astros do start with rangers

[Fredia]

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/sources-rangers-will-open-2013-season-at-houston.html/


damn being pychic

[Ron Brand]

I guess we can just stay at Spanish Flower then.

[Mr. Happy]

I guess we can just stay at Spanish Flower then.

I really will try to make it this season.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I guess we can just stay at Spanish Flower then.

Can't wait.

[Uncle Charlie]

I still can't wait for those Arizona and Colorado "natural rival" series. 

[Don]

"Fuck the Mariners" just leaves me cold.

[Fredia]

that could have a double meaning gets cold up there

[Lefty]

I guess we can just stay at Spanish Flower then.

Move to Teotehuacan at the 7th inning stretch

[geezerdonk]

It is going to be hard to hate the Mariners.

[OregonStrosFan]

It is going to be hard to hate the Mariners.

Just wait 'til a sea of Mariners fans start showing up at MMPUS with all their Mariners gear on and start being all loud and obnoxious and stuff. You'll learn to hate... (Or I could be confusing Mariners fans showing up at MMPUS with Red Sox fans showing up at Safeco Field...).

[hostros7]

Just wait 'til a sea of Mariners fans start showing up at MMPUS with all their Mariners gear on and start being all loud and obnoxious and stuff. You'll learn to hate... (Or I could be confusing Mariners fans showing up at MMPUS with Red Sox fans showing up at Safeco Field...).

I think I have lingering hate for Pujols somewhere, so at least there's that?

Fuck that Josh Reddick guy, too. 

This just feels. . . off.

[Bench]

I've spent the last year culminating a fiery hatred for all things Seattle.  Mainly just because I think the Astros are closest to taking them on than the rest of the teams in the A.L. West.

[OregonStrosFan]

I've spent the last year culminating a fiery hatred for all things Seattle.  Mainly just because I think the Astros are closest to taking them on than the rest of the teams in the A.L. West.

10 things to hate about Seattle:

10. Drizzle. It is always friggin' drizzling (except for a few weeks in the Summer, see #6 below).

9. Hipsters.  Sure, maybe the Hipster blight is universal by now, but Seattle has more than its fair share - if you hate hipsters a little, you should hate Seattle a lot.

8. Bill Gates. He owns you, and me, and everyone else on the planet except for Limey (Yes, I'm trying to coax Limey back into the Astros fold).

7. Beggers. And not just the kind that hang out at street intersections holding signs, but the kind that come up to you when you're walking, or talking, or eating, and are rude and nasty when you tell them to bugger off (Limey, us it working?!?).

6. 70-75 degree weather. What's not to like about that you ask?!?, well while y'all were dealing with 100+ degree weather all summer, it was 70-75 degrees and gorgeous in Seattle...

5. The 'Grunge' movement. Smelling like Teen Spirit and all might be fine and all for some, but the constant smell of burning hemp and ganja is annoying as hell...

4. Starbucks. Wanna know why you're spending $5/day ($25/week, $1,300/year) on crappy coffee'esque drinks?!? Blame Starbucks.

3. The 'Seattle Natural' look. Seriously 'ladies', you should consider taking a razor to your legs and under your arms here and again... And worse still, the 'perfectly manicured' dudes (i.e. 'Metrosexuals).

2.  Hippies (alternatively, Birkenstocks). Everywhere you turn, friggin' hippies (this'd've been my #1, but might not've had the impact that the actual #1 below might...).


And the #1 most compelling reason to hate Seattle is...

1. Seattle attitudes towards Portland  = Dallas attitudes towards Houston (ergo, Seattle = Dallas).  Suck it, Dallas Seattle!!!

Helpful?!?  I do what I can... You're welcome!

[Reuben]

Very valiant try, OSF. However, I think I really need to at least strongly dislike one of their players, too, and "that cocksucker Franklin Guitierrez" just rings hollow. Plus, I've been known to wear a few flannel shirts and listen to some Smells Like Teen Spirit myself, even if it is about 18 years since I bought my last Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Soundgarden album...

[OregonStrosFan]

Very valiant try, OSF. However, I think I really need to at least strongly dislike one of their players, too, and "that cocksucker Franklin Guitierrez" just rings hollow. Plus, I've been known to wear a few flannel shirts and listen to some Smells Like Teen Spirit myself, even if it is about 18 years since I bought my last Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Soundgarden album...

Don't get me wrong... I liked Nirvana (way) back in the day, but the 'grunge' movement? Not so much... And there was a time and place where this all might've been fine and dandy, but there comes a point when it is just too much... Also, I should probably clarify 'hipsters' as to not alienate some of the 'audience' here - that'd be folks currently trying to 'come across' as hipsters for the sake of trying to come across as being hipsters...  Helpful?

And okay, I'll try to get more team specific: Lou Pinella, Fan Favorite Mariner Manager. LINK (warning: Bleacher Report link).  That's gotta stir up some hatred, no?!?

ETA: 'bout damn time at least someone responded to my efforts at stirring up hatred for all things Seattle...

[NeilT]

Very valiant try, OSF. However, I think I really need to at least strongly dislike one of their players, too, and "that cocksucker Franklin Guitierrez" just rings hollow. Plus, I've been known to wear a few flannel shirts and listen to some Smells Like Teen Spirit myself, even if it is about 18 years since I bought my last Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Soundgarden album...

How about Ichiro?  Can you work up some hatred for Ichiro?  What?  Oh.

[Guinness]

but the constant smell of burning hemp and ganja is annoying as hell

Take some deeper breaths, it'll get better.

[Matt]

Oakland has an elephant as a mascot for some damn reason. It would be like the Astros having a rabbit as....ahem.

[Ron Brand]

Tags has the schedule.

[jbm]

I couldn't make it all the way through the schedule.  The harsh reality is approaching.

[Bench]

Huh.  The Rockies are our "natural" inter-league rival.  I never knew.

[Bench]

Also, back to starting the season on a Monday. 

[Fredia]

sigh closing with the yannkess so unreal

[EasTexAstro]

Huh.  The Rockies are our "natural" inter-league rival.  I never knew.

Would you rather go to Denver or Dallas?

[das]

I couldn't make it all the way through the schedule.  The harsh reality is approaching.

I can't bring myself to look at it.  I am so disgusted that I honestly don't know what I am going to do as the new season starts next year.

[OregonStrosFan]

I can't bring myself to look at it.  I am so disgusted that I honestly don't know what I am going to do as the new season starts next year.

Honestly, I figured you'd throw in your Astros towel and go all in with the Nationals.  Local, a good young team with a positive future, and most importantly THEY PLAY NL BASEBALL!  And I wouldn't blame you not even a bit... If I had those choices (mainly the local team playing NL ball), I'm about 90% sure I'd jump my (lifetime) affiliation with the Astros. 

And may I just add, F-you Bud Selig!!!

[roadrunner]

The trip to Boston/NYC will be fun.

[MusicMan]

Winter is coming.

[Matt]

As someone that lives in Orange County the move is tempered a bit by having easy access to my favorite team now. I've even been working on my hate of the Angels this season.

[NeilT]

Huh.  The Rockies are our "natural" inter-league rival.  I never knew.

They just don't want us to remember that we used to play in the NL Central.

[Fredia]

then why do the astros play so many games against their old division

[NeilT]

Because they're not our natural rivals.

[Reuben]

As someone that lives in Orange County the move is tempered a bit by having easy access to my favorite team now. I've even been working on my hate of the Angels this season.

Where in OC are you? My wife's family lives there, San Clemente, Newport Beach mostly.

[Matt]

Where in OC are you? My wife's family lives there, San Clemente, Newport Beach mostly.

San Clemente actually but I'm moving up to Irvine in the next month.

[94CougarGrad]

Another possible reason to hate Seattle: the city is mentioned numerous times in thr Twilight books. The ones with the sparkly vampires.

[das]

Honestly, I figured you'd throw in your Astros towel and go all in with the Nationals.  Local, a good young team with a positive future, and most importantly THEY PLAY NL BASEBALL!  And I wouldn't blame you not even a bit... If I had those choices (mainly the local team playing NL ball), I'm about 90% sure I'd jump my (lifetime) affiliation with the Astros. 

And may I just add, F-you Bud Selig!!!

It's crossed my mind, especially since the Nats have been constructed in a way that appeals to me.  34 years of Astros fandom is not easy to sweep under the rug though even though there is nothing about the team that is familiar or tied to its legacy anymore.

It makes me sick to my stomach and I don't know what I'm going to do.

[Fredia]

easy support one team al one team nl

[ValpoCory]

easy support one team al one team nl

Although Bud Selig and Fox is telling Houston to follow 2 AL West teams.   Every single FSN Rangers game will be broadcast to Houstonians now, likely including the opener.

[jbm]

Interesting.  If the new network doesn't get picked up by many carriers, that may be the only way Astros fans get to see the game.  Those Rangers announcers, and their stupid ass cookie banter, are horrible.   

On a related note, has there been an official announcement of who will be the Astros broadcasters.  I think everyone assumes JD and Brownie, but is that actually official?  Also, it is about time to hear something on that network as the Rockets season isn't that far off. 

[roadrunner]

There are commercials for the network airing now.

[jbm]

Really? 

Are these on Fox, between the "Do I look fat in this dress" and "Back in the day" ads?  Or just local Houston channels?

What do the ads say?  Call your local provider?

[Mr. Happy]

It's crossed my mind, especially since the Nats have been constructed in a way that appeals to me.  34 years of Astros fandom is not easy to sweep under the rug though even though there is nothing about the team that is familiar or tied to its legacy anymore.

It makes me sick to my stomach and I don't know what I'm going to do.

That's easy. I'm staying put but also pulling for both the Nationals and the Giants.

[roadrunner]

Really? 

Are these on Fox, between the "Do I look fat in this dress" and "Back in the day" ads?  Or just local Houston channels?

What do the ads say?  Call your local provider?

I think I saw it on the LHN.  They are using Altuve and Lin as the marketing pieces.  They do have a similar push website that LHN used.


I can't imagine they have any leverage at this point.

[austro]

Interesting.  If the new network doesn't get picked up by many carriers, that may be the only way Astros fans get to see the game.  Those Rangers announcers, and their stupid ass cookie banter, are horrible.   

I'm assuming that Austin Time Warner will give them just as much run as they have LHN and NFL Network. Which is to say, none.

[Andyzipp]

Comcast won't be asking $0.40 per subscriber either.

[ValpoCory]

I'm assuming that Austin Time Warner will give them just as much run as they have LHN and NFL Network. Which is to say, none.

Year after year, TWC Austin tries to fuck with the Astros fans, but eventually, things happen to work out, and the Astros are back to being the primary Austin MLB team, forcing the Rangers to Channel 77.   This new ComcastSportsNet channel situation will be interesting, but ultimately I think the station gets added.  

But regardless of what happens with CSN, it seems clear that more Rangers games will be on FSNHD in virtually every out of town city in Texas next year.

[juliogotay]

What is the general feeling on DirectTV picking up this station? I am not hopeful.

[Andyzipp]

What is the general feeling on DirectTV picking up this station? I am not hopeful.

Not sure why you wouldn't be.  DirecTV already carries several Comcast SportsNet channels, regionally.

[Navin R Johnson]

On a related note, has there been an official announcement of who will be the Astros broadcasters.  I think everyone assumes JD and Brownie, but is that actually official?

Would not surprise me if Brownie retires at the end of the year.

[Ron Brand]

Would not surprise me if Brownie retires at the end of the year.

Yeah. Or at least cuts back. I don't think that book and the guest guys in the booth were coincidences.

[Bench]

Yeah. Or at least cuts back. I don't think that book and the guest guys in the booth were coincidences.

Right.  Eschenfelder jumping on road trips definitely relates to Brownie's spot.

[Ron Brand]

Right.  Eschenfelder jumping on road trips definitely relates to Brownie's spot.

It's the little steps you have to watch out for.

[Bench]

It's the little steps you have to watch out for.

It's the only thing that makes sense.  They wouldn't increase the budget to send Esch on the travel squad for no reason.

[Mr. Happy]

It's the only thing that makes sense.  They wouldn't increase the budget to send Esch on the travel squad for no reason.

This. This right here. IMO, Eschenfelder would be a horrible PBP TV guy, even describing the Astros in 2013.

[Ron Brand]

I'd be surprised if he joined the team. He could just be the guy most available to pinch hit on an irregular basis. He might be some kind of test though. Or not.

[Bench]

I'd be surprised if he joined the team. He could just be the guy most available to pinch hit on an irregular basis. He might be some kind of test though. Or not.

I think it's a test and one that he's feeling.  Unfortunately for Kevin, a pronounced stammer whenever you try to begin expressing a thought can get in the way of being a play by play announcer.

[chuck]

It's getting easier and easier to give the Astros up.

[BudGirl]

It's getting easier and easier to give the Astros up.

I thought you already had.

[Ron Brand]

It's getting easier and easier to give the Astros up.

What if there was a road crew and a home crew?

[hostros7]

What if there was a road crew and a home crew?

Well, we'll all be passed out by the time the road games start, so at least there's that

[WrigleysADump]

I'd be surprised if he joined the team. He could just be the guy most available to pinch hit on an irregular basis. He might be some kind of test though. Or not.

Found this tweet:
http://twitter.com/Kevin_Esch/status/208391338809491456

Hopefully there's nothing more to his presence in the booth than FSN eliminating the Houston studio.

Back to lurking...

[Navin R Johnson]

I bet DoRay get the boot.  Pretty much anything that has the stench of McClain regime is getting thrown out.

[Ron Brand]

I bet DoRay get the boot.

Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease...

[Fredia]

sigh it gets shitter and shittier

[moriartp]

I bet DoRay get the boot.  Pretty much anything that has the stench of McClain regime is getting thrown out.

Earlier today, Footer tweeted "Astros broadcaster Dave Raymond says goodbye to the National League" with a link to the post. I got so hopeful for a moment, then I remembered.

[Ron Brand]

Earlier today, Footer tweeted "Astros broadcaster Dave Raymond says goodbye to the National League" with a link to the post. I got so hopeful for a moment, then I remembered.

And it read just like he sounds. I wish I hadn't looked.

[chuck]

I thought you already had.

I watch fewer and fewer games and 80% of the reason I watch at all is JD and Brownie. If they fuck with that combination or even if one of them retires willingly the only thing I have left is dicking around in the game zone and I think we all know that that can be done ignorant of the game.

[Ron Brand]

I watch fewer and fewer games and 80% of the reason I watch at all is JD and Brownie. If they fuck with that combination or even if one of them retires willingly the only thing I have left is dicking around in the game zone and I think we all know that that can be done ignorant of the game.

Were you just watching? They had Kent in the booth and the three of them were terrific.

I can't imagine that they would break up that team. Everybody knows how great they are. Now, if Brownie wants a break or whatever, that's a different animal. Hopefully everything will work out but that chemistry would be difficult to replace.

[juliogotay]

I don't see anything to make me think Brownie is retiring. I'm not sure how much the Astros are pulling the strings on the new network. Saw somewhere Comcast is bringing a women in from one of their sports channels in the northeast to work for Comcast Houston.

[chuck]

Saw somewhere Comcast is bringing a women in from one of their sports channels in the northeast to work for Comcast Houston.

Would not hit.

[Bench]

I think it's a test and one that he's feeling.  Unfortunately for Kevin, a pronounced stammer whenever you try to begin expressing a thought can get in the way of being a play by play announcer.

Failing. Not feeling.

[Ron Brand]

Failing. Not feeling.

I have wondered all night what you meant. Thanks.

[Mr. Happy]

Failing. Not feeling.

I realized immediately that it was a typo. I knew what you meant, which is a little scary.

[OregonStrosFan]

It probably (okay doesn't) help my 'Hate Seattle' cause, but was reminded over the weekend that Bud Selig is still generally despised by the middlin' to older baseball crowd in SEA for sending the Pilots to Milwaukee. And they hate A-Rod more than you ever will.  And SEA superstars (with a couple of exceptions) are often 'overlooked' in being given the credit they are due because they didn't play for NYY, BOS, LAD, etc... And fan favorites are along the line of the Jay Buhners of the world.  And not to mention there is a Bouton link...

Yep, I'm pretty much throwing in the towel on the whole 'hate the Mariners' bandwagon (but my hate Seattle bandwagon still has some appeal...).

[Mr. Happy]

It probably (okay doesn't) help my 'Hate Seattle' cause, but was reminded over the weekend that Bud Selig is still generally despised by the middlin' to older baseball crowd in SEA for sending the Pilots to Milwaukee. And they hate A-Rod more than you ever will.  And SEA superstars (with a couple of exceptions) are often 'overlooked' in being given the credit they are due because they didn't play for NYY, BOS, LAD, etc... And fan favorites are along the line of the Jay Buhners of the world.  And not to mention there is a Bouton link...

Yep, I'm pretty much throwing in the towel on the whole 'hate the Mariners' bandwagon (but my hate Seattle bandwagon still has some appeal...).

Okay, I'll go along. Fuck 'em! However, I still love Mr. Instant Offense, Downtown Freddie Brown!

[Bench]

It probably (okay doesn't) help my 'Hate Seattle' cause, but was reminded over the weekend that Bud Selig is still generally despised by the middlin' to older baseball crowd in SEA for sending the Pilots to Milwaukee. And they hate A-Rod more than you ever will.  And SEA superstars (with a couple of exceptions) are often 'overlooked' in being given the credit they are due because they didn't play for NYY, BOS, LAD, etc... And fan favorites are along the line of the Jay Buhners of the world.  And not to mention there is a Bouton link...

Yep, I'm pretty much throwing in the towel on the whole 'hate the Mariners' bandwagon (but my hate Seattle bandwagon still has some appeal...).

Eh. Fuck 'em.