I debated whether to post this all day, so here it goes. Yes, I know its early. Yes, I know we're not all that bad. Yes, I know that NJ Rocket is going to be all over this like white on rice. But, dammit, the astros are unwatchable right now, and I'm one that usually gets overly optimistic about rookies. 1. I hate watching us hit. - When I see Everett's face. I see Doogie Howser. I think "out" or "weak ass grounder". - When I see Bagwell at the plate, I start to rub my shoulder like that will help ol Baggy. I think, slow bat, old man, nice guy . . . when is Lamb or Berkman going to replace Baggy at 1B? - When I see Ensberg at the plate, I think . . . dammit he looks like Bob Stoops, which just makes me madder. I think, why does he step into the bucket when he swings? Why does he take so many pitches down the middle? How does he have a decent batting average for someone that does close to nothing? Is he that freaking amazing with the glove that we just have to play him instead of Lamb? - When I see Lane and Biggio, I think . . . man, I hope they homer because that's our only shot. - When I see Luke Scott, I think, other than his cool name Luuuuuke, why is he here? Why are you so fooled on pitches? Why do you miss so many mistake pitches? Is any pitcher afraid of this guy? Why isn't Tim Redding pitching to us? - When I see Brad Ausmus, I think - man, you really, really suck. Why do I have no hope when you're at the plate? Why do I flip to "Iron Chef"? Why don't we have a better alternative? - When I see Wily Taveras, I think, Willy Mays Hayes. Then I think, well, at least this guy is kinda exciting. I actually feel kind of good when he's at the plate. - When we're pitching, I think, dude, you better be perfect. Dude, a runner, bring in the infield. Walk the batter to set up a force at home. For all of these reasons, the Astros are kind of unwatchable right now. I'm a very optimistic person but man, it stinks. When we won, I felt like we won b/c everything fell into place. Like we beat the odds. I hate that. I kinda wished we stunk for real . . . that we didn't have this stellar pitching to keep us alive in games to prolong the agony. I know I'm being whiny but never have I wanted to tune out so early in the season. I'll keep the games on but I'll be playing hide and seek with my kiddo at the same time.
I finally decided to watch most of a Astros game lastnight vs. the Braves and I can firmly say it will probably be my last (unless we pull off a streak like last season). The Astros looked pathetic the last 3 innings. We had lead off doubles going on, we had bases loaded and everything, and well, ya'll know what happened.
I'm a fan first, so I'm ticked that he didn't break the bank for Beltran and give him the no trade clause. Maybe Boras would have just used that to get more from the Mets. Maybe not. But Beltran would change this club by himself. I could watch for no other reason except that Beltran is a human highlight reel on both sides of the ball. I think that McLane went after Beltran in earnest at the start, but when the bidding got high, he found an excuse to back out.
The no-trade clause thing didn't become an issue until the last day. That was a few days after Beltran told Taveras he wasn't coming back, basically. Beltran wasn't going to be an Astros unless we offered close to $18-20 mil/per. Quit thinking it was all about the no-trade clause.
I agree this team is boring as hell to watch. We came out of the starting gates pretty good and things just went all to hell. While we have good starting pitching, it isn't helping when we can't even score a run to put us in a position to win. Clemens is great but we make too many pitchers look like Clemens when their pitching against us. If we don't turn it around soon, then we're going to find ourselves in a hole so big we won't be able to get out. And, I don't think Berkman is some savior that's just going to come back and instantly fix everything. This team needs to quit batting scared and playing like a bunch of rooks mixed in with a bunch of senior citizens. It's pathetic.
wdf man, it's like 2 weeks into the season. Quit complaining. Wait till Lance gets back and give us 80 more games to gel and if things are still "unwatchable" then start b****ing...
hey... what other team this season has been shutout twice through 9 innings and lost 1-0 twice in extra innings? what's that...... no one????? damn right b****es
The Astros made a mistake in putting all of their eggs in one basket. The minute Boras let Omar Minaya meet Beltran in person and refused the same request from Mclane the Astros management should have given him their last, best offer and given a deadline *before* Christmas. They let it linger on and they were played.
I've got an idea...why don't we just all adopt the party line thrown out there by Scott Boras? Geez. If it wasn't the no-trade clause, it would have been something else. Bottom line: if Beltran wanted to be an Astro, he'd still be here. He flatly didn't want to come back.
I'm sure that you know this but it was reported that about a month before the deadline(before Christmas) Drayton wanted to end it with a joint announcement that a deal could not be reached. But Borass said wait, you are still in the running. Did Borass use Drayton? Yes Was Drayton wrong for trying to pursue Beltran? No If Drayton did not pursue until the last minute, would he be called a cheapskate and a snake? Yes Do you think that bringing up 5-10 deal-breaker demands in the 11th hour is a sign of not wanting to stay with the Astros? Yes Bottom line is that Beltran wanted the Yanks and the Yanks(already having dealt with Borass) said don't call us , we'll call you. After the Astros deadline passed and no other really serious offers for Beltran, he had no chioce but to sign with the Mutts. All the leaverage was gone. But this is all ancient history. Wily T is the Astros CF.
we all know drayton was damned if he went after beltran and didn't sign him (as some of you say now), damned if he went after him and signed him for too much (i wouldn't be happy at $18/yr, which is what it woulda taken i bet for us), damned if he didn't go after him, damned if he went after him AND other options (because then when we didn't sign him, people would say it was because he was pursuing other options instead of concentrating) POINT is, a lot of people want to be upset, regardless, about these decisions. Move on. Be happy we don't have a ridiculously cheap owner and a team like KC or TB. (and in fact, our team has been one of the most consistently good over a long period) ---- On this year, please. Learn to enjoy different types of baseball. Yes, we're not that great offensively yet (hopefully that'll change with Berkman and rookies growing up)... but enjoy a pitcher's game! 1-0 games...man those are exciting and some solid baseball games. Sad we didn't pull em out, and even sadder that we couldn't drive in the RISP. But that's some great baseball our team has already shown us. Sorry if you're in love with the homer or the offense...go back to your bandwagon and rejoin when you feel like it. If you're gonna do that, don't claim to be a fan and post here. Not gonna watch "unless they go on a run like last year" ? How spoiled are you? Reminds me of Braves fans..which is just sick.
I agree for the large part. Indeed for many reason it is hard to watch. For me it starts with seeing Adam at the top of the lineup. To me there is absolutely nothing more ridiculous as that. At this point I will take a Bidge at the top over Adam. It is an injustice to the skill-set that Adam is blessed with (hitting wise) - which is definitely not leadoff at least at this point of his career. If we did not have any other option then that will be another issue. [I will go to bed hoping that Adam is not the leadoff guy 'morrow] And for crying out loud, Adam is not a kid anymore so his confidence will not be shot/shattered if he is moved to the #6 or #7 slot. I am seriously begining to really dislike Garner for this and a few other reasons. And if we are going to use this season to rebuild I hope we go with a different manager to lead us through such a period. I can understand and appreciate the move earlier this season but now it has entered the unfortunate realm of stubbornness (obstination is the word that aptly expresses my sentiment). Now as for Purpura and our billionaire owner........bleh
as an astros fan last night sucked but how can anyone like baseball and find that game boring? clemens and hudson going at it like that is about as good as it gets. i feel really sorry for the people who STILL believe that line about the no-trade clause. there was no way that was what kept us from retaining beltran.
The Astros suck. Time to raise the white flag. Trade Clemens to the Yankees. Tank the rest of the reason (only about 150 games, right?).
Totally agree. It sucks being on the losing end of that one. We had our chances but failed to capitalize. In any case, that was one hell of a duel. 2 pitchers that just dominated, you cant beat that. It felt like a playoff game.
