To any so-called "fans" who booed Lidge last night:

[MusicMan]

I'm going to say this as politely as I can:

You clearly know nothing about Brad Lidge, baseball, sports, the human condition, or life in general.  I, for one, would greatly appreciate it if you would never darken the doorstep of Minute Maid Park, or any place where you might come into contact with civilized people, ever again.  Should you feel the need to actually attend another game of a sport you clearly udnerstand on a level with nanotechnology, please make sure that you stay quiet at all times.

Thank you.

[pravata]

... a sport you clearly understand on a level with nanotechnology, ...

Shrimp contemplating a nuclear submarine. 

[AtascAstro]

Please report to section 434.  We'll provide the nachos, you just have to shut the hell up.

[Mr. Happy]

That crap just grinds my guts. Don't get me started on fans booing. Anywhere. Anytime. Just complete unadulterated horseshit. Brad Lidge was a gentleman here who went through some trying times, but he gave us some great memories. That makes Mr. Happy very unhappy.

[Taras Bulba]

Wonderful drama when Berkman came up with Tejada on.  Didn't happen for Lance but it was fun.

[ValpoCory]

Wonderful drama when Berkman came up with Tejada on.  Didn't happen for Lance but it was fun.

Yep.  I turned to my wife and said, "This is gonna be fun".  Two seconds later, J.D. said "This is gonna be fun".   And yes, it was fun.

[geezerdonk]

That crap just grinds my guts. Don't get me started on fans booing. Anywhere. Anytime. Just complete unadulterated horseshit. That makes Mr. Happy very unhappy.

Lighten up. It's mildly annoying. It sure ain't cancer.

[Noe]

I'm going to say this as politely as I can:

You clearly know nothing about Brad Lidge, baseball, sports, the human condition, or life in general.  I, for one, would greatly appreciate it if you would never darken the doorstep of Minute Maid Park, or any place where you might come into contact with civilized people, ever again.  Should you feel the need to actually attend another game of a sport you clearly udnerstand on a level with nanotechnology, please make sure that you stay quiet at all times.

Thank you.

Many of these so-called fans were egged on to do such a thing by "The Men's Room" radio show on 790 The Sports Animal... specifically Brad "I'm from New York, whatchagonnadoaboutit" Davies.  Apparently he's trying to influence the local idiots to be more Northeastern-like in their idocy.

Brad Lidge of all people and the big question is "why?".

[BudGirl]

Many of these so-called fans were egged on to do such a thing by "The Men's Room" radio show on 790 The Sports Animal... specifically Brad "I'm from New York, whatchagonnadoaboutit" Davies.  Apparently he's trying to influence the local idiots to be more Northeastern-like in their idocy.

Brad Lidge of all people and the big question is "why?".

obviously because he gave up a homerun to Albert Pujols.

[MusicMan]

Craig Roberts should know better.  It's like he's forgotten everything he ever learned once he joined 790.

[Noe]

Craig Roberts should know better.  It's like he's forgotten everything he ever learned once he joined 790.

He actually is the voice of reason most of the time, starting most of his comments with "Now Brad...." or "There you go again..." and then proceeds to provide the counter to whatever stupidity Davies is dishing out.  The thing is, Roberts has given up.  He has lately stopped trying and even says so out loud so everyone can hear it.  It's not worth it to listen and take serious anything Brad Davies says because he is the worse sports talk radio guy in Houston.

So why do I listen?

It's the only station I can pick up on the way to work and when I can get at least ten minutes of non-Davies, I'm happy.  If not, then I'll listen until my ear start to bleed or as quickly as I can grab a CD and jam it into the player to shut him up.  If Granato and Zerlien were on a blowtorch station, believe me, the dial would never move in the morning.  Unfortunately, for me in Austin, I had little to choose from and even Erin Hogan disappoints me lately. 

[pravata]

He actually is the voice of reason most of the time, starting most of his comments with "Now Brad...." or "There you go again..." and then proceeds to provide the counter to whatever stupidity Davies is dishing out.  The thing is, Roberts has given up.  He has lately stopped trying and even says so out loud so everyone can hear it.  It's not worth it to listen and take serious anything Brad Davies says because he is the worse sports talk radio guy in Houston.

So why do I listen?

It's the only station I can pick up on the way to work and when I can get at least ten minutes of non-Davies, I'm happy.  If not, then I'll listen until my ear start to bleed or as quickly as I can grab a CD and jam it into the player to shut him up.  If Granato and Zerlien were on a blowtorch station, believe me, the dial would never move in the morning.  Unfortunately, for me in Austin, I had little to choose from and even Erin Hogan disappoints me lately. 

Unless you have a digital tuner, you have to be a safecracker to dial in Granato.  What people hear on the radio and read in the paper influences how they react in the stands.  I'm glad someone is paying attention to the crap that the local sports radio is spewing, and I'm glad it's not me. 

[Astroholic]

Unless you have a digital tuner

Do they still make radios that dont?

[MusicMan]

As an aside... Z mentioned on this morning's show that 610's ratings dropped from 3.2 to 2.1 in the last books.  At least the public is starting to catch on.

As for 1560, I have no problems tuning it in from my car, for the whole commute.

[MusicMan]

PS... "High order of the ferret" is perfect.  Well done.

[Noe]

Unless you have a digital tuner, you have to be a safecracker to dial in Granato.  What people hear on the radio and read in the paper influences how they react in the stands.  I'm glad someone is paying attention to the crap that the local sports radio is spewing, and I'm glad it's not me. 

During the time I listened (which was admittedly hard but I have a 15 minute commute, so I can stomach it sometimes just to get some Astros talk), Davies kept egging on his callers to spend a quarter and drop him their opinion if Brad Lidge should be "booed tonight".  Roberts kept saying "why?" and was summarily ignored.  I hate to say this, but Roberts is becoming a puppet for Davies to slap around... so unless he wants to settle into the role of passive dunce that sits in the corner, he needs to be aggressive to stop the nonsense.  Any way, the callers were all prompted to make a choice, many of which followed Davies aggressive prodding that they would boo Lidge. 

One caller finally called specifically to say it was "classless and why would anyone boo a guy that was traded and not a guy who bolted the city for more money... like to New York!".  Davies was speechless for a second and then came up with "Well, but we all know that Lidge is a mental case, so you boo him to help the Astros.  He'll wilt under pressure, so yeah, boo him!!!".

Nice how it worked last night, eh?  Davies is an idiot.

[pravata]

Do they still make radios that dont?

Not likely.  But does everyone drive a car less than 5 years old?

[JimR]

Fuck "lighten up."

Idiot.

[Astroholic]

Not likely.  But does everyone drive a car less than 5 years old?

Guess not, though my 92 bronco has a digital radio and my 86 Camaro had one.  I guess some people still have knobs on there tv's or cable slider boxes.

[pravata]

Guess not, though my 92 bronco has a digital radio and my 86 Camaro had one.  I guess some people still have knobs on there tv's or cable slider boxes.

Apparently.

[Mr. Happy]

Lighten up. It's mildly annoying. It sure ain't cancer.

I never said it was serious like cancer, you moron. Have you ever been booed? More importantly, has your family ever heard you being booed? Being booed can hurt. You don't know who's sitting around you when you're booing. Suppose Brad's parents were in that section. Would you feel the same way? What type of example is booing setting for impressionable youth within earshot? Think, dude.

[TheWizard]

As an Astros fan, I was embarrassed by people booing Lidge last night.

[Noe]

As an Astros fan, I was embarrassed by people booing Lidge last night.

Same here.

[otterjb]

The only time players deserve to be boo'd, imo, is if they're not giving full effort, or if they've done something else to deserve it. Brad Lidge deserves cheers. On the other hand, if Julio Lugo gets boo'd, I'd have no problem with it.

[Andyzipp]

On the other hand, if Julio Lugo gets boo'd, I'd have no problem with it.

What if it were in the world championship of slamming your wife's head into a car hood?

Do you think he could beat Warren Moon?

[homer]

What if it were in the world championship of slamming your wife's head into a car hood?

Do you think he could beat Warren Moon?

Neither could hold Orenthal's jockstrap. Or his bloody glove.

[Andyzipp]

Neither could hold Orenthal's jockstrap. Or his bloody glove.

That's just cheating.  Anyone can kill a woman.  It takes a certain skill to beat the woman and have her claim afterwards that it was all a big misunderstanding.

Also, Bobby Cox.

[MusicMan]

Wil Cordero and his phone think these guys are amateurs.

[homer]

That's just cheating.  Anyone can kill a woman.  It takes a certain skill to beat the woman and have her claim afterwards that it was all a big misunderstanding.

Also, Bobby Cox.

Brett Myers did it in public.

[dirty steve]

I'm going to say this as politely as I can:

You clearly know nothing about Brad Lidge, baseball, sports, the human condition, or life in general.  I, for one, would greatly appreciate it if you would never darken the doorstep of Minute Maid Park, or any place where you might come into contact with civilized people, ever again.  Should you feel the need to actually attend another game of a sport you clearly udnerstand on a level with nanotechnology, please make sure that you stay quiet at all times.

Thank you.

you summed it up perfectly for me.  brad lidge, even during his toughest times, never beraded a teammate, coach or the fans for his hardship.  i was appalled (sp?) when brownie said there was a mixture of boos when lidge jogged in to start the inning.  for what?

[pravata]

The booing is what got Lidge traded in the first place.  He wasn't a free agent asking for more money. 

in fact July 17, 2007

"I want to stay with the Astros for the rest of my career," Lidge said. "What I love doing is closing in Houston, and if that's something they want me to do in the future, I would love to stay here for a long time.

"I don't want to go anywhere. I know some people said some things to the contrary, but I certainly don't want to go anywhere. I love Houston. I also understand the realities of things. At the same time, you don't want to make a change just for change's sake."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070717&content_id=2091451&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[legs_of_eggs]

Athletes should be immune to boo'ing, take it with a grain of salt and don't be so sensitive.

[Hornstros]

Athletes should be immune to boo'ing, take it with a grain of salt and don't be so sensitive.

[sarcasm] Yeah...it's not as if they're human or anything [/sarcasm]

[MRaup]

Athletes should be immune to boo'ing, take it with a grain of salt and don't be so sensitive.

You ever wonder why 17 people have you on ignore?

[JimR]

Athletes should be immune to boo'ing, take it with a grain of salt and don't be so sensitive.

STFU.

you are the biggest moron on this board.

[Dobro]

The booing is what got Lidge traded in the first place. 

What a load of horseshit.  The booing of Lidge, or any player with very few exceptions, is a classless act.  That being said, Lidge's performance got Lidge traded.  Don't blame the fans.

I'd also add that the Houston Astros gave Lidge a much longer leash than the vast majority of clubs would give a closer and have no doubt that the Phillies organization, and their fans, will not be nearly as kind when Lidge starts getting lit up there.

Lidge is the reason Lidge is no longer an Astro.

[Noe]

STFU.

you are the biggest moron on this board.

Totally missed the point.  Not one player complained about boo'ing, certainly not Lidge.  In fact, many of them say "fans pay their tickets, they can boo all the want.  Just don't step into the field, that would be different".  Here is what we've all been saying for the woefully uninformed: We fans of baseball and the Houston Astros find is very difficult to understand fellow fans (who probably aren't fans) who decide it's a great idea to boo for no perceived reason other than to bring attention to themselves.  At which point, we reserve the right to ask said fan to go sit somewhere else.  Please.

[JimR]

What a load of horseshit.  The booing of Lidge, or any player with very few exceptions, is a classless act.  That being said, Lidge's performance got Lidge traded.  Don't blame the fans.

I'd also add that the Houston Astros gave Lidge a much longer leash than the vast majority of clubs would give a closer and have no doubt that the Phillies organization, and their fans, will not be nearly as kind when Lidge starts getting lit up there.

Lidge is the reason Lidge is no longer an Astro.

Mr. Consistency, Dobro.

did he steal your girl in junior high? did he take the scholarship to ND that you thought you had? your animosity towards him is ridiculous.

[hostros7]

That's just cheating.  Anyone can kill a woman.  It takes a certain skill to beat the woman and have her claim afterwards that it was all a big misunderstanding.

Also, Bobby Cox.

Beating a woman?  pffffffff.   R Kelly challenges you to pee on a girl for 2 minutes and THEN have her call you daddy while violating you in a faux wood cabin.  He's an artist, not a brute.

http://www.slate.com/id/2191876/entry/2191877/

[legs_of_eggs]

People, it was just boo'ing right? Has anyone died from the condition of being excessively boo'd? I don't really get why this is such an OWA crisis, because a controversial figure in Astros history who since has moved onto another team and done extremely well for himself since gets a little rawkus from the fans?

[Andyzipp]

People, it was just boo'ing right? Has anyone died from the condition of being excessively boo'd? I don't really get why this is such an OWA crisis, because a controversial figure in Astros history who since has moved onto another team and done extremely well for himself since gets a little rawkus from the fans?

Because it's a classless thing to do to a player that doesn't deserve it?  Isn't that enough?

[JimR]

People, it was just boo'ing right? Has anyone died from the condition of being excessively boo'd? I don't really get why this is such an OWA crisis, because a controversial figure in Astros history who since has moved onto another team and done extremely well for himself since gets a little rawkus from the fans?

idiot.

[legs_of_eggs]

Because it's a classless thing to do to a player that doesn't deserve it?  Isn't that enough?

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

[JimR]

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

17 people ignore your ingnorance. why is that?

[legs_of_eggs]

17 people ignore your ingnorance. why is that?

Because of a misunderstanding with a stupid race joke 4 months ago ass

[matadorph]

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

Yeah, it's nothing....compared to asshat battery chuckers.

By that standard, almost anything passes the class test.

[austro]

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

I'd like to think that we aspire to little higher level of civility than that exhibited at Shea.

[BizidyDizidy]

I for one would love a clarification of what the "misunderstanding" was!

[JimR]

Because of a misunderstanding with a stupid race joke 4 months ago ass

i grant you that telling a race joke is fucking stupid. trying to defend it is stupider. defending booing someone who has been all class is stupidest. i think your stupidity is the reason.

now STFU about this.

[Andyzipp]

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

If what happens at Shea or in Philadelphia is your standard, you're never going to understand what we're talking about.

[geezerdonk]

R Kelly. He's an artist.

Oh he's not just an artist, he's an NAACP Image Award Nominee artist.

[legs_of_eggs]

Boo'ing isn't bad, this is my opinion.  I don't care how many people ignore me, I'm here to read and occasionally post when I feel it's necessary to piss off Jim more.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I just think that's weak, I mean try going to Shea where they throw batteries and bottles at opposing players, ones who don't even have a Mets connection.  Boo'ing is nothing.

Way to make a point.

The game was at Minute Maid, a whole different set of standards.

[Bench]

People, it was just boo'ing right? Has anyone died from the condition of being excessively boo'd? I don't really get why this is such an OWA crisis, because a controversial figure in Astros history who since has moved onto another team and done extremely well for himself since gets a little rawkus from the fans?

Why does everything have to be a terminal condition before it registers with you?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I don't care how many people ignore me...

I think the claim that you don't care is false. Anyway, you clearly care that people who don't have you on ignore see that you are an ass.

[Duman]

People, it was just boo'ing right? Has anyone died from the condition of being excessively boo'd? I don't really get why this is such an OWA crisis, because a controversial figure in Astros history who since has moved onto another team and done extremely well for himself since gets a little rawkus from the fans?

It is about respect.  Brad Lidge did nothing against the Astros prior to last night.  He didn't try to blow saves.  That was baseball.  So tell me what he did that deserved a negative response?  Being a part of a trade that brought two key pieces to this years team (Bourn & Geary) doesn't sound like a reason to be boo'ed.  What about a nice appreciation for the things he did well while he was here? 

As for booing.  Let's see if we can get a chorus of boos for your last post?  Care to join anyone?

B00000000000! Post something well thought out and intelligent you most ignored member!

[Jacksonian]

I think the claim that you don't care is false. Anyway, you clearly care that people who don't have you on ignore see that you are an ass.

[WFW] And if you people would quit quoting him those of us who have him on ignore could go on knowing he's an ass without having to read his crap. [/WFW]

[legs_of_eggs]

It is about respect.  Brad Lidge did nothing against the Astros prior to last night.  He didn't try to blow saves.  That was baseball.  So tell me what he did that deserved a negative response?  Being a part of a trade that brought two key pieces to this years team (Bourn & Geary) doesn't sound like a reason to be boo'ed.  What about a nice appreciation for the things he did well while he was here? 

As for booing.  Let's see if we can get a chorus of boos for your last post?  Care to join anyone?

B00000000000! Post something well thought out and intelligent you most ignored member!

Haha I don't mind my posts being boo'd.  I would not have boo'd Lidge last night or any night ever cause he is a class act and without him being an Astro we would never have no-hit the Yankees.  We won a ton of games because of him and for this I'm grateful.  That said, I don't think its repulsively offensive that some idiot drunk fans boo'd him when he was announced last night.  He's a PHILLIE now. F the Phillies.  It's about the name on the front, not on the back.

[matadorph]

Did they boo Romero? Durbin? Gordon? Not that I heard.

Those fans weren't booing the name on the front, they were booing the name on the back, simply because the guy wearing #54 didn't dominate in 2006 like he did in 2004.

[JimR]

Haha I don't mind my posts being boo'd.  I would not have boo'd Lidge last night or any night ever cause he is a class act and without him being an Astro we would never have no-hit the Yankees.  We won a ton of games because of him and for this I'm grateful.  That said, I don't think its repulsively offensive that some idiot drunk fans boo'd him when he was announced last night.  He's a PHILLIE now. F the Phillies.  It's about the name on the front, not on the back.

you're up to 18 now. congrats.

[VirtualBob]

I think the claim that you don't care is false. Anyway, you clearly care that people who don't have you on ignore see that you are an ass.

This unfortunately extends to people who do have him on ignore, thanks to the extensive quoting action.

[OregonStrosFan]

The booing is what got Lidge traded in the first place.  He wasn't a free agent asking for more money.

Although I like and respect Lidge (and did not want to see him gone this year), Lidge was excessively inconsistent his final two years in Houston.  Additionally, he was in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and Wade targeted and traded him for a player that fit into his system. I'd recon there were other reasons as well. To claim that Lidge was traded because fans booed is a specious argument at best. 

[BudGirl]

Although I like and respect Lidge (and did not want to see him gone this year), Lidge was excessively inconsistent his final two years in Houston.  Additionally, he was in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and Wade targeted and traded him for a player that fit into his system. I'd recon there were other reasons as well. To claim that Lidge was traded because fans booed is a specious argument at best. 

Wrong. 

Fans Boo.  Pam gets upset.  Lidge gets traded.

[pravata]

Although I like and respect Lidge (and did not want to see him gone this year), Lidge was excessively inconsistent his final two years in Houston.  Additionally, he was in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and Wade targeted and traded him for a player that fit into his system. I'd recon there were other reasons as well. To claim that Lidge was traded because fans booed is a specious argument at best. 

What do you think the "change of scenery" talk is about?  The Astros have a history of trading players that the fans boo.   

[tophfar]

What do you think the "change of scenery" talk is about?  The Astros have a history of trading players that the fans boo.   

This is true, but it was definitely not the sole reason, it would seem, this time around.  The wholesale house cleaning that Wade/Smith undertook during the off season would indicate that there were a number of rationals, for the lidge trade and others.  Especially since was the second time that the Astros attempted to land Bourn.

[BizidyDizidy]

Can't we stop fighting amongst ourselves and unite in our dislike for legs_of_eggs

[pravata]

This is true, but it was definitely not the sole reason, it would seem, this time around.  The wholesale house cleaning that Wade/Smith undertook during the off season would indicate that there were a number of rationals, for the lidge trade and others.  Especially since was the second time that the Astros attempted to land Bourn.

Certainly not the only reason.  But it was a factor.  Scott and Qualls couldn't get the rookie centerfielder in 2007.

[BudGirl]

Can't we stop fighting amongst ourselves and unite in our dislike for legs_of_eggs

Who's fighting?

[homer]

Can't we stop fighting amongst ourselves and unite in our dislike for legs_of_eggs

21 folks. I think we already have.

[tophfar]

Certainly not the only reason.  But it was a factor.  Scott and Qualls couldn't get the rookie centerfielder in 2007.

Not to take hijack this thread even further from egg bashing, but I wonder how different it would have been for Purpura if the two trades (Tejada, Bourne) he was un-able to make(for whatever reasons), yet WadeSmith were able to push through (for whatever reasons), had actually gone through under his watch.

Would he have been able to avoid enough boo's to save his job?  I guess does it really matter?

[BizidyDizidy]

I'm not a big believer in ignore - I'd rather see people show their ass. It's like internet rubbernecking.

[Noe]

What do you think the "change of scenery" talk is about?  The Astros have a history of trading players that the fans boo.   

See: Powell, Jay

[BizidyDizidy]

Although the whole purpura thing was decidedly shitty, does anyone really wish we had him around instead of Wade?

[tophfar]

Although the whole purpura thing was decidedly shitty, does anyone really wish we had him around instead of Wade?

I'm not trying to endorse one over the other.

But I find it amazing that two major pieces of the off season strategy were the exact same moves, the "incompetent" Purpura was trying to make, has not occurred to the 610/Gardner/Boo crowd.

[Noe]

Although the whole purpura thing was decidedly shitty, does anyone really wish we had him around instead of Wade?

Is not ours to decide for the owner who he hires or fires.  But the manner in which it was handled was less than kosher (IMHO) and the classless fans who boo'ed him on Jeff Bagwell Day deserve every disdain coming to them.  We don't matter in terms of who stays and who goes.  None of our business actually.

[VirtualBob]

I'm not trying to endorse one over the other.

But I find it amazing that two major pieces of the off season strategy were the exact same moves, the "incompetent" Purpura was trying to make, has not occurred to the 610/Gardner/Boo crowd.

"Trying" is not enough.  Cf Lane, Jason and Berkman, Lance ... they are both trying to make the 'same moves'.

[pravata]

I'm not trying to endorse one over the other.

But I find it amazing that two major pieces of the off season strategy were the exact same moves, the "incompetent" Purpura was trying to make, has not occurred to the 610/Gardner/Boo crowd.

I don't think they tried to trade for Tejada in 07. (?) In 06 the trade would have included Hirsh, Pence, maybe Ensberg.  The Oswalt stuff was bs.  07, Purpura would have been trading the fan favorite Luke Scott. 

[tophfar]

I don't think they tried to trade for Tejada in 07. (?) In 06 the trade would have included Hirsh, Pence, maybe Ensberg.  The Oswalt stuff was bs.   

Didn't mean to imply the timing of both were last year, and trust me, I understand about Roy.

07, Purpura would have been trading the fan favorite Luke Scott.

So, I'm guessing the probable answer would have been no, it wouldnt have mattered much.

[ybbodeus]

I'm not a big believer in ignore - I'd rather see people show their ass. It's like internet rubbernecking.

It's good therapy, no doubt.  Shoot, I show ass even when trying not to. 

"I need to make a commitment."

"Cant we settle this over a PINT?"

[JimR]

Although I like and respect Lidge (and did not want to see him gone this year), Lidge was excessively inconsistent his final two years in Houston.  Additionally, he was in his last year of arbitration eligibility, and Wade targeted and traded him for a player that fit into his system. I'd recon there were other reasons as well. To claim that Lidge was traded because fans booed is a specious argument at best. 

you have been a great rookie around here, but if you think even for a minute that Lidge was traded for peformance reasons, you are way, way wrong.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

you have been a great rookie around here, but if you think even for a minute that Lidge was traded for peformance reasons, you are way, way wrong.

Contract issues aside, it's quite paradoxical that had Lidge performed better, there would have been less boos.

[OregonStrosFan]

you have been a great rookie around here, but if you think even for a minute that Lidge was traded for performance reasons, you are way, way wrong.

Thought it more to do with Lidge being in his last year of arbitration eligibility coupled with the presumed contractual costs for keeping him vs. getting value for him via trade for a player Wade was targeting (instead of getting compensatory draft picks if he signed with another team for '09 and on).  While the Astros are willing to spend money when there is legitimate value and/or need (and AM NOT even remotely trying to accuse McLane of being cheap, he is not), I can't imagine the Astros spending Cordero type money to keep Lidge (inconsistencies in his performance in '06 and '07 being one of the considerations, and general track record of developing closers within the system being another).  If I intimated the sole (or even primary) reason for Lidge being traded was his '06 or '07 performance, then I was in error.

PS: Thanks.

[pravata]

Thought it more to do with Lidge being in his last year of arbitration eligibility coupled with the presumed contractual costs for keeping him vs. getting value for him via trade for a player Wade was targeting (instead of getting compensatory draft picks if he signed with another team for '09 and on).  While the Astros are willing to spend money when there is legitimate value and/or need (and AM NOT even remotely trying to accuse McLane of being cheap, he is not), I can't imagine the Astros spending Cordero type money to keep Lidge (inconsistencies in his performance in '06 and '07 being one of the considerations, and general track record of developing closers within the system being another).  If I intimated the sole (or even primary) reason for Lidge being traded was his '06 or '07 performance, then I was in error.

PS: Thanks.

Maybe, but I believe Valverde is in the same contract situation as is Lidge.  Players who embarass McLane dont stay long, and he is embarassed by booing.  Also, it is well documented that he pays attention to, and worse, acts on, fans' reactions

Remember, on the occasion of firing Purpura and Garner,

"This was two years in the process," McLane said. "I've observed things, watched things, talked to literally hundreds of people as I go through. I went through the stands yesterday, and every game. I ask people, 'What do you think?' It's amazing what people will tell you. It's the impact others had on me, over a period of time."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070827&content_id=2173196&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

What else do you suppose he heard on his trips around the ballpark?

[Mr. Happy]

What else do you suppose he heard on his trips around the ballpark?

This. Is. Scary.

[Dobro]

Maybe, but I believe Valverde is in the same contract situation as is Lidge.  Players who embarass McLane dont stay long, and he is embarassed by booing.  Also, it is well documented that he pays attention to, and worse, acts on, fans' reactions

Remember, on the occasion of firing Purpura and Garner,

"This was two years in the process," McLane said. "I've observed things, watched things, talked to literally hundreds of people as I go through. I went through the stands yesterday, and every game. I ask people, 'What do you think?' It's amazing what people will tell you. It's the impact others had on me, over a period of time."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070827&content_id=2173196&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

What else do you suppose he heard on his trips around the ballpark?

This regurgitated horseshit again?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

In regards to how McLane runs his ballclub, his willingness to hear what customers think, and the firing of Purpura and Garner.

It was very bad timing and devastating to Purpura. They deserved better treatment. The GM wasn't living up to expectations. The team was in regress. Garner got caught up in the tailspin. But, things are better now.

[JimR]

This regurgitated horseshit again?

ah, finally talking about your own posts.

[OregonStrosFan]

Maybe, but I believe Valverde is in the same contract situation as is Lidge.

Valverde has one more year of arbitration eligibility (becomes an FA in 2010).

[pravata]

Valverde has one more year of arbitration eligibility (becomes an FA in 2010).

Thanks, they gained one year.

[pravata]

ah, finally talking about your own posts.

He's an infant.  Put him on ignore or stop quoting his posts.  5 people have him on ignore and find his comment useless.

[Dobro]

He's an infant.  Put him on ignore or stop quoting his posts.  5 people have him on ignore and find his comment useless.

I'm the infant?  That's cute.  Especially considering it's coming from someone who's spent the last 9 months pissing and moaning like a spoiled 5-year old because his buddy Purpura was fired. 

Just how long do you plan on taking cheap shots at McLane? You realize there are more effective ways of getting your message to him, don't you?

[BUWebguy]

Guess not, though my 92 bronco has a digital radio and my 86 Camaro had one.  I guess some people still have knobs on there tv's or cable slider boxes.

Late to the party here... But what the heck's a cable slider box?

[Ty in Tampa]

Late to the party here... But what the heck's a cable slider box?

Some of the first set-top cable converters had a lever that slid across the length of it, locking into each channel along the way. They sucked.

[Astroholic]

Some of the first set-top cable converters had a lever that slid across the length of it, locking into each channel along the way. They sucked.

I am looking for a photo on the net but can't find one.

[MusicMan]

Some of the first set-top cable converters had a lever that slid across the length of it, locking into each channel along the way. They sucked.

Indeed, if for no other reason than the fact that you couldn't jam in an envelope to unlock certain channels...

[Ty in Tampa]

I am looking for a photo on the net but can't find one.

Found this.

[Astroholic]

Found this.

Thanks.  Brings back memories.  Remember that all music channel 14.  I loved Martha Quinn.

[Gizzmonic]

I remember those things.  I used to piss my mom off by intentionally dragging the slider across as fast as I could.  It made a cool noise.

Some of the first set-top cable converters had a lever that slid across the length of it, locking into each channel along the way. They sucked.

[ybbodeus]

The author and resident cable historian of Portland, Bill DesRochers, must have some seriously decrepid old stuff laying around the house and office  He should consider opening a MASTER OF THE IRRELEVANT museum.  I'll send him my old Beta Max Hi-Fi, as well as my old 8 track tape player, if I can find them.  I loved those old cable boxes when they first hit the market.....you could change the channels without waking up mom and dad.

[BUWebguy]

Thanks - Our family didn't get cable until a little later than that, I guess.

[Ebby Calvin]

Not to hijack the Antique Cable Box thread, but I found this
interesting.  It's probably much ado about nothing, but my favorite line is the last one:

Kenney said that recently acquired Jim Edmonds was booed much louder this week than Soriano.

Jim Edmonds is a sad, sad bitch.

[AtascAstro]

DING, DING, DING...and we are all set for round 1 of our heavy weight "Who Do I Hate More" match

In this corner, wearing Blue sequined shorts and lots of hair product, Jim Edmonds

And in this corner, wearing a Cubs T-shirt & Jeans - Joe Wrigly Fan



Remember folks, the winner earns a shot at a title match with Prince Albert Poooooooojols

[austro]

And in this corner, wearing a Cubs T-shirt no shirt & Jeans - Joe Wrigly Fan

FIFY.

[Andyzipp]

FIFY.

I think you meant...
And in this corner, wearing no shirt and jorts - Joe Wrigley Fan.

[drew corleone]

What else do you suppose he heard on his trips around the ballpark?

People wanted all-you-can-eat hot dogs and nachos.

[austro]

People wanted all-you-can-eat hot dogs and nachos.

For $35. What a deal!