Division Winner

[Mr. Appropriate]

Been having a lot of emotions around the Astros this season and now experiencing some new ones. The Astros and baseball are synonymous with me--fan since 1994. Right now I feel like the team is back. I can connect with them again. I had felt distant for a while.  It broke my fan's heart when they moved to the AL--I had nightmares of the team being moved to some cold foggy place in the pacific northwest--stadium and all--I would try to drive to the juice box in my dream and it was gone. I'd go to the dome and it was gone. I'd go to a game and the baseball fans were there for the team batting at the top of the inning.

And a close friend died last year. He had stopped following the Astros after the AL swtich. He had been a Cardinals fan before the Astros existed, so he went back to being a Cardinals fan. We had talked Astros Baseball for over two decades, he told me about the Colt 45's, the mosquitoes in the original park, Micky Mantle's home run. We'd  gone to games at the Dome, downtown, took our kids watched them on t.v., radio...but he just turned his back on them after the went to the AL.  I understood.  If I had ever been a fan of another team I'd have done the same thing. 

But this season has been been different. There are echos of events in many seasons that have come before (5 men at an All start game; Carlos Beltran, an epic trade at the last possible moment with a second to spare to name a few). The thing that feels really new is the Astros have never been this good. Some of you want them to beat the Indians for best record in the AL. I don't care. At all. I want the Astros to win their Division, they have and I am delighted. The Astros have to play two good teams before they get to the World Series. I am looking forward to watching some great baseball. And I think the 2017 Astros  can hold up their end of making each series amazing, how ever many there may be.
 
I can't give a fuck about how the Indians play unless and until the Astros face them. The Astros have more wins on the road than at Home so how much can I care about home field advantage? Sure, I do want to see the Astros knock the Angels out of the Wild card and sweep the Rangers in their home at Arlington and watch them open UP a whole lot of ORANGEWHOOPASS in bean town and drive the Red Sox fans crazy. Seriously, I want crazed heartbroken red sox fans to troll this board and meet JimR. But there ain't no shirt for best regular season record. It's fine with me if some poor sad fucker in cleveland  gets to print that one up custom along with his matching  "record win streak 2017" sweater to keep him warm among that lake effect snow. 

And I think that is some of it. Other than the Rangers (arlington annexing Texas), Yankees (yankee fans) and White Sox (2005) I couldn't connect to the teams in the AL. It took  time  to adjust to the context of the new league. Now it feels like the Astros are back in Houston. It feels like the Hurricane and the Verlander trade and sweeping the fucking Mets and winning the division, even the AL WEST, brought them--no me--back home.

And this complete lack of a pennant race in late September is weird. Don't intend to get used to it, but it sure is nice to know what it feels like. 



 




 

[JimR]

What a wonderful post. Although I have 30+ years on you as a fan (1962), we have a lot in common. I spent the entire off season after the switch to the AL trying to decide if I would go to an NL team or stick with the AL Astros. Unlike you, I had rooted for other teams, but I could not leave the team I loved. Also like you, I do not give a fuck about Cleveland. To be the best, you have to beat the best. The best time I ever had coaching HS baseball my team beat the elite in Texas and took me to the State Tournament ( see The Improbable Odyssey in From the Dugout on this site). We should not wish for the easy route to the WS.

Like you, my best friend died suddenly and unexpectedly (what an inane phrase. When does anyone expect sudden death?) on 12/23/15. He was a lifelong Giants fan but rooted for the Astros as a second team because of me. My eyes have been misty more than once because I cannot share this amazing season with him.

I wrote a post early this season comparing this team with the 1998 team and saying how much fun it is to watch this team with its deep lineup. We have had serious injuries and ups and downs, but this team is my favorite of them all, and now Verlander wanted to be an Astro. Only a WS championship would be better.

I loved your post. I look forward to meeting Red Sox trolls.

[Mr. Happy]

This. Was. Outstanding. Thank you.

[juliogotay]

Don't be a stranger around here, Mr. Appropriate.

[HudsonHawk]

Not to be a buzzkill, but I have mixed feelings about these types of sentiments.  On one hand, I understand the frustration with the AL move and the re-building, but on the other it makes me angry that people have "re-discovered" or "re-connected with" the Astros this season, after losing interest during the dark times.  That's the definition of bandwaggoning and almost feel like you should have to start over again as fans (you've been a fan since 2017, not 1994 kind of thing).  But I guess bandwaggoning is just human nature, and I should be glad people are talking Astros baseball again. 

Now you can all pile on what an asshole I am.

[Fredia]

you know  99.9 percent of the people who post on here are true fans thick and thin. and you are right about the bandwagons..look how many roaches crawled out of the wall...errr i mean came to astros games in the name of the ATL

[doyce7]

Not to be a buzzkill, but I have mixed feelings about these types of sentiments.  On one hand, I understand the frustration with the AL move and the re-building, but on the other it makes me angry that people have "re-discovered" or "re-connected with" the Astros this season, after losing interest during the dark times.  That's the definition of bandwaggoning and almost feel like you should have to start over again as fans (you've been a fan since 2017, not 1994 kind of thing).  But I guess bandwaggoning is just human nature, and I should be glad people are talking Astros baseball again. 

Now you can all pile on what an asshole I am.

What I don't understand is, why, if your an Astros fan, didn't 2015 bring you back...? if it didn't, you are just a bandwagoner or maybe just aren't that into baseball.

For me, I never stopped watching, but I know many who did. The vast majority of those, came back about 2 months into 2015.

Maybe I'm also an asshole too, in fact, I probably am.

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[Astros Fan in Big D]

The parable of the prodigal son comes to mind, particularly the brother's reaction to his return.

All downturns lead to a dwindling fanbase.  The circumstances of the Astros rebuild put barriers up  I doubt any other franchise has gone thru.  I welcome any one who want to root for the good guys.

FTC
FTR

Go Astros.

[JimR]

Some things are better thought than said. He did not try to justify his malaise and walkabout. He openly confessed his straying and, I think, eloquently described his redemption. I do not think it is our place to establish criteria for who can be a “real” Astros fan. We all got here in our own ways on our own time, and I am welcoming him to the fold and am encouraging him to be a contributing member of this place.

[Aussie Astro]

Some things are better thought than said. He did not try to justify his malaise and walkabout. He openly confessed his straying and, I think, eloquently described his redemption. I do not think it is our place to establish criteria for who can be a “real” Astros fan. We all got here in our own ways on our own time, and I am welcoming him to the fold and am encouraging him to be a contributing member of this place.

Very well said, I tend to go up and down on the scale of ‘real fandom’, I don’t set the alarm for those 1 and 2 am games the way I used to.  Sometimes real life intrudes and other priorities come into play and few years back they were so awful to watch, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I was a little amused by the heart ache that was expressed in the forum leading up to the change to the AL.  I have watched the Perth Heat lift the trophy many times while playing with the DH rule and when the boys are doing their victory lap with the shield, the DH rule never entered my mind.  Winning will make right a lot wrongs – I go and watch the Perth Heat, seating is reasonable but not great.  The food at the ball park is appalling, you can’t even get a hot dog most of the time and never get a good one.  The beer choice is sparse and drinking warm beer from plastic cups is pretty fucked up.  But, all that crap means nothing when you win it all.
Fair weather supporters are normal, you could say we probably all are to some degree, the people who shit me the most are the ones who will have Astros and Rangers jerseys and decide which one they wear based on who is winning, fuck them.
That is not to say you can’t rethink and change your mind sometimes.  True Confession - I have loathed Beltran since he fucked off to the Mets and turn his back on us.  Since then, every time I heard his name (even after he returned) I just thought, fuck that guy.  But, I just read that he has donated $1m of his own money to hurricane victims so he is probably not the low life I had him pegged for and all of a sudden I think a lot more highly of him, even if he did wear a Rangers uniform for a while.
As for the team, in the end, all I want is to see them play hard and smart.  If another team beats them, tough... I just don’t want them to beat themselves.

[Ty in Tampa]

When the switch occurred, I took a year off from baseball period. I wasn't angry at the Astros, just baseball for doing their best to fuck the game up. For me, I wasn't upset by the DH so much as I was the history and the rivalries that were just magically wiped away. Baseball and the Astros slowly brought my interest back with 2015 making it all worth it. I can't call my fanaticism "pure" but it's genuine and this season, more than the last few, has shown me that I can still feel that rollercoaster ride like I used to.

[Andyzipp]

I think it’s also worth mentioning that the AL switch and the worst 3 year period in franchise history also coincided with the television network fiasco.  I literally couldn’t watch the Astros for two solid years.  It’s difficult to maintain interest in something that’s bad that you also have to seek out.

[Craig]

I think it’s also worth mentioning that the AL switch and the worst 3 year period in franchise history also coincided with the television network fiasco.  I literally couldn’t watch the Astros for two solid years.  It’s difficult to maintain interest in something that’s bad that you also have to seek out.

This is my situation too and it's still ongoing. I haven't been able to watch the Astros on TV for years, and still can't. I admit that I'm a bandwaggoner now, but in my defense it's not something I chose. Ironically enough, moving into the home broadcast area is what killed my chances of seeing the Astros on TV.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Everyone has their own way of looking at things, so I hesitate to judge others. But when the change of ownership and league occurred, I was so pissed off that I contemplated my fandom and ultimately decided by having rooted for the team since it's inaugural season, that I had this weird type of psychic ownership which gave me the authority to not allow the actions of Johnnys-come-lately to change that. I said fuck Crane and fuck Selig, one may own the team and the other may control the leagues but, they don't own or control my brain and I would not allow their presence to influence my affection for the Astros. . So I hung in there and suffered through the stupidity and the shitness.

[Mr. Happy]

Some things are better thought than said. He did not try to justify his malaise and walkabout. He openly confessed his straying and, I think, eloquently described his redemption. I do not think it is our place to establish criteria for who can be a “real” Astros fan. We all got here in our own ways on our own time, and I am welcoming him to the fold and am encouraging him to be a contributing member of this place.

I couldn't agree more. He returned to the fold. I'm happy about that.

[MusicMan]

I couldn't agree more. He returned to the fold. I'm happy about that.

Kill the fattened calf, for a fan that once was lost is found.


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[das]

When the switch occurred, I took a year off from baseball period. I wasn't angry at the Astros, just baseball for doing their best to fuck the game up. For me, I wasn't upset by the DH so much as I was the history and the rivalries that were just magically wiped away. Baseball and the Astros slowly brought my interest back with 2015 making it all worth it. I can't call my fanaticism "pure" but it's genuine and this season, more than the last few, has shown me that I can still feel that rollercoaster ride like I used to.

This was largely my experience as well except I loathe the DH and all it represents.

I had a great opportunity to switch allegiances to the Nats since they are local and in the NL.  That's the thing, though.  Allegiances are not a particularly intellectual circumstance.  No matter how much sense it made, I could just not make the pivot.  I was angry at MLB, angry at the last ownership of the Astros for acquiescing on the way out the door and I was angry about loosing much of what I had mentally invested in for the previous 36 years regarding rivalries, style of play and such.  But, it's the Astros.  And, even as they/we suffered through 4 years of abysmal play, I could see the plan and was increasingly invested in seeing it play out.  2015 was fun.  Heck, so was last year, even if it did not culminate in a playoff birth.  This year is magical and elicits many of the same feelings for me as 1986 and 1998.  That is "Astros" to me and I like it.

[JimR]

Crane came through bigtime with Verlander, and The Plan worked.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Crane came through bigtime with Verlander, and The Plan worked.

Yes he did and in doing so he squashed my doubts about him opening up his wallet.

[moriartp]

Yes he did and in doing so he squashed my doubts about him opening up his wallet.

I agree, but I reserve the right to flip out when Yuli gets traded away this winter.

[JimR]

I agree, but I reserve the right to flip out when Yuli gets traded away this winter.

Will not happen

[HudsonHawk]

Kill the fattened calf, for a fan that once was lost is found.


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I'm happy the prodigal son returns.  But I would object to said son claiming to have been there the whole time. 

I'm all in favor of lost Astros fans returning, and hell, even a few new ones joining.  What bothers me is the "I've been a diehard fan for 30 years...well, except for the years they sucked..."  Also, the notion that the AL move and the bad years were somehow worse on you than they were on anyone else.  If you got fed up and left, then returned when the team got good again, then great.  But you don't get extra credit for that. 

And it has nothing to do with who I think are "real" fans, though I full expected some people would want to run with that. 

[JimR]

I'm happy the prodigal son returns.  But I would object to said son claiming to have been there the whole time. 

I'm all in favor of lost Astros fans returning, and hell, even a few new ones joining.  What bothers me is the "I've been a diehard fan for 30 years...well, except for the years they sucked..."  Also, the notion that the AL move and the bad years were somehow worse on you than they were on anyone else.  If you got fed up and left, then returned when the team got good again, then great.  But you don't get extra credit for that. 

And it has nothing to do with who I think are "real" fans, though I full expected some people would want to run with that.

Somehow I knew there would be a follow up to establish the rightness of your position. The guy took a chance posting his emotions and feelings here and got hammered for his candor. I hope he will continue to post here and to contribute as the rest of us do, but if he never posts again, I will not be surprised.

[MRaup]

This is my situation too and it's still ongoing. I haven't been able to watch the Astros on TV for years, and still can't. I admit that I'm a bandwaggoner now, but in my defense it's not something I chose. Ironically enough, moving into the home broadcast area is what killed my chances of seeing the Astros on TV.

Would you like to?

I can set up a sub account so you can in market stream.

[Craig]

Would you like to?

I can set up a sub account so you can in market stream.

Man, that would be great if it's not too much trouble. I'm hoping Root Sportsnet will offer in-market streaming next year, but I was hoping the same for this year too.

[Mr. Appropriate]

Somehow I knew there would be a follow up to establish the rightness of your position. The guy took a chance posting his emotions and feelings here and got hammered for his candor. I hope he will continue to post here and to contribute as the rest of us do, but if he never posts again, I will not be surprised.

No offense taken. consider the response kind and welcoming--especially when compared to the kind of receptions people sometimes get around here.
 

[Mr. Appropriate]

Not to be a buzzkill, but I have mixed feelings about these types of sentiments.  On one hand, I understand the frustration with the AL move and the re-building, but on the other it makes me angry that people have "re-discovered" or "re-connected with" the Astros this season, after losing interest during the dark times.  That's the definition of bandwaggoning and almost feel like you should have to start over again as fans (you've been a fan since 2017, not 1994 kind of thing).  But I guess bandwaggoning is just human nature, and I should be glad people are talking Astros baseball again. 

Now you can all pile on what an asshole I am.

No, thanks for the clarity. NL Astros fan: 1994-2012 R.I.P.
AL Astros Fan 2017--?

Sure, during the abysmal years I went to some games. Turned on the Radio, turned it off. but you're right. I had a four year fan strike that shall go on my permanent record and I'll just have to live with being on double secret fan probation  during this new era of Astros dominance.

 also want to say thanks to all of you who keep this place the best place to go to find out what's happening with the Astros. Have followed this site since the freight train days and this remains a great place to find out what's going on with the team. The conversation here is lively and informed and sometimes brilliant. Which the chronicle never is. Respect and gratitude all around.

[Mr. Happy]

No, thanks for the clarity. NL Astros fan: 1994-2012 R.I.P.
AL Astros Fan 2017--?

Sure, during the abysmal years I went to some games. Turned on the Radio, turned it off. but you're right. I had a four year fan strike that shall go on my permanent record and I'll just have to live with being on double secret fan probation  during this new era of Astros dominance.

 also want to say thanks to all of you who keep this place the best place to go to find out what's happening with the Astros. Have followed this site since the freight train days and this remains a great place to find out what's going on with the team. The conversation here is lively and informed and sometimes brilliant. Which the chronicle never is. Respect and gratitude all around.

Dude, you rock! Please post more often!

[HudsonHawk]

Somehow I knew there would be a follow up to establish the rightness of your position. The guy took a chance posting his emotions and feelings here and got hammered for his candor. I hope he will continue to post here and to contribute as the rest of us do, but if he never posts again, I will not be surprised.

It's not about "rightness". This is a discussion board, and we have a long-standing tradition of responding to each others' post. I hope said poster posts again too. If he doesn't, he doesn't. But that's how it works around here.

And he wasn't hammered. In fact, most praised his thoughts.

[toddthebod]

In retrospect, moving to the AL hasn't bothered me as I thought it would.  I never stopped watching the Astros during the lean years, but I didn't make it a point to watch every game.  For the last couple of years, I get annoyed if I cannot watch a game. 

[Limey]

As a fellow wanderer in the wilderness, I too would like to commend Mr. Appropriate for his well-expressed and intentioned sentiments.  Sports seems important at times, and is important at times, but it's also just sports; so principled stands against uncontrollable forces can seem like an important thing to do, but can also look foolish over time.

Selig made me angry, as did McLane and Crane for their roles in driving the Astros down the twisty pathway that lead them to being a shitty team in the fucking AL.  I walked away (stomped, actually, with my fingers in my ears).  A lot has happened since to put into perspective my decision.  I got remarried to an amazing woman who motivates me every day to try (and fail) to bring her as much joy as she brings me.  I lost both my parents, while Mrs Limey lost a sister and a grandfather.  I was without work for a period that was a lot longer than I could have imagined before it happened.  As well as countless other smaller perspective-bending moments along the way.

Unlike Mr Appropriate, though, I'm not back.  Not all the way back, at least.  But I'm keeping an eye out for the Astros when I'm in a bar and the game's on.  I will watch the post-season and I will celebrate the Astros' success as far as it carries them.  I hope that they will be the fillip this town deserves after Harvey and finally will win the championship the Astros have deserved in years past but not achieved.  And I will think of you all here, whose support remains as ridiculous as it has always been, and I will raise a Shiner and a cup of Frito Pie to you because you've earned it.

And if they don't win the World Series, it will be a shame, but it will also be cool.  Because at least they dropped a motherfucking soupbone on the Rangers.  37-7 bitches!

[petner]

I moved to Orange County from San Antonio after our last season in the NL, so despite my initial misgivings about the DH, I have benefited greatly from their frequent trips to Anaheim and cannot complain.

As a Disappointing Rookie, can anyone explain how frito pie came to be the meal of choice to appease the BBGs?

[Lefty]

My hatred was pretty centered on Drayton and Bud.  I've always been ok with the DH, it's inevitable, and I really do like the division rivalry with Arlington.  Couldn't watch for a while, checked the scores and listened on the radio.

[HudsonHawk]

As a Disappointing Rookie, can anyone explain how frito pie came to be the meal of choice to appease the BBGs?

How exactly is a rainbow made?  How exactly does the sun set? How exactly does a posi-trac rear end on a Plymouth work?  No one knows.  It just is. 

[doyce7]

How exactly is a rainbow made?  How exactly does the sun set? How exactly does a posi-trac rear end on a Plymouth work?  No one knows.  It just is.

Perfectly said

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[Knoxbanedoodle]

I call bullshit. All of those questions (with the possible exception of the Plymouth) are answerable. And just as HH once took the time to on these very pages to explain the significance of Scott Baio ("This is a serious question," I believe he said, "and it deserves a serious answer."), so too should frito-pie's place in Astros fandom be unearthed. Could there possibly be a better time for it?

[Waldo]

I moved to Orange County from San Antonio after our last season in the NL, so despite my initial misgivings about the DH, I have benefited greatly from their frequent trips to Anaheim and cannot complain.

As a Disappointing Rookie, can anyone explain how frito pie came to be the meal of choice to appease the BBGs?

Frito pie?  I thought it was spiders.

[austro]

Frito pie?  I thought it was spiders.

And lettuce for the turtle.

[HudsonHawk]

I call bullshit. All of those questions (with the possible exception of the Plymouth) are answerable. And just as HH once took the time to on these very pages to explain the significance of Scott Baio ("This is a serious question," I believe he said, "and it deserves a serious answer."), so too should frito-pie's place in Astros fandom be unearthed. Could there possibly be a better time for it?

All those nights I spent watching and memorizing lines from Joe Dirt...down the drain.

As for frito pie, it was invented by the Germans in 1904, they named it "frito pie", which in German means "the blood  of orphaned children devoured by coyotes"...I'm sorry...just trying to impress. I'll be honest, I don't think anyone knows anymore. Scholars maintain that the reason was lost hundreds of years ago

[BudGirl]

All those nights I spent watching and memorizing lines from Joe Dirt...down the drain.

As for frito pie, it was invented by the Germans in 1904, they named it "frito pie", which in German means "the blood  of orphaned children devoured by coyotes"...I'm sorry...just trying to impress. I'll be honest, I don't think anyone knows anymore. Scholars maintain that the reason was lost hundreds of years ago

I honestly think the Frito pie started with Neil. 

[Andyzipp]

I thought the Frito Pie was an attempt to make a South East Texas-appropriate act of contrition to the BBGs while simultaneously trying to make JCI chili palatable.

[hostros7]

I thought the Frito Pie was an attempt to make a South East Texas-appropriate act of contrition to the BBGs while simultaneously trying to make JCI chili palatable.

Wasn't the act of contrition somehow related to needing a good outcome against or from the Reds? And, because skyline chili was both unavailable in Houston and because many of us have families to think about, certain adjustments had to be made?


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[Andyzipp]

Wasn't the act of contrition somehow related to needing a good outcome against or from the Reds? And, because skyline chili was both unavailable in Houston and because many of us have families to think about, certain adjustments had to be made?


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I'm certain those shitburglars were involved.  And again, whatever they serve at Skyline (or in Ohio) is NOT chili.

[Duke]

I saw a Food Network show about Skyline chile.  They do it 5 ways.  Chile with noodles, with cheese, with beans (kidney no less), onions and jalepeno poppers.  An affront to the BBGs and Chile gods.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

As soon as the postseason starts , I'm going to be a weekly fixture at El Real for their Frito Pie.  Anybody want to join?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I saw a Food Network show about Skyline chile.  They do it 5 ways.  Chile with noodles, with cheese, with beans (kidney no less), onions and jalepeno poppers.  An affront to the BBGs and Chile gods.

I've got no problem with having a side platter with sliced jalapenos, chopped onions, and grated cheese, on it. To be added as one desires. Adding beans or pasta though, creates an entirely different dish.

[Fredia]

I actually broke down and ordered some Zwolle Tamales... but have fritos and chili in the house at all times

[JimR]

I know Neil sacrificed a lot of lunches for Frito pie during the final days of the 2015 season.

[juliogotay]

I'm certain those shitburglars were involved.  And again, whatever they serve at Skyline (or in Ohio) is NOT chili.

My father-in-law was from Ohio. When he made "chili" it was really bean soup. With kidney beans. Not even good soup.

[VirtualBob]

My father-in-law was from Ohio. When he made "chili" it was really bean soup. With kidney beans. Not even good soup.

My mother's approach as well (also from Ohio). Blannnnd. I am fully converted to real chili.

[Limey]

How exactly is a rainbow made?  How exactly does the sun set? How exactly does a posi-trac rear end on a Plymouth work?  No one knows.  It just is.

Scott Baio knows.

[Limey]

As soon as the postseason starts , I'm going to be a weekly fixture at El Real for their Frito Pie.  Anybody want to join?

I'm game, but I'm limited mostly to their Veggie #7 enchiladas these days.

[BizidyDizidy]

I'm game, but I'm limited mostly to their Veggie #7 enchiladas these days.

Please don't tell me you went vegetarian

[juliogotay]

I call bullshit. All of those questions (with the possible exception of the Plymouth) are answerable. And just as HH once took the time to on these very pages to explain the significance of Scott Baio ("This is a serious question," I believe he said, "and it deserves a serious answer."), so too should frito-pie's place in Astros fandom be unearthed. Could there possibly be a better time for it?

I've always been curious about the Baio thing. Is this archived somewhere?

[Andyzipp]

I've always been curious about the Baio thing. Is this archived somewhere?

It's archived with the archives.

[Fredia]

wise words from the master.  there is a lot of stuff the rookies around here have to be educated on

[Bench]

As soon as the postseason starts , I'm going to be a weekly fixture at El Real for their Frito Pie.  Anybody want to join?

Neil will have to clarify, but I think his tradition of penitent frito pie started at the Avalon Diner.  Though the source of the pie shouldn't particularly matter.  I recall an especially satisfying come from behind win against the A's in September 2015 after I enjoyed a bowl of surprisingly delicious vegan frito pie at Benjy's.   

[BudGirl]

Neil will have to clarify, but I think his tradition of penitent frito pie started at the Avalon Diner.  Though the source of the pie shouldn't particularly matter.  I recall an especially satisfying come from behind win against the A's in September 2015 after I enjoyed a bowl of surprisingly delicious vegan frito pie at Benjy's.   

Neil, Arky, and I had a good frito (I believe it was made with venison) pie at Armadillo Palace too.

[Bench]

Neil, Arky, and I had a good frito (I believe it was made with venison) pie at Armadillo Palace too.

They make a good one.

[Limey]

Please don't tell me you went vegetarian

OK, I won't tell you that I went vegetarian.

[Mr. Appropriate]

wise words from the master.  there is a lot of stuff the rookies around here have to be educated on

If this is one of those mornings where memory is functioning I recall that a glossary was once a feature of this site (or an earlier version) where one could read about the powers of Scott Baio (r.i.p. Joanie) or the interesting and appreciated actions of Agent Jones. Perhaps a few of you Popes could hold a conclave and create a way for those new to this very long conversation to appreciate the various venerable term of art which make the frito pie served around here so flavorful?

[Limey]

If this is one of those mornings where memory is functioning I recall that a glossary was once a feature of this site (or an earlier version) where one could read about the powers of Scott Baio (r.i.p. Joanie) or the interesting and appreciated actions of Agent Jones. Perhaps a few of you Popes could hold a conclave and create a way for those new to this very long conversation to appreciate the various venerable term of art which make the frito pie served around here so flavorful?

The ol' Funk and Wagner is still around.  Not sure how up to date it is though.

Neither Frito pie or Scott Baio feature, but the word "arterioventricular" does.

[Andyzipp]

Relevant Entries:

Praise Baio: 1) Also “For the Love of Baio”. 2)Mystical powers called upon by TZers who believed that the BBGs were enamored with the miraculous staying power of the young actor. Including his denial that he was dead. Much like the Astros refusal to give in that they were dead in playoff aspirations in 2004 after a horrible mid-season team slump.

Skyline Chili: 1)inedible garbage passed off on the dolts in Ohio as chili. 2) several sacrifices made by Zone Dwellers in the pursuit of the 2004 NL Pennant, sometimes substituted with James Coney Island’s locally available Chili Pasta, which is equally as hideous.

[Mr. Appropriate]

The ol' Funk and Wagner is still around.  Not sure how up to date it is though.

Neither Frito pie or Scott Baio feature, but the word "arterioventricular" does.

Thanks Limey! yes, it looks a little dusty and could use a few terms for this millennium. Glad to see its part of the site.

[JimR]

Neil needs to weigh in on the origin of the Frito pie talisman. He had a lot of us doing it.

[Mr. Appropriate]

Couple of questions:
1) I like frito pie. Ate it Tuesday. Does it please the BBG's if I eat it as an act of devotion to the Astros, and I enjoy it? My view is yes.

2) Has anyone comprised a pantheon of the BBG's. Has anyone here ventured a theogeny of the BBG's or is speculation about them unwise?

[Waldo]

2) Has anyone comprised a pantheon of the BBG's. Has anyone here ventured a theogeny of the BBG's or is speculation about them unwise?

No.  And now that I think about it, Mohammad being one of the BBGs makes a lot of sense.

[Bench]

Couple of questions:
1) I like frito pie. Ate it Tuesday. Does it please the BBG's if I eat it as an act of devotion to the Astros, and I enjoy it? My view is yes.

Everyone likes frito pie. 

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

There was a time when I was convinced Wotan was the only BBG that was actually an Astros fan but this year not so much. They are only 16-9 on Wednesdays this year. Last year they were 17-7

[hostros7]

As soon as the postseason starts , I'm going to be a weekly fixture at El Real for their Frito Pie.  Anybody want to join?

I need more excuses to eat there. So, yes.

Also, I'm curious to see if Limey's vegetarian diet includes el real tortillas/chips.


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[hostros7]

Did anyone ever hit sparkle burger or cream burger for frito pie? Those options are kept in my personal glass box that reads "do not break except in case of Astros emergency."


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[Lefty]

I saw a Food Network show about Skyline chile.  They do it 5 ways.  Chile with noodles, with cheese, with beans (kidney no less), onions and jalepeno poppers.  An affront to the BBGs and Chile gods.

"The Best Things I Ever Ate"  -- Cincy version. 

That's an actual thing.

[NeilT]

Honestly I don't remember how it started.  I always have Frito pie at the start of the season.  2015 I was eating a lot of Frito pie.  I went to James Coney Island this year, and think Avalon Diner may be the best.  Next week I'll go to Avalon Diner.

[Fredia]

keep up the good work.. So the place does not matter just the frito pie itself?

[NeilT]

keep up the good work.. So the place does not matter just the frito pie itself?

I hope you'd choose a clean well-lighted place.