34 replies to this topic

[carter08]

With yesterdays aquistion of Jason Jennings, the Astros are in a good position pitching wise
This is what I want the lineup to look like:
1B- Berkman
2B- Biggio
SS- Everett
3B- Ensberg
CF- Burke
LF- Lee
RF- Scott
C- Ausmus

Should be better offensively, but expect defensive struggles without Taveras

[carter08]

Bagwell set to Retire today

Press conference scheduled for 10am on FSN Southwest

[TEXREB]

With yesterdays aquistion of Jason Jennings, the Astros are in a good position pitching wise
This is what I want the lineup to look like:
1B- Berkman
2B- Biggio
SS- Everett
3B- Ensberg
CF- Burke
LF- Lee
RF- Scott
C- Ausmus

Should be better offensively, but expect defensive struggles without Taveras

This looks about right. Hopefully, Ensberg will bounce back to his '05 form and forget '06. I would like to see the Astros upgrade offensively at catcher, but we can't always get what we want. Back end of the starting pitching rotation needs some work too.

[Jaymze13]

Bagwell calls it quits after 15 years

JOE STINEBAKER
Associated Press

HOUSTON - Jeff Bagwell retired Friday after 15 years with the Houston Astros, ending a career in which he hit 449 home runs but was forced from the field after the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury.

Along with Craig Biggio, Bagwell led the Astros to four division titles and the team's first NL pennant in 2005. The 38-year-old Bagwell retires as Houston's leader in homers, RBIs (1,529), walks (1,401) and extra-base hits (969). He finished with a .297 career average.

The four-time All Star and winner of the 1994 NL MVP award will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement struck with the team this week. Bagwell is expected to work with Astros hitters, assist in the front office and make appearances for the team.

"I had a tough time in those last four or five years in my shoulder. It took a lot out of me both on the field and off the field," he said. "This is a day that I knew was coming. I'm OK with it. I feel blessed to have known all of you."

Astros owner Drayton McLane praised Bagwell's contributions to the team on and off the field.

"Jeff has been the heartbeat of the Houston Astros," McLane said.

With a unique and unorthodox batting stance, Bagwell had remarkable power at the plate, ranking among the top 15 players in home runs and RBIs throughout the 1990s. His career home-run total was three behind his childhood idol, Carl Yastrzemski.

Former teammates and colleagues routinely described Bagwell as a "blue-collar guy" and "one of the guys" who accepted the fame and celebrity of his career only reluctantly.

"For as great a player as he was, he was also one of the most humble people I've ever been around," former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "He really let his play do his talking for him. He was just one of the guys, so to speak."

A native of Boston, Bagwell was traded by the Red Sox to Houston in August 1990 for pitcher Larry Andersen. Astros manager Art Howe switched Bagwell from third base to first base to accommodate Ken Caminiti, who became one of Bagwell's closest friends.

Bagwell was voted NL Rookie of the Year in 1991 after hitting .294 with 15 homers and 82 RBIs. He went on to win three Silver Slugger awards and one Gold Glove. In his MVP year, he hit .368 with 39 homers and 116 RBIs, playing 110 games in the strike-shortened season.

Bagwell experienced tragedies during his career, with two of his teammates dying unexpectedly within two years of each other.

By 2005, the arthritic right shoulder that periodically bothered Bagwell had slowed his swing and his infield throws. His last at-bat was a pinch groundout in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the 2005 World Series, when the Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox.

[TEXREB]

Why is Hunter Pence not being given a chance to challenge for an outfield roster spot (RF or CF)? I know that it is only spring training, but he has outplayed Burke, Lane, Scott and Hidalgo. I also know that Luke Scott tore up the Grapefruit League, earned a spot, hit like .120 and was sent back down only to return later in the season and hit over .300. I wonder if the Astros are "gun shy" (for lack of a better word) to let Pence start in RF, due to what happened with Scott. Pence is a great talent that IMO should not be held back. He should at least have been given the chance to challenge for RF this season, not just play with the big club during spring training to get a taste. IMO Pence is going to be better than any of the other Astro outfielders, not in the future, but this season. Hopefully, the Astros will see that they need him and bring him up during the season.

I think what will end up happening is next season Burke will shift to 2nd and they will let Pence take over in CF. Biggio will either retire, accept a lesser role with the Astros or move to another team.

Also, please do something with Brad Lidge....his ERA is over 13.00. I know...spring training, but he hasn't been the same since game 5 of the '05 NLCS. Let Wheeler be the closer or trade for someone. Lidge will cost the Astros some games early in the season before they make a change. And, yes, they do make a difference. Remember the Astros late run last season that fell just short. I hope I am wrong about Lidge, but just don't see him returning to form, at least not with the Astros.

[carter08]

Lidge blows a save

Figures.

[dgreco]

they looked good otherwise though.

[texlong9]

Ya'lls time is the 2nd half. Let everybody else have their time.

[dgreco]

they are better as a second half team. a la athletics... but another tough lose again tonight.

[texlong9]

OK, no postseason for the Stros this year...

[dgreco]

that was obvious before the season started. I think they lost there chance at clemens too.

[carter08]

OK, no postseason for the Stros this year...

160 games left

Don't count them out
Starting Pitching is good
Offense is improving
Wheeler will rebound and have a good season
Lidge and Qualls really worry me though

[tarpon time 34]

160 games left

Don't count them out
Starting Pitching is good
Offense is improving
Wheeler will rebound and have a good season
Lidge and Qualls really worry me though

In your dreams Carter

[carter08]

In your dreams Carter

Astros WILL win tonight

Woody Williams will be the surprise of the year in the National League

If the Astros pitch around Nady, they can win easily

Carlos Lee will homer tonight

[dgreco]

i think woody is overrrated, hopefully he has a good season. Buit since he was with teh cardinals I never saw anything great out of him.

[carter08]

Sampson looked good in relief

[dgreco]

hwo do you think the bullpen rotation is going to form up during the season? ie; LR, MR, SR, SU, CL

[dgreco]

Wheeler looked good as the new closer.

[TEXREB]

The Astros are 12-16 so far this season. It seems to be the same old song and dance for the Astros. Their pitching has been pretty good, a lot of quality starts. Offense once again seems to be the issue. The Astros offense with runners in scoring position has not been good. It has not helped that Berkman has gotten off to a slow start either. Lee has been OK, but would like to see his average in the .300 range and a little more power. Glad to see they brought Hunter Pence up. He is an upgrade over Burke. I really like Ensberg, but maybe we need to see more of Lamb or Loretta at third. It might help the offensive production. Garner said the other day that it is not out of the question for Berkman to move to the outfield (right field) and let Lamb play first to help with run production. The Astros will be OK once Berkman starts to hit and if they make a few changes. To help with run production, this is the lineup I would go with on most days.....

2B Biggio
3B Loretta
RF Berkman
LF Lee
1B Lamb
CF Pence
SS Everett
C Ausmus/Quintero
P

Ensberg, Burke, Scott and Lane could do spot starts to give guys a day off here and there if needed.

[carter08]

It's not 15-30