What is you major malfunction, Pvt. Crane?!?

[OregonStrosFan]

Another 20+ years of tradition and positive service to the community down the tubes... Astros cancel annual fundraiser for Houston Area Women's Center.

[Ebby Calvin]

He's doing a great job of turning me away from this team, and I've done my best to stay positive.  But Crane, regardless of intentions, has proven to be the biggest piece of shit owner I can remember in sports.  Granted, this is the closest I've followed an owner's actions outside of the on-the-field product, so history will surely prove me wrong.

So I try to think about when I was a kid, rooting for this team.  I didn't care (or know) who the owner was or who the broadcast team was or which charities they supported - I just wanted to watch my beloved Astros play baseball as often as I could, win or lose.  And I try to stay as close to that naive impartiality as I possibly can.  My kids, who I want to be Astros fans, deserve to be able to watch their team without real-world issues blurring the play on the field.  But, again, because of Crane (and others), they can't.

Seriously, Jim, what the fuck is wrong with you?  I used to think Selig was the only one out to get Astros fans.

[BudGirl]

It is sad to see it go, but how many of the players are married?  I can't imagine it is easy to organize a group that may constantly be changing.

Would be nice if the Astros did something else to help them raise money.

[Mr. Happy]

Hopefully, the event will be replaced by some other fundraising effort for the center. Otherwise, CraneCo is garbage.

[Ron Brand]

I blame Postolos and Obama.

Seriously, where did you guys get this fantasy of Benevolent Owner? I'm sure they'll replace this with something else, or bow to outcry, or make a PR reach, but the real issue is their putrid PR work. Someone has left the tiller unmanned, and once they fix that everyone will return to their glossed face of Corporate Happiness.

Believe it. The more attention you pay to the owner, the less happy you'll be.

[jbm]

It's true, the club has deteriorated under Obama.

[Ebby Calvin]

I blame Postolos and Obama.

Seriously, where did you guys get this fantasy of Benevolent Owner? I'm sure they'll replace this with something else, or bow to outcry, or make a PR reach, but the real issue is their putrid PR work. Someone has left the tiller unmanned, and once they fix that everyone will return to their glossed face of Corporate Happiness.

Believe it. The more attention you pay to the owner, the less happy you'll be.

That's kinda where I was coming from.  I never held any dillusions that Crane would be a super nice guy or anything, but it seems like every month he publicly steps on his dick.

[Mr. Happy]

I blame Postolos and Obama.

Seriously, where did you guys get this fantasy of Benevolent Owner? I'm sure they'll replace this with something else, or bow to outcry, or make a PR reach, but the real issue is their putrid PR work. Someone has left the tiller unmanned, and once they fix that everyone will return to their glossed face of Corporate Happiness.

Believe it. The more attention you pay to the owner, the less happy you'll be.

This. This right here. I would never focus much energy on the owner. I may decry a sorry owner, but I just wouldn't put a lot of energy into it.

[Limey]

I can say from personal experience that working with the HAWC is not the easiest thing to do.  Even when trying to serve up a fund-raising event on a platter.

[hostros7]

To be fair, Crane tried to hand over the gala to the Houston Astros Mother's Organization, but it proved logistically challenging to coordinate due to the combined effects of geographical location and frequent trading.   

[Duman]

It is hard for wives/girlfriends who don't know if their husband will be on the team next week to plan for an event. An unintended side effect of the bulldoze and rebuild model.

But handled horribly from a PR standpoint.  

[subnuclear]

I can say from personal experience that working with the HAWC is not the easiest thing to do.  Even when trying to serve up a fund-raising event on a platter.

Weird. My father said the same thing to me a few months ago.

[Limey]

Weird. My father said the same thing to me a few months ago.

It's as if giving them money is an annoyance.

[roadrunner]

Sounds like they are focusing their efforts on the whole youth at risk endeavors.

"An Astros official said the team’s charitable foundation is changing directions and will focus on at-risk youth and youth baseball programs."

[Duman]

Apparently Crane had said the foundation would do the event this year back in Jan: 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Here's e-mail from Crane dated Jan. 25: "Judy asdiscussed our foundation will handle the event this year. ...</p>&mdash; Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) May 14, 2013
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[David in Jackson]

Can these guys do anything right?  The good news: With Altuve out for a week, there's no need to watch the team.  So, you can clean out your closets and listen to minor league baseball on the radio.

[MusicMan]

the real issue is their putrid PR work.

QFT

[Ron Brand]

I'm so glad we've got a tireless crusader for good like JdJO working this case as hard as he can. I can think of no other objective, careful and rational prima donna chickenshit with a multitude of agendas to work this one to death will all the prejudice he can muster.

[das]

To be fair, Crane tried to hand over the gala to the Houston Astros Mother's Organization, but it proved logistically challenging to coordinate due to the combined effects of geographical location and frequent trading.   

Current trend in the "industry" is for corporate sponsors of gala events to kill the event and just give expected proceeds $$ directly to the non-profit/charity.  It's usually much cheaper in the long term and certainly less of a hassle.  Not saying that is what is going on with the Astros and this charity but that's what I've been seeing here in DC.

[MusicMan]

With Altuve out for a week, there's no need to watch the team. 

Nobody can watch anyway.

And creative work by the front office, using Altuve's dead grandmother to cover a week for his jaw to heal.  I half expect Selig to pull an Ed Rooney.  "Just produce a corpse, and we'll put your player on the bereavement list."

[ferret]

I'm so glad we've got a tireless crusader for good like JdJO working this case as hard as he can. I can think of no other objective, careful and rational prima donna chickenshit with a multitude of agendas to work this one to death will all the prejudice he can muster.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the story Brian T. Smith wrote when the Astros cancelled the Houston Baseball Dinner
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2013/01/09/annual-houston-baseball-dinner-ends-after-27-consecutive-years/

Other than Jose de Jesus Ortiz waving around a letter from a lawyer like a capote, there is not much difference.  This seems fairly workmanlike.  Maybe the craphound learned his lesson when they stuck him out in the soccer fields.

Crane can't organize a plate of rubber chicken but he can get 12 billboards in front of the Houston skyline in about a month.

[Ron Brand]

I think this is a non-story that has been given plenty of fuel by the Twitter community, mainly Mr. Smith and AstrosCounty fanning the fire that JdJO is trying to light. Smith has been teasing that the story is coming soon.

JdJO needs to get slapped down again, real hard.

[ferret]

I think this is a non-story that has been given plenty of fuel by the Twitter community, mainly Mr. Smith and AstrosCounty fanning the fire that JdJO is trying to light. Smith has been teasing that the story is coming soon.

JdJO needs to get slapped down again, real hard.

Agreed. I don't even need a reason.

[roadrunner]

I think this is a non-story that has been given plenty of fuel by the Twitter community, mainly Mr. Smith and AstrosCounty fanning the fire that JdJO is trying to light. Smith has been teasing that the story is coming soon.

JdJO needs to get slapped down again, real hard.

Yeah.

Astros response: http://houston.culturemap.com/news/social/05-14-13-no-wives-no-gala-astros-finally-explain-cancellation-of-womens-center-fundraiser-pledge-18-million-for-at-risk-kids/

The whole blog "blackout" thing is a little overreactionary and silly.  I appreciate those guys' hard work as fans, but I'd rather hear the entire story before jumping to conclusions.

[Ron Brand]

The story here is that the team didn't want to embarrass the group by publicly saying they have no members and don't bring in donations. Someone whined months later, JdJO picked up on the whine, as did AC, and Brian Smith added fuel. The bloggers shat themselves on Twitter, and so did Smith, and now there is no 'upcoming story' from JdJO or anyone else. This wasn't even the Astros' fault, they let the group down easy.

Fucking people should be ashamed of themselves.

[OregonStrosFan]

This front office (the non-baseball side) is beyond tone deaf (almost to the point of 'arrogant entitlement'), and has proven it time and time (and time and time) again.  There is a lot of pent up frustration among much of the fanbase and especially among bloggers (like Astros County) who spend a great deal of time, day after day, week and week, month after month, etc. writing about this team they are so passionate about.  I understand it, and whether or not I agree with Astros County's getting unhinged on the issue (though if for no other reason the cancellation of the gala by a team so starved for good PR is asinine on its face), I'm willing to give it a pass.  IMO - Astros County has earned the 'right' to an occasional 'gaffe' here and again (whether this is one or not), just like the tonedeaf front office has 'earned' peoples skepticism.  My $0.02 anyway...

[OregonStrosFan]

 Though, if you want to see an example of 'piling on'... Chron Sports Editor Reid Laymance (via Twitter):

Reid Laymance ‏@ReidLaymance
So now #Astros are saying Astros Wives Organization a poorly run charity  http://houston.culturemap.com/news/social/05-14-13-no-wives-no-gala-astros-finally-explain-cancellation-of-womens-center-fundraiser-pledge-18-million-for-at-risk-kids/?utm_source=sf_twitter … via @culturemap

[Ty in Tampa]

Perhaps the "day after day, week and week, month after month, etc." has them a bit too myopic and hair-triggered.

[OregonStrosFan]

Perhaps the "day after day, week and week, month after month, etc." has them a bit too myopic and hair-triggered.

I think 'hair-triggered' is a fair assessment.

ETA: FWIW, at this point the occasion 'hair-trigger' doesn't bother me so much when it comes to the 'unpaid writer types' like AC... It does bother me with the folks that are paid to cover the team though (like the Chron and JdJOs, which have gone nutso on the issue).

[Ron Brand]

I take that as clarification, not piling on. Especially in the face of all these people going off on a non-story.

[OregonStrosFan]

Good stuff from HCP (a couple of blurbs below): Black Eyes and Baseball Mishaps?

***Loyal Astros fans distrust the organization, Jim Crane can’t catch a break and all the while the oblivious public relations staff plays Candy Crush. 

That is a very alarming indictment for the Houston Astros. The Astros organization is in an ass-over-teakettle public relations freefall, and no one in the organization seems to really give a shit.

Ironically, the Astros’ inability to get ahead and be proactive in the face of bad press is only matched by their self-destructive ability to create bad press.***

[Ron Brand]

That Andy guy seems pretty cogent and rational. I hope the team gets someone with some PR skills soon.

Weird train of tweets in the sidebar.

[NeilT]

I hope the team gets someone with some PR skills soon.

PR skills are easy.  You just have to treat people decently.  Are you an idiot, or can't you see that?

[austro]

PR skills are easy.  You just have to treat people decently.  Are you an idiot, or can't you see that?

You're a sly devil.

[Ron Brand]

PR skills are easy.  You just have to treat people decently.  Are you an idiot, or can't you see that?

I'm in the last hour of my Associates Degree in PR from Wassamatta U. I guess they cover that part in the last half hour.

[Noe]

I'm in the last hour of my Associates Degree in PR from Wassamatta U. I guess they cover that part in the last half hour.

Unfortunately, it was not covered in my online degree program for Marketing. Not in the budget.

[Reuben]

That Andy guy seems pretty cogent and rational. I hope the team gets someone with some PR skills soon.

Weird train of tweets in the sidebar.

I think we've found a new team slogan. Your Houston Astros... The Randy Travis of Major League Baseball!

[Lefty]

I blame Postolos and Obama.

Gnomes of Zurich

[MusicMan]

To get back to the original point, I think Crane was trying to say something about the duality of man.  The whole Jungian thing.

[Ebby Calvin]

The story here is that the team didn't want to embarrass the group by publicly saying they have no members and don't bring in donations. Someone whined months later, JdJO picked up on the whine, as did AC, and Brian Smith added fuel. The bloggers shat themselves on Twitter, and so did Smith, and now there is no 'upcoming story' from JdJO or anyone else. This wasn't even the Astros' fault, they let the group down easy.

Fair enough.  My knee-jerk reaction was first thing in the morning, with no coffee and after my daughter's first night without a pacifier.  And I had a hangnail.  And the sun was in my eyes.  And I was hungover.

Fucking people should be ashamed of themselves.

I am, but not for this reason.

[Ty in Tampa]

Fair enough.  My knee-jerk reaction was first thing in the morning, with no coffee and after my daughter's first night without a pacifier.  And I had a hangnail.  And the sun was in my eyes.  And I was hungover.

Sergio?

[MusicMan]

Buster Olney is now retweeting JdJO's breakdown of how the Astros invoiced the wives' gala.

If you're geetting schooled by JdJO in ANYTHING, much less PR, you need to be fired.

[HudsonHawk]

That Andy guy seems pretty cogent and rational. I hope the team gets someone with some PR skills soon.

Weird train of tweets in the sidebar.

Except when he starts with the woe-is-me "Astros fans are not overreacting – the Astros have conditioned us to expect the worst" bullshit, he reveals just what an insufferable twat he is.

[Ron Brand]

Except when he starts with the woe-is-me "Astros fans are not overreacting – the Astros have conditioned us to expect the worst" bullshit, he reveals just what an insufferable twat he is.

Yeah, unfortunately I noticed that later.