Quote: Clemens was leaving regardless.
Quote:Lane should not be starting for a major league team.
Quote: The Astros have had him on the bench since mid-May.
Quote:Quote: The Astros have had him on the bench since mid-May. He wasn't on the bench tonight. All .208 of him was in the 2-hole.
Quote:Quote:Quote: The Astros have had him on the bench since mid-May. He wasn't on the bench tonight. All .208 of him was in the 2-hole. Palmeiro? Biggio is nursing a sore shoulder, try to keep up.
Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote: The Astros have had him on the bench since mid-May. He wasn't on the bench tonight. All .208 of him was in the 2-hole. Palmeiro? Biggio is nursing a sore shoulder, try to keep up. Lane starting (and in the 2-hole) certainly wasn't the only option, much less the smartest. You're a big boy; you know that.
Quote: As long as Lane is on the team, he's an option.
Quote:he had to play. the 2 hole puzzles me. Burke batting 5 is almost as strange.
Quote:Quote: As long as Lane is on the team, he's an option. You're preaching to the choir. My original statement was, "Lane should not be starting for a major league team."
Quote:that 3-1 pitch may have been the single worst call i have ever seen. it completely turned the game around. he is either crooked or incompetent beyond redemption.on a related note, the Astros can get to the playoffs, but TP must find a hitter or two. hitting Lane #2 and Burke #5 is a joke. Ensberg and Lane passed awful headed south quite some time ago. Craig Wilson may be a good suggestion; i don't know. i just know that standing pat looks futile to me.
Quote:that 3-1 pitch may have been the single worst call i have ever seen.
Quote:Clemens refused to comment on Bucknor, but when pressed for the third time or so he relented a little and said something like "isn't it obvious?"Yes. CB Bucknor has no business umpiring major league baseball games.
Quote:that 3-1 pitch may have been the single worst call i have ever seen. it completely turned the game around. he is either crooked or incompetent beyond redemption.
Quote:why do you think ensberg's so messed up lately, jim? a bad habits hybrid? injury issues?
Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!!
Quote:There is a problem when you have men on 1st and 2nd and nobody out with your 3 & 4 hitters up in the top of the 8th and they don't even advance the runners
Quote:Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!! Um..... last time I checked (although I HAVE been out of touch the last six weeks) Houston was a National League city. The line-up isn't constructed to "take advantage" of the DH, and shouldn't be.
Quote:Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!! Anyone else under the delusion that the Astros ever expected to win with hitting? Anyone? If it's last night that lead you to this revelation, consider that a couple fly balls, maybe a grounder to the right side, and heads up defense would have won this one, something like 2-1.
Quote:Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!! Lane isn't a defensive replacement player. He's supposed to be a slugger. And, if Lane were hitting Lamb would be on the bench.
Quote:Quote:Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!! Anyone else under the delusion that the Astros ever expected to win with hitting? Anyone? If it's last night that lead you to this revelation, consider that a couple fly balls, maybe a grounder to the right side, and heads up defense would have won this one, something like 2-1. See my post right after that one.
Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:What really bugs me about this team, they cannot even take advantage of playing with a DH. Biggio is the obvious choice to be the DH, but right now our bench guys are DEFENSIVE replacments Willy, Brunt, Rafi, Lane.Garner NEEDS MORE SLUGGERS!!! Anyone else under the delusion that the Astros ever expected to win with hitting? Anyone? If it's last night that lead you to this revelation, consider that a couple fly balls, maybe a grounder to the right side, and heads up defense would have won this one, something like 2-1. See my post right after that one. Great, add a post about sloppy defense, how Garner is suddenly crazy and the shortsightedness of Purpura and you could be Richard Justice.
Quote:Here is the lineup that I would be throwing out (non-DH situation).Burke (cf)Biggio (2b)Berkman (rf)Lamb (1b)Wilson (lf)Ensberg (3b)Ausmus (c)Everett (ss)But if I were Purpura, I would be looking very hard for at least one more hitter, maybe two.By the way, who was the person who said around 6 weeks ago, that he saw no reason why Ausmus wouldn't continue hitting at a +.300 pace?
Quote:By the way, who was the person who said around 6 weeks ago, that he saw no reason why Ausmus wouldn't continue hitting at a +.300 pace?
Quote:Purpura HAS been looking for another position player for weeks now. Glad you geniuses caught up. So has the Angels, the Cardinals, the Yankees, and Tigers.
Quote:And the comment about Ausmus was about his approach. Only someone with an agenda, a constant oblivious whine about Ausmus catching, would store away this nugget to spring at an opportune moment. You blew it, should've waited till later in the season so you could complain about how the Astros are out of contention due to Ausmus' lack of a .300 average.
Quote:I have always seen Brad Ausmus as more of a fielder and less of a hitter. This year, he has turned it around massively. Do you know what created the spark in his bat or is he just on a slight streak?-- John S., Galena Park, Texas As of this writing, Ausmus was 11-for-67 in June. That's a .164 average. It was fun watching him hit .339 in April, but I think we all knew that wasn't going to last. The backstop isn't a .339 hitter, but he's not a .164 hitter, either. He's somewhere in the middle. I think that's what we can expect to see the rest of the season.That said, historically, Ausmus heats up in August. He hit .310 last August, and he has a career average of .292 during that month. It's odd that he hits well in August, considering he plays the most demanding position on the field, and August is usually when players start to wear down a bit.
Quote:Wah Wah Wah. Shut the fuck up Pravata. Everyone knows that Purpura is looking for a hitter -- so that means that we can't talk about it???As for Ausmus, I wasn't blaming Ausmus for last night's loss. But since you bring it up, Ausmus is now 0 for his last 27!!! Mindboggling. Ausmus is batting .155 in June. And while he might call a great game, teams are learning that they can run at will on the Astros and the blame for this does not rest entirely with the pitchers. And I don't think that I am imagining that there have been more wild pitches this year with him catching than ever before.
Quote:Wah Wah Wah. Shut the fuck up Pravata. Everyone knows that Purpura is looking for a hitter -- so that means that we can't talk about it???
Quote:Quote:Purpura HAS been looking for another position player for weeks now. Glad you geniuses caught up. So has the Angels, the Cardinals, the Yankees, and Tigers.The Count has warned everyone that making a change in the lineup will require a change in the construction of the team. So he's told everyone that they need to figure out what part of the lineup needs to be addressed. He has asked repeatedly "Where would you make a change?". It is a fair question and one that should be foundation for a change in the Astros. In 2004, Gerry Hunsicker said almost the same thing. He made a change, and guess what... it was a defensive upgrade at the crux of it. He got Carlos Beltran to man centerfield and take Craig Biggio out of the important fielding position. Does Purpura face the same challenge today? Is Chris Burke or Willy Taveras the same as having Craig Biggio out there that it is a concern for Purpura and Garner? In 2004, with Kent, Berkman, Bagwell in the middle of the lineup, was a change for the run producing part of the lineup in order? So given that short history, are changes needed (#1) and if so, what changes (#2)?Bitching about Adam Everett and/or Brad Ausmus at this point and time is incredible (IMHO)Quote:And the comment about Ausmus was about his approach. Only someone with an agenda, a constant oblivious whine about Ausmus catching, would store away this nugget to spring at an opportune moment. You blew it, should've waited till later in the season so you could complain about how the Astros are out of contention due to Ausmus' lack of a .300 average. Thank you, that is EGGSZACTLY what I talked about with TTB. His lack of grasping this is blinded by his agenda against Ausmus unfortunately. Talking to him some more about it will only lead to more of the same. Is Brad Aumus a Babe Ruth re-incarnated? Quote:I have always seen Brad Ausmus as more of a fielder and less of a hitter. This year, he has turned it around massively. Do you know what created the spark in his bat or is he just on a slight streak?-- John S., Galena Park, Texas As of this writing, Ausmus was 11-for-67 in June. That's a .164 average. It was fun watching him hit .339 in April, but I think we all knew that wasn't going to last. The backstop isn't a .339 hitter, but he's not a .164 hitter, either. He's somewhere in the middle. I think that's what we can expect to see the rest of the season.That said, historically, Ausmus heats up in August. He hit .310 last August, and he has a career average of .292 during that month. It's odd that he hits well in August, considering he plays the most demanding position on the field, and August is usually when players start to wear down a bit.
Quote:Can we talk about my apparent take that Aumsus would *continue* to hit at a +.300 pace?
Quote:Quote:Quote:Purpura HAS been looking for another position player for weeks now. Glad you geniuses caught up. So has the Angels, the Cardinals, the Yankees, and Tigers.The Count has warned everyone that making a change in the lineup will require a change in the construction of the team. So he's told everyone that they need to figure out what part of the lineup needs to be addressed. He has asked repeatedly "Where would you make a change?". It is a fair question and one that should be foundation for a change in the Astros. In 2004, Gerry Hunsicker said almost the same thing. He made a change, and guess what... it was a defensive upgrade at the crux of it. He got Carlos Beltran to man centerfield and take Craig Biggio out of the important fielding position. Does Purpura face the same challenge today? Is Chris Burke or Willy Taveras the same as having Craig Biggio out there that it is a concern for Purpura and Garner? In 2004, with Kent, Berkman, Bagwell in the middle of the lineup, was a change for the run producing part of the lineup in order? So given that short history, are changes needed (#1) and if so, what changes (#2)?Bitching about Adam Everett and/or Brad Ausmus at this point and time is incredible (IMHO)Quote:And the comment about Ausmus was about his approach. Only someone with an agenda, a constant oblivious whine about Ausmus catching, would store away this nugget to spring at an opportune moment. You blew it, should've waited till later in the season so you could complain about how the Astros are out of contention due to Ausmus' lack of a .300 average. Thank you, that is EGGSZACTLY what I talked about with TTB. His lack of grasping this is blinded by his agenda against Ausmus unfortunately. Talking to him some more about it will only lead to more of the same. Is Brad Aumus a Babe Ruth re-incarnated? Quote:I have always seen Brad Ausmus as more of a fielder and less of a hitter. This year, he has turned it around massively. Do you know what created the spark in his bat or is he just on a slight streak?-- John S., Galena Park, Texas As of this writing, Ausmus was 11-for-67 in June. That's a .164 average. It was fun watching him hit .339 in April, but I think we all knew that wasn't going to last. The backstop isn't a .339 hitter, but he's not a .164 hitter, either. He's somewhere in the middle. I think that's what we can expect to see the rest of the season.That said, historically, Ausmus heats up in August. He hit .310 last August, and he has a career average of .292 during that month. It's odd that he hits well in August, considering he plays the most demanding position on the field, and August is usually when players start to wear down a bit. No, but Adam Everett is Ty Cobb, or the '27 Yankees. I read about it in the The Big Boys Book of Shit That is No Longer Relevant. The other one I like is how Jason Lane is suddenly no longer a major leaguer. Couldn't have said something in April? All in the middle of how Jimerson, Pence, Scott, et al, is the next savior of the outfield.
Quote:No, but Adam Everett is Ty Cobb, or the '27 Yankees. I read about it in the The Big Boys Book of Shit That is No Longer Relevant. The other one I like is how Jason Lane is suddenly no longer a major leaguer. Couldn't have said something in April? All in the middle of how Jimerson, Pence, Scott, et al, is the next savior of the outfield.
Quote:Quote:No, but Adam Everett is Ty Cobb, or the '27 Yankees. I read about it in the The Big Boys Book of Shit That is No Longer Relevant. The other one I like is how Jason Lane is suddenly no longer a major leaguer. Couldn't have said something in April? All in the middle of how Jimerson, Pence, Scott, et al, is the next savior of the outfield. I listened to the tenth inning show last night while running to the store on an errand. I got in the car right when some caller was in full rant:(caller)"I don't get it! I REALLY DON'T! You have a guy who hits for high average, is great defensively, has pop in his bat, yet we have to continue to watch Adam Everett fail as a major league shortstop?!?!? Tell me why don't the Astros consider moving up (pause) Ben Zobrist!?!? WHY?"(I immediately stop the car and bang my head against the steering wheel, hoping that somehow I can remove the last rant from my cerebelum)(caller) "And while we're at it, what about JR House... and Hunter Pence. The Astros need to change out House for Munson, get rid of Everett for Zobrist and bring up Pence too."(okay, now the guy is in full "bring up the AA guys to make the appropriate changes" mode)(Radio Host) "I agree completely..."(I turn off the AM dial and put in a CD right away... the world has gone mad and they want me to join in the madness. The hell you say, go off the deep end folks all you want, just don't expect me to join!).
Quote:Pravata, show me any post this season where I've whined about the need to make player acquisitions.
Quote:Quote:Pravata, show me any post this season where I've whined about the need to make player acquisitions. You just did. Ignoring completely that Purpura has said he has been doing that very thing for weeks. Other teams are looking to trade for hitters too. I don't know that you've noticed, but some GMs, on other teams, have mentioned how difficult it is to make a trade at this point.
Quote: And I don't think that I am imagining that there have been more wild pitches this year with him catching than ever before.
Quote:Major. Are you referring to my post? Where did I talk about Lane or Everett? Why don't you read a fucking post before you open your piehole.
Quote:Quote:Wah Wah Wah. Shut the fuck up Pravata. Everyone knows that Purpura is looking for a hitter -- so that means that we can't talk about it???As for Ausmus, I wasn't blaming Ausmus for last night's loss. But since you bring it up, Ausmus is now 0 for his last 27!!! Mindboggling. Ausmus is batting .155 in June. And while he might call a great game, teams are learning that they can run at will on the Astros and the blame for this does not rest entirely with the pitchers. And I don't think that I am imagining that there have been more wild pitches this year with him catching than ever before. Talk about it? Sure. Whine about it? Boring. You have far more interest in your "imagination" than following the Astros. Purpura has since he took over as GM explained in detail his strategy towards trades. No one has "run at will" on the Astros. Have teams "run at will" on Estrada? On Schneider?
Quote:Quote:Quote:Wah Wah Wah. Shut the fuck up Pravata. Everyone knows that Purpura is looking for a hitter -- so that means that we can't talk about it???As for Ausmus, I wasn't blaming Ausmus for last night's loss. But since you bring it up, Ausmus is now 0 for his last 27!!! Mindboggling. Ausmus is batting .155 in June. And while he might call a great game, teams are learning that they can run at will on the Astros and the blame for this does not rest entirely with the pitchers. And I don't think that I am imagining that there have been more wild pitches this year with him catching than ever before. Talk about it? Sure. Whine about it? Boring. You have far more interest in your "imagination" than following the Astros. Purpura has since he took over as GM explained in detail his strategy towards trades. No one has "run at will" on the Astros. Have teams "run at will" on Estrada? On Schneider? Could you please give me a brief summery of Purpuras "strategy"?It seems like Draytons "strategy" and TP's strategy are NOTin line.
Quote:The Link"on a related note, the Astros can get to the playoffs, but TP must find a hitter or two. i just know that standing pat looks futile to me."The Link"But if I were Purpura, I would be looking very hard for at least one more hitter, maybe two."
Quote:I wonder if the organization is losing patience with Ensberg, and if 3B might not be a place where they decide it's time for a change. I don't imagine that would happen before next winter, but last winter when we would go down the lineup and ask "what could you realistically change?", Ensberg wasn't one of the candidates. Maybe this year he is.Not that I have any idea who would replace him.
Quote:Quote:I wonder if the organization is losing patience with Ensberg, and if 3B might not be a place where they decide it's time for a change. I don't imagine that would happen before next winter, but last winter when we would go down the lineup and ask "what could you realistically change?", Ensberg wasn't one of the candidates. Maybe this year he is.Not that I have any idea who would replace him. Not the answer. For a couple reasons. First, you never sell low and buy high. Second, a lot of players are struggling, at least Ensberg has more potential to do something right compared to those others...a very empty half full glass but half full nonetheless. Maybe moving him down in the order is a more realistic short term adjustment
Quote:So if you never sell low and buy high and the other guy never sells low and buys high, how does anyone get traded.
