More confident entering the playoffs... '98 or '17

1998
1986
2017
2005

I was a kid in 86 and just knew that team was going to win it all. The most fun team to watch since I've been a fan. The speed, pitching, and the way they won games. Just a fun, underdog type group. I thought we were going to win it all in 98 when we got Randy. I'm hopeful for this team, Verlander acquisition really gives me hope. I wish our team was built more on pitching/defense than slugging it out but that's my stylistic preference I guess. 2005 was unexpected after losing Beltran.

 

I'm a lifelong Houston sports fan. I've followed the team since I was 4 years old back in 1962. I've learned to never be confident.

 

Terry Collins is still a manager in the big leagues... and happens to have managed more WS teams than Hinch and Dierker combined.

Now, I'm no Terry Collins fan... but when all the posters here complain about Hinch's laid-back demeanor, and post the cute pictures of him wearing sunglasses (only after something bad happens, mind you... nary a comment after a good move)... I presume they would rather have a fiery SOB like Collins calling the shots.

 

He self-admittedly mellowed out a whole lot after he got canned in Anaheim.

 

I've learned to ignore the stupid comments about managers and coaches. Most people on here that obsess with that type of stuff would b**** about any manager we brought on board- LaRussa, Leyland, Torre, etc. I'm not talking about legit beefs on specific moves- I'm talking about the ones who obsess over coaching after every loss but say nothing when we win. You know, if we win, it's b/c of the players; if we lose, it's primarily b/c of coaching. You just learn to laugh at the stupidity of it after a while.

 

By the most basic fact of R/G the 86 staff was #1 in all of MLB. It was one of the all -time best Astros pitching season. Many other stats back it up. But I'm not wasting anymore time with you. So yes it was.

2017 we are slight better than league average for the season. Learn some stats.

 

I just posted OPS+ and ERA+. Those are stats.

 

Ausmus homerun in that game was the most improbable homerun I've ever seen.