Bob Brenly: Minute Maid Park "loudest he's ever heard"

[ValpoCory]

Referencing the 2005 NLCS Game 5.  It was interesting to hear a manager say that, considering he won a division title as a Giant and a freaking World Series as the manager of the Diamondbacks, not to mention those B Kim disasters in New York that sent the Yankees fans into a tizzy.

He's right by the way.  MMP in those 33 some odd minutes between the Berkman homer and the Pujols homer was the loudest building I've ever been in.  After Kent's home run the year before, it was insane too.

Still, somehow the buzzing Killer Bees sound could clearly be heard.  What a sound system.

[moriartp]

Still, somehow the buzzing Killer Bees sound could clearly be heard.  What a sound system.

Never again.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

All the more reason Bud's decision to force the roof open in the WS was a dickhead move by a dickless dickhead.

[Reuben]

Never again.

You don't believe in, uh... Borchering and... Barnes?

[remy]

I would have thought that the loudest would have been the milliseconds after the ball left Kent's bat in '04.

[roadrunner]

Referencing the 2005 NLCS Game 5.  It was interesting to hear a manager say that, considering he won a division title as a Giant and a freaking World Series as the manager of the Diamondbacks, not to mention those B Kim disasters in New York that sent the Yankees fans into a tizzy.

He's right by the way.  MMP in those 33 some odd minutes between the Berkman homer and the Pujols homer was the loudest building I've ever been in.  After Kent's home run the year before, it was insane too.

Still, somehow the buzzing Killer Bees sound could clearly be heard.  What a sound system.

Was this brought up during the game last night?  Pretty awesome

[Limey]

I would have thought that the loudest would have been the milliseconds after the ball left Kent's bat in '04.

I was at both games.  As I have said in here before, Kent's moment was simply the loudest thing I've ever experienced*.

Incredibly, the ear-splitting noise that was caused by everyone screaming as loudly as they possibly could, instantly doubled in volume. Right off the bat, and I mean the very moment Jeff made contact, the whole place knew it was gone. It took maybe a second for the ball to travel from bat to limestone wall, but the ride seemed like an eternity. It was just an explosion of unbridled joy and utter disbelief.

* With the possible exception of being at minimum safe distance watching two RAF Tornado fight-bombers take of side by side on full reheat.  I say "possible" exception because, as skull-crushingly deafening as it was, my main memory of the event was concern that the violent ground shaking was so intense that it would break the surface tension of the crust of the Earth and I'd be sucked into the molten core of the planet.

[BUWebguy]

Still, somehow the buzzing Killer Bees sound could clearly be heard.  What a sound system.

Can you imagine if Houston had known of the vuvuzela during the Biggio/Bagwell heyday?

[JimR]

Mark and i were at the Beltran game. unreal noise.

[roadrunner]

Lidge closing out the Beltran game in the 9th was unreal noise.

[Gizzmonic]

I was at the Kent game in 2004 and it was probably the loudest I've heard in any stadium, for any sport.  Anyone who was at the playoff games in '80, '81, or '86 care to comment on MMPUS decibel level vs. 'Dome decibel level?

[Ron Brand]

I was at the Kent game in 2004 and it was probably the loudest I've heard in any stadium, for any sport.  Anyone who was at the playoff games in '80, '81, or '86 care to comment on MMPUS decibel level vs. 'Dome decibel level?

I was there in '81 when Ashby hit the home run. It was great and it was loud, but the Dome was a cavern. I don't think it could ever be as loud as MMPUS with the roof closed.

The best thing about the Ashby HR was that communal feeling of vanquishing the tormentors. The crowd stayed and clapped and cheered long after the game was over.

[Limey]

Mark and i were at the Beltran game. unreal noise.

I am trying to remember if I was at the Beltran game.  I think I was - but I am worried that such memories might just be my brain on Shiner.

[MRaup]

I am trying to remember if I was at the Beltran game.  I think I was - but I am worried that such memories might just be my brain on Shiner.

I was trying to point out some yahoo sitting a few rows away from us. I'm pretty loud at normal volume, and even with me yelling as loud as I could right next to him, he had no idea what I was trying to tell him.

[Gizzmonic]

I was there in '81 when Ashby hit the home run. It was great and it was loud, but the Dome was a cavern. I don't think it could ever be as loud as MMPUS with the roof closed.

The best thing about the Ashby HR was that communal feeling of vanquishing the tormentors. The crowd stayed and clapped and cheered long after the game was over.

Yeah, I figured it would be a little tougher to raise the DB level in the 'Dome...then again, there were more seats.  Too bad it will probably be several years before we can challenge the dB level record in MMPUS again.

[ValpoCory]

Lidge closing out the Beltran game in the 9th was unreal noise.

Mark and i were at the Beltran game. unreal noise.

Is the "Beltran game" Game 4 of the 2004 NLCS, where Beltran golfed a go ahead homer of the pimple-faced punk Julian Ta-VAHR-es?  Lidge closed out 3 home games that postseason, and Beltran homered in each one.    That was loud for sure, striking out Rolen after Pujols almost hit a go ahead 2 run bomb to left.

[ValpoCory]

Was this brought up during the game last night?  Pretty awesome

Yep.  It was during the Top of the 9th, when the Nationals fans were quieted.  The Pujols home run was the only thing he could compare it to (same here).  That's when he said MMP was the loudest he's ever heard.  They did mention that MMP went from that to quiet within seconds, whereas the Nationals fans got quiet over the course of a couple minutes.

[Limey]

Is the "Beltran game" Game 4 of the 2004 NLCS, where Beltran golfed a go ahead homer of the pimple-faced punk Julian Ta-VAHR-es?  Lidge closed out 3 home games that postseason, and Beltran homered in each one.    That was loud for sure, striking out Rolen after Pujols almost hit a go ahead 2 run bomb to left.

Beltran also made an inconceivable run/rally-preventing lay-out catch in LCF, and followed that up the next inning by back-peddling up the hill to cooly pouch a monster shot to deep, deep, deep CF.

He got paid over $100mm for his performance in that game.  Hasn't done shit since.

[ValpoCory]

Beltran also made an inconceivable run/rally-preventing lay-out catch in LCF, and followed that up the next inning by back-peddling up the hill to cooly pouch a monster shot to deep, deep, deep CF.

He got paid over $100mm for his performance in that game.  Hasn't done shit since.

Those both happened in Game 5, the next day.    Here is the video showing Brandon "Lothar" Backe's right arm.

www.astrosdaily.com/video/2004NLCSgm5_Beltran_catch_7th.mpeg

My apologies for the AD link.

I remember Bagwell in the postgame for Game 5 saying that most guys are at full sprint up Tal's Hill, but he looked back and Beltran was camped under that Reggie Sanders bomb.

[subnuclear]

Beltran also made an inconceivable run/rally-preventing lay-out catch in LCF, and followed that up the next inning by back-peddling up the hill to cooly pouch a monster shot to deep, deep, deep CF.

He got paid over $100mm for his performance in that game.  Hasn't done shit since.

He did a lot in that Cards-Nats series.

[ValpoCory]

I was at the Kent game in 2004 and it was probably the loudest I've heard in any stadium, for any sport.  Anyone who was at the playoff games in '80, '81, or '86 care to comment on MMPUS decibel level vs. 'Dome decibel level?

This was pretty loud too:

http://img.fanbase.com/media.fanbase.com/8/15326/78d1c5f7d6ef1db8d73dbbd15e9608cb81357fdc.jpg?x=375&y=234&sig=e9ccb9c88adfddc47e32f1b68c202937

[Limey]

He did a lot in that Cards-Nats series.

Even a blind squirrel can find a giant mole on someone's face every once in a while.

[roadrunner]

Is the "Beltran game" Game 4 of the 2004 NLCS, where Beltran golfed a go ahead homer of the pimple-faced punk Julian Ta-VAHR-es?  Lidge closed out 3 home games that postseason, and Beltran homered in each one.    That was loud for sure, striking out Rolen after Pujols almost hit a go ahead 2 run bomb to left.

That's the game I'm thinking of and was at.  I think Chavez got a bloop RBI single to tie the game which was a small "holy shit if these things keep happening we could win this whole thing".  The Beltran homer was a bigger version of that thought and the Kent homer the next game was an explosion of that thought.

[Waldo]

Even though they lost the series, Kent's homer in Game 5 remains my favorite Astros memory.

[remy]

Even though they lost the series, Kent's homer in Game 5 remains my favorite Astros memory.

+1

[Bench]

Even though they lost the series, Kent's homer in Game 5 remains my favorite Astros memory.

Me too. That game was so fucking intense throughout. Backe was perfect into the sixth, the defense rose to the occasion throughout the game but the offense just couldn't break through for 8 innings. Everything exploded when Kent hit it. I remember walking up Texas back to the car and hearing people just screaming a raw noise, with no distinct words or rhythm. Just screaming. It was the sound of jubilant passion. Being there was one of the great moments of my life and certainly the greatest of my fandom.

[HudsonHawk]

Me too. That game was so fucking intense throughout. Backe was perfect into the sixth, the defense rose to the occasion throughout the game but the offense just couldn't break through for 8 innings. Everything exploded when Kent hit it. I remember walking up Texas back to the car and hearing people just screaming a raw noise, with no distinct words or rhythm. Just screaming. It was the sound of jubilant passion. Being there was one of the great moments of my life and certainly the greatest of my fandom.

For many of us who remember '86, this is the way we think about Hatcher's Homer.  I listened to it on the radio, and it still had that same feeling.  Aside from my being at the World Series with my dad, which is easily my greatest baseball memory, Game 6 in '86 is at the top.  That was the greatest game ever played.  In the history of baseball.  

[Bench]

For many of us who remember '86, this is the way we think about Hatcher's Homer.  I listened to it on the radio, and it still had that same feeling.  Aside from my being at the World Series with my dad, which is easily my greatest baseball memory, Game 6 in '86 is at the top.  That was the greatest game ever played.  In the history of baseball.  

My brother and my dad were at that game. If the Astros won the NLCS then I would have gone with my dad to Games 1 and 2 of the WS, so it also gave me great satisfaction to take my dad to Game 3 of the 2005 World Series to eventually fulfill that filial promise. 

I stayed home from school to watch 1986's Game 6 with instructions to stand by the phone so that my mom could call for updates from work.  I agree that was one of the greatest games ever, but being at the Kent Game elevates it in my personal experience. 

[JimR]

i had tickets in 1986 to Game 7 of the NLCS and Game 1 of the WS. Sigh.

[Gizzmonic]

Even though they lost the series, Kent's homer in Game 5 remains my favorite Astros memory.

Tetra'd.  Best baseball game I've ever been to.  Random strangers high-fiving and yelling "Astros are going to the World Series".  2004 was such a magical year in many aspects.  Beating the Braves at Turner was so uplifting!

[Reuben]

Tetra'd.  Best baseball game I've ever been to.  Random strangers high-fiving and yelling "Astros are going to the World Series".  2004 was such a magical year in many aspects.  Beating the Braves at Turner was so uplifting!

Had either of Miller or Pettitte stayed healthy that year, I am convinced they would have gone to the Series, and may even have beaten the Red Sox, who knows. Dammit.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

The best being there experience for me was the 18 inning walk off win against Atlanta in 2005.

[hostros7]

The best being there experience for me was the 18 inning walk off win against Atlanta in 2005.

My favorite moment from that game, and high on the list for all-time astros moments, is the Ausmus home run.  It was entirely unexpected and was a blast, probably one of the hardest HRs Brad ever hit.  There were two outs--did he have two strikes on him?  I can't remember.

[NeilT]

My son's middle name is Hatcher.

[Bench]

My favorite moment from that game, and high on the list for all-time astros moments, is the Ausmus home run.  It was entirely unexpected and was a blast, probably one of the hardest HRs Brad ever hit.  There were two outs--did he have two strikes on him?  I can't remember.

I was so confused when Ausmus stopped running as he came around second base.  Everyone in my row was yelling at him to run, it didn't even occur to us it was a home run.

The next nine innings were such a death march.  Somebody here it described if much more poetically, but it seemed like every inning the Braves had traffic on the bases and the Astros somehow got out of it only to go three up three down in the bottom half of the inning.  As the innings wore on, Aramark had cut off even water sales in the upper deck.  Some guy passed out a few rows ahead of me sometime in the 16th.  When Burke finally won the game, I was too exhausted and stressed out to completely enjoy the moment.  Hell, it took a few moments for me and my friend to realize that not only had the Astros won the game but the series was over too.

[NeilT]

I was so confused when Ausmus stopped running as he came around second base.  Everyone in my row was yelling at him to run, it didn't even occur to us it was a home run.

The next nine innings were such a death march.  Somebody here it described if much more poetically, but it seemed like every inning the Braves had traffic on the bases and the Astros somehow got out of it only to go three up three down in the bottom half of the inning.  As the innings wore on, Aramark had cut off even water sales in the upper deck.  Some guy passed out a few rows ahead of me sometime in the 16th.  When Burke finally won the game, I was too exhausted and stressed out to completely enjoy the moment.  Hell, it took a few moments for me and my friend to realize that not only had the Astros won the game but the series was over too.

I loved Burke's home run.  It was almost certainly why I wanted so desperately for Burke to be a star.

[HudsonHawk]

My favorite moment from that game, and high on the list for all-time astros moments, is the Ausmus home run.  It was entirely unexpected and was a blast, probably one of the hardest HRs Brad ever hit.  There were two outs--did he have two strikes on him?  I can't remember.

It was a 2-0 count.

[Limey]

I was so confused when Ausmus stopped running as he came around second base.  Everyone in my row was yelling at him to run, it didn't even occur to us it was a home run.

The next nine innings were such a death march.  Somebody here it described if much more poetically, but it seemed like every inning the Braves had traffic on the bases and the Astros somehow got out of it only to go three up three down in the bottom half of the inning.  As the innings wore on, Aramark had cut off even water sales in the upper deck.  Some guy passed out a few rows ahead of me sometime in the 16th.  When Burke finally won the game, I was too exhausted and stressed out to completely enjoy the moment.  Hell, it took a few moments for me and my friend to realize that not only had the Astros won the game but the series was over too.

IIRC, the Astros were no-hit for the ~9 innings between the game-tying and game-winning homers.


ETA:  JUst checked the box score.  Berkman got a 2-out double in the 10th* and, other than a couple of walks, that was it in the hit column for the Astros between the two homers.

* He was lifted for a pinch runner - Burke - who was stranded when they IBB'd Ensberg (WTF?) and Bagwell (pinch hitting) flied out to left.

[remy]

That entire game was just flat out gut-wrenching.  From falling behind by 5 or 6 runs early on McCann's grand slam, to the furious and unexpected comeback, to the eventual epic war of attrition.

[JimR]

I loved Burke's home run.  It was almost certainly why I wanted so desperately for Burke to be a star.

you never watched him in RR.

[NeilT]

you never watched him in RR.

I know.

[Randy Watson]

The double play that Everett and Bruntlett pulled off the end game 4 against the Cards in 2005 was one of the best plays I have ever seen in my life.

I was sitting in the second row of the Diamond Club, just feet from the Cards' on deck circle.  My uncle, who was about 40 at the time and is normally very reserved, started berating John Mabry -- yelling at him like a fool telling Mabry he was going to hit into a double play to end the game.  Mabry looked at us like we were idiots (hard to blame him).

Lidge gets him to hit a soft grounder -- I thought that there was no way that could be turned into a twin killing.  Bruntlett and Everett do it, and it still remains one of the finest plays I have ever seen in person.

[JimR]

The double play that Everett and Bruntlett pulled off the end game 4 against the Cards in 2005 was one of the best plays I have ever seen in my life.

I was sitting in the second row of the Diamond Club, just feet from the Cards' on deck circle.  My uncle, who was about 40 at the time and is normally very reserved, started berating John Mabry -- yelling at him like a fool telling Mabry he was going to hit into a double play to end the game.  Mabry looked at us like we were idiots (hard to blame him).

Lidge gets him to hit a soft grounder -- I thought that there was no way that could be turned into a twin killing.  Bruntlett and Everett do it, and it still remains one of the finest plays I have ever seen in person.

agreed!

[Bench]

The double play that Everett and Bruntlett pulled off the end game 4 against the Cards in 2005 was one of the best plays I have ever seen in my life.

I was sitting in the second row of the Diamond Club, just feet from the Cards' on deck circle.  My uncle, who was about 40 at the time and is normally very reserved, started berating John Mabry -- yelling at him like a fool telling Mabry he was going to hit into a double play to end the game.  Mabry looked at us like we were idiots (hard to blame him).

Lidge gets him to hit a soft grounder -- I thought that there was no way that could be turned into a twin killing.  Bruntlett and Everett do it, and it still remains one of the finest plays I have ever seen in person.

I absolutely agree.  I was sitting in the Crawford Boxes and still freaking out about Catpiss being allowed to steal third when time HAD CLEARLY BEEN CALLED (in hindsight it was a very heads up play by Walker).  That was one of the quickest double plays I've ever seen but the entire thing played out in grueling slow motion.  In the words of Brad Lidge "Fucking Huge." 

[ValpoCory]

I absolutely agree.  I was sitting in the Crawford Boxes and still freaking out about Catpiss being allowed to steal third when time HAD CLEARLY BEEN CALLED (in hindsight it was a very heads up play by Walker).  That was one of the quickest double plays I've ever seen but the entire thing played out in grueling slow motion.  In the words of Brad Lidge "Fucking Huge." 

It was Bruntlett's laser to Everett that sticks out in my mind the most.  But Everett's lightning fast exchange and Twinkie stretching and celebrating are close behind.

[Limey]

It was Bruntlett's laser to Everett that sticks out in my mind the most.  But Everett's lightning fast exchange and Twinkie stretching and celebrating are close behind.

It still looks like Mabry was safe.  I know he wasn't, but that's just how it looks.

[MusicMan]

Perhaps headed to Houston?

robneyer ‏@robneyer
Nope. RT @bleedcubbieblue: Not good news. RT @stevegilbertmlb: Source: WGN to announce Bob Brenly not returning to #Cubs booth in 2013.

[roadrunner]

Perhaps headed to Houston?

Apparently Porter announcing his staff tomorrow. 

Which means the thread bitching about Brocail being replaced, the front office changing too many things, the move to the AL, and ultimately Drayton will be in full force tomorrow.

[Bench]

Apparently Porter announcing his staff tomorrow. 

Which means the thread bitching about Brocail being replaced, the front office changing too many things, the move to the AL, and ultimately Drayton will be in full force tomorrow.

What a bunch of ankle-grabbing schlong gorvelling necktards.

[NeilT]

What a bunch of ankle-grabbing schlong gorvelling necktards.

Excellent start!

[MusicMan]

the thread bitching about Brocail being replaced, the front office changing too many things, the move to the AL, and ultimately Drayton will be in full force tomorrow.

Commence:

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26
Matt Galante has left Astros organization. Most recently SR.advisor /baseball ops. Had served as coach on big league staff for 16 years.

[subnuclear]

Apparently Porter announcing his staff tomorrow. 

Which means the thread bitching about Brocail being replaced, the front office changing too many things, the move to the AL, and ultimately Drayton will be in full force tomorrow.

According to McTaggart twitterness:
"Astros have named four members of field staff: John Mallee (hitting) and Dave Trembley. Doug Brocail (pitching) and Dave Clark return"

[roadrunner]

According to McTaggart twitterness:
"Astros have named four members of field staff: John Mallee (hitting) and Dave Trembley. Doug Brocail (pitching) and Dave Clark return"

It's a new day.  Tal's Hill, the train, and Brocail all survive.

[EasTexAstro]

It's a new day.  Tal's Hill, the train, and Brocail all survive.

I did, too...so far.

[Reuben]

Here's the full Chron story. They also named former MLB'er Quinton McCracken Director of Player Development, promoted Allen Rowin (who?) to be his assistant, and Luhnow said there's two more coach hires to come.

I'm really glad to hear they kept Brocail. Not that any of us knows for sure whether he's a good pitching coach, but he certainly seems like a good one to me.

[Bench]

They also named former MLB'er Quinton McCracken Director of Player Development...

His father Phil was a legendary scout.  They say he would search every nook and cranny for a player.