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[Alkie]

Ok, trading time is done.

Sometime around 2am our time tonight, the Astros will play another game.

Now then....what shall we talk about?

[HurricaneDavid]

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Now then....what shall we talk about?

TOURNAMENT, BABY!

[seib22]

the potential for having both Ensberg and Huff in the same lineup tonight?  That is a first.

Aubrey in RF, Morgan at 3B.  Who sits? Scott, Wilson, Tavares, Burke?  Discuss.

[Alkie]

Depends.  Is Berkman starting tonight or isn't he?  

If so, I think it'll be:

Biggio, 2b
Burke, CF
Berkman, 1b
Ensberg, 3b
Huff, RF
Wilson, LF
Ausmus, C
Everett, SS
Pettite, P

I'd rather see Scott start in LF, but I don't think Gar will do it.

[MusicMan]

My ideal lineup for facing righties:

2b Biggio
SS Everett
1b Berkman
3b Ensberg (god willing, he hits)
RF Huff
CF Burke
LF Scott
C  Ausmus

If Burke can't find his bat, then drop Everett back to 7 and put Willy in CF at #2; but I kind of like having Burke to continue the L-R-L-R-L combo.

[Alkie]

This lineup is a fine idea...I don't see it happening.

And then again, I think Arky made a fine point for not putting AE in the 2-hole, although folks like you, JimR, and myself would like him there for some reason.

[HurricaneDavid]

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Depends.  Is Berkman starting tonight or isn't he?

And if not?

Biggio 2B
Burke CF
Huff 1B
Ensberg 3B
Scott RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS
Pettitte P

...is what I'd like to see.  I agree with you Alkie that I'd rather have Scott in the lineup instead of Wilson right now if Berkman is in, but I don't see Garner doing that.

[Lefty]

Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

[Alkie]

You guys see the other night that Wilson is hitting .346 with RISP and 2 outs?  

We HAVE to find a way to get the man up with 2 outs and runners in scoring position.  Bat him 7th?

[Alkie]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

Ooh, that's right.  Dammit, probably Scott.  That sucks.

Or maybe Sampson.

[JGrave]

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You guys see the other night that Wilson is hitting .346 with RISP and 2 outs?  

We HAVE to find a way to get the man up with 2 outs and runners in scoring position.  Bat him 7th?

Bat him 9th.  Have the pitcher bat 6th, Ausmus 7th and Everett 8th.  He'll surely come up with two outs at some point.  I joke, I kid.

[seib22]

i think there's a decent enough chance that Scott starts over Wilson against a guy like Peavy...He is a righty who strikes a lot of guys out.  I havent looked at his L/R splits though.

[seib22]

Maybe Borkowski?  When was the last time we've even seen the guy?

[HurricaneDavid]

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Have the pitcher bat 6th

Didn't LaGenius have the pitcher batting 8th a few times during McGwire's heyday?

[Alkie]

Which leads to another question.  Why IS Borkowski used so infrequently?

[astro pete]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

That's the question.  I'm assuming they'll activate Ensberg today (they haven't yet), and I believe OP's leave ends tomorrow.  I'm guessing Bruntlett is the odd man out here.  Which is too bad because he hasn't really done anything that would suggest he be demoted; Scott has simply hit too well.

[JGrave]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

That's the question.  I'm assuming they'll activate Ensberg today (they haven't yet), and I believe OP's leave ends tomorrow.  I'm guessing Bruntlett is the odd man out here.  Which is too bad because he hasn't really done anything that would suggest he be demoted; Scott has simply hit too well.

That would leave them without a backup SS.

[HurricaneDavid]

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That would leave them without a backup SS.

What about Tejada?

[astro pete]

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That would leave them without a backup SS.

I know.  I'm thinking they may cut a corner and use Burke there when necessary.  Maybe they won't.  How many innings has Bruntlett played at short this year?

[BudGirl]

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That would leave them without a backup SS.

I know.  I'm thinking they may cut a corner and use Burke there when necessary.  Maybe they won't.  How many innings has Bruntlett played at short this year?

 More than Burke

[Lefty]

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I'm thinking they may cut a corner and use Burke there when necessary.  Maybe they won't.  How many innings has Bruntlett played at short this year?

AE - 823; Bruntlett - 107; Burke - 21

Alkie, I don't see any way they can take Scott off the team right now.

Not sure they'd want to weaken the pen right now, either, with AP/Backe/KidX not exactly being inning-eaters.

Based purely on recent performance, OP'd be the odd man out.  And if Lamb moves back to his LH bench role...

Tough call.

[AllyDStros]

107.2.

He's also played 43 @ 2nd, 10 @ 3B, 16.1 in LF, 27 in CF and 13 in RF.

If only from a standpoint of being one of the few position players who's not flexible in terms of positions he can play, I'd be more willing to bet that Willy T gets sent down instead of Bruntlett, if for no other reason than Bruntlett's flexibility.

[austro]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

What if it's OP?  Maybe they've decided to give that job to Scott, and they'll release OP.

After all of the trade activity has died down, the guys I'm most surprised to still see as Astros are OP and Lamb (especially Lamb).  They seem like the kinds of guys that might be useful to some contender trying to fine-tune their club, and they might bring a nice minor-leaguer in return.

[BudGirl]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

What if it's OP?  Maybe they've decided to give that job to Scott, and they'll release OP.

After all of the trade activity has died down, the guys I'm most surprised to still see as Astros are OP and Lamb (especially Lamb).  They seem like the kinds of guys that might be useful to some contender trying to fine-tune their club, and they might bring a nice minor-leaguer in return.

I realize Scott is having some great hits right now, but I'd rather have OP and Lamb on my bench.  Just a bit more experience.

My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

[astro pete]

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107.2.

He's also played 43 @ 2nd, 10 @ 3B, 16.1 in LF, 27 in CF and 13 in RF.

If only from a standpoint of being one of the few position players who's not flexible in terms of positions he can play, I'd be more willing to bet that Willy T gets sent down instead of Bruntlett, if for no other reason than Bruntlett's flexibility.

Maybe.  But Willy's been fantastic of late, and Burke is flexible enough to play several positions, although he's not as good as Bruntlett.

A very tough call.

[seib22]

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Which leads to another question.  Why IS Borkowski used so infrequently?

The last time he pitched was 7 games ago, on 7/22 vs the Mets.  It was a typical outing for him...he came in for a struggling Backe while the team was trailing to eat a few innings.  Using this criteria, the last time he should have come in was when TB got lit up by the Reds on 7/27.  If you recall, that was the game that Albers gave the team 5 strong innings in relief.  So, where does that leave Borkowski?

[astro pete]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

What if it's OP?  Maybe they've decided to give that job to Scott, and they'll release OP.

After all of the trade activity has died down, the guys I'm most surprised to still see as Astros are OP and Lamb (especially Lamb).  They seem like the kinds of guys that might be useful to some contender trying to fine-tune their club, and they might bring a nice minor-leaguer in return.

I think OP is too valuable as a pinch hitter to release.  That man does not give an at-bat away.

[astro pete]

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My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

[Alkie]

Let me see if I have this right.  The man's FATHER just died, and some folks think McLane and Purpura are going to welcome him back to the club with "we're so sorry...oh, you're fired."

Not.  Fucking.  Likely.

[BudGirl]

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My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

Everett and Ausmus can be flipped.  

I think the Astros only go with 11 pitchers, so I'm guessing either Albers or Borkowski gets sent down.  (Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, Sampson, Miller, Springer, Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge, Albers/Borkowski)

Which leaves Ausmus, Berkman, Biggio, Bruntlett, Burke, Ensberg, Everett, Huff, Lamb, Munson, Palmeiro, Scott,Taveras, and Wilson for the field and bench.

[AllyDStros]

Good point. And his ability to hit for contact alone means he shouldn't be allowed to leave even if he wants to, cuz, well, there's not a lot of hitters on this team that do hit specifically *FOR* contact.

Bruntlett, IMHO, is the only guy off the bench who's above average defensively and thus I'd be wary having him be the guy sent down. We need that, particularly since the team's gotten weaker defensively in the OF of late (Scott, Wilson, Huff I'm sure, whenever Lance and Mo are back off the bench/DL).

I don't have the slightest clue who the 2nd guy'll be, though.

edited because I'm really bad @ proofreading!

[AllyDStros]

I know this is random (and OT), but YAY! I'm no longer a clark!

[Fredia]

yesterday was like a giant orgy of trades and all the teams came away happy and satisified while the astros where kinda left wanting.. that said i wonder if the good guys will feel like the management has confidence in them and the pads will be the series that finally turns things around..pitching is now a question if we are to believe that roy boy is buzzing like a bee over the trade rumors..and how will the others respond to the collective funk this team seems to be in..

[Lefty]

Borkowski would have to clear waivers, no?

[davek]

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Let me see if I have this right.  The man's FATHER just died, and some folks think McLane and Purpura are going to welcome him back to the club with "we're so sorry...oh, you're fired."

Not.  Fucking.  Likely.

Especially since he still has another year to go on his contract...

[astro pete]

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My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

Everett and Ausmus can be flipped.  

I think the Astros only go with 11 pitchers, so I'm guessing either Albers or Borkowski gets sent down.  (Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, Sampson, Miller, Springer, Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge, Albers/Borkowski)

Which leaves Ausmus, Berkman, Biggio, Bruntlett, Burke, Ensberg, Everett, Huff, Lamb, Munson, Palmeiro, Scott,Taveras, and Wilson for the field and bench.

Only 11 pitchers in our shitty bullpen?  I doubt it, but if they do, no way Albers goes anywhere.

[BudGirl]

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My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

Everett and Ausmus can be flipped.  

I think the Astros only go with 11 pitchers, so I'm guessing either Albers or Borkowski gets sent down.  (Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, Sampson, Miller, Springer, Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge, Albers/Borkowski)

Which leaves Ausmus, Berkman, Biggio, Bruntlett, Burke, Ensberg, Everett, Huff, Lamb, Munson, Palmeiro, Scott,Taveras, and Wilson for the field and bench.

Only 11 pitchers in our shitty bullpen?  I doubt it, but if they do, no way Albers goes anywhere.

If you keep 12 pitchers, then you gotta send Scott down.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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My suggested line up:
Taveras CF
Biggio 2B
Berkman 1B
Ensberg 3B
Huff RF
Wilson LF
Ausmus C
Everett SS

Agree 100%.  Gar can platoon Wilson and Scott in LF as he wishes.

Edit: Agree 96%, I'd flip flop Everett and Ausmus.

Everett and Ausmus can be flipped.  

I think the Astros only go with 11 pitchers, so I'm guessing either Albers or Borkowski gets sent down.  (Oswalt, Pettitte, Clemens, Backe, Sampson, Miller, Springer, Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge, Albers/Borkowski)

Which leaves Ausmus, Berkman, Biggio, Bruntlett, Burke, Ensberg, Everett, Huff, Lamb, Munson, Palmeiro, Scott,Taveras, and Wilson for the field and bench.

Only 11 pitchers in our shitty bullpen?  I doubt it, but if they do, no way Albers goes anywhere.

If you keep 12 pitchers, then you gotta send Scott down.

We are all assuming Ensberg is back for tonights game.  Any definitive word on that issue?  Or whether Berkman is able to start?  

However, I agree, if someone is sent down, it's likely Scott is the odd man out. It's not fair but life is rarely fair.  With this pitching staff, I wouldn't want to be Garner if they only have 11 pitchers.

[JackAstro]

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I know this is random (and OT), but YAY! I'm no longer a clark!

Congratulations. You've acquitted yourself very nicely in your time here. Dave Clark is no doubt proud that someone did good by his name during the period when so many trolls shat all over it.

[Golden Sombrero]

OP has been terrible this season.  Scott has contributed far more in his short stay than OP has all year.  I can only think of 1 pinch hit he has made that has been huge.

[Golden Sombrero]

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Mo & OP coming back.

Who goes, Lane and ...?

What if it's OP?  Maybe they've decided to give that job to Scott, and they'll release OP.

After all of the trade activity has died down, the guys I'm most surprised to still see as Astros are OP and Lamb (especially Lamb).  They seem like the kinds of guys that might be useful to some contender trying to fine-tune their club, and they might bring a nice minor-leaguer in return.

I think OP is too valuable as a pinch hitter to release.  That man does not give an at-bat away.

He may not give up an at bat, but he also doesn't actually get hits anymore either.  He's supposed to be a pinch-hitter, not a pinch-go-out-and-see-some-pitches-and- then-groundout-to-an-infielder.

Edited to add: Maybe he's mentally ruined because he can't get over making the last out in the WS.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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OP has been terrible this season.  Scott has contributed far more in his short stay than OP has all year.  I can only think of 1 pinch hit he has made that has been huge.

Okay, so just to clarify, you want a young'un, with very little experience coming off the bench, to get sporadic at-bats as a PH instead of the guy who's made a career of doing so because?  

I understand the urge, because Scott is mashing, but the role is PH 4th/5th OF.  Who's the best guy for that job?  Palmeiro or Scott?  Palmeiro gives you years and years of experience at this very role.  Scott may be better overall but there is little, if anything, upon which to base the conclusion that he could be effective given limited playing time.  

It stinks, I'm not disputing that, but how does it serve the Astros to use a virtual rookie as one of your bats off the bench?  Unless you think Houston should send down a pitcher.  They could do that but I'd be surprised, given how this pitching staff has performed.

[Golden Sombrero]

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OP has been terrible this season.  Scott has contributed far more in his short stay than OP has all year.  I can only think of 1 pinch hit he has made that has been huge.

Okay, so just to clarify, you want a young'un, with very little experience coming off the bench, to get sporadic at-bats as a PH instead of the guy who's made a career of doing so because?  

I understand the urge, because Scott is mashing, but the role is PH 4th/5th OF.  Who's the best guy for that job?  Palmeiro or Scott?  Palmeiro gives you years and years of experience at this very role.  Scott may be better overall but there is little, if anything, upon which to base the conclusion that he could be effective given limited playing time.  

It stinks, I'm not disputing that, but how does it serve the Astros to use a virtual rookie as one of your bats off the bench?  Unless you think Houston should send down a pitcher.  They could do that but I'd be surprised, given how this pitching staff has performed.

OP definately won't be sent down (I doubt if he even has options) and certainly won't be released.  He makes too much money and he's coming off of bereavement.  This whole situation would have been better had Purp been able to unload Special K on someone.  As it is, someone stands to lose.  Maybe Lidge should be sent down to work on his mechanics (does he still have options?).

[Alkie]

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Maybe he's mentally ruined because he can't get over making the last out in the WS.  

C'mon.  It's not like he gave up a mammoth HR to Pujols in a game that cost the Astros nothing.  That is what ruins someone mentally.

[matadorph]

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As it is, someone stands to lose.  Maybe Lidge should be sent down to work on his mechanics (does he still have options?).

Yes.

[Arky Vaughan]

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Okay, so just to clarify, you want a young'un, with very little experience coming off the bench, to get sporadic at-bats as a PH instead of the guy who's made a career of doing so because?  

I understand the urge, because Scott is mashing, but the role is PH 4th/5th OF.  Who's the best guy for that job?  Palmeiro or Scott?  Palmeiro gives you years and years of experience at this very role.  Scott may be better overall but there is little, if anything, upon which to base the conclusion that he could be effective given limited playing time.  

It stinks, I'm not disputing that, but how does it serve the Astros to use a virtual rookie as one of your bats off the bench?  Unless you think Houston should send down a pitcher.  They could do that but I'd be surprised, given how this pitching staff has performed.

Well, by this logic, Manny Mota has more experience than Palmeiro, so let's just get him out of retirement to do the job, even if he can't pinch-hit worth a lick anymore.

Actually, I agree with Alkie that they're not going to take the man's job away as he's coming off the bereavement list. I also think Palmeiro's unlikely to be as bad in the second half as he was in the first half.

I think they're going to have to send down a pitcher. Or make Ensberg wait a day or two more.

[Alkie]

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Actually, I agree with Alkie

What the hell?  Because USUALLY agreeing with me is such a huge leap of faith?  I can't remember the last time I was wrong.

[utastro]

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As it is, someone stands to lose.  Maybe Lidge should be sent down to work on his mechanics (does he still have options?).

Yes.

Maybe they should send Roy O down until he learns to shut his mouth.  Does he have any options left?

[Alkie]

Fuck Roy.  Put him on waivers and let him spend the next year and a half with the Devil Rays or Royals.

[MusicMan]

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Actually, I agree with Alkie

What the hell?  Because USUALLY agreeing with me is such a huge leap of faith?  I can't remember the last time I was wrong.

How about that bottle of Boone's?

[Alkie]

The bottle of Boone's was my friend Matt's.  Not mine.  *I* was drinking bourbon. I was drinking scotch. I was drinkin' beer.

[utastro]

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The bottle of Boone's was my friend Matt's.  Not mine.  *I* was drinking bourbon. I was drinking scotch. I was drinkin' beer.

Stop Stop my head is spinning.....blahhhhh!

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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Okay, so just to clarify, you want a young'un, with very little experience coming off the bench, to get sporadic at-bats as a PH instead of the guy who's made a career of doing so because?  

I understand the urge, because Scott is mashing, but the role is PH 4th/5th OF.  Who's the best guy for that job?  Palmeiro or Scott?  Palmeiro gives you years and years of experience at this very role.  Scott may be better overall but there is little, if anything, upon which to base the conclusion that he could be effective given limited playing time.  

It stinks, I'm not disputing that, but how does it serve the Astros to use a virtual rookie as one of your bats off the bench?  Unless you think Houston should send down a pitcher.  They could do that but I'd be surprised, given how this pitching staff has performed.

Well, by this logic, Manny Mota has more experience than Palmeiro, so let's just get him out of retirement to do the job, even if he can't pinch-hit worth a lick anymore.

Actually, I agree with Alkie that they're not going to take the man's job away as he's coming off the bereavement list. I also think Palmeiro's unlikely to be as bad in the second half as he was in the first half.

I think they're going to have to send down a pitcher. Or make Ensberg wait a day or two more.

I didn't mean it as an absolute.  Palmeiro may not have done very well, as a matter of fact he may have been awful, but his track record as a bench/role player is established.  Scott has done nothing in the same role to make them think he could do better in the opportinities that role provides.  

That said, based on what Jim said about Ensberg in the field, I wouldn't be surprised if Ensberg isn't taken off the DL just yet.  In other words, this is a whole lot of nothing about nothing.  Not to say I don't appreciate what you have to say, it's just likely "mute" now....

[Golden Sombrero]

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Okay, so just to clarify, you want a young'un, with very little experience coming off the bench, to get sporadic at-bats as a PH instead of the guy who's made a career of doing so because?  

I understand the urge, because Scott is mashing, but the role is PH 4th/5th OF.  Who's the best guy for that job?  Palmeiro or Scott?  Palmeiro gives you years and years of experience at this very role.  Scott may be better overall but there is little, if anything, upon which to base the conclusion that he could be effective given limited playing time.  

It stinks, I'm not disputing that, but how does it serve the Astros to use a virtual rookie as one of your bats off the bench?  Unless you think Houston should send down a pitcher.  They could do that but I'd be surprised, given how this pitching staff has performed.

Well, by this logic, Manny Mota has more experience than Palmeiro, so let's just get him out of retirement to do the job, even if he can't pinch-hit worth a lick anymore.

Actually, I agree with Alkie that they're not going to take the man's job away as he's coming off the bereavement list. I also think Palmeiro's unlikely to be as bad in the second half as he was in the first half.

I think they're going to have to send down a pitcher. Or make Ensberg wait a day or two more.

I didn't mean it as an absolute.  Palmeiro may not have done very well, as a matter of fact he may have been awful, but his track record as a bench/role player is established.  Scott has done nothing in the same role to make them think he could do better in the opportinities that role provides.  

That said, based on what Jim said about Ensberg in the field, I wouldn't be surprised if Ensberg isn't taken off the DL just yet.  In other words, this is a whole lot of nothing about nothing.  Not to say I don't appreciate what you have to say, it's just likely "mute" now....

Just curious...do you think MoBerg is really hurt or is this a way for the team to free up some space on the roster to give someone like Scott a chance?  MoBerg is really infuriating because whenever he does poorly it's not his fault, it's that he's hurt (and the injury lingers long after it happened).  Now he's doing poorly in the field, whereas before his "injury" only hurt his at-bats.  Now he's batting fine, and his 3rd base work has suffered.  I don't get this guy.

[JGrave]

He's so fragile.  It's infuriating. I knew as soon as he went down on that foul ball play he was going to be shit for awhile.

[EasTexAstro]

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Now he's doing poorly in the field, whereas before his "injury" only hurt his at-bats.  Now he's batting fine, and his 3rd base work has suffered.  I don't get this guy.

Maybe a little rusty?

[pravata]

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Just curious...do you think MoBerg is really hurt or is this a way for the team to free up some space on the roster to give someone like Scott a chance?  MoBerg is really infuriating because whenever he does poorly it's not his fault, it's that he's hurt (and the injury lingers long after it happened).  Now he's doing poorly in the field, whereas before his "injury" only hurt his at-bats.  Now he's batting fine, and his 3rd base work has suffered.  I don't get this guy.

You mean faking it?  Oh lord.  I think we've covered how throwing is not the same as hitting in a different matter.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Honestly, I haven't a clue.  I can only go on what they are saying.  Personally, I think he is hurt.  I just don't know what kind of injury would cause the problems he's having.  It also doesn't help that not only did he not report the pain, discomfort, and the impaired range of motion, he was self-medicating in an attempto "solve" his own problem (although his stated motivations are noble, they are also stupid).  I think that, more than anything, is a problem.  Not just because of the risks involved with that attitude but because he did that when his elbow was messed up and he didn't hit a homerun for 3 months.

[austro]

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Maybe a little rusty?

The throws I saw Saturday night weren't rust: he's holding back for some reason.  He can get it to first with a just-get-it-there effort, but if he has to fire the ball (say, after knocking down a ball down the line behind the bag), he can't do it right now.

He also let himself get eaten up on a bouncing ball down the line, and got an error for his effort.  That one might have been rust, or the different backdrop behind the batter (although he did play there for a couple of years), or something else, since it came in the first inning of his first game back.  But the throws are discouraging.

[Lefty]

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Oh lord.  I think we've covered how throwing is not the same at hitting in a different matter.

So you're saying Ensberg *can't* throw left-handed?

[pravata]

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Maybe a little rusty?

The throws I saw Saturday night weren't rust: he's holding back for some reason.  ...

That's an injury.  He expecting a twinge when he throws and he's probably trying to situate his shoulder just right before he lets go.

[MusicMan]

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Just curious...do you think MoBerg is really hurt or is this a way for the team to free up some space on the roster to give someone like Scott a chance?  ...  Now he's doing poorly in the field, whereas before his "injury" only hurt his at-bats.  

Good grief... why not hypothesize that the Astros faked Palmeiro's father's "death" to get Lane on to the roster???

I know this is the Internet, but try to stick with reality.

[Arky Vaughan]

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Oh lord.  I think we've covered how throwing is not the same at hitting in a different matter.

So you're saying Ensberg *can't* throw left-handed?

Or side-armed? Or just underhand toss it to Everett, and let him make the relay?

WHY HAVEN'T THE ASTROS TRIED ALL THIS YET?!?!?!?

[No? in Austin]

MOBERG IS GOODER THAN TEKULVE BUT NOT GOODER THAN BAGWELL!  BRING BACK BAGGY!

[Alkie]

Quote:
WHY HAVEN'T THE ASTROS TRIED ALL THIS YET?!?!?!?

You know who would do it?  Sean Casey.  That's who.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
MOBERG IS GOODER THAN TEKULVE BUT NOT GOODER THAN BAGWELL!  BRING BACK BAGGY!

WHY ISN'T BAGWELL STILL ON THE DEPTH CHART AT THIRD BASE?!?!?!?!

[austro]

Quote:
That's an injury.  He expecting a twinge when he throws and he's probably trying to situate his shoulder just right before he lets go.

I didn't see the play on which he presumably injured himself, but from what I've heard I understand that he was diving for a foul pop-up.  And from that I would imagine that the problem was landing awkwardly on his side with his glove arm extended.  I can certainly believe that would cause a shoulder injury, but it wouldn't be the throwing shoulder.  So that's got me confused.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:

Quote:
WHY HAVEN'T THE ASTROS TRIED ALL THIS YET?!?!?!?

You know who would do it?  Sean Casey.  That's who.

WHY OH WHY DIDN'T WE GET SEAN CASEY? WHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
I didn't see the play on which he presumably injured himself, but from what I've heard I understand that he was diving for a foul pop-up.  And from that I would imagine that the problem was landing awkwardly on his side with his glove arm extended.  I can certainly believe that would cause a shoulder injury, but it wouldn't be the throwing shoulder.  So that's got me confused.

I saw it on TV but don't remember it that well, but he hit the ground plenty hard to jar something loose.

[austro]

Quote:
I didn't see the play on which he presumably injured himself, but from what I've heard I understand that he was diving for a foul pop-up.  And from that I would imagine that the problem was landing awkwardly on his side with his glove arm extended.  I can certainly believe that would cause a shoulder injury, but it wouldn't be the throwing shoulder.  So that's got me confused.

Replying to myself; poor form, I know.

I just realized that he could also land on his right shoulder while going to his right.  I'm an idiot.

[EasTexAstro]

Quote:

Quote:
That's an injury.  He expecting a twinge when he throws and he's probably trying to situate his shoulder just right before he lets go.

I didn't see the play on which he presumably injured himself, but from what I've heard I understand that he was diving for a foul pop-up.  And from that I would imagine that the problem was landing awkwardly on his side with his glove arm extended.  I can certainly believe that would cause a shoulder injury, but it wouldn't be the throwing shoulder.  So that's got me confused.

If I 'member correctly, it was more like he fell into a pushup kind of stance as he was diving/falling/leaning for the ball. It was like there was no flex in his elbows and the force of his fall went straight from his palms to his shoulders, enough to where it even seemed to jar him enough to knock his breath away a little.

[MusicMan]

Quote:

Quote:
WHY HAVEN'T THE ASTROS TRIED ALL THIS YET?!?!?!?

You know who would do it?  Sean Casey.  That's who.

Yes, but what would Brian Boitano do?

[seib22]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
WHY HAVEN'T THE ASTROS TRIED ALL THIS YET?!?!?!?

You know who would do it?  Sean Casey.  That's who.

WHY OH WHY DIDN'T WE GET SEAN CASEY? WHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???

BECUZ U FOO

sorry...couldn't resist

[Andyzipp]

Quote:
MOBERG IS GOODER THAN TEKULVE BUT NOT GOODER THAN BAGWELL!  BRING BACK BAGGY!

I still can't believe that they cut Bagwell.  Just because he wouldn't learn to throw with his left hand.

Thanks, Gerry.

[Alkie]

You know Gerry would have traded Oswalt to the Os for Tejada, waited for the Os to trade Roy to the Rangers, then trade Lidge to the Rangers for Oswalt.

Thanks, Gerry.

[AllyDStros]

Pretty much. I know my immediate personal reaction was like "ooooh, that had to hurt"

He kind of crawled around on his hands and knees, too, for a moment afterwards. It was obvious he was hurting. But then it generally is.

Ohhh, and as far as him trying to play through the pain and compensate, we all know where he got *THAT* idea from. He needs to learn that it apparently doesn't apply to him, though.

[jaklewein]

Quote:
Let me see if I have this right.  The man's FATHER just died, and some folks think McLane and Purpura are going to welcome him back to the club with "we're so sorry...oh, you're fired."

Not.  Fucking.  Likely.

...phone ringing...

Gar:  "Hello"
OP:  "Phil, OP here, just wanted you to know that I'm doing my best to get to San Diego late tonight.  Hopefully I'll be there for you and the team come Wednesday."
Gar:  "Oh, uuhhhh, nevermind that OP.  I hope everything went as well as could be expected under the circumstances?"
OP:  "Yeah, but it's been a tough week.  Thanks for asking...I'm just ready to get back to playing some ball.  I think it's going to help to have 3-4 hours to focus on something else."
Gar:  "Well about that OP...unfortunately the organization has decided to make a change.  Hey, I know they thought long and hard about it, but in the end they decided you had to be the odd man out under the circumstances.  They've decided to give you your unconditional release.  They told me to tell you that this was a  business decision, nothing personal. Hopefully you understand?"