It's hard being a die hard Houston fan [rant]

[texanskan]

Texans-enough talent to make the playoffs but little depth at many positions due to 2nd-3rd round misses over the years. Injuries have exposed this lack of depth this season after the great start.

Still if they did not turnover the football at the highest rate in the nfl they would be in the mix for a playoff spot.

This = a very frustrating season and now 6 straight losing seasons

Astros-They have a really bad team right now and while the new gm seems to have a plan to add team speed and sure up the defense this team is still a long way away from competing and with the thin farm system and the head scrating moves not to sign draft picks they might be wasting Roy O and Berkman's prime years.

Rockets-I still have lots of hope for this team but with a very underwhelming Astros off-season and then the Texans season going up in flames the very average/up-down Rockets start is as frustrating as the Texans injuries.

Heck even the Coogs are a mess with the coaching changes and stadium problems.

We are a major city that has invested over 1 billion in public money to pay for stadiums and I want results.

Rockets=a team ready to win (they better get it done anything less than a title is not ok)

Texans=a team getting better but not fast enough (six years of losing I better see the playoffs next year anything less is not ok)

Astros=a team with lots of holes but they have some great pieces and are in a weak division (anything less than getting back to 500 or better is not ok)

I'm glad the Dynamo won the title but like most folks it will never come close to the feeling of a Texans/Astros/Rockets title so I say it's time for Houston to get vocal and express our displeasure/expectations of these teams.

Me-I'm buying an Astros mini plan if I don't see this team hit 500 I'm not buying a ticket in 2009 I will either go if it's free or just watch on tv.

Rockets-We will not renew unless they get to atleast the West finals and I feel we have a shot again in 08-09. I will drop to a mini or half season plan like that. If they can't get out of the first round no more tickets for me.

Texans-I am screwed on psl's so I will just go tailgate and go to the home games. No more extra events, no more money spent on gear or road trip unless I see PLAYOFFS in 2008

I have spent thousands on these teams and I want my dam results

What if anything will ya'll do?

[MadMax]

This sounds like the kind of crap that John Lopez spews off on his afternoon show. THE MONSTERS!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Look, it's entertainment. If you're not entertained, don't go. It isn't your civic responsibility to show up to a game and/or buy a jersey. If it's fun/inspiring/better than anything else going on/and the price is right...then go. If it's not. Then don't.

[msn]

Waaaaaaaaaa.

Save your money. Channell 11 is free.

[gucci888]

My buddies and I have this conversation way too often. Unfortunately it is all true...

Ths Astros habe been horrible since getting swept in the World Series, the Rockets haven't one a playoff series in over a decade, and well...the Texans just suck.

I like the moves the Astros have made so far, we still have a ways to go though. I'm placing all my hopes on the Rockets but I'm still not sure that will be a good move. My optomism for the Texans has all but disappeared.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally Posted by MadMax This sounds like the kind of crap that John Lopez spews off on his afternoon show. THE MONSTERS!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Look, it's entertainment. If you're not entertained, don't go. It isn't your civic responsibility to show up to a game and/or buy a jersey. If it's fun/inspiring/better than anything else going on/and the price is right...then go. If it's not. Then don't.

This is entirely too mature an outlook for a sportsfan, Max.

[MR. MEOWGI]

I find being a die-hard Houston fan to be incredibly easy and fun. The emotions of winning and losing come and go. Love and loyalty of Houston is lasting. Without that everything else is meaningless.

[msn]

Originally Posted by MR. MEOWGI I find being a die-hard Houston fan to be incredibly easy and fun. The emotions of winning and losing come and go. Love and loyalty of Houston is lasting. Without that everything else is meaningless.

Exactly. Houston is the greatest city in the world. Our sports teams kinda suck right now. It comes and goes in cycles. Meh.

[texanskan]

Originally Posted by MadMax This sounds like the kind of crap that John Lopez spews off on his afternoon show. THE MONSTERS!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Look, it's entertainment. If you're not entertained, don't go. It isn't your civic responsibility to show up to a game and/or buy a jersey. If it's fun/inspiring/better than anything else going on/and the price is right...then go. If it's not. Then don't.

well no matter what I will always watch/support my teams. Hell I was one of two people I know watching Astros games in September but to commit money to these teams when they do not produce is silly.

The Texans are improving and one of the main reasons they are where they are is injuries so I step back and say ok, one more year for these young players but if they don't make the playoffs next season something is wrong. I'm not saying win the super bowl I'm just saying a freaking wild card.

The Astros are bad so the expectations are for them to get better and for us as fans to see some direction going into 2009.

The Rockets should be a title contender so to expect anything less is silly

This is pro sports not college

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by texanskan well no matter what I will always watch/support my teams. Hell I was one of two people I know watching Astros games in September but to commit money to these teams when they do not produce is silly.

THEN DON'T!!! I don't buy Texans tickets. I can't bring myself to spend money on them. That's fine. There's no reason to shout it from the rooftops. People don't buy tickets for all sorts of reasons.

No one is forcing you to pay the Astros and Texans and Rockets for tickets. No one. If you choose to stop paying, that's just fine. No biggie.

Tell Lopez I said the same. Of course his views are only that way with regard to the Astros because he believes Drayton hates Hispanics.

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by gucci888 Ths Astros habe been horrible since getting swept in the World Series .

:D
Ummmm...that was just 2 seasons ago!

And they finished exactly 1.5 games behind the WS champs in 2006. They weren't great...but they weren't horrible. They were horrible in 2007, for sure.

[msn]

Originally Posted by MadMax I don't buy Texans tickets. I can't bring myself to spend money on them. That's fine. There's no reason to shout it from the rooftops. People don't buy tickets for all sorts of reasons. No one is forcing you to pay the Astros and Texans and Rockets for tickets. No one. If you choose to stop paying, that's just fine. No biggie.

Precisely.

I haven't paid for a pro sports event in at least three years. Other priorities for the money.

[macalu]

i love all the fools who can't help themselves with "Texans are an embarrassment to the city."

yet, they're Rockets fans...go figure.

[texanskan]

Originally Posted by MadMax THEN DON'T!!! I don't buy Texans tickets. I can't bring myself to spend money on them. That's fine. There's no reason to shout it from the rooftops. People don't buy tickets for all sorts of reasons. No one is forcing you to pay the Astros and Texans and Rockets for tickets. No one. If you choose to stop paying, that's just fine. No biggie. Tell Lopez I said the same. Of course his views are only that way with regard to the Astros because he believes Drayton hates Hispanics.

I don't listen to his radio show (or any radio for that matter during mid-day) but I have talked to that guy in person and the reason he does not like the Astros is because he feels they are not commited to winning. He feels the Rockets and Texans are and the reason they have not had success in recent years is due to mistakes not an owner who does not want to win.

I pretty much agree with this statement, Bob McNair has really tried to do everything first class and I sure hope it pays off one day but it has not so far. Bottom line is McNair will spend whatever it takes from what I have seen.

Les, has brought in stars, the Oilers and now Texans have lacked star power and other than Clemens the Astros have never really has "star" power so I give Les credit for trying to go for it.

Drayton (while he has turned the Astros into one of the better organizations from being one of the worst) can't say he has 100% commited to winning a world series. He has stretched a budget when it was in the best intrest for the bottom line imo.

So I do agree with Lopez on that issue, can you show me when he said the Astros or Drayton did not like hispanics because that is not true and if Lopez said that it would be pretty stupid

[macalu]

Originally Posted by MR. MEOWGI I find being a die-hard Houston fan to be incredibly easy and fun. The emotions of winning and losing come and go. Love and loyalty of Houston is lasting. Without that everything else is meaningless.

werd.

the texans suck hard, but they represent this city and i'm proud of cheering for them. all the emotional investment will eventually pay off, and it'll be that much sweeter when they win.

[msn]

Originally Posted by texanskan I have talked to that guy in person and the reason he does not like the Astros is because he feels they are not commited to winning.

He feels stupid, then. Doesn't surprise me.

The next intelligent thing I see from the Houston Chronicle's Sports section will be the first in a very, very long time.

Drivel.

[Hey Now!]

Originally Posted by texanskan Les, has brought in stars, the Oilers and now Texans have lacked star power and other than Clemens the Astros have never really has "star" power so I give Les credit for trying to go for it.

wha?

the oilers have sent 3 players to the hall of fame from the 80/90's playoff era - they had star power (and massive egos, unfortunately) to spare.

the astros, meanwhile, can lay claim to three HoFs, as well: clemens, biggio and kent. they've retained bagwell, berkman, and oswalt - three of the best players in franchise history (with oswalt a definite HoF candidate); dealt for johnson (another HoF'er) and beltran; signed all-stars in pettitte and lee...

jesus cristo - i can't believe we're still having the same conversation from 1996 about drayton mclane....

[msn]

Originally Posted by Ric i can't believe we're still having the same conversation from 1996 about drayton mclane....

No freaking kidding.

In other news, the damned sky is blue and grass is freaking green.

[texanskan]

Originally Posted by Ric wha? the oilers have sent 3 players to the hall of fame from the 80/90's playoff era - they had star power (and massive egos, unfortunately) to spare. the astros, meanwhile, can lay claim to three HoFs, as well: clemens, biggio and kent. they've retained bagwell, berkman, and oswalt - three of the best players in franchise history (with oswalt a definite HoF candidate); dealt for johnson (another HoF'er) and beltran; signed all-stars in pettitte and lee... jesus cristo - i can't believe we're still having the same conversation from 1996 about drayton mclane....

of course Biggio is a hof but he does not have "star" power. Moon and those WR were fun but star power is Favre/Elway/Montana-Sanders/Smith

with the Rockets we have Yao/T-Mac they are stars.

the Texans have AJ who might turn out to be a star and others who are good notable players

the Astros have Roy who if he can break through and win his over due cy young might be elevated to star power status. But Berkman and Lee are good players but they don't have flair. This was the same with Biggio/Bagwell/Kent/Alou.

[justtxyank]

Originally Posted by Ric wha? the oilers have sent 3 players to the hall of fame from the 80/90's playoff era - they had star power (and massive egos, unfortunately) to spare. the astros, meanwhile, can lay claim to three HoFs, as well: clemens, biggio and kent. they've retained bagwell, berkman, and oswalt - three of the best players in franchise history (with oswalt a definite HoF candidate); dealt for johnson (another HoF'er) and beltran; signed all-stars in pettitte and lee... jesus cristo - i can't believe we're still having the same conversation from 1996 about drayton mclane....

Reality:

The Astros had two superstars in the 90's as mainstays in Biggio and Bagwell. After that, they showed no reluctance to acquire additional stars and make runs at keeping them. They still have two superstars right now in Oswalt and Berkman, both of whom are among the best at their positions in baseball in good years.

The Astros problem has always been having a complete team. They are always lacking somewhere, whether it is hitting, pitching, bullpen, etc. They are just never a powerhouse.

Guess what? That's reality for most teams. Most teams struggle to get good enough at everything to win a WS. That's why it's been so hard for any team to win one. Three teams have won more than 1 WS sinc ethe beginning of the 90s. A lot of luck played into it for all three teams.

IT IS HARD TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP

[justtxyank]

Originally Posted by texanskan of course Biggio is a hof but he does not have "star" power. Moon and those WR were fun but star power is Favre/Elway/Montana-Sanders/Smith the Astros have Roy who if he can break through and win his over due cy young might be elevated to star power status. But Berkman and Lee are good players but they don't have flair. This was the same with Biggio/Bagwell/Kent/Alou.

They don't have star power because they are in Houston. I'm a Yankee fan, but I guarantee that if Biggio played in NY he'd be a superstar. Same for Bagwell, Oswalt, etc. Houston just doesn't have the media market to drive their names up.