We are quickly drawing near to the beginning of the “next” season after the shortest off-season in Houston Astro history. It is a good time to step back and check the pulse of the ordinary Houston Astro fan. Or as ordinary as any of the wild variety of folks who are part of this particular blog can be.
- Does it seem real? As far as the championship goes are there any of you who are having flashbacks to the 1980’s and the famous Dallas / Bobby Ewing plot cheat? Back then they killed off Ewing at the end of one season, because he was leaving the show. They then had a whole season of the show without Bobby and then brought him back at the beginning of the next season. The explanation was that the whole middle season was a dream. Are any of you afraid of waking up and being told that 2017 has not yet occurred?
- DH – good or bad? The Astros have completed their fifth season following the American League rules and having the pitchers bat in only a handful of games against NL teams in their stadiums including four games in the World Series. Are you used to it? Good with it? Miss the old days? Want the NL to convert?
- New divisional rivalries – good or bad? It has been the same five seasons since the Astros last played in the NL Central against the Cubs, Pirates, Brewers and Cards. Do you miss it? Are you used to the new rivals? Is having the South Denton Rangers in the new division give it an edge? Are you glad we are not having to face the 2016 WS Champs Cubs 19 times a season? (Never thought I would write that).
- Is Jim Crane no longer branded with 666? Crane was blamed with selling out the fans who wanted no part of the American League in order to buy the team. He was blamed for lowering the payroll so far he could pay off the debt from his tip money. He was blamed for a TV deal that blew up and kept a majority of fans from seeing a really bad team for a number of years (and a minority of fans for a longer time). He was accused of being a sexist/racist in his other company dealings. He was accused of never planning on spending money to make the team competitive. Ancient history? Does anything stick in your craw?
- Is Jeff Luhnow great or lucky? A number of their prime players are from the Ed Wade era including Jose Altuve, George Springer, Dallas Keuchel, and Chris Devenski. A number of the prime players are due to tanking and getting the top pick including Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers Jr., and Alex Bregman. A number of prime players were picked up due to tanking and having first choice off the waiver wire including Collin McHugh, Will Harris and early Tony Sipp. He made questionable trades for Carlos Gomez and Hank Conger among others and as we understand came within a couple minutes of not bringing in Justin Verlander. Was he lucky or was his overall plan great?
- Dallas or Dynasty? This survey started off with the night time soap opera Dallas and ends with the night time soap opera Dynasty. Do the Astros have the opportunity for an actual sustainable dynasty? Or do they have a single window do get it done and then fade away?
Where do you stand on the great questions of the day?
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
107 responses to “Chipalatta: Survey of Astros’ fans”
Great post Dan. And I thought I had just provided you with all the answers! But alas my post disappeared! Will try again later.
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I find that I have to wait a couple of minutes before my entry is posted. Try it that might help get your entry posted! I’m STILL laughing about your Monkey problem!!
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Concerning #3, I like our new rivals, but I don’t like the late starting times when the Astros visit the three west coast teams. I miss the Cardinals rivalry, but am glad to be rid of the annoying Cub fans.
I have never been a Crane basher and was very much on board with the Luhnow plan when he was hired. Some of his decisions were forgettable, but there has been a lot of good that he deserves credit for in building this club that is not just luck.
I see the changing of leagues as being forced by Selig, and Crane having little choice in the matter. Was not the television game viewing a situation inherited from the prior owner?
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* Does it Seem Real *
It sure seemed ‘real’ to me. We dominated the offensive stat sheets all year long. And the fact that in the play-offs we had to go through three perennial powerhouses, all with bigger payrolls – i.e. the Red Sox, the Yankees, and the Dodgers – to finally win it all is what really drove the point home. We did not face a single Cinderella team in the post-season; instead, we took on the wicked stepmother herself – and whipped upon her and every one of her ugly, arrogant daughters.
We took advantage of the Sale. We slew the Beast. And then we swooped in off the plains like a tornado and dropped a ‘Houston Strong’ house right on the head of the wicked witch of the West.
It was no dream – but it was the stuff dreams are made of!
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* Regarding the DH *
I am totally sold on the DH. In an ideal world, all teams should all play by the same rules, but having pitchers who are used to hitting – or at least bunting – has not seemed to give the NL any noticeable advantage in head-to-head confrontations.
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* Rivalries *
I enjoy the rivalry with the Rangers, but I really don’t think we belong in a division with 3 West Coast/Pacific Time Zone teams. I have a dream of a complete reshuffling of teams on geographical lines, perhaps in connection with the next expansion. According to my dream, the Astros get aligned with other, closer teams in our time zone – the Rangers of course, the Royals and Cardinals, and then either the Rockies or one or both of the Chicago teams.
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* 6,6, and (2 x 3) *
I never understood the anti-Crane hysteria. Unless he and his consortium relocated the franchise to Mystery Babylon, and made every Chipalatta blogger take the mark of the Beast – which I figured was probably a tat of Aaron Judge kissing Rob Manfred’s ring – or be beheaded, I was not really concerned.
Of course, I didn’t really expect that an Astros owner would ever fork over the kind of money it would take to compete head-to-head and toe-to-toe with the Baseball Illuminati, but since then we have all gone through tribulation, had a revelation, become true believers, and had every tear wiped away.
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* The Luhnow Factor *
Jeff’s plan, and his Star Wars cyber ‘numbo jumbo, and may the Force be with you’ cyber-speak, has somehow worked out for the best. At the end of the day that’s all that matters. Luck has been a big part of it, of course – but that is the way it is with all success. Good luck is sure better than bad luck.
There have been significant mistakes made along the way – and we endured the unplanned set back of 2016 – i.e. the year that Go-Go couldn’t go-go, ‘D.K. became D.BB’, and the entire team struck out too often – but fortunately, no failure or setback was so great that the overall plan got derailed.
Luhnow and Crane will both be remembered as a part of – if not the architect of – the greatest hour of Houston baseball.
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1. Yes. I wore my 2017 Astros, World Champion pajamas last night. It’s real.
2. Bad, but understandable. Pitchers make no effort to hit in the NL, so maybe it’s a necessary evil.
3. Good. I got sick of the Cardinals. Now I’m sick of the Rangers. Can we change them again?
4. No comment. I don’t know him personally and won’t make judgement as such.
5. Both.
6. I think there is a short window. Unless Kyle Tucker turns into a .400 threat and a couple of our pitching prospects appear to be the next Verlander we’re going to see the stars disappear due to age, free agency, or injury. Luhnow’s team can’t rely on “sure things” in the draft’s first round and will need to do a better job picking in rounds 2-10 to keep the pipeline producing. Also, I’m a bit concerned over the number of players in our milb system who have been tagged with PED and banned substance bans in recent years.
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A step further, with the video surfacing today of Danry Vasquez, one might think we need a better handle on our player personnel, because we have a bigger target on our backs now.
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Adam Wainwright has always been tough on the Astros. Obviously, age hasn’t done much to change that.
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1. It was real after they got to the WS – Game 1.
2. DH – good idea. How silly would it be if all the AL teams had to play a one armed outfielder because the other team did it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Gray
3. Rivalries are OK. No team in the West is tanking on purpose, except maybe the Rangers. So the Astros STILL HAVE TO WIN in the West.
4. Crane is not charismatic and rich. That is a bad combination when anyone sees him interviewed. But he is not satanic.
5. Answer to follow
6. They can sustain over .500 ball for a long time if that is the route chosen. I don’t see any team capable with present CBA winning as consistent World
Series Champs. In contention, YES, but winning it all for several years in a row, NO.
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My answer about JL is as follows. He did it totally different from what is considered the “tried and true” way. He signed some unworthy FAs and waiver pick-ups. He missed on two 1st rounders. However, HE WON THE WORLD SERIES AS THE GM. Was he lucky, YES. But it was not all based on luck. We could also say he was unlucky for the first 3 years. But he made it all work out in the end. The reminds me of a conversation in 1972. It was pointed out that Dave Wottle won a God Medal wearing a funky hat. Had he been 1/10th of a second slower, he would have been ridiculed for the hat and it would have cost him the race. But he won, and the rest is history.
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Thanks for the clip AC 45 – had not thought of his great run in a long time. I’ve never noticed Jose Altuve looking slow running in a hat….
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Poor ol’ Pete Gray
If being one armed weren’t bad enough, they went ahead and listed him as Hitting: Left; Throwing: Left.
I’m just pretty convinced by the look on Brian McCann’s face when asked his initial thoughts about coming into this organization. He told his best friend live on-air with raised eyebrow that it was big time. He’s not a man prone to hyperbole.
I agree with Dan that this team will compete for the next three years very competitively. Baseball doesn’t always go like that Cinderella season we had, so I’m prepared for a 2015 or 2016 within a few years.
Surely JL has thought of that, and is actively planning to trade either for prospects, maybe guys who are blocked in our organization or whose future is in support of the core group. After ST, I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of our weaknesses, though and they’re certainly not as bad as the rest of the league of patchwork staffs.
It’s going to be fun again drilling the Rangers into submission. (I bet they unload Beltre before season’s end). The Angels with a healthy Trout and improving Simmons will be our strongest rival in the division, I believe.
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1. yepper as real as it gets
2. i didnt like changing from the NL, i didnt like the DH and i didnt like changing our rivalries. now i dont mind the AL, i like the DH and think both leagues should go to it. i used to argue that it removes a lot of strategy and it does, but compared to the painful and sometimes boring pitcher at bats to kill a rally in the early innings, i prefer the DH.
3. im warming up to the new rivalries, especially beating the strangers.
4. on this blog i judge crane only by his baseball decisions. best owner we have ever had.
5. Luhnow is very very good. best GM we have ever had.
6. i do think the Astros have a chance to start a dynasty. as long as crane and luhnow stay in place, i think we have years of competing at a top level.
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1. It is real, has felt real and one great time for me.
2. I like the DH and didn’t pay enough attention to it before the Astros needed one. They still need one.
3. I like the new rivalries but don’t think they are good for baseball because of the stupid time zone problems. They need some realignments that make sense. There is no way Houston or Arlington should be in the West.
4. I don’t like Jim Crane, but he has done a good job as owner of the Astros. I can keep those two things separate.
5. I hated the part of Luhnow’s plan that involved tanking and I don’t like some of the stuff he did the first three years. But, none of us knew the plan and some of us were willing to follow him blindly and some of us weren’t. I wasn’t willing to just lose for four or more years on purpose, but winning the 2018 WS made that worth it. I think Luhnow has done a great job and had some luck winning, too. It’s ok to be good and lucky.
6. I’m not sure the Astros have the money to be a dynasty, but I do think they have one smart cookie for a GM and that he has a plan to sustain what we have now for two years and another plan to make some changes to keep us in the top 10 of baseball for quite a while after that.
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OP1, from your keyboard to God’s ears – ‘winning the 2018 WS made that worth it.’
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Oh, boy! May my goof prove prophetic, Amen!
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Definitely real but how many times did we think, oh no; only to come back and win the game. Oh how satisfying! Still not a big fan of the DH but it’s here so maybe it’ll grow on me. Riavlries don’t seem as big as before but then there’s Becky’s favorite whipping boy, the “Strangers”. Crane, another story of time (and winning) heals all wounds. Luhnow is not batting a 1000 but then again, what GM is? He’s produced a winner so I’m happy as a clam. I’d say we have a better chance than not for Dynasty and not Dallas over the next couple of years. I’m just hoping that we don’t wake up one day and find that we were in the “Twilight Zone”.
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1. Dan, no, it’s not real. I have given it my best shot, but it’s not. The Astros are my team but not the World Series Champs. The World Series Champs have never been my team. Do you see the problem?
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I love the DH.
I don’t miss the NL
I don’t like having so many games starting at 9:00….but I adjusted!
I don’t know Jim Crane…..but like a lot of you I have been sceptical of him.
I give Luhnow a lot of grief….but he got an A+ from me when he traded for
Verlander….without him, we would not be having this discussion!
Yes….it *IS* real!! Ask my husband….poor thing!!
I’ve always said our REAL rivals were the A’s, and the Angels.
The arlington little league don’t even get in my top 5-6 teams. That’s how much I despise that organization.
Hope all is well in your worlds! Becky⚾
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If you think y’all have it bad with games on the west coast starting at 9:00, try being on the east coast. Luckily, being “retired” has it’s pluses as I don’t have to get up and go to work the next day.
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yuli on schedule with healing from surgery. good news.
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Always a baseball purist, I was decidedly against the move to the American League and the changes it was to bring, especially the DH. Well, I’ve come full circle. While our club has not yet exploited the DH role (I think Gattis will correct that weakness) we have certainly taken advantage of the chance to put a hitter in the 9th slot of the batting order, perhaps better than any other team. And really, would anyone rather see Verlander or Keuchel come up to the plate, guys on base with two outs, and wave at their offerings, stranding Springer in the on deck circle?
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Dan P answers Dan P’s survey.
1) The way the Astros won it all sometimes seemed surreal. Some of those games seemed impossible at the time, but the championship is cemented in my psyche and as real as could be.
2) I was resistant to the DH but now like it better. I would like it even better if one of our players was a productive DH
3) I’m ok with the division change. Not thrilled with the late starts but in truth not every west coast game was a night game. I’m probably more upset with the late starting playoff games. Just glad I stayed up so late to see the wins.
4) I used to spar with Bopert on Crane. I did not really know if they would win it all under him but I sure knew that at some point they would be a winning team again and I didn’t think a former baseball player was going to lose forever just to “make” money.
5) Sure there was luck involved – how many GMs inherit a total rebuild situation but also inherit Altuve Keuchel and Springer. He’s made mistakes but in general has kept his wits about him in the value he has placed on resources. The team would not have won it all without him.
6) I think if Luhnow sticks around and Crane does not sell high this team can have sustainable greatness. Maybe not 3 in a row greatness but maybe 3 championships in 7 seasons or 4 in 12 seasons. I can see it happening.
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My answers to the rest coming later, but on that last point I really think we have the potential for this team to be basically the Patriots without the cheating. We’re young AND deep
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Dan, even though I posted that it does not seem real to me, and it does not, what I will say is this: I began to get a feeling at some point in the playoffs that it might be meant to be, with some connection to Harvey. So let me amend my statement to this degree: That they are World Series Champions still is not real to me. Unless it had been meant to be, it would not have been.
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I was thinking much the same thing Diane. Too much stardust fell on the Astros: the SI cover from 3 years before, becoming local heroes in the aftermath of Harvey, the last-second Verlander deal. They were a good team bludgeoned to the finish line by Destiny’s whuppin’ stick.
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roadthriller, not because we see eye to eye on this, just wish you would post more often.
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One other note is the trying out in the minors of a runner on second to start the extra innings. I don’t like the idea (like I didn’t like the idea of the DH and league change) but am willing to see how it plays out in games that don’t count.
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I am kind of against that too AC
Think about the 16 inning game against the Mets, the Burke 18 inning game, Games 2 and 5 of the last WS. Seems hokie – kind of like the college football 25 yard line rule.
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Dan, I never, ever hoped for a tight game to get resolved in the 9th. I always wanted extras when at the park, even on a Tuesday night with a busy morning to follow. Sudden death baseball is simply better.
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In my opinion, it’s kind of like the NCAA football overtime rule where possessions start at the 25 yard line. It’s great that someone will say that a quarterback threw six touchdowns in a game, but if three of them came in OT periods should it really count? I’d rather they just let the minor league games end in a tie.
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Just wanted to make sure that everyone on Chipalatta saw the quotes today from Verlander and McCullers on the Danry Vasquez video. I am so glad we have quality people on the Astros that are very quality players.
JV: “…. you man. I hope the rest of your life without baseball is horrible. You deserve all that is coming your way!”
LMJ: “The issue here is no one cared as much until a video was leaked & now everyone is outraged!? This is the reality of domestic violence. It’s always brutal, always sickening. We must fight for the victims, video or not. He should be in jail. If you need help, find it. People care.”
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AC45, I was just home from work last night when I turned on TV at just the right time and that video came on. What I saw, like LMJ says, was sickening. The woman taking that beating, and finally breaking down, crouching head down against the wall. My stomach turns even now as I write this. May God help us all, because that wasn’t the worst that’s ever happened — that just happened to be caught on camera and preserved.
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I almost hesitate to write this, as I fear I might sound sympathetic in the wrong direction. Both parties need help. I hope they are getting iit. I had read somewhere that the woman got engaged to Vasquez after the video incident. That’s a tragedy in itself. More often than not, the victim feels as if she/he is responsible for the abuse.
In the meantime, what might have happpened in this kids life to turn him into such a monster? Is he salvageable? I can understand that MLB wants nothing further to do with Vasquez. But if two or five or however many years down the road mental health experts might suggest that he’s no longer a threat to society, should he still be banned from earning a living at the job he’s best at? I don’t know. The goal has to be rehabilitation. What is rehabilitation in this case?
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daveb7, forgiveness and rehabilitation are always the goal as far as most, or at least many, of us are concerned, so I absolutely agree with what you say. That’s why I said may God help us all.
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JV just went up a few more places in my book
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I don’t really look at new divisional rivalries. Rather I see better ones, instant rivalries created during the 2017 playoffs. Every Sox and Yankee series is going to be intense going forward, and probably won’t always remain so friendly. I see fireworks. The two East Coast old guard clubs got schooled by the upstart Houston Astros. Our guys still have to go into NY and win baseball games there again. And do the same thing in Boston. We still need to establish sustained dominance over those clubs. Should be fun to watch. Unfortunately, I’m sure dynamic pricing will get more dynamic too.
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Saw where the Astros were murdering the Mets 11-0 in the 9th – Keuchel with five scoreless innings – Robson, Smith and McHugh with a scoreless inning apiece – Rondon and McHugh with 3 Ks apiece.
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12-0 now. But its the Nats, Dan. The Mets seem to have their hands full with the Marlins.
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I think the Jose Veras for Paulino/ Vásquez trade ranks down there as far as getting moral and/or ethical return back. One’s a cheater, and the other’s a waste of flesh. If Veras’s career wasn’t a couple of years away from being over, this might rank down there as far as worst trades go
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A good sign
Spring ERAs for Astros SPs: Verlander 2.40, 21 K in 15 IP Keuchel 1.74 Cole 1.42, 15 K in 12 2/3 IP Morton 0.00 in 5 IP McCullers 1.08 Peacock 1.29 McHugh 5.87, 11 K in 7 2/3 IP Martes 1.93, 13 K in 9 1/3 IP Paulino 0.00, 10 K in 10 1/3 IP
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If Keuchel has a decent year, the Astros are going to give him a QO. Then he makes a decision whether to accept it or not. I think the Astros will still try to sign him to a contract even after he becomes a free agent. I don’t know if they will be able to afford him or not.
I would not be surprised if the Astros try to sign Marwin to a deal. I think they would like to keep him for the future, but I don’t know if they can.
I know that everyone is talking about next year’s free agent class and I think the Astros will try to go after a couple of good free agents, especially if they can’t sign their own guys to multi-year deals.
How about Mchugh coming in for one inning of relief today and striking out the side.
Keuchel got 8 ground ball outs today including 2 DPs. He looks pretty healthy to me.
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Here’s a feel good story.
http://usatodayhss.com/2018/lance-berkman-and-andy-pettitte-leading-the-way-for-houston-baseball-team
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Correctomundo AC! Definitely a good story given all of the negativity we see today. Speaking of the Astros/Yankees, today’s game should be interesting.
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I did not know about Jackson Ryan, grandson of The Express, pitching with a “challenge.” This is the kind of stuff I’m starved to hear about. Thanks.
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I’m only halfway through this, but I can see literary depth in pulling out the backstories and wherewithal of the core four. Where the real appreciation and discussions are: the inner drive that makes a champion never settle.
https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2018/3/15/17125352/if-anyone-can-the-astros-core-four-can-why-this-teams-uncommon
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This is plumb terrific. With pics and videos embedded from childhood, Mr. and Mrs. Altuve too. Pedrique on the signing. And much more. Would think this is a keeper for any ‘Stros fan.
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“This team has four such players, each kissed by destiny, each driven toward and focused on perfection like few players in any generation ever are. Unlike most other champions, they will not experience that subtle, even unconscious let down that so many others do because they have experienced the glory of championship and are satisfied. Their motivation comes from somewhere much deeper and purer and more lasting than most others. It comes from a steady humility, an abiding love, dare I say a great goodness of character planted deep in their hearts, each in their own way. When you’re motivation comes from true love and pure joy, you don’t get tired.”
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The rivalry thing in baseball is overrated, imho. There are really only a handful of intense rivalries : Yankees-Red Sox, Cubs-Cardinals, Dodgers-Giants. Maybe 1 or 2 others, max. A true rivalry takes time (how long have the 3 mentioned rivalries been going on?) and it also requires the “going-to-each-others-games” factor: ya gotta rub elbows with those rivals at a game. I like the developing rivalry between Astros and the Metroplex gang, but I doubt there’s ever going to be a rivalry with the west coast teams.
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He’s had a pretty good spring so far . . .
1. Ryne Birk [.667/.750/1.639 – in 9 ABs]
2. Kyle Tucker [.412/.432/1.285 – leads team in HRS and RBIs]
3. Marwin Gonzales [.375/.429/.991]
4. J.D. Davis [.361/.410/1.021]
5. Jack Mayfield [.344/.417/1.010]
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I really think the nod goes to Davis now. Hinch mentioned his name first the other day in same breath as Stassi as two guys who’ve impressed this Spring.
Much as I think White would hit more consistently, Davis has really been my pick from month’s ago. And let’s be honest, if he hit anywhere near .300 platooning, we might have found a replacement for Marwin in the infield in 2019.
That’s still a long road to tow though, and if Gonzales has anything close to last season’s numbers, I pay him 2/20 as tremendously respected in the clubhouse. That may also be construed as Bregman or Correa’s money (keeping the core assembled), so a lot has to shake out first.
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White and Davis are still going to see 25 AB’s over the next 10 days. No way the club has come close to making a decision at this point, unless they’ve already decided to put White and his previous experience out there. JD is making a very strong argument though. And heck, Reed has not been a slouch. This is a great problem to have.
I’d almost sign Marwin at 2/20 right now. Because if he comes close to repeating 2017, he’ll get much more over more years to be a starter for someone.
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Mr. Paulino has been sent to the minor league side. There are now only 38 players in the major league camp.
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5 years, 150 for Altuve? If true, the Houston Astros are prepared to keep doing what it takes to keep winning championships.
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Jose wants to stay. Early report says 5 years, $150M beginning 2020.
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Bill, we had bad info. 151.
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I was in favor at $150. I’ll seriously have to rethink at 151!
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That extra $1M might come out of Jon Singleton’s pocket.
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I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so good about a guy getting 30 million a year. What an incredible life!
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Hope this leads to a positive domino effect. Who wouldn’t want to keep playing with Jose? We just might vault into perennial elite status with the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Dodgers. Another WS win and that dynasty talk may be right on.
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The other thing is that Luhnow is getting all of Altuve’s best years without having to buy a decade.
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And they get the great deal for the next two years and he gets financial security for life.
This is so great! I am happy for him and the Astros and their fans.
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The closest thing to a starter in today’s line-up vs. the Yankees is Derek Fisher. All underclassmen to take on the Brutes. LMJ better be sharp!
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And Ryne Birk is reported to have whispered: “I think I had better learn a different position.”
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yahoo for altuve!!! and yahoo for crane and luhnow as well.
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So he’s under contract for seven years now. That’s a long time and lots can happen, but that’s true of any long-term deal an elite player at his age could expect. Even at $30M it will probably be less than his peers Trout/Harper/Machado earn after this year. If anyone sees a down side other than normal financial/baseball/market/injury risk I’d love to hear it, cuz I sure don’t see it.
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Great outing by LMJ. Homers by Davis and White. 2 hits by Kemp. Babystros are lookin’ good so far!
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Very happy to see Armenteros come back and have a solid outing too. We’re going to see him at some point this year.
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I’ve been on vacation this week – wrote this post ahead of the trip.
The Altuve signing is grand news. My totally WAG on the scenario is that he told Boras to make it happen – that he did not want to become a free agent – that he loves it here. Boras after an off season where most of his clients signed underwhelming contracts probably was glad to see something more than 3 years signed.
I’m happy that Jose will no longer be underpaid by performance standards
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Jose Altuve has given the Astros about $200 million in production value in his career, while playing under team-friendly contract terms. Even if he didn’t get another hit through the five years of his $151 million extension, they’d still do well in overall value.
Buster Olney
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Dan, been wondering about you. Ain’t you gonna share where you went so we can do the vicarious thing?
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Astros shut out the Yankees on two hits, 2-0. LMJ went five innings, allowed 1 hit and 1 BB. He struck out 5 and hit a batter and had 3 groundouts and 4 flyouts.
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I’m over the moon happy for Altuve!! Tells not only HIM but the other core 4 they think so much of them, they want to keep them HERE! EXCELLENT MOVE!
First team to win 15 games this spring! Daveb…..your nephew is making the case to stay with the big club, but J. D. Davis is TOO. They are playing good baseball, and healthy too! Love this team sooo much❤!
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Richard Justice wrote an awesome piece about Altuve on the Astros website!!
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The Athletics’ #3 starter, Jharel Cotton will undergo TJ surgery.
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It’s a shame when you are just starting to pitch well, you go down with TJ surgery. He’s a tough little pitcher…glad we won’t have to face him this year.
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Wonder if the boys were out celebrating on Jose’s tab last night.
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Can’t watch it but have been updating on Gameday and they have more errors(3) than hits(1) and played most of their regulars against a bad Marlins team. Down 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth.
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Bregman made 2 of those errors and it sure seems he’s made quite a few during ST. Hope he gets the bugs out before opening day. Morton 3hits, 3 walks, and 4 K’s so not bad but down a notch from previous outings. Peacock with 1 hit and 3 k’s.
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And to add to Zanuda
Teddy Tucker had to save us by hitting a two run single to stop the bleeding 2-6. Hitting a paltry 1.223 OPS and leading the majors in RBI. Anibal (not MiguelAngel) Sierra had two hits including a grand slam to tie it in the 9th.
We’re just not going down without a fight said the minor leaguers today; Guduan, Hoyt, Nunez, Stubbs and Ferguson with contributions.
Not that Morton pitched badly, but he wasn’t backed up well. I say again, Brad Peacock is a No. 3. His outings are as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.
LMJ, JV and DK will all be fighting for Ace. This will be a rotation for the ages if handled well, with McHugh Paulino Martes and Armenteros in reserve. Just wow!
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Well….”slap me naked and hide my clothes” a grand slam to tie it up was bea….utiful!! Becky⚾
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Op, you and others will apppreciate this amazing bit of journalism!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2018/03/17/sports/baseball/houston-astros-brian-mccann-charlie-morton.amp.html
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wow great piece. thanks grayson.
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Terrific piece – thanks for sharing
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I wonder if it would be possible for the Astros to field the following starting lineup on opening day 2019:
George Springer CF
Daniel Murphy 1B
Jose Altuve 2B
Carlos Correa SS
Kyle Tucker RF
Alex Bregman 3B
Josh Reddick LF
Yuli Gurriel DH
Stassi/Stubbs C
Murphy is in the last season of his current contract.
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I missed the “2019” note. Read this and decided that 1OP was off his meds again. Spent a hour looking at MLB rumors, Murphy rumors, Nats DFAs. Could not find anything of Murphy on his way to the Astros.
So thanks, that kept my mind busy for a while.
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