Christmas wishes for under the Astros’ trees

As Christmas 2015 approaches like a runaway train, it seems appropriate to list out some gift wishes for Santa to place under the various Astros’ trees.

  • For owner Jim Crane – a heart that grows three sizes on Christmas day.
  • For GM Jeff Luhnow – another playoff run by the 2016 team.
  • For manager A.J. Hinch – a bullpen he can depend upon in September and October the same as he did last April through August.
  • For hitting coach Dave Hudgens – a clue.
  • For pitching coach Brent Strom – great health so he can coach the Astros’ pitchers until he is 75.
  • For Reliever Pat Neshek – a fully healed foot.
  • For ROY Carlos Correa – An MVP ring in 2016.
  • For oft injured OF George Springer – 150+ games in a season.
  • For Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel – a repeat performance.
  • For minor league boppers Tyler White and A.J. Reed – a spring training chance.
  • For 3B Luis Valbuena – a BABIP much higher than .235 (or a new address by the trade deadline).
  • For SP Lance McCullers Jr. – a repeat of the 3.22 ERA with a heck of a lot better than a 6-7 won-loss record.
  • For RP Ken Giles – immunity from pressure to make up for the 5 players gone in the trade.
  • For SP Collin McHugh – a combination of the 2014 ERA with the 2015 W-L record.
  • For Will Harris and Tony Sipp – an elephant’s memory for the regular season and amnesia for the post season.
  • For Joe Musgrove – a great year in AAA or the majors or both.

So, who do you want to bless with a Christmas wish and what would that wish be?

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86 responses to “Christmas wishes for under the Astros’ trees”

  1. I’ll comment on Dan’s post later, but right now Bagwell is on 83.2% of the ballots. He’s picked up 15 votes from people who left him off their ballots last year, plus all five new voters who have published their ballots cast a vote for Baggie. He’s also lost zero votes.

    I know I am getting my hopes up unnecessarily, but maybe this will be the prelude to 2017. Bagwell gets inducted, we win our second World Series. Dueces wild in ’17 folks!

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    • That would be a great present for us all – to see the best overall Astro (IMHO) get into the Hall of Fame. Maybe it will happen in a big push this season.

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  2. Dan, if Collin McHugh gets his gift, I don’t think Keuchel repeats as Cy Young winner. But I don’t think Dallas would mind terribly much.

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  3. And if all the other wishes come true, I think the Astros get more than a simple playoff run in 2016.

    Well, the dog is done in the backyard, and I’m going back to bed.

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  4. My Christmas wish list is one more starting pitcher to give us depth for 2016 in the event Feldman’s shoulder is not 100%. Also, I would like another bench piece that can play the corner IF spot in the event Big Jon is not up to the task. Someone like Steve Pearce, in my opinion, would be a perfect fit. Otherwise, let’s roll in 2016 and get ready to throw a parade in downtown Houston next November.

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  5. *For Jim Crane- a heart replacement
    *For Jeff Luhnow-Remember the lesson but forget the mistake
    *Scott Feldman-To Enter March completely healed and “in the best shape of his career”
    *For AJ Hinch-To Get to know Tyler White very well
    *For Correa-To have a sophomore year like Jeter did.
    *For Brett Strom-That he is as good at teaching pitching to his assistant coaches as he is to his pitchers
    *To Carlos Gomez-to find a home, settle down, and realize he is good enough to make it on his talent
    *For Collin McHugh-another year like last year.
    *For Dallas Keuchel-Financial security
    *For AJ Reed- That his new wife knows what to cook and how to cook it!
    *For Colby Rasmus-That his new swing allows him to hit like the player we saw in the playoffs.
    *For the Astros-To become the team the other teams admire.

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  6. * For Reed, White and Musgrove to break camp with the Astros
    * For Singleton to break camp elsewhere

    ** For Chipalotta and its’ participants to have another great year.

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  7. I’m wishing all of us here on Chipalatta to have an awesome Holiday and Christmas season. I Hope management keeps looking to improve, it seems we are all on the same page 1st -3rd DH, SP. May all our key players stay healthy. Bigger than that for Christmas I hope in 2016 the world finds more compassion, more acceptance of our differences, less killing and hatred. Bagwell getting into the HOF would be really nice also.

    Go Stros!

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  8. Some blog related wishes
    – Becky gets nothing under her tree because she got an early Christmas present with Villar being sent packing.
    – Bopert – Jim Crane being a heart transplant donor
    – Brian T – a special snow fairy to shovel those Minnesota sidewalks and driveways
    – Chip – An extra special 2016 full of personal blessings and lots of writing
    – Old pro – White at 1B out of spring training moving to DH when Reed comes up
    – dave b (uncle knuckle) – Many days having a drink on the beach toasting an Astros win
    – Sarge, Roger, justacop, Sandy, Dianne, Zanuda, Billy C, Steven, AC45, Larry Leach, Kevin, Devin, Mr. Bill, Tim, rj, plus all those above and any one I missed – Finally, after 1000’s of fan years of cheering – a world championship ball team in 2016.

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  9. Yikes Dan, I’m thinking 97 wins plus playoffs. You’re going to turn me into a lush. Believe it or not, I have a strict rule down here. Adult beverages on weekends only. Too many other knuckleheads come down to the islands and go to seed!

    But thanks for the thoughts. My only real baseball related wish would be to have a new owner. I don’t think we’re ever going to embrace Mr. Crane. He will single handedly keep the fan base from being what it can be. But I am very optimistic about how this club will shake out in 2016. We probably won’t see all the guys we’d like on the opening day roster, but talent like White and Reed will get their shot. And I’m not too worried about signing a Kazmir, because I think we’ve already got a guy or two in house that can impact the rotation in a positive way.

    My second and biggest wish for this club is for good health in 2016. The other stuff will take care of itself. And my pipe dream wish? Peace. Peace on earth.

    To all of you, have a wonderful family Christmas!

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    • The one thing about Crane is that less is more. He was too much out there early on, but seemed to get out of the spotlight a lot more last year which was a good thing.

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  10. My prayer for the many who read this blog well as the few who post on it is that 2016 will be filled with life, laughter, peace, joy, hope, faith, health, abundance, and increase. In the coming year may you grow closer than ever to your spouses, your kids, your grand-kids, your friends, and even those you now consider to be your enemies.

    For the Astros:
    1. may we enjoy a year free of serious injuries, of personal tragedies, of media scandals, and of public and private drama;
    2. may each Astro player who excelled last year do as well or better this year;
    3. may all Astros who had a down year last year – or who struggled at the end of the year – rebound powerfully;
    4. may at least two 2016 Astro rookies make Carlos Correa’s rookie year look somewhat lackluster in comparison to theirs;
    5. may Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Dallas Keuchel run neck in neck all year for MVP honors;
    6. may the minor league players who are brought into the spotlight by reason of 2015 trades of high prospects thrive in that spotlight and show more talent than ever;
    7. may Mr. Giles and Mr. Gregerson become the fastest of friends and combine to save 45 or more games;
    8. may the MLB team win 95 or more games and go to the World Series.

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  11. How many of us would have thought that the Astros wouls have only 37 players on their 40-man roster on Dec 23rd and not lose anyone to the Rule 5 and have two closers? That is so awesome.

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  13. Does anyone know anything about this RHP Danny Reynolds that we got from the Dodgers?
    I want to wish everyone on here a very merry Christmas and a happy new year

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      • I do see a minor league pitcher named Daniel Reynolds, but he was in the Angels system. Never heard of him before.

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    • Drafted by the Angels and was a high prospect in their bad system. Was used as a starter when young, but converted to a reliever last year. High 90’s fastball and a cutter, who developed BB problems. He is young for a reliever and I would say he is a project, but that fastball is a good one. He was drafted ou8t of high school at age 18 but ran out of Rule 5 protection.
      He spent most of his season as a closer and had really good numbers in the first four months and real poor numbers in August and September. It seems something happened that change his effectiveness this summer. He never pitched for LA as they claimed him off a few weeks ago.
      The Astros must see something and he played against the Astros affiliates for years in low A, High A, AA and AAA.

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  14. Apparently Reynolds had been claimed by the Dodgers from the Angels but then designated for assignment by the Dodgers and claimed by the Astros. A minor league righty reliever with big strike out numbers but big walk numbers too (last year)

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  16. Reynolds doesn’t know what an awesome pitching coach we have here! He will do well here. I don’t know about me not getting a present under the tree……all I want is good results from the tests that lay in front of me. I was diagnosed with cancer in my small intestines a couple of weeks ago. All I’m asking for is your prayers. I’m at peace either way. May everyone here at Chip’s blog have a most blessed Christmas and the gift of a prosperous new year! I’m going to have all *8* of my grandchildren for the first time ever, and I’m sooo excited!! The three hardest words to say in our language are “I have cancer”, so kiss your children and hug them tight, they grow up fast. Remember me in your prayers. Thanks, and love to all of you!! Becky⚾⚾⚾

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    • We are all on your prayer team, Becky. As a 14 year survivor, lets hope and pray for the best. We in the Houston area have no idea how lucky we are in fighting this insidious disease. Anyone with eight grandchildren as visitors for Christmas is living a blessed life.

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    • Becky Big Hugs !!! My mom had severe Ovarian cancer and is at 8 years of cancer Free. It sounds trite, but with treatment and a great attitude she has beat it so far and so will you!

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    • Becky – will be thinking of you and hoping for a full recovery. Baseball isn’t as much fun when you don’t have great friends to enjoy it with.

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  17. Becky – know that we are all behind you and I am lock and loaded on prayers for you.
    My mom got colon cancer 16 years ago and is still with us – so there is definite hope.
    Hey I’ll give up all my presents under the tree for one special one for you.

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  18. Becky, you can be sure I will pray. Colon cancer in some ways is one of the most “attackable” of the bad boys, which I’m sure you know, so your outlook should be optimistic. You have a wonderful life and I have a feeling you’ll continue to be rockin’ it. You are in my thoughts right now and will be all the way home. ♥

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  19. Bagwell has 16 votes from writers that did not vote for him last year. He has two votes from new voters and has been named ,so far, on 82 of 98 ballots for 83.7%.
    He is really hanging in there.

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  20. Becky, my heart aches for you. You know you will be at the top of my prayer list till you have recovered.
    I know in my heart you are a fighter and you will come out the winner.
    I’ll be thinking of you on Christmas enjoying all those grandkids. ❤️

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  21. Becky, Hang in there and as with the others here I will also say a prayer for your recovery. Eight grand kids, something only some us can dream about so have a wonderful Christmas with them all.

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  22. Becky, four of my six brothers, and then me too, have dealt with varying degrees of Prostate cancer. Today we’re all in pretty good shape. Indeed, we have so much good care available to us in the Houston area. That in itself I’m so thankful for. My prayers are with you.

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    • Dan, I agree and disagree. In the “scheme,” baseball would not be at the top. But when things near the top fall apart, and the center does not hold, baseball and distractions like it can really help us push and pull the load. I suspect Becky will still turn to Chipalatta a lotta. 🙂

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      • Yes, I am glad we have the diversion, but I struggle with talking about such minimally important presents as player performance in the same sentence with someone’s life. I’ll get over it and hopefully Becky can always come here for some baseball therapy.

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    • Dan, baseball matters, the Astros are a place we can go everyday and forget the troubles and heartaches of the real world for a while.
      They are our passion and it’s probably even therapeutic.

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  24. Oldpro,
    Likely these comments go against the grain and for this ,I apologize.
    Like you, I am a long time fan.
    Regarding Biggio and Bagwell as HOFers. I have a slightly different memory.
    With regards to Biggio, what I recall is that McLane gave him at least 2 years to claim his 3000th hit. I recall feeling that he was quite ineffective in many instances and wondered why he was still playing. It drove me crazy.
    With regards to Bagwell, the sentiment was similar. However, IMO, he was probably the best fielding 1st baseman I ever saw. His arm just went late in his career.
    What struck me soundly, was the lack of production by either of them in playoff games when it really counted. For my money, Being clutch in big situations is what seperates the men from the boys.
    For my money, Mr. Lance Berkman, may have been the most complete astro of our time. My goodness…the guy struck fear into every pitcher if it was a “must have” situation. HE …was the man !!!
    Merry Christmas and Many Blessings to you all.

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    • It is a really tough question TNT. There is no doubt that the better all around player was Bagwell who was every bit the hitter that Berkman was, but was a superior base runner and fielder. And there is no doubt that Lance was the best post season hitter this franchise ever had (well outside Carlos Beltran) and Bags and Biggio, whether through bad luck, small statistical samples or just plain choking (or pressing) were nowhere close.
      I do think that the fact that Bagwell was a righty facing rightys like Kevin Brown, Greg Maddux and others in their prime in the ’90’s was tougher than the post season bunch that Berkman (superior from the left side) faced in the 2000’s.

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      • Is it permissible to repost something? Hope so, I’m always too late writing things. I added some notes on the previous topic, and here are a copied paragraphs about Bagwell and Berkman, comparing stats:

        So what I tried to do was equalise out, now that they have both retired, for PA (which I think is the right thing to do, rather than AB), because you are right that they both played 15 seasons but for reasons (there must be several) Lance had a lot less PAs (9431 vs 7814). And I think all these stats are regular season only.

        No one would quibble I think that Lance played much better in the Postseason than Jeff did.

        And similarly no one would quibble that Jeff was a better complete player than Lance (he wasn’t the super fielder or the brilliant baserunner or the complete leader). But I come back to the pure hitting, and it surprised me how good Lance was. Here are some equalised numbers for PA, Jeff then Lance:

        Runs : 1517 – 1383 (clearly worse for Lance by some rough 10%)
        Hits : 2314 – 2299 (basically the same)
        2B : 488 – 509 (better for Lance by some rough 5%)
        3B : 32 – 36 (basically the same)
        HR : 449 – 442 (basically the same)
        RBI : 1529 – 1489 (basically the same)
        TB : 4213 – 4206 (basically the same)
        BB : 1401 – 1450 (a touch better for Lance)
        SO : 1558 – 1569 (basically the same)
        SB : 202 – 104 (clearly much worse for Lance, but we are a touch off hitting now)

        I guess we should be thankful that we had two such mesmerising hitters.

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      • Berkman was great and deserves recognition. It’s a shame the back and knee limited him at the end of his career because his bat was still potent enough to anchor a contending lineup.

        What I will say, however, is that Bagwell played nine full seasons in the Astrodome. Berkman played in 34 games total in 1999, the last year of the dome, and some of those were on the road.

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    • Great points, Dan, but don’t forget Smoltz!
      TNT, what I saw is that all three of the KIiller Bs were great in their prime. Biggio just wore out from age, Bagwell’s shoulder was gone because of injury. But Berkman faded as an Astro because he got out of shape. Now, that might make people angry with me, but the proof is right there. Look at the Pillsbury Doughboy Berkman in his last years in an Astros uniform and then compare that body to the one you see the following year in a Cardinals uniform.
      That’s why I drop Berkman down a notch in my book as a favorite Astro. He didn’t wear out, I think he gave up.

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      • They all have their pluses and minuses. It may have been Berkman’s laissez faire-ness that kept him looser in the clutch. He was never a workout warrior either but could get away with it until father time caught up with his body.
        I do have trouble with Berkman not working as hard as he might have. I have trouble with the likelihood that Bagwell and Biggio had a hand in Dierker getting fired. There were too many decisions that the owner had influence on in those days.
        Biggio over Kent
        Bow down to Selig on draft slot bonuses
        Dierker out
        Hunsicker out
        And Drayton was such a naïve baseball person he thought the team should win 130+ games a year when he bought them.

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      • I was never as big on Kent as others here…seems like he was always GIDP in key spots. Drove me freaking nuts.

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      • Dan, while we’re talking about the previous owner let’s not forget the move to the NL. I think Drayton was the culprit there also. The Comcast deal was his doing and that set The team back a few years too.
        Bo likes to put all the blame on Crane but DM holds a lot of negative responsibility.

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  25. Kevin Brown ..Ugh !
    That Padres series may have been the low point for me in Astros history.
    I don’t know who was the worst Astros killer, Brown or Pujols.

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  26. Before the family and I head out to Christmas Eve Mass I want to wish every one of you a very blessed and joyous Christmas. I appreciate all of you for tolerating my comments that can be, at times, condescending and against the grain. I like it that we can disagree and then move on to the next blog and forget the past.

    While at Mass today I will say an extra prayer for ‘Becky from Chipalatta’. Since I don’t know her last name I trust that He will know the reason for my prayers. May God’s blessings smile upon you this Holy season and may each of you enjoy His love and the love of your family. God bless!

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  27. My last name is Bearden. And it made me cry just knowing I have sooo many prayer warriors. I thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart for remembering me to Our Lord. My brother passed away in 2008 with colon cancer, so I am aware that this has a stain on my family. This peticular cancer hits women at the age of 65 and older…..BINGO…I’m 67. Merry Christmas everyone…..I’m not afraid, because it’s out of my hands.
    NOW…..this is pretty unusual….Luhnow signed a Cuban pitcher!! This is the stuff we see the Dodgers do, NOT the Astros!! He’s 21 and the Chronic says it wasn’t a ” Big money” signing. Does that put us out of the race for Kazmir?? I know you baseball geeks will find out all about this kid! Now get busy and let us know all about him!!

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  29. My last post vanished…

    Merry Christmas to all of my friends here in the world of Chipallatta! I thoroughly enjoy the banter, the candor, and the zest of everyone here and I wish nothing but the best of possibilities for all. Merry Christmas!

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  30. The kid the Astros signed today, is going to start the year in the minors. Evidently he didn’t “break the bank” to sign him. He’s been referred as a 4 pitch flame thrower.
    His getting around to the U.S. was kinda different. He is now a citizen of Spain. Odd that we haven’t heard his name being tossed around….or maybe I was sleeping when his name was mentioned.

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  31. Merry Christmas everyone!
    I woke up at 6:30am and was bored to tears, as all our celebrations are this evening.
    Two things:
    1. When the Nats signed Daniel Murphy yesterday, they forfeited their top draft pick, moving the Astros pick up to #18. The Astros just might not sign anyone who causes them to lose that pick.
    2. Would someone with a little knowledge of Spanish please translate this in one sentence to see if it means that Tyler White was the MVP of his Winter League?
    http://www.ligadom.com/noticias/1-portada/13037-tyler-white-gana-el-mvp-de-lidom-2015-2016

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    • op i put that link in google translate and it came up with tyler white is mvp i didn’t try putting in the story – too much typing for these old fingers

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    • Yes, Tyler is the MVP. White got 35 votes for the honor, while his nearest competitor got 23. White won this award going away by hitting .304 (158-48) with seven homers, 31 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 10 doubles, an on-base percentage of .426, a .500 slugging percentage and a .926 OPS.

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      • I love the continuing high OBP’s White produces everywhere he goes, Does not seem to matter if he knows the guys on the mound. 33rd round pick!

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  32. Merry Christmas to everyone. Found out about the pitcher from Cuba first thing this morning. Lest anyone misunderstood my earlier reply to Dan, I was in no way equating baseball trivia to the value of a human life. Just saying most of us, much of the time, can use a boost wherever we can get it. Kinda like duct tape or hot glue. It’s not the real answer as we all know, it just plugs a gap once in a while. Again, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day !

    Becky Bearden. That’s a nice name.

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    • Plus, there are numerous references in Scripture to athletics. They have their place. But I ain’t gonna go quotin’ Scripture on Christmas Day. That would be the ultimate irony in these times. lol

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  36. Merry Christmas to everyone here! I’m working right now so gonna make it brief, but hope everyone has a wonderful day today…much love!

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  37. Of course God loves baseball; in Genesis 1 it starts off “In the big inning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Merry Christmas to all and may we never forget the reason for the season.

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    • drbill14 that post made me laugh. Though the day is almost over I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! The year 2015 has definitely been a blessing. I’m hoping for a division win this year and also a deep playoff run. We have surely waited a long time for a competitive brand of baseball to be played by the Astros. Thanks as always Dan, Brian, and Chip! I really enjoy this blog.

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    • lol drbill, classic.
      Becky let me add to all the other comments and say thank you for being here and part of the party that is Chipalatta. My best wishes to you and a speedy win over your cancer. Merry Christmas to all and a great New Year!

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  38. Tyler White is GOING to be out opening day first baseman……that is until Mr. Reed, starts rattling the cage in Fresno, then Tyler moves over to our big DH! I love having more options than we’ve ever had! And….I truly believe if given the chance these kids can, and WILL succeed, all they need is a chance. My youngest son shares my love with the Astros, and gave me a wonderful Astros Chtistmas! I am the proud owner of a shiny new Astros jersey…..with MY name on the back!! And….a set of coffee mugs one orange, one white with Astros logo on them. I told him I would wait until Spring training before I broke my mugs in….and I would for sure wear my jersey to the games, and to my favorite watering hole on Friday nights when the season starts!
    A fabulous Christmas day, and all the rest of our children and grandchildren will be here tomorrow! I was soo glad it was a warm day here today, watching the children riding their new bikes was great! Merry Christmas everyone of you, if your day was as awesome as mine….your were truly blessed! Becky⚾

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  39. Today all our guests are arriving and we have a big meal and open presents. But Sunday will be our traditional Family Christmas Dinner and we spend all day preparing it. Mrs 1OP is the chief cook and everyone assists so that some day they will do it, thinking about how Gramma used to do it.
    With such a big family, we have to blend the new with the old and this is the way we choose to do it, letting the children celebrate with their new families and then getting together as soon after that as we can to be the 1oldpro family together again. We get to have a week long celebration this way!.

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  40. I know this is an Astros blog, but just wanted to mention I drove my 2 boys and FIL to Houston yesterday to attend the Rockets/Spurs game. They are Spurs fans, but I’m a loyal Rockets fan. Needless to say it was a disappointing ride home for them. 🙂

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    • Hey – always welcome Pro-Houston news – nice win for the Rockets who are playing better as they remember how to play defense.

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  41. I don’t know how to do the “like” thing on here. So let me just say I liked everyone’s comments. “In the big inning” was not exactly the verse I had in mind but gave me a smile and a chuckle. Thanks, everybody.

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