I don't take that much satisfaction in the fact that we weren't the better team.... we need to get the better team..
Viz didn't actually heat things up offensively in the post-season. He probably should be sitting in the dugout sulking a little bit. However, he was very enthusiastic as he was always the first one to greet a runner scored in the dugout and his defense was pretty good for the most part. CURSE OF THE VIZCAINO!
there are a lot of what ifs as always of course.. We need a top notch manager.... from day 1 last year espn had jimy williams as most likely to get fired.. that shows you we had a manager that no one thought was any good.. phil has done an amazing job.... hes a former astro so I would'nt mind keeping him around too much.. but there probably is a reason he didn't have a job? This dissapointed isn't about just THIS year.. it's about the fact that we had two greatest players in franchise history for like 15 years now and have only managed one playoff series victory.
We just can't get TOO excited.. we need to make drayton think.. unless he makes a serious off at beltran.. we all will be mad
To sum it up, we all got more than what we were expecting in August. On August 1st, I bet 95 out of 100 posters here (myself included) thought the Astros were dead and were thinking about next season. No one expected us to finish .500, and here we end the year one game short of the World Series. In my book, that's a success. It was a good year and there was a lot of exhilaration. I tip my hat to the Stros for a good run. For next year, I hope we can get Beltran back, but I wouldn't lose too much sleep if we lost him to the Boss. Carlos was here for a year and if the Boss offers him a ridiculous contract, he should go. I think Drayton will make him a legitimate offer. It won't be like the situation with Nolan Ryan and Moron McMullen. If we lose Beltran, hopefully we get someone semi-decent to replace him. I think Lane and Burke will fit in nicely next year and Willy Taveras excites me!! Hopefully we will also invest some money in the bullpen. That is a must. If we have a rotation of Clemens, Oswalt, Petitte, Miller, and Backe , we should be set. All in all, it's been a great year (the best Astros postseason run in my lifetime). Next year is ours.
i just feel sick. we were set to buy an assload of beer last night and celebrate the night away at the fraternity house, but instead everyone just kinda moped around. hell, a couple of brothers almost went at it when one started talking sh*t about the stros. God, i dont even know what to do anymore...... this SUCKS.
This year feels different to me. Not the loss. But rather the quality of the team. It's just different. This team is loaded. Not like our 86 team (or 80-81). I mean, back in 86 we were a good team with a hot pitcher in Mike Scuf...er I mean Scott. Our only ace. But we really didn't have the depth and talent that our current team has. Glenn Davis, our "best" slugger? Ha! Doran, Hatcher, Thon, Cruz, and Thon. Ok, and? That's not like our current team. Today we have a nice blend of sluggers and hitters (We had 25 homers; 2nd place post-season record to San Fran). We have cocky "ESPN darling" Lance Berkman, Carlos "I'm better than Bonds" Beltran, the grizzled "nice guys" Biggs and Baggs. Journey man Kent. Plus, Adam "the vacuum" Everett. Oh, yeah, and what about our pitching? Well, hofer Clemens, Oswalt, Backe, Lidge, Miller, Pettitte... ...Morgan Ensberg not that bad either. Our team is just different. Better. We actually have a balanced team loaded from top to bottom.
It was a great ride while it lasted. I`m sad and upset, but 3 months ago I never even thought we would have made it this far.....It was a blast.
AMEN. SHOOT My sentiments equally shared with you, MadMax. You said everything I wanted to say. Freaking bandwagoners. At least someone here in the office told me, "you know, I was watching the ROCKETS last night... i'm not really into baseball," instead of telling me like a bandwagoner how much he liked the Astros. I think that's good enough and I accept the loss just like anyone else who went to the dome and saw the previous playoff seasons. GO ASTROS! Next year is so close!
The Astros slogan borrowed from Hakeem after losing to the Sonics in the 93 semi-finals for next season is "We Go From Here." WE GO FROM HERE!!!! Top goals * Sign Beltran (probably will take Pujols money) * Clemens must come back for another tilt * Ensure that Wade, Roy and Andy are 100% * Bullpen needs tinkering * Look at gradually inserting new faces in the line-up. They must build on the momentum and positive outlook and make big decisions so that rebuilding never becomes an option in the near future. Positives * Beltran is the superstar CF in the NL. * Clemens is still performing at a Cy Young level * Backe has to be the #5 starter (he's earned it) * The run was fueled by a patch-up rotation due to season-ending injuries to Wade and Andy- it can only get better. * Lidge is a monster closer * We finally beat Atlanta in the play-offs! Negatives * Bullpen bar Lidge faltered when needed. * Bats when AWOL in the biggest game in Astros' history In conclusion: Thank you Astros for an improbable season, giving it a red-hot go and inspiring us all to NEVER GIVE UP.
I wish it would only take Pujols Money. He's only making 14 million. Here's a quick list of the top free agents and the amount of money they've gotten from the Market the past few years. Albert Pujols - 14 million a year Jim Thome - 14 million a year Vladimir Guerrero - 14 million a year Miguel Tejada - 12 million a year Scott Rolen - 11 million a year
exactly, JPM...it's the post-A-Rod lesson. you can't sign a player for that much and remain competitive. that minimizes the advantage that NY would have with dollars. particularly if they're looking to throw more dollars at starting pitching rather than position players.
Well, i'm still in mourning, but it was a great run...Don't think Roger is coming back and don't think Kent or Beltran will be Astros next year either.. Thanks for the best month in Baseball Stros'!!!
