Or maybe we're just a bit off. The phrase has Dutch origins where 'op donderen' means to burst into a sudden rage. This, in turn, comes from Donder=Thunder. Alternative: "Donder op!" in Dutch means: Get out of here! or Hop it! Of course we only say this after we burst into a sudden rage... http://www.joe-ks.com/phrases/phrasesG.htm
When do pitchers and catchers report? *sigh* Once Christmas is over, Winter just freaking drags on until that first day of spring training.
-Nolan Ryan called Brad Lidge and formally invited him to his Elite Pitchers Camp for Astros prospects. Hopefully a few sessions with Big Tex will get his mechanics straight and confidence back up. (from 610 AM) -Brandon Back has been cleared to throw and he thinks he'll be back sooner than the Astros have expected. "I really think I'm going to be back sooner than they think," Backe said on Tuesday during the second day of the Astros' caravan through central Texas. "I don't want to try to manipulate them. The only thing I've learned is to be honest with them, let them know exactly how I feel. If I feel I can go more one day than what I'm supposed to, then I can be honest with them and ask them, 'Can I have a couple more pitches, or can I just do a little bit more, without jeopardizing myself?' " His four-times-a-week throwing regimen began at the 16-week mark, with a short distance of 45 feet. He has increased it to 60 feet, and next week he starts long-tossing, which allows him to thow 90 feet for 10- to 12-minute intervals. (Astros.com) -Friday is the annual Houston Baseball Dinner presented by the Houston Athletic Comittee at Hilton Americas Hotel. Roy O. will be presented with the Astros Pitcher of the Year Award, Berkman will receive the Astros MVP, Luke Scott will be the Astros Rookie of the Year, Brad Ausmus is the Daryl Kile "Good Guy" award winner and Jeff Bagwell is receiving the Allen H. Russell Award.
One thing everyone's done a superb job in is have Brandon Backe NOT get mentioned and all but disappear from the scene. I know he's trying to keep motivated in his rehab but why would he try to rush back? Can't really count on him. Good if he makes it back. If not hopefully the team's stocked up enough without him.
Best case scenario is that he gets a start or 2 in September. I doubt that we'll even see him this year. Backe is a firery guy. he's going to push himself as much as possible. In this case, that can be a bad thing. He needs to listen to the doctors and stay at a good pace. He should be back healthy for 2008.
AE & Lane signed, avoiding arbitration hearings. Both are 1-year deals. Everett: 1.9M in '06, asked for 3.4, Astros offered 2.5, signed for 2.8M Lane, 450,000, asked 1.375, offered 900,000, signed 1.05M. Again people, before you freak out over Lane's contract remember that a) this is how the system works; and b) this money is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
Wouldn't the team be better served using the $1.05 million on big, better, train for the outfield. Seriously, does Purpura think he it's all gonna come together for him this year. Jimerson has a better chance of making it work than Lane.
One of them has a past record of success at various levels prior to '06, and was a pretty good role player in '04/05, albeit he just about played his way out of the bigs last year. The other has exactly 1/3 of a season of recent success in the minor leagues, after which he reverted to terribleness. Neither is highly likely to do much, but which one is more likely to contribute next year?
Not to mention his .143 batting average in Venezuela. I really wish the 'stros would just release this guy. Why not give any young guy a shot and save Uncle Drayton a few bucks.
That young guy is Pence, and he'll hopefully be ready sometime this year. This is Lane's last shot with the Stros, we'll see what he makes of it. I'm sure the Stros would love for Mike Rodriguez to take Palmeiro's job after this season, and Pence to handle CF & big league pitchers. Jimmerson is an excellent candidate to be dropped from the 40-man sometime in the rather-near future.
I think there's a place for Jimerson if they decide to keep 5 outfielders. His plus range and plus arm makes him a good late inning replacement and pinch runner. I guess this depends on how many bullpen arms and catchers they want on the roster.
