In a way the move to the AL reminds me of the 94 strike. Obviously the strike effected the whole sport and this is an local deal. But people here are equally upset as the country was than. How many people do you know that do not watch baseball b/c of the 1994 strike? The city is mad right now but I think most of the anger has been built up for the last few years for just seeing an awful product on the field. I think this will be a non-issue in a few years assuming this team starts to win and the team has a few faces that the city knows. I wasn't excited about the move to the AL but I don't blame Crane. And frankly I'm over it and looking forward to it. I will be in Arlington come July 4th weekend and look forward to the rivalry with the Rangers. It will take time but eventually there will be a tight division race with the rangers those games and the atmosphere is going to be awesome.
That's the odd thing. He has seemed to really take fans interests seriously in regards to the unis, the train, Tal's hill, food in ballpark, but then he put up that monstrosity of a billboard that killed the skyline when he could have put those sponsorship signs ANYWHERE else.
Not a fan of the billboards, but if they help raise enough revenue and that revenue is put back into player development/players, then I can accept it.
To each their own, so if you don't enjoy it, you don't enjoy it. But I've never understood this logic. I prefer the NL too - but 90% of the game is the same. Unless all your enjoyment comes out of watching the pitcher bat and the double-switches, I don't see how you wouldn't still enjoy an AL game (maybe a bit less) - batters 1-8 play the same game.
Yep, and I think it can be argued that managing a game in the AL could bring on even tougher decisions than in the NL. Yes, you have the double switches with the pitcher spot that comes up. But I would guess over 70% of the time those switches are made in the 7th inning or later, and really it isn't much of a "decision" as late in the game if you are tied or behind, you almost always remove the pitcher and use a hitter. In the AL the manager actually has to made pitching decisions based on the pitcher and how he will do against the upcoming batter/lineup. No easy outs for the manager going to the pen because he had to put a ph in the lineup.
How is attendance for most MLS games and how much do tickets cost? I've never watched MLS. Only really followed Soccer during WC. How many teams can fit that many in an arena? I know the smaller arenas are partially by design because they don't want a bunch of empty seats, but even the Staples Center doesn't hold 20k, and MSG barely does.
Looks like you can get a season ticket in a good seating area for $525 (20 tickets). You can sit in a corner area for a $250 season ticket package.
Well, if it is legitimate charities then that is ok with me too. Problem is so much of the time "charity" means a foundation that pays it's CEO 7 or even 8 figures, if they were up there to support that kind of "charity" then yikes
Something to do with local baseball/community, IIRC. Still seems like they could find some other way to display the signage.
I meant comparing MLS to the other spccer leagues. Most people I know choose to watch liga bbva or Barclays or any of those big leagues. I don't know many that actually pay attention to MLS. I personally don't ever watch MLS and don't plan to, and I love soccer (but this is a USA site and MLS is USA so that's understandable) Oh and I don't think it's fair to compare them to the rockets since their capacity is only 18,000.
If I start a charity to stop the apostrophe holocaust, will I be able to raise enough support for a 7 figure salary? I'm just sayin'. :grin: Seriously, in response to some of the stuff from the last page, it will be a long time before I shut up about the move to the AL. Put me on ignore if you like. I'm not going anywhere, mind you. As Max said the other day, it'd be like abandoning a member of the family. I can't quit the Astros. But Selig can certainly kiss my ass, that's for sure. And, the DH sucks. But, you've all heard this before, so I'll stop now.
I am pissed about the move to the AL but I doubt I'll stop following the team. I think it's pretty legit to be angry about it. We have 50 years of tradition in playing a different game than what's played in the AL as well as 50 years of playing certain teams. Frankly I was pissed when they realigned the West and East divisions however long ago that was. I grew up hating the Dodgers, Giants, and Reds. Then slowly hating the Cubs grew on me. I guess the new division will grow on me as well but I really don't give a damn about the Mariners, A's, and Rangers. It's like inviting three strangers to dinner over and over. It's going to take some time to really give two flips about them. Nolan Ryan turning into an a-hole is definitely going to help. Bud Selig is a piece of ****. He's screwed us on mutiple things to this point. That guy can't go away fast enough.
All these years in the NL Central, and I barely feel anything about the Cardinals. I already hated the Cubs, and I still couldn't care less about the Reds, Pirates, and Brewers. But oh YEAH! Bring on the A's and Mariners. And a steady diet of Royals and Twins and Indians. *yay*
The thing I liked about the Cardinals "rivalry" is that the games were always played hard, with passion and respect between the teams.
Thing is, some Astros fans might say the Cards are our rivals, or some might say the Cubs. Years ago we would have said the Dodgers. But ask the fan base of any other team and not a single one would say the Astros are their big rival, no one. I'm not saying there is going to be an immediate rivalry with the Rangers, but I do think that over time we at least have the possibility of one developing that is a true rivalry, from both sides
Very few MLB teams have a big rival. Most are like us and have several smaller rivalries. The only big time rivalries in baseball go back 100 years.
Yep Red Sox-Yankees Cubs-Cardinals Dodgers-Giants That's pretty much it. Doesn't mean that other historic teams like the Reds, White Sox, Phillies, Tigers, and Pirates are less of a franchise because they don't have a mutual "big" rival.
agree with above. there are historic rivalries in all sports, but people act like you have them in every city. while the Astros' history is certainly not in the league with the Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox, I appreciate their history and find it rich. I will still enjoy the "baseball" (or the shell of "baseball" that they play in the junior circuit), but I will dearly miss the Dodgers, Br*ves, Mets, Giants, Cubs, and Cardinals. oh, and **** you Bud Selig.
