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Messages - astro pete

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1
Talk Zone / Re: were number two (astros baseball )
« on: September 10, 2006, 11:56:41 am »
Quote:

Quote:

The next series will make or break any challenge to the division title.



needless to say, today's game is little short of a must-win considering the upcoming schedule.  wandy versus dave bush, who has pitched three solid games against houston this year.  get back to .500, stay a managable 3 back in the wild card.

and who's gonna pitch this coming tuesday if the old man can't go?  sampson?



Astros.com says Borkowski.  Maybe.

2
Talk Zone / Re: Sweet Willy T
« on: September 08, 2006, 03:27:07 pm »
Quote:


In that sense, the play Wily T made was great before he ever threw the ball.  He's always been plenty fast enough, but range is also angle, approach, footwork, etc.  I used to think Taveras took not so great angles, but now I think I was wrong.



I think you were right.  No doubt Taveras has improved tremendously.

3
Talk Zone / Re: The Whore
« on: September 03, 2006, 12:09:30 pm »
Quote:

I'm wondering- if you're W. Randolph, and your team has this gargantuan lead in the division, wouldn't you be a little pissed at your star CF crashing into a wall like that on September 2, in what's essentially a meaningless game for your team?



No.

4
Talk Zone / Re: The Whore
« on: September 02, 2006, 11:08:57 pm »
Quote:


The moterfucker made an AMAZING catch at the wall to rob Berkman of what surely would have been a game-tying extra-base hit.  Twisted his knee in the process.  He was walking on it and was able to put enough pressure on it to throw the ball back to the infield.  I bet it's fine and he comes out tomorrow and makes a similarly heart-breaking play.



I've seen torn MCLs walk off the field like that.

5
Talk Zone / Re: This is just painful to watch
« on: August 20, 2006, 02:11:03 pm »
I wouldn't mind seeing Albers called back up to fill in for Backe.  I also wouldn't mind never seeing Wandy Rodriguez in an Astros uniform again.

6
Talk Zone / Re: I want to throw up.
« on: August 16, 2006, 05:31:19 pm »
Quote:


Have not won a home series since May.



We swept the Pirates at home last week.

7
Talk Zone / Re: My God...
« on: August 16, 2006, 05:29:58 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

This line-up could make anyone look like Cy fucking Young.  Is there anything more sure than a third out when Ensberg comes to the plate with 2 down and runners in scoring position?



I dunno, but I just watched him leadoff the 8th and he got a pitch right down the middle of the plate.  It was a do nothing fastball (in relative terms).  No movement, just a major league ordinary 91 mph heater down broadway.

He swung at it *late* and lifted a lazy fly ball to right.  A fastball right down the middle of the plate isn't usually what a major league hitter allows to get deep into the zone unless they have ungodly bat speed.  I'm not sure if MoBerg understand this or not, but his bat speed *right now* is not that good (injury related or not).  He's going to have to start the bat head moving towards the zone sooner if he's going to catch a do nothing fastball like that and really drive it.

Fastballs are his doom right now, he can't catch them at all.

As a point of reference, Biggio got the same fastball, up a little higher, but same nonetheless.  Biggio let it get in the zone similar to Ensberg, but Bidge's bat swung through the zone quickly and he lined it to *left* (instead of lifting one to right like Mo).  You can see the difference in bat speed... and the old man has better chance of squaring the ball than one of your run producers.

Not good at all.



And on top of that, he doesn't realize that he's the #1 problem on this team, followed by Lane and Lidge.

8
Talk Zone / Re: My God...
« on: August 16, 2006, 05:02:09 pm »
Quote:

This line-up could make anyone look like Cy fucking Young.  Is there anything more sure than a third out when Ensberg comes to the plate with 2 down and runners in scoring position?



Lane could be up.

9
Talk Zone / Re: Garner on Lidge
« on: August 16, 2006, 03:11:52 am »
Quote:


Well it's about fucking time, Phil.



Ditto.

10
Talk Zone / Morgan Ensberg
« on: August 14, 2006, 11:43:47 pm »
I say either insert Lamb at third, or move Huff back to the infield and give Lane another shot.  Ensberg has no business being in the starting lineup.

11
Talk Zone / Re: Way-back machine (not quite BB)
« on: August 14, 2006, 01:07:52 am »
Quote:

Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for the link, Holly.



Don't blink, or else you'll miss the Legend amongst us.  Good to see you, Nash...

12
Talk Zone / Re: Hirsh tonight
« on: August 13, 2006, 12:51:23 pm »
Hirsh really only threw one pitch consistently for strikes: his fastball.  It wasn't a very impressive debut.

13
Talk Zone / Re: Glogging my sewer pipes up.
« on: August 12, 2006, 02:04:23 am »
Quote:

Quote:

I take it you missed "Rome is Burning" today where there was a lengthy discussion about how Clemens was "taking advantage of the Astros" by receiving so much salary money when the team wasn't in contention, and could miss the playoffs just as easily without him.  It surprised me to learn that there were only two games left in the season, and the Astros were indeed out of contention.



I make it a habit to avoid Jim Rome if at all possible.  He's an entertainer, not a sports commentator.  And he doesn't entertain me so his purpose is unclear to me.



In fairness, Rome wasn't hosting "Rome is Burning" today.  He didn't ask that ridiculously stupid question.

But you're right, Rome is an entertainer, an absolutely hysterical one at that.

14
Talk Zone / Re: Wednesday, August 9 - New Tote Board
« on: August 09, 2006, 11:33:43 pm »
Quote:

You should have added the Pads to the tote board today and had us rooting for the Dojers.  We root for the Dojers against the Rox and the steM against the Pads.  If the Pads lose and the Dojers win, Dojers jump into NL West lead and the Pads would only be 3 games ahead of our boys.  A Dojer win puts the Rox in the rearview.

Not to mention that if the steM sweep SD, the Stros will only be 2 back of the Friars when they hit town this weekend.



Agreed. Dogers are far and away better than anyone in the West.  Let them keep winning and beat up on the rest of our wild card foes.

15
Talk Zone / Re: Matt Albers sent down
« on: August 08, 2006, 03:44:12 pm »
Quote:


So Buchholz has been inconsistent in his first year in the bigs, while Hirsch has been consistent, except when he wasn't.

Is that the sum of it?



46 consecutive shutout innings is pretty darn consistent.

16
Talk Zone / Re: Another Stros problem
« on: August 03, 2006, 01:57:31 pm »
Quote:

Look, if you want to go line by line trying to tag the guy, go ahead, I'm just saying if you read the thread, he's the only voice of reason.  Just giving him credit for that.



Fair enough.

17
Talk Zone / Re: Another Stros problem
« on: August 03, 2006, 10:02:31 am »
Quote:

That tagline is silly, but I have to give Barzilla credit where credit is due.  He's the only person in that thread that makes sense.



Except for the "being in the unenviable position of defending Garner" BS.

18
Talk Zone / Bruntlett down
« on: August 03, 2006, 09:38:22 am »
Haven't seen it posted, but Bruntlett, not Lane, was sent down to accomodate the return of Orlando Palmeiro yesterday.  The most striking comment made by Brownie last night was that the Astros anticipated that Bruntlett would be in Round Rock for about 10 days, before making a roster move that would allow him to return to the club.  Stay tuned.

19
Talk Zone / Ensberg, but not Berkman tonight
« on: August 01, 2006, 10:46:06 pm »
According to Yahoo:

W. Taveras cf
C. Biggio 2b  
M. Lamb 1b  
A. Huff rf  
M. Ensberg 3b  
L. Scott lf
A. Everett ss
B. Ausmus c  
A. Pettitte p

20
Talk Zone / Re: Justice on 610
« on: August 01, 2006, 07:10:08 pm »
Quote:

This is asw easy as it gets for an interviewer:

"Richard, there are only two posibilities:
1.  Your story was wrong.
2.  Your story was correct, and Tim Purpura directly



3. Your story was correct, but once you revealed to the world what a lying, back-stabbing bastard Drayton McLane was, he rescinded the demand in an effort to save face.  Thanks, Dick, for making things right.

21
Talk Zone / Re: Mclane on rumors
« on: August 01, 2006, 02:51:40 pm »
Quote:

That's why the morning show is possible to listen to- they will tell a caller that they are full of crap from time to time.



And when they don't, Granato eggs the caller on while in the background you hear nothing but laughter.

22
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:50:14 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:



My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS



Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.



Everett and Ausmus can be flipped.  

I think the Astros only go with 11 pitchers, so I'm guessing either Albers or Borkowski gets sent down.  (Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, Sampson, Miller, Springer, Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge, Albers/Borkowski)

Which leaves Ausmus, Berkman, Biggio, Bruntlett, Burke, Ensberg, Everett, Huff, Lamb, Munson, Palmeiro, Scott,Taveras, and Wilson for the field and bench.



Only 11 pitchers in our shitty bullpen?  I doubt it, but if they do, no way Albers goes anywhere.

23
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:25:09 pm »
Quote:



My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS



Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

24
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:23:53 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?



What if it's OP?  Maybe they've decided to give that job to Scott, and they'll release OP.

After all of the trade activity has died down, the guys I'm most surprised to still see as Astros are OP and Lamb (especially Lamb).  They seem like the kinds of guys that might be useful to some contender trying to fine-tune their club, and they might bring a nice minor-leaguer in return.



I think OP is too valuable as a pinch hitter to release.  That man does not give an at-bat away.

25
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:22:20 pm »
Quote:

107.2.

He's also played 43 @ 2nd, 10 @ 3B, 16.1 in LF, 27 in CF and 13 in RF.

If only from a standpoint of being one of the few position players who's not flexible in terms of positions he can play, I'd be more willing to bet that Willy T gets sent down instead of Bruntlett, if for no other reason than Bruntlett's flexibility.



Maybe.  But Willy's been fantastic of late, and Burke is flexible enough to play several positions, although he's not as good as Bruntlett.

A very tough call.

26
Talk Zone / Re: Astros at Padres - Black, Black, Black Coffee in Bed
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:11:06 pm »
Chronicle has Albers starting Thursday.  Anything else confirming it's Oswalt instead?

27
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 01:02:41 pm »
Quote:



That would leave them without a backup SS.



I know.  I'm thinking they may cut a corner and use Burke there when necessary.  Maybe they won't.  How many innings has Bruntlett played at short this year?

28
Talk Zone / Re: NEXT ISSUE
« on: August 01, 2006, 12:55:33 pm »
Quote:

Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?



That's the question.  I'm assuming they'll activate Ensberg today (they haven't yet), and I believe OP's leave ends tomorrow.  I'm guessing Bruntlett is the odd man out here.  Which is too bad because he hasn't really done anything that would suggest he be demoted; Scott has simply hit too well.

29
Talk Zone / Re: The Pinwheel just spun off its base
« on: August 01, 2006, 10:54:46 am »
Quote:


There's a history of this in Houston (the antagonizing the paper bit).  There's a reason Dale Robertson doesn't cover the Rockets any more, and I'm struggling to remember the baseball beat writer who was banned from the clubhouse, but it's happened before.



What's the story with Robertson, by the way?  I met the guy back when he used to write non-tennis articles on the front page, and liked him.  This was c. 1999, after JPL and his infamous articles villifying McLane during the Camacho incident.  I asked him whether Lopez had some journalistic obligation to write some sort of apology afterwards.  Robertson said Lopez is a good guy, but that he would have "handled it much differently."

30
Talk Zone / Re: The Pinwheel just spun off its base
« on: August 01, 2006, 10:11:32 am »
Quote:


Second, I'd call the Chronicle and tell them that I pull all my advertising until further notice.



Probably not the best idea.  Antagonizing the only paper in town isn't the best PR move.  Also, surely the Chronicle gives Drayton more money than he gives it.

31
Talk Zone / Re: Ensberg in Round Rock on Monday night...
« on: August 01, 2006, 10:06:24 am »
Thanks for the update.  4 errors in 3 games is a bit unsettling.

32
Talk Zone / Re: Lugo's replacement at SS for the D-Rays?
« on: August 01, 2006, 10:05:06 am »
Quote:

Of course, not like he has a long way to go in terms of character replacing Lugo or others in their system even.



He also doesn't have a long way to go to match those offensive numbers thus far put up by Mr. Aubrey Huff.

33
Talk Zone / Re: "I got a bad taste in my mouth"
« on: August 01, 2006, 12:16:17 am »
Quote:


And what is with the vice versa in that statement?   Is OSwalt supposed to reccomend JdJo to the mets?  I dont get that.



I couldn't figure that one out either.

34
Talk Zone / Re: OFFICIAL: Tejada Goes Nowhere
« on: July 31, 2006, 05:52:47 pm »
Quote:



Still waiting for offical word on Soriano.



Go to espn.com for word on Soriano.  Here's hoping Ensberg comes back Tuesday and rakes.

35
Talk Zone / Re: And so it begins...
« on: July 31, 2006, 05:35:46 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

-Only 6 games back of the freaking Reds (now with extra-strength Rheal Cormier)!

-Three starters who would be #1 on any other contenders (only Carpenter, Pedro, and maybe Brandon Webb and Peavy can argue)

-Luke Scott mashing, with Jason Lane safely away in AAA

-Berkman, Lamb, Huff, with Ensberg ready to come back and reclaim his job

-The best defensive SS and Catcher in the NL



what about the bullpen?



Gotta figure they're going to stick with 12 in the pen.

36
Talk Zone / Re: Greg Maddux to Dodgers for Cesar Izturis (nm)
« on: July 31, 2006, 05:24:56 pm »
Dodgers also pick up Julio Lugo.

37
Talk Zone / Re: And so it begins...
« on: July 31, 2006, 05:23:29 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

-Only 6 games back of the freaking Reds (now with extra-strength Rheal Cormier)!

-Three starters who would be #1 on any other contenders (only Carpenter, Pedro, and maybe Brandon Webb and Peavy can argue)

-Luke Scott mashing, with Jason Lane safely away in AAA

-Berkman, Lamb, Huff, with Ensberg ready to come back and reclaim his job

-The best defensive SS and Catcher in the NL



Who leaves when Ensberg comes back? Scott?



I've been wondering about that as well.  Lane will go down for Ensberg, but then someone else must be taken off the 25 to accomodate Palmeiro at the end of the week.  Scott's been hot, hate to see him go.  What has Bruntlett done lately?

38
Talk Zone / Re: Greg Maddux to Dodgers for Cesar Izturis (nm)
« on: July 31, 2006, 05:21:26 pm »
Quote:

Source?



ESPN says it's done, too.

39
Talk Zone / Re: The Pinwheel just spun off its base
« on: July 31, 2006, 04:41:43 pm »
Quote:

I always sort of felt indifferent to him.  I don't read his columns.  I don't read his blogs.  I don't watch him on PTI.

But this is just too much even for me.  

You can't START the rumors, PUBLISH the rumors, then go on TV/RADIO as the first person to DENY the rumors.  

Has he ever thought about running for office?



He also elaborated on the turmoil this trade talk will cause in the clubhouse, specifically with Oswalt.

40
Talk Zone / Re: The Pinwheel just spun off its base
« on: July 31, 2006, 04:36:26 pm »
Quote:

AHHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

OH.  MY.  GOD.

YOU STARTED THESE RUMORS, YOU DRIPPY SWOLLEN TWAT.



They actually asked him specifically whether he was the one who first wrote about McLane's demanding that Lidge be traded.  I kid you not, his cell phone went dead, he called back, and never answered the question.

41
Talk Zone / Re: Rumor: Lidge seen in parking lot hugging teammates
« on: July 31, 2006, 04:20:22 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Can a mod blow this thread up, or at least delete the subject?  OWA doesn't really need to contribute to this bullshit, does it?



It's more fun this way.



It is, but if linking to the Chronicle is bad enough, what is perpetuating a rumor heard on sports talk radio?

42
Talk Zone / Re: Rumor: Lidge seen in parking lot hugging teammates
« on: July 31, 2006, 03:56:38 pm »
Can a mod blow this thread up, or at least delete the subject?  OWA doesn't really need to contribute to this bullshit, does it?

43
Talk Zone / Re: I HATE the Jesus Ortiz
« on: July 31, 2006, 03:10:56 pm »
Quote:


BG nailed it exactly.



BS.  According to his blog, not only does he talk to GMs, his letters of recommendation are quite influential.

 
Quote:

I told Oswalt that former Astros closer Billy Wagner of the Mets said Oswalt would be enough to bring a championship to the Mets. I agreed with Wagner. I also told Oswalt that if he holds off until free agency, I'll give him a great recommendation to Mets general manager Omar Minaya and vice versa. Heck, Minaya listened to my brilliant endorsements of Carlos Beltran and Wagner. My friend Ethan Wilson, a PR official with the Mets, is so grateful for the contributions of the former Astros on the Mets' roster this year, he sent my daughter Kathleen a Mets build-a-bear stuffed Animal three days ago.



I think he's joking, but you never know.

44
Talk Zone / Re: Awesome.
« on: July 31, 2006, 02:53:57 pm »
Quote:

Not possible.

I've decided I'm not selling today afterall.  I ate the Fruity Oaty bar AND the hooker.



That is Awesome.

45
Talk Zone / Re: Carroll's Latest
« on: July 31, 2006, 03:03:53 am »
Enough.  Tell Baltimore to fuck itself.  It's pretty clear absolutely nothing is going to happen with Tejada.

46
Talk Zone / Re: Garner in 07?
« on: July 30, 2006, 06:45:11 pm »
Quote:


Gar can manage my team as long as he wants.  Period.



Ditto.

47
Talk Zone / Re: Gene Elston
« on: July 30, 2006, 02:02:14 pm »
Quote:


Also real interesting to read Elston's comments about Carey, which are just a wee bit different than Milo's.



I had the same thought.  I wonder why Elston's feelings about Milo weren't published...

48
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 02:00:57 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

healthy is not the same thing as hitting/productive


Yep.  And I'm not sure that the Astros are interested in even a "healthy" Ensberg, at this point.



Why?

49
Talk Zone / Re: ESPNews Says:
« on: July 30, 2006, 02:07:46 am »
Quote:

Hell.  Let's trade for Tejada and Blalock.

Biggio (2b)
Burke (cf)
Berkman (lf)
Tejada (ss)
Blalock (1b)
Huff (3b)
Wilson (rf)
Ausmus (c)

Yeah.  I'd go to war with that lineup.



I think you just traded Lidge twice.

50
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 01:33:50 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Why not?  

Because as I can see, the only argument you guys are making is:

The small ding we'd take defensively (overall) would be strongly offset by the small increase in offense by having a better #7 hitter and minutely better #8 hitter.  Correct?



No.



Now wait just a fucking second here, man, I'm not attacking you, I'm trying to understand both sides of this.  Don't pull this "no" shit.  Explain.



Because I think the addition of Tejada at SS improves our entire lineup, not just the bottom of the order.  The Astros have offensive problems.  First, the middle of the order isn't producing.  Second, the bottom of our order sucks.  Inserting Tejada at short improves both.  Arguments such as "it doesn't matter because if the 3-4-5 guys don't produce we're going to lose anyway" or "the 8-hole is irrelevant" are defeatist and don't hold a lot of water with me.  Aren't we trying to improve our team?  Really, the debate should be--but hasn't been--focused on whether or not the Astros would be better if Everett played short and Tejada played third, or if Tejada played short and Huff played third. In other words, is the "theoretical" offensive improvement worth the "theoretical" defensive drop-off?  I think it is.

Now, go watch Tejada get traded to the Angels.

51
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 01:11:51 am »
Quote:

Why not?  

Because as I can see, the only argument you guys are making is:

The small ding we'd take defensively (overall) would be strongly offset by the small increase in offense by having a better #7 hitter and minutely better #8 hitter.  Correct?



No.

52
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 01:05:27 am »
Quote:

Fine, fine.  We're arguing the same point here, which is:

If the Astros made a huge improvement in the heart of the lineup, regardless of which corner player was replaced, the fact that our #6 guy would be intentionally walked at a Bondsian pace to get to the automatic offensive outs at the bottom of our lineup would be completely irrelevant, because we'd really really enjoy having those fellahs in the field once the outs in our half of the inning are made and we'd have scored the runs exactly where the runs should have been scored in the first place.

That's it.



I don't think it's this simple.

53
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 01:00:30 am »
Quote:

The problem with the offense is the 4th/5th hitters.   Chris Burke batting 3rd on occasion is a much bigger problem than Adam Everett batting 8th.   If you want to look at why the offense is what it is, look no further than the struggles of Ensberg/Lane and the mediocrity of Wilson.   They were expected to produce a lot, and outside of a hot april for ensberg, have done not enough.



Nobody has said that Adam Everett is THE reason the Astros are 6 games under .500.

54
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:59:41 am »
Quote:


That and this ridiculous theory:

Problem:  Struggling offensively because they've gotten basically squat out of the 4,5, and 6 spots in the order.

Solution:  Get rid of the guy hitting 8th.



Why is that ridiculous?  That solution improves the 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 spots in the order.

55
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:44:41 am »
Quote:

Hey, I'm not THAT bad. Seems to me like y'all are arguing based on different assumptions of which position Tejada would be playing... and that has different effects on where Everett (ie: "The 8th hitter") is, in the scheme of things.



No, he's just typing words, none of which are particularly relevant.

56
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:42:59 am »
Quote:


Great, you've got Holly and Astros Pete agreeing with you. Nice company.  When in the world was the 8 hitters numbers the problem?



You still don't get it.

57
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:39:19 am »
Quote:


MORE SIMPLE: Tejada bats 3rd and plays SS, bat 7 other position players and a pitcher where ever the hell you want to so long as it isn't Everett.  Why for the love of all that is holy do you insist on having Everett in the lineup?



It's all about whether the production you gain offensively is worth the sacrifice you make defensively.  It's a no-brainer in my mind.

58
Talk Zone / Re: So How Did Morgan Do In Hutto This Evening?
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:36:40 am »
Quote:


Orioles probably werent all that interested in his plate management against AAA pitchers.



Totally irrelevant.

59
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:35:15 am »
Quote:


That's how I read it. Maybe I'm just too much of a simpleton, but to me, acquiring Tejada doesn't mean he slips into the 8 hole, but rather more like 3rd - 6th, and everyone above slides down a spot, which pushes the numbers in the 8 hole off the lineup.



Simple as that.

60
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:34:09 am »
Quote:


In that scenario? Everett plays short, not in your lineup maybe, but in the Astros lineup.  Yeah I know, you think Everett is killing the team, he hits 8th. 8th dont affect shit.  Tejada is not hitting 8th.  Tejada is banging for the buck hitting 3rd, playing 3rd.



You don't get it.  Fine.

61
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:30:15 am »
Quote:


Right.  But he's being traded for BECAUSE he helps the middle of the order, WHICH IS THE PROBLEM, not the 8 spot.



Everett hits eighth because he's a worse hitter than Ausmus, who is also terrible.  This lineup allows opposing pitchers to intentionally walk the #6 batter to get out of jams.  Arizona did this twice tonight, and it paid off for them.  

Adam Everett is part of the problem, which you ignore because it's convenient.  Tejada would add a bat in the middle of the lineup AND erase a glaring hole in the order.  In my opinion, the downgrade defensively is worth the upgrade offensively.

62
Talk Zone / Re: ESPNews Says:
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:21:38 am »
Quote:

Astros say Lidge will NOT be traded.  Period.

I bet he's gone by morning.



If what Texas offered us (Barajas or Wilkerson) is indicative of Lidge's value on the market, I sure hope he's not traded.

63
Talk Zone / Re: So How Did Morgan Do In Hutto This Evening?
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:05:59 am »
Quote:


So it's your "understanding" that Morgan Ensberg was in Round Rock to win a game?



He went to Round Rock to play a game he hasn't played in a month, with the hope that he can be activated and able to contribute Tuesday in San Diego.  Flailing at every pitch isn't helpful.

Looks like he's 2-2 with two walks, a double, and a home run.  Satisfied?

64
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 30, 2006, 12:01:02 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


No, I said don't be stupid.  Mets have best record in the NL, Astros have more production from the 8 spot, QED, 8th hitter don't mean shit for winning.



You're being an idiot.  Bored again?



Listen you dense jackass, the idea that a weak 8 hitter is the downfall of the Astros has been refuted so many times that it is inconceivable to me that anyone, ANYONE, can post to Orangewhoopass complaining about the 8 hitter.  This seems to be yet another example of your legendary inability to understand shit about shit.  Tejada, Soriano, whoever, is not being sought because Everett hits 8th.




If the 8th spot doesn't matter, then Ausmus would naturally slide in there, cause his bat has more holes in it than AEs.



Exactly. We have two "8 hole" hitters.  We won last year with Ausmus and Everett in the lineup, but this year our pitching hasn't been as good and we're suffering because of it.  We need a bat, and if we can bring in a shortstop who can rake, it's a bonus.

65
Talk Zone / Re: So How Did Morgan Do In Hutto This Evening?
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:54:55 pm »
Quote:



How in the world do you go on a rehab assignment, primarily to see how your shoulder feels when you swing a bat, and walk?



Because it's baseball.

66
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:52:26 pm »
Quote:


Listen you dense jackass, the idea that a weak 8 hitter is the downfall of the Astros has been refuted so many times that it is inconceivable to me that anyone, ANYONE, can post to Orangewhoopass complaining about the 8 hitter.  This seems to be yet another example of your legendary inability to understand shit about shit.  Tejada, Soriano, whoever, is not being sought because Everett hits 8th.



Oh, go fuck yourself bipolar boy.  That you compared the Mets lineup to the Astros' is enough to convince me that you don't have a clue.  If you have Miguel Tejada and Adam Everett on your roster, Tejada is your shortstop.  Period.

67
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:31:25 pm »
Quote:


No, I said don't be stupid.  Mets have best record in the NL, Astros have more production from the 8 spot, QED, 8th hitter don't mean shit for winning.



You're being an idiot.  Bored again?

68
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:24:28 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


The Astros don't suck at SS. They are one of the best teams at SS. There are spots in the lineup they could use some help, though.  



Yeah, and one of those spots falls where our shortstop hits.



Tejada is going to hit 8th? Astros have more run production from the 8th spot than the Mets.  Don't be stupid.



Who gives a shit about the Mets?

69
Talk Zone / Re: Lidge for Blalock?
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:23:17 pm »
Quote:

I'm going to assume that ESPNRadio is grossly confused here.



Buster Olney said on Baseball Tonight a few minutes ago that the Rangers expressed interest in Lidge, offering Rod Barajas or Brad Wilkerson.  Reportedly, the Astros turned them down.

70
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 11:11:43 pm »
Quote:


The Astros don't suck at SS. They are one of the best teams at SS. There are spots in the lineup they could use some help, though.  



Yeah, and one of those spots falls where our shortstop hits.

71
Talk Zone / Re: Eating Around MMPUS? (Non-Tejada Related)
« on: July 29, 2006, 06:42:55 pm »
Quote:

You really think MMPUS food is the worst? I don't think it's bad.



You obviously don't have a tongue.

72
Talk Zone / Re: Hunter Pence
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:56:20 pm »
Quote:

Sound like a future home town discount for Drayton.



Riiiight.

73
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:37:47 am »
Quote:


He hasn't said Tejada is a done deal, or anything like that, but the Astros preference would be to ship off Ensberg, and replace him with Tejada, leaving Everett at short, Berkman at 1st and Huff in Right.




Has Baltimore been responsive to the Astros' preference?  From what I've read, the Orioles have been inundated with proposals in the last twelve hours.

If you want me to stop nudging, say so and I will.

74
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:27:49 am »
Quote:

Would Tejada have the right to demand a trade at the end of the season?



Yes.

75
Talk Zone / Re: As a side not to all this trade talk...
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:24:46 am »
Quote:



If it's so easy, why don't you send McLane your resume and offer to replace Purpura?



I loved the JPL article in yesterday's Chronicle: (paraphrasing) "the Astros had a deal with Baltimore for Tejada this offseason, and even though Baltimore backed away, the Astros didn't go after it and make it happen."  

John P. Lopez is the reason why the World Cup should last through October.

76
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:17:38 am »
Quote:

Quote:

if you think the '98 team was one major player short, i have no idea what you think a championship caliber team is supposed to look like.  I will hate the Plumber till the day I die.

seriously what the hell do you expect from a yankee?



Third base and 4th starter. Sean Berry & Sean Bergman??  Still, that was an amazing team, and if that Padres series was 7 games, I'm sure the Astros would have beaten them, Kevin Brown or not.

I hate Randy Johnson and Beltran more. Oh, and Scott Boras too.



Well, Berry hit .314 in 1998 and Jose Lima (who didn't pitch in the NLDS) was the fourth starter.  So you're still a fucking idiot.

77
Talk Zone / Re: As a side not to all this trade talk...
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:09:58 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Again, hurry the fuck up or sell.  Yet another game down the toilet that another bat might of salvaged.



17 hits and 8 runs given up, and it was a bat that was going to save us?



Fucking Berkman...

78
Talk Zone / Re: heard a rumor tonight at the ballpark
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:08:49 am »
Quote:

Interesting...because I heard the same thing...with the idea that Tejada plays 3rd.
 



That is the Astros' proposal, or that is the deal that is likely to happen?

79
Talk Zone / Re: The Force
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:07:31 am »
Quote:

If I remember correctly, a good portion of Luke's homers come in bunches, so heres to him knocking some more balls out of the park in the next few games.



No, they come in Albuquerque.

Seriously, his bat has been a big lift thus far.  Here's hoping he continues to rake...

80
Talk Zone / Re: As a side not to all this trade talk...
« on: July 29, 2006, 02:04:28 am »
Quote:

Again, hurry the fuck up or sell.  Yet another game down the toilet that another bat might of salvaged.



The bats were not the problem tonight.

81
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 01:56:09 am »
Quote:



No, I'm not belittling the last 12+ years of successful contending Astros baseball, and the large amount of star players to wear the uniform, but you have to wonder how things are going to shake out this offeseason. I hope they don't go young, but instead do as they have the last decade, but who knows what will happen?



You're not belittling anything.  You're acknowledging the success that this franchise has had, and then you're ignoring it to prove your "point".  You are Richard Justice, Jr.  Drayton McLane has given you a consistently successful product for fourteen years; why even suggest that he might go the way of the Marlins and turn this enormously successful franchise into losers?

82
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 01:50:20 am »
Quote:



I also don't know if anyone can take seriously an opinion that not enough free agents have been signed that starts out with, "aside from Clemens ..."




...and "aside from Pettitte and Alou and Johnson and Beltran..."

83
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 01:32:31 am »
Quote:

Quote:

How confident are you that Hirsch will be that good? Honest question. I tend to think the odds are against ANY given two minor league prospects amounting to Bay's value, but I don't really know. Arky?



In the two-plus seasons that Bay has started regularly, he has been one of the 20 best hitters in baseball. I would guess that something like only 3% of minor-leaguers have that kind of future ahead of them. But there are people here far more knowledgeable than me on whether Hirsch or Pence rates with that 3%.

In any event, I have no idea why Pittsburgh would be shopping Bay at this point.



I know of only one person in the top 3% of anything...

84
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 01:29:23 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Russ99 is a White Sox fan who pays only peripheral attention to the Astros.  He's bought into the Richard Justice notion that Drayton McLane is a cheapskate.  Comparing this organization to Florida's is a joke.



Listen here. I've been a contributing member of this board since it started, and also a member of Kev & Scott for many years before it closed.

I've cried in my beer about the Astros many times, (stupid Walt Weiss!!) and was competely heartbroken by the 1986 playoffs. I've been an Astros fan since 1978. Yes, I also follow the White Sox, but that's beacuse my dad grew up in Bridgeport (the Chicago neighborhood the White Sox play in.) I only had to choose between the teams once - in October last year - and even though I'm happy the Sox won, I'm quite proud of how the Astros did and have a large amount of N.L. Champions gear. I'll be happier if the Astros win a Series, just because of all the near misses and years of hardship it took to win one.

Everyone on this board needs to ease off and please stop calling my Astros fandom into question.

Considering managements relative non-action since Purpura got hired (He's a  Chicagoan and a lifelong White Sox fan too, but that doesn't stop him from running the Astros), and McLane's history I think the Florida question is quite legitimate, since we really don't know what the direction the team is going after Biggio, Bagwell, Pettite and Clemens retire.

I only made that comment because I don't buy into the notion of cheaping out on the FA market (McLane's been gunshy since the failed Drabek & Swindell signings) and I don't want to see the Astros go with a youth movement with Pence, etc. next year.



Okay, you're a fucking idiot.  What does, "McLane's history" mean?

85
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 29, 2006, 01:04:54 am »
Quote:

Quote:

The Astros have a long line of can't-miss outfielders who never panned out. Eric Anthony, anyone?

I'd rather have a proven MLB hitter.

This brings up another interesting point. Assuming the expensive pitchers are off the books next year (Clemens, Pettite, Oswalt trade if he doesn't want to re-sign) and if the hitters except for Berkman (like Ensberg, Huff, Wilson) go elsewhere, would the Astros pull a Marlins on us and play a bunch of unproven kids?!?



If the Astros have that kind of money to play with, they're much more likely to be big players in the trade and free agent markets this offseason than the Marlins have shown themselves to be.

But some of the top kids can get a chance too. It doesn't have to be all or nothing like Florida.



Russ99 is a White Sox fan who pays only peripheral attention to the Astros.  He's bought into the Richard Justice notion that Drayton McLane is a cheapskate.  Comparing this organization to Florida's is a joke.

86
Talk Zone / Re: The Force
« on: July 29, 2006, 12:58:16 am »
Quote:

Scott with a homer, triple and double. And he may get to hit again.



He got it.  Astros lose.  Fuck.

87
Talk Zone / Re: Hunter Pence
« on: July 28, 2006, 06:46:01 pm »
Quote:

Ok, so Pence, Everett, and Lidge are going to the O's for Tejada.

Hirsh, Wilson, and Nieve are going to the Nats for Soriano.

We'll have a payroll of like $400m and no prospects again, as long as we live.

Is that about right?

How many World Series are you allowed to win in a season?



We'd still have Troy Patton to send in a package to New York for A-Rod.

88
Talk Zone / Re: Ok, I Honestly Don't Know Enough About Our Minors, So..
« on: July 28, 2006, 06:24:17 pm »
Quote:

I'd rather see them put Lamb in the OF, Ensberg at SS, and Biggio at C.



But in Jim's scenario, you have a lineup consisting solely of first and second basemen.  Too cool.

89
Talk Zone / Re: Is something happening?
« on: July 28, 2006, 05:58:44 pm »
Quote:


Ok, so House could be in RR until Lane returns.  Forgot about his temp promotion.



I don't think the two moves are necessarily related.  Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

90
Talk Zone / Re: Is something happening?
« on: July 28, 2006, 05:39:03 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

He's taking the full 7 days.



Sorry, thought I heard Saturday. The voices in my head, I guess.



And when he does come back, Jason Lane is the obvious candidate to return to Round Rock.

91
Talk Zone / Re: Could the Astros get better by being sellers?
« on: July 28, 2006, 05:37:51 pm »
Quote:


Berkman and Oswalt will not be traded as they are they heart of the team.  But as I stated previously, I am warming more and more to the thought of being sellers instead of buyers.  And I think the team will be better for it (depending on who they get).



I think it's pretty clear that at this point the front office has absolutely no intention of being "sellers".

92
Talk Zone / Re: Is something happening?
« on: July 28, 2006, 05:34:07 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

OP is back tomorrow too, so someone has to go from the big club.


Bereavement List designation can go as long as 7 days.  Have the Stros said anything about when he plans on coming back?



He's taking the full 7 days.

93
Talk Zone / Re: Trade proposal
« on: July 27, 2006, 11:30:44 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Albers, too, made a nice case for himself tonight.



Absolutely!



That said, assuming he's healthy I have no problem with bringing Hirsch and his 40+ consecutive shutout innings to Houston.  So long, Taylor.

94
Talk Zone / Re: Trade proposal
« on: July 27, 2006, 11:08:55 pm »
Albers, too, made a nice case for himself tonight.

95
Talk Zone / Re: Stupid trade suggestion of the day:
« on: July 27, 2006, 03:17:26 pm »
Quote:

Latest from KenR:

The Link



Cabrera a Brave?  See today's NYCU.

96
Talk Zone / Re: FINALLY!!!
« on: July 27, 2006, 03:05:46 pm »
Quote:

Middle of the 5th is always our "let's get the little ones to the MM Fun Zone" inning...all five of them...."Walk with PRIDE, man; walk with PRIDE!"  

We watched the entire Astro half of the inning from the patio next to the Crawford Boxes.  I'd never seen an Astro explosion like that.  It looked like it might be at best a merry-go-round inning in which we'd cut the lead in half, forgetting that Wilile was on second and a Howitzer wasn't going to throw HIM out at the plate.  

Well, Lance provided the sparks that sent the place just flat out electric; might have been the loudest I've heard the place this year....for that size crowd, anyway.  I was too busy jumping up and down with my eight and one year old to notice if we gave him a curtain call.  Or do we avoid that gay Chub/Yankme/Disch-Faulk-Ran-Away-With-The-Spoon crap here?

A glorious night was had by all.  Everyone enjoyed his cake...so....enjoy!

We'd done it before.



No curtain call last night.

97
Talk Zone / Re: FINALLY!!!
« on: July 27, 2006, 02:34:38 pm »
Quote:

Scraps pushed Burke up to #2 in the lineup (*sheesh*!) tonight.  Pushed Berkman to the #3 spot (*YES*!!!).  Huff goes to the cleanup spot.  Most of all, gives Garner back his best bench hitter... Mike Lamb!

Let's see if this lineup goes on for awhile... that is if Luke Scott continues to produce.



Agreed.  It'll be interesting to see what Gar does when/if Berkman moves back to the outfield, which will enable him to insert Lamb in the starting lineup at first base.

98
Talk Zone / Re: RE: Recap and tonight's game
« on: July 26, 2006, 03:04:18 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?



I was referring to the concept of "chemistry" on teams as being real, not my assessment of the Astros. I readily claim that I don't know the tenor of their clubhouse, and it only  seems that they lack chemistry. I was only speculating on that and didn't mean to imply certainty.



Okay.  That's not what you typed, but fair enough.

99
Talk Zone / Re: RE: Recap and tonight's game
« on: July 26, 2006, 02:54:41 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

chemistry is bs. that comes from winning. no team that is losing has chemistry.



It's easier to play the game (or do anything, for that matter) when you enjoy the people you're working with. Of course, I don't know what goes on in their clubhouse, but they just don't seem to enjoy playing together. I'm not saying that's the only problem, but it certainly does not help. They're a group of individuals, rather than a team. That's chemistry (or lack thereof).

It may seem amorphous and unscientific, but that doesn't make it less real.



What makes it less real is the fact that you just made this up entirely.  They don't enjoy playing together?  A group of individuals?  Huh?

100
Talk Zone / Re: RE: Recap and tonight's game
« on: July 26, 2006, 02:03:19 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Albers left the mound grinning because Garner said something that made both of them grin.  Also, you've now seen that Albers' stuff is *nasty*.

This is the first game I've gotten to mostly see in 4 or more weeks.  The lineup strikes me as a very talented one that lacks chemistry.  They didn't appear to have a game plan as a team against Harang.  Harang didn't look THAT good to me, but then I've never faced major league pitching. Also, each hitter didn't seem to have a plan in each at-bat.



I didnt feel like looking at anybody smiling after that botched run down.  Irritated me even more than the double.



It struck me that Garner was half-joking with Albers that they've have to work on the rundown drill.  JD seemed to excuse Albers failure to run at the baserunner as a first major league game/jitters/not wanting to screw up a rundown and let the runner be safe play.  

Was it Brownie who remarked that the Astros haven't been good with the rundown for several years now?



I gave Albers a pass for his part of the run down.  At least he threw to third.  Huff, on the other hand, has been a disaster.  From his inability to field the grounder in the first, to his inability to drive in a run, to his inability to record the out at second in the aforementioned rundown.

101
Talk Zone / Re: happy happy sunday win
« on: July 23, 2006, 07:26:04 pm »
Quote:

Nice win indeed. Wish they could spread some of those extra runs around to other games.
I was worried that a loss could've had'em headed towards being sellers instead of buyers. Trading for a good bullpen arm combined with some better second half hitting makes the wild card to be there for the taking, optimistically thinking.



Bringing up Albers might be the "trade" you're talking about.  At least, that's the hope.

102
Talk Zone / Re: Berkman is leaving
« on: July 23, 2006, 04:33:52 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

the game with gar and the trainer. If he is hurt, we are probably in sell mode.



I look at it another way, assuming it's not a major injury (in which case I agree with your comment)...this will assure that Scott gets another chance (even if just for 2-3-4 games).  If he catchs fire...it may turn into another productive bat for this team.



He looked good in the seventh.  Too bad nobody else did.

103
Talk Zone / Re: Albers up, Wandy down...
« on: July 23, 2006, 04:22:04 pm »
Quote:

Quote:


 first, i pay zero attention to those published Top 10 lists. i learned beyond a doubt in the Express' first year, that the authors of those lists seldom if ever see the players actually play.

I think the key point of interest from Astro Pete's post was the following:  "Check him out in the Minor Opinions forum."

He wasn't talking about BBA and/or that John Sickels character.  The Minor Opinions section has a Top-10 list too.  Jacksonian and GregD may not see all the minor leaguers play, but they get their information from people who do.  Those that have followed the minor leaguers from the Rookie Leagues on, for the last 5-6 years like I have, value thier opinion



Before his year at Salem, last year, a guy in the Astros system told me that Albers has 4 *nasty* pitches and can throw all of them for strikes.  As long as he keeps his head on straight there's no reason he and Hirsh can't be at the top of the Astros rotation for years.



We may see him today.

104
Talk Zone / Re: Berkman is leaving
« on: July 23, 2006, 04:16:32 pm »
Quote:

strained left groin.



Mets announcers said hamstring.  Are they incorrect?

105
Talk Zone / Re: Berkman is leaving
« on: July 23, 2006, 03:41:19 pm »
Ugh.

106
Talk Zone / Maybe this team needs a brawl
« on: July 23, 2006, 02:32:35 pm »
After the first inning today, we just might see one.

107
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte Joins Roy at the Bitchin' Post
« on: July 22, 2006, 08:44:43 pm »
Quote:

Have you ever played team sports?  The bitching by the Astros pitchers is bush league at best.  At worst, it is indicative of a team that is 1) in turmoil (duh) and 2) that's players are not being well led.



Yeah.  I played a lot.  And if you think Andy is bitching, I disagree.

108
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte Joins Roy at the Bitchin' Post
« on: July 22, 2006, 08:42:52 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Of course not.  But Pettitte's comments, in my opinion, were spot on.  He said we're not doing anything right.  He said we're not hitting or pitching.  Fairly innocuous, I think.



Did I say anything about Pettitte's comments?



No, you merely posted a response in a thread devoted to Andy Pettitte. Silly me.

109
Talk Zone / Re: Elementary Question about Boras Clients
« on: July 22, 2006, 04:08:27 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

When a player chooses Boras as his agent, does that player agree to sign with whatever team Boras tells him to? If so, is this a legal agreement that players will sign the contract that Boras tells them to sign? Or is it just understood that you go where he tells you?



Where did you get the impression that any of this is true?



I don't know what's true. That's why I asked 3 questions.



Boras, like any other agent, works for the player.  Zito can sign with whomever he wants.

110
Talk Zone / Re: Nieve optioned out
« on: July 22, 2006, 02:27:04 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I've got pretty thick skin and I don't intend to change anyone. I'll leave that to God.


Well, it's getting closer to game time.  Time to kick my Cubs loving wife off the big screen, grab a few beers, and watch the Astros!



Jim's a long established asshole here.  He's also older than God.  No changing that man.

Seriously, astrosdaily.com is a nicer version of this board if you're interested.



Jim has also forgotten more baseball than most on this board will ever learn.



True.

111
Talk Zone / Re: Nieve optioned out
« on: July 22, 2006, 01:50:47 pm »
Quote:

1) I think it's obvious that they made the decision a while ago that Taylor (whether it was potential or whatever) would be the 5th starter.

2) I have no idea why Borkowski didn't get sent down as infrequently as he's used. Maybe it's his ability to throw his pitches for strikes w/ regularity. Otherwise I'm clueless.

3) I think they wanted Wandy down (whether because of performance or attitude I haven't the slightest clue.) I think thye also wanted a hard thrower up in his place.

4) Nieve has options. That was the gist of Purpura's argument on the discussion.

5) With respect to why Albers and not just leaving Nieve up or bringing Sampson back up, well maybe, just maybe (like Jim R. said), he's ready. Maybe they wanted a power pitcher type up instead of a soft thrower. Maybe they wanted to infuse new blood into the pen.

Maybe they wanted to reward Albers for getting his shit together. Maybe they think he's a better overall fit for the bullpen than either Nieve or Sampson (or Wandy for that matter).

Or maybe it's a combination of all of the above. Something tells me, too, that they didn't really want to promote anyone from AAA. Maybe this was Jason Hirsh's spot if he doesn't start experiencing shoulder tenderness. Who knows.



Bingo.

112
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte Joins Roy at the Bitchin' Post
« on: July 22, 2006, 01:47:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I'm glad players are speaking out and not holding their feelings inside.  I'd hate to see the anger boil over and have an incident like Julian Tavarez picking a fight with a concrete wall, or a player kicking coolers, or a player going WWF smackdown style on Cameramen.




Because using the press to express your feelings is always the right thing to do?



Of course not.  But Pettitte's comments, in my opinion, were spot on.  He said we're not doing anything right.  He said we're not hitting or pitching.  Fairly innocuous, I think.

113
Talk Zone / Re: Nieve optioned out
« on: July 22, 2006, 01:42:05 pm »
Quote:

I've got pretty thick skin and I don't intend to change anyone. I'll leave that to God.


Well, it's getting closer to game time.  Time to kick my Cubs loving wife off the big screen, grab a few beers, and watch the Astros!



Jim's a long established asshole here.  He's also older than God.  No changing that man.

Seriously, astrosdaily.com is a nicer version of this board if you're interested.

114
Talk Zone / Re: Albers up, Wandy down...
« on: July 21, 2006, 06:33:04 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

never heard of Albers b/c i do not follow the minors except for RR. i wonder why him instead of Sampson?



Jim hasn't heard of him?  No wonder I haven't either.  He must be a real sleeper.



Albers isn't a sleeper.  He's been a top 10 prospect within the organization for the last two years.  Check him out in the Minor Opinions forum.

115
Talk Zone / Re: Pettitte Joins Roy at the Bitchin' Post
« on: July 21, 2006, 06:28:25 pm »
Quote:

Link

 
Quote:

"We played the Royals," Pettitte said. "They came in and took two out of three. These are big-league teams. If you don't pitch well and you don't swing the bat well, if you don't hit with guys in scoring position, you don't do the little things, you don't get guys in from third and less than one out, you're going to have problems winning ballgames. We are just not clicking at all on any cylinders. Hopefully, we can get going."





He's not bitching.  He's being honest.

116
Talk Zone / Re: Battle red?
« on: July 20, 2006, 06:37:00 pm »
Quote:

Anybody else notice that the Astros have worn the Sunday red jerseys for every game of the current road trip?



They aren't Battle Red--those belong to another local franchise.  They are Brick.  I don't know why but they've worn them a lot this year.

117
Talk Zone / Re: WTF Happened?
« on: July 17, 2006, 05:38:18 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I agree.  I scream at the TV when he is brought in to protect a 1 run deficit and keep the game close enough for the offense to make a comeback.



The league is batting .289/.370/.472 against Wandy.



What is it batting since May 1?  I'm guessing over .300

118
Talk Zone / Re: WTF Happened?
« on: July 17, 2006, 03:20:42 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

The bullpen got blowed up, sir.



I'm sure you know the starting pitcher gave up 4 runs and the Astros scored 3.



The starting pitcher kept his team in the game.  The bullpen was terrible.

119
Talk Zone / Re: WTF Happened?
« on: July 17, 2006, 12:00:13 pm »
Quote:

When I had to leave the game it was 3-0 Astros (to play golf in the 100 degree heat - only mad dogs and Englishmen...).  Then I find out it was a 9-3 loss!  WTF?  That turned around faster than  The Hoff with a whiney chick in his car.



Our bullpen did a nice job turning a close game into a laugher.

120
Talk Zone / Re: 106 million dollar team
« on: July 13, 2006, 04:27:26 pm »
Quote:


I started by ignoring the contradictory statements made by someone who very obviously follows the Astros as a second favorite team.



One could learn a lot from you.

121
Talk Zone / Re: 106 million dollar team
« on: July 13, 2006, 04:13:14 pm »
Quote:

Yikes. Knowing the Grocer, someone high-priced could be on the way out. Ensberg?

Still, gotta hand it to the guy, this has to be the highest payroll the Astros ever had.

The Astros offseason this year will be the most interesting in years with Rocket, Petitte, Bagwell (option?) and maybe Biggio (I know - he wants 3000 hits) riding off into the sunset.



Where do you start with this one?

122
Talk Zone / Re: Tavares and the Marlins
« on: July 12, 2006, 08:09:48 pm »
Quote:


If Biggio gets to 3000 and retires,  



No. Way.

123
Talk Zone / Re: Lame showing by astros slugger at ASG HR Derby
« on: July 12, 2006, 06:12:44 pm »
Quote:

Quote:


Yeah whoever thought up Junction Jack and Clutch the Bear took an reprehensible amount of creative license (or, conversely, a complete lack there of) in their respective creations...at least remain thematically consistent



I'll never understand the stupid bear.  Granted, a jackrabbit has nothing to do with Astronauts, but they at least tie him to the train theme.  What about the Rockets or their gym has anything to do with bears?  And what happened to "Booster"?



You mean Turbo?

124
Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 04:31:22 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?



FA at the end of the year, will cost the Astros a little over $1 million for the remainder of the season.



So the Astros gave up Zobrist and Talbot for 1/2 season of Huff plus first shot at a future contract with him/possible arb leading to a contract or likely a first and second round draft pick from the team signing him.  If Huff hits well this looks to be a winner deal.



Yup.

125
Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 04:25:11 pm »
Quote:

I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?



FA at the end of the year, will cost the Astros a little over $1 million for the remainder of the season.

126
Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 01:58:32 pm »
Quote:


A couple of things here.  No ill-will against Ensberg, but his slumps coincide with an injury and an ass load of batting stances to compensate for the injury.  Stanceapalooza goes on for at least a month after each injury.  Which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries, which leads to more different stances/approaches, which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries...

My impression is that he thinks too much, and definitely thinks he's smarter than his coaches.  Right now his stances are changing pitch-to-pitch and I doubt very seriously that Gaetti has told him to do that.

It's not his production that bothers me, it's all the crap you have to deal with watching him between production.



I agree with this.  Ensberg can be very frustrating to watch, and he certainly overthinks.  He ought to be more like Lenny Dykstra ("Who's pitching?  Steve Carlton?  Fuck him").  But there's no doubt the guy can rake, and, when he's on, he's one of the best third basemen in the league.  To get rid of him would be a huge mistake, imo.

127
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 01:40:12 pm »
Quote:

Sorry to have to ask this again, but why the "ughs" on Huff?  Are they personal, or did some of you just hope for something more substantial?



There were only two, from Jacksonian and me.  My explanation is on page 2.

128
Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 01:34:04 pm »
Quote:


If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.



Count me as one of the stupid ones, then.  I don't think it's a coincidence that his slumps always coincide with an injury.

129
Talk Zone / Re: Huff and Options for Garner
« on: July 12, 2006, 12:31:25 pm »
Quote:

So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:

Ensberg's day off:

A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right

Lamb's day off:

B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Berkman's day off:

C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Huff's day off:

D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right

All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.



Hopefully this is the move that puts Burke back in the 2 hole.

130
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 12:29:41 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Sending Lane to the minors is the best part of the deal, for him and the Astros.   He needs the AB's.

This sounds like a nice move to me.  

What is Huff's contract situation?



I found this site the other day and found it useful.



I've been looking for a site like this for a long time.  Thanks for the link.

131
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 12:16:01 pm »
Quote:

Why the "ughs" on Huff?  Is he huffy?  Bad team guy?

My apologies in advance.



I rescind my "ugh".  I was responding to the rumored Huff for Ensberg deal.  Huff for Talbot and Zobrist is a good deal, imo.

132
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 11:41:50 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Actual trade?  Astros talking about Aubrey Huff rumors all over the place.



Ugh.



Ditto ugh.

133
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 11:28:05 am »
Quote:

Milo retires early or the trade rumor 610 is drumming up?



$10 on the former...

134
Talk Zone / Re: So, what's the major press conference at 9:30 all about?
« on: July 12, 2006, 11:23:57 am »
Quote:

poor milo. the man has been though a lot lately..hope the conference is a good deal type thing not a fire someone thing



Who'd be fired?

135
Talk Zone / Re: Trevor Hoffman choked
« on: July 12, 2006, 11:08:56 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The same John Kruk who commented during the HR Derby that RH is Berkman's power side?  Astute commentator, that man.



Berkman himself insists that he has more power from the right side.



All evidence to the contrary.



That may be so.  Kruk's role, as I see it, isn't to blow us away with astute baseball commentary.  He's supposed to be a doofus who makes viewers laugh.  In this instance, however, he isn't totally off base.

136
Talk Zone / Re: Trevor Hoffman choked
« on: July 12, 2006, 10:47:31 am »
Quote:

The same John Kruk who commented during the HR Derby that RH is Berkman's power side?  Astute commentator, that man.



Berkman himself insists that he has more power from the right side.

137
Talk Zone / Re: Loyalty?
« on: July 11, 2006, 03:16:37 pm »
Quote:


Eggszactly!  Not particularily an unbiased bunch over there when it comes to Garner.  That one year they made it to the post-season under Scraps deluted their thinking that they were world beaters and nothing was going to stop them but themselves.





You mean the one year they finished over .500 under Scraps, cuz those losers haven't been in the postseason since 1982.

138
Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts after last night/ midseason
« on: July 10, 2006, 02:46:36 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

A couple reasons why they may not be buyers.  The first is that the team already has a payroll over $100 million.  Another is that Tim Purpura seems to be a "stay the course" kind of guy, and for all intents and purposes, this team should be better than the 2005 version that won the pennant.



Payroll is certainly a concern, but there may be trades out there that don't break the bank, especially in the relief pitching department. I think the Astros would welcome a good, dependable arm in the pen almost as much as a solid bat.



Agreed.

139
Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts after last night/ midseason
« on: July 10, 2006, 02:16:15 pm »
Quote:


I disagree. As bad as the Astros have played, they've been in almost every game, and they're still only 6 games out. No team that close would not look to be buyers. There are a few key prospects you hold onto for dear life, but the Astros have some major and minor league players that could probably get something decent. Of course, if the players don't get their heads out of their asses soon, all of the trades in the world won't make much of a difference. I'm glad to hear that the coaches got their asses chewed a bit too. The team is not focused and playing as a team right now. That's the fault of the coaching staff.



A couple reasons why they may not be buyers.  The first is that the team already has a payroll over $100 million.  Another is that Tim Purpura seems to be a "stay the course" kind of guy, and for all intents and purposes, this team should be better than the 2005 version that won the pennant.

140
Talk Zone / La Morgan
« on: July 06, 2006, 11:59:19 pm »
Joe just said that Lidge started throwing out of the windup for the first time ever one month ago.  America just got a little dumber.

141
Talk Zone / Re: La Genius
« on: July 06, 2006, 11:47:48 pm »
Quote:

What's gotten into Berkman lately?  In 2 games he's had 3 defensive highlights.



Berkman has always been a good defensive player.  The real question--and perhaps the one you were really asking--is: what has him actually paying attention the last two games?

142
Talk Zone / Pedro Martinez to DL
« on: July 06, 2006, 11:44:28 pm »
Looks like the Astros will get their second representative in Pittsburgh....

143
Talk Zone / Re: Sign o' the times
« on: July 06, 2006, 07:04:23 pm »
Quote:

Tonight:

Munson catching, batting 6th.
Ensberg batting 7th.



Ensberg ought to be on the bench, resting his shoulder for the next week.

144
Talk Zone / Re: a run coming?
« on: July 05, 2006, 11:05:08 am »
Quote:

Quote:

I wonder if the Reds would be willing to offer a more reasonable deal for Dunn now that they are in desperate need of a bullpen, and are actually in contention.



Why would they trade away one of the key reasons they are in contention?



...and who they also locked up through 2008 prior to this season.

145
Talk Zone / Re: bingo bango bongo
« on: June 29, 2006, 02:37:37 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I'm getting a bit disturbed with Garner moving around and benching the younger players. If these guys can't play a regular position, send them down to AAA so they can play everyday.  This constant state of flux can't be helping the ballclub and is certainly not helping the development of the younger guys.

Oh, and can we trade Preston Wilson for somebody? His lack of effort and constant K's are getting frustrating. He's the poster boy not driving in runs lately.




He has 16 Ks in June.  He cut his strikeout totals in half from last month (33 Ks in May).  For the season he has a .307 BA w/RISP, and with RISP and 2 outs he's hitting .350/.381/.525.  Who would you want to trade him for?



There are far too many problems with this offense--Ensberg and Lane--to complain about Wilson, our second or third most productive hitter in the lineup.  But if radio caller wants to complain, at least complain about something legitimate.  Like, maybe he isn't hitting as many home runs as projected.  If you complain about his K's, it just shows that you had no idea who Preston Wilson was prior to 2006; the strikeouts are a surprise to nobody who's paying attention.

146
Talk Zone / Re: a difficult spot in the schedule
« on: June 29, 2006, 01:00:07 pm »
Standings on June 15:

St. Louis 39-26  
Cincinnati 37-29, 2.5 games back
Houston 35-32, 5.0 games back
Milwaukee 32-35, 8.0 games back


Standings on June 29:

St. Louis 43-34
Cincinnati 42-36, 1.5 games back
Milwaukee 39-40, 5.0 games back
Houston 38-41, 6.0 games back


It's been a terrible stretch for the Good Guys, but hardly disastrous.  We've dropped only one game in the standings to the division leader, two games in the standings to the Wild Card leader.  Everyone except Milwaukee got their asses kicked.

147
Talk Zone / Re: Bucknor in the 7th
« on: June 28, 2006, 09:39:51 am »
Quote:


why do you think ensberg's so messed up lately, jim?  a bad habits hybrid?  injury issues?



From what I've read his shoulder is still hurting.  Not putting him on the 15-day DL in Atlanta, in my opinion, was a huge mistake.

148
Talk Zone / Re: Wandy
« on: June 27, 2006, 02:27:10 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

In his last 6 starts his ERA is approaching 6.50 while opponents are hitting right at .400...

Winning record be damned, now is probably not an opportune time to be shopping him...



exactly, and what makes anyone think that OTHER TEAMS DON'T KNOW THIS ALSO?

edited to add the exactly, didnt want no mis-construations on this here intarwebs.



Yeah, but you should see his ERA for the innings in which he hasn't given up a run.

149
Talk Zone / Re: Oregon State, NCAA Champions
« on: June 27, 2006, 10:44:03 am »
Quote:


They had a catcher playing 1B (what led to that, I dunno) and the throw was offline but very, very catchable.  1B had his feet crossed up on the bag & couldn't make a proper stretch.

Bad way to lose a game, regardless.



see: Tulane, 2005.

150
Talk Zone / Re: Speechless. Fucking Speechless.
« on: June 26, 2006, 11:12:25 am »
Quote:

What annoys me more than anything else is that the NY game was on the local channel as well.  I don't know anyone in NY who watches a game on ESPN when they can watch the game on the regular local tv channel.  So why did ESPN feel the need to show the NY game in NY when they must have known that they would get a crappy rating here?  They probably would have gotten more viewers if they showed an alternative to the Yankees game.

At the end of the day, I "watched" the game on CBSSportline while Deadwood and Entourage were on the tube.



Not sure about NY, but in Boston they switched to the Astros after the Yankees' game.

151
Talk Zone / Re: Speechless. Fucking Speechless.
« on: June 26, 2006, 09:54:01 am »
Deleted.  Cabrera a Brave...

152
Talk Zone / Re: Speechless. Fucking Speechless.
« on: June 26, 2006, 01:00:47 am »
Quote:


He walks Podsednik to bring the tying run to the plate then sets it on a tee.



That's the most frustrating thing; it's like the other team doesn't even have to try.

153
Talk Zone / Re: US got screwed on that PK
« on: June 22, 2006, 01:42:02 pm »
Can someone explain to me how that USA team was ranked 5th in the world?  I don't know the first thing about soccer, but this team looked, well, bad.

154
Talk Zone / Re: Fundementals boys, fundementals
« on: June 21, 2006, 12:33:30 pm »
Quote:

I feel bad for Roy, because that inning aside, he pitched one helluva game. And that was typical Roy, putting it behind him to come in and strike out the side in the 8th.

The Twins have a scrappy ballclub. If I liked AL baseball (and had the Extra Innings package) I might watch them play more often.



Awfully tough to complain about Roy.  He does, however, seem to always have one inning where he "loses" it.  Maybe it's a concentration thing, maybe it's just because baseball is hard.

155
Talk Zone / Re: Fundementals boys, fundementals
« on: June 21, 2006, 11:13:24 am »
Quote:

Quote:

In fairness to Wilson, performances by some others certainly didn't help.



True, but that one was glaring and it was a mental mistake.  Those are particulalry frustrating.



These quotes are frustrating:

 
Quote:

 "I'm not going to lie to you, I thought the game was over, and that's probably why we ended up getting beat," Berkman said. "You can't count out the possibility the other team is going to make a comeback like they did."



 
Quote:

"One bad inning killed me," said Oswalt, who struck out the side in the eighth. "I get through that inning, maybe I get to go the whole game. Just a lack of concentration on my part."



 web page

156
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 05:24:54 pm »
Quote:

Quote:


You probably won't see St. Clair until he starts game 2 of the championship, should Rice get there.  

And, Savery didn't pitch against Oklahoma in the SRs.  Graham went with Bell and Crow instead (neither of whom was very impressive).  I wonder if that means Savery is hurting again.



Sorry, I meant that I wondered if Savery would be available for more than a few innings.  Sounds like he, at least, thinks he will be.



I figured that's what you meant after I posted.  Looks like you're right.

157
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 01:24:57 pm »
Quote:

Probably means Savery is hurting then. Heard this morning on the radio that Crow is likely to start the next game.  If he wasn't that impressive in his last outing and is pitching on less rest, I would conclude that Savery isn't an option for long work.



You're right.  Found this:

Quote:

And there are questions about the status of Savery, who insisted Friday that he'll make a mound appearance during the CWS. "It still just hasn't come back to 100 percent, and it's something that I'm continuing to fight with," Savery said of the tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. "But I definitely plan to pitch this weekend at some point. It may be minimal, but I plan to get out there."
 



 Link

158
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 11:28:33 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Can Savery pitch, or has his arm been acting up again?



He started (5 IP) the last game of the regional against Baylor.  I wonder, though, with the fact that Graham started St. Clair last night, if he's available to go more than an inning or two (if that).



You probably won't see St. Clair until he starts game 2 of the championship, should Rice get there.  

And, Savery didn't pitch against Oklahoma in the SRs.  Graham went with Bell and Crow instead (neither of whom was very impressive).  I wonder if that means Savery is hurting again.

159
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 11:22:29 am »
Quote:

Quote:


Clemson and UNC have the arms to give them a run for their money, but I agree that this is the Owls' tournament to lose.  Go Rice!




Agree about UNC's pitching.  They're 2-0 and haven't used their two best pitchers yet.  Clemson's in a tough spot.



Well, Andrew Miller is their best, and he pitched against Fullerton in the opener.  They do still have Bard, though.

160
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 10:46:57 am »
Can Savery pitch, or has his arm been acting up again?

161
Archive / Re: Willy
« on: June 20, 2006, 01:27:53 am »
Quote:

With Lamb and Burke playing well, Willy seems to be stuck in nuetral on the bench.  At what point does management start entertaining the idea of sending him back to AAA to work on his game?  There was a time when they had plans for him to become a switch hitter.  I often wonder what type of player he'd of been if he'd of had all of last year to do just that instead of being rushed to the majors.



The general consensus this spring was that Willy shouldn't get buried on the ML bench because he needed at-bats.  I'd imagine that when the day comes that Gar acknowledges that Willy has lost his starting job he might be considered to be sent down.  But from what I've read, that day hasn't come.

162
Talk Zone / Re: Rice (non World Cup)
« on: June 20, 2006, 01:10:32 am »
Quote:


Rice is just better than everyone else.  If they don't step on the collective dick (like they almost did tonight), I can't see anyone beating them.  The have the horses and they have the depth.



Clemson and UNC have the arms to give them a run for their money, but I agree that this is the Owls' tournament to lose.  Go Rice!

163
Talk Zone / Re: 2006 Draft Recap is now online
« on: June 19, 2006, 12:36:48 pm »
Excellent.  Many thanks.

164
Talk Zone / Re: Double Arrrrrrgh!
« on: June 19, 2006, 11:37:15 am »
Quote:


Why is Lamb batting 2d?  I think I've read what Garner and Lamb have said in the paper, but isn't it peculiar?



Gar has Lamb batting 2nd and Burke batting 3rd.  It's crazy, but the Royals debacle notwithstanding, that lineup has been pretty effective.

165
Talk Zone / Re: Holy Crap Rajah
« on: June 16, 2006, 11:44:50 am »
Do you send him suspicious packages?

166
Talk Zone / Re: Holy Crap Rajah
« on: June 16, 2006, 11:09:38 am »
Quote:

One thing I've been pondering on the Rocket Ego Tour: Haven't all his minor league starts been home games (Lexington, Corpus, RR).  Is this just a coincidence?



Doubtful.  Nolan Ryan asked him long ago to consider doing rehab starts in Corpus and Round Rock (Clemens is a partial owner of both, I believe).

And man, what an ego!  He's selling out minor league parks, rebuilding minor league clubhouses, giving fans across the state a reason to cheer for the Astros, saying and doing all the right things, going out of his way to help 19 year old kids.  The list goes on and on.  I say we lynch him...

167
Talk Zone / Re: Ignorant question...
« on: June 15, 2006, 02:56:41 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Totally agree, but that's where that stupid donut rule came from in most softball leagues.



Probably so.  On the other hand, why would anyone need a to use a weight in a softball game.  Seriously.



Hey, it helps -- my pop outs to the pitcher become pop outs to the shortstop.



Are you that late getting to a softball pitch?



My bad. I'm even later than that. I bat right-handed, but I usually pop out to the second baseman rather than the shortstop.



Opposite infield power, eh?



Depends on his approach.

168
Talk Zone / Re: Ignorant question...
« on: June 14, 2006, 12:49:53 pm »
It's an alternative to pine tar, some sort of tak used to improve the grip of the bat. It isn't bone; you see college kids use it, too.

169
Talk Zone / Re: NonBaseball: Military Recruitment Meeting
« on: June 13, 2006, 06:24:43 pm »
Quote:

 Then they started to score it differently and the average jumped to like 1200



The national average was just over 1000 before the new scale last year.

170
Talk Zone / Re: NonBaseball: Military Recruitment Meeting
« on: June 13, 2006, 03:22:45 pm »
Quote:

why is it good that a young man's courage and sacrifice be wasted on an unjust war?



This right here may be your problem.  Courage and sacrifice wasted?

171
Talk Zone / Re: Steroid names starting to leak....
« on: June 09, 2006, 01:08:01 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

So it's been reported that Biggio's "strength and conditioning guru" is one of the redacted names in the Grimsley search warrant affidavit?  If so that's a helluva lot more of a conversation piece than a off-the-cuff remark by Boomer Wells.  Like it or not, Biggio also wasn't on a pace to hit 80 homeruns a couple of weeks ago.



Quote:

While I agree with innocent until proven guilty, it's not looking good for one A. Pujols.  What surprises me is that no one has made any connection with LaGenius.  If this proves accurate, he's now associated with 2 of the biggest juicers in MLB history.  First McGwire (not to mention Canseco) and now Pujols.  How long until some of the dirt gets on Tony?  Me, I'm waiting for the Feds to finish this hunt because from all reports, they ain't fuckin' around.  Wear a wire?  WTF?



Holy craptastic batman, now we're up to tertiary convictions?  Not just he's guilty because his friend might be guilty, but now THE MANAGER is guilty because his players friend MIGHT have been named in an affidavit.

And no it doesn't hold more weight than Boomer being an idiot.  It a leaked name, that hasn't even been officially confirmed.  Not a single person outside of Grimsley and the Feds ACTUALLY KNOW who is in the affidavit.  And just because they are named in the affidavit, doesnt even mean they ARE GUILTY YET.  

Correlation does not imply causality.  Coincidence isn't proof.  Association is not guilt.  

If your friend is a crack dealer does that make you a crack whore?  If your CEO friend is an embezziling sack of crap, does that make you an Enron exec?  

Or else  this article just might be the truth then?  But we all know its just a joke.  But it holds roughly the same amount of credible evidence so far as  this kind of bullshit.



Relax.  Nobody is burning Pujols/LaRussa on a stake...yet.

172
Talk Zone / Re: Steroid names starting to leak....
« on: June 08, 2006, 09:23:04 pm »
Quote:


good job everyone on staying level-headed and objective.  how about waiting until some actual real information comes out before busting your collective nuts.



Fuck level-headedness and being objective.  It's Pooholes.

173
Talk Zone / Re: Steroid names starting to leak....
« on: June 08, 2006, 07:19:33 pm »
And then there's this gem:

 
Quote:

How could so many teams have been so wrong in failing to see the potential of a player who may ultimately prove to be one of the best to ever lace up the spikes?



 
Quote:

To be sure, when he was a 17-year-old kid playing for Meyer's Kansas City Sluggers summer team, not even those closest to Pujols dreamed that he would average .332, 40 homers and 124 RBIs in his first five big-league seasons



 
Quote:

Not even those who saw Pujols' obvious power as a teenager envisioned that he would soon become a marvelously sculpted 6-foot-3, 225-pound five-tool player.  



 
Quote:

 many baseball scouts had concerns about Pujols, a power-hitting shortstop when he played on a Missouri state championship team at Fort Osage in 1997.

"He was really kind of a pear-shaped kid, heavy from the waist down, and that scared some scouts off," Meyer remembered.




 
Quote:

Consequently, a frustrated Albert Pujols - after spending a year at Kansas City's Maple Woods Community College, where he met strength and conditioning guru  Chris Mihlfeld  and started the process of building an Adonis-like upper body - waited 13 rounds before getting the call from the Cardinals.




 From Pear to Adonis

174
Talk Zone / Re: Steroid names starting to leak....
« on: June 08, 2006, 06:51:27 pm »
 
Quote:

 
Last October 20, one day after the Cardinals were eliminated from the NLCS, Pujols was on the phone with Chris Mihlfeld , a Kansas City trainer who works with Pujols in the offseason. "Chris," he said, "we need to work on my situational hitting." Situational hitting? Pujols had just finished a season in which he hit .329 with runners in scoring position.



Talking to his trainer about situational hitting?  Riiiight...

The Link

175
Talk Zone / Re: Steroid names starting to leak....
« on: June 08, 2006, 06:43:04 pm »
Quote:

First rumblings about the "blacked out" names on Jason Grimsley's file are starting to be felt.  Sammy Sosa is purportedly one of the names on the list.  Another is Chris Mihfield, former strength and conditioning coach for the Royals and longtime personal trainer to one Pujols, Albert.  This will get interesting.



Very interesting indeed...

176
Talk Zone / Re: In praise of Chris Burke
« on: June 08, 2006, 03:08:19 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:



Not quite so much power as you suppose... There's only 10 of those syllable things in that 4 word sentence...



I think he meant that if that sentence had made any sense, it would have had 11.



I was trying to figure out if disingenuousness was the noun, but it made my head hurt to think about it.



Must be those stupid pills.

177
Talk Zone / Re: In praise of Chris Burke
« on: June 08, 2006, 03:06:47 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:



Not quite so much power as you suppose... There's only 10 of those syllable things in that 4 word sentence...



I think he meant that if that sentence had made any sense, it would have had 11.



And the contrarian bell just sounded and we're off!  This thread will now self-destruct into 50 or more post of nothing worth reading in 1... 2.... 3... 4.... *POP*!



The contrarian bell sounded when you wrote the original post, a totally, 100% disingenuous commendation of Chris Burke, when you really were trying to bash him....



Good to see you're still taking stupid pills every morning.  Stay gold, p(h)ony boy!



good one

178
Talk Zone / Re: In praise of Chris Burke
« on: June 08, 2006, 02:05:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:



Not quite so much power as you suppose... There's only 10 of those syllable things in that 4 word sentence...



I think he meant that if that sentence had made any sense, it would have had 11.



And the contrarian bell just sounded and we're off!  This thread will now self-destruct into 50 or more post of nothing worth reading in 1... 2.... 3... 4.... *POP*!



The contrarian bell sounded when you wrote the original post, a totally, 100% disingenuous commendation of Chris Burke, when you really were trying to bash him....

179
Talk Zone / Re: In praise of Chris Burke
« on: June 08, 2006, 02:02:16 pm »
Quote:


Eggszactly!  Prototypical to BillyBall was Rivers (that reads so Yoda-ish!) in that it was contact that Martin wanted.  You put the ball in play, anything can happen.  Thus you swung the bat.  But BillyBall was also hitting behind a runner, squeeze plays, hit and runs... all contact enabled baseball.  Taking pitches and working counts wasn't necessarily the name of the game... it was beat down on the ball, run and make them get us out with Martin!



Was Billy Ball a term that was actually used to describe Martin's managerial style?

180
Talk Zone / Re: In praise of Chris Burke
« on: June 08, 2006, 01:52:13 pm »
Quote:



Not quite so much power as you suppose... There's only 10 of those syllable things in that 4 word sentence...



I think he meant that if that sentence had made any sense, it would have had 11.

181
Talk Zone / Re: Rumor on cards board...
« on: June 08, 2006, 12:00:14 pm »
Quote:


Just as likely to be correct as the crack Astros' medical staff.



Ouch.

182
Talk Zone / Re: Rumor on cards board...
« on: June 08, 2006, 11:53:43 am »
Quote:

I'll tell you from personal experience that, once it pops out, if it is already loose, you're going to have a pretty serious issue with weakness in the joint for at least a few days, and it usually takes about 5-10 before you feel really comfortable doing things that put stress on it... You know, like swinging a bat, raising your arm over your head, etc.

If Burke doesn't go on the DL, he'll be pinch running and late inning defense at best.

Swinging a bat can SERIOUSLY hurt.



The right tackle on my high school football team seriously dislocated his shoulder his sophomore year, ending his season prematurely.  By the time he was a senior, he dislocated the thing just about every other day.  We'd take turns in the huddle getting the joint back in place before the next play.  I don't know how badly it hurt, and I'm sure it diminished his ability, but I don't think he missed any time after the first dislocation.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert; I'm just surprised someone is trying to diagnose the situation from his seat.

183
Talk Zone / Re: Rumor on cards board...
« on: June 08, 2006, 09:50:00 am »
Quote:


He'll be "day-to-day" only as long as it takes to process the paperwork and put him on the DL.  Anyone who was actually at the game and saw the whole thing (not just the ESPN clip) will likely agree.  I hope we see Hobbs again and that the third time will be the charm.



Front-row diagnosis?

184
Talk Zone / Re: My thoughts on the state of the team
« on: June 05, 2006, 02:48:01 pm »
Quote:


He's having the Lexington Clubhouse redone.  Ego's that large are hard to see around.



What does that have to do with having a large ego?

185
Talk Zone / Re: You know what pisses me off
« on: May 31, 2006, 06:14:10 pm »
Quote:

Hell, I'll buy him a suitcase if he'd just hit the road and get the hell off the team.



And I'll buy the boot, the one the needs to be planted firmly in his ass.

186
Talk Zone / Well that didn't take long...
« on: May 31, 2006, 02:25:21 pm »
 
Quote:

Do you think Roger will be with the Astros by the end of July? If they continue to tank, my guess is he will demand to be traded, behind closed doors of course, and he will be pitching for the Yankees on August 1.
-- Tom L., Rochester, N.Y.



The Link

187
Talk Zone / Re: It is done headline in online chronicle
« on: May 31, 2006, 12:46:33 pm »
WooHoo!

188
Talk Zone / Re: Bonds and Rose
« on: May 23, 2006, 07:34:38 pm »
Quote:

Barry Bonds has not been placed on the permanently ineligible list.

Pete Rose has.

Next topic.



I think you scared him.

189
Talk Zone / Re: Good place to eat and watch game in Austin?
« on: May 22, 2006, 03:45:37 pm »
Quote:

The topic is a good place to "eat and watch", not "leave and eat".



I know.  I hijacked it.

190
Talk Zone / Re: Can't even imagine Pravata's take in NYCU...
« on: May 22, 2006, 03:32:48 pm »
Quote:

Young, stupid kid coming up through the minors trying anything to get his shot; this I understand to some degree.

Clemens late in his HOF career with a basement full of cash, even with his texas-sized ego, I fail to understand the compelling motive.



Clemens compiled a 1.87 ERA during a year he was tested at least twice for steroids.  I'm not convinced that he cheated.

191
Talk Zone / Re: Good place to eat and watch game in Austin?
« on: May 22, 2006, 03:28:06 pm »
Quote:

The Austin Chronicle 2006 Restraunt pole.  Pluckers won best chicken dish last year for their wings.  Took second this year.  Please note the lack of anything related to Hooters.

Edit to add: The Link



Not surprising, but doesn't change the fact that I do Hooter's take-out, and would do delivery if it were available.

Do they still have a Hooters airline?

192
Talk Zone / Re: Good place to eat and watch game in Austin?
« on: May 22, 2006, 03:07:44 pm »
Quote:

Nobody goes to Hooters for wings or baseball.



Speak for yourself.  I've been known to do Hooters take-out on occasion.

193
Talk Zone / Re: DC Area Astros fans...
« on: May 22, 2006, 02:55:27 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Anyone know which hotel the Astros stay at in DC?



Ritz- Carlton Pentagon City



Thanks.

194
Talk Zone / Re: DC Area Astros fans...
« on: May 22, 2006, 11:43:29 am »
Anyone know which hotel the Astros stay at in DC?

195
Talk Zone / Re: Alyson Footer (A-Foot?) on XM with Steiner
« on: May 18, 2006, 06:50:37 pm »
Quote:


The day Clemens signs to play, however, I am sure Steiner will proclaim the Astros to be contenders.



And he'd be right.

196
Talk Zone / Re: Tipping Pitches
« on: May 17, 2006, 06:54:42 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I had a friend in high school I'd golf with.  Occasionally, he'd bring another buddy along.  The buddy would hit a few good shots in a row, then shank 2 or 3 in a row, then after the next non-shank would exclaim "now I know what I'm doing wrong".  Yet sure enough, a few shots later the shanks would continue.

Moral of the story, people don't want to admit a harsh truth.  This buddy of my friend was just an average bad golfer.  He just couldn't admit it to us (we were both pretty good in high school).  Something is affecting Lidge that he is doing everything he can to say "see here, this is the problem.  Now I know what to do.  I'll pitch 100% from the stretch.  I'll quit tipping pitches.  I'll wear garter belts with the rose in the front..."


Two weeks ago I shot 76, including a triple bogey 6 on the par 3 16th caused entirely by me missing the green and then chipping into a sodden bunker after torrential rain the night before.  C'est la vie.  Last week I need to par 17 and 18 for 78, and pulled two consecutive drives out of bounds on 17 (ended up at 83).  Both drives were identical, and the only reason the second ball wasn't shredded by the same ignorant fuck with a lawnmower as was the first was that it landed two feet away under a bush.

Bottom line, knowing what you did wrong and not repeating it are two very different things.



Bottom line, Limey is better than I am at golf.

197
Talk Zone / Re: Soft
« on: May 16, 2006, 05:35:53 pm »
Quote:


Then again, the atmosphere at MMPUS is so shitty I can barely stand going to the games as is.



Huh?

198
Talk Zone / Re: Ausmus at 2b
« on: May 16, 2006, 02:26:01 pm »
Quote:


You think W.A. "Spack" McGrimm would have been on the bench?  Nossir.  Nothing short of multiple amputations would have kept Spack sitting, or put him on the DL. and we're talking major amputations, not just a couple of fingers or so. Since when has baseball had anything to do with fun?



Good point.

199
Talk Zone / Re: Ausmus at 2b
« on: May 16, 2006, 02:25:19 pm »
Quote:


Berkman on the DL?



Or, the thought of Berkman coming off the bench and further injuring his hamstring during a rout is particularly unappealing.

200
Talk Zone / Re: Ausmus at 2b
« on: May 16, 2006, 02:12:57 pm »
Quote:

Garner said on tv after the game that it, along with batting Pettite, was to have some fun.  I was pretty annoyed with that . . . Berkman was on the bench and he should have been playing for the comeback.



There's something about Berkman going on the DL during a 9 run rout that I find particularly unappealing.

201
Talk Zone / Re: Possible help please...
« on: May 16, 2006, 01:23:55 pm »
Quote:

Thanks HH.  I'm trying to make the arguement that Hendry has not done real well as GM of the Cubs.  While I acknowledge that he's made some great trades...but there's no other evidence to show that he's made any other improvements within the organization during his tenure.  Ok before I get shot at, I acknowledge the NLCS appearance, but many of the players where already in place when Hendry came aboard.  The organization has been in a steady decline ever since.

This all started with him bitching about the team and Dusty's performance.  I told him that he should look to Hendry as he hired the guy and has stuck with him.  If an organization fails (in any business), you must look to the top.

Thanks to Jacksonian as well...I couldn't even find what you're talking about.  They changed the site a while back...maybe you're still getting the old design or something.



His link works for me.  Regarding Hendry, I think he's added some quality players to the Cubs.  He brought in Lofton and Ramirez in 2003, added Lee before 2004, got rid of Sosa before 2005, etc.  All these moves were pretty shrewd.  I think Hendry's problems are two-fold: first, his team hasn't been healthy since 2003; second, he hired Dusty Baker as the manager.

202
Talk Zone / Re: NCAA Regionals
« on: May 16, 2006, 12:56:48 pm »
Quote:

I don't think they have... UH has only hosted NCAA regionals in recent times in 1999 and 2000, and I think Rice went to Lubbock in 1999 and played in UH's regional in 2000.

If both played their way into national seeds, I don't think the NCAA would hestitate to award both of them as hosts.  But given that UH is a borderline #1/#2, and that Rice will most likely be a top 4 national seed, I don't see two regionals in Houston this year...



Thanks.  I don't see UH getting one either, although maybe that's wishful thinking on my part (I'm hoping Tulane can host, and no way the committee lets three CUSA schools host).

203
Talk Zone / NCAA Regionals
« on: May 16, 2006, 12:39:49 pm »
Anyone know whether both Rice and UH have ever hosted a regional in the same year?

204
Talk Zone / Re: JR House named AA offensive player of the month
« on: May 15, 2006, 06:24:21 pm »
Interesting tid-bits:

-Brooks Conrad wins AAA offensive player of the month after hitting .241 in April.

-Hunter Pence, not exactly known for his glove, wins AA defensive player of the month.

205
Talk Zone / Re: strategic question
« on: May 15, 2006, 06:21:55 pm »
Quote:

I thought a fake pickoff to 1B was a balk...



Pitcher would have to step off the rubber.

206
Talk Zone / Re: He didn't have time to stretch??
« on: May 15, 2006, 11:47:06 am »
Quote:


We wer observing him from the Terrace Deck on opening day. He was having in depth conversations with any and everyone near-by. When no runners were on and the first base coach wasn't nearby, his glove and him were having a running argument over the pros and cons of Ranch flavored Sunflower Seeds.



The guy is obviously nuts;  there are no cons of ranch flavored sunflower seeds.

207
Talk Zone / He didn't have time to stretch??
« on: May 13, 2006, 02:54:05 pm »
Lance day-to-day.

The Link

208
Talk Zone / Re: At any point in time
« on: May 12, 2006, 06:34:35 pm »
Quote:

Lidge has about as much value right now as one of Daryle Ward's used jock straps.



BS

209
Talk Zone / Re: Concerns Over Clemens' Fitness May Not Be Unfounded
« on: May 11, 2006, 05:37:56 pm »
Quote:


You got 30 replies 2 days ago on another board clarifying this for you.  Maybe you should have learned from that experience?



He learned he needed to find a new website.

210
Talk Zone / Re: Concerns Over Clemens' Fitness May Not Be Unfounded
« on: May 11, 2006, 04:40:22 pm »
Quote:


Read the guidelines of this forum, you just broke them.




Read the one about ankle-biting, which is exactly what you're doing.

211
Talk Zone / Re: Revert back this weekend
« on: May 11, 2006, 03:11:22 pm »
Quote:


There is none.  I'm hoping he gets DFA'ed when they activate Miller.



He was fairly effective last year, although I'll confess I hadn't realized he was far more effective getting righties out than lefties in 2005.

212
Talk Zone / Re: Concerns Over Clemens' Fitness May Not Be Unfounded
« on: May 11, 2006, 01:24:26 pm »
Quote:

If you state something like this here, you need to be able to back it up, and not just with "I heard it on the radio" and posting a news piece several months old.



Actually, I loved that the "closest thing he could find" was an article from five months ago.  Not only is he an idiot, not only is he a troll, but he also hasn't picked up a newspaper, surfed the web, or watched anything baseball related since 2005.

213
Talk Zone / Re: Revert back this weekend
« on: May 10, 2006, 12:31:35 pm »
Quote:


You would leave the club without a lefty in the pen?  (FTR, I know Miller is due back soon, but this doesn't change the fact that there would be no major league lefty relievers in the pen if Gallo was dumped).



I think Gallo will be fine, but if the choice were between a righty who can get lefties out or a southpaw who can't, I'm going with the former.  I want a pitcher who gets hitters out.

214
Talk Zone / Re: Pink bats possible on Sunday.
« on: May 09, 2006, 08:04:17 pm »
Quote:

I am sure the bats will draw lots of attention... and remarks not all having to do with mother breast cancer or any of the indended reasons. as a woman yes breast cancer awarness is an important cause.. but as a fan i am not sure mlb is the platform that needs to address it.. not something to many mlb players can speak on



What possible bad could come out of MLB's endorsement of breast cancer awareness?  Would we be talking about it if they wore ribbons instead?

215
Talk Zone / Re: A decade of crap
« on: May 09, 2006, 05:12:47 pm »
Quote:


What was the SZ?  No memory of that.



Slam Zone.

216
Talk Zone / Re: Props to the Brewers
« on: May 02, 2006, 03:09:41 pm »
Quote:

I thought Biggio got credit for a double.



He did, but had he been safe at third he would have gotten credit for a triple (I know you know this).  I was alluding to a legendary TZ spat over whether or not Biggio refused to leg out triples merely so he could set doubles records.

217
Talk Zone / Re: Props to the Brewers
« on: May 02, 2006, 12:06:07 pm »
Quote:


The TV guys said he ran through the stop sign. Oh well. It was typical Biggio hustle, cut down by two laser throws from Jenkins and Weeks.



Typical Biggio would have dogged the triple into a stand-up double for HoF purposes, or so some have said.

218
Talk Zone / Re: Caption Contest for the off day
« on: April 27, 2006, 06:34:56 pm »
Quote:

"Kneel before the Strikeout King!"

(Yes, I know I'm being a trifle unfair - but the guy does strike out a lot and it makes a good caption.  Call it poetic license.)



Actually, I don't think it's unfair at all.

219
Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight
« on: April 27, 2006, 05:48:16 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


Yep.  Remember, he spent his career as a 2-way player (NTTAWWT).  So, he didn't get to spend the days he didn't pitch working on pitching.  Instead he spent them getting ready to hit and play the outfield.  He's a lefty who throws low to mid-90's with fair off-speed stuff.  Most scouts I heard preferred him long-term as a pitcher rather than as an outfielder.  He is now finally able to focus solely on pitching.  The expectation is that he has the physical tools, intelligence, willingness to work, and mental toughness to work on and improve the quality of his pitches, improve his command, and learn how to be a pitcher.



Thanks.  So, if you were to compare him to Micah Owings (who was also a two-way player, and who appears to be on a faster track to the big leagues), is the main difference between the two the greater potential upside of Bogusevic?



Basically, yes.  To highlight that, Bogusevic went in the first round and Owings in the third.  BA had Bogusevic as their 19th ranked prospect last year and Owings at 142; both as pitchers.  But, all that is out the window now.  Now, they've got to develop and perform.



Cool.  Thanks.

220
Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight
« on: April 27, 2006, 05:35:04 pm »
Quote:


Yep.  Remember, he spent his career as a 2-way player (NTTAWWT).  So, he didn't get to spend the days he didn't pitch working on pitching.  Instead he spent them getting ready to hit and play the outfield.  He's a lefty who throws low to mid-90's with fair off-speed stuff.  Most scouts I heard preferred him long-term as a pitcher rather than as an outfielder.  He is now finally able to focus solely on pitching.  The expectation is that he has the physical tools, intelligence, willingness to work, and mental toughness to work on and improve the quality of his pitches, improve his command, and learn how to be a pitcher.



Thanks.  So, if you were to compare him to Micah Owings (who was also a two-way player, and who appears to be on a faster track to the big leagues), is the main difference between the two the greater potential upside of Bogusevic?

221
Talk Zone / Re: The Great Chris Burke to start at SS tonight
« on: April 27, 2006, 05:15:40 pm »
Quote:


The hype machine drives me nuts.  Let me say this now, and I'll say it again in June, this year's draft class is mediocre at the top.  Do not expect the Astros to have anyone in Bogusevic's class with their first pick this year.



Maybe this should be moved to Minor Opinions, but since you brought up Bogusevic I was hoping to solicit your opinion about him.  I got to watch him pitch a lot last year at Tulane, and quite frankly, I was pretty surprised he went as high in the draft as he did.  He could dominate the Southwest Missouri States of the world, but he was hit hard by upper tier teams (Texas hit him well in Omaha, Rice hit him harder during the SRs, and Fullerton embarassed him during the regular season).  To be honest, he wasn't even Tulane's best pitcher last year (Micah Owings was).  

All that said, I see he made your Top 10 list this year.  Is my pessimism unfounded?

222
Talk Zone / Re: Everett !?!?!?
« on: April 25, 2006, 11:11:44 pm »
Quote:


You sure it hit off his forearm pad?  Looked like it hit off the top of his hand (and JD hinted at the same)  He wasn't moving fingers either...his reaction didn't look good, but it did look to be a bit of a glancing blow so you hope it's a bruise rather than a break.



To me it looked like it hit off the pad, but I'm watching on mlbtv, so you probably saw it better than I did.

223
Talk Zone / Re: Everett !?!?!?
« on: April 25, 2006, 10:50:07 pm »
Quote:

I'm at work only have Milo's interpretation, anybody see it?  How bad?  Oh man, not good.



Hit by a fastball on his forearm, it appeared.  The good news is the ball hit him on the pad that he wears.  The bad news is he left the game.  Here's hoping his leaving was merely precautionary.

224
Talk Zone / Re: Strategy in the 9th last night....
« on: April 25, 2006, 01:26:30 pm »
Quote:

]
I actually agreed with everything after the first section.  (No, I don't know why I kept reading after the whole "it's the GM's job to get the coaches together to work on player problems" - no, that's the manager's job.)  God help me.



I liked how Justice instructed Lidge to stop making weak excuses, stop saying that the pitch wasn't all that bad.  Then I liked reading this:

 
Quote:

"Here and there, my location ... it's kind of tough to describe ? sometimes you pay for it; sometimes you don't," Lidge said. "Right now I'm just happening to go through a stretch where my location is not real good. I'm throwing some bad pitches, and they're hitting them, too."



The Link

225
Talk Zone / Re: Keith Hernandez winning friends and influencing people
« on: April 25, 2006, 10:35:12 am »
Quote:


Nice backhanded apology, shitbag.



Is he a shitbag for not wanting women in the dugout, or is he a shitbag just in general?

226
Talk Zone / Re: This is a completely stupid question
« on: April 24, 2006, 07:23:41 pm »
Quote:


I'm guessing the reasoning is that a SF is an attempt to reach base, but a sac bunt is not.



Quote:

Tell that to Willie T.



Well, technically if Willy Taveras tries to bunt for a hit, but is thrown out at first while advancing a runner, he is not credited with a sacrifice.  The official scorer must somehow determine the intent of the bunter: was he trying to sacrifice the runner over, or trying to reach base himself.  Seems as though the same logic applies to the sac. fly/sac. bunt distinction.  It's all about the perceived intent of the batter.

Of course, there is no way to determine the intent of every batter.  Welcome to the world of inherently flawed statistics.

227
Talk Zone / Re: 2005/2006 Redux
« on: April 22, 2006, 02:38:33 pm »
Quote:

If I remember right, that's the May 23 date I referred to above.  Bar none, the most spectacular OWA prognostication ever.



A human would have picked May 23, Kevin picked May 24.

The Link

228
Talk Zone / Re: Beltran
« on: April 21, 2006, 03:48:36 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Same with Wagner.  I don't remember the game (vs. SD), nor do I remember the ramifications of the homer, but I do remember that homer.  SOB hit a high and outside, 99mph fastball to the upper deck in RF.  Incredible for many, the norm for Leyritz in the postseason.


Game 2, 2 out game tying 2 run bomb.  Line shot that landed in the mezzanine, iirc.

And then came Spiers...



And then Leyritz got his revenge in game three versus Elarton.  Damnit!



He homered again against Johnson in Game Four, I believe.



Yes, he and Joyner.  Game three was the heartbreaker though.  2-1 game and Leyritz provided the winning margin late in the game.  



And, of course Dan Miceli got the win.

229
Talk Zone / Re: Beltran
« on: April 21, 2006, 03:32:05 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Same with Wagner.  I don't remember the game (vs. SD), nor do I remember the ramifications of the homer, but I do remember that homer.  SOB hit a high and outside, 99mph fastball to the upper deck in RF.  Incredible for many, the norm for Leyritz in the postseason.


Game 2, 2 out game tying 2 run bomb.  Line shot that landed in the mezzanine, iirc.

And then came Spiers...



And then Leyritz got his revenge in game three versus Elarton.  Damnit!



He homered again against Johnson in Game Four, I believe.

230
Talk Zone / Re: Poo-holes
« on: April 20, 2006, 10:13:30 pm »
Quote:


To clarify, it was in the 8th to make it 5-2. And that was one of the tiniest bat tosses I've seen. He immediately put his head down and ran.

It's on the Astros.com homepage, if you want to watch it again.



I'm with jasonact and don't really care what Pujols does after he crushes a baseball.  But to even mention Morgan Ensberg in this thread seems silly to me.  He tossed the bat last night, pumped his fist another.  What's next on our list of Morgan's egregious baserunning antics, running the bases too fast?  Oh, that was mentioned too...

231
Talk Zone / Re: Second Guessing (Brewers/Astros Finale BUT...
« on: April 20, 2006, 12:14:17 am »
Quote:

If they pinch hit then dude is out of the game and we go to the pen with Andy feeling pretty good about tonight. As it stands now, its hard to feel good about it.  Other ideas encouraged!

JMAC



Pettitte pitched very well.  Plenty to feel good about in that regard.  Our bullpen, however, is a different story.

232
Talk Zone / Re: Ed Rapuano...
« on: April 14, 2006, 04:39:24 pm »
Quote:

I heard that Spack once ate three 72 oz. steaks in one hour. He spent the first 45 minutes having sex with his waitress.



Nice.

233
Talk Zone / Re: "Clemens leaning towards Red Sox or Yankees" ESPN
« on: April 14, 2006, 11:45:49 am »
Quote:


He has been a regular for the Lexington team, watching Koby and even throwing some BP to some of the Legends...  Thus he is going to the Astros




Speaking of which, he has been amazing to the guys on that Lexington team.

234
Talk Zone / Re: Backe gone after two innings
« on: April 13, 2006, 07:28:59 pm »
Quote:


Hopefully Hirsh or Patton



No chance.

235
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 02:38:59 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

So living longer is better? Why?

This whole conversation is probably dumb, but the point is that when you adopt the existentialist perspective there is no criteria for judging "better" whatsoever.



You're right, it is...



Which is why the Astros better play today...

236
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 01:35:34 pm »
Quote:

Quote:


And he probably did.  But, I bet he also recognized the difference between sports and, say, education.



In his world, there is no difference.  You end up dead either way, and neither sports nor education changes that.



Well, he is dead, and he was just being funny.

237
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 01:32:44 pm »
Quote:



Very good quote. Ultimately, very little actually matters, even most if not all of our careers. We like to think they matter because it helps us achieve some peace in the struggle to determine the meaning of life.



It's from this week's Sports Illustrated.  I think everyone here probably agrees on the proper place athletics occupy in the grand scheme of life, but with no new Clarks popping in today, we're left with nothing better to argue about.

238
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 01:26:42 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Sam Kellerman, on sports:

 
Quote:

 Sports is man's joke on God, Max. You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'"





You could make that argument about anything.  Education doesn't matter, commerce doesn't matter, science doesn't matter.  None of that is "life and death"; therefore, it absolutely doen't matter.



And he probably did.  But, I bet he also recognized the difference between sports and, say, education.



In many ways sports provides education.



I agree with that.

239
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 01:22:38 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Sam Kellerman, on sports:

 
Quote:

 Sports is man's joke on God, Max. You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'"





You could make that argument about anything.  Education doesn't matter, commerce doesn't matter, science doesn't matter.  None of that is "life and death"; therefore, it absolutely doen't matter.



And he probably did.  But, I bet he also recognized the difference between sports and, say, education.

240
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 12:56:59 pm »
Sam Kellerman, on sports:

 
Quote:

 Sports is man's joke on God, Max. You see, God says to man, 'I've created a universe where it seems like everything matters, where you'll have to grapple with life and death and in the end you'll die anyway, and it won't really matter.' So man says to God, 'Oh, yeah? Within your universe we're going to create a sub-universe called sports, one that absolutely doesn't matter, and we'll follow everything that happens in it as if it were life and death.'"


241
Talk Zone / Re: weather in bay area
« on: April 13, 2006, 12:25:45 pm »
Quote:



Hockey is cool.



To each her own.  How are your Stars doing this year?

242
Talk Zone / Re: A Report from the Cabal
« on: April 13, 2006, 11:11:03 am »
Cool, thanks.  I'm thinking Everett should clear out some space on his mantle for that Gold Glove that's coming his way...

243
Talk Zone / Re: HOF odds?
« on: April 13, 2006, 12:33:54 am »
Quote:

Oswalt on the Hall of Fame. "It's a building with names in it, to me,"
The Link



I'm hoping for a boy.

244
Talk Zone / Re: weather in bay area
« on: April 13, 2006, 12:30:54 am »
Quote:


I've resorted to listening to Josh Lewin and the stRangers tonight, someone kill me.



Don't kill yourself yet; at least there is something to listen to.  Two weeks ago your choices were NBA or that stupid National Hockey League.

245
Talk Zone / Re: Only in Boston (or maybe NY)
« on: April 12, 2006, 06:05:03 pm »
Quote:

Is Coco Crisp worth over $5 mil per year.  Can you say "overcompensating for losing Damon the way they did"?



Sure.  He's a nice player who can hit, run, and play defense.  Crisp is a much cheaper (and younger) replacement for Damon.  $5 million per year sounds about right to me.

246
Talk Zone / Re: NL Central news
« on: April 12, 2006, 05:59:52 pm »
Quote:

The Red Messiah left today's game against the Cubs in the 4th with stiffness in the back of his right knee.  Not exactly shocking I know, but after all the trolling today I felt the need to share something relevant.



Too bad.  I wish he could have a healthy season; he used to be one of the most exciting players in the game to watch.

247
Talk Zone / Re: Neat Idea
« on: April 12, 2006, 04:38:45 pm »
Quote:

It was sarcasm.



I know, so was mine.

248
Talk Zone / Re: Neat Idea
« on: April 12, 2006, 04:33:43 pm »
Quote:

I heard of this guy name pizza.  Heard he can hit and he is a catcher.



This part about his being a catcher is debatable.

249
Talk Zone / Re: Astros Offseason Baffles Everyone
« on: April 12, 2006, 10:35:46 am »
Quote:

Last year we picked up nobody special.





Well, they couldn't force Kent or Beltran to re-sign.

250
Talk Zone / Re: Preston Wilson fan club
« on: April 11, 2006, 08:32:58 pm »
Quote:


How he really gets along with the team and what kind of person he is, I will probably never know, and that is fine.



Here you go:
Quote:

Easygoing, personable, Wilson has quickly fit in with the Astros, but clubhouse pundit Berkman asks, who wouldn't fit in with this team?

"This is such a great clubhouse, I've never seen a guy not fit in here," Berkman said. "Even guys like the irascible Jeff Kent and Carl Everett, who were supposedly hard to be around, have gotten along all right here.

"It's hard not to get along in here. Ever since I've been here, it has been a good bunch of guys."

 



The Link

251
Talk Zone / Re: Aggressive Baserunning Backfiring
« on: April 11, 2006, 04:32:08 pm »
Quote:


I've seen better.  



Likewise.

252
Talk Zone / Re: Aggressive Baserunning Backfiring
« on: April 11, 2006, 04:22:25 pm »
Quote:


A plain reading says he had this prejudice about baserunning before the season started.  It's common in the "moneyball" mentality.  Watch, now we get the pie faced protests of confusion about what that's supposed to mean.



Or, the pie faced protests of confusion about what in the world his impression about over-aggresiveness on the basepaths has to do with baserunning prejudice.

253
Talk Zone / Re: Death, Taxes, and...
« on: April 11, 2006, 04:13:32 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

...Brad Lidge giving up the go-ahead run when he enters a tie game.  Maybe he's got a mental block or something and his switch only flips on in save situations.  Thoughts?



There is another type of slider we've been neglecting entirely: the one that hovers over the middle of the plate.



Is that the 12-6 kind?



No.  This type is distinct from the 12-6 variety, and, after it's hit, looks something like  this.

254
Talk Zone / Re: Aggressive Baserunning Backfiring
« on: April 11, 2006, 04:07:02 pm »
Quote:


This is disingenuous.  The title of your post said "backfiring".  There was no question mark.  A plain reading of the thing says that you thought that aggressive baserunning is bad.  Wiggle all you want, but at least be honest.



Nice.  Disregard every question he asked throughout the thread, comment only on the omission of a question mark in the subject, then come to the conclusion that *he's* being disingenuous.

A plain (and objective) reading of the thing indicates that, yes, he thinks Garner is being over-aggressive, *but* that he also wanted to know other people's thoughts on the matter.

255
Talk Zone / Re: I guess anything can happen
« on: April 11, 2006, 01:31:05 pm »
Quote:


Nothing- I'm just saying don't stop at Bonds, when there might be other guys, nearly as high-profile, who used even more. Guys like Ivan Rodriguez or Bret Boone, even guys currently unsuspected like Robby Alomar or Barry Larkin (one of my favorite players), whoever, should be checked out. I don't care as much about the Randy Velardes, i.e. kids with the 8-ball in the sock drawer, but I want to know about those second-tier guys, especially the ones who might be Hall of Famers. And for any past use uncovered, I care more about it being made public than about them being suspended. But absolutely do not change any stats or records.



Anyone who took them is susceptible to punishment, but I think Barry Bonds' use of steroids is more important than anyone else's, if you buy the "integrity of the game" argument (which I do).  I think the last thing MLB wants is for the all-time home run record to become the next single season home run record: a sham.

256
Talk Zone / Re: Death, Taxes, and...
« on: April 11, 2006, 01:17:56 pm »
Quote:

...Brad Lidge giving up the go-ahead run when he enters a tie game.  Maybe he's got a mental block or something and his switch only flips on in save situations.  Thoughts?



There is another type of slider we've been neglecting entirely: the one that hovers over the middle of the plate.

257
Talk Zone / Perry at it again
« on: April 11, 2006, 01:09:16 pm »
O's go 3-4, leapfrog Astros.

The Link

258
Talk Zone / Re: Aggressive Baserunning Backfiring
« on: April 11, 2006, 12:46:00 pm »
Quote:


That's like subscribing to the "notion" that all objects will exert this mysterious force called "gravity" in proportion to their size.



I can't convince you that you see something that you don't.  I suppose it's foolish to try any more than I already have.

259
Talk Zone / Re: Aggressive Baserunning Backfiring
« on: April 11, 2006, 12:21:10 pm »
Quote:

Is the reference to a "12-6 slider" now synonomous with a bullshit argument?  Sorry, I haven't been taking good notes and the class is advancing without me!



If you subscribe to the notion that a slider can't break straight downward, then I suppose it does.

260
Talk Zone / Re: I guess anything can happen
« on: April 11, 2006, 11:19:41 am »
Quote:


Exactly. It's not Bonds or Palmeiro or Caminiti I'm worried about. It's all the guys that will never come close to getting exposed. Nothing's really going to change the fact that the whole era is effectively tainted.



Isn't this true of every crime?  For instance, lots of people sell drugs, while very few are prosecuted.  What's wrong with going after the guy importing 400 pounds of cocaine, and not the kid in your dorm with an eight ball in his sock drawer?

261
Talk Zone / Re: Someone please tell our pitchers...
« on: April 11, 2006, 11:10:48 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

"Our" pitchers?

Which one is mine?



Not this again...



I refuse to use a smiley face...



Good man.

262
Talk Zone / Re: Someone please tell our pitchers...
« on: April 10, 2006, 11:40:59 pm »
Quote:

"Our" pitchers?

Which one is mine?



Not this again...

263
Talk Zone / Re: Someone listening to the game.....
« on: April 10, 2006, 07:31:02 pm »
Quote:

I never heard "in the hold" until today.



Neither had I.

264
Talk Zone / Re: I guess anything can happen
« on: April 10, 2006, 03:06:09 pm »
Quote:

If Bud Selig suspends Barry Bonds in 2006 for things he did preior to 2005, I'm going to kick that mother fucker right in the sphincter.  Repeatedly.



Why?

265
Talk Zone / Re: Ballparks by Munsey and Suppes article
« on: April 10, 2006, 03:04:37 pm »
Quote:

I know they replaced the turf in some areas last season (Astros bullpen, RF & a few others) but I don't think 3-4 times a year is correct.



It may have been correct in 2004, when they replaced the turf specifically for the All-Star game, in addition to their normal routine.  They may do it for the playoffs, too.

266
Talk Zone / Re: DVD Review
« on: April 07, 2006, 05:21:11 pm »
Quote:

$13?? Where did you find it for that price? Astros.com has it priced at $20.



You can buy it new for $13.99 at Amazon.com

267
Talk Zone / Re: DVD Review
« on: April 07, 2006, 12:47:01 pm »
Quote:

Thanks for clearing that up.  So, you're saying it's worth buying?



I think so.  At $13 it's cheaper than most DVDs, and it's one that you'd probably watch several times.  It does a nice job recapping our terrible start, documenting our push to get back to .500 before the break, then showing how we subsequently got our asses handed to us in St. Louis, only to rebound in July and go on to win the Wild Card.  I thought the coverage of the late-season Philadelphia series was appropriate.  Really, my only beef is that I wish it had gone into more detail on the playoff series with Atlanta and St.Louis, but overall I'm glad I have it.

I should add that I only got through the first two games of the World Series before I had to turn the thing off in disgust.

268
Talk Zone / Re: DVD Review
« on: April 07, 2006, 11:52:23 am »
Quote:

The DVD apparently does not include the dinger Biggio hit off of Wagner.  How do you make a story about the highlights of the Astros' season without including that?  When I asked the MLB guy in charge of marketing the thing, he was completely unaware of it.



My DVD arrived yesterday, and it does include Biggio's home run against Wagner.  It's no Silver Odyssey, but it's a nice way to relive last year's run to the Pennant.

269
Talk Zone / Re: New Crunch Time Posted
« on: April 06, 2006, 10:57:16 pm »
Excellent, as always.

270
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 06, 2006, 05:28:19 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


You're right it is ridiculous, there are many ways to be ridiculous as there are ways to take a simple question and fuck it up.



Here's one: ask an innocuous question in the TZ, where fighting is sex.



Then you are one of the biggest sluts here.



And I never even slept with Lissi...

271
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 06, 2006, 05:16:15 pm »
Quote:


You're right it is ridiculous, there are many ways to be ridiculous as there are ways to take a simple question and fuck it up.



Here's one: ask an innocuous question in the TZ, where fighting is sex.

272
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 06, 2006, 04:53:00 pm »
Quote:


If someone wants to know if it was a tight downward slider, then they should ask; "was it a tight downward slider?" I'm never sure if it's insecurity or pomposity that would motivate one to cloud their take with easily misconstrued ambigious jargon, but, either way, it seems like a dumb way to make a point.



Easily misconstrued?  Insecurity or pomposity?  This is ridiculous.

273
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 06, 2006, 03:04:05 pm »
Quote:

Lidge does throw a splitter...or at least, the sign operator at Minute Maid Park thinks he does.  I've also heard Lidge say that he's been working on a splitter.




Well, if that pitch was a splitter then I stand corrected.

274
Talk Zone / Re: Everett Turns Barzilla into a Pretzel
« on: April 06, 2006, 01:26:31 pm »
Quote:


Wasn't he supposed to be developing a changeup? Does anyone know about any progress on that?



He'd worked on a changeup and split-finger pitch during spring training. He junked the changeup one day when Aus-
mus told him: "You can keep working on it, but I'm never going to call it in a game."

The Link

275
Talk Zone / Re: Some guys do know when to quit!
« on: April 06, 2006, 12:27:40 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

As Ron White's grandpa said: "That boy's got a whooole lotta quit in him."

Some know when to quit, but that would NOT include Darryl Strawberry. He needs exactly zero more "chances."



I think you mean Dwight Gooden.



Ah, yeah. Gooden. Same reaction, though.



Pretty amazing how their two careers are virtually mirror-images of one another.

276
Talk Zone / Re: Some guys do know when to quit!
« on: April 06, 2006, 12:01:50 pm »
Quote:

As Ron White's grandpa said: "That boy's got a whooole lotta quit in him."

Some know when to quit, but that would NOT include Darryl Strawberry. He needs exactly zero more "chances."



I think you mean Dwight Gooden.

277
Talk Zone / Re: Barzilla makes it so easy...
« on: April 06, 2006, 11:19:07 am »
Quote:

The Link



Thanks. And thanks, your review (and DinJ's endorsement) prompted me to purchase Numbers Game for my father's birthday a few weeks ago.  He, like you, is a Houston lawyer who loves baseball.  I think he'll enjoy the read.

278
Talk Zone / Re: Barzilla makes it so easy...
« on: April 06, 2006, 10:29:58 am »
Quote:


Why would the Astros be impressed with somebody that keeps stats?



I can't remember if I read this in "Moneyball" or somewhere else, but the Astros were one of the very first teams in baseball to hire an in-house "stat-guy."  And, for what it's worth, I also read that they for the most part ignored him.

279
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 08:04:29 pm »
Quote:


A slider that breaks 12-6 isn't a slider.  A slider by definitio has to have some horizontal movement.  A 12-6 slider sounds more like a hard splitter.



I think Lidge sometimes throws a slider that looks like a hard splitter.  But it's not a split-finger fastball.  I know because Lidge doesn't throw one (well, I think he threw one in Chicago last year, but that's beside the point).

The best example of the pitch I'm describing is the last pitch he threw to Miguel Cabrera on Monday.  I disagree (after repeatedly watching the replay) that it had any horizontal movement.  It's a nasty pitch, one that is different from the one Randy Johnson throws.

280
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 04:04:38 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


  "often"?



Yeah.



In Boston?  



You don't want to know the types of things they say up here in Boston.

281
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 04:03:50 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

amazing, isn't he?



Yes.  A slider, especially a Brad Lidge nasty slider, is basically a pitch that is similar in speed as a fastball that "slides" off the plate late.  The key is the late break.  To refer to a slider in the same vein as a curveball is amazing, given that a curve never has "late break" to it and of course is never at fastball speed either.  To then use a term like "12 to 6" that is commonly used to describe a curveball's attributes for a slider is equally perplexing.  That he's heard is "often" from people is scary.



I have said nothing about curveballs.  What I did was use an adjective most often associated with a curveball in reference to a particular type of pitch, in this instance, a Brad Lidge slider that breaks straight down.  

You know , if you don't want to use the "12-6" term to describe that type of downward action, I won't make you.

282
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 03:40:51 pm »
Quote:


  "often"?



Yeah.

283
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 02:41:30 pm »
Quote:

Or the ol' 12-6 fastball... Can't forget the famous 12-6 heater...



I used 12-6 to describe the trajectory of a pitch.  Apparently I'm in the minority.  But to say or suggest that Lidge doesn't throw a slider that literally breaks straight down is just wrong.  His is very similar to Rob Nen's in that regard.

284
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 01:50:49 pm »
Quote:


I saw it, but unlike you, I knew what I was looking at.



Pretty amazing vision you have, considering where you were sitting.

285
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 01:21:16 pm »
No such thing as a bread and butter cutter.

Edit: and yes, he did.  He also juxtaposed the words "Yvette" and "horny," which I thought was nice is a disgusting sort of way.

286
Talk Zone / Re: who catches Wandy?
« on: April 05, 2006, 01:19:53 pm »
Quote:


Niether did all that well if you ask me.  Nieve came on towards the end, but Wandy pretty much knew he had a spot in the rotation all along and my guess is that he was working on things (like his new cutter which I'm interested to see), while Nieve was pitching all out ever outing.  Wandy has a good fastball, great change up and a decent curve.  If he can use this new cutter in against righties and go away with his change with some decent control then I think you're going to see him be pretty successful.  Only time will tell I guess.



The Astros think he's the better option, too.  At least for now.  Given the "depth" we have at the back end of the rotation, I imagine Wandy isn't going to be on as long a leash as he was last year, when there weren't other options.

287
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:58:26 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Right.  Nobody in the universe knows anything about pitching except for me.  You figured me out.


You know what you know, and you know what you don't know.  The problem with you is the things you don't know that you don't know.



You mean the things I don't know that I don't know that I don't know?  Nah.  I know everything, apparently.

288
Talk Zone / Re: who catches Wandy?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:53:16 pm »
Quote:


I think Wandy's going to do fine.  He can pitch.  What's Nieve shown you that says he's a better option.  He didn't look all that impressive to me last night.



Well, Nieve had an impressive spring, whereas Rodriguez was pretty bad.

289
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:50:39 pm »
Quote:



And that will validate your claim that a slider breaks 12-6?  I've seen it.  It didnt' break 12-6.  But if it makes you feel better to think it did, knock yourself out.  




You haven't seen it then.

Quote:


I think we found your real agenda here, which is to try to demonstrate that no one here knows anything about pitching.  



Right.  Nobody in the universe knows anything about pitching except for me.  You figured me out.

290
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:41:54 pm »
Quote:



No you haven't.  At least not by anyone who knows shit from shinola.  A slider, by definition, breaks horizontally as well as vertical.  Brad Lidge does not throw a 12-6 pitch of any kind, and his slider sure as shit does not break 12-6.  




Go watch the pitch he struck out Miguel Cabrera with last Monday.

291
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:32:36 pm »
Quote:



We don't have to break out the protractor.  You're the one who brought up a "12-6 slider".  They don't exist.  You keep insisting that Brad Lidge throws one, but he doesn't.  I'm not sure what your agenda is here.



My "agenda" began and ended with trying to ascertain what pitch Mitre was throwing last night.  It was a fairly innocuous question.  I used the term "12-6" because I've often heard it when describing an up-and-down breaking slider.

292
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:19:04 pm »
Quote:



"Uncle Charley", "The Yellow Hammer", "Yacker" or "Nose to Toes" would all do...

Of course, the more curmudgeonly among us might refer to it as "The Drop"...

Stick around kid, you might learn something...



Who deluded you into thinking you had the corner on the curveball terminology market?

293
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:13:42 pm »
Quote:



A slider doesn't break straight down.



A slider breaks at varying degrees depending on who's throwing it.  Brad Lidge's slider breaks more up and down than, say, Mike Williams'.  A 9-3 pitch doesn't break exactly from left to right, but I didn't realize we had to break out our protractors for this thread.

294
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:08:34 pm »
Quote:



Yeah sure... You gonna answer the question now?..



You gonna keep being obtuse?

295
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:07:03 pm »
Quote:


Yes.  And he sure as heck doesn't throw a 12-6 slider.



Then what do you call a slider that breaks straight down?

296
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:05:26 pm »
Quote:

But the term "12-6" is used more to describe one's curve.  (or that's been my experience anyway)



So?

297
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 12:02:14 pm »
Quote:


What in the world would be your definition of a "12-6 slider"?

Inquiring minds want to know...



Ever watch Brad Lidge pitch?

298
Talk Zone / Re: What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 11:45:43 am »
Quote:

a baseball



Go bill some hours.

299
Talk Zone / What was Mitre throwing last night?
« on: April 05, 2006, 11:42:45 am »
What pitch was Mitre throwing with the downward action that had our guys swinging at pitches in the dirt?  Sinker?  12-6 slider?  I couldn't tell.

On a somewhat related topic, I sort of missed Ashby last night.  I didn't think I would.  As an mlbtv subscriber, for some reason I'm getting the Astros radio broadcast with the Astros video.  Milo is, well, Milo.  But neither of the new guys give any sort of analysis whatsoever.  I think they have nice voices and do a good job of describing the action, but not once did they indicate why Mitre was so successful.  Why did we hire two play-by-play guys?

300
Talk Zone / Re: Hanley Ramirez
« on: April 04, 2006, 05:48:38 pm »
Quote:

Except for the fact that the Marlins haven't been entirely crappy over the last 9 years.  Even though they didn't make the playoffs last season, they were in the race for most of the season.  They were over .500 in 2004 as well.  In fact, over the past 9 years, there have only been two years where the Marlins really, truly sucked.



Well, the Marlins won in 1997, then finished under .500 in each of the next five seasons until winning again in 2003.  In 2004 and 2005 we were told how good they were, but they finished each of those seasons with 83 wins.  83 wins barely counts in the Race for the Lid.?

301
Talk Zone / Re: Hanley Ramirez
« on: April 04, 2006, 05:01:28 pm »
Quote:

I'm loath to mock the Marlins for rebuilding.  They've pretty well demonstrated that they know what they're doing when it comes to this routine.



So, the question is: would you rather field an annually competitive team (one that, say, has been to the post-season 6 of the last 9 years), but has not won a World Series, or one that generally blows every season but has won two World Series titles during that same span?

302
Talk Zone / Re: A somewhat surprising reaction to the Chi-Sox
« on: April 04, 2006, 04:48:35 pm »
Come to think of it, I did say "dammit" out loud when I read that they won their opener.  I was also pleased when I read that it rained.

303
Talk Zone / Re: Hanley Ramirez
« on: April 04, 2006, 01:44:21 pm »
Quote:

Maybe just a bad throw then?  I don't remember exactly, but I think I remember it bouncing before it got to Cabrera.



It was a poor throw, but it was his only play for sure. I thought it was pretty heads-up, if not executed perfectly.

304
Talk Zone / Re: online video highlights?
« on: April 04, 2006, 01:17:29 pm »
What I want is a video of Jeff Bagwell's introduction.  Mlbtv provided us with the video, but without any sound (which sort of diminishes the impact of the ovation). Thoughts?

305
Talk Zone / Re: Huh?
« on: April 03, 2006, 02:17:47 pm »
Quote:

The TIGERS?!! (top 10, no less), Rangers and Padres are ranked ahead of the Astros? I disagree, circle gets a square.



A thread revolving around anything Dayne Perry writes is a waste of bandwidth.

306
Talk Zone / Re: Limey, You Fat Bastard.
« on: April 01, 2006, 12:28:49 am »
Or you could spend the whopping $3.95 and download the game on your computer, where you can watch the game (as I do) whenever and wherever you want.

307
Talk Zone / Re: Chavez an Oriole
« on: March 31, 2006, 11:43:58 pm »
Quote:

What a turn of events.  Pretty shocking that Munson's going to be the backup.  What's the over/under that he'll last more than a month behind the plate?  Who is he going to catch?  Roy I suppose.



Why is this shocking?  Writing has been on the wall for two weeks.

308
Talk Zone / Re: Friday Confessional Thread--Baseball Related
« on: March 31, 2006, 11:57:02 am »
Bagwell's home run against Atlanta in Game 5 of the '04 NLDS.  With one swing of the bat, Bagwell ended Atlanta's season, sealed the Houston Astros' first ever playoff series win, and sent a giant "Fuck You!" to all the critics who ever said that the Astros in general, but Bagwell in particular, couldn't win in October.  Then, in typical Jeff Bagwell fashion, he simply dropped his bat, put his head down, and ran the bases like he always does.

309
Talk Zone / Re: Mike Burns
« on: March 30, 2006, 12:57:51 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

nonsense. Miceli is being damned for a poor performance in the playoff series. he pitched very well that year.

with that logic and Roger's WS swoon, you should not take him back either.



WS swoon?  Did he pitch well in any of the playoff games?  I thought he was the worst of our playoff starters (in the playoffs at least).



He pitched pretty damn well in Game 4 of the NLDS and Game 3 of the NLCS.

310
Talk Zone / Re: New Crunch Time Posted
« on: March 29, 2006, 07:52:19 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

He handled only one fly ball and fielded three balls on the ground without difficulty.



Which gives him a 1.000 zone rating, tied for the best in baseball history.

They should put that on his plaque in Cooperstown.



Plus, 1 homerun every 2 at bats.

311
Talk Zone / Re: Dojers continue to throw money at Kent
« on: March 29, 2006, 06:18:41 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Yeah, I'm not even sure I'd give Hornsby-at-the-same-age $11.5m to play one year of 2B.  Or is Kent the new 1B?



That is the question that bothers me.  Wouldn't you get better defense playing Nomar at 2B and Kent at 1B?  Kent played plenty of 1B last season, is there any reason he wouldn't go for that?



Yes, until Nomar broke/strained/pulled/tore something.

312
Talk Zone / Re: New Crunch Time Posted
« on: March 29, 2006, 06:12:54 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

More interesting stats on Bagwell:

The Link

The Link



How did he get 2 ABs in one game as a RF?  Did I miss this?



To get Sid Bream's bat in the lineup.

313
Talk Zone / Re: Sparks fly again
« on: March 29, 2006, 06:11:39 pm »
Quote:

you care about ST games?



I think his point is, close game or not Steve Sparks never fails to suck.

314
Talk Zone / Re: Wandy better watch out
« on: March 29, 2006, 12:49:03 pm »
Quote:

Does he still have minor league options?



Yes.

315
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 04:06:00 pm »
Quote:



I said his facts made no baseball sense.  Didn't say anything about them not being baseball related.



You mean his "facts"??

316
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 03:40:27 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Arguing about an argument. Well done.



About as impressive as jumping on a guy for throwing out an idea the week before Opening Day, I suppose.



Jumping on a guy?  OMG! Why don't we all just wear skirts and prance around like Kansas City fa... oh nevermind. *sheesh*  You and Reuben friends?



I wasn't talking about you.



Who were you talking about?



The person with whom I was directly corresponding.

317
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 02:48:22 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I wasn't talking about you.



Still, are you and Reuben friends?



Not that I'm aware of.

318
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 02:46:35 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Arguing about an argument. Well done.



About as impressive as jumping on a guy for throwing out an idea the week before Opening Day, I suppose.



Jumping on a guy?  OMG! Why don't we all just wear skirts and prance around like Kansas City fa... oh nevermind. *sheesh*  You and Reuben friends?



I wasn't talking about you.

319
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 02:10:45 pm »
Quote:

Arguing about an argument. Well done.



About as impressive as jumping on a guy for throwing out an idea the week before Opening Day, I suppose.

320
Talk Zone / Re: Couple of thoughts...
« on: March 28, 2006, 01:30:52 pm »
Quote:

...sure to be annihilated.  Did Craig Wilson come off the market?  Was the Pirates asking price to high?

Supposedly they were asking for a starter.  Would any of the prospects for 5th starter do?  Say Astacio and another decent prospect.  

You'd have to start Willy T in RR, but he'd then be insurance if any of: Berkman, C. Wilson, Lane, or P. Wilson land on the DL.  It would also create a lineup with 5-6(6 if you think Bidge could do it again) 25+ HR guys in the starting lineup.  Sure he'd K alot but who cares batting 6th.  He still gets on base at a decent percentage.

On a side note, it doesn't seem like early to mid May would be out of the question for Clemens, should he return.  He was already up to 5 innings in the WBC and continues to throw (albeit batting practice).  Seems like 1 or 2 starts in the minors would be more than enough.



I stopped reading at "insurance".

321
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 01:26:36 pm »
Quote:


The disagreement began because it made no sense (still doesn't).  

Where does somebody come up with that kind of shit (Pena in place of Lamb)?



You said his facts were not baseball related, but they were.  He came up with "that kind of shit" by looking entirely at statistics.  You and I may disagree with his proposal, but it wasn't as though he reached into his ass and threw out some entirely unrelated material to support his assertion.

322
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 28, 2006, 10:26:43 am »
Quote:


Your "facts" made no baseball sense.



Sure they did.  What they didn't do was paint the whole picture.  That's where the disagreement began.

323
Talk Zone / Re: Astros Getting Double-Dicked over Bagwell
« on: March 28, 2006, 10:17:22 am »
Quote:

The company that insured Bagwell's contract has denied (two weeks ago) that Jeff is unable to play.  The link.

Nice.

Astros are going to sue.

As someone who works in the insurance bidness, can I just say that this is example #27486310647236464 of which I'm aware of a purveyor of speciality products refusing to pay a claim that the policy was specifically taken out to cover.  Property and Casualty insurers are much more open to actually paying claims (honest, they are), but these speciality clowns write odd policies and expect never to have to pay.

What they do is deny the claim in the hope of negotiating a settlement lower than the claim actually deserves.  It's crooked, and I've nearly come to blows in a settlement meeting with similar tossers.



"For a lawyer who has 45 years of experience in this kind of thing -- big, gigantic shock, an insurance company doesn't want to pay," Fisher said.

324
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 27, 2006, 09:46:22 pm »
Quote:


Since Lamb is signed for $1.3 million, discussing releasing him is probably a waste of time.



Agree, except I would have added the words, "the bargain price of" before "$1.3 million."

325
Talk Zone / Re: "the National League's best team"
« on: March 27, 2006, 08:12:29 pm »
Quote:

"Welcome to the home of the National League's best team, where tradition reigns, expectations are high, the manager's mood tends to hinge on the results of today's game, and the players are conditioned to go along for the ride."

...guess who?

 The Link



The same team that this guy wishes had played in last year's World Series?

326
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 06:47:04 pm »
Quote:


Then criticize the execusion, not the playcalling.



I'm not criticising the playcalling at all.  I assumed from the beginning that it wasn't executed the way it was drawn up.

 
Quote:

No way Brady called that play.


327
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 05:44:43 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

How so?  It's a pretty common play when you have a foul to give.



Tie game, 10 seconds left, Sweet Sixteen.  Rather than setting up a play to get off a good shot, they draft a play that, at best, results in three free throws and, at worse, gives Texas the ball with 8 seconds left?  And the best case scenario occurs only if they *guess* correctly that Texas will foul.



I think best case scenario would be to make the shot.  LSU is also a pretty good offensive rebounding team, so it wasn't a lock that UT would get the ball with 8 seconds left.



Oh, right.  Best case scenario is that "Big Baby" hits a turnaround, fade away three pointer in the defendender's eye.  Dunno, something tells me that play wasn't executed the way it was drawn up.

328
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 03:21:27 pm »
Quote:


Only 2 I can think of.  Giving both at least 1 start more to stretch out their arms as they've been sharing duty on the days they've pitched and give the Astros a few more days to make a decision on the #5 guy.  Plus, with one week to go, it's the only reason I can think of that Sparks is still with the team.



Maybe he's around to teach Lidge how to throw a knuckler.

329
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 03:13:46 pm »
Quote:

How so?  It's a pretty common play when you have a foul to give.



Tie game, 10 seconds left, Sweet Sixteen.  Rather than setting up a play to get off a good shot, they draft a play that, at best, results in three free throws and, at worst, gives Texas the ball with 8 seconds left?  And the best case scenario occurs only if they *guess* correctly that Texas will foul.

330
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 03:09:14 pm »
Quote:


How about this.  Since the #5 starter won't be needed until the second week of the season, both Buchholz and Nieve get sent down and Sparks gets the last spot in the pen.  That'd make the RR rotation for 1 1/2 weeks: Buchholz, Nieve, Hernandez, Astacio, Hirsh.  That would also allow the Astros to start the season with Munson and Q/Chavez.



Why do we want Sparks in the bullpen for even a week and a half?  What benefit do Buchholz and Nieve derive from starting the year in Round Rock?

331
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 03:06:28 pm »
Quote:

At one point they had talked about skipping the 5th starter the first time through, thereby allowing the possibility that the competition could extend to one or two starts at AAA (particularly for Hernandez' benefit). Isn't that still possible?



They can skip the #5 once, but he'll have to slide back into the rotation behind the Backe on April 11 in San Francisco.

Like this:
1,2,3,4,1,2,3,5,4, etc.

332
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 03:03:44 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Further proof perhaps Brady is not a great game day coach/tactician- which seems to be the consensus on many



I actually agreed with the play.  They took a calculated risk that UT, with a foul to give, would use it on the inbound play, and gave the instruction to shoot as soon as you have the ball.



Doesn't sound very calculated to me.

333
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 02:48:49 pm »
Quote:

crap I forgot about Sparks. But since the announcement all they have been talking about is Buchholz and Nieve.



Easy to do considering that Sparks has done nothing this spring to warrant any discussion whatsoever.

334
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 02:35:52 pm »
Quote:

So, with this announcement and Bagwell heading to the DL, it seems like the opening day roster is down to the following:

1. Biggio - 2b
2. Taveras - CF
3. Berkman - 1B
4. Ensberg - 3B
5. Wilson - LF
6. Lane - RF
7. Everett - SS
8. Ausmus - C

Rotation:
Oswalt
Pettitte
Backe
Rodriquez
Buchholtz/Nieve/Sparks - And I assume 1 for the rotation and 1 for long relief

Bench
Palmeiro
Burke
Bruntlett
Lamb
Chavez/Quintero/Munson - this is the other question remaining.

Bullpen:
Lidge
Wheeler
Qualls
Gallo
Springer
Miller
??? - Runner up from the competition for #5?

So, is it ok if I start obsessing about the 24th and 25th man on the roster???

Basically, there are 2 questions, who wins the #5 spot in the rotation (and does the runner up go to AAA to stay ready if the winner fails the bullpen to help any way they can) and who's the backup catcher?

Is Sparks really a likely candidate to stick on the roster?  If not, how do they keep both Bucholtz and Nieve stretched out to start or do long relief?  Seems a bit tricky but is that an insurmountable problem?

Sure would be nice if their backup catcher this year was the guy they were grooming to replace Ausmus.  It seems that, with Ausmus getting older, at some point they are going to need to bring in someone or have one of their catching prospects step up.  Then again, if Ausmus keeps playing as well as he did last year, there's no reason to scrap him, so they just need someone who can serve as backup.

Okay... 1 week... I can wait for these decisions to be made... just have to stop thinking about it once ever 2 minutes...



My understanding is that Sparks is not a candidate for the final spot in the rotation, but only a candidate for the last spot in the bullpen

335
Talk Zone / Re: Carlos
« on: March 27, 2006, 02:22:54 pm »
That leaves Nieve and, ahem, Steve Sparks.

336
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell = Hall of Fame
« on: March 27, 2006, 01:57:00 pm »
Quote:

It is bizare to me that Bagwell was only an All Star 4 (FOUR?) times in his career.  I agree with others on a previous thread that he has an excellent chance to be viewed as the best NL 1b of all time. To have only four all star appearances is strange to me.



Perennial slow-starter.

337
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 01:55:56 pm »
Quote:

Further proof perhaps Brady is not a great game day coach/tactician- which seems to be the consensus on many boards I've seen.

I love barnes, wouldn't trade him for but a handful of coaches in the NCAA, but I don't think game day tactics are his strong suit either.



No way Brady called that play.  But then again, I know nothing about Brady or LSU basketball, other than the fact that they are young, athletic, block every single shot, and are really fun to watch.

338
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 01:43:46 pm »
Quote:

I couldn't believe it when he launched that, I figured texas was going to get the ball back.  However, he missed it so dang bad that texas couldn't pull the board- which happens sometimes.  

He did, however, hit a 3 pointer in overtime to pretty much break the game open, but it was a set, open shot, not a bizare fadeaway with a defender all over him.



And right after a timeout.  After that, his comments about tapeworms wasn't all that surprising.

339
Talk Zone / Re: How bout dem LSU Tigers!!!
« on: March 27, 2006, 01:23:23 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

However, I'm hoping LSU loses as soon as possible, if only because "Big Baby" is possibly one of the worst nicknames ever.



How bizarre was his postgame interview on CBS?  He kept referring to LSU having tapeworms inside their stomachs, meaning they had to keep eating up other teams.  Definitely the strangest sports metaphor I've ever heard.



Not as bizarre as his 3-point attempt with 10 seconds left.

340
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 27, 2006, 01:10:38 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

So, this means the starting outfield will be Wilson, Taveraz, and Lane from left to right?  I think that'll be one heck of an outfield.



Maybe not.  They could leave Berkman in the outfield and start Eric Munson at first.  That would be one heck of a lineup as well.  As is, the fight for the #25 man just got a whole lot more innuresting.



That would put Taveras in Round Rock.  But from what Garner has been saying, I'd think Munson is most likely to claim the back-up catcher's job.  In that scenario, Quintero goes to AAA, Chavez and his son go through the waiver wire unclaimed, and Munson becomes the back-up catcher/back-up corner infielder.  That gives Garner the flexibility to load the lineup with left-handed sluggers if he likes (ie-Munson to first, Berkman to left, Wilson to center), while also assuring Taveras lots of playing time in center.

341
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell to start season on dl
« on: March 25, 2006, 05:04:44 pm »
Quote:

So, this means the starting outfield will be Wilson, Taveraz, and Lane from left to right?  I think that'll be one heck of an outfield.

I really do think this is the best thing that could have happened for both Jeff and the Astros.  He's been one of my favorite players for his entire tenure with the Astros and I wish him the best.  Hopefully he can be a great asset for the Astros in retirement.



Best thing that could have happened? WTF??

342
Talk Zone / Re: Bagwell Retirement Announcement????
« on: March 25, 2006, 02:54:36 pm »
Quote:



He's walking away from $24 million.  Don't forget about the measly $7 million option in 2007.  I thought I read somewhere that the insurance would cover a portion of that as well.



He's not walking away from anything.  He's paid no matter what.

343
Talk Zone / Re: How we'll watch the game 5 years from now
« on: March 23, 2006, 06:41:58 pm »
This whole bar concept just got decidedly less cool:

 
Quote:

More than 2,200 people have been arrested in Texas bars in the six months since the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced a crackdown on public intoxication, primarily targeting bars.


"people still think that a bar is place to go get drunk," Beck said.  



 link

344
Talk Zone / Re: post-MLB career oppurtunity for Bagwell
« on: March 23, 2006, 03:34:37 pm »
Quote:

Unbelievable



Mark Guerra was the best they could get?

345
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 02:38:17 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Surely the standard is lower for a back-up.  From what I've read, at the very least they think he's competent enough behind the plate to warrant consideration for the #2 job.



That's my point.  He couldn't even find work as a backup catcher.  I don't know that much about Munson, other than he's not been a catcher in pro ball.  But if he was drafted as a catcher, there's a reason he was moved from it, and it's most likely because he wasn't that good at it.  That's basically the only reason you move a guy *from* catcher.



I think that's the debate.  Back-up catcher: "perhaps average" guy with pop (Munson) or solid defensive catcher who can't hit (Quintero)?  Not sure why Chavez is still in the picture...

346
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 02:14:17 pm »
Quote:


Did the Stros carry 12 pitchers for the majority of last season?  I can't remember.




They opened the season with 11 because the April schedule enabled them to go with four starters for the first two or three weeks.  They may have also tinkered with the roster at the end of August to get some position players (ie-Luke Scott) eligible for the playoff roster.

347
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 02:09:19 pm »
Quote:


I could be wrong but isn't Munson a lefty?



You're right.  I was under the impression he hit right-handed.  This doesn't help his chances.

348
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 02:04:16 pm »
Quote:


Translation:  "We didn't see him as a Major League catcher".



Not as a starter.  Surely the standard is lower for a back-up.  From what I've read, at the very least they think he's competent enough behind the plate to warrant consideration for the #2 job.

349
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 01:38:47 pm »
Quote:


I am not opposed to it necessarily (we do have just over a week to kill), but isn't there another controversy we could stir up instead?



At least the 25th man debate is infinitely better than the "Todd Self should never have been DFA'd and should still be in Round Rock" debate.

350
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 01:35:23 pm »
Quote:


We know he wasn't able to keep a job as a catcher, even though those that are solid defensively can keep one despite not hitting their weight.



 Garner on the move:

 
Quote:

 "I believe we saw him as a big power hitter and we saw him as perhaps an average catcher," said manager Phil Garner, who managed Detroit from 2000 to 2002. "When I came to camp in 2000, we had him in camp, and we were trying him at first base and third base, and he worked hard.

"I think the objective was he was going to be a big offensive player and to put him in a position to best utilize his offense rather than wear him down behind the plate. He didn't blossom as quite the offensive player that everybody kind of thought."




351
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 01:08:37 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The only reason to keep Munson, in my mind, is for the RH power off the bench, not as a backup C. Would the Astros keep 3 catchers (if you include Munson as a C)?

What I'm trying to say is I doubt if Munson is going be the primary backup catcher, unless he is a much better receiver than I give him credit for.



Only way they'd go with Munson AND Chavez/Quintero is if they go with 11 pitchers.  Lots of reasons why they wouldn't, although nothing is certain.

What do we know about Munson defensively?  How much do we care?



Do we REALLY need to rehash the importance of the catcher's defensive ability? Even for the backup?



You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

352
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 01:03:11 pm »
Quote:

The only reason to keep Munson, in my mind, is for the RH power off the bench, not as a backup C. Would the Astros keep 3 catchers (if you include Munson as a C)?

What I'm trying to say is I doubt if Munson is going be the primary backup catcher, unless he is a much better receiver than I give him credit for.



Only way they'd go with Munson AND Chavez/Quintero is if they go with 11 pitchers.  Lots of reasons why they wouldn't, although nothing is certain.

What do we know about Munson defensively?  How much do we care?

353
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 12:56:10 pm »
Quote:

What is Ausmus' work load going to be this year?  I've heard some conjecture about him only working with 3 pitchers this year instead of 4, to reduce wear and tear.  The man's made of titanium, but he is getting on in age.  

I guess if Munson played 2 out of every 5 games, you could rationalize having him in there for his stick...also assuming that Ausmus would probably relieve him in late innings (catching Lidge for example).  It seems like an unlikely scenario, but you can never tell with ol' Scrap Iron.



I'm beginning to like this Munson character more and more.  Never having been a big fan of Chavez defensively, I think Munson's power more than offsets whatever loss you have defensively, particularly since we're talking about a back up catcher.

354
Talk Zone / Re: Eric Munson-backup catcher?
« on: March 23, 2006, 11:48:55 am »
Like Garner says, nothing set in stone, but after reading  this  

Quote:

 "I had reason to be much more confident in him last year because he showed to me that he came in, took the ball and he was (ready)," Garner said of Gallo. "You could tell when you give him the ball there's a difference between being hyped and being a little bit out of yourself sometimes. He's still a guy that's going to be excitable and going to be hyped.

"I thought last year he really showed that he learned perhaps to control his emotions. But more importantly to me he knew what he wanted to do when he came in the game and he was pretty good at executing."




And this

 
Quote:

"I think Mike Gallo did a wonderful when he came back from Triple-A last year and carried us down the stretch as the only lefthander," Garner said. "It would be my preference to have two lefties, but that's not set in stone."



And  especially this

 
Quote:

"We wanted to introduce a little more offense into the equation by trying to find someone like Munson who's more offensive-oriented," general manager Tim Purpura said. "It's just a matter of what you get defensively because that's the strong suit of Chavez and Quintero."



I'm thinking it's Chavez and Quintero who should be most worried.

355
Talk Zone / Re: Soriano, most unselfish player ever?...
« on: March 21, 2006, 11:04:50 am »
Quote:

Quote:

I'm not going to dispute the assessment of Soriano, but Bowden is an absolute tool for making that trade.


Bowden seems to have always been a tool, but still, Frank Robinson should smack Soriano around and tell him to get his insignificant, bad-fielding, prima-donna ass in LF. Jesus H, what is it with this "I'm not switching positions" or "I'm not going to the bullpen" bullshit? ACCEPT THAT YOU ARE NOT GREAT AT WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING, AND ACCEPT THAT YOUR TEAM, WHOM YOU ARE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO PLAY FOR, WANTS YOU TO PLAY SOMEWHERE ELSE. It's amazing that he doesn't realize how much harm he's doing to his next contract.



This contract, too.  It sounds as though he's pissing $10 million away.

356
Talk Zone / Re: I don't get it???....
« on: March 20, 2006, 06:09:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

The question isn't whether or not Jeff Bagwell can throw a baseball. He can't.



Is this true? I thought he could throw, but just not very often, not very hard and not very far... i.e., he might have one or two half ass throws a day before his arm falls off or something.

With that said, I thought the question was whether or not his half ass throws would be sufficient in a game situation. Or if he made his best effort throw in a game, would his arm explode? Or would it be damaged to the point where he couldn't throw or hit (at all) for an extended period?



Well, I suppose it really depends on what your definition of the word "throw" is.

357
Talk Zone / Re: I don't get it???....
« on: March 20, 2006, 05:12:48 pm »
Quote:

In other words, if he CAN make the throws in Warm-ups, the extra adrenaline from a real game situation would only help.

SO, how does he look in warm-ups? Anyone seen him?



The question isn't whether or not Jeff Bagwell can throw a baseball.  He can't.  He hasn't been able to throw one for a few years.  The question is really whether or not Bagwell can get three or four at-bats a game, field his position (ie: shot put/side arm/roll/punt the ball around), and then come back and do it all again the next day.

358
Talk Zone / Re: Reds - Red Sox trade
« on: March 20, 2006, 03:14:25 pm »
Quote:

However, he easily among the top pitchers on the Reds' roster after this trade.  



No. Shit.

359
Talk Zone / Re: Reds - Red Sox trade
« on: March 20, 2006, 02:27:57 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

So does that make Arroyo the Reds' ace?  The Red Sox just hosed those poor bastards.


Maybe so, although on the radio here guys are crying in their beer about Arroyo. They seem much more focused on Pena's K-BB ratio than his power and age...
By the way, I'm guessing Ryan Freel will play LF a lot for the Reds now- they have Womack and Aurilia for 2B.



Yeah, it's a day of mourning here.  This is further support for my long-held notion that Red Sox fans, as a passionate as they are, are the stupidest in the country.

360
Talk Zone / Re: St. Patrick's Day Japanese Beer Thread
« on: March 17, 2006, 02:05:24 pm »
Quote:


I've heard that microbreweries are springing up all over Japan, as beer has become the top alcoholic beverage of choice, now surpassing the popularity of sake (which is really beer anyway).



It is?  I've always thought it was "rice wine," not that that means anything to me.

361
Talk Zone / Re: St. Patrick's Day Japanese Beer Thread
« on: March 17, 2006, 01:13:46 pm »
Quote:


Has anybody else noticed that the three major Japanese beers (Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin) are all brewed in Canada?!?  Also, has anybody else noticed that they all taste horrible?

Are there any good Japanese beers out there?  Any imports that are actually brewed in Japan?



Drop some sake in your Sapporo.

362
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 01:10:10 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Halladay.  The guy who was headed for the 2005 AL Cy Young until a liner broke his leg Halladay?  ERA of 2.41 last year over 19 starts.  He's Oswalt's equal in just about every way.



Of course, he did win the AL CY in 2003. I think it's safe to say they are both near the upper echelon in all of MLB.



Agreed.

363
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 12:51:10 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


Who is inferior? Halladay is the same caliber as Oswalt, and pravata's initial remark was that his extension seems to be comparable to the situation in Houston.

I think that Drayton might lose a little sleep over signing Roy through 2010, but I don't think he'll pass up the oppurtunity.



Yes, I consider Halladay inferior to Oswalt.



Halladay.  The guy who was headed for the 2005 AL Cy Young until a liner broke his leg Halladay?  ERA of 2.41 last year over 19 starts.  He's Oswalt's equal in just about every way.



That's the one.  I think Pettitte is better, too.

364
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 12:41:26 pm »
Quote:


Who is inferior? Halladay is the same caliber as Oswalt, and pravata's initial remark was that his extension seems to be comparable to the situation in Houston.

I think that Drayton might lose a little sleep over signing Roy through 2010, but I don't think he'll pass up the oppurtunity.



Yes, I consider Halladay inferior to Oswalt.

365
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 12:40:15 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


I don't think anything has been clearly established.  Seems to me the situation has changed dramatically.  Oswalt could very well be asking for a 3 to 4 year extension to his contract.  If he's expecting the Astros to sign him to a free agent type deal that could easily be the case.  Oswalt on the free market?  Anything could happen.

Yeah. Consider yourselves lucky that I didn't type Et tu Drayton?



You may very well be right, but I hope not.  If he wants want Halladay now has, I'm thinking we're in trouble.



I don't think the Wallet will have any problem paying Roy. Good pitching is hard to find, let alone great pitching.



The problem would be if Oswalt asked for a long-term deal (ie- over three years).  Oswalt has said he didn't want one, and Drayton has made it clear he doesn't want to give one.  So maybe this is much ado about nothing.  But, if Roy sees that inferior pitchers are getting huge deals through 2010--and if that is indeed what Roy wants--then I think we may have a problem.



This is incorrect. When Oswalt last signed a contract, Purpura said he didn't want a contract that extended into his FA option.  Now, Oswalt is saying that if he doesn't have an extension on his current contract with the Astros by the end of March, he'll play under his current contract for this season, play out the option year, and file for free agency.



Okay.  So, he didn't want something beyond 2007 when he signed his last contract.  Now he does.  I see one problem and one potential problem:

1) As you note, the two don't seem to be negotiating, probably because the Astros think it's too early to negotiate an extension.  An unhappy Roy is a problem.

2) As I said before, if Roy wants a long-term deal like Halladay's, we may have a problem.  Who was the last pitcher Drayton signed to a deal over three years?  Swindell/Drabek?

366
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 12:08:16 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


I don't think anything has been clearly established.  Seems to me the situation has changed dramatically.  Oswalt could very well be asking for a 3 to 4 year extension to his contract.  If he's expecting the Astros to sign him to a free agent type deal that could easily be the case.  Oswalt on the free market?  Anything could happen.

Yeah. Consider yourselves lucky that I didn't type Et tu Drayton?



You may very well be right, but I hope not.  If he wants want Halladay now has, I'm thinking we're in trouble.



I don't think the Wallet will have any problem paying Roy. Good pitching is hard to find, let alone great pitching.



The problem would be if Oswalt asked for a long-term deal (ie- over three years).  Oswalt has said he didn't want one, and Drayton has made it clear he doesn't want to give one.  So maybe this is much ado about nothing.  But, if Roy sees that inferior pitchers are getting huge deals through 2010--and if that is indeed what Roy wants--then I think we may have a problem.

367
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 11:31:28 am »
Quote:


I don't think anything has been clearly established.  Seems to me the situation has changed dramatically.  Oswalt could very well be asking for a 3 to 4 year extension to his contract.  If he's expecting the Astros to sign him to a free agent type deal that could easily be the case.  Oswalt on the free market?  Anything could happen.

Yeah. Consider yourselves lucky that I didn't type Et tu Drayton?



You may very well be right, but I hope not.  If he wants what Halladay now has, I'm thinking we're in trouble.

368
Talk Zone / Re: Roger takes another 2-1 loss
« on: March 17, 2006, 10:51:27 am »
Quote:

Michael Young can kiss my white ass. Thanks for screwing our chances there, Captain No Bunt.



What happened?

369
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 17, 2006, 10:27:59 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

In a press conference on Thursday at Knology Park, the Blue Jays announced that they had agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract extension with their prize pitcher through the 2010 season. Halladay, who had been signed through 2007, will make $10 million in 2008, $14.25 million in 2009 and $15.75 million in 2010.
The Link

Could be relevant to Oswalt's situation.



They just paid Halladay $15 million for the 2010 season.  That's five years away.  Didn't Roy (and Purpura) recently say he didn't want to do a four year deal?

Anyways, the last thing we need is Toronto influencing the market.



Irrelevant.  Oswalt wants to sign an extension this month.  This month, this is what extensions for pitchers looks like. As for the influence of Toronto, you must have missed the BJ Ryan signing.



I agree that Halladay's extension may affect Oswalt's, although if Oswalt were to get one tomorrow, it wouldn't be through 2010.  All parties have clearly established that.

The Eyes of March??

370
Talk Zone / Re: Toronto signs extension with Halladay
« on: March 16, 2006, 05:30:44 pm »
Quote:

In a press conference on Thursday at Knology Park, the Blue Jays announced that they had agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract extension with their prize pitcher through the 2010 season. Halladay, who had been signed through 2007, will make $10 million in 2008, $14.25 million in 2009 and $15.75 million in 2010.
The Link

Could be relevant to Oswalt's situation.



They just paid Halladay $15 million for the 2010 season.  That's five years away.  Didn't Roy (and Purpura) recently say he didn't want to do a four year deal?

Anyways, the last thing we need is Toronto influencing the market.

371
Talk Zone / Re: NL Central Unpredictable
« on: March 16, 2006, 12:03:53 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

The legendary Breedlove has been MIA for years, so it's good to see him back. Check out the TZ Hall of Fame for some blast from the past. Naming him a clark seems so...so wrong.


Like so many before him - James Dean, River Phoenix, Mark Bolan, Terence Trent D'Arby and Danny Bonaduce - Breedlove's light burned bright, but oh so short.  It'll be cool to have him back in the fold.



I loved the way he was welcomed back.  Reminded me of the time Mitch Melusky told Matt Mieske to go fuck himself.



Listen, if Breedlove is some legend from a past era, so be it.  I still reread the post and see nothing but redone takes on old threads.



No need to apologize for your response.  It was a perfect TZ "welcome back."

372
Talk Zone / Re: NL Central Unpredictable
« on: March 16, 2006, 11:52:57 am »
Quote:

Quote:

The legendary Breedlove has been MIA for years, so it's good to see him back. Check out the TZ Hall of Fame for some blast from the past. Naming him a clark seems so...so wrong.


Like so many before him - James Dean, River Phoenix, Mark Bolan, Terence Trent D'Arby and Danny Bonaduce - Breedlove's light burned bright, but oh so short.  It'll be cool to have him back in the fold.



I loved the way he was welcomed back.  Reminded me of the time Mitch Melusky told Matt Mieske to go fuck himself.

373
Talk Zone / Re: And so it begins...
« on: March 15, 2006, 12:18:54 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Well, keep in mind that Wood DID undergo an arthriscopic procedure a week ago and probably won't be ready in time for Opening Day...



Wasn't that the end of an ongoing problem from last year?

I was thinking more about new or recurring injuries.  Either way the Cubs pitching problems continue.



I think Wood is destined to be a nasty closer.

374
Talk Zone / Re: bagwell tuesday
« on: March 15, 2006, 10:33:57 am »
Quote:

i wonder if he will take himself out of the game?



Of course he will.

375
Talk Zone / Re: Talk about whiney...
« on: March 14, 2006, 02:52:22 pm »
Quote:

...read Michael Barrett's diary at The Link  

His mascara ran all over the keyboard.



The game had an "October feel" to it?  How the fuck would he know?

376
Talk Zone / Re: the recent A&M -v- Texas BBall game
« on: March 14, 2006, 02:18:36 pm »
Quote:

Again- I'm not saying they shouldn't have to beat a good team in the elite 8, and I'm not arguing that they deserved a #1 seed- all I'm saying is they shouldn't be playing the #1 overall seed in the tourney in that round, just like UNC v MSU shouldn't be happening in round 2, Duke v GW shouldn't be happening in Round 2, UCLA should not have been given a cake walk through their side of the bracket, Nova should not have received the easiest bracket in the tourney, and UCONN should not be in the same bracket as the guys they are in with (UNC, MSU, Illinois etc.)


If you are going to seed, and only HH seems to think that you shouldn't worry about it, then do it better than the half ass, haphazard job that this committe did.  I'm not the only one to call these the worst brackets ever, and it isn't just UT fans complaining about them.  Jim Nance and Billy Packard on CBS didn't seem to think the committe did well either.



Maybe if Texas doesn't get its ass handed to it by Duke early in the season you'd be in a different region.  That said, you're complaining about who Texas might play in the Elite 8. You even called it a travesty. Admittedly, I don't watch much college basketball.  This year, I watched Duke crush Texas and beat Boston College twice, and I saw them lose to Florida State (idiots) and UNC.  I saw the UConn-Villanova game.  And I also saw Memphis kick the shit out of my beloved Green Wave.  The difference between those top four teams seems negligible to me.  They're all really good.  To get to the Final Four, you have to beat really good teams.  Whether you have to go through UConn, Duke, Villanova, or Memphis to get there is sorta like complaining over who the Astros select as their back-up catcher.  So, to you I say the same thing to those who complain that John Buck doesn't hit eighth for the Good Guys once a week: get the fuck over it.

377
Talk Zone / Re: the recent A&M -v- Texas BBall game
« on: March 14, 2006, 01:31:42 pm »
Quote:


I don't think that Texas is likely to win the NCAA tournament as I think there are clearly 2 teams better than them, and 3 additional teams that you could have seeded higher then them (Nova and Memphis who we beat in the regular season, but who earned the 1's ahead of UT). I think a good case could be made for Ohio State as well to be seeded ahead of Texas as a Two, and possibly UCLA, but they have nowhere near the amount of skins on the wall this year as Texas, who beat Iowa and West Virgina at neutral sites, won at Memphis, beat Nova at home and dismantled Kansas at home by 25.  All of their losses were to tourney teams with the exception of OK St.  That is a resume of a damn good team, that doesn't deserve to have to be in a situation where they have to beat the #1 overall seed just to make it to Indy.




God forbid Texas would actually have to play a good team in the Elite Eight...

378
Talk Zone / Re: It was bound to happen. Cuba gets offended at WBC
« on: March 13, 2006, 08:44:39 pm »
Quote:


Veering offtopic:
Does anyone that is a regular to this site take signs to Astros games?  Just curious.  If so, what clever wisdom do you place on said sign to gather the attention of the players on the field and motivate them to perform better?



Are you serious?

379
Talk Zone / Re: Jimerson?
« on: March 13, 2006, 04:29:48 pm »
The Annual 25th Man Debate.  Opening Day must be right around the corner...

380
Talk Zone / Re: Jimerson?
« on: March 13, 2006, 03:11:15 pm »
Quote:


The first month of the season, you don't need a #5 starter.  So they usually settle for 11 pitchers at the beginning and sometime in May choose who from the bench to send down.



Uhh, with all of three off days in April, I'm thinking they're gonna need a #5 starter.

381
Talk Zone / Re: Jimerson?
« on: March 13, 2006, 01:52:40 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Also, Justice B. Hill has so far been a terrible writer.



"Bogusevic, a left-handed pitcher, is working on some mechanical things that'll help him with his pitchability."



Do you mind if I use that quote as my signature?  That statement is simply too overwhelmingly stupid to pass up.



Go ahead.  It should certainly be preserved.

382
Talk Zone / Re: the recent A&M -v- Texas BBall game
« on: March 13, 2006, 01:48:46 pm »
Quote:


Are you serious? Do you think the Selection committee goes down the list assigning seeds based on the AP Poll?

I wouldn't be all that surprised to see Cal/NC State knock us out in the second round, but Texas is a legit No. 2 seed that shouldn't be placed up against the top overall seed.

Plus outside of Duke we're also facing potential Sweet 16 match-ups with either Iowa or West Virginia, who the Horns already faced this year.

Texas should be the No. 2 seed in the Oakland regional.



I am serious, but I'm also serious that I don't follow NCAA basketball very closely, so let me know what I'm missing here.  Texas was the eighth ranked team in the country that in the last week lost to two inferior teams: A&M and Kansas.  Nonetheless, Texas gets a #2 seed.  Why does it deserve a higher/better seed?

383
Talk Zone / Re: the recent A&M -v- Texas BBall game
« on: March 13, 2006, 01:15:29 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I love how we went from contending for a 1 seed to what is for all intents and purposes the lowest 2 seed.

Horseshit.



Texas was ranked 8th in the country.  Why are you surprised that it's the "eighth team" in the tournament?



Well, one of the teams ahead of them got an 8 seed, and one of them got a 3 seed.

One of the 2 seeds that are effectively ahead of them (Tennessee) appears to be there by virtue of a head-to-head win... but in that case, why not Texas as a #1 ahead of Memphis (which, BTW, should be a near-lock as the first #1 out).



Because Memphis won 30 games and a conference championship?  I won't pretend that I'm an ardent follower of college hoops, but from what I've seen Texas isn't a #1 seed.  Why the big fuss over a team Texas *might* play in the Elite Eight?  Is Duke that much better than UConn/Villanova/Memphis?

384
Talk Zone / Re: Jimerson?
« on: March 13, 2006, 01:06:51 pm »
Quote:

Also, Justice B. Hill has so far been a terrible writer.



"Bogusevic, a left-handed pitcher, is working on some mechanical things that'll help him with his pitchability."

385
Talk Zone / Re: the recent A&M -v- Texas BBall game
« on: March 13, 2006, 12:46:07 pm »
Quote:

I love how we went from contending for a 1 seed to what is for all intents and purposes the lowest 2 seed.

Horseshit.



Texas was ranked 8th in the country.  Why are you surprised that it's the "eighth team" in the tournament?

386
Talk Zone / Re: Enough of this Jazz crap
« on: March 10, 2006, 06:24:49 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Team USA 17
South Africa 0

Clemens goes 4 shutout innings, gives up one hit.  Apparently the South Africans gave him a standing ovation we left the mound (they think he's retiring!!).  Anyways, this one's about to mercilessly end after five.



That old man is clearly washed up.



Clearly.  You know, for all the indifference with which the curmudgeons around here greeted the WBC, this tournament is a lot of fun.  On Sunday USA takes on Japan, who have long contending the name "World Series" is a misnomer.  Should be interesting.

387
Talk Zone / Enough of this Jazz crap
« on: March 10, 2006, 05:54:32 pm »
Team USA 17
South Africa 0

Clemens goes 4 shutout innings, gives up one hit.  Apparently the South Africans gave him a standing ovation we left the mound (they think he's retiring!!).  Anyways, this one's about to mercilessly end after five.

388
Talk Zone / Today in Kissimmee
« on: March 10, 2006, 03:12:32 pm »
Charlton Jimerson has two great catches (one coming in, the other going out) and a grand slam.

Jeff Bagwell has a double off the top of the wall in center.

389
Talk Zone / Re: Rajah goes to Surprise, AZ
« on: March 09, 2006, 07:53:30 pm »
Quote:

this man is more of a showman than pt barnum
either that or he has a split personality..one day he quits the next day he doesnt



Clemens can turn this into a three ring circus for all I care.  If/When he comes back, it's all worth it.

390
Talk Zone / Re: Team Canada whipping up on Team USA?
« on: March 08, 2006, 08:00:38 pm »
Quote:

Team USA has settled down again.



Still down 8-6 with two on, two out in the bottom of the eighth.  Chase Utley crushes one to center, pauses in the box to admire his work, drops the bat, puts his arms up in the air,then watches as the ball is caught on the track.

Stupid Philly.

391
Talk Zone / Re: Team Canada whipping up on Team USA?
« on: March 08, 2006, 07:08:50 pm »
8-6 now...

392
Talk Zone / Re: Team Canada whipping up on Team USA?
« on: March 08, 2006, 07:05:33 pm »
Quote:


Also, Matt Holiday appeared to half-ass a ball that went for an inside-the-park HR...at first it looked like he pulled up lame, but he stayed in the game so I guess that's not the case.  CF Griffey was nowhere near the ball in the gap when it hit off the wall.  I'm not sure that the Americans are quite as serious about this thing.



Well, the ball was hit down the left field line, then ricochetted hard off the angled fence into left center.  I pinned that one on the peculiar angles of the park, and gave Griffey a free pass.

I echo your sentiments regarding Holliday, who also dogged a pop fly in foul territory on the next hitter.

393
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 08, 2006, 06:38:57 pm »
Quote:


Yes, there was something awful - it was the basketball part. The win part was good for A&M, but the watching it part wasn't good for anybody, regardless of who won. Sometimes there's a fine line between a good defensive battle and a bad offensive performance. Not so much this time - that was just awkward to watch.



There are lots of us who enjoyed watching it.

394
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 06:36:48 pm »
Quote:

 I hope its only because it is spring training.  



Milo doesn't know it's spring training.  He thinks these games count.  On Monday, he mentioned that the big lead over the Nationals would afford Brandon Backe the opportunity to work on his stuff.

395
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 05:11:08 pm »
Quote:

Ashby has lots of fans here.



Most whom recognize that his voice was ill-suited for radio.  Likewise, most here recognize that Milo has a wonderful radio voice, yet none are sad he's being phased out.

That said, you're probably right that Ashby's voice had nothing to do with his not being re-signed.  If it really mattered to Drayton he never would have gotten the job in the first place.

396
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 04:58:45 pm »
Quote:

how many did you survey?



How many post here?

397
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 04:54:16 pm »
Quote:

no, petey. voice had nada to do with it.




Perhaps, but his voice was ill-suited for radio.  Drove lots of listeners crazy.

398
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 04:22:29 pm »
Quote:

How so?



For starters, he had a terrible radio voice.  

I listened to the new guys during the Washington game and really liked what I heard.  My money is on Bret Dolan eventually winning the play-by-play job, and Dave Raymond doing the color commentary.  I think you'll like what you hear.

399
Talk Zone / Re: Listening to Milo:
« on: March 08, 2006, 04:20:32 pm »
Quote:

I understand why Caray was so drunk; love the stros
but Milo should have been shitcanned not Ash.



Milo was an excellent broadcaster in his time.  What we hear today isn't representative of how good used to be.

400
Talk Zone / Re: My World Is Shattered. Say It Ain't So, Barry.
« on: March 08, 2006, 02:42:08 pm »
Quote:


He was impeached for failing to uphold his duties as President for, among other things, committing perjury and encouraging other to commit perjury on his behalf.  The penalty for his impeachment was the aforementioned fine and loss of license.

The violation cited on so-called "speeding tickets" is actually "unsafe operation of a vehicle".  Technically, I have never received a ticket for speeding in my entire life.  Technically, Clinton wasn't convicted of perjury.



Clinton was impeached by the House and acquitted on those charges by the Senate.  There was no "penalty" for his impeachment.

401
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 08, 2006, 12:05:03 am »
Quote:


I'm with you. And you're right - the tape should be burned, and both teams should pretend it never happened. Awful stuff.



Nothing awful about a bubble team that hasn't made the NCAA tournament in a decade knocking off a top 10 team like Texas.  Burn your tape if you like; A&M is keeping its.

402
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 08, 2006, 12:02:22 am »
Quote:


He may be highly regarded because of that performance, but he took some HARD hits that day.  He's gonna need better protection from his OL, or he and Rhett Bomar will compete for the Big 12 Ragdoll Award.



No doubt about that.

403
Talk Zone / Re: My World Is Shattered. Say It Ain't So, Barry.
« on: March 07, 2006, 09:39:53 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I don't think he testified to Congress, but he certainly did to a grand jury. Just think, he might be the first person in a long long time to actually be convicted of perjury.


Clinton was convicted of perjury.  He was fined and gave up his law license.



Actually, Clinton wasn't convicted of perjury.  The fine and suspension of his license to practice law were part of his settlement.

Edit: The most recent high profile perjury conviction was 'lil Kim's, just in case you were wondering.

404
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 08:38:21 pm »
Quote:


When did A&M fans quit on Reggie? As recently as September he was still hailed as the best all-around QB in Texas (because you know VY couldn't throw the ball, or say they said).




The fans didn't quit on McNeal. Rather, he quit on the team by deciding not to play--or even try to play--against Texas.  Juxtapose that next to McGee's gutsy performance that afternoon, and you can understand why he's held in such high regard in College Station these days.

405
Talk Zone / Re: Astros in Classic
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:29:36 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

USA beats Mexico this afternoon, 2-0, with Lidge picking up the save (1 ip, 1 K, 0 hits).  Wheeler also pitched a perfect inning, striking out one.



But the national media told me Lidge was finished after what happened with Pujols and Podsednik last postseason.



He would have struck out the side today were it not for the Pulols homer.

406
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:27:09 pm »
Quote:

lots of turmoil within that team. that should improve now that Reggie is gone, but Fran is not very popular with his players. they were telling recruits last year not to come to aTm.



Reggie was a cancerous influence who quit on the team.  I don't know much about how they feel about Fran, but I do know that he was the reason Drew Tate went to Iowa.

407
Talk Zone / Astros in Classic
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:22:19 pm »
USA beats Mexico this afternoon, 2-0, with Lidge picking up the save (1 ip, 1 K, 0 hits).  Wheeler also pitched a perfect inning, striking out one.

408
Talk Zone / Re: 1 batter
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:14:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

How is Carlos (assuming C, Henrandez is Carlos) going to have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation being a left handed specialist for Venezuela?



You mean the Astros rotation?

This is a good example of how WBC national teams are about winning WBC games, not MLB development.



Did they ever pretend they were about MLB development??

409
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:12:42 pm »
Quote:

this is coming from a guy whose friend named his kids Kyle and Jaxon, I can promise you he was more pissed about their attitude/hustle/lack of pluckiness than losing.

Nobody around here was unhappy about the OU and UT losses b/c they felt like they played hard and got after them.  Their unproven unknown QB is a god like figure right now b/c he played hard and they cannot turn the page quick enough on the Real Deal era.  It is not only about the W/L's with these guys.



I don't know of any fans--A&M, UT, Rice, etc.--who wouldn't be more pissed about a lackadasical team that lost, than a team that lost while playing hard.  If A&M has the corner on that market, well, good for us.  But, I don't think that's true.

A side note: Stephen McGee, while unproven, was hardly unknown.  He was their top recruit in 2004, and was projected to be three-year starter.

410
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 07:04:37 pm »
Quote:

I know plenty of old aggies that saw them get their asses kicked in the 60's and 70's that differ. They weren't pissed about the losing, rather that the teams didn't have the spirit of aggieland in them.

A team full of Jaxson Appels could go 5-6 without being hated for it.  This team was unwatchable to many of them and not SOLELY b/c they lost.



They wouldn't hate the players, for sure. But the coach and AD would get run out of town.

411
Talk Zone / Re: My World Is Shattered. Say It Ain't So, Barry.
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:59:04 pm »
Quote:

I'm not saying he did juice- just saying that the rumor is definately out there.  Remember around the all star break how the story was going to go down any minute now that Clemens was suspended?



Yeah, I also remember the stories about Clemens being traded back to the Yankees.  Different story, same bullshit.

412
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:54:17 pm »
Quote:

Slightly disagree about A&M playing equally crappy jim- I've seen them 6 or 8 times and that's about par for the course for them- its just the way they play and I believe its intentional. It's also really smart for them and Gillespie is a really good coach- at least for their style.

They take the air out of the ball on the offensive end, try to get jones and law as many shots as possible (both are very good imo) and hack, slap, reach and grope on defense, hoping the officials won't call them for everything.

They did the same thing against OU in a 45-44 game they lost (but should have won- it was amazing that they didn't and really unlucky for them), as well as against OSU both times.  I think that it fits their fan base as well to have "scrappy" players like they do- total underdog thing that they like.  

I think the reason their fanbase was so down on their football team this year was b/c it looked like their guys didn't care.  A&M is ok with losing if they do it in a scrappy way, from my observations living amongst a bunch of aggies for 15 years.  Of course they, like anyone else, prefer winning, but to lose and not play spirited kills them.



The A&M fanbase was so down this year because they didn't win.  They're not more "okay" with losing than anyone else is.

413
Talk Zone / Re: My World Is Shattered. Say It Ain't So, Barry.
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:48:52 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

two things:

1) when I say player I meant non-pitcher

2) Many would say the Rocket is a juicer as well...



Many may say that, but there isn't anything close to the evidence that exists (and existed before today) against Bonds.



Because there is no evidence of Clemens using.

414
Talk Zone / Re: 1 batter
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:43:16 pm »
Quote:

How is Carlos (assuming C, Henrandez is Carlos) going to have a chance to earn a spot in the rotation being a left handed specialist for Venezuela?



Well, he'd better get that batter out.

415
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:38:41 pm »
Quote:

you did not have a team in that game. you go to Tulane.



I graduated from Tulane, but I also root for A&M.  It's sports, so I can root for whomever I choose.

416
Talk Zone / Re: World Baseball Classic
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:10:41 pm »
Quote:



Hey is that The Great Bill Speirs?

Right after his game winning hit in the NLDS.



You know, if someone could google up a video of that hit, I'd sure be pleased...

417
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 06:06:41 pm »
Quote:

neither side could throw it in the ocean. UT shot 30+% and aTm shot 20+%. terrible game all around.



Speak for yourself.  It was a thing of beauty in my mind.  Then again, I'm used to watching my team play shitty basketball.  The only difference was this time they actually won.

418
Talk Zone / Re: College Baseball
« on: March 07, 2006, 01:40:32 pm »
Quote:


I am a casual fan (without access to seeing or hearing the games often) so I am wondering what are the main problems the Horns are having--pitching, hitting, fielding or a combination?



They scheduled Tulane...

419
Talk Zone / Re: Kirby Puckett Succumbs to Stroke (RIP)
« on: March 06, 2006, 09:38:34 pm »
Quote:

Kirby Puckett has passed away as a result of severe damage from a massive stroke.  It's a shame--he was a great ambassador for the game.  




Damn.

420
Talk Zone / Re: So....Anyone Here Know Any Good Astros Boards?
« on: March 03, 2006, 01:21:20 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


Let me catch you up.  We've just about got it figured that if we had the opportunity to start a team from scratch, and money is not a consideration, nor any of the other players on the team, or any other team, nor the location of the ballpark, nor the year, and all players had all their limbs and a glove, we might choose Alex Rodriguez to play short instead of Adam Everett.



Ludicrous.



I've changed my mind.  Bring Rafael Ramirez out of retirement.



I'm gonna crab out of this one as well.  But I was more of an Eric Yelding man myself.

421
Talk Zone / Re: So....Anyone Here Know Any Good Astros Boards?
« on: March 03, 2006, 01:10:33 pm »
Quote:


Let me catch you up.  We've just about got it figured that if we had the opportunity to start a team from scratch, and money is not a consideration, nor any of the other players on the team, or any other team, nor the location of the ballpark, nor the year, and all players had all their limbs and a glove, we might choose Alex Rodriguez to play short instead of Adam Everett.



Ludicrous.

422
Talk Zone / Re: So....Anyone Here Know Any Good Astros Boards?
« on: March 03, 2006, 01:00:40 pm »
Quote:

"I don't know if it'll make any change, but I figure it's time for me to start playing ball." - Jimmy "Alkie" Chitwood

It's been five months since my monumental meltdown, where I had my annual attack on someone who didn't deserve it because, as usual, I took Astros baseball far too seriously.  

It was then that I realized I was also taking this board waaaaaaaaaay too seriously.  So I thought it was time for me to step down for awhile.  

Had a decent offseason.  Became a CPA.  Became a PFS.  Started a successful consulting firm.  Went to LA to watch my alma mater win some sort of football game.  Did some travel.  Calmed down a bit.

Anyway, I see they're playing ball again, so I figured maybe I'd come back, take some well-deserved shit, and move on.

For the record, as someone who left the fold for awhile, I can tell you...it's incredible what you can accomplish when you're not spending 16 hours a day on this site.  Worse than drugs, I tell you.



Welcome back!

423
Talk Zone / Re: little league moral question
« on: March 03, 2006, 12:42:10 pm »
Quote:

Well, besides the games never reaching 7, the pitchers are actually limited to 6.  I figure it's a toss up, and once it's in a spreadsheet I can change it from day to day.



Since batting average is the only stat anyone cares about anyways, I suppose it doesn't matter what you decide to do with ERA.

424
Talk Zone / Re: little league moral question
« on: March 03, 2006, 12:27:23 pm »
Quote:

Lets see, this is a juniors program, kinda like pony league, so 13-14 year olds in 7th and 8th grade.  I'm thinking based on high schools using 7, I'll use 6.  Theoretically they could play 7 innings, they never get there.

On the cups, my son and I were discussing this last night.

"Do you have your cup?"
"Yessir.  Next thing you know they'll be making us wear mouth guards."  He didn't actually say yessir, but I would have liked it if he had.

This is where I didn't say you would miss your teeth less.  Just keep telling them you're going to do cup checks with a bat.  You don't have to actually do it.  

I'm now convinced, by the way, that the only training for cup-wear that actually works is lacrosse goalie.  He never forgets his cup for that.



You ought to calculate the ERA based on the length of the game: 7 innings.  A major leaguer's ERA is calculated on a 9 inning scale, even though a pitcher rarely pitches all nine innings.  Further, the 9 inning scale is still used in games that last fewer than 9 innings or games that go into extra innings.

I hope a 13 or 14 year old can handle the fact that his ERA isn't exactly Roger Clemens-esque.

425
Talk Zone / Re: Not quite a Game Recap
« on: March 02, 2006, 08:07:48 pm »
Quote:

going to be interesting as spring rolls along to see how  they and other similiar players do. what are the chances of either being on the opening day roster..i didnt get to hear any of it how did lidge do?



One shut out inning.  2 hits, 1 K  

Steve Sparks gave up all 5.  Oops.

426
Talk Zone / Re: Batting Cages
« on: March 02, 2006, 07:20:28 pm »
Quote:

Oh yes, absolutely.  I haven't been to baseball USA in a long time, but they used to have a real problem with the automatic machines jamming.



I haven't been there in a while either.  They've put a lot of money into that complex; hopefully their machines are better.  Doesn't sound like it matters, though.  Since beer must be had, sounds like Celebration Station is the winner.

427
Talk Zone / Re: Batting Cages
« on: March 02, 2006, 06:59:49 pm »
Quote:

Where are some of the batting cages here in Houston?  The only one I can remember is the Celebration Station on 59.  

Thanks.



If you're just looking for a good time with shitty bats and pitches, celebration station may suit your needs.  Baseball USA may be your best bet if you're looking for something more serious.

428
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 06:54:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Because you can't create a premise for constructing a baseball team that eliminates only the parts of the argument (offense) that are inconvenient for you.  This was my problem with this thread to begin with.



Actually it was about value, plain and simple.  And if value in terms of defense can be introduced into a surface argument of said value.  



It was about defensive value to the exclusion of everything else.



Sure (what an idiot!)



Exactly!

429
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 06:53:13 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

However, I would consider AE over A-Rod under certain context.  



I hope that context is the one Arky presented: A-Rod's arms fell off.



Sure. (what an idiot!)



Yeah, the idiot who prefers Adam Everett to Alex Rodriguez.

430
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 06:51:08 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Because you can't create a premise for constructing a baseball team that eliminates only the parts of the argument (offense) that are inconvenient for you.  This was my problem with this thread to begin with.



Actually it was about value, plain and simple.  And if value in terms of defense can be introduced into a surface argument of said value.  



It was about defensive value to the exclusion of everything else.

431
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 06:48:37 pm »
Quote:

However, I would consider AE over A-Rod under certain context.  



I hope that context is the one Arky presented: A-Rod's arms fell off.

432
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 05:34:29 pm »
Quote:


Why?



Because you can't create a premise for constructing a baseball team that eliminates only the parts of the argument (offense) that are inconvenient for you.  This was my problem with this thread to begin with.  

We can call each other names all afternoon.  But, if you're constructing a baseball team for the purpose of actually winning baseball games, you have to do so in a realistic baseball context (ie-a shortstop hits and fields).  If this is not what you wanted to do in the first place--if you just wanted to look at shortstops in a defensive vacuum--why do so in the context of putting together a team?

433
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 05:28:54 pm »
Quote:


Sucks for you, huh?  Want a pacifier to soothe the pain, Sebastian?



Pain of suffering through your unreadable posts?  I'm fine, really.  I chuckle at all the smiley faces and *sighs* and *EMPHASIS*.

I also appreciate the irony here. First you're creating a team (a baseball one), then you're evaluating shortstop strictly for their defense.  Crab, crab, crab.  Blah, blah, blah.

434
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 05:22:54 pm »
Quote:

What's odd about this to me is that I--maybe incorrectly--would guess that A-Rod is in fact a pretty spectacular defensive shortstop.  I always thought he was a gold glove ss who probably deserved it.  The same for, say, Rollins. Is Everett really that much better defensively than A-Rod?  I'm not watching the Yankee's everyday for nothing or nobody.



It's a bizarre argument.

435
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 05:11:36 pm »
Apparently accusing someone of crabbing out of an argument has become, at least in this instance, as useful/appropriate as point by point refutation.  You created a bizarre, flawed premise where shortstops don't hit in some vain attempt to prove that Adam Everett--at least on one mystical baseball team--is somehow more desirable than Derek Jeter.  Then, in typical Noe fashion, you get defensive when told your idea sucks.  Same story, different day.

436
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 04:52:13 pm »
Quote:


So say it's flawed and be done with.  But to provide a list of *defensive* shortstops and then crab your way back out of it is not the best way to prove the point.




Then I haven't been clear. I'm not crabbing out of anything. You asked for a list, I gave you my list. You asked if these were *defensive shortstops*, and I submitted that I'd give them gloves and everything. You never once asked for a list of the best defensive shortstops.

437
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 04:11:42 pm »
Quote:



So where did I fail to ask about defense in your list?  BTW, you replied to my question about *defensive* shortstops with an affirmative.  Now you're backpeddling seriously (or so it seems).




Nope.  Alex Rodriguez is still atop my list.  I also don't think he's the best defensive shortstop in the league.  I just assumed that the hypothetical you presented pertained to baseball, where my shortstop is also in the lineup.

438
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 04:04:45 pm »
Quote:


Again, providing the context of *defensive need* was key to the query at hand.  Nobody would argue with you that A-Rod is a better overall choice for shortstop *because offensively he's spectacular*.  Do you think we... or I... is that crazy?



Right.  It was essential to the query; it was also flawed.  I think this is the only point where we disagree.

439
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 03:57:57 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

If they hit the same, then the judgment would be chiefly based on defensive ability.  But they don't hit the same.



So *why* would he be rated higher than Everett *on defense*?  Because he *hits* better?



You didn't ask who was the better defensive player, you asked who you'd rather have at shortstop. Do shortstops not hit in this hypothetical as well?

440
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 02:11:52 pm »
Quote:


Two words: Kevin Brown (circa 1998).  Now tell me again about offense in that context, especially if you're a pitcher.

(BTW - I never disavowed offense at all.  I mentioned the parameters of chosing an Adam Everett over a Derek Jeter and it most certainly centered around a good offensive team already in place)



You asked a loaded question.  You asked (essentially): if you have great pitching and a great lineup and all you need is a great defensive shortstop, who would you choose?  My problem with the question is it assumes what you set out to prove: that an Adam Everett-type is the guy.  But, you can't assume that a great defensive shortstop is "all you need."  How do you know?

So, if the question asked is more along the lines of: you already have great pitching and a great lineup, who would you like to play shortstop?  My answer, and I know you disagree, remains the same.

441
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 12:00:08 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I've probably read that somewhere, probably here, but it had just never struck me as strongly.  If I were the Yankees, would I trade Jeter for Everett?  Are you nuts?  But I'd surely want a better defensive team than I've got.



I think when defense is discussed in a vaccum, it tends to lead to these types of extreme statements.  When defense is talked about in terms of pitching, parks, team makeup and league, it takes on a whole different meaning.  Ask this question to yourself and perhaps it would affect your notion a bit:

If I were in the *National League* (no DH), had the best pitching staff in the league, played in Chavez Ravine and knew that I had excellent offense up and down my lineup and just needed a good defensive shortstop, would Derek Jeter be my *first* choice?



If you're trying to cover all the relevant details, given you've got a top staff and excellent offense, you've probably got a high payroll.  If you're looking for a lower cost shortstop, ie lighter hitting better defending one, then I'd go with Everett or Wilson.



Apparently we play in Chavez Ravine.  ie- high payroll.

442
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 11:51:41 am »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I've probably read that somewhere, probably here, but it had just never struck me as strongly.  If I were the Yankees, would I trade Jeter for Everett?  Are you nuts?  But I'd surely want a better defensive team than I've got.



I think when defense is discussed in a vaccum, it tends to lead to these types of extreme statements.  When defense is talked about in terms of pitching, parks, team makeup and league, it takes on a whole different meaning.  Ask this question to yourself and perhaps it would affect your notion a bit:

If I were in the *National League* (no DH), had the best pitching staff in the league, played in Chavez Ravine and knew that I had excellent offense up and down my lineup and just needed a good defensive shortstop, would Derek Jeter be my *first* choice?



My list:

Alex Rodriguez
Miguel Tejada
Rafael Furcal
Jimmy Rollins
Derek Jeter



*Defensive* shortstops?



Yup.  They'd have gloves and everything.

443
Talk Zone / Re: defensive statistics, Burke
« on: March 02, 2006, 11:39:35 am »
Quote:

Quote:

I've probably read that somewhere, probably here, but it had just never struck me as strongly.  If I were the Yankees, would I trade Jeter for Everett?  Are you nuts?  But I'd surely want a better defensive team than I've got.



I think when defense is discussed in a vaccum, it tends to lead to these types of extreme statements.  When defense is talked about in terms of pitching, parks, team makeup and league, it takes on a whole different meaning.  Ask this question to yourself and perhaps it would affect your notion a bit:

If I were in the *National League* (no DH), had the best pitching staff in the league, played in Chavez Ravine and knew that I had excellent offense up and down my lineup and just needed a good defensive shortstop, would Derek Jeter be my *first* choice?



My list:

Alex Rodriguez
Miguel Tejada
Rafael Furcal
Jimmy Rollins
Derek Jeter

444
Talk Zone / Re: Spring Training 2006
« on: March 01, 2006, 06:19:34 pm »
Quote:


I'm pretty sure MLB Gameday Audio is streaming all the games online (subscription required).  Interesting that a couple games are going to be on ESPN.



Right smack dab in the middle of the work day.  Sweet...

445
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: March 01, 2006, 05:01:01 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


Give up, Arky.  He's got no life but posting on the internet.  He'll wear you down with one whine after another, and then accuse you of whining.



And he has no idea he's doing it.



Oh dear, someone doesnt like me.



Nah, I like you fine.  Between this and the blood clot thread, I'd say this crew is ready for exhibition games to start.

446
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: March 01, 2006, 04:34:36 pm »
Quote:


Give up, Arky.  He's got no life but posting on the internet.  He'll wear you down with one whine after another, and then accuse you of whining.



And he has no idea he's doing it.

447
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: March 01, 2006, 02:33:37 pm »
Quote:

If he can even play next year (God willing) is that 17 Mil for 2007 an option? They could play "Roger-Clemens-poker" on that one too.

Bags deserves every penny for this season, however.



He's under contract for 2007 for $17 or $18 million.  The Astros can buy out the remaining year of the contract for $7 million.  

Check it out at mlbcontracts.com

448
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: March 01, 2006, 12:22:08 pm »
Quote:

I'd love for Bagwell to be able to play this and next year (at a highly reduced salary). That way Bidge and Bags can retire on the same day. That would be such a huge party, I may have to fly to Houston.

I guess it's sorta wishful thinking, though.



Why do you care how much Bagwell is getting paid?  Why would he play for a highly reduced salary?

Edit: I re-read and realize you were talking about 2007.  Anyways, if he plays in '07, he's due about $17 million.

449
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 05:40:28 pm »
Quote:

[edit] In any case, contract negotiating takes us even further afield in assessing onfield talents.



I'd go so far as to say the two are mutually exclusive.

450
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 04:52:12 pm »
Quote:

Exactly.  Interesting to see that teams around baseball are doing this, while some argue that such a tact is stupid.  There is a middle ground there, and good teams do some of each I'm sure.  I've always thought that the Astros were such an organization.  Truly, I don't believe I'd trade ownership/management groups with but a handfull of teams in all of MLB.

Maybe Braves and BoSox.



You'd trade with BOSTON?!?!?! You've lost your mind...

451
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 04:30:16 pm »
Quote:

I guess at the core of it all I don't understand some people's reluctance to buy into statistics in the game of baseball.  Analysts like the guys at BP and Neyer can, of course, go completely overboard and make strange claims such as you shouldn't watch players perform, but were I an owner I would want my GM to be understanding of the predictive role that some stat geeks can extrapolate from what has happened, and act in accordance with what is presented.

I think there has got to be a middle ground between the two extremes, and most decent clubs have incorporated both means of analysis into their team building.



Like  this?

"Using a computer program that took the spray chart of Wilson's hits in Colorado and Washington last year and overlaid them onto Minute Maid Park, the Astros estimate Wilson would have hit about 30 homers in 2005 had he been playing in Houston."

452
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 04:27:58 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

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




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



I'd rather we not go down this avenue...

453
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 04:18:54 pm »
Quote:

 
We were discussing fielding statistics.  I missed the subject change?  As for your imagination concerning fielding statistics, there are a number of people in the TZ who actually know what types of information is used in contract negotiations.  I dont think they've mentioned fielding statistics in the past.  As for Scott Boras, is there anything he doesnt stuff in those binders?  When he was negotiating for Andruw Jones he actually had the nerve to show the Braves a video of Jones playing CF.  As if they'd never seen him.



You and I were discussing fielding statistics, Tom changed the scope.  Or, at least that's how I read his post.  So, looks like we've shifted from whether or not certain defensive statistics have value in evaluating players' defensive abilities, to whether or not said statistics are ever compared to other players'.  

I realize we don't like Boras, but we can't omit him from the universe of sports agents because he's an asshole.  I use him as an example because his is the only binder I've seen.  But, I doubt he's the exeption to the rule.  What agent wouldn't use defensive statistics if they were beneficial to his client?  What drives the negotiations for Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus?

454
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 02:53:24 pm »
Quote:


Just to interject, I don't think any team would really care about evaluating other team's players unless they were a potential acquisition in a trade.  




Or when they were negotiating a contract.



You're saying that teams and agents typically use fielding statistics to negotiate contracts?



Well, I wasn't limiting my last post to fielding statistics, but yes, I'd imagine they're used (albeit to a far lesser extend than offensive statistics).  I know Scott Boras used them for Alex Rodriguez when he signed with Texas.  I bet guys like Adam Everett and Omar Vizquel rely on them more heavily.

455
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 02:37:25 pm »
Quote:


Just to interject, I don't think any team would really care about evaluating other team's players unless they were a potential acquisition in a trade.  




Or when they were negotiating a contract.

456
Talk Zone / Re: Looking at the ST pictures...............
« on: February 28, 2006, 01:03:36 pm »
Quote:

is there any doubt that Rajah will be back in May? Barring injury in the WBC, we shoud get a boost come May.



He may want to do an extended spring training in Lexington or wherever Kobe is, and that may push his arrival date back to June.  But, other than that, I have little doubt he'll be back this summer.

457
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 01:01:14 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:


I just don't see why you need them.  In practice, a team has to have a shortstop.  What kind of shortstop depends on the type of team.  The management focuses on the shortstops they can obtain and evaluates them.  It's immaterial how they compare to other shortstops that they can't get, the team needs the one shortstop.  They don't need a list of shortstops arranged in some numerically evaluated chart.



Why couldn't a statistical analysis aid in the evaluation of those shortstops the Astros are focusing on?



How would it aid in the evaluation if they look at every available shortstop?  How would it help to know where any short stop compared, numerically, to Jeter for instance?  Is Jeter an option?



It wouldn't.  But, I'm referring to the shortstops that the Astros would hypothetically be considering to be theirs.  ie- this group:

Quote:

 The management focuses on the shortstops they can obtain and evaluates them.


458
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 12:54:12 pm »
Quote:


How is defensive positioning not part of defensive skill/ability?  Knowing the hitter, the pitcher, the pitch being thrown, and the highest probability of where the ball will be hit would seem to be a valuable skill for any defender, regardless of the position. I just don't know how, or if it's even possible, to measure and apply some statistical analysis of this.




I suppose it is a defensive skill, although one that is entirely coachable.  The point you raise, however, casts light on the fundamental flaw of statistics: they don't paint the entire picture.  That's why I find it silly to rely solely on them.  But, that doesn't mean they don't have value.  If I'm evaluating two center fielders, a statistic that demonstrates one is likely to track down a fly ball in the gap, while the other is not, is useful.

That said, I don't know that this type of analysis exists.

459
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 12:43:13 pm »
Quote:


I just don't see why you need them.  In practice, a team has to have a shortstop.  What kind of shortstop depends on the type of team.  The management focuses on the shortstops they can obtain and evaluates them.  It's immaterial how they compare to other shortstops that they can't get, the team needs the one shortstop.  They don't need a list of shortstops arranged in some numerically evaluated chart.



Why couldn't a statistical analysis aid in the evaluation of those shortstops the Astros are focusing on?

460
Talk Zone / Re: Interesting Gammons tidbit re- defense and everett
« on: February 28, 2006, 11:51:49 am »
Quote:



I would have no issue with assessments made by someone who watched Everett on every single play, made note of how he got to the ball, how he handled the play, and how and where the ball was hit.  If the person knew something about playing the infield and had watched other shortstops in a similar fashion, their comments, about Everett, would have some validity.



You don't understand sabermetrics.  If you did, you'd realize that player evaluations are best conducted by not actually watching baseball.

Actually, I think defensive stats can have value, though the one mentioned above, if it doesn't take into account where the fielder was originally positioned, is useless.  For instance, a line drive in the gap that is caught is far less impressive if the left fielder was positioned there to begin with.

461
Talk Zone / Re: Kip Wells blood clot, may miss entire season
« on: February 27, 2006, 07:15:24 pm »
Quote:


btw, I live in San Francisco, and my wife works in Palo Alto--  Stanford students are easily the dumbest people I meet in the Bay Area.  Hands down.  Sit next to one on the train or in a restaurant, and you are guaranteed to overhear a steady stream of pompous, meaningless bullshit.  Guaranteed.



Now this thread is getting stupid.

462
Talk Zone / Re: Kip Wells blood clot, may miss entire season
« on: February 27, 2006, 03:56:11 pm »
Quote:

What is racist about someone scoring well below the literacy barrier (questionable second test notwithstanding).



I'm guessing you got your ass kicked quite a bit growing up.

463
Talk Zone / Re: Clemens expected to pitch at Astros camp
« on: February 27, 2006, 02:55:57 pm »
Quote:


I think the news part is that some other team complained about Clemens pitching in the mini-camp and the Astros were extra careful about obtaining permission for Clemens to pitch to their minor leaguers.  It's not like being near the Astros is going to make him part of the team.  If so, some of the guys on the Dominican Republic team, who'll be sharing the Astros ST facilities for a week, could fit perfectly in the Astros lineup.



So long as he's pitching to our minor leaguers, he's not pitching to the Yankees'.  That's good news to my ears.

464
Talk Zone / Re: Pinwheel Blog
« on: February 24, 2006, 07:15:52 pm »
Quote:



Mainly I think dismissing someone as "irrelevant" is silly and pedantic; but even moreso if the rubric by which a writer's "relevance" is measured is readership, which Justice's is no doubt dwarfed by Simmons'.



I agree.

465
Talk Zone / Re: Pinwheel Blog
« on: February 24, 2006, 06:38:11 pm »
Quote:


He's not. He's completely relevant in that he's the crappy star writer for a crappy newspaper who's inane "reporting" has withered the patience of his lead subject.



He also happens to be quite influential.

466
Talk Zone / Re: Pinwheel Blog
« on: February 24, 2006, 06:28:29 pm »
Quote:



I just think it's funny that the guy who can barely get a quote from players on the team he gets paid to cover is calling someone else irrelevant.



How is Richard Justice irrelevant?

467
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: February 24, 2006, 02:10:45 pm »
Quote:


It's a long since proven fact that posting here is a monumental waste of time.



I'm glad to know at least one person appreciates the work we do.



Oh, I appreciate the work you do, and have always enjoyed the site.  Doesn't change the fact that we're all at work posting our opinions about baseball.

468
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: February 24, 2006, 01:41:20 pm »
Quote:


Yeah, and that turns into a whole deal about what the poster feels about how Mclane, Bagwell, and Skippy The Wonder Sock feel about each other.  If they actually knew anything that'd be one thing.  Not to mention their expert opinions on Lloyds insurance policies.  Far as I know we've got only one of those types of experts here.  Whatever happens is going to be a damn sight more interesting than what anyone writes about it here.



It's a long since proven fact that posting here is a monumental waste of time.

469
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: February 24, 2006, 01:20:04 pm »
Quote:


Is this board the wrong place to discuss such gut feelings?



It's a fan message board; you can type whatever the fuck you want.  But, so can he.

470
Talk Zone / Re: Best. Excuse. Ever. (non BB)
« on: February 24, 2006, 01:17:21 pm »
Quote:


And don't turn this into me having some issue with porn, as I have no issue with adult porn, other than the occasional horrendous boob job giving me the sceeves.  If the notion of kiddie porn doesn't turn you off, then I cannot even begin to understand you.



But we're not talking about kiddie porn.  a) she's 21, b) it isn't porn.

471
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: February 24, 2006, 12:14:06 pm »
Quote:

I think his chances of even coming back are slim.  If he does defy the odds and return to the lineup, I think it will hurt the team more than if he does not.  With an opinion formed with sangfroid, I think he should go quietly into that good night.  

I hope I'm wrong.  It wouldn't be the first time.



He's the focal point of spring training.  Nothing he does will be done quietly.

472
Talk Zone / Re: Bag's odds...........
« on: February 24, 2006, 11:34:42 am »
Quote:


With all of that being said, here is my question. What are the chances that Bagwell is in an Astro uniform this year contributing to the team?



Bonds has two things going for him that Bagwell doesn't: Bonds is better and Bonds used steroids.  So, I think it's very likely Bagwell is in an Astros' uniform, but not nearly as likely that Bagwell is contributing much.

473
Talk Zone / Re: Brad Lidge
« on: February 24, 2006, 10:26:10 am »
Quote:

No, he's an accountant.  He has to be very thourough when an attorney tells him something.

I don't check that site very often, but it's generally considered the better Cardinals website.  What's funny though is how much they collectively hate Stark, year in, year out.



Stark loves the Astros, or at least writes favorably about them (a lot).  Remarkable how that influences our/their opinion of the guy.

474
Talk Zone / Brad Lidge
« on: February 23, 2006, 06:08:02 pm »
Jayson Stark has a new article on Brad Lidge at espn.com if you're interested.  Of note,

Quote:

 So Lidge is fiddling with a splitter this spring and talking about locating his fastball more consistently, all in his quest to actually get a little better.



The Link

475
Talk Zone / Re: come on Ausmus, tell us how you really feel.
« on: February 22, 2006, 04:59:51 pm »
Quote:

I don't really see how you can assume anything from something Justice writes.  He is often all over the place.  After you post, I think I understand what  "mr smartie pants" is trying to accomplish.

Sarcasm Smarcasm, I think it is highly likely that any vet. refuses to talk to justice.  He has ragged on most of them.



I don't know that he rags on most of them; he praises Bagwell and, oddly enough, Chris Burke.  He's probably suggested that the Astros get rid of Ausmus, but I don't know that definitively.  The person he rags on the most, however, is Drayton McLane, and he does so whenever the opportunity arises.

476
Talk Zone / Re: come on Ausmus, tell us how you really feel.
« on: February 22, 2006, 03:13:37 pm »
Quote:

I hate to ask this, but I assumed when I read the column that it was purely humorous, and that of course Justice never talked to either Ausmus or Burke.  Why would you think that his Blog was anything but humor?



False modesty.

477
Talk Zone / Re: Stop the presses
« on: February 22, 2006, 12:47:56 pm »
Quote:


I am more than happy to see the 3rds installed as division locks again.  It lets the 'Stros creep in under the radar.




I'm inclinded to agree.  With the exception of last year, I think it's been a decade since the NL Central division "favorites" actually won.

478
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 22, 2006, 12:23:27 pm »
Quote:


No it's not.  It would be better for business to have Baggy mashing at #3, thus giving the Astros a line up that will pummel the opposition all the way to a WS win.  Being able to collect on the insurance policy is making the best of a bad situation.




I agree with this, but I don't think it's realistic.

479
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 22, 2006, 12:19:12 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Paying heed to Jeff "Eeyore" Bagwell during the offseason has proven to be a fruitless exercise time and again.



This is just too convenient.


Doesn't make it wrong.



Doesn't make it right.  I don't think Bagwell has the final say here, or the most objective opinion.  I think you place the quote in the context presented in this thread.  That is, Bagwell has a history of speaking off the cuff during the winter, and that management is taking a different posture.   But, the fact that he said it isn't valueless, especially considering he is one of three or four people in the universe privy to the on-going discussions regarding Drayton's insurance claim.

480
Talk Zone / Re: Stop the presses
« on: February 22, 2006, 12:12:16 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I follow it until here:

Quote:

Houston stayed status quo in the offseason, which may not be good enough to garner a third straight wild-card spot behind runaway division favorite St. Louis.



A) They didn't stay status quo; they added the bat virtually everyone said they need in 2005.

B) Why are the Cardinals the runaway division favorites again?



B)Answer: They have the smartest man in the world managing the team (a vegetarian, too), real pretty uniforms, and gosh darn it, they just deserve it due to their rich baseball heritage.  Don't question something like this.



Don't forget the BFiB. And a new (half complete) stadium.



The BFiB must guarantee an extra ten wins a year.

481
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 22, 2006, 12:10:49 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

B. Quoting Bagwell to understand what Garner thinks doesn't make logical sense.


Paying heed to Jeff "Eeyore" Bagwell during the offseason has proven to be a fruitless exercise time and again.



This is just too convenient.

482
Talk Zone / Re: Stop the presses
« on: February 22, 2006, 11:29:05 am »
I follow it until here:

Quote:

Houston stayed status quo in the offseason, which may not be good enough to garner a third straight wild-card spot behind runaway division favorite St. Louis.



A) They didn't stay status quo; they added the bat virtually everyone said they need in 2005.

B) Why are the Cardinals the runaway division favorites again?

483
Talk Zone / Re: Talk about a perfect script for a made for tv movie
« on: February 22, 2006, 11:03:37 am »
Quote:

hope he works out as an astro. would be nice to have another good bat etc. but that said Houses story on his journey to spring training reads like a slightly unbelivable made for tv movie.
The Link



Hey Fredia, your link isn't working.

484
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 22, 2006, 10:50:39 am »
Quote:



Quote:

It's "good business" for McLane not to have Bagwell in uniform next year.  That's all we're saying.



Not if he cannot play according to doctors.  Bagwell won't even allow himself to take the field if *he cannot physically perform*.  Would you like to quote him on that too, just to be *clear*?



I agree with everything up to here, but only because I think you misread my post. If Bagwell cannot play, filing the claim was a good business decision.  This is self-evident.

485
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 22, 2006, 10:21:05 am »
Quote:

Quote:

To me, what Garner thinks (or says) is not all that relevant to this argument. McLane, and to a lesser extent Purpura, would be the ones who "don't want (Bagwell) back." And I tend to agree with Pete- it seems clear that they are hoping he is too injured to play, valuing the $15.6 mil more than the production they would get from a healthy Bagwell at this age. Anything they would say publicly to the contrary needs to be taken with a grain of salt.



Gawd this is so idiotic!  You people *really* believe that McLane would pay Jeff Bagwell a grand total of 86 million dollars because he was a superstar performer, take out a Lloyds of London policy against the contract and then all of sudden develop some sort of evil fellings towards Bagwell to save 15 million bones?  And take a hit in the PR if that was his real reasons, thus cost himself much more in terms of money from the gate?  Is McLane *THAT* stupid in the eyes of you people?

He's not.

He made a business decision to make his claim on the policy due to two doctor reports that have *ALL-FREAKING-READY* said Bagwell is done.  No ill will towards Baggy, no evil intent, nada.  Sound business decision based on facts given to them.  Why pay the premiums on a insurance policy if you do not intend to use it when the opportunity presents itself?  Bagwell's erasible attitude during the offseason and his often caustic remarks are nothing new, so having him say things like he did is not uncommon.  In fact, his agent, Barry Axelrod has tried to temper what Baggy said by saying he and his client realize it is a *business* decision and that they respect that.

Now it's out of McLane's hands... he has *NOTHING* to say or do with the payout of the claim, it is up to the insurance company and the doctors assigned by them to come to or not come to the same conclusion as Dr. Linder and Dr. Andrews.  What is being said by Wagner (and some of you here) is amazing given all that.  May as well question the integrity of Dr. Andrews and Dr. Linder and go ahead and villianize Lloyds of London and their doctors too if they reach the same conclusion.  Afterall, they *ALL* don't want Bagwell to play baseball any more, that's why they're *ALL* in on this horrible scheme by Dr. Evil... errr... McLane.



The only person villainizing McLane is Billy Wagner.  I'm not, I don't think Reuben is either.  We all know what you've stated (then re-stated, then re-re-stated) is true: it's a business decision.  It's "good business" for McLane not to have Bagwell in uniform next year.  That's all we're saying.

486
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 21, 2006, 10:25:04 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I don't disagree with you from a legal or insurance standpoint.  (If that is what you mean by I should know better).  But people in Houston care about Jeff Bagwell and there is at least a perception (probably false, but neither you nor I are in the Astros front offices) that the Astros are pushing Bagwell out and don't want him to come back.  Nobody in New York gave a rat's ass about Mo Vaughn. And most people would have bought him a ticket out of town. That's the only reason why the two cases are different.



For what it's worth, I think it's pretty clear they don't want him back.



Wrong.  

"What would be the best-case scenario from the Houston manager's perspective? "Jeff Bagwell plays and hits about 25 home runs and drives in about 90 runs and, end of the conversation, we're back in the World Series?? (says Garner)"



Sure, they'd love that.  But they don't think they'd get it.

"To me more than anything else, it?s just amazing how bad they don?t want me to play," (Bagwell) said. "Anything else said it?s just not the truth. They just want to collect their money. It?s an awkward situation. It?s just amazing to me how much they don?t want me to play."

487
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 21, 2006, 08:58:47 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

For what it's worth, I think it's pretty clear they don't want him back.



Really, it's *clear*?  How about it's "baseball is a business" (a two way street when the MLBPA negotiates a CBA, a player negotiates a contract, et. al.)?  How fans lose sight of the business side of things is truly amazing to me, even fans who should've been paying attention for a very long time now.



I think most fans understand that this is purely a business decision.

488
Talk Zone / Re: Robbing the Redbirds
« on: February 21, 2006, 07:19:11 pm »
Quote:

The Link

Cards resort to lame guerilla marketing tactics to promote their new stadium.



I like it.

489
Talk Zone / Re: And we thought he wouldnt fit in New York
« on: February 21, 2006, 07:15:40 pm »
Quote:

I don't disagree with you from a legal or insurance standpoint.  (If that is what you mean by I should know better).  But people in Houston care about Jeff Bagwell and there is at least a perception (probably false, but neither you nor I are in the Astros front offices) that the Astros are pushing Bagwell out and don't want him to come back.  Nobody in New York gave a rat's ass about Mo Vaughn. And most people would have bought him a ticket out of town. That's the only reason why the two cases are different.



For what it's worth, I think it's pretty clear they don't want him back.

490
Talk Zone / Re: Plunk Biggio
« on: February 21, 2006, 06:16:45 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Funny thing is that I remember many a rumor where the Astros were interested in acquiring Houston to play third base.



I don't remember that ever being the case, but certainly because he could hit well left handed, there may of been many a fan/media person think it would've been a good idea.

As long as the Great Billy Spiers played well, there was no way Tyler Houston was going to be considered an option for the Astros.



Speaking of the Great Billy Spiers and fights involving Craig Biggio, I recall one afternoon in Milwaukee.  Spiers was playing right field (hence the "Great" part) that day, when a drunken fan thought it a great idea to jump on the field and hit Spiers from behind.  Biggio and Bagwell were the first two Astros to come to Spiers' defense; young Milwaukee fan took quite a beating, as I recall.

491
Talk Zone / Re: a shot in the dark
« on: February 21, 2006, 04:45:35 pm »
Quote:

The link above has Nolan's 5th No-No, Don Wilson's No-No, and the 7 DP game



I'm an idiot...

492
Talk Zone / a shot in the dark
« on: February 21, 2006, 04:29:20 pm »
Anyone, by chance, have an audio link to some of his famous calls?  I'd be interested in hearing some.

493
Talk Zone / Re: Tools of Irrelevance?
« on: February 21, 2006, 12:22:03 pm »
Quote:

nothing useful about catchers' ERA? it took a "study" to tell you that? anyone who will not waste the time to study some stupidass theory has his head in the sand? how about SS ERA? have you studied that yet?

disagreement does not make me uncomfortable. it happens all the time. the words you chose to express your disagreement pissed me off and still do.



Have you read "Moneyball?"  I finally started it over the weekend, and really am actually enjoying it despite the fact that I can't read a page of it without thinking of you.  My favorite quote thus far comes from Mike Gimbel, the "brains of the Red Sox organization" during the 80s, who, when analyzing baseball, cautions against watching too much of it.

494
Talk Zone / Re: Willy
« on: February 17, 2006, 04:44:10 pm »
Quote:


And, while we're on the subject, to highjack the thread, am I the only one who thinks Bagwell will open the season at first and be on the DL, and likely out of baseball, by the All-Star game.



I agree with the first part.

495
Talk Zone / Re: Speaking of the Brewers
« on: February 17, 2006, 04:42:15 pm »
Hysterical.  I never knew Post Oak mothers to be so witty.

496
Talk Zone / Re: Speaking of the Brewers
« on: February 17, 2006, 02:37:38 pm »
Quote:

I wonder how many kids, or adults for that matter, contemplate team names?  My first team name was "Polaris."  It was Houston and NASA was all the rage, so the league apparently thought it was a great idea to name the teams after aspects of the space program.  There were also the "Titans" and "Mercury" and other similar stuff.  I don't think I ever thought a minute about what the name meant or implied.  It was like the line in "Pulp Fiction:" ("It's just a name.  In America, names don't mean shit").



I was on the Longhorns when I was seven; name has haunted me ever since.

497
Talk Zone / Re: Cubs going in the wrong direction (somewhat non-bb)
« on: February 16, 2006, 01:32:52 pm »
Quote:

My friend actually worked on this commercial (he works at espn).  after reading this post, I inquired.  Here is his response:

> I have been meaning to ask you about this:
>
>
> The Link
> an=0&page=0
>


interesting point. he may be the only person in america who noticed, we did think about it, but the way the streets were laid out it didnt make sense to do it in the opposite direction when we were in LA shooting it. Pretty astute that he noticed Juan Pierre in teh Cubs jersey though. We had to spend 36K just to digitally alter his uniform (we shot him doing all that in a marlins uni and he got traded after the fact)



Your buddy grossly underestimates his viewers.  Virtually everyone at my watching party noticed.

498
Talk Zone / Re: got $40 you can have lunch with milo/article bout new bo
« on: February 09, 2006, 02:26:39 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

Kinda surprised dierk hasn't been given another chance elsewhere- I'm guessing it was the seizure?  He seemed like a different guy after that happened.



I don't get the impression he's particularly interested in managing elsewhere.



He has mentioned that he would at least consider it as long as he'd be managing a winning team.

499
Talk Zone / Re: got $40 you can have lunch with milo/article bout new bo
« on: February 09, 2006, 02:08:17 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

ok jim- fair enough.

I think his undermanging helped the astros during his time more than a Tank Commanders overmanaging would have.  I like Scaps the best though I think.



The most important thing Jim noted at the time Dierker had to go was that he had lost control of the clubhouse.  Doesn't matter whether you're Napper Jack or Tank Commander at that point.



Going with Chris Truby and Mike Jackson didn't really help things, either.

500
Talk Zone / Re: MinuteMaid Classic
« on: February 07, 2006, 08:16:49 pm »
Quote:

no clemens freenzy. that was a freakshow last year. no petitte either. not to put down the other players that are there but there has to be a grain of truth in the lack of interest



Tulane's participation in the classic must have deflected attention away from fanfest this year.  Get giddy with excitement.

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