Relax, Astros' fans... this will make the league switch worth everything

[Houston]

Astros to host Rangers in MLB's exclusive season opener.

The Houston Astros historic debut in the American League vs. the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park will be showcased before a national television audience on Sunday, March 31 on ESPN’s exclusive Sunday night telecast.  http://www.facebook.com/Astros

[juliogotay]

Astros to host Rangers in MLB's exclusive season opener.

The Houston Astros historic debut in the American League vs. the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park will be showcased before a national television audience on Sunday, March 31 on ESPN’s exclusive Sunday night telecast.  http://www.facebook.com/Astros

Great...that makes one game I know I will be able to view.

[Ron Brand]

I plan on being there. With my RedAss jersey on too.

[Ron Brand]

Slightly more info from Tags.

[Ty in Tampa]

"Historic" is one word I'd use.

[Ron Brand]

"Historic" is one word I'd use.

Fucktastic? Shambolic?

[Ty in Tampa]

Fucktastic? Shambolic?

Ramarkable. Budtaking.

[Ron Brand]

Nolanrific.

[Houston]

This is what I posted in the comments section:

Astros:

We're wiping out your 50-year history in the National League, but you're getting a March game on national TV and we'll call it historic. It's a win-win. Or at least a win for us. You... not so much.

Signed, Bud Selig, et al.

[Ron Brand]

Nice.

[VirtualBob]

This is what I posted in the comments section:

Astros:

We're wiping out your 50-year history in the National League, but you're getting a March game on national TV and we'll call it historic. It's a win-win. Or at least a win for us. You... not so much.

Signed, Bud Selig, et al.

+1

[jaklewein]

Astros to host Rangers in MLB's exclusive season opener.

The Houston Astros historic debut in the American League vs. the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park will be showcased before a national television audience on Sunday, March 31 on ESPN’s exclusive Sunday night telecast.  http://www.facebook.com/Astros

Reading this gave me an upset stomach.  I'm aware of the move of course, but this brings me one step closer to reaility.  I've been in a state of denial the entire offseason.

[Ron Brand]

Reading this gave me an upset stomach.  I'm aware of the move of course, but this brings me one step closer to reaility.  I've been in a state of denial the entire offseason.

There are more than a few elements of a public execution.

Whatever. Fuck 'em. I'm gonna watch some baseball.

[geezerdonk]

Easter Sunday

[Fredia]

maybe junction jack can make a guest appearance as the Easter bunny

[Ron Brand]

Easter Sunday

That don't confront me none. Especially since it's a night game.

[EasTexAstro]

Oddly, it is the one day Mrs. ETA has off until May. She had just called this morning to find out when opening day was, and they changed it after we talked.

[Randy Watson]

Anyone else still fucking irate about the move like me?  I am half tempted to quit on MLB despite the passage of time.

[Andyzipp]

So we're not going to the game?

[Mike S.]

Anyone else still fucking irate about the move like me?  I am half tempted to quit on MLB despite the passage of time.

Fucking irate doesn't begin to describe my feelings.  Friends don't talk baseball with me anymore because of my reaction to this goddamned extortion.

[Ron Brand]

Anyone else still fucking irate about the move like me?  I am half tempted to quit on MLB despite the passage of time.

I quit on the NBA and on the NFL many years ago for similar reasons. I don't miss the NBA, but I do have some misgivings about the NFL - at this point, I'm so lost on pro football that I have no idea who plays or for what teams, etc. I watch less than ten minutes of pro football a year, except for the Super Bowl. I don't really hang out with people so I don't miss discussions and so forth, but there is a kind of wistful feeling of loss. Not so much that I am tempted to crank my fandom back up - I pretty firmly just don't care any more - but man, I love baseball so much that I just can't do that to myself, regardless of how I might couch the spite into some kind of 'They did it to me, man, with all their bullshit...' I just can't cut baseball out of my life. I won't.

[Mike S.]

I quit on the NBA and on the NFL many years ago for similar reasons. I don't miss the NBA, but I do have some misgivings about the NFL - at this point, I'm so lost on pro football that I have no idea who plays or for what teams, etc. I watch less than ten minutes of pro football a year, except for the Super Bowl. I don't really hang out with people so I don't miss discussions and so forth, but there is a kind of wistful feeling of loss. Not so much that I am tempted to crank my fandom back up - I pretty firmly just don't care any more - but man, I love baseball so much that I just can't do that to myself, regardless of how I might couch the spite into some kind of 'They did it to me, man, with all their bullshit...' I just can't cut baseball out of my life. I won't.

My interest in the NFL was shattered after the Oilers left.  The Astros being forced to move to the softball league is equally painful (if not moreso) because they were always THE team for me.  Like you said, though, it's baseball.  I just can't quite give that up.

[Ron Brand]

The Oilers were the final nail for me and the NFL. I tried to get back on board with the Texans but it doesn't work for me.

[Ron Brand]

So we're not going to the game?

I'm going. I understand if I'm not part of 'we' though.

[BudGirl]

So we're not going to the game?

I'm pretty sure I am going.  Not sure with whom though.

[Ron Brand]

I'm pretty sure I am going.  Not sure with whom though.

Tease.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm still up for going.  I just might still be wearing seersucker.  You've been warned.

[Andyzipp]

Did Spanish Flowers move to the American League as well?

[ValpoCory]

Great...that makes one game I know I will be able to view.

No worries, all games against the Rangers not on ESPN will be aired to you in Houston with Rangers announcers.   Feel better now?

[Andyzipp]

No worries, all games against the Rangers not on ESPN will be aired to you in Houston with Rangers announcers.   Feel better now?

I would assume they're going to be blacked out, but that assumption is based on nothing at all.

[Jose Cruz III]

F:

BS
TC
TR
ME

[Noe]

Did Spanish Flowers move to the American League as well?

No self-respectin' Tex-Mex establishment would ever do such a thing! So, yes, Spanish Flower moved as well.

[juliogotay]

No worries, all games against the Rangers not on ESPN will be aired to you in Houston with Rangers announcers.   Feel better now?

Uh, actually I live in north Texas. Does that mean the ESPN game will be blacked out even though played in Houston?

[austro]

Uh, actually I live in north Texas. Does that mean the ESPN game will be blacked out even though played in Houston?

Only on your block.

[roadrunner]

Anyone else still fucking irate about the move like me?  I am half tempted to quit on MLB despite the passage of time.

Actually, no.  And I was pretty pissed when it went down.

I'm so sick of football and pointless basketball being shoved down my throat.  Dying for baseball season and even a little excited about watching Singleton and Cosart and whoever else debut next season.

[ValpoCory]

Uh, actually I live in north Texas. Does that mean the ESPN game will be blacked out even though played in Houston?

For ESPN games, I doubt Fox Sports SW will do a broadcast.  Same with CSN Houston.  Of course, I could be wrong on one or both counts.

[roadrunner]

The 2 Rockets ESPN games this year were not blacked out

[NeilT]

So we're not going to the game?

I keep hoping Ms. Doe shows up to set up the first game tickets.  It's something she does well, and it's a game against Our Hated Rivals, the Texans.

[das]

I keep hoping Ms. Doe shows up to set up the first game tickets.  It's something she does well, and it's a game against Our Hated Rivals, the Texans.

The who?

[NeilT]

The who?

Isn't that our American League rival?  It's hard for me to keep up.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I abhor the the fucking move, but as I have stated before, the Astros are MY TEAM. They've been my team for 50 years. This new group my have control of my team but it was my fucking team long before they ever got involved. I've been to inter-league games and a World Series but, I've never been to a strictly American League game. I'm interested in how it differs, even if it's a negative difference. So, I would be interested in meeting up for opening day. But, I still hate the kowtowing owner for being a pussy and not telling the extortionist Selig to go fuck himself.

[Ron Brand]

Three words.

Crane for Commissioner.

[Guinness]

I abhor the the fucking move, but as I have stated before, the Astros are MY TEAM.

Yes, this.  And they're in the AL now.  If you don't like it, well, tough.  There are far, far worse things happening in everyone's lives and in the world than the Astros moving to the AL.  It's still baseball, it's still our team, and I, for one, still support them and will watch.  It'll be weird and different, but does it really affect my life?  No.

[Ty in Tampa]

I've cooled somewhat. I'm planning on getting the MLB.TV package again and my interest in the team doings is ramping back up. But it's like I have a sort of Tourette's, I have to unleash a "motherfucking cocksuckers!!" every now and then.

[juliogotay]

Yes, this.  And they're in the AL now.  If you don't like it, well, tough.  There are far, far worse things happening in everyone's lives and in the world than the Astros moving to the AL.  It's still baseball, it's still our team, and I, for one, still support them and will watch.  It'll be weird and different, but does it really affect my life?  No.

Well, you may get a little less sleep this year. Meanwhile, the Rangers continue to court Berkman according to Dallas Morning News.

[Ty in Tampa]

Meanwhile, the Rangers continue to court Berkman according to Dallas Morning News.

I heard on Tampa radio this morning that the Rays have some interest as well.

[Ron Brand]

Big fucking deal. We've got Carlos Pena!

[das]

Isn't that our American League rival?  It's hard for me to keep up.

Why in the world would we have an AL rival?

[Bench]

Did Spanish Flowers move to the American League as well?

Designated Queso!

[NeilT]

Designated Queso!

They're serving chicken fried steak now. 

[Limey]

Tease.

She means Astros or Rangers.

[DVauthrin]

Regardless of your feelings about the move to the American League, the Opening Day SnS tradition must stand.  It's about a group of friends getting together to reminiscence and catch up.   With lots of beer and queso being consumed. 

[Mr. Happy]

Regardless of your feelings about the move to the American League, the Opening Day SnS tradition must stand.  It's about a group of friends getting together to reminiscence and catch up.   With lots of beer and queso being consumed. 

I just may have to make it this year, if for no other reason than to safely escort some of you to the yard.

[JaneDoe]

So we're not going to the game?

I would be happy to organize again; the team has already contacted me--I believe the minimum in the past was 20 tickets.  I just wasn't sure there would be interest.  Lemme know.....

[JaneDoe]

Regardless of your feelings about the move to the American League, the Opening Day SnS tradition must stand.  It's about a group of friends getting together to reminiscence and catch up.   With lots of beer and queso being consumed. 

I agree.

[Ron Brand]

Lemme know.....

I'm in.

[NeilT]

I'm in.

I'll take two.

[EasTexAstro]

Two

[Andyzipp]

Me as well...

[Mr. Happy]

Count. Me. In. Montana needs to be represented at this historic event.

[Ebby Calvin]

I'm a maybe.  Once we start the roll call for tickets I should have a better idea (Mar 31 is my bday).  I'll make SF or Saucer for sure though, if for no other reason than to meet Mr. Happy in person.

[JimR]

the Raups are in unless The Younger says he is not coming.

[Fredia]

i thought that was the rockies.. such a natrual rivalray

[chuck]

You guys will get to see Berkman.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

You guys will get to see Berkman.

Did the Ranger's offer him a real big carrot? Because, "if the carrot's not big enough, the mule isn't going to want to go." 

[Mr. Happy]

I'm a maybe.  Once we start the roll call for tickets I should have a better idea (Mar 31 is my bday).  I'll make SF or Saucer for sure though, if for no other reason than to meet Mr. Happy in person.

Aw shucks, EC. I'm just your run-of-the-mill bald-headed old guy who loves baseball and the Astros. I'm planning on coming because it is high time that I met as many of you as show up. It will be my pleasure to shake your hands. A genuine pleasure.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

A $10 million carrot.

[DVauthrin]

I would be happy to organize again; the team has already contacted me--I believe the minimum in the past was 20 tickets.  I just wasn't sure there would be interest.  Lemme know.....

I'm in for two.