Future of SnS

[Lurch]

We're nearing the logical break off point for some/many of us.  If im going to stop following the Astros, stopping by here becomes less nessisary, if not downright frustrating.  Sad that such a seemingly insignificant event may implode a "community" but that seems to be a very possible outcome.

Anyone else feeling torn about this?

[EasTexAstro]

We're nearing the logical break off point for some/many of us.  If im going to stop following the Astros, stopping by here becomes less nessisary, if not downright frustrating.  Sad that such a seemingly insignificant event may implode a "community" but that seems to be a very possible outcome.

Anyone else feeling torn about this?

I've thought about this. It is out of my hands, though. The fantastic people that take care of this site will make their decision and I will have to live with it.

I will still be following the Astros. They are the team I grew up with, even if they are going to be playing a style of baseball I am not excited about.

I will miss the insights of so many people that will lose interest.

[Ebby Calvin]

We're nearing the logical break off point for some/many of us.  If im going to stop following the Astros, stopping by here becomes less nessisary, if not downright frustrating.  Sad that such a seemingly insignificant event may implode a "community" but that seems to be a very possible outcome.

Anyone else feeling torn about this?

For me, this is right up there with adopting the DH.  I'll still be around (hopefully that doesn't steer anybody away, too), and I hate to think of SnS losing members.

ETA: this site has greatly increased my interest in the Astros, hopefully it can do that for those on the fence.

[remy]

Hypothetically, I'm not going to abandon my wife just because she gets cancer.  And I'm not going to leave the Astros (who I've been with for a lot longer than my wife, I might add) just because they are forced into the AL.  So I'm not going to stop coming to the best goddamn sports forums on the interwebs.

The Astros don't deserve to be abandoned.

But Bud Selig does deserve to die in a car fire.

[Ebby Calvin]

The Astros don't deserve to be abandoned.

But Bud Selig does deserve to die in a car fire.

If you had written this yesterday, I would've stolen two lines from you in FYB.

[JaneDoe]

We're nearing the logical break off point for some/many of us.  If im going to stop following the Astros, stopping by here becomes less nessisary, if not downright frustrating.  Sad that such a seemingly insignificant event may implode a "community" but that seems to be a very possible outcome.

Anyone else feeling torn about this?

Who the hell else would you follow?  I love baseball.  The Astros are my team.  I have seen many changes, but I am not going to go shopping around for another team.  Heck, we got at least 1 year of NL ball left. 


As far as this goes:

We're nearing the logical break off point for some/many of us.

Besides making me wanna puke, this made me think only one thing:

You are the weakest link.....GOODBYE!!

[austro]

But Bud Selig does deserve to die in a car fire.

I'm thinking that a car fire might be a little too quick and painless.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Hypothetically, I'm not going to abandon my wife just because she gets cancer.  And I'm not going to leave the Astros (who I've been with for a lot longer than my wife, I might add) just because they are forced into the AL.  So I'm not going to stop coming to the best goddamn sports forums on the interwebs.

Were you raised catholic?  You are a master at the guilt trip...

[remy]

Were you raised catholic?  You are a master at the guilt trip...

That honestly wasn't my intention.  Was just stating my own personal feelings.

And no.. Episcopalian.

[Ron Brand]

Fuck no, I'm not torn.

I'm upset, but it's not like this is new news. We've seen this coming for a while. I'm following the Astros and I sure as hell hope to see you all here and in Houston in the future.

I don't like these changes but change is part of life. I don't plan on making these changes take baseball or my team away from me. I get pissed at MLB but I'm a baseball fan. I'm not going away. I hope others stay too.

I'm a full-on member of the Church of Baseball.

[Fredia]

amen brother, i will be in the front row singing the song..take me out to the ballgame

[sporadic]

I hate the Astros moving to the AL and don't know if I can muster the same support for them after the switch, but I am going to try my hardest to do so.  This is the only internet forum I have ever really been a part of, can't see leaving it while it is still operational.  If I get to the point of losing complete interest in the Astros, I will stick around just to bicker with HH about all things football and watch Limey turn every B&Q topic into his very own socialist pulpit.

[MusicMan]

And no.. Episcopalian.

Catholic Lite.

[Taras Bulba]

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?  Anyone know where I can buy ten thousand marbles?

[JimR]

i do not know whether i will still call the Astros "my team" and really kinda doubt that i will. i will not leave here, though, unless banished. i have lots of friends here.

[Ron Brand]

i do not know whether i will still call the Astros "my team" and really kinda doubt that i will.

So what happens if all teams get the DH and there is constant interleague play?

i will not leave here, though, unless banished. i have lots of friends here.

Same here.

[Andyzipp]

The site isn't going anywhere.  Periodically there will be changes.  We may add a front page someday.  But the site will still be here.

[MusicMan]

The site isn't going anywhere.  Periodically there will be changes.  We may add a front page someday.  But the site will still be here.

Perhaps we can start giving awards for the best posts.  Or create some sort of "Hall of Fame" for them.

Besides, nobody's pointed out that this may bring Alkie back around when the Astros-Yankees rivalry heats up.

[Waldo]

The site isn't going anywhere.

More to the point, the subject hasn't even come up.  Some fans may decide to move on but SnS will still be here.

[Ty in Tampa]

I won't leave here and I will still "follow" the Astros. They're my team and I will not take another. But this will (if it actually happens) wreck my feelings about the professional game being the greatest sport out there. They will have taken a sport steeped in long-running traditions and things done a certain way for a reason and turned it into every other American sport. It will be exactly like it was and nothing like it was. I'm just not sure I want to be a party in the destruction of the game as I loved it.

[Andyzipp]

Besides, nobody's pointed out that this may bring Alkie back around when the Astros-Yankees rivalry heats up.

I'm confused.  Do you want us to keep the site going, or not?

[juliogotay]

I'm staying in. Not a fan of the AL but I suspect we're headed more and more towards a blurring of the lines with integrity to the individual leagues anyway. Frankly, I have not enjoyed ML baseball as much since the travesty of interleague play was hoisted upon us. It's part of the dumbing down of society...fuck the integrity of the game to appeal to the masses. Not to mention completely screwing up the once beautiful symetry of the schedule. But where would I go? I've already lost interest in the NFL because of the  showboating jackasses  taking their "Look at me" moments when perform their task successfully. Baseball is the most beautiful game ever devised and I'm a Houston fan living in north Texas among throngs of Ranger bandwagoners who will be off the wagon at the first hint of a mediocre season. I'm been with them through lousy seasons, hideous uniforms, horrible management and all of that made the Hunsicker era so much more enjoyable. I look forward to the next great era in Astros baseball.

[Phil_in_CS]

Besides, nobody's pointed out that this may bring Alkie back around when the Astros-Yankees rivalry heats up.

We're trying to focus on positives here.

For family and work reasons, I haven't seen too many games over the last two years. With the player turnover in that time frame, and now a shift of who the Astros play I am pretty disconnected from the team. I've gotten disconnected in the past though, and SNS, OWA, and AC are great places to learn the game and catch up on what's important if I can only spare 15 or 20 minutes in a day for this.

[Andyzipp]

I'm staying in. Not a fan of the AL but I suspect we're headed more and more towards a blurring of the lines with integrity to the individual leagues anyway. Frankly, I have not enjoyed ML baseball as much since the travesty of interleague play was hoisted upon us. It's part of the dumbing down of society...fuck the integrity of the game to appeal to the masses. Not to mention completely screwing up the once beautiful symetry of the schedule. But where would I go? I've already lost interest in the NFL because of the  showboating jackasses  taking their "Look at me" moments when perform their task successfully. Baseball is the most beautiful game ever devised and I'm a Houston fan living in north Texas among throngs of Ranger bandwagoners who will be off the wagon at the first hint of a mediocre season. I'm been with them through lousy seasons, hideous uniforms, horrible management and all of that made the Hunsicker era so much more enjoyable. I look forward to the next great era in Astros baseball.

You forgot to add, "harumph".

[MusicMan]

You forgot to add, "harumph".

You! You didn't "harumph"!

[BudGirl]

Fuck no, I'm not torn.

I'm upset, but it's not like this is new news. We've seen this coming for a while. I'm following the Astros and I sure as hell hope to see you all here and in Houston in the future.

I don't like these changes but change is part of life. I don't plan on making these changes take baseball or my team away from me. I get pissed at MLB but I'm a baseball fan. I'm not going away. I hope others stay too.

I'm a full-on member of the Church of Baseball.

+1

[geezerdonk]

I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part.

[Matt]

I'm not going anywhere.  The Astros are my team and always will be.  I've even told people I know that 2012 is the last year the Angels are my second team. Once the move is complete they are the competition.  Oh and fuck Nolan Ryan and his excitement.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

That honestly wasn't my intention.  Was just stating my own personal feelings.

And no.. Episcopalian.

All is forgiven brother!!  Welcome back!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/15/us-usa-religion-union-idUSTRE7AE2TM20111115

[austro]

Oh and fuck Nolan Ryan and his excitement.

Well, this is certainly one way to seed a rivalry with those fuckers to the north.

I'm just disappointed to be joining a league where Ron Washington has enough on the ball to be a successful manager.

[Matt]

Well, this is certainly one way to seed a rivalry with those fuckers to the north.

I'm just disappointed to be joining a league where Ron Washington has enough on the ball to be a successful manager.

He doesn't want a rivalry, he wants a whipping boy.

[austro]

He doesn't want a rivalry, he wants a whipping boy.

I know. That's what would make beating him so enjoyable.

[Ron Brand]

You! You didn't "harumph"!

I didn't get a harumph outta that guy!

[Ty in Tampa]

I've even told people I know that 2012 is the last year the Angels are my second team.

Yeah, none of that, "I'm a Rays fan, until they play the Sawks." They're gonna lose me.

[gleach]

In honor of our move to the AL I am going to set up another SNS Houston vs. Austin golf match, however Houston will have Sporadic as our designated hitter and he is going to hit for each of us. Austin, the choice is yours....

[remy]

We may add a front page someday.

Come on, now.. don't go crazy.

[BudGirl]

In honor of our move to the AL I am going to set up another SNS Houston vs. Austin golf match, however Houston will have Sporadic as our designated hitter and he is going to hit for each of us. Austin, the choice is yours....

I love the planning ahead!!

[austro]

I love the planning ahead!!

More than you know. It's for 2013.

[Fredia]

this is family this is familiar how could it go away that would mean going to another site. i tried that once it was not pretty

[geezerdonk]

All is forgiven brother!!  Welcome back!!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/15/us-usa-religion-union-idUSTRE7AE2TM20111115

This has been taking place in the US and the UK for at least 20 years. The pastor at our parish is a former Episcopal priest who converted along with his congregation about 20 years ago. He is married and has three kids. The Lutherans are next.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

This has been taking place in the US and the UK for at least 20 years. The pastor at our parish is a former Episcopal priest who converted along with his congregation about 20 years ago. He is married and has three kids. The Lutherans are next.

The Re-Reformation?  The Anti-Reformation?  Which one sounds better?  Neither strike me as all that catchy.

[geezerdonk]

The Reconciliation.

[austro]

The Re-Reformation?  The Anti-Reformation?  Which one sounds better?  Neither strike me as all that catchy.

The Gathering. There can be only one.

[Ron Brand]

The Gathering. There can be only one.

You'd think, but how many Highlander movies were there?

[austro]

You'd think, but how many Highlander movies were there?

That's a trick question. Just like Karate Kid and Jaws, there's only one movie. There are other pieces of tripe that use the same words in their titles, but there's only one movie.

[remy]

That's a trick question. Just like Karate Kid and Jaws, there's only one movie. There are other pieces of tripe that use the same words in their titles, but there's only one movie.

I'd throw Jurassic Park and the Matrix in there.

[Fredia]

so does that mean there is only one poster?

[MusicMan]

That's a trick question. Just like Karate Kid and Jaws, there's only one movie. There are other pieces of tripe that use the same words in their titles, but there's only one movie.

Naw man.  Karate Kid had 2.  How else would we have gotten "Glory of Love" and "Live or die, man?"

[Limey]

So what happens if all teams get the DH and there is constant interleague play?

The bulk of the games will still be against teams about which I don't give a fuck and don't care to give a fuck.  Everybody DHing makes me like baseball as a whole a little bit less.  Being offered up a bunch of games against teams who I don't care about makes me like watching the Astros a lot less.  The joy of a win is lessened and the pain of a loss is lessened.

It dampens the whole experience for me, probably to the point where I don't care at all.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm staying in.  I'm a Houstonian first and foremost, and even if I moved away, I'd still identify with the city and its teams.  It's going to suck monumentally, but so long as the grass is still green, the infield still brown, and the beers are cold, I'll be watching.  And posting.

[Navin R Johnson]

The AL thing makes me want to puke.  Besides the obvious difference in teams/rivalries and the DH, getting forced to move to the AL is what bugs the crap out of me.

But you know what sucks worse than playing in and watching AL baseball?  Having the worst team in all of baseball.  If you could stomach the turd sandwich that Drayton has been serving us the last few years I would think you put up with just about anything.  My hope (wish/prayer) is that Crane comes in, hires Gerry to be the President and Gerry hires Andrew Friedman to be the GM.

I would feel a lot better about the franchise the second that happened than I have at any point in the last 4 years regardless of the league they are playing in.   Oh, and ditch the Brick red and bring back the Orange and Blue.  And stop selling Yankee shit and playing fucking Neil Diamond to appease the mouth breathing ESPN fans that show up to watch the bosox.

As upsetting as the AL move is, to me the craptastic product on the field is way way worse. 

[Ron Brand]

The bulk of the games will still be against teams about which I don't give a fuck and don't care to give a fuck.  Everybody DHing makes me like baseball as a whole a little bit less.  Being offered up a bunch of games against teams who I don't care about makes me like watching the Astros a lot less.  The joy of a win is lessened and the pain of a loss is lessened.

It dampens the whole experience for me, probably to the point where I don't care at all.

I was more asking Jim if that would affect his feeling about the Astros being 'his' team but I appreciate the take for sure. The DH was a way to prolong Al Kaline and Orlando Cepeda's career for me, but other than that...I'm not a fan.

[roadrunner]

The AL thing makes me want to puke.  Besides the obvious difference in teams/rivalries and the DH, getting forced to move to the AL is what bugs the crap out of me.

But you know what sucks worse than playing in and watching AL baseball?  Having the worst team in all of baseball.  If you could stomach the turd sandwich that Drayton has been serving us the last few years I would think you put up with just about anything.  My hope (wish/prayer) is that Crane comes in, hires Gerry to be the President and Gerry hires Andrew Friedman to be the GM.

I would feel a lot better about the franchise the second that happened than I have at any point in the last 4 years regardless of the league they are playing in.   Oh, and ditch the Brick red and bring back the Orange and Blue.  And stop selling Yankee shit and playing fucking Neil Diamond to appease the mouth breathing ESPN fans that show up to watch the bosox.

As upsetting as the AL move is, to me the craptastic product on the field is way way worse. 

This is what I was trying to say a couple of months ago, but you said it much better.

[geezerdonk]

But you know what sucks worse than playing in and watching AL baseball?  Having the worst team in all of baseball. 

As upsetting as the AL move is, to me the craptastic product on the field is way way worse. 

And its going to get a whole lot worse.

[Reuben]

And its going to get a whole lot worse.

You sure about that? 2012 might be about the same, record-wise, as this year, but I'd say the odds are at least 50-50 that it won't be worse, and very slim that it will be "a whole lot worse".

[Andyzipp]

You sure about that? 2012 might be about the same, record-wise, as this year, but I'd say the odds are at least 50-50 that it won't be worse, and very slim that it will be "a whole lot worse".

It would be hard to lose more games than in 2011.  But I'm certain the 2012 Astros will give it a try.

[JimR]

Who the hell else would you follow?  I love baseball.  The Astros are my team.  I have seen many changes, but I am not going to go shopping around for another team.  Heck, we got at least 1 year of NL ball left. 


As far as this goes:
Besides making me wanna puke, this made me think only one thing:

You are the weakest link.....GOODBYE!!

Bye.

signed, WL

[jbm]

You sure about that? 2012 might be about the same, record-wise, as this year, but I'd say the odds are at least 50-50 that it won't be worse, and very slim that it will be "a whole lot worse".

Oh, I think it has a real chance to spiral downward.  Presently, or more accurately, before this shit, the club was bad but was on relatively strong financial footing.  It was just a matter of management making the right moves to become a winner.  There is now a risk that the new ownership is finacially extended, despised, and will likely face a few years of malaise by the fanbase.  It is not inconceivable that this becomes a downward spiral, where the ownership has limited ability to right the ship.  This scenario is thankfully not certain, but certainly more likely under the new ownership rather than under the present ownership.

[Texifornia]

It would be hard to lose more games than in 2011.  But I'm certain the 2012 Astros will give it a try.

Regardless of whatever improvements are made in '12 they will be unlikely to get any better in '13 in a new league. If Crane blows money on over-the-hill FAs it will make the situation even worse in the long run. If he builds prudently through the farm system he may not be able to win enough games soon enough to draw enough fans to "justify" staying in Houston.

[Limey]

Oh, I think it has a real chance to spiral downward.  Presently, or more accurately, before this shit, the club was bad but was on relatively strong financial footing.  It was just a matter of management making the right moves to become a winner.  There is now a risk that the new ownership is finacially extended, despised, and will likely face a few years of malaise by the fanbase.  It is not inconceivable that this becomes a downward spiral, where the ownership has limited ability to right the ship.  This scenario is thankfully not certain, but certainly more likely under the new ownership rather than under the present ownership.

The Astros will spend the next few years (at least) getting their balls stomped by the Rangers.  It's going to be very hard to add new fans to replace the ones who will drift away because of the move or because or general suckitude.

[kevwun]

How sure are we that Crane wants to build a winner?  From a quick search, the Royals and Pirates manage to make around 150 million per year doing the bare minimum.  Doesn't take long to recoup $600 million at that rate and then start turning a nice little profit.  After fighting this move just hard enough to knock $70 million off the selling price, I'm not feeling especially optimistic about his motivations for buying the Astros.

[roadrunner]

Regardless of whatever improvements are made in '12 they will be unlikely to get any better in '13 in a new league. If Crane blows money on over-the-hill FAs it will make the situation even worse in the long run. If he builds prudently through the farm system he may not be able to win enough games soon enough to draw enough fans to "justify" staying in Houston.

First of all, his investors are mainly Houston businessmen.  They are not going to give up after 4-5 years of losing and low revenue to get out of their home market.  Secondly, there is not a city available that is even close to the strength of the Houston market.  Houston is the 6th largest metro in the country with a humming economy and is forecasted to grow faster than almost every large metro in the country.  The stadium is only 10 years old and is a fantastic place to see a game.  If the Kansas City Royals have made it this long then I don't see how the Astros can't survive Houston.

[jbm]

It that what surviving is? 

[subnuclear]

How sure are we that Crane wants to build a winner?  From a quick search, the Royals and Pirates manage to make around 150 million per year doing the bare minimum.  Doesn't take long to recoup $600 million at that rate and then start turning a nice little profit.  After fighting this move just hard enough to knock $70 million off the selling price, I'm not feeling especially optimistic about his motivations for buying the Astros.

He seems like a competitive guy to me. He might not know how to build a winner (no clue at this point), but he seems like a sports guy, versus just an asshole with too much money.

[MusicMan]

For those of you following Footer on Twitter... she's about 2 tweets away from just repating "It's not your fault" like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting.

[Andyzipp]

Now the Astros are going to get out of the remaining 19 years in their lease and move cities? 

[MusicMan]

Now the Astros are going to get out of the remaining 19 years in their lease and move cities? 

It's pretty much the only way left for Selig to fuck us.

[Noe]

Like Andy, I doubt we'll be going anywhere soon.... but it is going to be really hard to follow the ALstros.  I hate 4 hour marathon games because of no defense and no pitching and all offense.  I'd rather sit through 16 innings of a well pitched 1-1 game than a 9 inning 14-10 abortion of a game.  If I wanted to do that, I'd go watch HudsonHawk play in his denial league.  So we'll be here trying to figure out things and I'm sure shutting her down is an option that nobody really likes... but juneberno.

Anyone have Jim Crane's number handy, maybe I can personally ask him to soothe some ill will by sponsoring an "SnS" night at the MMPUS.  And no, I want those owner seats that Limey, ybbodeus, and Taras Bulba once upgraded themselves to.  Come to think of it, an SnS night in those seats might mean the end of our relationship with the Astros after all.

[Arky Vaughan]

I don't think we should be going anywhere, and I'm not giving up on this team. The Astros are more than any of the owners or even any of the players. The franchise is an historic institution that was here before many of us were born and will likely be here after we pass away. The Astros (and their fans) have been done a grave injustice by Selig, the other owners and McLane and Crane. They will be playing in a foreign environment under alien rules.

But they're still our Astros, and the best payback for all of this would be for them to rebuild, play by the rules that are imposed on them, and kick the living hell out of their new American League opponents, then get to the World Series and destory whichever of their former colleagues emerges from the National League.

I can't control what McLane, Crane or Selig does. I don't have enough money to buy a team myself. Even if I scraped up enough money to hire a couple of wranglers to go upstairs and beat the shit out of Selig, I've got too much to lose with my wife and kids to go to jail for the mere pleasure of seeing him beaten to a bloody pulp. What I can control is still choosing to follow the Astros. Baseball and the Astros have been around too long, and I've been a baseball and an Astros fan too long, to let some shit-brained fucktard like Selig take baseball and the Astros away from me.

[Ron Brand]

Thank you for that.

[Ebby Calvin]

Thank you for that.

+1

[OregonStrosFan]

+1

-1.  Today and tomorrow are days that should be reserved solely for hate and vitriol. I cannot support any statement to the contrary during that time...

[Arky Vaughan]

-1.  Today and tomorrow are days that should be reserved solely for hate and vitriol. I cannot support any statement to the contrary during that time...

Shit-brained fucktard doesn't qualify?

[chuck]

There is no motherfucking way I will continue to be an active fan of Major League Baseball's prison bitch. My contempt for the organization is near total. I may have let slip along the way that I have not been a huge fan of ownership and the front office but this, for me, is insupportable.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

[Ron Brand]

Well, there's still the Texans part of B&Q.

[Limey]

There is no motherfucking way I will continue to be an active fan of Major League Baseball's prison bitch. My contempt for the organization is near total. I may have let slip along the way that I have not been a huge fan of ownership and the front office but this, for me, is insupportable.

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.

It's hard to support the Astros and MLB with dollars, when they care so little about their customers.  Not worrying about being able to watch the Astros renders moot one whole tranche of my cable package.

[Phil_in_CS]

It's hard to support the Astros and MLB with dollars, when they care so little about their customers.  Not worrying about being able to watch the Astros renders moot one whole tranche of my cable package.

What's the point of paying for games that come on too late to watch, anyway? Would we need to put a 24 delay on game recaps so people can watch the Oakland game off the DVR first?

[strosrays]

I'm done.

I don't give a fuck about the AL Astros.  To be honest though, my disaffection with this organization has been growing insidiously for awhile now.  This just finishes the job.

Anyone who wants to call me a dilettante or a weak link, FUCK YOU.  44 years, baby.  FUCK YOU.

The question of l,ost interest in the Houston organization and in SnS are two different questions, as far as I am concerned.

[Andyzipp]

So maybe SNS becomes the best place on the net to hate on the Astros.  Id rather read you guys bitching about various and sundry things than having to go to AD to do the same thing at the very least.

[chuck]

It's hard to support the Astros and MLB with dollars, when they care so little about their customers.

I think the MLB cares a great deal for their customers and is giving the majority exactly what they want with this Disneyfied bullshit. And despite my general hatred for what Selig has done to the game I can't make myself get too bent out of shape about his role in this debacle. He's doing his job; he's doing the owners' bidding.

My outrage is focused on McClane who is and has always been a reptilian, transparent fraud, and Crane who is taking it up the ass in the middle of the prison yard. Fuck the both of them.

[strosrays]

So maybe SNS becomes the best place on the net to hate on the Astros.  Id rather read you guys bitching about various and sundry things than having to go to AD to do the same thing at the very least.

To be clear, I don't hate them at all.  I don't wish them well, or wish them ill.  I just couldn't care less.

I am tempted to say me not caring about the Astros . . . How will anyone tell the difference?  Anyway, personally, I don't think any individual who absolutely does not care for the team should be allowed to write Series Previews for them, for example.  Even if, you know, his previews had very little to do with the Astros to begin with.  But I don't think I should be allowed to write them anymore.  Even though I would like to.  But I'm not a good judge of whether I should or shouldn't, though.

I'll leave it up to you or Noe or Craig, whomever.  Get back to me.

[Ron Brand]

To be clear, I don't hate them at all.  I don't wish them well, or wish them ill.  I just couldn't care less.

I am tempted to say me not caring about the Astros . . . How will anyone tell the difference?  Anyway, personally, I don't think any individual who absolutely does not care for the team should be allowed to write Series Previews for them, for example.  Even if, you know, his previews had very little to do with the Astros to begin with.  But I don't think I should be allowed to write them anymore.  Even though I would like to.  But I'm not a good judge of whether I should or shouldn't, though.

I'll leave it up to you or Noe or Craig, whomever.  Get back to me.

That's it. Previews for Life.

[Fredia]

a reptilian huh..that explains a lot. thanks for the mental picture

[Ebby Calvin]

To be clear, I don't hate them at all.  I don't wish them well, or wish them ill.  I just couldn't care less.

I am tempted to say me not caring about the Astros . . . How will anyone tell the difference?  Anyway, personally, I don't think any individual who absolutely does not care for the team should be allowed to write Series Previews for them, for example.  Even if, you know, his previews had very little to do with the Astros to begin with.  But I don't think I should be allowed to write them anymore.  Even though I would like to.  But I'm not a good judge of whether I should or shouldn't, though.

The terrorists have won.

[David in Jackson]

I've been reading and posting on this site since 1998.  My Astros loyalty is based on the AA team in Jackson, MS, which left after the 1999 season.  (Ryan was a traitor to me first)  This site has kept me close to the team.

I honestly don't know if I can hang any longer with the Astros after this move.  It takes effort to stay loyal to a team not in your market.  I've always been a baseball fan with a favorite team.  Maybe now I won't be.

McLane's legacy to the franchise is the worst team in baseball divorced from its entire history and alienated from much of its fan base. 

[Mr. Happy]

Fuck no, I'm not torn.

I'm upset, but it's not like this is new news. We've seen this coming for a while. I'm following the Astros and I sure as hell hope to see you all here and in Houston in the future.

I don't like these changes but change is part of life. I don't plan on making these changes take baseball or my team away from me. I get pissed at MLB but I'm a baseball fan. I'm not going away. I hope others stay too.

I'm a full-on member of the Church of Baseball.

This. This right here.

[Ron Brand]

McLane's legacy to the franchise is the worst team in baseball divorced from its entire history and alienated from much of its fan base. 

And this right here.

[OldBlevins]

I don't think we should be going anywhere, and I'm not giving up on this team. The Astros are more than any of the owners or even any of the players. The franchise is an historic institution that was here before many of us were born and will likely be here after we pass away. The Astros (and their fans) have been done a grave injustice by Selig, the other owners and McLane and Crane. They will be playing in a foreign environment under alien rules.

But they're still our Astros, and the best payback for all of this would be for them to rebuild, play by the rules that are imposed on them, and kick the living hell out of their new American League opponents, then get to the World Series and destory whichever of their former colleagues emerges from the National League.

I can't control what McLane, Crane or Selig does. I don't have enough money to buy a team myself. Even if I scraped up enough money to hire a couple of wranglers to go upstairs and beat the shit out of Selig, I've got too much to lose with my wife and kids to go to jail for the mere pleasure of seeing him beaten to a bloody pulp. What I can control is still choosing to follow the Astros. Baseball and the Astros have been around too long, and I've been a baseball and an Astros fan too long, to let some shit-brained fucktard like Selig take baseball and the Astros away from me.

Amen.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'll always be an Astro fan but as of right now, my interest level is close to flat lining. I'll not root for another team, but I can see myself easily finding other things to do on summer nights. There are so many books that have been recommended here, I be able to get more reading done. If by some miracle the Astros have success on the field, my interest will increase. I know that makes me sound like a band wagoner, but It's not my fault the ownership has shown contempt towards the loyal fan by allowing the product to deteriorate to the point that it is not competitive and soon to be uninteresting too--that's all on McClane, Selig, Crane, & the BPA.

[Fredia]

so what happens when the attendance drops from the true fans that understand what this means

[austro]

so what happens when the attendance drops from the true fans that understand what this means

They become the contraction pawn the next time Bud needs to club the players over the head.

[Limey]

What's the point of paying for games that come on too late to watch, anyway? Would we need to put a 24 delay on game recaps so people can watch the Oakland game off the DVR first?

Bingo!

[Andyzipp]

They become the contraction pawn the next time Bud needs to club the players over the head.

There just aren't that many ticket-buying folks who will care.  If the Astros are winning, they will start drawing again, regardless of league.

[DVauthrin]

I won't stop following the Astros, even though I hate the move.    As a native houstonian, they are my team, and I still love watching baseball.   

[Mr. Happy]

There just aren't that many ticket-buying folks who will care.  If the Astros are winning, they will start drawing again, regardless of league.

This. This right here.

[remy]

My facebook status earlier today included a link to the terrible news, and my words "A sad, sad day for all true Astros fans. I don't think I have enough words to express my loathing of Bud Selig."

An old college friend from the metroplex commented, completely well-meaning:  "I'm pumped. Would love to see the Rangers and Astros play every year. Why is this bad?"

This is why there has been no widespread negative coverage, resistance, or outrage.  The majority of people just don't fucking get it.

[strosrays]

This move to another league gets people all worked up and keeps them from talking about the real ugliness out there.  Namely that the Houston franchise has been allowed to drift for several years now (thanks again, McLane), and getting back on track is not something McLane or Crane or anyone can cause to happen just by snapping their fingers, and wishing it were so.  All this time, almost every other team in baseball has been working around the clock to get better, to gain some kind of edge in the super-competitive world of MLB.  While we've been fucking around with Cecil Cooper and Brad Mills and Ed Wade and the rest.

This franchise is in serious trouble, competitive-wise.  I can very easily envision and in fact expect that what we are looking at here is the front end of something like the Pittsburgh Pirates, c. 1993 to present.  Even if I could continue to follow and care about this new AL team, which I cannot and will not, I would be looking forward to being in my mid-seventies before there is any chance they'd be truly competitive again.

It feels good to walk away.  Life is truly too short to worry about self-important morons like Selig and Ryan and McLane.  They all deserve each other, anyway, but I don't have to watch.  In case anyone besides Sphinx hasn't noticed, there are plenty of enjoyable things to do around these parts on summer evenings, rather than watch a lousy baseball team not compete in a foreign league.

T.S. Eliot may have been a fucking BFiB, but he was right.  Not with a bang, baby; but a whiny fucking whimper.

[Guinness]

Life is truly too short to worry about self-important morons like Selig and Ryan and McLane

All the more reason to not let them take the game away from you.  You should stick around and enjoy your hometown Houston Astros.

Bono might be Irish and pretty much a prick,but don't let the bastards grind you down

[Dobro]

Fuck Brad Lidge.

[hostros7]

An official Astros SnS NL wake might need to be scheduled.  You know, Wire style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVznnoptsmM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Foghorn]

It feels good to walk away.  Life is truly too short to worry about self-important morons like Selig and Ryan and McLane.  They all deserve each other, anyway, but I don't have to watch.  In case anyone besides Sphinx hasn't noticed, there are plenty of enjoyable things to do around these parts on summer evenings, rather than watch a lousy baseball team not compete in a foreign league.

T.S. Eliot may have been a fucking BFiB, but he was right.  Not with a bang, baby; but a whiny fucking whimper.

I know my opinion doesn't count for shit, but I've always enjoyed your writings.  If you are going to walk away, hope you find something worthwhile to replace the lost passion you had for the Astros. 

How does the world end?  Hopefully with a thousand itchy-cocked pygmies gang banging Selig and McLane. 

[Limey]

How does the world end?  Hopefully with a thousand itchy-cocked pygmies gang banging Selig and McLane. 

This almost makes it worthwhile.  Almost. 

[Craig]

To be clear, I don't hate them at all.  I don't wish them well, or wish them ill.  I just couldn't care less.

I am tempted to say me not caring about the Astros . . . How will anyone tell the difference?  Anyway, personally, I don't think any individual who absolutely does not care for the team should be allowed to write Series Previews for them, for example.  Even if, you know, his previews had very little to do with the Astros to begin with.  But I don't think I should be allowed to write them anymore.  Even though I would like to.  But I'm not a good judge of whether I should or shouldn't, though.

I'll leave it up to you or Noe or Craig, whomever.  Get back to me.

It really shouldn't be up to me, because I'll be fading away too. Or maybe I have been for a while. I still enjoy a good ballgame, but I think I've burned out on MLB the same way I burned out on the NBA. I'll still root for the Astros and hope for the best, and I'll always check in here from time to time. But I just really don't give a shit about MLB's product any more. Maybe I will when Selig is finally gone and can't shit up the game any more. Maybe. And maybe the next commissioner will be even worse than Selig.

I wish the best for the Astros and hope they kick the shit out of the AL. I'll come crawling back and you can all call me a bandwagoner. But until then, I don't think I'll have enough interest to call myself a real fan.

[strosrays]

It really shouldn't be up to me, because I'll be fading away too. Or maybe I have been for a while. I still enjoy a good ballgame, but I think I've burned out on MLB the same way I burned out on the NBA. I'll still root for the Astros and hope for the best, and I'll always check in here from time to time. But I just really don't give a shit about MLB's product any more. Maybe I will when Selig is finally gone and can't shit up the game any more. Maybe. And maybe the next commissioner will be even worse than Selig.

I wish the best for the Astros and hope they kick the shit out of the AL. I'll come crawling back and you can all call me a bandwagoner. But until then, I don't think I'll have enough interest to call myself a real fan.

Melancholy, baby.

This makes me sad, Craig.  But, I understand.

I know my opinion doesn't count for shit, but I've always enjoyed your writings.  If you are going to walk away, hope you find something worthwhile to replace the lost passion you had for the Astros. 

How does the world end?  Hopefully with a thousand itchy-cocked pygmies gang banging Selig and McLane. 

Thanks for the compliments.  And, you know, itchy-cocked pygmies and the like are exactly the sort of thing I think I've been missing around here.

I'll tell you what.  I'll come back if you'll come back.

Deal??

(And if prav comes back, too, and Alkie . . . it'll be like a convergence of the, you know . . .  it'll be like reading something from the Dresden codex . . . or, come to think of it, Slaughterhouse-Five.)

So it goes.

[Jose Cruz III]

Guys, the AL sucks balls amd we are all disappointed the Astros had to go there. Couple that with a 100 loss season and we are all down and out. But when spring rolls around surely you will be ready for the crack of the bat.

[JimR]

Melancholy, baby.

This makes me sad, Craig.  But, I understand.


Thanks for the compliments.  And, you know, itchy-cocked pygmies and the like are exactly the sort of thing I think I've been missing around here.

I'll tell you what.  I'll come back if you'll come back.

Deal??

(And if prav comes back, too, and Alkie . . . it'll be like a convergence of the, you know . . .  it'll be like reading something from the Dresden codex . . . or, come to think of it, Slaughterhouse-Five.)

So it goes.

leaving a baseball team for another team is one thing, but one should never, ever leave his or her friends. that is what friendship is.

[strosrays]

leaving a baseball team for another team is one thing, but one should never, ever leave his or her friends. that is what friendship is.

Absolutely.  I tried to point out earlier that my losing all interest in the team is in no way tied to my association with this place, as far as I can see.  I hope that is clear.  I may need to put a disclaimer on any possible future contributions, though.  "The author of this crap only pays perfunctory attention anymore to the team this website is based on, after all", or something like that.

Or, as I said, I may not have to.  There is a good chance no one would notice the difference, anyway.

BTW, I am not leaving the Astros for another team.  Who the fuck else could I support?  I have hated practically all of the other teams to one degree or another over the years.

I guess I'll just become one of those generalist baseball fans, Roger Angell-type.  Maybe I'll take up smoking a pipe.  I mean, one of those pipes like pipe-smoking guys smoke, Sherlock Homes and Derek Smalls and those guys.

[HudsonHawk]

I guess I'll just become one of those generalist baseball fans, Roger Angell-type.  Maybe I'll take up smoking a pipe.  I mean, one of those pipes like pipe-smoking guys smoke, Sherlock Homes and Derek Smalls and those guys.

A big calabash pipe.  I can help you with the pipe.  You'll have to run down chuck for advice on the monocle and ascot.

[JimR]

Absolutely.  I tried to point out earlier that my losing all interest in the team is in no way tied to my association with this place, as far as I can see.  I hope that is clear.  I may need to put a disclaimer on any possible future contributions, though.  "The author of this crap only pays perfunctory attention anymore to the team this website is based on, after all", or something like that.

Or, as I said, I may not have to.  There is a good chance no one would notice the difference, anyway.

BTW, I am not leaving the Astros for another team.  Who the fuck else could I support?  I have hated practically all of the other teams to one degree or another over the years.

I guess I'll just become one of those generalist baseball fans, Roger Angell-type.  Maybe I'll take up smoking a pipe.  I mean, one of those pipes like pipe-smoking guys smoke, Sherlock Homes and Derek Smalls and those guys.

i am having the "ok, which team?" problem too. make sure that your cashmere jacket has elbow patches.

[strosrays]

i am having the "ok, which team?" problem too. make sure that your cashmere jacket has elbow patches.

I did give it some thought.

It would have to be an NL team; and out of all of those, the only one I could think of that is even vaguely interesting to me is the Nationals.  Formerly the Expos, who I always kind of liked.  They got cool uniforms, too, and they are perennial underdogs . . . who, from some of what I have read and heard, are about to get really good.

But, nah.  I'm just kidding myself.

Can I wear topsiders and maybe pre-faded stone washed jeans with the cashmere jacket?

[chuck]

i am having the "ok, which team?" problem too. make sure that your cashmere jacket has elbow patches.

NO! Elbow patches are to be found on tweed jackets, not cashmere, goddamit. Plus, cashmere is typically a material used in overcoats, not sports jackets. You're thinking of camel hair, and no one in his right mind would deface a camel hair jacket with elbow patches.

But on the topic of tweed jackets with elbow patches Junya Watanabe makes quite a nice one for Comme des Garçons.

[Reuben]

I did give it some thought.

It would have to be an NL team; and out of all of those, the only one I could think of that is even vaguely interesting to me is the Nationals.  Formerly the Expos, who I always kind of liked.  They got cool uniforms, too, and they are perennial underdogs . . . who, from some of what I have read and heard, are about to get really good.

But, nah.  I'm just kidding myself.

Can I wear topsiders and maybe pre-faded stone washed jeans with the cashmere jacket?

I liked the Expos a lot, too. The Nats I can't bring myself to give a fuck about, even though I like some of their players like Ryan Zimmerman and... well, him at least. There's another example of a team Selig fucked over.

By the way, you mean you like their uniforms now? Ugh. I just can't get over the blandness and the Walgreens logo. Now the Expos uniforms, those I loved.

I used to like the Reds OK, as my home town (Greensboro, NC) housed their single-A team for a while in my youth, and I liked guys like Jose Rijo and Barry Larkin. Kinda don't care about them either these days though.

[subnuclear]

I've been ruminating about the Nationals, too. In addition, to the reasons you mention I would add that they play in the NL East and I have no problems hating the Mets and Braves and can probably get worked up about the Phillies and the Marlins eventually. Also, the stadium is pretty nice, has decent food and beer and is a 20 minute Metro ride from my office.

On the other hand, their announcers are crummy, they don't have any ex-Astros on the roster (besides Pudge) and they still play in a league commissioned by Bud Selig. Also, not sure what I think of a front office that signed Werth to that contract.

Also, their fan forums are badly formatted which is a major barrier.

[austro]

I'm thinking that the Rockies might be my newly-adopted NL team. They've never been overt jack-offs, and since I grew up in Colorado and Wyoming I can kind of justify it that way. We were Denver Bears (AAA) fans when they had Tom Grieve, Roger Mason, and Bernie Carbo (when I was in junior high). I've hated most AL teams anyway (although I have a soft spot for the Royals and the Twins), so I suppose I'll be able to adjust to the Astros' new schedule.

In my dreams I see the Astros going to the AL but eschewing the DH and kicking ass anyway. Hey, I said it's a dream.

[Reuben]

I'm thinking that the Rockies might be my newly-adopted NL team. They've never been overt jack-offs, and since I grew up in Colorado and Wyoming I can kind of justify it that way. We were Denver Bears (AAA) fans when they had Tom Grieve, Roger Mason, and Bernie Carbo (when I was in junior high). I've hated most AL teams anyway (although I have a soft spot for the Royals and the Twins), so I suppose I'll be able to adjust to the Astros' new schedule.

In my dreams I see the Astros going to the AL but eschewing the DH and kicking ass anyway. Hey, I said it's a dream.

The hitting of Astros pitchers was one of the few bright spots this season.

[Ron Brand]

The hitting of Astros pitchers was one of the few bright spots this season.

That plus RF assists makes for a brief highlight reel.

[Fredia]

so the astros pitchers become the new dh?

[moriartp]

so the astros pitchers become the new dh?

There may not be many better options.

[JimR]

NO! Elbow patches are to be found on tweed jackets, not cashmere, goddamit. Plus, cashmere is typically a material used in overcoats, not sports jackets. You're thinking of camel hair, and no one in his right mind would deface a camel hair jacket with elbow patches.

But on the topic of tweed jackets with elbow patches Junya Watanabe makes quite a nice one for Comme des Garçons.

actually, i wasn't thinking of anything but giving strosrays grief.

[strosrays]

actually, i wasn't thinking of anything but giving strosrays grief.

I gather Chuck was thinking along the same line.  I am getting a lot of grief these days.

Hopefully changing my screen name will fool some people, and I'll get a little piece peace.

[JimR]

I gather Chuck was thinking along the same line.  I am getting a lot of grief these days.

Hopefully changing my screen name will fool some people, and I'll get a little piece peace.

yeah, that's the ticket. i would have never known it was you.

[MusicMan]

yeah, that's the ticket. i would have never known it was you.

It's like Superman putting on those damn glasses.  Uncanny.

[Taras Bulba]

All this stuff about adopting a new team, etc. is horseshit.  Carry on.

[subnuclear]

All this stuff about adopting a new team, etc. is horseshit.  Carry on.

Probably. The users on the Nationals board I've been reading abuse smileys like you wouldn't believe.

[OregonStrosFan]

Probably. The users on the Nationals board I've been reading abuse smileys like you wouldn't believe.

[Reuben]

It's like Superman putting on those damn glasses.  Uncanny.

Speaking of, I'm still trying to figure out who "Rebel Jew" used to be.

[remy]

Speaking of, I'm still trying to figure out who "Rebel Jew" used to be.

see: Trum, Joey

[EasTexAstro]

see: Trum, Joey

Now he is going to go and change his name again.

[VirtualBob]

Now he is going to go and change his name again.

Probably won't help, though.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Near as I can tell, he's cut down on his posting or is on hiatus.

[Taras Bulba]

Now he is going to go and change his name again.

Judah Benjamin would work.

[JimR]

Near as I can tell, he's cut down on his posting or is on hiatus.

he was kidnapped and is in involuntary servitude in Nanking.

[Matt]

All this stuff about adopting a new team, etc. is horseshit.  Carry on.

I fucking concur.

[geezerdonk]

All this stuff about adopting a new team, etc. is horseshit.  Carry on.

Not an option. For starters, what other team would consent to adoption?

[JackAstro]

Not an option. For starters, what other team would consent to adoption?

Well, if the price is right, the Houston... oh, wait. Shit.

[Von Kaiser]

This has been the shittiest month I've spent as an Astros fan. I'm beyond pissed off and beyond angry, but I've been following the Astros for so long - I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I quit. NL or AL, I'm still on board.

I've been lurking since AC (I still refer to Randy Johnson as "Sea Hag" and have called out Cubfan for "crying yard" on numerous occasions). I love this website and I think you guys do a superb job! All of you... even the clarks.

I'm deeply sorry to see so many of you go.

But if you gotta go, you gotta go! Bye!

Go Astros!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

NO! Elbow patches are to be found on tweed jackets, not cashmere, goddamit. Plus, cashmere is typically a material used in overcoats, not sports jackets. You're thinking of camel hair, and no one in his right mind would deface a camel hair jacket with elbow patches.

But on the topic of tweed jackets with elbow patches Junya Watanabe makes quite a nice one for Comme des Garçons.

Pssh. Michael Bastian or GTFO.

[VirtualBob]

he was kidnapped and is in involuntary servitude in Nanking.

The old chinese lady had some serious relatives I guess.  At least he did not get sued.

[headhunter]

I'm done.

I don't give a fuck about the AL Astros.  To be honest though, my disaffection with this organization has been growing insidiously for awhile now.  This just finishes the job.

Anyone who wants to call me a dilettante or a weak link, FUCK YOU.  44 years, baby.  FUCK YOU.

The question of l,ost interest in the Houston organization and in SnS are two different questions, as far as I am concerned.

Only respect for you Dark Star. If you can quit caring about the Astros, you should. And I'm glad that SNS and the Astros organization are separate questions--the answer to the latter better remain, "yes." 

I even hope the Rays do well for you. Out of respect for you and the Hun they are one of the few AL teams I don't reflexively hate.