Paulino

[Limey]

Clearly, last night, was pitching to avoid contact.  He was staying away from hitters or overthrowing trying to buzz one by.  I don't blame him.  In another world he would've been able to walk off the mound and refuse to pitch until the Astros put a major league defense behind him.  What a joke.

They should jam Pence's and Lee's heads together, and shoot them both through the temple.  They're not worth a bullet each.  I've had it with their clueless hitting and shitty, shitty, shitty fielding.  They need to be sent back to coach-pitch to learn some fucking fundamentals.

If I were Brad Mills, I would have those two fuckers at the ballpark at 7am every morning, work them to the point of exhaustion, then allow them a nice long rest on the bench during the game.

I'm not happy.

[Lurch]

BS.  He has super stud Bourn (whose ball it was that Pence tried to catch and got dinged with the error) behind him and a pretty damn good infield.  Pence and Lee just need to hit, and I'm sure Paulino and the rest of the staff would prefer them in the lineup in hopes that their production from last year quickly returns.

[jaklewein]

Damn, tell us what you really think Limey!

I'm ok with Lee because history says he'll hit and this team needs it.  Pence continues to frustrate me with his approach at the plate however.  I'm on the verge of giving up on him.  Too bad. 

By the way, regarding Pence...

How often do hitters go up to the plate and sit on one specific pitch?  Given his approach, maybe this would be best.  At least every 3rd or 4th time up he's guess right...right?

[Limey]

BS.  He has super stud Bourn (whose ball it was that Pence tried to catch and got dinged with the error) behind him and a pretty damn good infield.  Pence and Lee just need to hit, and I'm sure Paulino and the rest of the staff would prefer them in the lineup in hopes that their production from last year quickly returns.

Pence couldn't take a straight line to a fly ball if you laid tracks for him.  I agree that was Bourn's ball to catch last  night, but he'd lost it in the lights (presumably) and was screaming at Pence for help.  That's not Pence's fault, but when Hunter dropped that ball, he'd run under it and was chasing its line of flight away from the diamond rather than cutting it off at the pass, as he should.  He also got an outfield assist on a short throw that missed its target by about 10 feet.  He's horrible in the field.

[Lurch]

Damn, tell us what you really think Limey!

I'm ok with Lee because history says he'll hit and this team needs it.  Pence continues to frustrate me with his approach at the plate however.  I'm on the verge of giving up on him.  Too bad. 

By the way, regarding Pence...

How often do hitters go up to the plate and sit on one specific pitch?  Given his approach, maybe this would be best.  At least every 3rd or 4th time up he's guess right...right?

Not a Pence apologist, cringing myself at many at bats, but keep in mind he did get 2 of the Astros 8 hits last night and had a pretty nice outfield assist.  I think "giving up" is a bit of an overreaction, when just resetting expectations is also an option.  JD fielded a question last night from a viewer that asked if Pence would ever be a superstar or will he be a complete bust.  JD had a great answer (consistent with what we've read here many times), that the question itself was flawed in that the superstar expectations are misguided.  It should not have to be an either/or for Pence.  He may well "just" be a good player.  We may surmise that Drayton and Pam think he's a superstar (especially for marketing purposes), but it's probably also fair to assume Wade and Mills have more grounded opinions about his actual skills on the field and he's simply the best they have for that RF/#6 spot right now (which he is, right?) unless/until a trade opportunity comes along.

[Lurch]

Pence couldn't take a straight line to a fly ball if you laid tracks for him.  I agree that was Bourn's ball to catch last  night, but he'd lost it in the lights (presumably) and was screaming at Pence for help.  That's not Pence's fault, but when Hunter dropped that ball, he'd run under it and was chasing its line of flight away from the diamond rather than cutting it off at the pass, as he should.  He also got an outfield assist on a short thrown that missed its target by about 10 feet.  He's horrible in the field.

Agree, though we saw that assist differently.  He picked the ball up, did a 180 and fired in a single motion, not having any time to catch the runner otherwise.

I think Pence has frustrated a lot of us to the point where we're incapable of recognizing the good plays he makes so the pros/cons seem more lopsided than they probably really are.  Sitting him doesnt seem to provide any real benefit at this point, does it?

[Limey]

Not a Pence apologist, cringing myself at many at bats, but keep in mind he did get 2 of the Astros 8 hits last night and had a pretty nice outfield assist.  I think "giving up" is a bit of an overreaction, when just resetting expectations is also an option.  JD fielded a question last night from a viewer that asked if Pence would ever be a superstar or will he be a complete bust.  JD had a great answer (consistent with what we've read here many times), that the question itself was flawed in that the superstar expectations are misguided.  It should not have to be an either/or for Pence.  He may well "just" be a good player.  We may surmise that Drayton and Pam think he's a superstar (especially for marketing purposes), but it's probably also fair to assume Wade and Mills have more grounded opinions about his actual skills on the field and he's simply the best they have for that RF/#6 spot right now (which he is, right?) unless/until a trade opportunity comes along.

He beat out two grounders, and his "assist" was entirely down to Kaz (IIRC) rescuing his throw and making a gymnastic tag.

[MRaup]

Agree, though we saw that assist differently.  He picked the ball up, did a 180 and fired in a single motion, not having any time to catch the runner otherwise.

Dude. If he'dve taken .01 seconds to look where the base was and throw to it, the guy would've been even MORE dead to rights because the throw wouldn't have required a lunge forward and another lunge back to tag the runner.

[Mr. Happy]

Paulino, in my opinion, needs some more seasoning in the minor leagues, unless they've decided that he needs to be with Arnsberg more. In my opinion, Paulino needs a lot of work. The overthrowing has to stop--it isn't going to get him anywhere. JD pointed it out several times last night. He needs a slower pitch to offset his hard stuff to change pace, and he threw one or two pretty ones last night. It is beyond doubt that fast and faster only works when you're a reliever and see a hitter only once in a game.

[Limey]

Dude. If he'dve taken .01 seconds to look where the base was and throw to it, the guy would've been even MORE dead to rights because the throw wouldn't have required a lunge forward and another lunge back to tag the runner.

At least he didn't dosey doe with the ball boy.

[MRaup]

At least he didn't dosey doe with the ball boy.

I can't begin to tell you how glad I am I wasn't watching when that happened.

[MusicMan]

I can't begin to tell you how glad I am I wasn't watching when that happened.

I turned it off and decided to watch Ovechkin go down in flames.

[Limey]

I can't begin to tell you how glad I am I wasn't watching when that happened.

I think that was the point at which we started doing shots.

[MRaup]

I turned it off and decided to watch Ovechkin go down in flames.

The last couple minutes of that game were awesome to watch.

[Jacksonian]

He beat out two grounders, and his "assist" was entirely down to Kaz (IIRC) rescuing his throw and making a gymnastic tag.

Kepp.  And a good throw beats THE PITCHER running by 10 feet, at least.  The throw was so bad Kepp was only able to brush his back on the slide.  If the pitcher's a step faster he's probably safe.

[jaklewein]

Not a Pence apologist, cringing myself at many at bats, but keep in mind he did get 2 of the Astros 8 hits last night and had a pretty nice outfield assist.  I think "giving up" is a bit of an overreaction, when just resetting expectations is also an option.  JD fielded a question last night from a viewer that asked if Pence would ever be a superstar or will he be a complete bust.  JD had a great answer (consistent with what we've read here many times), that the question itself was flawed in that the superstar expectations are misguided.  It should not have to be an either/or for Pence.  He may well "just" be a good player.  We may surmise that Drayton and Pam think he's a superstar (especially for marketing purposes), but it's probably also fair to assume Wade and Mills have more grounded opinions about his actual skills on the field and he's simply the best they have for that RF/#6 spot right now (which he is, right?) unless/until a trade opportunity comes along.

Good point.  Expections have been reset .  I'm hoping this helps to keep the little bit of vomit down the next time he pulls a Moberg and let's the one fastball thrown go by for a strike and then offers harmlessly at two breaking balls a foot off the outside corner.  Seriously though, thanks for the perspective.

[JimR]

Pence couldn't take a straight line to a fly ball if you laid tracks for him.  I agree that was Bourn's ball to catch last  night, but he'd lost it in the lights (presumably) and was screaming at Pence for help.  That's not Pence's fault, but when Hunter dropped that ball, he'd run under it and was chasing its line of flight away from the diamond rather than cutting it off at the pass, as he should.  He also got an outfield assist on a short throw that missed its target by about 10 feet.  He's horrible in the field.

i did not see the play so this may be a dumb question. was Pence moving hard to his right to back up Bourn's catch? if so, it would seem that he would be in position to make the catch when Bourn lost it. i think Pence's ceiling is an average player at best.

anyone who wants to give up on Paulino's great arm is nuts, imo.

[MRaup]

i did not see the play so this m,ay be a dumb question. was Pence moving hard to his right to back up Bourn's catch? if so, it would seem that he would be inposition to make the catch when Bourn lost it.

anyone who wants to give up on Paulino's great arm is nuts, imo.

He was lolligagging toward it when the camera picked him up. Not running hard, just drifting.

[Mr. Happy]

anyone who wants to give up on Paulino's great arm is nuts, imo.

I'm certainly not in this camp. However, I just believe that Paulino is not progressing much right now and needs a lot of work.

[Randy Watson]

Pence is an awful right fielder.  
Pence makes Carlos Lee look like Willie Mays in the OF.  Lee has the easiest position on the field, especially when we're at home.  And he can't catch routine pop ups down the line.  And God forbid a ball get to the corner.  Lee disappears for 5 minutes.

I suspect Pence would look a lot better in LF than he does in RF.  We won't know until 2013, because we couldn't get a sleeve of beer cups for Lee considering he is about to be 34 and is under contract for $18.5 million a year for this year and in eacg of the next two seasons.

I realize range factor is not a perfect stat.  But here is how Pence and Lee compare among their contemporaries with respect to range factor:

2010: Pence - 12 out of 27 RFs.  Lee - 21 out of 21 LFs.
2009: Pence - 6th out of 19 RFs.  Lee - 13 out of 13 LFs.  
2008: Pence - 2nd out of 15 RFs.  Lee - 6 out of 11 LFs.
2007: Pence - not ranked, not enough games at CF or RF.  But his range factor in RF would have ranked #1 and his range factor in center would have been 7 out of 19..  Lee - 13 out of 17 LFs.

Again, I am no expert and typically defer to the smarter people.

[juliogotay]

I'm certainly not in this camp. However, I just believe that Paulino is not progressing much right now and needs a lot of work.

Arnsberg has said that it will take "a while" for Paulino to get comfortable with his new delivery that Arnsberg put him in this Spring. He's been working at it for about two months now. Apparantly they completely broke his mechanics down and started over.

[Randy Watson]

I'm certainly not in this camp. However, I just believe that Paulino is not progressing much right now and needs a lot of work.

I do not see us challenging for the playoffs any time soon unless Paulino and Norris develop into good pitchers.  So they need to know they are getting a legit shot this season.  At a minimum, we need to see what they've got.  This approach worked with Wandy. 

[Mr. Happy]

Arnsberg has said that it will take "a while" for Paulino to get comfortable with his new delivery that Arnsberg put him in this Spring. He's been working at it for about two months now. Apparantly they completely broke his mechanics down and started over.

All the more reason, in my opinion, to send him down to work on it.

[Limey]

He was lolligagging toward it when the camera picked him up. Not running hard, just drifting.

And, as mentioned before, Bourn was screaming at him and gesticulating wildly to make it perfectly obvious that he wasn't going to make the catch.

Also, they'd had a near mix-up on a 'tweener fly ball an inning earlier.  It's was Bourn's catch, but he hesitated on it because Pence had gone into Labrador mode and was just blindly chasing it down.  Finally, Pence wheeled away and Bourn made the play.

[juliogotay]

All the more reason, in my opinion, to send him down to work on it.

He may be better off to be working in front of Arnsberg so he doesn't go back to old habits?

[BudGirl]

He may be better off to be working in front of Arnsberg so he doesn't go back to old habits?

I'm thinking Arnsberg wants control of what Paulino is doing.

[Astroholic]

He may be better off to be working in front of Arnsberg so he doesn't go back to old habits?

Since the stros are not going anywhere this season (2005,not see), I really think he needs to work it out with major league pitching coach against major league hitters.

Rebuild..did you hear that Drayton...rebuild.

[Mr. Happy]

Since the stros are not going anywhere this season (2005,not see), I really think he needs to work it out with major league pitching coach against major league hitters.

Rebuild..did you hear that Drayton...rebuild.

You all are probably right. Silly ole me. I must still be laboring under the delusion that we had a chance to compete.

[JimR]

I'm thinking Arnsberg wants control of what Paulino is doing.

so do i. he's been to RR.

[Mr. Happy]

so do i. he's been to RR.

Well, if Coach thinks that Paulino needs to stay under Arnsberg's eye, that's good enough for me. Count me in too. I'll just have to lower my expectations of him, and the bullpen needs to be ready to work four or more innings every fifth day.

[OregonStrosFan]

It would seem that Paulino would go a long way towards helping himself if he were able to stop letting things rattle him as much as he appears to. (Understandably the three-run boner was enough to unnerve anybody, but that is not the type play that I'm really referring to.  He was already starting to unravel before that).

[BudGirl]

It would seem that Paulino would go a long way towards helping himself if he were able to stop letting things rattle him as much as he appears to. (Understandably the three-run boner was enough to unnerve anybody, but that is not the type play that I'm really referring to.  He was already starting to unravel before that).

So does Norris.

[Mr. Happy]

It would seem that Paulino would go a long way towards helping himself if he were able to stop letting things rattle him as much as he appears to. (Understandably the three-run boner was enough to unnerve anybody, but that is not the type play that I'm really referring to.  He was already starting to unravel before that).

That's all part of a pitcher's maturation process. I think that was the source of the overthrowing yesterday. Sometimes, pitchers think that they have to be supermen out there. Every pitcher goes through it. I thought that Quintero did an incredibly poor job "handling" Paulino yesterday. Catchers have to play psychiatrists with pitchers sometimes. Quintero should have called time several times last night and gone out there to calm him down and remind him that it is not a 1 against 9 game, particularly after every overthrown pitch.

[juliogotay]

So does Norris.

Deshaies committed recently that Mills might need to consider breaking Norris and Paulino up in the rotation to keep the bullpen from being overtaxed. Makes sense to me.

[Mr. Happy]

Deshaies committed recently that Mills might need to consider breaking Norris and Paulino up in the rotation to keep the bullpen from being overtaxed. Makes sense to me.

I agree with JD. That's a very astute observation.

[Limey]

Pence is an awful right fielder.  
Pence makes Carlos Lee look like Willie Mays in the OF.  Lee has the easiest position on the field, especially when we're at home.  And he can't catch routine pop ups down the line.  And God forbid a ball get to the corner.  Lee disappears for 5 minutes.

I suspect Pence would look a lot better in LF than he does in RF.  We won't know until 2013, because we couldn't get a sleeve of beer cups for Lee considering he is about to be 34 and is under contract for $18.5 million a year for this year and in eacg of the next two seasons.

I realize range factor is not a perfect stat.  But here is how Pence and Lee compare among their contemporaries with respect to range factor:

2010: Pence - 12 out of 27 RFs.  Lee - 21 out of 21 LFs.
2009: Pence - 6th out of 19 RFs.  Lee - 13 out of 13 LFs.  
2008: Pence - 2nd out of 15 RFs.  Lee - 6 out of 11 LFs.
2007: Pence - not ranked, not enough games at CF or RF.  But his range factor in RF would have ranked #1 and his range factor in center would have been 7 out of 19..  Lee - 13 out of 17 LFs.

Again, I am no expert and typically defer to the smarter people.

I have to wonder who the fuck else was playing LF in 2008.

[austro]

I have to wonder who the fuck else was playing LF in 2008.

Ryan Braun, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Jason Bay, Gold Glove candidates all.

[Limey]

Ryan Braun, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Jason Bay, Gold Glove candidates all.

Why do I have "Yakety Sax" playing in my head?

[MusicMan]

Ryan Braun, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Jason Bay, Gold Glove candidates all.

Bay doesn't suck.

[austro]

Bay doesn't suck.

He's an interesting case. He's not all that mobile, but he's pretty reliable with the balls he gets to, and he's got a solid arm. All of his defensive numbers in PIT indicated that he sucked, and when he went to BOS and NYM they suddenly skyrocketed and indicated he was above league average. I can only conclude that those defensive numbers are much more indicative of his pitchers' (in)ability to keep people from bashing hits out into left field than they are of his defensive play.

[Bench]

He's an interesting case. He's not all that mobile, but he's pretty reliable with the balls he gets to, and he's got a solid arm. All of his defensive numbers in PIT indicated that he sucked, and when he went to BOS and NYM they suddenly skyrocketed and indicated he was above league average. I can only conclude that those defensive numbers are much more indicative of his pitchers' (in)ability to keep people from bashing hits out into left field than they are of his defensive play.

Boston did not attempt to re-sign him because they viewed him as a defensive liability.

[Matt]

Boston did not attempt to re-sign him because they viewed him as a defensive liability.

How's V-Mart doing behind the plate this year?

[Bench]

How's V-Mart doing behind the plate this year?

Even worse than he's doing at the plate.

[chuck]

Whenever you guys start bitching about the defensive slapdickery the Astros have presented us with this year I simply seek out another game in hopes of some balance and am richly rewarded. Last night I saw Matt Kemp misplay an easy one-hopper that allowed a pair of Pirate runs, and today I saw pitcher Rodrigo Lopez of the Dbacks stick his dick into an infield pop-up getting in the way of the professionals. The Three Stooges convene on the mound and the ball drops harmlessly. Bases loaded. They could have forced Fukudome on second since he'd naturally assumed one of the three goons would catch the ball but they were too busy poking each other in the eyes and slapping each other on the head to notice that Fukudome was hightailing it to second. The next batter hit a shallow fly to center that Lopez inexplicably cut off. The runner was not surely out but it would have been close. I know the catcher didn't call for the cut because he was jumping around like he had a wasp in his jock after Lopez snagged the throw. Next pitch Soriano deposited over the left field fence and the northside drunks went apeshit.

Anyway, it's no excuse but there's plenty more miserable defense out there.

[MRaup]

Whenever you guys start bitching about the defensive slapdickery the Astros have presented us with this year I simply seek out another game in hopes of some balance and am richly rewarded. Last night I saw Matt Kemp misplay an easy one-hopper that allowed a pair of Pirate runs, and today I saw pitcher Rodrigo Lopez of the Dbacks stick his dick into an infield pop-up getting in the way of the professionals. The Three Stooges convene on the mound and the ball drops harmlessly. Bases loaded. They could have forced Fukudome on second since he'd naturally assumed one of the three goons would catch the ball but they were too busy poking each other in the eyes and slapping each other on the head to notice that Fukudome was hightailing it to second. The next batter hit a shallow fly to center that Lopez inexplicably cut off. The runner was not surely out but it would have been close. I know the catcher didn't call for the cut because he was jumping around like he had a wasp in his jock after Lopez snagged the throw. Next pitch Soriano deposited over the left field fence and the northside drunks went apeshit.

Anyway, it's no excuse but there's plenty more miserable defense out there.

Hey don't call me a drunk! I saw a guy WAY drunker than me at the bar last night.

[chuck]

Hey don't call me a drunk! I saw a guy WAY drunker than me at the bar last night.

Yeah, see, that was the mirror behind the bar.

[The Spleen]

Hey don't call me a drunk! I saw a guy WAY drunker than me at the bar last night.

I picked a good night to start sniffing glue...

[MRaup]

Yeah, see, that was the mirror behind the bar.

He was quite the handsome fellow.

[Rebel Jew]

Whenever you guys start bitching about the defensive slapdickery the Astros have presented us with this year I simply seek out another game in hopes of some balance and am richly rewarded. Last night I saw Matt Kemp misplay an easy one-hopper that allowed a pair of Pirate runs, and today I saw pitcher Rodrigo Lopez of the Dbacks stick his dick into an infield pop-up getting in the way of the professionals. The Three Stooges convene on the mound and the ball drops harmlessly. Bases loaded. They could have forced Fukudome on second since he'd naturally assumed one of the three goons would catch the ball but they were too busy poking each other in the eyes and slapping each other on the head to notice that Fukudome was hightailing it to second. The next batter hit a shallow fly to center that Lopez inexplicably cut off. The runner was not surely out but it would have been close. I know the catcher didn't call for the cut because he was jumping around like he had a wasp in his jock after Lopez snagged the throw. Next pitch Soriano deposited over the left field fence and the northside drunks went apeshit.

Anyway, it's no excuse but there's plenty more miserable defense out there.

fuck, i thought i was the only asshole who suffered through that

[chuck]

fuck, i thought i was the only asshole who suffered through that

You and I appear to be the only assholes who just can't get enough of shit baseball.

[VirtualBob]

He was quite the handsome fellow.

That just proves how drunk both of you were.

[Gizzmonic]

You and I appear to be the only assholes who just can't get enough of shit baseball.

"Are you an asshole that can't get enough of shit baseball?" Possible marketing slogan for next year?  Pam, I hope you're listening!

[EusebiosMustache]

I like how when Tejada was not re-signed, they were willing to let his bat go in order to upgrade the defense on that side of the infield. Manzella is an absolute clutz (even injuring himself by not being able to handle a hop), and Feliz has errors galore....Tejada couldve done that.

[Andyzipp]

I like how when Tejada was not re-signed, they were willing to let his bat go in order to upgrade the defense on that side of the infield. Manzella is an absolute clutz (even injuring himself by not being able to handle a hop), and Feliz has errors galore....Tejada couldve done that.

Manzella had a bad break.  He's a plus defender, and will continue to be so.  If you're going to beat up on him, think hitting.

[JimR]

I like how when Tejada was not re-signed, they were willing to let his bat go in order to upgrade the defense on that side of the infield. Manzella is an absolute clutz (even injuring himself by not being able to handle a hop), and Feliz has errors galore....Tejada couldve done that.

so this is your first post? super.

"read more, post less."

[Mr. Happy]

I like how when Tejada was not re-signed, they were willing to let his bat go in order to upgrade the defense on that side of the infield. Manzella is an absolute clutz (even injuring himself by not being able to handle a hop), and Feliz has errors galore....Tejada couldve done that.

You need to watch the games before showing your asenine stupidity. Manzella has had some rough spots, but all in all, he's done a great job in the field, showing a lot of range and flashes of brilliance. Feliz is an improvement over what Tejada is doing at Baltimore--five errors in 21 games--a .918 fielding pct. Feliz is at .951, with only two errors in 17 games, and he's getting to more balls than Tejada.

[Ron Brand]

I like how when Tejada was not re-signed, they were willing to let his bat go in order to upgrade the defense on that side of the infield. Manzella is an absolute clutz (even injuring himself by not being able to handle a hop), and Feliz has errors galore....Tejada couldve done that.

I haven't looked at the numbers, but Tags and the deluded national folks all seem to be harping on this 'shitty fielding' meme. My guess is that more balls are now in range that weren't last year, and sometimes that leads to more errors. There may be more ground balls hit this year than last as well.

And I'm damn tired of reading about how Johnny Fuckwad is coming to town with his six home runs, and that's THREE MORE than the 3-6 part of the Astro lineup has, or some similar tortured negativity. Not to mention McTaggart's nifty 'This team's on track to go 54-108.' It's not a great team. We know that. But there are some good players out there and some good times will come. Baseball is not all about what's happening RIGHT NOW. It's a process and you watch it as it continues.

Discourse, criticism, we all engage in that but it's in a more elevated level here, not dumbed down to one-liners.

Y'know, either you're a fan or you aren't. And if you aren't, get the fuck outta here, because we are and you're just in the way.

[Mr. Happy]

Y'know, either you're a fan or you aren't. And if you aren't, get the fuck outta here, because we are and you're just in the way.

Damn right. Carry your fucking ass if you're not a fan, come hell or high water!

[Guinness]

Y'know, either you're a fan or you aren't. And if you aren't, get the fuck outta here, because we are and you're just in the way.

If there was a front page here, that should definitely be on it as the site motto...!

[Mr. Happy]

If there was a front page here, that should definitely be on it as the site motto...!

Ouch!

[Matt]

If there was a front page here, that should definitely be on it as the site motto...!

I don't think anyone would read a front page even if someone decided to make one.

[MusicMan]

I don't think anyone would read a front page even if someone decided to make one.

I have been known, on occasion, to howl at the moon.

[MRaup]

I have been known, on occasion, to yell at hockey refs through my television.

FIFY

[JackAstro]

Discourse, criticism, we all engage in that but it's in a more elevated level here, not dumbed down to one-liners.

Speak for yourself.

[Ron Brand]

Sssssh. He hasn't been here very long.

[Craig]

a more elevated level here, not dumbed down to one-liners.

Your Honor, I invoke my right under the Fifth Amendment not to answer, on the grounds I may incriminate myself

[Reuben]

I haven't looked at the numbers, but Tags and the deluded national folks all seem to be harping on this 'shitty fielding' meme. My guess is that more balls are now in range that weren't last year, and sometimes that leads to more errors. There may be more ground balls hit this year than last as well.

And I'm damn tired of reading about how Johnny Fuckwad is coming to town with his six home runs, and that's THREE MORE than the 3-6 part of the Astro lineup has, or some similar tortured negativity. Not to mention McTaggart's nifty 'This team's on track to go 54-108.' It's not a great team. We know that. But there are some good players out there and some good times will come. Baseball is not all about what's happening RIGHT NOW. It's a process and you watch it as it continues.

Discourse, criticism, we all engage in that but it's in a more elevated level here, not dumbed down to one-liners.

Y'know, either you're a fan or you aren't. And if you aren't, get the fuck outta here, because we are and you're just in the way.

Hell Yeah, to all of this.

[94CougarGrad]

You and I appear to be the only assholes who just can't get enough of shit baseball.

Nah. I keep dutifully tuning in to FoxSW up here in Rangers-land so I can see the team on its current 7-game losing streak. Mr/Dr94CG keeps coming into the room and asking me to change the channel when he sees a score of 7-1 or 9-1 or 10-3, but no, like any true Astros/Cougar fan, I'm in it to the bitter end.

Your 2010 Houston Astros: Let It Bleed.

[94CougarGrad]

I haven't looked at the numbers, but Tags and the deluded national folks all seem to be harping on this 'shitty fielding' meme. My guess is that more balls are now in range that weren't last year, and sometimes that leads to more errors. There may be more ground balls hit this year than last as well.

And I'm damn tired of reading about how Johnny Fuckwad is coming to town with his six home runs, and that's THREE MORE than the 3-6 part of the Astro lineup has, or some similar tortured negativity. Not to mention McTaggart's nifty 'This team's on track to go 54-108.' It's not a great team. We know that. But there are some good players out there and some good times will come. Baseball is not all about what's happening RIGHT NOW. It's a process and you watch it as it continues.

Discourse, criticism, we all engage in that but it's in a more elevated level here, not dumbed down to one-liners.

Y'know, either you're a fan or you aren't. And if you aren't, get the fuck outta here, because we are and you're just in the way.

Nominated.

[Limey]

Hey don't call me a drunk! I saw a guy WAY drunker than me at the bar last night.

Presumably, you mean this guy, or maybe this guy.

[Gizzmonic]

Presumably, you mean this guy, or maybe this guy.

Wow, that first guy might be toasted, but you have to admire his Churchillian determination.   He WILL get more beer!