Bo upset about the lack of respect....

[Navin R Johnson]

given to Roger Clemens, by his players this morning

"Porter tells team actions were “disrespectful”

When manager Bo Porter addressed the Astros pitchers and catchers on the field prior to Wednesday’s workout, he could be overheard raising his voice and telling his team they’re actions were “disrespectful.” Porter was asked about the incident following the workout and said it stemmed from the daily 9 a.m. ET meeting, which he calls a “synergistic chemistry lab” for the players. Seven-time Cy Young award winner and Astros special advisor Roger Clemens was visiting camp to speak to the club and not all the players were ready."

http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2014/02/19/porter-tells-team-actions-are-disrespectful/

Also of note, Bo has a 9am meeting every morning he refers to as a "“synergistic chemistry lab"

[Bench]

Also of note, Bo has a 9am meeting every morning he refers to as a "“synergistic chemistry lab"

Is it part of the Decision Sciences program?

[Navin R Johnson]

Sounds like something out of Office Space to me.

[chuck]

We should start a pool guessing in which month he'll be fired. I've got August.

[NeilT]

We should start a pool guessing in which month he'll be fired. I've got August.

I hope not.  I like Porter, as long as synergistic chemistry labs aren't something left over from the 90s. Remember when "Better Baseball Through Chemistry!" was MLB's slogan?

[Bench]

I hope not.  I like Porter, as long as synergistic chemistry labs aren't something left over from the 90s. Remember when "Better Baseball Through Chemistry!" was MLB's slogan?

Maybe Clemens was brought in for his laboratory expertise. 

[BudGirl]

The only way he goes this season is if they finish as bad as last season.  Last season was a season long spring training, which Porter pretty much admitted. 

[Mr. Happy]

We should start a pool guessing in which month he'll be fired. I've got August.

I've got next August. I'm not sure that he's the guy to take the team to the promised land.

[Duke]

Also of note, Bo has a 9am meeting every morning he refers to as a "“synergistic chemistry lab"

I hear they have those all over Oklahoma.

[subnuclear]

We should start a pool guessing in which month he'll be fired. I've got August.

It's sneaky of you to leave off the year.

I'm not sure what a "synergistic chemistry lab" is, but middle managers have to do dorky things to get their workers/players to talk to each other sometimes.

[Mr. Happy]

It's sneaky of you to leave off the year.

Chuck is oily like that.

[geezerdonk]

It's sneaky of you to leave off the year.

I'm not sure what a "synergistic chemistry lab" is,

It works just like Richard Pryor's freebasing equipment.

[roadrunner]

We should start a pool guessing in which month he'll be fired. I've got August.

He'll get all of this year, at least.  Something strange would have to happen for him to get fired in 2014.

[Navin R Johnson]

Unless Bo figures out a way to turn crawfish shit into etouffee this season, I doubt he will be the manager next season, fair or not. 

[subnuclear]

Unless Bo figures out a way to turn crawfish shit into etouffee this season, I doubt he will be the manager next season, fair or not. 

I would say if the team does 10 wins better than last year he will be ok.

[juliogotay]

I would say if the team does 10 wins better than last year he will be ok.

I would think so too. You can't hang much of that mess last year on him. He has a better pen this year and seemingly more stability going in with his roster. Luhnow has said he sees Porter being the manager a long time so his credibility is at stake somewhat, too.

[Arky Vaughan]

Maybe Clemens was brought in for his laboratory expertise. 

Excellent. But make that "alleged laboratory expertise."

[Arky Vaughan]

I've got next August. I'm not sure that he's the guy to take the team to the promised land.

I don't think that's necessarily what they brought him in for. There's a lot of ground left to cover before they get within sniffing distance of the promised land.

[Navin R Johnson]

I would say if the team does 10 wins better than last year he will be ok.

that would mean another 100 loss season, I don't think he would survive that. 

[JimR]

that would mean another 100 loss season, I don't think he would survive that. 

not sure he can be blamed for that.

[Ty in Tampa]

Is it part of the Decision Sciences program?

It was called a Jump....to Conclusions Mat.

[Fredia]

even if it is not his fault someone has to take the fall

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I think if the individual parts could bond over a common cohesive adherence goal, they might win 70.

[moriartp]

even if it is not his fault someone has to take the fall

If the team fails to improve, it should be on Luhnow.

[MRaup]

If the team fails to improve, it should be on Luhnow.

Responding to dreck like that makes me want to nominate you to fall on the sword. Come on, don't feed the trolls.

[geezerdonk]

If the team fails to improve significantly over the next five years, it should be on Luhnow.

[roadrunner]

Unless Bo figures out a way to turn crawfish shit into etouffee this season, I doubt he will be the manager next season, fair or not. 

I think this comment is rooted in the firing of Mills. 

Remember, Mills wasn't hired by Luhnow.  There was a big uproar over how Mills was fired with shitty talent, but the bottom line is that Luhnow and Crane wanted their own guy.  That was as big of a reason for the firing as the results on the field. 

They have publicly stated (at least I think...I could be dreaming) that they are giving Bo a long leash.  I doubt Bo is fired even if this team loses 100.

[pots]

“We must begin by asking it…”What is losing?”  Losing is a disease…as contagious as polio.  Losing is a disease…as contagious as syphilis. Losing is a disease…as contagious as bubonic plague... attacking one…but infecting all.  But curable.”

[subnuclear]

“We must begin by asking it…”What is losing?”  Losing is a disease…as contagious as polio.  Losing is a disease…as contagious as syphilis. Losing is a disease…as contagious as bubonic plague... attacking one…but infecting all.  But curable.”

By using syphilis as an example the speaker is suggesting the players all have sex with one another.

[NeilT]

By using syphilis as an example the speaker is suggesting the players all have sex with one another.

It's better than sex!  It's baseball! 

Ok, maybe it's just better than syphilis. 

[Navin R Johnson]

Singleton attended the synergistic chemistry lab today, no word on the syphilis though.

[Bench]

Singleton attended the synergistic chemistry lab today, no word on the syphilis though.

Maybe they are brewing up some penicillin.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I get what Bo is doing, really, I truly believe that if the team could coalesce into something greater than the parts, then Bo's synergistic approach could yield great dividends, but first they must learn how to move a mole hill before they can move mountains, and that has to come from deep within, each player must be able to light the fire within before they can burn as a team. Seventy-nine wins.

[Bench]

I get what Bo is doing, really, I truly believe that if the team could coalesce into something greater than the parts, then Bo's synergistic approach could yield great dividends, but first they must learn how to move a mole hill before they can move mountains, and that has to come from deep within, each player must be able to light the fire within before they can burn as a team. Seventy-nine wins.

The key is not to defeat your opponent but to not defeat yourself. 

[Fredia]

maybe they should just show the shower scene from bull duram

[Dark Star]

The key is not to defeat your opponent but to not defeat yourself. 

The Germans had learned this well, before they bombed Pearl Harbor.

[juliogotay]

The Germans had learned this well, before they bombed Pearl Harbor.

They just don't teach history in school anymore.

[jaklewein]

I'm going with 65 wins.  I still think there's one more year of active selling by Luhnow at the deadline.  Maybe in '15 we'll be buyers for the first time in a long time.

[Limey]

The key is not to defeat your opponent but to not defeat yourself. 

I'm so glad that you used "defeat" rather than "beat".

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm going with 65 wins.  I still think there's one more year of active selling by Luhnow at the deadline.  Maybe in '15 we'll be buyers for the first time in a long time.

What's there to sell at this point?  Castro?  Feldman?  Everyone else is either too young, too worthless, or actually locked up for a while (Fowler, Montero, Qualls).

[Bench]

I'm so glad that you used "defeat" rather than "beat".

That would have been so much better. 

[Reuben]

What's there to sell at this point?  Castro?  Feldman?  Everyone else is either too young, too worthless, or actually locked up for a while (Fowler, Montero, Qualls).

Okay, I'm drawing a big blank. Who is Montero?

[jaklewein]

What's there to sell at this point?  Castro?  Feldman?  Everyone else is either too young, too worthless, or actually locked up for a while (Fowler, Montero, Qualls).

Well, you make a good point but I look at it and think you never know who will shine for the club and have value.  I think Castro may be made available, along with Fowler.  They are both young players, but also coming up on last years of arbitration/free agency.  Then I figure Crain, Qualls, Albers, Feldman, Carter maybe be available as well.  I realize some of these players may be locked up or deemed by you as worthless, but again, you never know who will shine for the team.  Veres wasn't really deemed as a big pickup in the offseason last year but he pitched well and was shipped out.  When that happened it definitely hurt the W/L column as closing out games after he left was a daily adventure.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Okay, I'm drawing a big blank. Who is Montero?

Sorry, Guzman.  The 1B we got from the Friars.

[subnuclear]

A little write-up on Guzman. In his quote about Fowler, Altuve and Castro being locks he doesn't mention Dominguez, though I not even sure what they would do if Dominguez got injured.

[mrpink]

In his quote about Fowler, Altuve and Castro being locks he doesn't mention Dominguez, though I not even sure what they would do if Dominguez got injured.

That must have just been an oversight.  Has there been any mention of Wallace seeing reps at 3rd this spring?  Failing that...Jonathan Meyer maybe??

[astrosfan76]

That must have just been an oversight.  Has there been any mention of Wallace seeing reps at 3rd this spring?  Failing that...Jonathan Meyer maybe??

I agree.  I've seen his name mentioned as much as anyone's this offseason.

[Fredia]

i dont know if you can command respect. it has to be earned.  last season may have not been porters fault, but most of the players have not  been in winning situations and in a mlb club with great leaders, or maybe even leaders at all.  part of this could be just plain immaturity on the players part. just because these dudes know how to swing a bat , throw or pitch a ball does not meat that what goes on in their heads is always right. i dont know sometimes i think that is just the way of the male.. but putting personal opinions aside these guys are just taking baby steps in a game where you need to run.  i will be patient and wait, because i love the astros and i remember the feeling of winning

[VirtualBob]

That must have just been an oversight.  Has there been any mention of Wallace seeing reps at 3rd this spring?  Failing that...Jonathan Meyer maybe??

Marwin is pretty serviceable in the field, and he has short periods of adequacy at the plate.  He might be an option for 6th infielder.