Good article on Astros--Regrouping Nicely!

http://espn.go.com/gammons/s/2001/0319/1158078.html



Astros regroup after tough year

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Peter Gammons
Special to ESPN.com

One American League team had its regular conference call of scouts and officials Friday, and when it was over the consensus, in one executive's words, was "the Astros are the most improved team in baseball."


Oh, they didn't go get Mike Hampton -- although Hampton wished they had -- or Alex Rodriguez or Mike Mussina. They traded for two members of the gang (Doug Brocail, Brad Ausmus) and they signed Mike Jackson, who missed all last season. But this team that was out of it by July because of injuries and a pitching staff's stage fright after moving from The Dome to Enron Field has shown everyone that -- if healthy -- they'll be right back in the National League Central mosh pit.


The Astros will be pumped up if Billy Wagner returns to his 1999 form.


Hey, even without Billy Wagner they were nine games over .500 after the All-Star break and didn't lose a series. The lineup kills. Only the team that plays in Coors Field scored more runs among NL teams, and the 'Stros were without Craig Biggio for two months. The star second baseman is back, lean and quick. Jeff Bagwell, Moises Alou and Richard Hidalgo are stars. Lance Berkman will be, too.


But that's only part of it. "I've looked across the field at them for years and really admired them for the way they play and carry themselves," says Atlanta's Rico Brogna. "There's something there that commands respect. They play hard, they play right."


If you like baseball, like it to be played hard and with respect and a tough edge, you like the Astros. They can drive you crazy, as well; there's no way they should have allowed Mike Hampton and Darryl Kile to leave. When ESPN Magazine was looking for special clubhouse people, several Astros could have been picked -- Bagwell, Brocail, Ausmus, Billy Spiers. To their credit, this winter they brought back Brocail and Ausmus from Detroit.


They are worried about Spiers' back, because he is a guy that hits good pitchers. But Chris Truby is a fine third baseman, and if Julio Lugo struggles at short, Adam Everett is a Gold Glove waiting to happen. But it is a good, tough team.


The question is the pitching. And this spring, most of the news has been good, especially at the end. "It really killed us not to have Billy (Wagner) at his best," says Bagwell. "He was so great (39-for-42 in save opportunities, 1.57 ERA) in '99." Wagner, pitching with an elbow injury that went back to late '99, blew nine early saves and the pen -- and team -- self-destructed. They were out of it by the All-Star break.

"Wagner was physical," says Jose Lima, who started 1-13 after winning 37 games in 1998-99. "For the rest of us, it was mental. The first day we took BP, I said, 'Why did we do this?'" That 13-27 home record at the break was a journey to the center of the earth. The last 10 years at The Dome, the Astros' home ERA was 3.32. At Enron last season it was 5.55.


Wagner looks good this spring, except for a minor groin pull. "Last year, his radar gun readings were fine, but the opponents didn't swing and miss at Billy," says manager Larry Dierker. "This spring, they're swinging and missing. I feel much better." And with Brocail, Jay Powell, Jackson and Nelson Cruz all expected to be healthy by May, the bullpen depth is much better.


So is the starting pitching. "We have more depth than any time I can remember," says Dierker. Scott Elarton is a 17-game winner. Shane Reynolds is expected back from a knee scope by May 1. Kent Bottenfield has had a great spring. Then there's Lima.


"I went to winter ball even though I wasn't covered (in insurance or contract)," says Lima. "I got it back. I have a two-seam sinker I never had. I'm pitching inside."


Thursday, Lima pitched against the Royals in Haines City. Ausmus kept setting up inside and using Lima's fastball, and every time Lima tried to shake him off and go away Ausmus refused to budge. "When he pitches inside and sinks the ball," said Jermaine Dye, "Jose is really good."


Ausmus -- called "the single biggest offseason move by anyone" by Lima -- has a lot to do with that. Bagwell read so many stories about Ausmus that he calls him "The Franchise." "I'm not that good," replied Ausmus. To this team, he may be.


Octavio Dotel threw brilliantly on Staruday. And the players think Wade Miller not only has No. 1 stuff but No. 1 one makeup, as does Roy Oswalt. "By August, Miller will be the best pitcher on this team," says New Orleans manager Tony Pena. "He has No. 1 stuff and stomach. He'll get the consistency in his delivery."


So, watch out. The 'Stros are back.


---------------------------

Astros should swing the pendelum around the other way this year. Im not saying playoffs or anything, but Enron Field was tight last year when they suck. Imagine 40,000 in there if they are anywhere close to a pennant race!!!!!


------------------

 

I think he might have been implying that by midseason, when Hampton has a 6.00 ERA in Coors and a tough record he might want to rethink his offseason decision.

Of course, Enron is only a little better


------------------