Author Topic: Brad Mills connection to Astros-baseball history (Read 6388 times)

Houston · « **on:** October 27, 2009, 01:35:58 pm »

Brad Mills was strikeout #3,509 for Nolan Ryan (April 27, 1983 vs. Montreal Expos) to break Walter Johnson's record.

Here's hoping he doesn't whiff this time.

Good luck, Brad.

Houston · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:37:58 pm »

BTW, Charlie Manual was Ryan's 500th strikeout victim.

AtascAstro · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:11:50 pm »

So in the lessons learned department....

It is reasonable to infer that he wasn't a natural hitting star and had to work hard to stay in the league and remain competitive. Also likely that he spent much of his career playing a "role" in the lineup

...so he's got that going for him.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:35:57 pm »

Or that the brush with immortality was enough to push him to the top.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:43:37 pm »

I had set the timer on my Betamax that day in 1983 to record that game. I remember the horrible rainbow vignette graphic they framed Ryan in after the strikeout. I don't know if I still have that tape and I'm sure I don't still have a Beta deck, but I pulled that out and watched it every so often for quite a while. I was at his next home start and for strikeouts #4000 and 5000.

Houston · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:51:00 pm »

Quote from: Ron Brand on October 27, 2009, 02:43:37 pm

I had set the timer on my Betamax that day in 1983 to record that game. I remember the horrible rainbow vignette graphic they framed Ryan in after the strikeout. I don't know if I still have that tape and I'm sure I don't still have a Beta deck, but I pulled that out and watched it every so often for quite a while. I was at his next home start and for strikeouts #4000 and 5000.

Did you interview for the manager's job?

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:29:45 pm »

A couple of other misc. connection to the Astros:

He was also traded to the Houston system in 1984, but never appeared in an Astro regular season game. Lucas FS Houston blog LINK

Fun fact: Mills and hitting coach Sean Berry are neighbors and friends in Cali. Footer (via Twitter) LINK

Noe · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:36:00 pm »

The most important hire for Houston will be the pitching coach. I hope Brad Mills gets to choose his guy instead of having a coach thrust upon him. If Brad Ausmus were to say he'd like to be a pitching coach next season, I'd hope Mills and the Astros would want to listen.

Just my dos centavos.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:40:24 pm »

He'll likely get to choose his staff (except for Berry) but it won't be Ausmus.

SaltyParker · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:46:42 pm »

I think Berry would make a fine first base coach.

MusicMan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:47:12 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on October 27, 2009, 03:36:00 pm

If Brad Ausmus were to say he'd like to be a pitching coach next season, I'd hope Mills and the Astros would want to listen.

Mrs. MM pointed out that Mr. Ausmus may have been a reason that Drayton was only willing to offer two years.

Noe · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:49:11 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on October 27, 2009, 03:47:12 pm

Mrs. MM pointed out that Mr. Ausmus may have been a reason that Drayton was only willing to offer two years.

You see me working, eh Mrs MM!

subnuclear · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:51:28 pm »

Wasn't Dave Clark supposed to stay in some capacity? (I think I read that earlier today).

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:53:03 pm »

Quote from: subnuclear on October 27, 2009, 03:51:28 pm

Wasn't Dave Clark supposed to stay in some capacity? (I think I read that earlier today).

McTaggart via twitter:

Dave Clark says he will be third-base coach next year. Means the Astros still need a bench coach.

Dave Clark on Mills hiring: “I’m going to give this guy every ounce of energy to make this ballclub better.”

BudGirl · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:54:08 pm »

You all know I love Mr. Ausmus, but would the Astros, or any other team, offer him a managerial job without him having managed at some level? That seems odd, but I'd be happy if they did though.

Lurch · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2009, 03:58:34 pm »

Quote from: BudGirl on October 27, 2009, 03:54:08 pm

You all know I love Mr. Ausmus, but would the Astros, or any other team, offer him a managerial job without him having managed at some level? That seems odd, but I'd be happy if they did though.

Yes, odd.
-Larry Dierker

BudGirl · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:02:17 pm »

Bring him on then.

S.P. Rodriguez · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:06:36 pm »

Quote from: BudGirl on October 27, 2009, 03:54:08 pm

You all know I love Mr. Ausmus, but would the Astros, or any other team, offer him a managerial job without him having managed at some level? That seems odd, but I'd be happy if they did though.

I think that's where his reputation for working with his team's pitching staff (strategy plans for each series, ability to break down a pitcher's mechanics etc...) will probably fast track him to a Major Leaugue coaching opportunity.

Reuben · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:40:36 pm »

Quote from: BudGirl on October 27, 2009, 04:02:17 pm

Bring him on then.

Hey, gimme a chance here!
-Brad Mills

Noe · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:28:43 am »

FWIW - I'd like to see Ausmus work as a pitching coach because he may just be the next Drinkin Dave Duncan (the equation of the Tony LaRussa success story far too often ignored). I'd hate for Mills to waste an opportunity like this given this will be a team in transition and not necessarily a contender in the next several years.

Bradley could be good for guys like Paulino, who got his head so screwed up last year it wasn't even funny.

S.P. Rodriguez · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2009, 11:19:17 am »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on October 28, 2009, 10:28:43 am

FWIW - I'd like to see Ausmus work as a pitching coach because he may just be the next Drinkin Dave Duncan (the equation of the Tony LaRussa success story far too often ignored). I'd hate for Mills to waste an opportunity like this given this will be a team in transition and not necessarily a contender in the next several years.

Bradley could be good for guys like Paulino, who got his head so screwed up last year it wasn't even funny.

For all intents and purposes, ditto. The thing I think this pitching staff missed last year was a trusted, on-field voice providing feedback during the game. Granted, it was a different staff than Ausmus played with, but it seemed a given if Ausmus made a trip to the hill, there was a noticeable improvement (Whether it was a discussion about mechanics or which pitch to throw, I'm guessing). Second, there was a noted absence of comments about Robinson's ability to detect mechanical breakdown. Robinson was great when discussing strategy and "pitching philosophy"... but I don't recall him ever being recognized for his knowledge of individual pitcher's mechanics. And then there's the issue of Roy and Brocail giving each other some respect for picking up some issues for each other (admittedly, we are re-hashing this...)...

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2009, 01:50:09 pm »

Would Garner take the bench coach role?

Bench · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2009, 01:54:46 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on October 28, 2009, 01:50:09 pm

Would Garner take the bench coach role?

I would be very very surprised.

juliogotay · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2009, 02:25:04 pm »

Quote from: Bench on October 28, 2009, 01:54:46 pm

I would be very very surprised.

I would be very surprised if it were offered. I'm sure Mills has his own "people".

GreatBagwellsBeard · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2009, 09:01:52 pm »

That's racist.

BatGirl · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2009, 09:10:42 pm »

Quote from: GreatBagwellsBeard on October 28, 2009, 09:01:52 pm

That's racist.

"really"

ybbodeus · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2009, 10:40:20 pm »

I think you have to use "you" with that word to invite such a label.

Guinness · « **Reply #27 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:16:13 am »

Quote from: BatGirl on October 28, 2009, 09:10:42 pm

"really"

That's a great site. One of my biggest pet peeves; I think even beyond its and it's or there, their and they're, nothing shows true ignorance of the written language like the improper use of quotation "marks". Except maybe when someone "says" there nauseous, but that's actually more kind of funny....

Limey · « **Reply #28 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:17:43 am »

Quote from: PeteM on October 29, 2009, 07:16:13 am

That's a great site. One of my biggest pet peeves; I think even beyond its and it's or there, their and they're, nothing shows true ignorance of the written language like the improper use of quotation "marks". Except maybe when someone "says" there nauseous, but that's actually more kind of funny....

I have a "colleague" who does this all the time. A few of us have tried to decipher the protocol about "when" and "where" he uses them, but no one has yet to come up with a theory that "works" for every occasion.

chuck · « **Reply #29 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:46:47 am »

Quote from: PeteM on October 29, 2009, 07:16:13 am

That's a great site. One of my biggest pet peeves; I think even beyond its and it's or there, their and they're, nothing shows true ignorance of the written language like the improper use of quotation "marks". Except maybe when someone "says" there nauseous, but that's actually more kind of funny....

I have been waiting for this blog all of my life.

Apostrophe misuse is right up there with "quotation mark's" misuse.

Limey · « **Reply #30 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:01:36 am »

Quote from: chuck on October 29, 2009, 09:46:47 am

I have been waiting for this blog all of my life.

Apostrophe misuse is right up there with "quotation mark's" misuse.

In that case, you'll love this one.

ferret · « **Reply #31 on:** October 29, 2009, 10:53:30 am »

. The Houston Astros have been granted permission to speak with Phils minor-league coach (and former Yankees third-base coach) Bobby Meacham for a position on their major-league staff. . .
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20091029_Phillies_Notes__Francisco_s_dream_may_come_true.html