4 weeks.  It wouldn't work for everyone but we absolutely love it.

228

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: HOU @ LAA - 6/18/07

« on: June 18, 2007, 09:16:02 pm »

How did I not get the memo about Milo making the trip out to the coast?

229

Talk Zone / Re: Baio

« on: June 18, 2007, 08:15:19 pm »

Don't know about that one- is that from Mr. Show? If you've never heard the "Shut Up, You Fucking Baby" CD that's a good one.

Only because you asked.

230

Talk Zone / Re: Baio

« on: June 18, 2007, 12:26:15 pm »

This really has fuck-all to do with the Astros, but I was next to David Cross on the subway last night here in Brooklyn.

David Cross of Dr. Fünke's 100% Natural Good Time Family Band Solution fame?

231

Talk Zone / Re: AE injured - taken from game on cart

« on: June 16, 2007, 09:58:35 am »

Thanks.  Whether you love Everett or hate him (I fall somewhat in the middle--hear that, Purpura?), it's clear that there really isn't a good plan B for SS.  I was trying to figure out amongst Loretta-Bruntlett-Burke(?) who is the best (least bad?) option to play daily. 

Oh, well.  I guess in the short-term we get to see what an Everett-less Astros team looks like.  It'll be interesting but I hope his return date is closer to 4 rather than 8 weeks.

232

Talk Zone / Re: AE injured - taken from game on cart

« on: June 16, 2007, 01:37:17 am »

Dammit, I go off to Canada for three days--THREE DAYS--and you idjits allow this to occur.  Not happy.

Seriously, I'll get caught up with the old posts eventually but can somebody bring me up to speed about Everett's injury and the day-to-day shortstop situation as of, say, right now?  Saw a highlight (that hardly seems to be the appropriate word) about it on SportsCentre (amongst the hockey highlights, even though it's June) and my first thought was, "Dang, now what?"

BTW, Toronto is a great place to visit.  If you ever get the chance to go (June-July-August, at least) I'd highly recommend it.

233

Talk Zone / Re: Anyone going to the game tomorrow night?

« on: June 12, 2007, 11:00:46 pm »

I was in section 310.  As you were running out there I explained to my wife the story.  Then you made your pitch and she said, "That poor guy."

Then the 9-year-old affiliated with the Special Olympics went after you and threw a perfect strike from the mound and she said, "That poor, poor guy!"

Oh well, Astros are 1-0 when an OWA person throws one to the backstop in the pregame.  Good job, gleach.  Who's gonna step up next?

234

Talk Zone / Re: Anyone going to the game tomorrow night?

« on: June 11, 2007, 05:03:09 pm »

Mrs Limey and I are going to be in 227, row 9.  Will try to get some video if possible.

Can you take cameras into MMPUS (Mrs Limey's digital "stills" camera takes some top quality video too), or will it have to be shitty cellphone footage?

The guy who sits in front of us has been snapping pictures using a digital camera and a big-ass lens all year long and nobody has bothered him.

235

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros @ Rockies rubber game - 6/7/07

« on: June 07, 2007, 04:50:00 pm »

RE: Schilling. 

It was me.  I changed from the Astros audio feed to the Sox/A's and listened to the second out in the 9th inning, then the hit.

Sorry.  Or, you're welcome.

236

Talk Zone / Re: Water heater question---totally non-baseball

« on: June 07, 2007, 03:34:21 pm »

In the attic.   Other wise, I'd do it myself.

Yuk.  Mine is in the attic, too, and I have nightmares about what's going to happen if it decides to go kablooie.  It's coming up on 10 years old and I've been seriously thinking about replacing it preemptively with a tankless one.  For now I just have a water alarm up there and try to remember to check the tank often.

237

Talk Zone / Re: Carlos Guillen on the Astros guest worker program

« on: June 06, 2007, 01:16:18 pm »

For folks who get paid millions of dollars to play a kid's game, some people sure seem to go out of their way to find stuff to be pissed off about.

238

Talk Zone / Re: Berkman not using his head

« on: June 06, 2007, 10:34:16 am »

Clearly.

I just today saw the play that led to his tirade/subsequent tossing (heh, heh--tossing).  I can't believe that was ruled a swing.  It was not close.

239

Talk Zone / Re: GZ

« on: June 05, 2007, 11:44:16 pm »

It's an interesting place.  Some nights all sorts of folks show up (many of them full of spirit(s)) and on some nights, it's close to a ghost town.

I really appreciate the efforts of the folks who do the PBP.  I'd say that I appreciate the amateur nature of it but I don't mean to make it sound like it's a place for amateurs. It helps me be a much better informed (and humble) fan.

Dammit, I hate editing posts. 

240

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 11:20:24 pm »

On the replay of Luke's homer, the majority of the people in the stands are clapping and jumping up and down, and alot of cheering in the background.  Are there that many Astros fans in Colorado?

I'm guessing they partook of the (actually pretty interesting) Coors brewery tour prior to the game.

241

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 11:10:52 pm »

Nice game, fun time in the GZ.  Appreciate all the PBP and other random shit.  

242

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 11:00:27 pm »

[obvious]I'm thinking that Luke Scott going on one of his rampages might be a good thing for this team.[/obvious]

243

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 10:52:28 pm »

I heard that one clanking off the backstop on the radio.  Eek!

244

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 10:51:50 pm »

And quickly racking up his ignore count already.

Heh.  To have only 5 posts and yet 3 members (heh heh... members) ignoring you...

Sounds like he's heading for a Spack-er-vention.

245

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 10:35:30 pm »

Since this game is obviously out-of-reach, I'd just like to say that the radio guys have been growing on me lately.  I listen to probably 1/3 of the games and watch the rest.  Honestly, the new folks didn't do much for me last year.  But they seem to have found their stride and work well together.  It's obvious how much more fun they have when out of Milo's shadow.  Not saying they will be remembered as the best ever, but I find myself more and more willing to have baseball on while I'm trying to get stuff done and seeing what they have to say.

Of course, we're lucky that we also have a solid TV crew, but (road) baseball on the radio = okay with me.  

246

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 08:08:22 pm »

Didn't finish my own story--he ended up with a triple.  Triples are fun. 

Well, Astro triples are fun.

247

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at Rukkakes - 6/5/07

« on: June 05, 2007, 08:00:11 pm »

Yeah, Willy was (is?) an exciting player.  I remember one game I was at last year where he hit one into the right-center gap and me--a person who rarely whoops and hollers--standing up (with everybody else) yelling at the top of my lungs, "Run, Willy!  Run, Willy!"  Etc.

And I wasn't drinking, either.  Honest. 

248

Talk Zone / Re: Paging Elias ...

« on: June 04, 2007, 08:26:43 pm »

Good advice Amy.  Thanks.

Jayson's reply:

"Cory,
    Great note, man. I missed that. Now you've really done it. I'm going to have to spend hours trying to figure this out. So stay tuned.
     Hey, if you like this kind of useless info, I'd bet you'd really enjoy my new underrated-overrated book. Check it out.
      Thanks for writing,.
          Jayson"

Awesome.  I thought his book was pretty decent, FWIW.

But to prove that I am not a Jayson Stark spambot, I'd wait for the paperback version if I had it to do over again.

249

Talk Zone / Re: According to the stats page

« on: June 04, 2007, 05:00:15 pm »

Actually, I think it's very sad that OWA was kept going this long just to reach a magic number when it is so obviously past its prime.

(Would put smiley here if this was that sort of place.)

250

Talk Zone / Re: Tickets for Saturday's game

« on: June 03, 2007, 12:23:06 am »

From what I've seen, a lot of the regulars here (including myself) live a good 3+ hours away from Houston, and that surely contributed to your difficulty donating your tickets via this forum.  I know it's hard for my wife and I to make a spur of the moment (even if it is 1 day's notice) trip down there for a game. 

Oh, I know.  I'd also been into the beer (Spaten Optimator) which didn't help things much.  I should have been more patient.

Though it kind of annoys me that the person I sent the tickets to didn't even bother to send me an email saying "Hey, thanks!"

God, I'm turning into a grumpy old man.

251

Talk Zone / Re: Epic meltdown by minor league manager

« on: June 02, 2007, 09:06:04 pm »

Still beats selling insurance, I'd bet.

252

Talk Zone / Re: Tickets for Saturday's game

« on: June 02, 2007, 01:26:00 am »

Tickets finally gone. 

Goin' to sleep, hoping to dream about Mike Scott's no-no, Randy Johnson in the '98 pennant drive, and Chris Burke's walk-off 18th inning dinger.

253

Talk Zone / Re: Tickets for Saturday's game

« on: June 02, 2007, 12:40:53 am »

Good grief.  I know it’s short notice, but I never thought I’d see the day that I literally couldn’t give Astros tickets away.

Just in case there is any question, I’m completely serious about this.  I can’t use these tickets.  Neighbor kid’s birthday party or somesuch.  If you have an email address (and since you post here, you must) I can forward them to you.  You print them out, and take them to the ballpark.

I’m sleepy and goin’ to bed.  Fuck it, if I wake up tomorrow and have no PMs, I’ll give them to whomever emails me at shererjt at that big Time-Warner-affiliated Internet thing.

Sorry to tie up your bandwith; I just hate seeing stuff like this go to waste.

254

Talk Zone / Re: Tickets for Saturday's game

« on: June 01, 2007, 10:39:38 pm »

Fine, if free doesn't work let's start the bidding at $10.

Trust me, you people don't want to know how much am willing to pay for someone to take these off my hands.

(This is where I would add a smiley for the humor-impaired if this was that sort of place.)

255

Talk Zone / Tickets for Saturday's game

« on: June 01, 2007, 09:27:08 pm »

I have 2 tickets to tomorrow's game that I can't use because of the change in start time.  Sec. 310. 

Free to a good home.  First PM gets them.

256

Talk Zone / Re: A couple of notable Jimmy D and Brownie moments last night

« on: May 31, 2007, 12:41:17 pm »

Didn't somebody post in the GZ that JD compared the NL Central to Monty Python's twit race?

257

Talk Zone / Re: Shiner 98

« on: May 29, 2007, 01:17:58 am »

Ok, I have never been a beer drinker, should I try this?

I doubt that someone who has "never been a beer drinker" would like it.  It's somewhat bitter--actually it reminds me of an altbier like Frankenheimer or Diebels (neither of which is available in Houston anymore, at least in bottles).  But that's a whole 'nother topic.

If you have a Spec's or similar near you, go find some Lindeman's Framboise.  I've never met a non-beer drinker who didn't like it.  And if you do like it, things can go from there.  (Their Kriek is really good, too.)

258

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros vs Snakes May 25, 2007

« on: May 26, 2007, 12:43:47 am »

I'm watching the Cubs and Dodgers in HD.  Vin Scully is calling the game.

It's MUCH easier to watch.

Actually, this may end up being the most insightful post of the night.  Great game, and it's still going. 

259

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros vs Snakes May 25, 2007

« on: May 25, 2007, 11:39:34 pm »

Couldn't be Everett, Gar hit for him a long time ago.  Must have been Loretta.  It was Ausmus that started it.

Ah, you're right.  I'm listening to the radio but I do remember that now that you mention it.

260

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros vs Snakes May 25, 2007

« on: May 25, 2007, 11:34:58 pm »

Was that an Ausmus-to-Everett-to-Qualls DP or did I drink more Shiner 98 than is good for me?!

261

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros vs Snakes May 25, 2007

« on: May 25, 2007, 10:52:41 pm »

Reynolds just needs a single and a double and he has the cycle in this inning.

262

Talk Zone / Re: Some good news, for a change (unfortunately non-bb)

« on: May 25, 2007, 09:57:29 pm »

They had plenty at the Kroger on Montrose @ Westheimer which is not far at all from the downtown Spec's--just in case anyone comes up empty there.

It's pretty good.  Not quite as good as last year's but in the ballpark IMO.  I have a whole stack of tasting notes I need to type up for Beer Advocate, but I'll put this one on the top of the pile.

263

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros in the Desert - 5/24/07

« on: May 24, 2007, 11:49:47 pm »

Every time I read one of these recent responses and my feeble brain tries to formulate a response, I catch a glimpse of Curly's avatar where Sir Nolan has Robin Ventura in a headlock and is proceeding to beat the holy crap out of him and I just smile.

Sorry, I'm of no help. 

264

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros in the Desert - 5/24/07

« on: May 24, 2007, 10:54:53 pm »

Any thoughts on what McLemore's stuff looked like?  I *LOVE* baseball on the radio but you can't get a feel for a guy--wait, no, that's not what I meant (NTTAWWT)--until you see him.

265

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros in the Desert - 5/24/07

« on: May 24, 2007, 10:18:57 pm »

Lamb willlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll NOT make the play!

He's gotta get off the schnide!  (gurgle, gurgle, unintelligible)

These have been much more interesting than the game tonight.  Thanks.  

Don't forget to welcome Rex Kramer, Ted Striker, and the entire TransAmerican Airlines family to the ballpark.

266

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros in the Desert - 5/24/07

« on: May 24, 2007, 09:43:04 pm »

OP with his first extra-base hit of the year, a ground-rule double.

267

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros in the Desert - 5/24/07

« on: May 24, 2007, 09:16:25 pm »

Is Wandy's arm good enough to be an everyday RFer?

268

Talk Zone / Re: Some good news, for a change (unfortunately non-bb)

« on: May 24, 2007, 04:36:51 pm »

I might have mentioned this the last time Shiner 97 came up, but the Sam Adams Black Lager is quite good and widely available.  Köstritzer is nice too but probably something that would require a trip to The Pinnacle of Mankind's Achievement (AKA Spec's) or whatever the equivalent is in the other, lesser cities.

269

Talk Zone / Some good news, for a change (unfortunately non-bb)

« on: May 24, 2007, 04:04:51 pm »

Just came from Specs on Smith Street and saw that the Shiner 98 is out.  The guy behind me in line had some, but I figured it would give me a good reason to go back (like I need one) so I didn't give up my place in the queue to look for it.  It's apparently a Bavarian amber lager. 

In fact, the bagger started to box up the dude's beer with mine but, stupid me, I pointed this out.  Lousy stinkin' good upbringing.

Lo siento if Cabrera is still a Brave.  This was the first I've seen or heard of it.

270

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Holy Shit! 9:15pm? Fucking Giants vs Astros

« on: May 21, 2007, 09:51:45 pm »

Kruk and Kuip are THE.  WORST.  In the sport.

Bar none.

I'm listening to the Giants' radio feed.  I like Jon Miller a lot, and I like him even more when Joe Morgan is nowhere to be heard.

271

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rangers@Astros - 5/19

« on: May 19, 2007, 11:43:53 pm »

Much obliged.  Our seats are on the 3B side so I wouldn't have been surprised either way with respect to Sosa's play.  It's just nice to get some feedback about what actually happened.

272

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Rangers@Astros - 5/19

« on: May 19, 2007, 10:59:36 pm »

Sorry to do this after-the-fact but I got to go to the game tonight (holy crap, what a beautiful night in Houston--too bad we can't bottle one of these and save it for mid-August) and haven't seen any replays.  When I am fortunate enough to attend I always make a mental note of things to check in the GZ when I get home.  Almost always my questions are already answered, but it seems like there were not many folks around tonight so the discussion was kind of limited. 

That being said, when seen live it sure looked like Lamb was out by a good 5 feet at 3rd on that play in the 6th.  It seems like the GZ-dwellers saw it the same way.  What the hell happened?

And soon after on the ball Berkman hit to right that was ruled no catch, was it the right call?  I didn't really get a good look at it.

Just wonderin'.

273

Talk Zone / Re: Friday afternoon beer for your consideration

« on: May 19, 2007, 09:59:25 am »

I finally had some of the Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA the other day.  It was quite good.  Great hop flavor and not over-the-top on bitterness like some American IPAs can be IMO.

274

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Arizona Bay @ Astros - 5/17/07

« on: May 17, 2007, 08:39:54 pm »

It'll be interesting to see if Roy gets any love for the effort tonight.  Hamels took it one out further last night and they treated it like Don Larsen.

This is not at all directed at LonghornLCDR but it is my distinct impression that Houstonians and Astros fans in particular spend far too much time worrying about what people in NY and Boston think about us.

Who gives a shit about whether the Astros are picked to win the division or if Roy O is one of the top 5 pitchers in MLB?

Relax, have a homebrew.  It's Texas.   

275

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Arizona Bay @ Astros - 5/17/07

« on: May 17, 2007, 07:54:57 pm »

Dang, what a great pitching battle so far.  As someone who recently replayed the 1968 season in Strat-O-Matic and didn't see what the big fuss was, I wish I was at Minute Maid tonight.

276

Talk Zone / Re: How bout the leather last nigh

« on: May 17, 2007, 01:22:43 pm »

"I'm looking for something that says, 'Dad likes leather.'"

"You mean like a leather daddy?"

"Is there such a thing?"

277

Talk Zone / Re: Pence

« on: May 15, 2007, 10:36:11 pm »

I like chicken.

278

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 10:20:21 pm »

Nice.  

Nighty night.

279

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 10:08:31 pm »

Free baseball!

w00t!

280

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 09:52:05 pm »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where's_Wally%3F

We call it Where's Waldo in these here parts.

Yeah, it was a joke.  Wally... Waldo... work with me here.

Sorry, I forgot that the natives are getting restless.  (Me posting in the GZ should have been my first clue.)

281

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 09:49:11 pm »

ya mean "Where's Waldo?"

BTW--My husband just changed the channel, dammit.  Did Wally stay out or come back in the game?

Ja.

282

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 09:47:17 pm »

I can't believe nobody has dropped a "Where's Wally?" yet.

Maybe it's before y'all's time.

283

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 09:45:11 pm »

WTF is up with Milo doing his "little kid talking about Junction Jack" voice?

Urge to kill... rising.

284

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: The Barry Show @ Astros - 5/15/07

« on: May 15, 2007, 09:38:36 pm »

PENCE!!! barely has half the 'Stros' RBIs tonight.  

Meh.

285

Talk Zone / Re: astros should make the schedule and just play on sat

« on: May 13, 2007, 12:02:08 am »

Sorry, this is irrelevant but it's one of those things I've for some reason not forgotten about so I thought I'd share it.

Ca. 1996-7 I was living in Charleston, SC which is Braves territory.  This was before the MLB GameDay audio or anything similar was available, so if you wanted to listen to baseball you tuned in to the "local" team.  I didn't root for the Braves, I just liked having baseball on.

Skip Caray (I think it was Skip, I get them all confused) hosted a pre-game call-in show where people would ask him the stupidest questions you've ever heard.  The other funny thing about it was that he hated--HATED--when kids would call in.  I have no idea why.  But his contempt for them was always evident on the rare occasions when they would get past the call screeners.  The rest of the time it was obvious that he abhorred doing the show; I hope he at least got paid well for it. 

The other piece of info that sets this up is that this particular year is that the Braves were playing very well at home and poorly on the road. 

So...  I always wanted to call Skip's pre-game show pretending to be a child and ask why the Braves scheduled all those away games when they were playing so much better at home. 

Got to go tonight and really had a good time.  Saturday games might be my favorite.

286

Talk Zone / Re: Beer fest (non-bb)

« on: May 12, 2007, 11:29:29 am »

Well done.

I'd nominate this for the UH arm of the OWA HOF, but I have a suspiciaon that things there would end up being myself and one or two other folks. 

Go Coogs. 

Wow.  That’s pretty incoherent, even for me.

Sorry.  It’s commencement weekend and sometimes I inadvertently revert to College Student Mode. 

What I meant to say was, it’s nice to see some UH folks ‘round these parts.

287

Talk Zone / Re: Beer fest (non-bb)

« on: May 12, 2007, 01:36:12 am »

The story I was told at UH was that Shasta, the live cougar mascot back in the day, got her paw stuck in her cage once and lost a toe. The UT fants, being the typically emphatic, humble, and sensitive souls they are known to be, made a cougar paw with one toe down to mock the poor beast. At the next football matchup against Texas, UH pulled off the upset and ever since then Cougar fans have adopted it as a way to express their belief in and support of the endearing underdog in the face of a state full of egotistical holier-than-thou burnt-orange clad assholes.

Well done.

I'd nominate this for the UH arm of the OWA HOF, but I have a suspiciaon that things there would end up being myself and one or two other folks. 

Go Coogs. 

288

Talk Zone / Re: roster move

« on: May 11, 2007, 12:34:52 pm »

Miller has pitched 9 innings this year.  If we aren't going to use him, why keep him?

Oooooh!  Oh! Oh!  I know this one.  Pick me!

He's a lefty.  Only pitched 9 innings but has appeared in 17 games.  Granted he's not done well so far but he started off slowly last year too and did quite nicely after that.

289

Talk Zone / Re: A Little League baseball epiphany

« on: May 11, 2007, 10:56:57 am »

"We can't score 6 runs in one inning," one of them said.

"You don't have to score 6 runs... you just have to get on base. Each person's job this inning is just to get on base," I told them.

Good job, coach!

290

Talk Zone / Re: "Pitchers you'd pay to see"

« on: May 11, 2007, 10:54:53 am »

I love to see Roy pitch and try to see him whenever I can.  He's even the wife's favorite pitcher (not a huge baseball fan) b/c he works so fast that there is not the down time there is with other guys- she says everyone should pitch that way and I agree.  Get ball, throw ball, attack hitters.  With his stuff he can do it.  I don't think there is the same electricity as in a Johnson 98 start, but day in and day out he's great- just doesn't come with the resume of hype of those other guys.

I could not agree more.

Over on an Astros-fansite-to-remain-nameless, you can download the video of the 9th inning of Scott's division-clinching no-hitter.  The movement on his pitches is just... I dunno, you have to see it to believe it.  That was more than a decade before I became an Astros fan, but I'd drop a few bucks to see some other of his games from that era.

I always really enjoy watching knuckleballers, too, though I think you get a better look at them on TV than in person.

291

Talk Zone / Re: DQ interview w/ chronicle guy

« on: May 10, 2007, 04:35:21 pm »

From the linked article above: 

And one day, a couple months after Yanamaria had given him a Hummer as a going away present - classy huh? - Roger and Astrid finally got together.

Now that's funny.

292

Talk Zone / Re: Will they or Won't They?

« on: May 10, 2007, 09:41:01 am »

Personally, I like how Andy's number was immediately reissued to someone else.  Not that I don't appreciate the contributions he made here.  But the game goes on.

293

Talk Zone / Re: The Return of the Pink Panther

« on: May 09, 2007, 09:23:43 am »

What, so the rest of the team is pro-breast cancer?!  I'm appalled.

Wait, no.  I'm hungry.  Sorry.

294

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Astros at 3rdinals - 5/5/07

« on: May 05, 2007, 02:32:10 pm »

I figured that if anybody was capable of having his first dinger be a 5-run shot, it would be PENCE!!!!

Color me disappointed.

295

Talk Zone / Re: Carpenter will have surgery early next week

« on: May 05, 2007, 02:08:51 pm »

Ouch.

Five-year deals for pitchers are always a gamble IMO.

296

Talk Zone / Re: Police report released on Hancock

« on: May 04, 2007, 02:39:11 pm »

[rant]...[/rant]

Oh, I don't disagree with that at all.  I just am amazed by people who could take such simple and obvious steps to keep from, you know, going to jail and stuff yet fail to do so.

297

Talk Zone / Re: Police report released on Hancock

« on: May 04, 2007, 01:56:07 pm »

Such a waste.

This news makes this story a little less frivolous.

Paris, you're a freakin' bazillionaire.  Hire a car.  A nice one.   

298

Talk Zone / Re: Purpura brings up Pence

« on: April 27, 2007, 11:53:07 pm »

Jeez, wasn't it just a week ago when people were posting how much fun this year was going to be?  Dogs and letter carriers living in harmony?  The reconciliation of the Red River rivals?  (OK, so I made that last part up.)

If I wasn't witnessing this with my own eyes I'm not sure I'd believe it.

299

Talk Zone / Re: Friday Caption Contest

« on: April 27, 2007, 03:32:44 pm »

Ooh, pretty creepy.  Still, I'd rather face him with the game on the line than the Wolf Man.

300

Talk Zone / Re: Babelfish and Pitching Changes

« on: April 27, 2007, 02:49:40 pm »

A few years ago I plugged a sangria recipe en Español into Babelfish.  It translated piña as "fragmentation hand grenade" (and still does).  Since I had none available I just went ahead and used pineapple.  The sangria was quite yummy.

Crazy Spaniards.

301

Talk Zone / Garner touching himself

« on: April 25, 2007, 09:35:32 pm »

I'm sorry.  I just can't fucking take it anymore.

If someone doesn't do something about that stupid Ford truck commercial that's been airing during the radio broadcasts, I swear I am gonna snap and become a... oh what the hell, Diamondbacks fan.  (The unis are close enough to ensure a seamless transition.)

You know the one I mean, where Gar says, "I walked into the Ford truck dealership and touched my chin, telling the salesman I needed a new Ford truck.  He responded by putting his elbow to his ear, telling me that he had plenty of Fords trucks, each capable of dragging the Astrodome down south so it can be reused by some Mexican League team."  And on and on it goes...  “I poked this, prodded that, stroked something or other, did the chicken dance, stuck my finger...”  Please, just make it stop Stop STOP!!!!      Is it me?

Of course if the Astros would have won 15-2 tonight I'd probably be much less agitated. 

302

Talk Zone / Re: Same tired topic (Astros TV in Austin/Round Rock)

« on: April 21, 2007, 04:30:49 pm »

I mean, they give the arena football league team's coach's call-in show priority over the Astros. Arena league football is an oversaturated bastardized fake sport. I can not endure that shit.

Great idea! Lets pre-empt the Astos and give that fake sport credibility by having a coaches call in show instead of a MLB game!

Shitheads indeed!

So call the coach's show and ask whether he thinks Lidge should be drawn and quartered, thrown into the bottomless pit, or merely hanged.   

Smiley added for the humor impaired.

303

Game Zone 2007 Archive / Re: Anyone for Bonus GZ Coverage? 3rds at Lasts

« on: April 20, 2007, 04:26:23 pm »

Any idea how the Cubs lose a baserunner on a walk?

I had the Cubs audio feed on in the background... from what I could piece together the runner on first was going with the pitch (which turned out to be ball 4).  He didn't pick up the ball 4 call, went in head-first, overslid 2nd base, and was tagged out by Eckstien.

Pretty fucked up, even by Cub standards.

304

Talk Zone / Re: Random Thoughts from Last Night's Game

« on: April 20, 2007, 11:38:40 am »

the most random thought of all . an astros team came back, not from a 1 run deficit but from a 5 run one and won the game

I'm actually quite embarrassed. 

I dragged the wife to both Marlins games this week despite her having 10,000,000 things going on and her patience for watching baseball was clearly growing thin.  Plus last night she was mad at me for reasons that are not altogether clear (to me at least) so when I saw the 'Stros go down 6-1 I agreed to abandon the game and we watched the last couple of episodes of season 2 of Lost on DVD (which were quite enjoyable) and missed the big comeback.

Bummer.  On the plus side, I'm still married this morning.

305

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 18, 2007, 11:59:25 pm »

So... what are we waiting for? 

Tampa Bay, NYY.

Heck, for all I know this has already been done.

w00t!

306

Talk Zone / Re: Lost in all the Jackie Robinson stories

« on: April 18, 2007, 08:09:09 am »

I thought this was going to be about Larry Doby.

307

Talk Zone / Re: Biggio stats

« on: April 17, 2007, 04:31:07 pm »

Pizza's fer a-eatin', not a-throwin'.

Especially ballpark pizza.  That was probably about $30 worth.

308

Talk Zone / Re: Random early memories of Astros games

« on: April 17, 2007, 11:16:48 am »

Love these Astros history threads.  Please keep them coming.

The first time I ever went to the Dome was ca. 1997-8 (I wasn't here permanently until 1999).  I thought it was cool as hell--I'd been to a few MLB parks but never a dome.  Went to a some games over the next couple of years but the novelty of it didn't even start to wear off before the 'Stros were off to a new home.  

I'm just glad I got the chance to experience it before it was gone forever.

309

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

« on: April 17, 2007, 11:08:52 am »

Does just this year count?  Last April he welcomed Billy Ray Valentine & associates and Duke & Duke Commodities.  It's in the archives somewhere.

Probably still my personal favorite.

310

Talk Zone / Re: Ensberg's sunglasses?

« on: April 14, 2007, 11:17:53 am »

I bought a pair to use while I'm sitting at my desk at work.  If it works for Morgan...

311

Talk Zone / Re: Most JOYful Astros Win List -- Citizens Bank Park edition

« on: April 14, 2007, 12:42:01 am »

Biggio's game winner off of Wagner in late '05.  Ownage.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=250907122

I enthusiastically concur.  Clip seems to still be available here (9/7):  The Link

312

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 12, 2007, 12:17:33 am »

Greg Swindell or Eddie Taaubensee

Milwaukee, Kansas City

Taubensee was who I was going for.  I'd forgotten that Swindell pitched for the Reds.

I know it's fantacrap, and second-guessing can be half the fun or else a horrible thing for decent folk to get involved with, and in any event it all happened long before I started following the 'Stros, but one of the books I read while I was on the shitter lately commented on what might have been had Houston fielded a Lofton-Biggio-Bagwell lineup in the 90s.

strosrays' Oakland, St. Louis still out there...

313

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 11:53:45 pm »

Mariners, Rangers

Geez, finally.  Leon Roberts.  That was tough. 

Cleveland, Cincinnati.

314

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 11:40:50 pm »

Damn, I go away for a few hours and someone invades my territory.

Heh.  Yeah, sorry.  This is a one-time thing. 

Dan Miceli

Mariners, Rangers

Dang, I've been working on this one for a while.  Is there an answer?  (If so, please don't give it... yet.)  I don't know that there is someone who has played for every possible combination of two teams (plus Houston) but if folks can find combinations that are unsolvable they should get mucho bonus points IMO.

315

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 10:44:31 pm »

Does Morgan count or does it have to be as a player?

Not surprisingly, you folks are proving to be much more argumentative than the place I stole borrowed this from.  The way I saw it work was he had to PLAY (no coaches, no rights-were-owned-by) for a MLB (no minors) team.  But hash it out if you wanna do it differently. 

316

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 10:22:20 pm »

Pirates, Co-ards.

Jerry Reuss.



Yankees, Royals.  (My avatar is the only reason I know this.)

317

Talk Zone / Re: Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 10:12:59 pm »

Sorry.  I did mention that this is an **unofficial** trivia thread. 

Ever (current squad included).  Predecessors (.45s, Senators, etc.) as well.

318

Talk Zone / Unofficial Off-day Trivia

« on: April 11, 2007, 10:07:20 pm »

I hesitate to do this as I know the Astros trivia needs here are quite well taken care of by, uh, people who are not me.  But I saw an interesting game on another baseball-related board I frequent so I thought I'd throw a modified version out for your perusal and/or ridicule.

Here be the rules:  Name a player who played for the Astros plus two other specific MLB teams.  For example, I post Rangers and Mets.  Your job is to figure out a guy (like Nolan Ryan, for instance) who played for Houston, Texas, and the steM.  Once you *know* you got it (no guesses or wagering, please), post the answer plus two more teams and the game moves on.  Some combinations will obviously have multiple "correct" answers.

So we'll start with an easy one:  Tigers, Padres. 

319

Talk Zone / Re: MLB: How could we know it would be cold in the North in April?

« on: April 10, 2007, 09:02:01 am »

My beef with the issue is not that they tried to give Cleveland a home opener before the weather gets nice (say, June).  It's that they scheduled the first two home series for Cleveland with west-coast teams that were making their only trips to Jacobs Field for 2007.  They didn't even schedule a day off in there so it might be possible make up a game or two if necessary (though that wouldn't have helped much in this case, obviously).  

I grew up an Indians fan in NE Ohio and remember that early April baseball was always dicey.  Wish they would have moved the upcoming series to Minute Maid as was apparently discussed rather than Miller Park.  The weather Oct-May sucks in Cleveland, that much is clear (and a big reason I'm a Houstonian now).  I just think they set themselves up to fail, and they did.

320

Talk Zone / Re: Goddamn steM

« on: April 07, 2007, 09:54:21 pm »

After several agonizing minutes of deliberation, today I decided that if the Astros started 0-5 I would relinquish my Astros fanitude and start rooting for the goddamn fucking Mets.  I even picked out the name of my would-be OWAesque website: www.ilovethegoddamnfuckingmets.com.

Fortunately Roy intervened.  Ahhhhhhhh, much better.

321

Talk Zone / Re: Retire JR Richard Jersey (ESPN Page 2)

« on: April 05, 2007, 11:20:20 pm »

Here's my own geeky take on this article...

There is *not*, and as far as I can tell has never been, such a thing as "Southern Methodist Hospital" in Houston.  JR was taken to THE Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, at least so far as I can put together.  When I saw the ESPN article today I went searching for what the hell they were talking about and found this:  http://www.astrosdaily.com/hall/Richard_JR.html

I'd hate to think that an ESPN writer would use astrosdaily.com as a source (not that there isn't great historical info at the site--there is) but I just have to scratch my head. 

322

Talk Zone / Re: Rice area (non-bb)

« on: April 05, 2007, 10:52:45 pm »

Good golly... that website is horrible.  Do they really need the midi music playing while you're trying to look at the menu?!

Never heard of the place so I'd like to try it, but... 

*shudders*

Actually, the music thankfully turns off when you look at the menu.  Do it quickly!!

323

Talk Zone / Re: Rice area (non-bb)

« on: April 05, 2007, 08:27:44 pm »

Definately recomend Prego- it is right in Rice Village across the street from Mi Luna's, down the street from Texadelphia- by a half price bookstore.

Ooooo... I forgot about that one.  I haven't been there yet but people rave about it.

ETA:  IIRC, the one time we did try to go we showed up without a reservation on a Thurs/Fri/Sat evening and they laughed at us.  Something to consider...

324

Talk Zone / Re: Rice area (non-bb)

« on: April 05, 2007, 12:21:14 pm »

If you aren't looking to go gourmet there's a Collina's in Rice Village that's decent if not stellar and relatively inexpensive.

The original Carrabba's is over on Kirby--that's always good.

If you win the lottery between now and then Damian's in Midtown is very tasty.

325

Talk Zone / Re: death taxes and a first win

« on: April 05, 2007, 10:53:41 am »

when is the last time the astros started a season 0 and 3 and the pirates 3 and 0,

1993, apparently.

Or was that a rhetorical question? 

I'm just glad baseball is back.  Winning a game would be nice too, but baseball is back!

326

Talk Zone / Re: Milo is sketchy

« on: April 05, 2007, 12:35:10 am »

Oh, and I should add that I like listening to Milo.  He still has a great voice and I'll be sad to see him go when he eventually steps down.  But you just gotta laugh sometimes.

327

Talk Zone / Re: Milo is sketchy

« on: April 05, 2007, 12:32:12 am »

The "interesting" groups happened at the beginning of last year, too.  Some really funny stuff in this thread (sorry, no idea how to format the link):  http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=63812

Tonight's the first night I listened to the radio at all and I didn't catch anything along those lines.  I'll have to pay closer attention now that I know it's going on again. 

328

Talk Zone / Re: Milo is sketchy

« on: April 04, 2007, 01:05:14 pm »

In other news: beer still tastes good, people continue to disagree on politics, and cats and dogs have yet to resolve their differences.

329

Talk Zone / Re: I thought the bully was going to be a strength this year

« on: April 03, 2007, 10:38:11 pm »

I'd be more worried if they were blowing 3-4 run leads in the late innings.  When you are up by a run it's obviously not real hard to give that up.

330

Talk Zone / Re: Why the game was lost

« on: April 03, 2007, 10:44:39 am »

Yes they do... ETA noticed that on a different thread. Its auto-making smileys for you

I like it.  The next logical step is auto-generated messages.  Just make your choice, check a box and one of the following will appear:

• Lidge sucks.
• No he doesn't.
• Everett should bat #2
• No he shouldn't.
• Why isn't ____ in the starting lineup?  (This one would take a little more work because you'd have to fill in the blank.)
• Because ____ is, you dolt. (See above.)
• Fuck off.
• etc.

Though I don't post much I lurk a lot here and can say that this site has greatly increased my enjoyment of Astros baseball.  But I have to admit the first thing I thought of last night while watching Nady's shot drifting through the sky was, "Hoo boy, OWA is gonna have a field day with this." 

331

Talk Zone / Re: Advice for first trip to MMPUS

« on: April 02, 2007, 02:15:05 pm »

Danke.

332

Talk Zone / Re: Advice for first trip to MMPUS

« on: April 02, 2007, 01:44:35 pm »

That woman is a trip.

Explain please for us thridbasies.

333

Talk Zone / Re: Closet Pearl, Stroh’s and Olympia drinkers, be heard

« on: March 31, 2007, 07:18:11 pm »

This truly is a great thread.  I'm somewhat of a cheap beer connoisseur.  Don't get me wrong, I drink all kinds of stuff from Belgians made with strange things that I'm not sure I want to know about to IPAs that put all your bitterness taste buds out of commission for a month to the classic British and German beers. 

But there's something about Houston summers, baseball, and cheap beer that just seems to go together.  (Plus I'm a cheap bastard so I tend to sample the exotic stuff but drink inexpensive beers.)  Schlitz and Miller High Life are my mainstays and they compliment each other well.  Schlitz is rather dry and hoppy for its style and High Life is more on the sweet side.

Dammit, now I'm thirsty.

334

Talk Zone / Re: Advice for first trip to MMPUS

« on: March 31, 2007, 07:11:01 pm »

We will be in section 313 row 1.

Best section in the park IMO.  We sat there in 2006 but got bumped over to 310 this year despite buying a bigger plan.   

Have fun!

335

Talk Zone / Re: wow this place is wonderful

« on: March 26, 2007, 09:07:49 pm »

Does the new forum mean the price of a beer at the OWA concession stand is going to go up from last year? 

336

Talk Zone / Re: Wot? No Beer Thread?

« on: February 04, 2007, 12:20:43 am »

Quote:
Can't find 97 anywhere.  It's starting to piss me off.  That stuff was great!

Come to think of it, it has been a while since I've seen it around.  The Sam Adams Black Lager is also very good, though, if you're into that style.  It's not too terribly hard to find, either (thanks to Spec's, the Pinnacle of Man's Achievement(TM)).

Tonight's selection was the Saint Arnold Spring Bock.  Pretty good beer.

337

Talk Zone / Re: Wot? No Beer Thread?

« on: February 03, 2007, 06:48:29 pm »

The Shiner dunkelweizen is excellent.  Most of the time when seasonal beers come out I'll just buy them once to try them, but I've picked some of this up several times this year.

I also agree that the 97 is very good.  I even liked the 96 last year, though it was a little wimpy for a M?rzen.  But then O-Fests are probably my favorite style if I was forced to pick one.

Great, now I need to go to the store...

338

Talk Zone / Re: An interview with the Trained Gorilla

« on: December 13, 2006, 06:38:44 pm »

I'd been wondering what John Rocker thought about the immigration debate.  Thank goodness I can now put that question to rest and move on to whether Alex Ochoa agrees with the ISG report.

339

Talk Zone / Re: what is in a name-yours

« on: November 07, 2006, 12:19:23 am »

My name is Jeff.  Anybody named Jeff who grew up with brothers experienced this standard evolution of nicknames: Jeff, then Jeffer, then Jeffro, then, Fro, then, inevitably, Frobie.

I used to think that if I had it to over again I might pick something different, since at first glance I could be confused with Fredia or Froback.  But since unlike me they occasionally have witty and/or informative things to say, I've grown confident that things are just fine the way they are.

340

Talk Zone / Re: FOX Gets Worse?

« on: October 11, 2006, 01:25:03 pm »

Quote:
Did anyone else that Tigers montage that Zelasko was reading at "Gotta Make the Donuts" super disclaimer speed?

I thought it was just me.  That was insane.  Every 10 seconds or so I'd think to myself, "What the hell did they just say?"

341

Talk Zone / Re: Ok, Let's Talk About A-Rod

« on: October 08, 2006, 01:16:06 am »

I generally stay out of "You're the GM!" discussions because I've *been* the GM.

(Well, in Strat-O-Matic draft leagues, anyway, and I'm really terrible at it.)

That being said...

I'd do A-Rod for $10 million.




Wait, no, that's not what I meant.

If they could work out a deal to get him here and pay "only" that much, I'd be for it.  (Hear that, Purpura?)  My question is, Houston would presumably NOT be the only team that would be vying for his services.  So since the Yanks would want to get as much in return for him as possible (well, theoretically), what would other teams be offering?  Are there teams out there that would pay the whole $15 mil to sign him?

342

Talk Zone / Re: If They Played the Games On Paper:

« on: September 27, 2006, 11:32:53 am »

Oops, sorry.  It's the likelihood (expressed as a percentage) of the Astros making the playoffs according to BP.  The methodology and such are described  here.

[9/27...15.13030]

343

Talk Zone / Re: If They Played the Games On Paper:

« on: September 27, 2006, 11:00:54 am »

9/19...0.96505%
9/20...0.20348
9/21...0.49349
9/22...0.77902
9/23...1.15731
9/24...1.92993
9/25...3.33454
9/26...7.90801
9/27...15.13030

Getting interestinger and interestinger...

344

Talk Zone / Re: All the possibilities

« on: September 27, 2006, 02:10:45 am »

Quote:
Also, historically speaking, if the Cardinals did end up losing the division, it would technically be the biggest choke job in baseball history, no? 8.5 back with 13 to play whereas the '64 Phillies were 6.5 up with 13 to play?

snort

*snort*

SNORT

Dammit, you just woke me from a most pleasant dream.  

Grrrrr....

345

Talk Zone / Re: If They Played the Games On Paper:

« on: September 27, 2006, 01:03:50 am »

Not sayin' it's right, but I am surely not surprised.

346

Talk Zone / Re: Astros finally back over .500.

« on: September 27, 2006, 12:31:21 am »

Garner said they needed to get back to .500, and then they'd start thinking about a playoff run.

I'm beginning to believe that perhaps Mr. Garner really does know more about baseball than I do.

347

Talk Zone / Re: If They Played the Games On Paper:

« on: September 26, 2006, 12:49:19 pm »

Does anybody follow BP's Postseason Odds?  

For the Astros, as of the following dates:

9/19...0.96505%
9/20...0.20348
9/21...0.49349
9/22...0.77902
9/23...1.15731
9/24...1.92993
9/25...3.33454
9/26...7.90801

Not sayin' it's good for anything but entertainment value, but it's kind of interesting in a oddly precise sort of way.

348

Talk Zone / Re: Booing Preston Wilson

« on: September 25, 2006, 01:03:53 pm »

Even my wife commented about that.  Of course, since some "fans" now boo Lidge every time he allows a baserunner, I can't say that I'm terribly surprised.

349

Talk Zone / Re: when do we expect a verdict on luke scott?

« on: September 21, 2006, 11:16:20 am »

My verdict on Luke Scott is that his Strat-O-Matic card next year is going to rock.

[beautiful]

350

Talk Zone / A night at the ol' ball yard

« on: September 19, 2006, 03:00:31 am »

Wow, what a wonderful night here in Houston.  Gray clouds and a beautiful sunset, temperature was pleasant, low humidity, a nice breeze... and the lid was open so we could all enjoy it.

I probably had as fun a time at the game tonight as I have in a long while.  The crowd wasn't that great--I think they announced it at 28 and something--but on the plus side it was dollar hot dog night once again, and there were no lines.  

(*burp*)

Oh yeah, and the game.  Pretty well played all around, and the guys in white won.  I love watching Oswalt pitch.  Partly because he's just damn good at it, and partly because he goes after folks and moves things along.  I thought this one might be wrapped up in 2:15 or so, but some late substitutions and offense drew it out a bit longer.

I actually haven't paid a lot of attention to baseball in the last week or so.  I went to the loss to the Phils on Saturday, but I honestly didn't watch or listen to the Friday or Sunday games (and for that I'm very glad).  I wouldn't say I'm terribly disappointed with how the season has gone, but let's face it... we're all spoiled.  I've reconciled myself to the fact that this ain't the year, and was a bit disappointed with that.  Until tonight.

Baseball is just fun.  Going to the stadium is fun.  Watching these guys--among the best at their jobs in the world--is fun.  Enjoying this wonderful Houston September weather is fun.  Part of me is ready for the season to be over, but most of me knows how much I'm gonna miss it when it's gone.

Anyway, I had a really good time tonight.

That is all.

351

Talk Zone / Re: MMP ranked 17th among MLB stadiums

« on: September 13, 2006, 05:24:05 pm »

Yeah, it would have been nice if they had included something that covered fan behavior (or whatever you want to call it).  

Our seats this year are on the aisle and I've had people try to start sliding past me to go sit down  while the ball was in play.  To say nothing of the folks who wait until everybody sits down after the 7th-inning stretch to decide that they want to get out.

352

Talk Zone / Re: Never read a John Lopez article

« on: September 13, 2006, 12:14:48 pm »

Quote:
I don't see it as "looming." I see it as pretty predictable. It seems to me that next year is Bidge's last year, he'll play a lot more at home than on the road (except when he travels to NY), he'll collect his 3000th hit, take his victory lap, and be on hand for #7 and #5 to be retired together at the 2008 home opener. I would be very surprised if any other course of events unfolded.

I pretty much agree, but it does bring up some interesting questions.

It looks like as of today Biggio has 2916 hits, so that leaves (pauses to fuss with calculator) 84 to go.  There are 18 games left in the season, so to pull a number out of my ass let?s say he gets 10 hits before 2006 comes to a close.  That leaves 74 (let?s just say 75) to the big 3K.  

How many ABs will it take to get there?  If he hits .250, it?s 300, .225 is 333, and .275 would take 273.  I?d be surprised if he hit less than .225 or higher than .275, but not real surprised.  So figure a best guess of 275-350 at-bats.  Surely doable, but what?s the best way to go about it?

If he plays half-time, be it a home/road platoon or whatever, you?re talking about not reaching the magic number until close to the end of the season.  And that doesn?t include any missed time due to injuries, which are (of course) a real possibility.  (Biggio?s playing basically this whole season as a 40+ 2Bman is nearly historically unprecedented).  And what happens if for whatever reason he DOESN?T get to 3K in 2007?  

So I?m sure Garner and the rest of the people who actually get paid to think about this shit will come up with a reasonable plan without much input from me, but my guess is Biggio plays the majority of home games, most road games in the first half of the season, and still reaches 3K later than we had probably hoped (July/August?).  After that... I dunno, go to Walt Disney World?

[terrible]

353

Talk Zone / Re: hometown heroes

« on: September 11, 2006, 03:25:28 pm »

I was more annoyed with the horrible voice of the guy who narrated the highlight clips of the nominees.  

It's freakin' terrible.

354

Talk Zone / Re: UT v OSU (non-bb)

« on: September 09, 2006, 02:16:51 pm »

As the token OSU person (though it wouldn't surprise me if there were more--we do get around) here in unfriendly territory, I'll just say that I hope the game is as good as last year's.

355

Talk Zone / Re: Backe's surgery

« on: September 07, 2006, 11:51:06 pm »

Quote:
Nice.  When I had my ACL/MCL re-done years ago, the prep nurse asked me twice which knee it was...then the took out a sharpie and marked a big black X and wrote NO below it on the good knee.

So... don't leave us in suspense.  Did they get it right?

[anything]

356

Talk Zone / Re: Backe's surgery

« on: September 07, 2006, 11:49:31 pm »

Quote:
Doctors are trained in medical school to never say "oops". They say things "My, look at that" or "That's interesting"

Truer words have never been spoken.

If you are very lucky, a physician will never use the term "interesting" to describe anything having to do with your medical condition(s).

"That's interesting" = "Man, are you fucked."

357

Talk Zone / Mike "Moonlight" Grzanich

« on: September 01, 2006, 05:18:17 pm »

Just happened to be over at the mlb.com site to see if there were any afternoon games I could listen to on this cusp-of-a-3-day weekend and noticed an interesting Astros-related story.

The link.

Can't say that I remember this guy... but then again I didn't start following the Astros on a daily basis until 1999, which probably makes me the biggest n00b around these parts.

358

Talk Zone / Re: Keep an eye on Ernesto late next week (non-bb)

« on: August 27, 2006, 01:26:01 am »

Quote:
Thursday would be much better than Saturday.  If we got to get hit, might as well get a day or two off work!

Mr. Hartounian will understand.

[Member, Ron Villone's All-Time Teammate Team, 2006]

359

Talk Zone / Re: biggio makes villone's all-time teammate team

« on: August 26, 2006, 02:56:37 pm »

I hope there's room for Member, Ron Villone's All-Time Teammate Team, 2006 on his Cooperstown Plaque.

[plenty]

360

Talk Zone / Re: In Honor of the 13-0 Drubbing...

« on: August 24, 2006, 01:44:33 am »

Oh hell, I have plenty of those kinds of stories from college.  Of course, they are written from the perspective of the guy with the towel over his head...  

Funny stuff.

361

Talk Zone / Re: 5 game series?

« on: August 19, 2006, 02:49:37 am »

Quote:
Retrosheet is so much fun, man.

Talk about something that will suck the life out of you...

People wandered into the Retrosheet Zone years ago and have yet to be heard from.

[still]

362

Talk Zone / Re: Brett and Dave

« on: August 18, 2006, 06:21:03 pm »

Quote:

Quote:
I'm just glad to know that I'm not the only one who  still has trouble telling them apart...

Maybe we shouold called them simply "Breve", or perhaps "Drett".

Perhaps next time they hire two broadcasters at the same time, one could be a 6'8" guy who speaks with a strong Lithuanian accent and the other could be a female dwarf/little person with a squeaky soprano voice.

Uh, or sumfink.

[still]

363

Talk Zone / Re: Brett and Dave

« on: August 18, 2006, 05:51:13 pm »

I'm just glad to know that I'm not the only one who  still has trouble telling them apart...

364

Talk Zone / Re: Play hooky, on me

« on: August 15, 2006, 05:25:54 pm »

Last call for this extra ticket to tomorrow's game.  Probably won't be a real big crowd so once you're in the gate you can wander.

I just hate to see it go to waste...

365

Talk Zone / Re: Hirsh tonight

« on: August 13, 2006, 12:14:42 am »

I was there so I didn't have the benefit of a good view of the strike zone or instant replay.  That being said...

Don't know if it was nerves or what, but he seemed to lack command.  Threw a lot of pitches--his pitch count was in the 70s or 80s after 4 innings IIRC (actually 87 according to ESPN)--and seemed to go to full or near-full counts on most batters, even though he "only" walked 2.  I'd be curious to hear what others thought of the dinger-fest.  It looked to me like he just left the ball over the plate.  From where I was sitting, they didn't seem to be great pitches.

Stuff-wise, he reminded me a lot of Springer (with the addition of a change).

Edited to add:  just noticed that pravata's (excellent, as usual) recap is up already.  Some useful thoughts about Hirsh if you haven't seen it yet.

366

Talk Zone / Re: Play hooky, on me

« on: August 09, 2006, 05:15:08 pm »

OK, the 9/20 tix have been distributed.

Now, I have a single ticket (same section, etc.) for Wednesday, 8/16 against the Cubs.  It's another 1:05 start to close the homestand.

Pro:  it's free.
Con:  you'd have to sit by me.

Your call.  

PM me if interested.

367

Talk Zone / Play Hooky, on me

« on: August 04, 2006, 01:49:23 am »

I have 2 tickets to the Astros-Reds game on Wednesday, 9/20 that I can't use.  As of today it's scheduled as a 1:05 getaway game.  Got them as part of of a package; unfortunately, I have an unavoidable conflict with work (yuk!) so I need to give them up.  They are 2 aisle seats in section 313.  

It could turn out to be a very important series, since the (fucking) Reds are on their way to the playoffs as of today.  

The face value for each ticket is $20; if you wanted to make a small donation to a charity of your choice in exchange for them, that'd be okay with me.  

If you didn't, that'd be cool too.

I just don't want them to go to waste.  

Please PM me if you are interested.  First come/first served.

368

Talk Zone / Re: 9-23 Game

« on: August 02, 2006, 08:24:27 pm »

Heh.  It'll be like those poor bastards who win the giant Goya basket and then have to carry it home after the game.

369

Talk Zone / Re: "I got a bad taste in my mouth"

« on: August 01, 2006, 12:30:44 am »

Quote:
Good grief. That's a sense of self-worth inflated more than CB Bucknor's. Laughable. Like MLB players need referrals... much less from two-bit wannabe "reporters."

This is completely irrelevant to the current discussion, but I was listening to the Red Sox-Indians slugfest tonight.  Bucknor was umping at the plate, and about halfway through the game--and for no apparent reason--Tom Hamilton (Indians PBP guy) said almost to himself (paraphrased), "You know, C.B. Bucknor is a nice enough guy, but he has absolutely no business being a major league umpire."  I got a good chuckle out of that.

We now return you to your regular program.

370

Talk Zone / Re: The Force

« on: July 29, 2006, 01:21:37 am »

Quote:
Scott with a homer, triple and double. And he may get to hit again.

Until tonight, I don't think I'd ever seen Luke Scott smile before.

371

Talk Zone / Re: I just can't watch anymore

« on: July 24, 2006, 11:09:39 pm »

The Astros won the first 7 or 8 games I went to last year.  I decided that if the streak made it to 10, I was going to write Drayton a letter asking him to put me on the payroll (or at least dish out some free seats, for the good of the team ya know).  Sadly they didn't make it, and thus I still have not obtained a position on the Astros' Crackpot List.

Your situation is infinitely worse.  I do find it funny, however, that after all the hand-wringing this season it turns out that the team's mediocre performance is all your fault.

372

Talk Zone / Re: Lame showing by astros slugger at ASG HR Derby

« on: July 12, 2006, 05:54:29 pm »

The parrot wanted it more.

373

Talk Zone / Re: Step on a Crack

« on: July 09, 2006, 01:10:16 am »

Well, I for one don't know what's up with Lidge.

Head?  Mechanics?  Just going through a rough/unlucky period?  Tipping pitches?  Not trusting his stuff?  (God, how I hate that phrase.)  

I've watched the Lidge threads here with interest, though I don't recall ever posting in one of them before.  So here goes...

Looking at it pragmatically, in 21st-century baseball the closer is the team's best pitcher out of the pen.  I am not big on the whole "closers are born, not made" thing.  It seems as though Lidge is not the Astros best relief pitcher at the moment.  And we're not talking about a game, a week, or a month.  It's the All-Star Break, fer cryin' out loud.

I'm not anti-Lidge.  But at what point do you try to shuffle things up?  Garner (who I admit probably knows better how to manage the Astros than I do) has no problem with benching position players, shuffling the battling order, playing hunches, etc., when it comes to the guys in the field.  So I guess at times I find it hard to follow the super-rigid bullpen role thing.

Anyway, very tough loss today and I've tried my best not to be too negative.  The great thing about baseball is that there's always tomorrow.  (At least until the day that there isn't.)  ;-)

374

Talk Zone / Re: Step on a Crack

« on: July 08, 2006, 09:35:16 pm »

All I know is that his Strat-O-Matic card is going to suck next year.

Fuckity fuck fuck fuck.

375

Talk Zone / Re: Bucknor in the 7th

« on: June 28, 2006, 01:44:22 am »

Quote:
that 3-1 pitch may have been the single worst call i have ever seen.

You are a fucking pussy.  Suck it up.  Maybe you should join the "Jolly Roger" Brigade, but the rest of the folks have to live with shitty calls.

So fuck you.

376

Talk Zone / Re: Peter Gammons emergency surgery

« on: June 28, 2006, 12:12:10 am »

Wow, that can be some really nasty stuff (and not in the fun Oswaltian "nasty stuff" way).

I hope things go well for him and he returns to work soon.

377

Talk Zone / Re: It rang AND vibrated

« on: June 14, 2006, 03:36:38 pm »

Quote:
Pardon my ignorance, but how is this any different than what they've had for the last 40 years?

I think it's called product placement.  Didn'tcha notice the big Motorola logo in the dugout?

cha-CHING.

378

Talk Zone / Re: Ausmus play at the plate

« on: June 10, 2006, 01:05:47 am »

Quote:
...But Ausmus is not particularly good at plays at the plate, at least in my opinion.  It's not that he's bad, it's that he tries to tage like an infielder, and doesn't block the plate well.  It's the only real gripe I have about his defense...

Well, I'm really not qualified to judge the defensive performance of a MLB catcher, but since when has that stopped anyone?  

I never thought much about it until I read someone on OWA lamenting Ausmus' poor plate-blocking ability.  Since then I've tried to pay more attention, and after the last few weeks I have to say that I concur.

379

Talk Zone / Re: Amazing catch (HS baseball)

« on: June 09, 2006, 11:35:37 am »

Do you gain or lose style points when your hat comes off diving for a ball?

380

Talk Zone / Re: I hate the goddamn fucking Pirates...

« on: May 28, 2006, 01:56:21 am »

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

381

Talk Zone / Re: I hate the goddamn fucking Pirates...

« on: May 28, 2006, 01:42:27 am »

Funnest game of the year.

Funnest is a word, right?

RIGHT?!!

Aw, fuck it. I hate the Pirates too.

382

Talk Zone / Re: Barrett gets 10 game suspension

« on: May 26, 2006, 06:12:46 pm »

From The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract:

Quote:
In the 1980 World Series, which Darrell Porter lost for the Royals almost single-handedly, there were two plays on which Porter was out at home plate, and tried to tip-toe in, avoiding a collision.  This really wasn't typical of Porter, who was a hard-nosed player, but he chose the wrong time to turn into Darrell Milquetoast.  Anyway, after the second play a reporter asked [Bob] Boone if there was some sort of gentleman's agreement among catchers.  "Yeah," said Boone, "the agreement is you get knocked on your ass."  

383

Talk Zone / Re: So that balk...

« on: May 25, 2006, 03:37:52 am »

I don't know shit about anything, but I'm pretty amazed that this obvious balk required an umpires' conference to get it right.

384

Talk Zone / Wild Pitches with Lance Berkman

« on: May 20, 2006, 09:19:26 pm »

A thousand pardons if it has been posted elsewhere, but I just came across  this and thought it was pretty awesome.

It might be just me, but I can actually envision FE rolling around on the ground with his 65-year-old father-in-law...

385

Talk Zone / Re: Holy crap

« on: May 17, 2006, 11:58:39 am »

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
Well, you could hear Milo's fucking cell phone ringing for about 45 seconds during the top of the 8th tonight... so as long as you don't do anything worse than that, I guess you're as good as a HOFer.

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Oh, and give the score a lot.

That reminds me...

Am I crazy or did Milo make a very pointed remark either last night or during Monday's game about not giving the score "as often as some people would like us to."

Perhaps I just dreamed it or something, but I could have sworn he said something like that during one of these Giants games, and with an awful lot of disdain in his voice.

The Link

He was at it again last night as well.

386

Talk Zone / Re: Holy crap

« on: May 16, 2006, 11:40:52 pm »

Well, you could hear Milo's fucking cell phone ringing for about 45 seconds during the top of the 8th tonight... so as long as you don't do anything worse than that, I guess you're as good as a HOFer.

Sounds like a lot of fun.

Oh, and give the score a lot.

387

Talk Zone / Re: Happy Cinco de Mayo

« on: May 05, 2006, 06:35:57 pm »

Quote:
I think you're thinking (or not) of Oktoberfest.

Actually, it's Tag der deutschen Einheit (October 3rd).  Reunification day, basically.  I Googled it to make me look smart, then posted the message I wrote prior to doing the search.  Genius, I am.  Oh well.

Is it beer-o'clock yet?

388

Talk Zone / Re: Happy Cinco de Mayo

« on: May 05, 2006, 06:26:10 pm »

Quote:

Quote:
Hawk, so you don't like mexican beer?  What kind of beer do you like?

German beers. <snip>

Any beer or style in particular?  Or should I wait until the German national holiday (whatever the hell that might be) to ask?

389

Talk Zone / Re: Happy Cinco de Mayo

« on: May 05, 2006, 05:23:58 pm »

Negra Modelo, with Bohemia a close second.

390

Talk Zone / Re: Astros Show Clemens the Money

« on: May 03, 2006, 02:48:31 pm »

"What are you going to do with the million dollars, sir?"

"Oh, I dunno.  Throw it on the pile, I suppose."

391

Talk Zone / Re: The penis is mightier than the sword

« on: May 03, 2006, 01:39:29 pm »

Quote:
C - Tony Hillerman Eusebio - The biggest mystery of the southwest was how did he fit that ginormous ass into a pair of baseball pants?

This is off-topic but when the wife and I would watch games, we had this little drill where every (it seemed) time we'd rag on Eusebio he would do something good.  It got to the point where we just started calling him "Fat Tony" and every one of his at-bats became packed full of insulting comments.  We still laugh about that from time-to-time.

392

Talk Zone / Re: Bonds Break Ruth at MM?

« on: May 03, 2006, 12:52:24 pm »

Quote:
Astros Account is already up to 1700 this season. Sold a pair of Crawfords for 150 a piece for a Cub game later in the year because this year the Astros allow you to sale them for 5 times face.

Holy crap, you should write an investment newsletter.

393

Talk Zone / Re: Brett and Dave not making any friends in Cincinnati

« on: May 01, 2006, 05:39:41 pm »

Quote:

1. Raymond and Dolan did not slam the columnist, the *OTHER CINCY media* guys did.

2. Raymond and Dolan did not slam the food in Cincy, they praised it.

They did nothing to merit even the hint of being on Marty's hit list for the day, mild or not.  He owes them an apology.

Fair enough.  I wasn't trying to defend Marty, it just wasn't the bitchfest I expected.  Of course, I do read this board pretty regularly so maybe my bitchfestometer needs recalibrated...

394

Talk Zone / Re: Brett and Dave not making any friends in Cincinnati

« on: May 01, 2006, 05:28:42 pm »

I just listened to the archived version of the audio.  (It's at about 3:08:30 if you have the GameDay audio package, which I broke down and bought this year.  Was only 15 bucks or something.)

It wasn't as bad as I expected, and he didn't specifically call them "bush league", he said they had been bouncing around in the bush leagues (if that matters).  Sounded to me like he did get a little overly excited based on what he heard through the grapevine, but whatever.  He did seem to be a bit protective of that particular columnist, so maybe they are drinking buddies or something.  

Quote:
And, by the way, the food does suck in Ohio.  Anyone telling you differently is full of shit.

1.  Go to Bucyrus.
2.  Buy some  Carle's bratwurst.
3.  Stand corrected.

395

Talk Zone / Re: If true, this is funny stuff (Milo related)

« on: April 26, 2006, 11:50:44 pm »

Milo just welcomed Billy Ray Valentine and associates as well as Duke & Duke Commodities.

396

Talk Zone / TaylorTaylorTaylor!!

« on: April 22, 2006, 10:40:26 pm »

Listened on the radio tonight, but it sure sounded like he had it all working.  When they set off the fireworks early on the error in the 9th, I thought the BBGs would soon deliver their divine retribution in the form of Jason Bay... eek!

Lidge to the rescue.

397

Talk Zone / Re: Ouch

« on: April 05, 2006, 10:48:57 am »

Quote:
Vince Young had a good throw on his ceremonial pitch.  It's just too bad he's not left-handed, or we might have found ourselves a new reliever.

I decided a long time ago that if I ever get an opportunity to throw out a first pitch (hey, you never know--I could get rescued after falling down a well or something), it's going to be a knuckleball.  It just has to be.

398

Talk Zone / Re: It's no longer 'on'?

« on: March 14, 2006, 09:47:56 pm »

Quote:
wonder if the beer men wil be dressed up like bees..use the pointy tail to fight off problems drunks..

Yikes, I guess that means I need to start taking my EpiPen to the games.

399

Talk Zone / Re: Drayton to testify on behalf of Ken Lay (obviously non-B

« on: February 11, 2006, 01:53:13 am »

Not that it means anything, and everyone else probably knows this already, but I just read in the Daily Cougar the other day that Ken Lay has a Ph.D. in economics from UH.

Eek.

400

Talk Zone / Re: BB Prospectus

« on: January 14, 2006, 11:28:10 pm »

Quote:
well, it involves numbers (!) and research (i.e. work) and not just your gut feeling from watching TV, so some people will have a problem with it.

I wholeheartedly agree.  Numbers?  Facts?!  ON AN INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARD?!!!!  What is the world coming to?

I don't believe anything unless I can sense it.

Wait, I'm getting a message now.

*rubbing temples*

I believe...

I believe...

I believe I'll have another beer.

401

Talk Zone / Re: Ok, enough already about Bush, Gtmo, and Iraq

« on: January 11, 2006, 01:17:29 pm »

Quote:
History: Numbers Game (Jonathan Schwartz is the author, I think).  A new book about the history of baseball statistics, how they developed and have been used.  Not just for saber-geeks (though it helps).

Just happened to read that one last week.  It was really good.  You're right, it's much more of a history book that a standard SABR-geek book.

402

Talk Zone / Re: Ok, enough already about Bush, Gtmo, and Iraq

« on: January 11, 2006, 12:07:59 am »

Oooooh, this looks like a good 'un!

History:  The Pitch That Killed by Mike Sowell.  A history of the 1920 season, including the death of Ray Chapman and the tight AL pennant race that was complicated by the breaking of the Black Sox scandal and subsequent suspensions.

Biography (including autobiography or memoires):  Probably Jackie Robinson: A Biography by Arnold Rampersad.  Far from hero worship, it also discusses Robinson's flaws and how he overcame them to become the ballplayer/man that he was.

Theory or how-to books:  NHBA by Bill James.  Best bathroom book of all time.

Fiction:  The Universal Baseball Association, Inc., J. Henry Waugh, Prop. by Robert Coover.  As an unreformed Strat-O-Matic geek, it's a great read.   The Natural by Bernard Malamud is a close second.  Any similarities to the Robert Redford movie (which I also like) were purely coincidental.  
 
Essays:  I don't have many books in this category, but Game Time by Roger Angell is probably my favorite.  I am embarrassed to say that I've been collecting baseball books for some time, but this was the first (and so far only) Angell book I've read.  I was truly impressed.

And if I can mention another category, Best Baseball Book That's Just Plain Fun:  Ball Four by Jim Bouton.  I used to read it every year around spring training time.  I can still pick it up and find something really damn funny on any random page.  I guess some of us never really grow up...  

403

Talk Zone / Re: Ash off the Air

« on: December 21, 2005, 12:46:05 am »

Well, I don't know shit about anything, so my rule-of-thumb would be to always bet against me.

Quote:
My first thought was that Milo was behind it, but the previous poster thinks the exact opposite, so who knows...

Funny you posted that.  Don't know what went on behind the scenes, but I listened to at least a couple of innings on the radio for probably 75% of the games last year because my computer is in a room with no TV and I'm too fucking stupid to figure out how to even start hooking up a wireless network.  Anyhoo, especially toward the end Milo would just gush about how great Ashby was.  Maybe when they went to the breaks they'd bicker like Nick and Jessica, I have no idea.  But I certainly had the impression that Milo wanted Ashby to be around in 2006, and to do the PBP for the road games most likely.

And since nobody has mentioned it yet, how much are we paying these new broadcasters?  And shouldn't we use that money to go out and get a catcher and shortshop who can hit?!  

404

Talk Zone / Re: Ash off the Air

« on: December 20, 2005, 11:35:37 pm »

I have to say I'm a little disappointed by this.  Maybe in 6 months I'll be talking about how great Dolan and Raymond are, but I'm sad to see Ash go, especially in such an unceremonious way.

I wonder what sort of comments Milo is going to "sneak" into the broadcasts about this.  He was really pushing for Ashby to get the gig...  Should be interesting.  "Well, that's an interesting comment, Dave.  Not nearly as interesting as my former broadcast partner Alan Ashby would have made, though.  My oh my, he was one of the best in the business."

405

Talk Zone / Re: 2005 Top Plays Archive

« on: December 11, 2005, 01:34:18 am »

Quote:
One of my favorite performances was earlier in the year when Oswalt smoked some team (Blue Jays, I think) in like 2 hours.

I took my brother (who was visiting from Ohio) to that one.  When we got home my wife said, "Didn't you stay for the whole thing?"

 box

Ensberg hit a walk-off dinger (after a blown save) the night before.  We got to see that, too.  Pretty entertaining weekend of baseball.

406

Talk Zone / Re: 2005 Top Plays Archive

« on: December 09, 2005, 06:18:41 pm »

Quote:

And I love to go back to  2004 and watch:
9/17 - Astros get the last out

Huh, don't remember that one for some reason.  Nice play all around, and a good example of why you need to hit the cutoff man.

407

Talk Zone / Re: A question about ticket plans

« on: December 05, 2005, 06:17:31 pm »

Quote:

Quote:
I guess the good thing is that there's not really much of a price break on ticket plans

Playoff option.

That's a good point, but I'm supposed to be in Italy for most of when the LCS and the WS are scheduled.  Therefore, I *know* that the Astros will be going all the way next year.

408

Talk Zone / Re: New college baseball video game

« on: December 05, 2005, 06:14:05 pm »

I wouldn't know what Rice's park looks like, except I recognize the Medical Center buildings in the background!

409

Talk Zone / Re: A question about ticket plans

« on: December 04, 2005, 04:21:47 am »

Quote:
I don't know why they would reserve seats for single games if you were offering to buy for 27 games...

Me neither.    

Frobie:  "I want to come see a bunch of ballgames next year.  Here's my money.  As far as concessions, I love hot dogs, and don't get me started on beer."

Grocer:  "I don't really want your money.  We might be able to squeeze you into the infield seats, but you didn't hear it from me.  Oh, and if you want to contribute to the Adam Dunn Fund, and I know you do, your cable bill will go up a dollar a month this year."

I guess the good thing is that there's not really much of a price break on ticket plans, so I could just as easily take the list of games I'd like to see down to the box office...

410

Talk Zone / A question about ticket plans

« on: December 02, 2005, 07:32:59 pm »

So about half way through last year--way before the excitement of the home stretch and the amazing playoffs--Mrs. Frobie and I decided that we were going to look into buying a 27-game ticket package for 2006.  As you're probably all aware, these went on sale this week.  I excitedly went to the Astros website yesterday and found... that the available seats for the miniplans aren't what we wanted.

We were hoping to sit in the Terrace level somewhere between sections 313 (our 1st choice) and 325.  (Seating chart is  here).  We sat there numerous times during the regular season (and postseason) last year and had no trouble getting the seats, even for an LCS game.  However, the "best" seats Ticketbastard would give us are in section 309 or 329.  What's up with that?

I'm sure they save numerous blocks of seats for single-game buyers and such.  And I've never really sat in a BAD seat at MMP.  But if I'm gonna drop a grand on baseball tickets it would be nice to actually sit where we want to.

Anyone know what's up with this?  Were full season ticket sales THAT good this year?  I suppose I could call 1-800 number or go to the box office and ask, but that would take all the fun out of bitching on the Internet about it rather than taking steps in the real world to actually see what's going on.

 

411

Talk Zone / Re: The Florida Marllins of Las Vegas?

« on: November 22, 2005, 06:00:38 pm »

I know some here do not look favorably on the publication, but the most (IMO) interesting article in the 2005 Baseball Prospectus was about the Marlins.  It discussed the team's mismanagement and stadium woes, the resulting alienation of whatever fan base they had, and why they would NOT move to Vegas.

If I remember I'll try to post some excerpts when I get home from work.

412

Talk Zone / Re: This place needs a Frappr thread

« on: November 18, 2005, 06:59:21 pm »

Would one of the more, uh... "esteemed" members (heh heh, members) be willing to take over the administratin' duties for this?  Not really anything to do as far as I can tell, but it might be a more appropriate job for an old-timer than for me.

Just a thought...

413

Talk Zone / Re: Astros raise ticket prices

« on: November 18, 2005, 05:06:54 pm »

Quote:
I like to sit in different places during the year, just to get a different perspective.  The only really bad seats are the obstructed view rows at the top of the view deck.  The terrace deck between the bases and the bullpen boxes are probably the best deal for the price.

We do the same thing, but I think we've pretty much settled on the terrace deck from 313-325 or thereabouts as the best balance of view vs. price.  Haven't really ever sat in what I'd consider "bad" seats, though the outer reaches of the mezzanine was getting pretty close.

Actually, I don't like the field boxes at all.  Only sat there once last year and the line-of-sight to the field is so flat that someone coming or going was constantly in the way.  I also don't remember when fans got to be so rude as to not wait between innings (or at least between batters) to be on-the-move, but that's a whole 'nother discussion.

414

Talk Zone / This place needs a Frappr thread

« on: November 16, 2005, 08:24:33 pm »

So here it is.

linky

(oopsie... thanks, homer!)

[dialogue]

415

Talk Zone / Re: Purpura on 610 this morning

« on: November 11, 2005, 03:13:42 am »

Hey DVauthrin and shortshop... what the hell are you doing?!  It looks like... dialogue!  

[cue psycho violin shrieks]

One of you two needs to tell the other to fuck off, and fast.

416

Talk Zone / Re: Palmeiro: B12 shot may have caused positive test

« on: November 09, 2005, 06:27:13 pm »

Did he *have* breakfast, or did someone give breakfast to him without his knowledge?

417

Talk Zone / Re: Interesting proposal regarding September callups

« on: November 08, 2005, 04:08:49 pm »

Nice link, thanks.

I think he has a point but it's far from the worst thing affecting the "integrity of the game" with respect to the wild card races, IMO.

Everyone plays a different number of teams a different number of games because of the unbalanced intraleague schedule and interleague play (including stuff like the 'Stros playing the Rangers every year, or Cleveland/Cincy, or Yanks/Mets, or whoever).  To me that's a MUCH worse problem than the September callups.

Of course, fixing the roster size problem would be a relatively easy thing to do while fixing the scheduling issues would be pretty much impossible without expanding to 32 teams and having 8 4-team divisions with no wild cards.  Leonard Koppett (IIRC, and among others I'm sure) has written about this.

Still, I've always liked and looked forward to the September callups for some reason...

418

Talk Zone / Re: Another steaming pile of RCAP...

« on: November 05, 2005, 03:02:47 am »

Quote:
We're discussing this because there's no game to watch.

Ha.  I thought you fellers were beating a dead horse around post 50... imagine my surprise when I checked back several hours later and you're over 150.  

I think some offseason recreation is in order... anybody play Strat-O-Matic?  I've managed to guide the 1975 'Stros to a 24-24 record so far, which ain't bad considering it was the franchise's worst year winning percentage-wise.  JR Richard is 4-0, 2.80 in his first year in the rotation... Cliff Johnson's hitting .422 and is second in the league with 10 dingers despite only 109 ABs... Doug Konieczny is 5-1, 3.48...

C'mon.  It's good for what ails ya!

Edit:  Oh, other folks you might be interested in:  Cedeno .274/2/25, 6 SB (need to get him uncorked!), Dierker 1-7 5.59 (yuck).  Cedeno is a frontrunner for a gold glove, and Roger Metzger has an outside shot at one.  This new guy Joe Niekro is doing well (2-1, 1.84, 3 saves) but he's a knuckleballer so I think it's unlikely he's gonna go anywhere.  

419

Talk Zone / Re: Gold Gloves

« on: November 02, 2005, 06:49:41 pm »

 NL GG Announcement

Omar Freakin' Vizquel?!

[uniforms]

420

Talk Zone / Re: Go Back to the Orange and Navy?

« on: November 01, 2005, 12:07:56 am »

Quote:
They did, just not lately.  Is wardrobe an issue for anyone who isn't a girl?

Actual conversation I had with my wife a few years back:

Wife:  "Wow, I really like the outfits the Astros are wearing."

Me:  "Uniforms, dear.  They're called uniforms."

421

Talk Zone / Re: Couple of Post Mortem Comments

« on: October 28, 2005, 11:45:54 am »

I wear cleats to every game so I can be prepared for such a contingency.  Of course, since I usually sit in the 300 level the opportunity to use them hasn't come up yet.

422

Talk Zone / Re: Funny Pic of Guillen

« on: October 28, 2005, 03:25:57 am »

Quote:
Personally, I'm not even thrilled with all the handshaking.  What is wrong with a polite nod?

You'd have to make eye contact.

Just send an email.

423

Talk Zone / Re: Let's talk '06...will there be $$ to bring everyone back??

« on: October 27, 2005, 03:19:34 am »

Quote:

Quote:
hot...wife...tossing...the...package...

Man it's getting late.

Actually, that's pretty darn funny.  If you knew my wife it'd be even funnier.  

424

Talk Zone / Re: Let's talk '06...will there be $$ to bring everyone back??

« on: October 27, 2005, 02:25:33 am »

Quote:
My gut feeling is that Roger retires...

Actually, I agree with you on that too.  75% chance he hangs 'em up, IMO.  

Of course, I don't know shit about anything, so there ya go.

425

Talk Zone / Re: Let's talk '06...will there be $$ to bring everyone back??

« on: October 27, 2005, 02:23:28 am »

Quote:
Has Ausmus been resigned?  IIRC he has not.

I'm 99% sure you are correct.

426

Talk Zone / Re: Let's talk '06...will there be $$ to bring everyone back??

« on: October 27, 2005, 02:20:01 am »

I'm really curious to see what happens to ticket prices next year.  Probably went to more games this year than I did in my entire life before, and before they got hot the wife and I were tossing around the idea of buying a nice-sized package for 2006.  I only imagine that making it to the circus that is the World Series will stoke interest--which can only be good for the team--but I'm hoping they don't price us out of the market.

[REAL]

427

Talk Zone / Re: Heart

« on: October 27, 2005, 02:11:11 am »

Quote:
wow that site is a flaming pile of dung.

they are calling Lidge the Micelli of 2005.

I actually enjoy the news links on the right side of the page at AstrosDaily.  Decent way to keep up with what's going on, at least as it's reported by the media.

As for the forum and "editorials", I'd say they are hit-and-miss... maybe.  Really never spent a long time perusing either of them.

IMHO, their Astros history section is outstanding, especially for those of us whose Houston roots don't go way back.

If you want to see a REAL shithole, check out the official message board at astros.com.

428

Talk Zone / Re: A tip of the hat to the 2005 Houston Astros

« on: October 27, 2005, 01:16:38 am »

The most enjoyable baseball season I've ever experienced.

Thanks, 'Stros.  And thanks, OWA.

The best thing about tonight is that I can finally wash my nasty hat.  It Lidgin' STINKS.  Ewwwwww.

When do pitchers and catchers report?

429

Talk Zone / Re: One person I felt "good" for

« on: October 26, 2005, 09:21:30 pm »

Ash apparently feels good for Blum too.  He just concluded his pre-game interview with him by saying, "Let's go get 'em in game 4."

430

Talk Zone / Re: they booed -this- guy?

« on: October 26, 2005, 03:33:37 pm »

[sarcasm]Aren't we supposed to boo chokers?[/sarcasm]

I have never, ever understood booing your own team, with one exception: when someone quits.  That can be not hustling, or just giving up.

But to boo someone who's out there busting their ass?  No way.  Never.

Tags added for the sarcasm-impaired.

[stool]

431

Talk Zone / Re: Garner to Burke?

« on: October 26, 2005, 02:53:50 pm »

Quote:
"If we give up a solo shot and walk in a run with two outs in the 14th I'm going to throw my stool."

Now there's a quote that works on more than one level.

432

Talk Zone / Re: The Fox announcers...............

« on: October 26, 2005, 01:55:41 pm »

Quote:
The dumbest comment BY FAR of the night was in the late innings, Lane, Ausmus, Everett due up.  Qualls was the pitcher (he had already put in 2 innings).  One of the announcers, I think McCarver, said that the Astros schemed to be retired 1 2 3 so that Qualls could still be the pitcher.  They had a grand design to go down in order.  So you see, Everett's K there was part of the Master Plan.

But what they didn't mention is that even if someone had accidentally reached base, they could have got caught stealing on purpose so Qualls could stay out there.  So merely getting someone on in extra innings of a tied game wouldn't have been the disaster they envisioned.

433

Talk Zone / Re: Garner to Burke?

« on: October 26, 2005, 12:35:20 pm »

"Check out the hottie in the third row behind the Sox dugout."

434

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

« on: October 24, 2005, 10:32:03 pm »

Quote:

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

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

D'oh!  I knew that.  I had to take a recertification exam at 8:00 that Saturday morning so the whole weekend was a blur of studying (pre-) and beer + baseball (post-).

Those were the first in a long time though, right?  

I think everyone else has made the point better than me anyhoo... what happened in the regular season, Mr. Selig, was the Astros decided whether they wanted it open or not.

435

Talk Zone / Re: so i think my cat is an astros fan..

« on: October 24, 2005, 10:26:55 pm »

Quote:
i should give it a nice swiffering

That sounds like the punchline to a dirty joke.

436

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

« on: October 24, 2005, 07:03:12 pm »

Money quote from the Commish:

Quote:
"MLB controls the postseason, certainly the World Series," commissioner Bud Selig said. "We really haven't gotten heavily involved in the debate.

"Our position is that we want teams to do what they do during the regular season. If, say, 80 degrees is the cutoff during the regular season, that's what it should be in the postseason.

"I don't want it to become a farce. Let's say it's 72 degrees, why wouldn't the roof be open? Why do you have a retractable roof in the first place?," Selig said.

Now, the fact that Selig is a maroon won't come as a shock to anybody here.  But I can see at least two things wrong with these statements.

First, the roof was closed more or less all year.  (Does anyone know the date of the last roof-open game this season?)  There were a few very nice nights down the stretch, but it stayed shut.  So I think the precedent for leaving the lid on is clear.

And second of all, I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box but unless I'm missing something there's a VERY good reason to have a retractable roof, even if you normally play with it shut.  It's called GRASS.  History has shown that grass inside domes doesn't work well.  Build a dome and you're committing to the abomination that is artificial turf.  Who the hell wants to see turf return to the NL?!

Anyway, I think this whole thing is overblown but it is hard to pass up a chance to point out how full of shit Selig is when the opportunity comes along (as it so often does).

437

Talk Zone / Re: Who will be pitching for Astros in Game 4?

« on: October 24, 2005, 05:10:15 pm »

Quote:

Quote:
Has anyone heard?

Unless he gets hit by a bus, I assume it's Backe.

Hmmm...  Given my own extensive personal experience with having to jump/swerve out of the way of METRO buses here in town, I'd have to say that this statement is a little concerning.

Wandy?  Zeke?  Rocket on short rest?  Assuming they aren't all killed by METRO buses in the interim as well?

438

Talk Zone / Re: Four more hours

« on: October 23, 2005, 05:28:25 pm »

I'm getting my 1975 NL Strat-O-Matic replay ready to go.  Gotta have some baseball in the offseason, dontcha know.

439

Talk Zone / Re: Problems Astros had in Game 1

« on: October 23, 2005, 03:10:49 am »

Quote:
I wasn't going to go there, but Garner should have tried a suicide squeeze in 8th inning, screwed up letting Lamb hit against a Lefty instead of using Burke, and should have used Wheeler instead of Springer.

Eh, you have to figure that with men on the corners, nobody out, and Ensberg-Lamb-Bagwell due up, you're gonna get one across.  I was a little surprised by Lamb facing the lefty, but it's my impression (I admit I've never looked this up so I'm putting on my flame-retardant undies just in case) that Lamb generally holds his own against southpaws.

So you'd have had Burke lay down the squeeze?

440

Talk Zone / Re: Problems Astros had in Game 1

« on: October 23, 2005, 02:50:18 am »

Quote:
If you think Bags lobbied for this you are mistaken.

I think you're probably right--"lobby" isn't the right word.  He probably said he felt up to it and was ready to go.  As much as I'm sure it kills him to watch, I don't think he wants to play for the sake of playing.  He wants to help.

But in any case, I don't think he looked bad tonight.  I'd definitely have him out there again tomorrow.

441

Talk Zone / Re: Problems Astros had in Game 1

« on: October 23, 2005, 02:45:05 am »

Quote:
2) Bagwell petitioned to be DH. Management may have put him in on sentiment more than practicalities based on the interviews and articles I have read. Whether or not he moved out of the way of the ball is not of consequence. I saw some St.Louis players using same tactic to good effect in playoffs. Took one for the team at his first bat but other than that, was ineffective.

I didn't really read or see anything that suggested it was a sentimental decision.  Certainly not saying that you are making stuff up, but I was on the lookout because I was concerned about this possibility and I came up empty.

If it was up to me (and I skipped the previous thread on this so bare with me), I'd probably have started OP in left, FE at first, and DHd Lamb, saving Baggy for the lefty tomorrow.  However, I am open to the possibility that Garner knows how to manage this team better than I do.  

I certainly don't think Bagwell embarrassed himself tonight, though.  Far from it.  And *of course* he's gonna lobby to be in there.  That's just the way he is.

Oh, and since I haven't had a chance to post this anywhere else, I just wanted to say:  shitfuck.  Yeah, losing game 1 isn't the end of the world, but we had some opportunities to steal this one tonight and didn't get it done.

Fuckshit.

Get 'em tomorrow.

442

Talk Zone / Re: Question about Crede

« on: October 23, 2005, 01:03:43 am »

The back is the part of the body that is on the opposite side of the front.

I learned that from WebMD.

443

Talk Zone / Re: Give'm hell boys!

« on: October 22, 2005, 06:03:26 pm »

Quote:
Sounds like you need a pocket sized radio with a well consealed ear piece.

I bought one of those to take to work for NLDS game 1.  But about 30 minutes before it started I came to my senses, said the hell with it, and went home to watch.

444

Talk Zone / Re: This isn't a contending team.

« on: October 22, 2005, 03:19:54 pm »

It was nothing like that, I tells ya!

Obligitory NTTAWWT.

445

Talk Zone / Re: This isn't a contending team.

« on: October 22, 2005, 05:25:45 am »

Quote:
(Again:) the girl in the moon on the miller high life label is a bbg.

So... which one of us is supposed to be sweet-talking this BBG for the next couple of weeks?

Not being one to take chances, I entertained her tonight.  Am willing to do so tomorrow as well if necessary.  Never let it be said that I wasn't willing to take one for the team.

446

Talk Zone / Re: Ticket Scalpers and Auctions

« on: October 21, 2005, 05:03:02 pm »

Oh, and as far as ticket scalpers go...

Provide a valuable service, free market, America, apple pie, blah blah blah, etc. etc. etc.

Fuck 'em.

Not that I am bitter or anything.

447

Talk Zone / Re: Ticket Scalpers and Auctions

« on: October 21, 2005, 04:58:12 pm »

I don't think my car is worth $250.

448

Talk Zone / Re: Priceless BFIB Footage

« on: October 21, 2005, 12:27:58 pm »

I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that those fellers enjoyed some brewery-fresh Budwiesers before the interview.  It's game time!

Pretty funny stuff.

449

Talk Zone / Re: Whete's alkie???

« on: October 20, 2005, 01:39:58 am »

Quote:
Him and the old lady are probably crying like babies or fucking like rabbits.

Or both.  

450

Talk Zone / Re: This isn't a contending team.

« on: October 20, 2005, 01:27:26 am »

Quote:
frobie, the girl in the moon on the miller high life label is a bbg.

That's actually sort of weird because I drank a High Life tonight during the post-game show.  There was just one in the fridge, so down it went.

Quote:
I know you really love the indians but what the fuck. you picked a good time to give a damn about the good guys.

Do you believe that each of us has only one true (baseball) love?  I don't *think* getting on board 7 years ahead of time is considered jumping on the bandwagon, but like you I'm sort of a nonconformist so who knows.  

Quote:
just gessin, but do you teach at UH?

Yes ideedily, I do.  At least for one more day.  

w00t!

[Fuck off!]

451

Talk Zone / This isn't a contending team.

« on: October 20, 2005, 01:01:34 am »

"This isn't a contending team."--2005 Baseball Prospectus, Houston Astros chapter, p.106

I love ya, BP, but I just have to say:  Fuck off!

Actually, the real reason I posted was to say congrats to all you life-long 'Stros fans.  I'm a relative n00b in comparison--my (now) wife moved here in 1997, and I started peripherally following the team early in 1998.  Things picked up significantly when I moved here in 1999, and in fact I got to see the last game ever played in the Dome.  

But for whatever reason, I have never, ever followed a sports team as closely as I did the Astros this year--even when they were 15-30 and I thought the chances of them going to the World Series was about the same as me being asked to be THE (not "a" pope).  No matter what happens from here on out, this was special and I'll always remember it.

You guys (and gals) have suffered a long time.  Enjoy every damn moment of this.

Now, I am looking at the bottle of champagne I have in front of me and thinking about the lecture I am supposed to give at 8am tomorrow.  Decision time...

Aw hell, who am I kidding.  

w00t!!

452

Talk Zone / Re: The people saying the Astros are done

« on: October 18, 2005, 06:48:59 pm »

Would have prevented me from drinking a whole bottle of Maalox today.

453

Talk Zone / Re: Bitter taste in my mouth....

« on: October 13, 2005, 12:05:29 am »

Yeah, it's not the reason we lost but it was still frustrating.  Lane actually had a pretty decent AB in the 9th--not much he could do.

Fuck 'em, let's get 'em tomorrow.

454

Talk Zone / Re: Game Watching Plans

« on: October 12, 2005, 06:36:34 pm »

Quote:
Griff's is on Roseland, which is just to the east of Montrose.  The address is 3416 Roseland.  Here's the Link:

The Link

Hey, that's within walking distance of my house!

*locks doors and loads shotgun*

455

Talk Zone / Re: World Series ticket lottery registration starts tomorrow

« on: October 11, 2005, 03:38:28 pm »

Quote:
Awesome.  I "won" last year... and by "won," I mean "ended up losing $20 to Ticketmaster."

It's a mad mad mad mad world.

456

Talk Zone / Re: Scorecard scan from game 4

« on: October 11, 2005, 04:05:00 am »

Meh, that's nuthin'.  See my sig.  

(Actually, my scorecard from this game is so bad that I wouldn't post it here for less than, say, $75.47.  I had to flip it over and do innings 11-18 on plain paper... though at least I had the foresight to make the columns narrow just in case.  I could have gone another 9...  or maybe not.)

I agree, considering the circumstances this is an incredible scoresheet.  And I have to admit that I've scored a couple games on those "official" cards this year.  Hell, one game I even forgot my pencil and had to pay a buck for one.  The guy who sold it to me was laughing and said something along the lines of "next time you'll remember."  

D'oh!

457

Talk Zone / Re: Goodbye all you Eastern teams.... C'Ya! Ha!

« on: October 11, 2005, 03:56:43 am »

I'm confused.  Do they still play out the rest of the season, or just give the championship to the team closest to the midpoint between Boston and NYC, or what?

 

458

Talk Zone / Re: My Recap of the Greatest Astros Game Ever

« on: October 10, 2005, 03:53:03 pm »

I have been there!  I was there!  I have been was there!

Yeah, awesome post.  Was very similar to my experience in a lot of ways.  I personally managed to avoid a bathroom break until after the 12th but made it back in time to see the last 2 pitches of Furcal's strikeout to start the 13th.  When I sat down, the guy sitting next to us who I'd been chatting with the whole game said "Your scorecard is gonna take a hit from all the changes Garner just made.  Look who's playing first."

Me, only half kidding:  "Holy shit, I thought Ausmus just played catcher and shortstop."  (I had forgotten about the game he played an inning at 2b this year.)

Your depiction of Ausmus' dinger was pretty much the same as what happened with me as well, right down to picking up the the second base ump signalling that it was gone as I watched Ausmus ease up as he rounded second.  After that my wife and I both just stopped and looked at each other for a second or two, like we were waiting for the other one to say "it's real".  Then all hell broke loose.

Just an unbelievable experience.

[never]

459

Talk Zone / Re: Game audio?

« on: October 10, 2005, 02:18:13 pm »

Awesome link, thanks!  I've spent a good amount of time browsing the astros.com site before but I've somehow missed this.

Was just listening to the audio calls.  Ash managed to keep his composure (more or less) after Berkman's salami, but at about 0:23 of the Ausmus dinger call he lets out an "Oh my God!"

I Lidgin' love it!!

Am I the only one who has watched the video of the three homers about 20 times each?  If I see those things a million more times I will never get tired of them.

[Who fucking says we can't?]

460

Talk Zone / Re: Holy Fucking Shit

« on: October 09, 2005, 09:22:52 pm »

Like it says on the Entrance page:   Who fucking says we can't?

That was the most incredible sporting event I have ever witnessed.

461

Talk Zone / Re: Nice fans there in ATL

« on: October 09, 2005, 04:52:43 am »

Quote:
Good job Frobie.  Great game tonight.

Well, thanks.  But honestly, Oswalt did most of the work.  All I did was (barely) manage to not get killed by a foul ball.

Though that's more than I do on most days.  

462

Talk Zone / Re: Nice fans there in ATL

« on: October 09, 2005, 02:08:37 am »

Quote:
Correct, dug my score sheet out of the trash.

Francour, RBI single
9-6-4-3-4
Not sure how to note the extra ball, but I saw it too.

Thanks for the scoring, fellers.  And speaking of scorekeeping...

In the 4th inning tonight, Ausmus fouled a pitch back into the 300-level seats behind home plate on the first base side. If they showed a pudgy white guy in a red Astros cap clumsily drop his clipboard and scoresheet as he threw his hands up either to catch it or just for protection (not sure which), then you saw Frobie.  I still haven't mastered simultaneous scoring and foul ball defense.

At least the people we were sitting beside got the ball. It was one of my wife's coworkers and his 8-year-old brother. All foul balls should go to kids IMO. It pisses me off to see grown men fighting over them.

Had a hell of a good time at the game tonight.  Still pumped up and trying to calm down with a beer or two.  Of course, with the noon start tomorrow I'd better get some sleep!

Edited to add:  Hey, I'm not a Clark anymore!  Well, I mean I'll always truly be a Clark but now I don't have to wear the label.  

463

Talk Zone / Re: Nice fans there in ATL

« on: October 08, 2005, 03:02:25 am »

And HurricaneDavid, I Lidgin' LOVE your avatar.  I laugh every time I see it.

464

Talk Zone / Re: Nice fans there in ATL

« on: October 08, 2005, 02:55:31 am »

Not exactly on topic, but...

I heard the rundown on the radio because I had to get on the computer for a minute and there's no TV in the "rumpus room" where the PC is.

At the risk of exposing myself as a compulsive geek, does anyone have the scoring for this play?  Milo just described it as "a long rundown".  And while I could write that on my scoresheet and when I dig it out and look at it years from now will just assume I was drunk at the time, I'd prefer the real thing if I can find it.

As for the compulsive geek thing... okay, I'll give you the geek part.  But I finally threw away all those jars of urine I'd been keeping, so I don't think the compulsive charge is exactly fair.

465

Talk Zone / Re: Who pitches on Sunday?

« on: October 07, 2005, 01:55:55 am »

Backe.

466

Talk Zone / Re: Any Astros fans in Cleveland, Ohio--not Cleveland Texas

« on: October 07, 2005, 01:27:33 am »

Heh, I got my undergrad degree at tOSU.  If you think they are Buckeye-nuts in Cleveland, take a trip down I71 to Columbus sometime.  They are absolutely crazy.  

That being said, the UT-OSU game was a great one.  I rooted hard for the Bucks, but I'm capable of tipping my (Astros) cap to opponents who deserve it.  Wish it'd turned out differently, but it was a terrific football game.

Is your wife at Case?  I actually spent a lot of time in Cleveland Heights many years ago.

467

Talk Zone / Re: Rough game tonight......

« on: October 07, 2005, 12:40:30 am »

Yeah, and it's your damn fault.  

What were you thinking leaving Atlanta after propelling us to a game 1 win?  That was incredibly selfish of you.  

However, being the forgiving guy I am, I would be willing to contribute to the "JCIII to G5" fund to get you back to Atlanta if the series goes the distance... which I have a nagging suspicion it will.

468

Talk Zone / Re: Any Astros fans in Cleveland, Ohio--not Cleveland Texas

« on: October 06, 2005, 11:49:05 am »

I grew up about an hour east of Cleveland in a small town just north of Youngstown.  Was a big Indians/Browns/Cavs fan, though baseball is the only sport that I follow anymore.  I try to keep up with the Tribe--having a team in each league isn't such a bad thing--but didn't do a good job this year.

I moved from Ohio to South Carolina in 1994 (first year for The Jake) and then to Houston in 1999.  I didn't get to see a game at the new park until 2002 or so (I'd have to look it up) but when I did it was an almost spiritual experience.

Anyhoo, I think you did this backwards.  People are supposed to move from Ohio to Texas, not the other way around.  You must be some sort of nonconformist.  

Edited to add:  If you haven't already, pick up a copy of  The Curse of Rocky Colavito.  It's a great crash course on 60s, 70s, and 80s Indians history.

Edited again:  Oh, and with respect to the subject of your message... after I moved to Houston I kept hearing the news, etc. talking about Cleveland and thought, "Why the hell are they mentioning Cleveland all the way down here in Texas?"  It took me a few months to catch on.    

469

Talk Zone / Re: jaklewein and das

« on: October 06, 2005, 10:34:18 am »

I thought this was mentioned before someplace but now I can't find it...

What happens if they can't play tonight OR tomorrow?  Would the Saturday and Sunday games get pushed into next week?

Just tryin' to do a little planning.

470

Talk Zone / Re: Sitting next to the cousin of Mike Burns

« on: October 04, 2005, 05:08:15 pm »

This thread is sort of funny.  The wife and I live in a duplex/townhouse and a player for the Texans and his wife live in the other half.  (This says much more about his marginality as a pro football player and good financial sense than it does my own personal economic situation.)  I don't follow the NFL at all, but we've often laughed about what it would be like if we lived next to a peripheral Astros player like, say, Burns instead.

I think it's much better like this since I'm not tempted to talk shop with him and try to point out what's wrong with his game.  

471

Talk Zone / Re: Padres, Co-ards, Work....

« on: October 04, 2005, 03:45:24 pm »

Yeah, now I'm not quite so pissed that I skipped out of work to watch baseball this afternoon only to have my fucking cable go out 10 minutes after I got home.

Grrrraaarrrgh!

I did stop at Radio Shack to get a small radio to listen to the game tomorrow though.  We have a meeting at 3:30 on the first Wednesday of every month.  Didn't get to see last year's game 1 either.

GRRRRAARRRGH!!!

472

Talk Zone / Re: NLCS Tix on Sale Tomorrow

« on: October 03, 2005, 07:05:00 pm »

A little birdie told me that you can buy them now if you go here and use "astroslcs" (no quotes) as the password.

I didn't post this, and I was never here...

473

Talk Zone / Re: New Zipper Flap Posted.

« on: October 03, 2005, 04:35:50 pm »

 

Quote:
I?m glad that I wasn?t sitting next to the big orange clad fucktard who tried in vain to pick up Neffi Perez?s throw at the right field railing.  

THANK you!  He got a big "HEYWHATTHEFUCKAREYOUDOINGYOUASSHOLE" from me as I was frantically jumping up and down in front of my TV.

I think you should have to pass a test to be allowed to sit that close to the playing field.

474

Talk Zone / Re: 2 Runs?

« on: September 30, 2005, 12:28:48 am »

Quote:
At one point in this season the Astros were 16-31.  As Brown said, don't try to figure.  We're playing with house money.

If there's one thing I've learned this year, it's that these guys take things a day at a time.  No way they are looking past this series.

We may get it done or we may not, but I guarantee the 'Stros will show up to play the next three days.

And if we lose then we can spend the whole offseason figuring out which one of y'all pissed off the BBGs this week.