Will they be the first team to get the first pick 3 straight years if they finish with the worst record again?
This got me interested as far as I can tell they will be the first professional team in any major American Sport(MLB,NFL,NBA) to pick first overall in three consecutive drafts.
The Mets finished dead last in each of their first 4 seasons. But they started play in 1962 and the draft didn't start until 1965. Also, MLB alternated picks between AL and NL teams. So it was impossible for a team to have #1 picks in consecutive years until they changed that rule. Some people have suggested that the rule should be revived to dissuade teams like the Astros (and Nationals before them) from tanking for the #1 pick in multiple consecutive years.
I am not sure if you can say the Astros tanked in 2011 and maybe 2012. They were just that bad a team.
The Astros have 105 losses , with 9 straight losses. They will for sure shatter the record this week.
They did it! Party at MMP! Maybe they'll extend the record to 111 and end the season on a 15 game losing streak.
So who else is worried that this planned, perpetual tanking (along with the move to the AL) will result in a generation of kids growing up as Rangers fans, not to mention all the other Astro fans that are lost for good?
No winning cures all, from 00-08 the rangers never made the playoffs and had one winning season, didn't matter once they started to win. If the Astros build a consistent winner fans will jump on the bandwagon.
I'm worried about it combined with lack of media coverage, and the RR Express belonging to Arlington. Those 3 things are all damaging to the Astros long-term. 2 winning seasons can instantly fix the losing problem, and CSN will probably get resolved eventually. No question though that this hurts.
Austin is gone as far as the Astros are concerned. This is Rangers territory now. Winning won't be enough to overcome the fan base created by the Express.