Great for us but as someone else said, losing that footprint in other parts of TX like Austin and Corpus to the stRangers kinda sucks.
We still have Corpus as our AA so we still have the footprint in South Texas. I live in the Houston metro area so obviously it’s different for me compared to someone living in central Texas, but I feel like the pro’s of having the AAA literally right down the street from the MLB team outweighs the cons of losing the footprint in Austin area. Just my opinion though.
Austin area here. I can confirm that it will definitely turn into rangers territory again. I also used to live in sugarland so I'm really happy for that area
If the Rangers keep sucking we'll see how prominent the Rangers are in the hill country. The first time RR moved to them happened to coincide with when we were dead and they were at their peak, and they didn't suck again until RR's tenure there was almost over. Then RR moved back to us when we were at the top. I think swaying loyalties to the MLB parent team are just a coincidence of timing.
What are the pros of having the team right next door? It seems terrible for developing and expanding your fanbase. The only logistical benefits I see are that it takes 30 minutes to call someone up instead of 2 hours, in the random scenario that someone gets injured 2 hours before gametime. That said, the Astros already lost the Austin area market with the CSN-H debacle and the Astros no longer being televised here for the most part anyway.
Strom is 30 minutes from MiLB pitchers once COVID-19 vaccine is out. 30 minutes is a lot easier to catch the MLB team plane after a AAA game. Can scout AAA players from other teams in person for Houston staff. MLB manager can communicate with AAA players in person. It is a nice perk for up and down players not having to worry about accommodations (e.g., do they keep paying for apartment in AAA town while getting a cup of coffee).
Those are all fair points. I just think that having the ability to quickly shuttle guys back and forth, easily scout guys right down the road and for fans to be able to kind of build a connection with prospects before they get called up (maybe a bit of a reach?) are all positives. I totally understand the disappointment of losing out on the central Texas market though. Maybe it's just more of a personal thing for me too, since I'm in the Houston area and now I can easily go watch our top prospects when they reach AAA. That alone is enough to sell me (as a Houston resident) on it.
Sure did. Outside of Brazos Bend (and hell, it's basically on the county line) I can't think of a reason to stop in Fort Bend County unless you had to take a piss.
I would say this is how I felt when the Astros lost the Express the 1st time. Them leaving just at the start of a rebuild was a dick punch last time. Had a lot of good memories there, even though it seemed half the team were guys that never were, never had a chance, and never will be organizational guys.
Love going to RR, always have...but it's not the same to me when I'm not watching Stros kids. What am I supposed to do, boo the Rangers?
How much are ticket prices for the Skeeters? Do you guys think they'll go up w/ being a AAA team now?
I did that last season before I moved. Got to see Nelson Cruz hit three homers in a rehab stint in a three game set. Maybe avoid games in which the Rangers slugger is on a rehab stint.
