I don't dispute that. Because like your example, the feelings usually don't hold up under the microscope.
Just please tell me you looked at more than W-L. Over a career, of course not. People here are saying there were seasons in which he was. You can argue that, but you'd be wrong. No one here thinks Dirk is an all-time top-tier or elite pitcher. Dude's been part of the Astros 50 years. He's family. b****ing at the media in 2001, throwing a hissy fit in public a month ago, and a season or so with the Cardinals notwithstanding. You can lampoon that all you like and try to put it "under a microscope", but that becomes, as observed these last few pages, an exercise in myopia and futility.
So f***ing what? He is beloved in Houston. What is wrong with that? You're arguing against something that is inarguable. Your opinion is that it isn't deserved. The opinion of millions of Houston residents is that it is. The end.
Obviously you looked at other numbers and you admit he was not a top tier pitcher for his overall career. I looked at them too. I don't think the years he had were he was what some of you term a top tier pitcher justify the worship he gets. I bet most of you are the ones fretting over the fate of the Astrodump. I laugh at the "memory lane" callers on the radio who think the Dome should stand because they went to a game in 1965 with their dad. Are the taxpayers supposed to keep paying for upkeep on the building so you can drive by and think about the good old days? Take a picture and use that to reflect back on. Dude shouldn't have his jersey retired with his career numbers. Neither should Wilson or Umbricht for that matter. You can't justify JR not having his jersey retired with either of those guys in. Mr. Astro is Craig Biggio, in my book. Biggio might have a more prominent role in the organizaton but he doesn't really need the money. In Dierker's heyday, many baseball players had normal jobs in the off season. Over the years, Dierker needed to keep working and found a way to do it in different roles with the team. Good for him but I wouldn't fault Biggio for spending time with his kids since he really doesnt need the money.
I was responding to a post debating whether Dierker was a top tier pitcher or not. Figure out how replying to a quote works. I doubt millions of Houston residents feel that passionate about Dierker being a part of the team moving forward or not. Diehard Astro fans, I will give you that. But I don't think there are millions of die hard fans in Houston.
You're right. After 11 years here, I haven't yet learned the quote function. Or, you could try to be a little less of a jackass. The point is, your opinion is in the extreme minority. Astros fans, no matter how many of them there are, love Dierker and feel as if he should be a part of the club he's been a part of for nearl 1/2 a century.
Did Dierker knock up your old lady? Seriously, if you do not get why Dierker is a huge part of the Astros history, I do not know what to tell you.
Way to make a series of assumptions. #1 I am a big JR Richard fan, but why should his number be retired? His numbers are very similar to Dierker's and he was not involved with the organization after 1980. #2 Who said anything about Craig Biggio? Who said he isnt a great part of the Astros history? What about Jeff Bagwell? #3 How the hell do you know Dierker needed to keep working? What about when he was offered jobs outside the Astros organization? #4 Who faulted Craig Biggio? No one is saying that he has to keep working for the Astros, but you cannot expect people to have the same type of long term attachment if he is not as involved. Look at Phil Rizzuto, he was not the player than other Yankees were, but he was involved with the team for 50 years and is a huge part of the fans hearts. #5 Please root for the Rangers. I was hoping your posts outside the political realm would be better, but nope.. you are just a miserable person.
My opinion amongst Astro Diehards is in the minority. We agree there. never said differently. Dierker made the decision to part ways with the Astros by acting like a baby. If you choose to support that, good for you. I wouldn't even if I thought he was the Icon yall think he is.
He parted ways, sort of. After meeting with Crane, Dierker was still going to be involved some, but didn't have any official title. As soon as Postolos was gone, he came back. Given how many people have said negative things about Postolos, I can't blame Dierker for getting upset.
Ok..... Retiring a former players number should be for the merits of their playing career. If you want to through in Dirk's managing career ok. But JR is as deserving as Dierker based on his career numbers. I told you who I thought was Mr Baseball for the Astros. Bagwell is right there with Biggio. Both are ahead of Dierker in regard to the level of success of their on the field contributions the team. You are an emotional little fella, aren't you? Most players from Dierker's era needed to keep working. They didn't have the big pay days. They didn't get salaries that set them up for life. Were you privy to the intimate details regarding why he chose the Astros over these "other jobs". Please elaborate. If Craig Biggio never works a day for the Astros post career. Fans should have a long term attachment to his legacy to the team. Again with the emotional tantrum.... just can't seperate sentiment from reality. I can choose to view the team and it's history without having to follow another team.
Again, passing your OPINION off as fact, yet having no respect for someone elses opinion. I do not have an issue with the Astros retiring JR Richard's number, although I would argue that there is no reason you cannot consider Dierker's playing career AND his managing career AND his broadcasting career. Who said that Dierker was a better player than Bagwell or Biggio? Do you know Dierker's financial situation? How many former Astros played in the 60's and 70's and are still involved with the organization? The Astros do have a long term attachment to Biggio, and that has nothing to do with Larry Dierker or his place in Astros lore. Sentiment from reality? No, the reality is the Larry has been involved with the Astros for nearly 50 years. He was a top Astros player, then a top color commentator, a top writer and then the first or second most successful manager in the history of the Astros. Those are all cold, hard facts.
Dierker got upset because he didn't like the decision to give him the job he wanted. The Astros (Postolos)did offer him a job and it wasn't good enough for him. That's when he went public saying he was parting ways with the Astros. I'm sure when the offers didn't come flooding in, he re-thought the position. He met with Crane. The comments Postolos made about Dierker were unacceptable to be uttered in public but were accurate. It was sour grapes. The handling of Dierker very well could have been a factor in Postolos resigning. We can all speculate on that but not be sure at this point. Postolos could have been tired of dealing with Crane. Crane could have been pissed over the CSN Houston negotiations. Who knows what all went in to it. Reid Ryan and Crane knew that bringing Dierker back wasn't going to piss anyone off and would make some Die Hard's happy. It was a first step in damage control for a spiraling downward image problem for the Astros. The meanie who wouldn't give Dierker a job went away and Dierker is happy until the next time he doesn't get what he wants....
Jesus Christ dude, I think you have the strongest opinions on Larry Dierker, positive or negative, of anyone on this planet.
That's it! We can no longer be fans of players in our city unless they are one of the greatest players of all time. No more being fans of Mario Elie, Otis Thorpe, Kenny Smith, or any of the other role players that brought a title here to Houston. No more love for Kevin Bass, Bill Doran, Terry Puhl, Mike Scott, or Jim Deshaies. Forget about Warren Moon, Haywood Jeffries, Curtis Duncan, Ray Childress, and Cris Dishman. We can only love Hakeem, Earl Campbell, and Craig Biggio. That's all, folks.
