Jose Valverde

[ValpoCory]

Jose Valverde is incredible.  He's always had electric stuff, but he has stepped it up recently, even for his high standards.  His gutty performance over the last 25 games (12 saves) has shown me all I need to know.   He's someone I'm glad to have on my team.   

Not that it matters, but he may break the franchise record for saves in a season this year.  He's 5 away from what Wagner did in 2003 (44 saves).   Heck, if I have this correct, only twice ever has an Astros closer recorded 40 saves (Lidge with 42 in '05).

[Mr. Happy]

Jose Valverde is incredible.  He's always had electric stuff, but he has stepped it up recently, even for his high standards.  His gutty performance over the last 25 games (12 saves) has shown me all I need to know.   He's someone I'm glad to have on my team.   

Not that it matters, but he may break the franchise record for saves in a season this year.  He's 5 away from what Wagner did in 2003 (44 saves).   Heck, if I have this correct, only twice ever has an Astros closer recorded 40 saves (Lidge with 42 in '05).

Valverde's on some run. I, for one, hope that he knocks Gas Can out of our record book.

[MRaup]

Jose Valverde is incredible.  He's always had electric stuff, but he has stepped it up recently, even for his high standards.  His gutty performance over the last 25 games (12 saves) has shown me all I need to know.   He's someone I'm glad to have on my team.   

Not that it matters, but he may break the franchise record for saves in a season this year.  He's 5 away from what Wagner did in 2003 (44 saves).   Heck, if I have this correct, only twice ever has an Astros closer recorded 40 saves (Lidge with 42 in '05).

If he blows a save or gets injured in the next couple of days, you might not want to answer your door if someone starts knocking in the middle of the night.

[geezerdonk]

He's someone I'm glad to have on my team.

Add Tejada to the list. That was some major league shortstop he was playing last night - and he has done it all year. He hasn't hit near as well as expected but maybe taking the winter off will get him back in form next year.

[Mr. Happy]

Add Tejada to the list. That was some major league shortstop he was playing last night - and he has done it all year. He hasn't hit near as well as expected but maybe taking the winter off will get him back in form next year.

You're right. That play he made on Zambrano was a blue star for sure. Tejada is probably learning from some of his American buddies that he needs some time off as he gets older. He'd probably get no sympathy from some of those tough double season players though.

[Taras Bulba]

Jose Valverde is incredible.  He's always had electric stuff, but he has stepped it up recently, even for his high standards.  His gutty performance over the last 25 games (12 saves) has shown me all I need to know.   He's someone I'm glad to have on my team.   

Not that it matters, but he may break the franchise record for saves in a season this year.  He's 5 away from what Wagner did in 2003 (44 saves).   Heck, if I have this correct, only twice ever has an Astros closer recorded 40 saves (Lidge with 42 in '05).

I like him because he's clearly insane.  It's just a matter of time before he's found standing butt naked outside of Minute Maid yelling at cars.  Or, elected to the city council.  I'm not sure which.

[legs_of_eggs]

I think it's time to talk extension with Valverde and avoid arb

[subnuclear]

I like him because he's clearly insane.  It's just a matter of time before he's found standing butt naked outside of Minute Maid yelling at cars.  Or, elected to the city council.  I'm not sure which.

I'm not sure why you think one excludes the other.

[ValpoCory]

I'm not sure why you think one excludes the other.

Exhibit A: Leslie

"Leslie tried to turn the corner towards respectability by running for mayor, but found politics to be harsher than any APD shake-down. Competition from Jennifer Gale and a burgeoning hipster electorate downgraded Leslie from Freak Vote to ironic diversion. After failing to mount a campaign in 2006, Leslie lamented “Either Austin’s getting smarter, or I’ve jumped the shark. Either way, it’s time to go.”"

[Andyzipp]

I like him because he's clearly insane.  It's just a matter of time before he's found standing butt naked outside of Minute Maid yelling at cars.  Or, elected to the city council.  I'm not sure which.

Hell, why limit him to City Council.  He does a fantastic Sheila Jackson Lee impersonation.  If only he'd look for the cameras a bit more, it'd be 100% accurate.

[strosrays]

Exhibit A: Leslie

"Leslie tried to turn the corner towards respectability by running for mayor, but found politics to be harsher than any APD shake-down. Competition from Jennifer Gale and a burgeoning hipster electorate downgraded Leslie from Freak Vote to ironic diversion. After failing to mount a campaign in 2006, Leslie lamented “Either Austin’s getting smarter, or I’ve jumped the shark. Either way, it’s time to go.”"

. . .it was all in the name of self actualization n’ shit.

A nearly perfect rationale, for almost any situation/tight spot one may find oneself in.  Just beautiful.

[The Third Man]

Hell, why limit him to City Council.  He does a fantastic Sheila Jackson Lee impersonation.  If only he'd look for the cameras a bit more, it'd be 100% accurate.

Shoot, he should aim higher than that. Valverde on 11 could get a gig as the keynote speaker for the GOP these days...I thought Giuliani was going to start frothing at the mouth.

[cougar]

Shoot, he should aim higher than that. Valverde on 11 could get a gig as the keynote speaker for the GOP these days...I thought Giuliani was going to start frothing at the mouth.

Boo hoo.  I guess they should have put up some plywood columns to make everything seem more regal.

[Limey]

Boo hoo.  I guess they should have put up some plywood columns to make everything seem more regal.

Right.

[toddthebod]

Boo hoo.  I guess they should have put up some plywood columns to make everything seem more regal.

Nothing that takes place in Minnesota could ever be viewed as "regal."

[MusicMan]

Nothing that takes place in Minnesota could ever be viewed as "regal."

Disagree.  The Astros winning game 7 in Minnesota would be regal as hell.

[Limey]

Nothing that takes place in Minnesota could ever be viewed as "regal."

Larry Craig was looking to get the "royal treatment" in a Minneapolis airport bathroom...

[Ty in Tampa]

Nothing that takes place in Minnesota could ever be viewed as "regal."

Excuse me. Prince?

[Mr. Happy]

Larry Craig was looking to get the "royal treatment" in a Minneapolis airport bathroom...

Nominated.

[chuck]

Excuse me. Prince?

The Mats were absolutely Habsburgian in their regality.

[Ty in Tampa]

The Mats were absolutely Habsburgian in their regality.

Hüsker Dü - post-punk patriarchs?

[chuck]

Hüsker Dü - post-punk patriarchs?

I've been thinking a lot about Bob Mould lately. I don't know why. OH! I know. I saw this guy Ed Kuepper in Melbourne, an Aussie legend - Saints, Aints, dozens of solo records. One of my friends down there is a near maniacal fan. Because of that I was pretty familiar with a lot of his work. What I wasn't prepared for is how similar to Bob Ed's guitar playing is. Very high-middy, no real solos as such, lots of octave riffing up and down the neck. Quite similar.

[Ty in Tampa]

I've been thinking a lot about Bob Mould lately. I don't know why. OH! I know. I saw this guy Ed Kuepper in Melbourne, an Aussie legend - Saints, Aints, dozens of solo records. One of my friends down there is a near maniacal fan. Because of that I was pretty familiar with a lot of his work. What I wasn't prepared for is how similar to Bob Ed's guitar playing is. Very high-middy, no real solos as such, lots of octave riffing up and down the neck. Quite similar.

Never saw Dü but I did see Bob at ACL a few years back. He's a hard-working guitarist.

[chuck]

I saw Husker Du a number of times. They were pretty extraordinary. So much so that I have a hard time listening to their albums now. I mean, I loved Warehouse at the time, but I have a very hard time with it now because of the drum sounds.

Do you have The Living End, the live album? If not I'll burn you a copy and give it to you in March if you remind me. It's worth knowing about.

[Ty in Tampa]

I saw Husker Du a number of times. They were pretty extraordinary. So much so that I have a hard time listening to their albums now. I mean, I loved Warehouse at the time, but I have a very hard time with it now because of the drum sounds.

Do you have The Living End, the live album? If not I'll burn you a copy and give it to you in March if you remind me. It's worth knowing about.

I do not. I will remind you.

[Ron Brand]

The Living End is great, but live recordings do not do justice to the sheets of sound they created live.  Astonishing.

[chuck]

The Living End is great, but live recordings do not do justice to the sheets of sound they created live.  Astonishing.

Exactly right.

Yeah, Ty, remind me please and I'll make sure to do it.

[cougar]

I see my thread derailment succeeded.

So, how about that Jose Valverde?  Good thing we didn't trade him for prospects like most of the talking heads on the radio wanted.

[BizidyDizidy]

I see my thread derailment succeeded.

So, how about that Jose Valverde?  Good thing we didn't trade him for prospects like most of the talking heads on the radio wanted.

Depends what prospects.

[ValpoCory]

43 saves for El Papa Grande. Congrats to him on moving in sole possession of 2nd place on the all-time Astros saves in a season list. 

And congrats to Roy on another 17 win season.  I'm glad he's on my team.

[BUWebguy]

Wow; I would not have guessed Roy had that many wins this year; even knowing his second-half hot streak, I would still have guessed he was around 12-14 wins. Nice job.

[sporadic]

Wow; I would not have guessed Roy had that many wins this year; even knowing his second-half hot streak, I would still have guessed he was around 12-14 wins. Nice job.

Does his second half officially end the "pitching to contact" experiment?

[VirtualBob]

Does his second half officially end the "pitching to contact" experiment?

At least for 2008.  It seems to start anew every spring.

[Astroholic]

Does his second half officially end the "pitching to contact" experiment?

I would be alright to never hear those words again, at least from Roy's mouth.  Now Backe on the other hand....

[OregonStrosFan]

I would be alright to never hear those words again, at least from Roy's mouth.  Now Backe on the other hand....

From where I sit, looked like Backe pitched to a heck of a lot of contact this year...

[MikeyBoy]

From where I sit, looked like Backe pitched to a heck of a lot of contact this year...

Moehler was "pitching to contract."

[Astroholic]

From where I sit, looked like Backe pitched to a heck of a lot of contact this year...

After nibbling and getting in a hole he was...

[BudGirl]

From where I sit, looked like Backe pitched to a heck of a lot of contact this year...

Golden opportunity missed because I went to lunch.  damm.

[sporadic]

Golden opportunity missed because I went to lunch.  damm.

I know the feeling...I have had to work my ass off this week, saw lots of things I missed out on.  Damn the luck.

[mihoba]

Golden opportunity missed because I went to lunch.  damm.

I assume you are still expecting me to research that question you posed in the GZ during Backe's last start?

Ummm, I'll get right on it ma'am!

[BudGirl]

I assume you are still expecting me to research that question you posed in the GZ during Backe's last start?

Ummm, I'll get right on it ma'am!

If you want, otherwise I'll just chalk it up to another man saying he can do something and not being able to deliver.

[mihoba]

If you want, otherwise I'll just chalk it up to another man saying he can do something and not being able to deliver.

Flattery will get you nowhere.

[astrojo]

If you want, otherwise I'll just chalk it up to another man saying he can do something and not being able to deliver.

*Zing*