A Birdie Told Me

[BudGirl]

Oswalt very critical of teammates following tonight's game, saying they played with no fire and are dead.

“You’ve got to get it from the top, to come in and get us going. You can’t play dead, especially against guys in first place."

“If you don’t give 100 percent, you’re cheating him and cheating the fans of Houston," Oswalt said.

“We’ve got an owner that pays us money to come to play, and we’ve got to play,” Oswalt said.

 “The team atmosphere is dead,” Oswalt said. “There’s no fire."

(McTaggert Tweets)

[Limey]

Oswalt very critical of teammates following tonight's game, saying they played with no fire and are dead.

“You’ve got to get it from the top, to come in and get us going. You can’t play dead, especially against guys in first place."

“If you don’t give 100 percent, you’re cheating him and cheating the fans of Houston," Oswalt said.

“We’ve got an owner that pays us money to come to play, and we’ve got to play,” Oswalt said.

 “The team atmosphere is dead,” Oswalt said. “There’s no fire."

(McTaggert Tweets)

I don't disagree with anything that Roy said, but I wonder if he's trying to talk his way off the team.

[Ron Brand]

This team has a few problems, but it does look like he's right about the lack of fire. I don't know what he means about it coming from the top-Tejada is maybe the most rah-rah guy on the team and Coop might "lead" by yelling or something, but we've bemoaned the lack of a team leader for years now and Puma isn't going to be that guy.

[BudGirl]

I took the top person as being Cooper.

[Reuben]

Roy is tied with Mike Hampton for 3rd on this team in wins. With 7. Perhaps he needs to look in the mirror a bit before lobbing his next gripe about his teammates or the org not doing enough to win.

[Lurch]

The quotes are in reverse chronological order.  They're cheating Drayton and the fans. I interpreted that he's then calling out Coop's responsibility "to come in and get us going".  

[JimR]

I took the top person as being Cooper.

as did i.

[BudGirl]

as did i.

I'm okay with it being cooper.  anything to get rid of cooper is fine with me.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm okay with it being cooper.  anything to get rid of cooper is fine with me.

Agreed. I thought that it was a direct shot at Cooper.

[JimR]

Roy is tied with Mike Hampton for 3rd on this team in wins. With 7. Perhaps he needs to look in the mirror a bit before lobbing his next gripe about his teammates or the org not doing enough to win.

i agree with this 1000%.

[Ron Brand]

So where do you come down on the question of "pros need to bring their own fire" vs. "damn tough to do that when the manager is clueless"?

[JimR]

to me, they are separate issues.

[Ron Brand]

I can see that. They're well paid and it's not just for their ability.

[Andyzipp]

Anyone else think he's been taking the Billy Wagner coorespondence course for Contract Negotiations Through the Media?

[JimR]

Anyone else think he's been taking the Billy Wagner coorespondence course for Contract Negotiations Through the Media?

exactly what i thought--Wagner lite.

[Bench]

There's a variety of ways to interpret the comments, but I'm going with (1) Roy calling out Cooper and (2) trying to light a fire under everyone on the team in spite of Cooper.

[JimR]

There's a variety of ways to interpret the comments, but I'm going with (1) Roy calling out Cooper and (2) trying to light a fire under everyone on the team in spite of Cooper.

you do not do ANYTHING postive by calling out your teammates without acknowledging your role in the lousy season.

[Andyzipp]

There's a variety of ways to interpret the comments, but I'm going with (1) Roy calling out Cooper and (2) trying to light a fire under everyone on the team in spite of Cooper.

I'm seeing it more as a mandate to improve the team (by the removal of Cooper) while laying the ground work for a trade in the offseason.  He'll make a fine number 2 for the Braves next year.

You'll know he's serioud if he DIRECTLY criticizes Drayton.

[sporadic]

you do not do ANYTHING postive by calling out your teammates without acknowledging your role in the lousy season.

saying anything positive does not fit into his current agenda

[jaklewein]

I'm seeing it more as a mandate to improve the team (by the removal of Cooper) while laying the ground work for a trade in the offseason.  He'll make a fine number 2 for the Braves next year.

You'll know he's serioud if he DIRECTLY criticizes Drayton.

The Braves won't have any use for him.  Their rotation for 2010:  Vasquez, Lowe, Jurjenns, Hudson, Hanson.  

[MusicMan]

anything to get rid of cooper is fine with me.

I know a guy across the border that can make him disappear for $500.  Should I set up a PayPal account?

[sporadic]

I know a guy across the border that can make him disappear for $500.  Should I set up a PayPal account?

You should run that proposition by the current roster prior to contacting your guy...might save you some money

[Bench]

you do not do ANYTHING postive by calling out your teammates without acknowledging your role in the lousy season.

I agree.  I think his frustrations runneth over.

[Fredia]

maybe the team finally has a leader .. someone needs to step up and take over.

[Ron Brand]

Roy's not the leader.

[JackAstro]

maybe the team finally has a leader .. someone needs to step up and take over.

Eerie. I was just thinking the same thing.

[Limey]

Eerie. I was just thinking the same thing.

BTW, the two minutes and forty-one seconds of non-stop faceplants all but made up for this whole season of shit.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Now Berkman's taking the reigns.  I never thought I'd see the day when Puma embraced a leadership role to this degree; not a knock on him, really, it just never seemed like his thing.

[JimR]

maybe the team finally has a leader .. someone needs to step up and take over.

who would that be, pray tell? you think what Roy said demonstrates leadership?

[hostros7]

Fwiw, I don't think a pitcher can be THE leader of a ballclub.  He can be a guy who has the right attitude though and always battle to keep his team in a game, a guy who wants the ball and who the team wants to have the ball in a big game.  He can be the guy who the whole team wants to pick up when he doesn't have his best stuff.  I don't think roy's that guy right now.

Also, I'd be curious if you guys had any examples where you thought a pitcher was the leader of a team.   

[Ron Brand]

Now Berkman's taking the reigns.  I never thought I'd see the day when Puma embraced a leadership role to this degree; not a knock on him, really, it just never seemed like his thing.

Now that I'm not relying on my Blackberry, I can see that there was a link in your message. Wasn't Puma or Wade talking about his trying to be a leader before the season, that it was time for him to step up? Maybe he can do it, I don't know, but I'm not optimistic that he's that kind of guy. I'd love to be wrong on this.

[Ron Brand]

Fwiw, I don't think a pitcher can be THE leader of a ballclub.  He can be a guy who has the right attitude though and always battle to keep his team in a game, a guy who wants the ball and who the team wants to have the ball in a big game.  He can be the guy who the whole team wants to pick up when he doesn't have his best stuff.  I don't think roy's that guy right now.

Also, I'd be curious if you guys had any examples where you thought a pitcher was the leader of a team.   

I'm just going on a little shred of memory, but I don't think Bob Gibson was the kind of guy you'd want to slack off around.

[Mr. Happy]

Fwiw, I don't think a pitcher can be THE leader of a ballclub.  He can be a guy who has the right attitude though and always battle to keep his team in a game, a guy who wants the ball and who the team wants to have the ball in a big game.  He can be the guy who the whole team wants to pick up when he doesn't have his best stuff.  I don't think roy's that guy right now.

Also, I'd be curious if you guys had any examples where you thought a pitcher was the leader of a team.   

As a former pitcher, I agree with you.

[Limey]

As a former pitcher, I agree with you.

NTTAWWT

[Bench]

alysonfooter:  Coop says he disagrees with Oswalt's assessment team playing with no fire. (via @brianmctaggart)

/tweet.

Well I guess that settles it.  The team IS dead.

[kevwun]

My grandpa used to love telling me stories about what a mean SOB Bob Gibson was.  Pitching on a broken leg was his favorite.

[das]

Fwiw, I don't think a pitcher can be THE leader of a ballclub.  He can be a guy who has the right attitude though and always battle to keep his team in a game, a guy who wants the ball and who the team wants to have the ball in a big game.  He can be the guy who the whole team wants to pick up when he doesn't have his best stuff.  I don't think roy's that guy right now.

Also, I'd be curious if you guys had any examples where you thought a pitcher was the leader of a team.   

How about the drama queen? 

[MusicMan]

alysonfooter:  Coop says he disagrees with Oswalt's assessment team playing with no fire. (via @brianmctaggart)

/tweet.

Well I guess that settles it.  The team IS dead.

Followed by:

alysonfooter: Berkman calls team meeting to remind players to keep pushing, says he understands O's frustration.  (via @brianmctaggart)
/tweet.

[MusicMan]

How about the drama queen? 

You've got to be kidding me.  Roger Clemens has never led a college or professional team.

[Craig]

Was Nolan Ryan ever considered a team leader?

[hostros7]

My grandpa used to love telling me stories about what a mean SOB Bob Gibson was.  Pitching on a broken leg was his favorite.

My dad also loved sharing stories with me about him as well.  While I don't doubt it, he also played on a lot of teams with Stan the Man.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm just going on a little shred of memory, but I don't think Bob Gibson was the kind of guy you'd want to slack off around.

First name that came to my mind too.

[Limey]

My dad also loved sharing stories with me about him as well.  While I don't doubt it, he also played on a lot of teams with Stan the Man.

Bob Gibson's dad used to tell him stories about Jim R.

[Mr. Happy]

Bob Gibson's dad used to tell him stories about Jim R.

This is JUST what the doctor ordered: a little old man smack to liven things up around here. The best part is that the old man will smack back.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

My dad also loved sharing stories with me about him as well.  While I don't doubt it, he also played on a lot of teams with Stan the Man.

And Ken Boyer. I don't think you could over estimate his leadership on those Cardinal teams of the 60s.

[Limey]

This is JUST what the doctor ordered: a little old man smack to liven things up around here. The best part is that the old man will smack back.

Something like this?

[hostros7]

Something like this?

I was really worried that link was going to be something along the lines of Lemonparty.com meets Swedish BDSM fantasy.

[JaneDoe]

I was really worried that link was going to be something along the lines of Lemonparty.com meets Swedish BDSM fantasy.

Paging Gizz......

[Limey]

I was really worried that link was going to be something along the lines of Lemonparty.com meets Swedish BDSM fantasy.

I think that says more about you than it does about me.

[das]

You've got to be kidding me.  Roger Clemens has never led a college or professional team.

jiggle the blue wire in your sarc meter...

[BUWebguy]

I'm seeing it more as a mandate to improve the team (by the removal of Cooper) while laying the ground work for a trade in the offseason.  He'll make a fine number 2 for the Braves next year.

Footer mentioned in her blog the other day that Roy has a ranch outside St. Louis...

[Matt]

Footer mentioned in her blog the other day that Roy has a ranch outside St. Louis...

Ugh I saw that too and just about threw up.

[BudGirl]

Ugh I saw that too and just about threw up.

Why?  Could just be cheap land.  His home is in Mississippi, isn't it?

[JackAstro]

More awesome tweetery:

There is a Maysonet sighting on the on-deck circle. And here I thought it was against the rules to let him play.
-Fuckhouse

[Matt]

Why?  Could just be cheap land.  His home is in Mississippi, isn't it?

Because of the inevitable stories about Roy becoming a Cardinal because of a nearby ranch.

[Russe]

More awesome tweetery:

There is a Maysonet sighting on the on-deck circle. And here I thought it was against the rules to let him play.
-Fuckhouse

Here's another good one:

Berkman story on Astros.com. He called a team meeting. Coop doesn't think the team is playing without any fire. *snicker*

[Lurch]

Here's another good one:

Berkman story on Astros.com. He called a team meeting. Coop doesn't think the team is playing without any fire. *snicker*

So much for pulling punches now that she's on the Astros' payroll.  Good for Fuckhouse.

[Gizzmonic]

Paging Gizz......

What, I post a link to some men's magazines from the 60's and suddenly I'm the expert on geriatric exhibitionist deviants?

Give me a few weeks to finish the magazines at least!

[JackAstro]

Between Footer, McTaggart, Ortiz, Justice, Oswalt, Sampson and just about everyone else with the platform to take shots at Cooper through the media, I believe we've reached the critical mass needed to fully turn the unwashed masses. If Coop is still employed when the 'Stros return to MMPUS on September 4th (and I'd be willing to bet a few bucks that he won't be), I doubt Drayton's going to hear a lot of positive opinions about his manager when walking the concourse.

[Andyzipp]

Between Footer, McTaggart, Ortiz, Justice, Oswalt, Sampson and just about everyone else with the platform to take shots at Cooper through the media, I believe we've reached the critical mass needed to fully turn the unwashed masses. If Coop is still employed when the 'Stros return to MMPUS on September 4th (and I'd be willing to bet a few bucks that he won't be), I doubt Drayton's going to hear a lot of positive opinions about his manager when walking the concourse.

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

[Mr. Happy]

Between Footer, McTaggart, Ortiz, Justice, Oswalt, Sampson and just about everyone else with the platform to take shots at Cooper through the media, I believe we've reached the critical mass needed to fully turn the unwashed masses. If Coop is still employed when the 'Stros return to MMPUS on September 4th (and I'd be willing to bet a few bucks that he won't be), I doubt Drayton's going to hear a lot of positive opinions about his manager when walking the concourse.

I sure hope that you are right.

[MusicMan]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

To bring glorious Astros back to penant chase with wondrous 22 game win streak to close season and bring capitalist pigs of Busch family to shame. [/Pravda]

[Bench]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

To light a fire from the top.

[BUWebguy]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

Saving bullpen arms?
An extra month to try to rediscover the Hunter Pence of April?

[hostros7]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

Agreed, other than injuring more pitchers.  Personally, I'd like to see the Astros have the offseason to engage in a full search for a managerial replacement, both in-house and out of it.  While there may be great in-house candidates, it wouldn't be ideal to appoint a guy for the last 22 games of the season and have performance during that time effectively determine whether or not he'll stay on for next season, which will likely be the appealing option because it will be the low cost option.

[MusicMan]

An extra month to try to rediscover the Hunter Pence of April?

why are you chasing a mirage?

[JimR]

Agreed, other than injuring more pitchers.  Personally, I'd like to see the Astros have the offseason to engage in a full search for a managerial replacement, both in-house and out of it.  While there may be great in-house candidates, it wouldn't be ideal to appoint a guy for the last 22 games of the season and have performance during that time effectively determine whether or not he'll stay on for next season, which will likely be the appealing option because it will be the low cost option.

i'm available.

[austro]

While there may be great in-house candidates, it wouldn't be ideal to appoint a guy for the last 22 games of the season and have performance during that time effectively determine whether or not he'll stay on for next season...

This is how you wind up with the J.R. Towles of managers.

[Lurch]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

Spite not good enough for you?  Reasonable and rational went out the window weeks ago.

[Andyzipp]

Okay, really, I'm turned around on this.

Fire the staff and let the players manage.  Blum for player/manager.

Or would that be a demotion?

[JackAstro]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

Oh, I'm with you. I don't see the point either, but I'm trying think in terms of Drayton's perspective. He's not one to let a PR debacle linger without reacting, even when the timing or solution doesn't make a ton of sense.

On a personal level, the value to me would be the relief of knowing with certainty that we won't be heading into 2010 with Cooper at the wheel again. I mean, I believe he's getting fired, but i don't know, you know? The sooner it's confirmed, the sooner I can have joy in my heart and learn to feel love again.

[Reuben]

Oh, I'm with you. I don't see the point either, but I'm trying think in terms of Drayton's perspective. He's not one to let a PR debacle linger without reacting, even when the timing or solution doesn't make a ton of sense.

On a personal level, the value to me would be the relief of knowing with certainty that we won't be heading into 2010 with Cooper at the wheel again. I mean, I believe he's getting fired, but i don't know, you know? The sooner it's confirmed, the sooner I can have joy in my heart and learn to feel love again.

Amen. But I also think this point has some merit:

Personally, I'd like to see the Astros have the offseason to engage in a full search for a managerial replacement, both in-house and out of it.  While there may be great in-house candidates, it wouldn't be ideal to appoint a guy for the last 22 games of the season and have performance during that time effectively determine whether or not he'll stay on for next season, which will likely be the appealing option because it will be the low cost option.

I also think it would be pretty awesome to have Blum as player/manager.

[BudGirl]

On a personal level, the value to me would be the relief of knowing with certainty that we won't be heading into 2010 with Cooper at the wheel again. I mean, I believe he's getting fired, but i don't know, you know? The sooner it's confirmed, the sooner I can have joy in my heart and learn to feel love again.

This is one reason I want him gone.

The other is to ensure he manage a bullpen any longer.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Cooper is only part of the problem.

[JackAstro]

Amen. But I also think this point has some merit:

I would tend to agree. Or, at least, I'm of the opinion that Wadesmith would tend to agree.

[Limey]

Between Footer, McTaggart, Ortiz, Justice, Oswalt, Sampson and just about everyone else with the platform to take shots at Cooper through the media, I believe we've reached the critical mass needed to fully turn the unwashed masses. If Coop is still employed when the 'Stros return to MMPUS on September 4th (and I'd be willing to bet a few bucks that he won't be), I doubt Drayton's going to hear a lot of positive opinions about his manager when walking the concourse.

I've tried this self-crucifixion thing.  Trust me, there's no way you can hammer in the last nail.

[Limey]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

I am Jack's Sampson's creaking shoulder.

[HudsonHawk]

Saving bullpen arms?
An extra month to try to rediscover the Hunter Pence of April?

This is the Hunter Pence.  What you see is what you get.  People need to stop expecting him to be Ted Williams. 

[Andyzipp]

This is the Hunter Pence.  What you see is what you get.  People need to stop expecting him to be Ted Williams. 

He's not as good as he was before the All-Star break, but I don't think he's a bad as he's been since the All-Star break.  The answer is somewhere in between.

[David in Jackson]

Eerie. I was just thinking the same thing.

I needed that.

[David in Jackson]

What value is there in firing a manager with 4 weeks left in the season?  I'm not being a smart ass, I just don't see the point.

To distract from the 30th ranked minor league system in the bigs?

[MusicMan]

People need to stop expecting him to be Ted Williams. 

We're looking at you, Pam Gardner.  And believe us, that's not easy.

[HudsonHawk]

He's not as good as he was before the All-Star break, but I don't think he's a bad as he's been since the All-Star break.  The answer is somewhere in between.

He's a .280/20HR/80RBI hitter.  That's what he is.  And there's nothing wrong with that, those are solid numbers.  But even still, some have this expectation that he should be hitting .320.  And don't get me wrong, I'm glad he hit well early and he was an All-Star, but the it's perpetuated the misconception that he is that kind of elite player.

[Andyzipp]

He's a .280/20HR/80RBI hitter.  That's what he is. 

This is what I'm saying.  I don't think he's a .320+ guy.  I also don't think he's a <.250 guy, which is about where he's been since the ASB.

[HudsonHawk]

This is what I'm saying.  I don't think he's a .320+ guy.  I also don't think he's a <.250 guy, which is about where he's been since the ASB.

I was thinking about where he's at for the season, which I think is pretty close to what I would expect, season numberwise.  He's obviously struggled in recent months.  Looking it up, he's hitting .212 with a .239 OBP for August.  Obviously I don't think he's that bad either.  He has gotten progressively worse this year though.

[Noe]

This is what I'm saying.  I don't think he's a .320+ guy.  I also don't think he's a <.250 guy, which is about where he's been since the ASB.

And he's not the "pull-hitter, drive in runs" type of hitter that say a Carlos Lee is.  Ironically, Lee is far from being just a big ol' pull hitter, he's actually a very refined ,300+ hitter who knows the value of hitting the ball to right field to drive in a ton of runs.  Elite is Lee, Berkman... not so much Hunter unless he were to somehow do two things: Quit trying to pull an outside pitch that is a breaking ball (pulling off the ball) and start being a situational hitter (re: know what situation you're in and let the play come to you instead of going up there hacking, Chuckie B....)

[Noe]

I was thinking about where he's at for the season, which I think is pretty close to what I would expect, season numberwise.  He's obviously struggled in recent months.  Looking it up, he's hitting .212 with a .239 OBP for August.  Obviously I don't think he's that bad either.  He has gotten progressively worse this year though.

That is the thing, he's actually become a worse hitter than he was when he first came up.  Aggressiveness was his trait when he first came up plus the ability to meet any challenge pitch with an equally impressive show of strength and power.  His slugging was impressive.  But he's not showing that any more, more in spurts and mainly because the pitcher makes a mistake and forgets that that is Hunter Pence in the box and he'll swing at anything.  Why anyone would throw him a challenge fastball is beyond me.

[JackAstro]

That is the thing, he's actually become a worse hitter than he was when he first came up.  Aggressiveness was his trait when he first came up plus the ability to meet any challenge pitch with an equally impressive show of strength and power.  His slugging was impressive.  But he's not showing that any more, more in spurts and mainly because the pitcher makes a mistake and forgets that that is Hunter Pence in the box and he'll swing at anything.  Why anyone would throw him a challenge fastball is beyond me.

He goes as his approach goes, for sure. When he's patient with the outside breaking balls, and hits everything else hard to where it's pitched, he's an extremely impressive hitter (see late April - early June). The rest of the time, he's atrocious.

Over the season, it averages out to HH's expectation, but some degree of consistency would be nice. There's such a huge difference between a steady guy whose average is somewhere between .260 and .300 all year, and Hunter, who could be at .210 or .380 at any given point in the year. I think he needs a daily regimen of Sean Berry subliminal hitting instruction in his iPod, and several fistfuls of ritalin.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

He goes as his approach goes, for sure. When he's patient with the outside breaking balls, and hits everything else hard to where it's pitched, he's an extremely impressive hitter (see late April - early June). The rest of the time, he's atrocious.

Over the season, it averages out to HH's expectation, but some degree of consistency would be nice. There's such a huge difference between a steady guy whose average is somewhere between .260 and .300 all year, and Hunter, who could be at .210 or .380 at any given point in the year. I think he needs a daily regimen of Sean Berry subliminal hitting instruction in his iPod, and several fistfuls of ritalin.

And a phantom 2x4 to Coop's noggin to get him to shut the hell up about "What kind of hitter Hunter needs to be"....

[BUWebguy]

He's a .280/20HR/80RBI hitter.  That's what he is.  And there's nothing wrong with that, those are solid numbers.  But even still, some have this expectation that he should be hitting .320.  And don't get me wrong, I'm glad he hit well early and he was an All-Star, but the it's perpetuated the misconception that he is that kind of elite player.

So my complete set of never-worn, mint-condition Hunter's Lodge t-shirts WON'T pay for my kid's college education?

[Lurch]

Back the leadership discussion earlier in this thread...

Brown used the trip to get a lesson on leadership from Gen. Ray Odierno, top U.S. commander in Iraq.

The general talked not only about being a leader on the sideline during a game, but how to bring leadership out of his players every day through how they act and are dedicated to their teammates.

“It all makes so much sense to me. I don't ever want to hear us say, ‘This team doesn't have any leaders.' That's an excuse. If we don't have leaders, then we haven't coached them right,” Brown said.

Link

THAT is a coach.  Fuck Coop.

[Lefty]

Hunter Pence ~ Jose Cruz?

Loved by fans (overly?), solid and sometimes spectacular, free swinging, hustled, yet did some inexplicable shit on the field....

[BUWebguy]

What about Tony Pena to replace Coop? He didn't do much in KC, but then, it's the Royals. He certainly seemed highly thought of as a minor league manager.

[Bench]

What about Tony Pena to replace Coop? He didn't do much in KC, but then, it's the Royals. He certainly seemed highly thought of as a minor league manager.

There's really no one you could suggest that wouldn't be an improvement.  Hell, I'd be borderline ecstatic if Bobby Valentine came back from Japan to manage this team.

[strosrays]

Hunter Pence ~ Jose Cruz?

Loved by fans (overly?), solid and sometimes spectacular, free swinging, hustled, yet did some inexplicable shit on the field....

I don't see these similarities at all.

[Mr. Happy]

What about Tony Pena to replace Coop? He didn't do much in KC, but then, it's the Royals. He certainly seemed highly thought of as a minor league manager.

Tony Pena was NOT highly regarded by his players in NO.

[Ron Brand]

Hopefully they'll find someone with a good approach to the pitching staff and mixing in reserves/young players with established regulars. A manager, maybe.

I think I'd be happy with someone who has good minor league experience as long as they had some MLB experience too, as a player or a coach. I know Bogar had one very good year in the minors and is seeing the bigs from a first base coaches's perspective, but do you all think he might be The Guy?

[BUWebguy]

Tony Pena was NOT highly regarded by his players in NO.

I didn't know that. What were the issues there?

[JimR]

I have been told by someone who knows that Pena is considered to be a terrible manager.

[Ron Brand]

I have been told by someone who knows that Pena is considered to be a terrible manager.

That's what I'd heard too, but I never heard any specifics as to why.

[Mr. Happy]

That's what I'd heard too, but I never heard any specifics as to why.

The players I knew said that he was a horrible communicator (had an English problem) and a lousy game manager.

[jwhudson]

Isn't that what we have now?

[MusicMan]

Between Footer, McTaggart, Ortiz, Justice, Oswalt, Sampson and just about everyone else with the platform to take shots at Cooper through the media, I believe we've reached the critical mass needed to fully turn the unwashed masses. If Coop is still employed when the 'Stros return to MMPUS on September 4th (and I'd be willing to bet a few bucks that he won't be), I doubt Drayton's going to hear a lot of positive opinions about his manager when walking the concourse.

Even BP is catching on:

The chances of Astros manager Cecil Cooper getting fired seem to be growing by the day.