I hope Bagwell retires so that we can resign Beltran. Carlos has such a fluid swing, and for a power hitter he doesent strike out much, unlike the other astros. He could be the cornerstone for this franchise for years to come.
Beltran is special to watch- he really did get buried in KC. If a guy like him played for New York, you'd never hear the end of him. I think Boras may actually be right in comparing him to A-Rod; outside of A-Rod, and Griffey in his Seattle days, I can't recall any players in recent memory impacting every facet of the game the way he's done. Bagwell's looked pretty horrid in the 2 hole. He took an 0fer in his first one, and got his only hit with 2 outs in the 9th on a weak dribbler to the SS that was misplayed. I like the Munro-Redding move (I asked for it yesterday ), and if Redding is solid in the bullpen, it could go a LONG way in bridging the starter to Lidge gap. Weathers has been pretty mediocre as an Astro, and Miceli's been solid- if Biggio catches the freaking fly ball, this game might still be tied. I'd like to see Chad Qualls brought up as well- he's supposed to be a Lidge-lite; filthy slider/fastball combo, just a notch in velocity below Lidge. They converted him this year from starter to reliever.
We should have hired Felipe Alou. Does anyone know why Drayton didn't purse him when we had the chance?
Jeff Kent is hurt again? The guy can hit but he is too damn soft. Every other week he gets some kind of ache and pain. Burke will have is job next season then the Astros need to go after a 1B, RF (so they can move Berkman to left since Carlos will be in center ), and a starting 3rd baseman who can hit atleast 1 homer
So what? He was pitching well. Pull him for his first time back? Jimmy is notorious for pullin pitchers too early. Face it our, pen is inconsistent. If the pitcher is pitching well and pitching out of jams, then let him pitch. We pulled him for a pinch hitter with nobody on the bases. That's real smart. If you are going to make a comment, please try to back it up rather than just state a one liner.
His one liner has more logic to it than your whole post. You don't risk a pitcher, coming off a month long stint on the DL, to pitch more than 80 or 90 pitches his first time back.
Did you watch the game? Pettitte had thrown close to 100 pitches in 5 innings. In addition, Weathers did NOT pitch badly. Here is how his inning went (in case you missed seeing it): 1st batter - K 2nd batter - Ensberg playing in due to Goodwin's ability to bunt. Goodwin hit a gorunder that would have routinely been fielded had Ensberg been playing a normal depth. He may have beat it out anyway, but certainly would not have had a double. 3rd batter - Grounder that barely got between Bagwell and the bag. 4th batter - Grounder that, I thought, Ensberg should have fielded. In essence Weathers got a strike out and 3 routine grounders. The only bad thing that happened to any of the relievers last night (that was their own doing) was Ramirez's HR off Bullinger, and that was on a fairly tough pitch. Too often Williams pulls pitchers early, but last night's removal of Pettitte wasn't one of those times.
Bagwell looks done. Actually he's been done for the last two years. The Astros as a team look to be about done. They are not that far back in terms of wins and losses but there are 3 teams between them and the first place team. That's just too much for a team that's as flawed as this to overcome.
Are you guys really blaming this on Jimy. This is the same team that annually fails to live up to expectations. Canning Jimy might give them a short-term boost, but it isn't going to solve their long-term problems.
Freakin' biggio...I just about sh*t my pants when he dropped the ball, or something like that... I can't believe it, but it never should have came to that... I thought Beltran would have come through, but maybe next time... Also, the Chanting "Astros suck" was pretty funny, but I can't wait for them to come to Houston so we can return the favor...
I am still amazed that Jimy did not pinch hit for Brad Ausmus. I cannot understand his thought process. Wow. Go Buckos!
Before Jimy, the team at least made the postseason before falling apart. It will be almost criminal if this team with these players missing the playoffs.
While I tend to agree with those that say Jimy has very little influence in the Astros' success, I also believe that sometimes change simply for the sake of change is necessary. Especially in a season when everything is at stake. They went out and got the players. Bagwell and Biggio aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so all else that can be done is to change the manager. I don't think Drayton will hesitate to pull the plug - too much is riding on this season.
