Author Topic: Quiet, too quiet (Read 6514 times)

pots · « **on:** March 09, 2015, 08:30:51 am »

Is the serious lack of posts due to the crappy level of play at the major league level the last few years or is this forum dying? I mean this team has a legit shot at greater than 500 this year. Albeit we can relate to only a handful of players. Perhaps that is it. Such a huge turnover of personnel has fans struggling to get into it.

BudGirl · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:32:48 am »

If they win, they will come.

pots · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:38:34 am »

Quote from: BudGirl on March 09, 2015, 08:32:48 am

If they win, they will come.

eh, people were here last year when there was no hope of winning. Was a third awful season the straw that broke the camel's back?

BudGirl · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2015, 08:41:53 am »

well, the season hasn't really started yet either.

pots · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:04:03 am »

Quote from: BudGirl on March 09, 2015, 08:41:53 am

well, the season hasn't really started yet either.

Yeah but there is stuff to talk about now. Mr. Singleton's 429/556/827 slash line in his first 9 appearances has made things interesting. Yeah small sample size, but they only get 60 appearances all spring. So Gattis to left? But wait then there is Grossman: 625/600/1125. Uh oh, perhaps Rasmus won't get enough playing time? And in what world does Presley make the team (so glad they burned a 40-man spot on him)?

subnuclear · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:06:00 am »

I find that every piece of Astros news is totally processed including all possible jokes and all variations and temperatures of takes within 10 minutes of it hitting twitter. By the time it would take to post anything, it would be old news. I know some people don't keep up with twitter, but I have a feeling that most people around here do, so that's bad for morale.

I appreciate those who are willing to dig deep (Nate Colbert recently) and others. I plan on watching a bunch of games this year, so hopefully people will show up in the GameZone.

subnuclear · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:17:50 am »

Quote

Mr. Singleton's 429/556/827 slash line in his first 9 appearances has made things interesting.

I seem to remember Singleton starting off fairly strong when he was called up then fading for the rest of the season. I don't know if that is the fault of the pitcher's knowing what he will swing at or something about Singleton.

jbm · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:23:48 am »

Quote from: pots on March 09, 2015, 08:30:51 am

Is the serious lack of posts due to the crappy level of play at the major league level the last few years or is this forum dying? I mean this team has a legit shot at greater than 500 this year. Albeit we can relate to only a handful of players. Perhaps that is it. Such a huge turnover of personnel has fans struggling to get into it.

I think you hit on the reasons with the turnover and recent crapiness. Restoring interest will be a long-haul project.

I'm excited, but would be more excited if I could put eyeballs on the action. In general, I'm looking forward to the offense, not looking forward to the defense, and very curious to see how the assembled pitching staff performs.

pots · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:25:52 am »

Quote from: subnuclear on March 09, 2015, 09:17:50 am

I seem to remember Singleton starting off fairly strong when he was called up then fading for the rest of the season. I don't know if that is the fault of the pitcher's knowing what he will swing at or something about Singleton.

If Singleton's OPS ends up north of 1000 for the spring, there doesn't seem to be anyway you can send him to AAA. I can see a Rasmus/Grossman platoon in center. Robbie has done all of his damage from the right side this spring. But what do you do with Mrasnick? Does he have options? Presley seems like no brainer trade/release at this point.

And then there is Dominguez/Gonzalez. If Singleton makes the club and Mrasnick then one of them is gone. I'd assume that means Dominguez is gone because of Gonzalez covers more positions.

pots · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:28:11 am »

Quote from: jbm on March 09, 2015, 09:23:48 am

not looking forward to the defense, and very curious to see how the assembled pitching staff performs.

Definitely want to keep the ball away from the left side. Lowrie at short and a DH in left

ETA
Though if they get a lead they can put Gonzalez in a at short and remove the DH in left. The defense would go from below average to above average.

Fredia · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:34:57 am »

I am here watching and listening and learning...

Jacksonian · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:47:44 am »

Quote from: pots on March 09, 2015, 08:30:51 am

Is the serious lack of posts due to the crappy level of play at the major league level the last few years or is this forum dying? I mean this team has a legit shot at greater than 500 this year. Albeit we can relate to only a handful of players. Perhaps that is it. Such a huge turnover of personnel has fans struggling to get into it.

There's a lot less to bitch about this spring. It's easy to complain and apparently made a lot of people feel better to do so. This spring feels like a wait and see time. I'm not sure anyone knows what to expect from this group, and there's a hell of a lot less to complain about.

roadrunner · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:11:43 am »

Actually seeing the team on TV, starting in April, will make a big difference in the level of activity here....for me at least.

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:27:33 am »

Quote from: roadrunner on March 09, 2015, 10:11:43 am

Actually seeing the team on TV, starting in April, will make a big difference in the level of activity here....for me at least.

Easily the thing I am most excited about. 2 years of crappy internet streams nearly reduced my interest to zero.

I wish the ST games were more accessible so I could see some of the new guys. I will be in Tampa to see us take on the Yanks in a couple weekends, looking forward to that.

Outside of the TV, having some semblance of a bullpen (fingers crossed) is probably what I am most excited about when it comes to the actual roster.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:34:54 am »

If they win, people will come back. I appreciate the sentiment. I'll be here, no doubt to the chagrin of some, just as I have for umpteen years.

BudGirl · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:37:24 am »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on March 09, 2015, 10:34:54 am

If they win, people will come back. I appreciate the sentiment. I'll be here, no doubt to the chagrin of some, just as I have for umpteen years.

That's what I said.

juliogotay · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:38:23 am »

Quote from: Mr. Happy on March 09, 2015, 10:34:54 am

If they win, people will come back. I appreciate the sentiment. I'll be here, no doubt to the chagrin of some, just as I have for umpteen years.

This board wouldn't be the same w/o you.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:39:13 am »

Just tossing my 2 cents in, I for one would like to see the GZ become a lot more active (the lack of posting there for me contributes most to this place seeming "dead" at times). Hope that happens when the ST games start being televised on the 17th.

Having said that, kudos to Mr. Happy for all his hard work there (and elsewhere) over the years.

BudGirl · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:40:44 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on March 09, 2015, 10:39:13 am

Just tossing my 2 cents in, I for one would like to see the GZ become a lot more active (the lack of posting there for me contributes most to this place seeming "dead" at times). Hope that happens when the ST games start being televised on the 17th.

Having said that, kudos to Mr. Happy for all his hard work there (and elsewhere) over the years.

The lack of games being aired really hurt the site. Twitter has its uses but this is where the fine print, replays, etc. get looked at with a magnifying glass.

Dark Star · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2015, 11:00:18 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on March 09, 2015, 10:39:13 am

Just tossing my 2 cents in, I for one would like to see the GZ become a lot more active (the lack of posting there for me contributes most to this place seeming "dead" at times). Hope that happens when the ST games start being televised on the 17th.

Having said that, kudos to Mr. Happy for all his hard work there (and elsewhere) over the years.

The Spring Training Game Zones used to be pretty fun. There were 80's new wave bands sponsoring half innings, poetry and haiku contests, and the like. At least I think I remember that.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #20 on:** March 09, 2015, 11:28:30 am »

The lack of TV or radio this spring limits interest in the GZ. It's just not much fun to comment online while having to follow the game online. Hopefully now that people will actually be able to watch games, interest in discussing and commenting *during* games will go back up.

pots · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2015, 11:57:48 am »

Quote from: Navin R Johnson on March 09, 2015, 10:27:33 am

Outside of the TV, having some semblance of a bullpen (fingers crossed) is probably what I am most excited about when it comes to the actual roster.

That and a much improved offense.

Valbuena > Dominguez
Lowrie > Villar/Gonzalez/Petit
Singleton (2015) > Guzman/Singleton/Krauss (even if we get 2014 Singleton, Guzman and Krauss were worse)

Outfield 2015 > Outfield 2014 even with the loss of fowler

pots · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2015, 11:59:40 am »

Interesting game today, Grossman, Singleton, Mrasnick, Dominguez, Villar and Petit all in the line up. All of them fighting for a position/role on the team

juliogotay · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2015, 12:10:14 pm »

Quote from: pots on March 09, 2015, 11:57:48 am

That and a much improved offense.

Valbuena > Dominguez
Lowrie > Villar/Gonzalez/Petit
Singleton (2015) > Guzman/Singleton/Krauss (even if we get 2014 Singleton, Guzman and Krauss were worse)

Outfield 2015 > Outfield 2014 even with the loss of fowler

If Singleton doesn't hit he won't be in the lineup long. Too many options. Carter and Gattis could play 1B and open another OF spot.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2015, 12:52:04 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on March 09, 2015, 12:10:14 pm

If Singleton doesn't hit he won't be in the lineup long. Too many options. Carter and Gattis could play 1B and open another OF spot.

That's absolutely right. He got an extended look last year and didn't impress. He's fighting for a big league job right now.

pots · « **Reply #25 on:** March 09, 2015, 02:06:47 pm »

Quote from: pots on March 09, 2015, 11:59:40 am

Interesting game today, Grossman, Singleton, Mrasnick, Dominguez, Villar and Petit all in the line up. All of them fighting for a position/role on the team

Both Grossman and Singleton improved their cases today. Grossman 1 for 2 with a walk. Singleton 2 for 3 with a double

Fredia · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2015, 02:15:06 pm »

everyone mail to rootsports for time warner. I do often. on the home page there is a form

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2015, 02:24:47 pm »

If Singleton pans out, this offense could be a lot of fun to watch.

juliogotay · « **Reply #28 on:** March 09, 2015, 02:58:27 pm »

Quote from: Navin R Johnson on March 09, 2015, 02:24:47 pm

If Singleton pans out, this offense could be a lot of fun to watch.

Yes. They could have quite a Murderers' Row. Springer, Carter, Gattis, Singleton. And lots of Ks.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:36:20 pm »

Quote from: juliogotay on March 09, 2015, 02:58:27 pm

Yes. They could have quite a Murderers' Row. Springer, Carter, Gattis, Singleton. And lots of Ks.

Throw in Jed Lowrie, and that's a strikeout total of biblical proportions.

geezerdonk · « **Reply #30 on:** March 09, 2015, 05:42:20 pm »

Rasmus can hit 20+ home runs and he's no slouch when it comes to strikeouts.

Reuben · « **Reply #31 on:** March 09, 2015, 10:17:04 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 09, 2015, 05:36:20 pm

Throw in Jed Lowrie, and that's a strikeout total of biblical proportions.

I don't think of Lowrie as a big strikeout guy. His career high is 91, in 2013, and last year he had 79, in 566 PA. Not great, but on the Astros alone, Castro, Singleton, Dominguez, Grossman, Fowler, Springer, and Carter all had 100+ Ks last year, and most of them only played 1/2 or 2/3 of the time. Rasmus' career low in Ks was 95, and he's averaged 157 per 162 games.

Compared to those guys, Lowrie looks like Joe Sewell.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #32 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:38:45 am »

Quote from: Reuben on March 09, 2015, 10:17:04 pm

I don't think of Lowrie as a big strikeout guy. His career high is 91, in 2013, and last year he had 79, in 566 PA. Not great, but on the Astros alone, Castro, Singleton, Dominguez, Grossman, Fowler, Springer, and Carter all had 100+ Ks last year, and most of them only played 1/2 or 2/3 of the time. Rasmus' career low in Ks was 95, and he's averaged 157 per 162 games.

Compared to those guys, Lowrie looks like Joe Sewell.

Our frame of reference is a bit skewed by the historic and unprecedented amount of strikeouts we've witnessed in the last few years.

NeilT · « **Reply #33 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:51:57 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 10, 2015, 06:38:45 am

Our frame of reference is a bit skewed by the historic and unprecedented amount of strikeouts we've witnessed in the last few years.

Only if you had comcast. The rest of us only heard about them.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #34 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:56:30 am »

Quote from: NeilT on March 10, 2015, 06:51:57 am

Only if you had comcast. The rest of us only heard about them.

What is this "strikeout", with which the team is so enamored...

Dark Star · « **Reply #35 on:** March 10, 2015, 08:34:31 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 10, 2015, 06:56:30 am

What is this "strikeout", with which the team is so enamored...

I prefer the term "flailing." This team digs to flail.

Reuben · « **Reply #36 on:** March 10, 2015, 11:42:49 am »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 10, 2015, 06:38:45 am

Our frame of reference is a bit skewed by the historic and unprecedented amount of strikeouts we've witnessed in the last few years.

Eh? Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the roaring sound of all that wind being generated down in Kissimmee.

Dark Star · « **Reply #37 on:** March 10, 2015, 02:20:41 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on March 10, 2015, 06:38:45 am

Our frame of reference is a bit skewed by the historic and unprecedented amount of strikeouts we've witnessed in the last few years.

The Three True Outcomes, baby.

Sex, and Drugs, and, um ... I can't remember the third at the moment.

JimR · « **Reply #38 on:** March 10, 2015, 02:32:39 pm »

Quote from: Dark Star on March 10, 2015, 02:20:41 pm

The Three True Outcomes, baby.

Sex, and Drugs, and, um ... I can't remember the third at the moment.

Dementia

Noe · « **Reply #39 on:** March 10, 2015, 02:45:43 pm »

Quote from: pots on March 09, 2015, 08:38:34 am

eh, people were here last year when there was no hope of winning. Was a third awful season the straw that broke the camel's back?

Can't speak for anyone else, but being here in Austin, I get more Texas Ranger action than I do Astros. I still love baseball, and hate the Rangers... so I've found other things to do that I am now enjoying immensely. Do I still love the Astros? Yes, yes I do. Would I follow them more closely if I could see more games. Probably, even in the lean years. I like this Springer kid, got a chance to see the team live in Oakland and could see the gap between the Astros and A's first hand (pitching and defense still wins games, and both the Astros and A's were all about out slugging each other... neither team could sit comfortably on a lead all night long, this is baseball?)

Now that the Astros are on Root Sports, there may be a chance to rekindle the fires and catch more than the occasional game here and there. DirectTV looks like a good option, but to make that change would mean much more than just making a switch for baseball. I have a lot of reasons not to move due to business needs in my home office right now. So still somewhat of an impasse for me to catch a game... but time always tells in such matters.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #40 on:** March 10, 2015, 05:19:15 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on March 10, 2015, 02:45:43 pm

I get more Texas Ranger action

VirtualBob · « **Reply #41 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:31:22 pm »

Quote from: JimR on March 10, 2015, 02:32:39 pm

Dementia

So crying out to be nominated/

Dark Star · « **Reply #42 on:** March 11, 2015, 07:45:14 am »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on March 10, 2015, 02:45:43 pm

... so I've found other things to do that I am now enjoying immensely. Do I still love the Astros? Yes, yes I do. Would I follow them more closely if I could see more games. Probably ...

I haven't seen a game on the "Astros network" since the end of 2011. And I don't think I will again, this year. The local provider is TWC (and the only thing that gets put on my roof is Santa Claus and his reindeers at Christmas, or if the Ancient Alien fathers ask me to stick something up there.)

But, as you say, that is a lot of time to find other fun things to do in the evenings. I don't know, even if I could magically see the games again, that I would watch all that much. My only regret is I can no longer offer to write series previews, or recaps. Kind of hard to preview or recap a team you have essentially stopped following, because you never fucking see them. Thanks, Crane.

Knoxbanedoodle · « **Reply #43 on:** March 11, 2015, 08:57:48 am »

If y'all want a pick-me-up, go back and listen to the Astros/Indians game of a couple days back. The Astros had at least three baserunners every inning and the Tigers commentators couldn't stop talking about how hard they hit everything.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #44 on:** March 11, 2015, 01:00:36 pm »

Quote from: Knoxbanedoodle on March 11, 2015, 08:57:48 am

If y'all want a pick-me-up, go back and listen to the Astros/Indians game of a couple days back. The Astros had at least three baserunners every inning and the Tigers commentators couldn't stop talking about how hard they hit everything.

Indians or Tigers?

Knoxbanedoodle · « **Reply #45 on:** March 11, 2015, 01:27:35 pm »

Oops: Tigers.

bubba · « **Reply #46 on:** March 11, 2015, 05:17:56 pm »

In the end, tigers/Indians, makes no difference. They are all Yankees!

Fredia · « **Reply #47 on:** March 11, 2015, 06:26:21 pm »

well said

Lefty · « **Reply #48 on:** March 11, 2015, 11:12:30 pm »

Quote from: Sphinx Drummond on March 11, 2015, 01:00:36 pm

Indians or Tigers?

Tigers are from India.