Since 2001, Houston has drawn 3 million three times and Texas 2 times. Coincidentally, all those seasons came when the teams were World Series contenders.
Because of the media market rankings... where Houston is 10th. This is what networks, advertisers, and local media deals use to determine a city's sports net worth (in terms of how much attention they should be given, and how much revenue can be brought in based on the # of TV households). Now, people can question all they want about how those ranking lists are calculated... but it squarely has Houston closer to the mid-market cities vs. being closer to the top.
It also was Astros county before the CSN Houston debacle. Games aren't televised in Austin anymore on the main cable provider (TWC) so the Astros basically just ceded the market to the Rangers. When both were on FSSW, the Astros got priority if both had games going on at the same time.
I remember meeting my wife's parents in the rio grande valley (2004) and Her father having an entire room filled with astros memorabilia. The entire valley was astros. the same with San antonio, Cowboys/ spurs/astros/ Longhorns. I'm with Langhi. No excuse to be where we are with the payroll. No one is asking top five but certainly not 30th. It's just impossible to defeat a freaking team of punchable faces, where 8 of their players get on base almost as much as Springer, with what we have going. our best pitchers have had injuries all year. Dallas has probably been playing with that tired arm all year. f the rangers and their fans that started appearing 6 years ago. a "mid market team" like Cincy has a payroll of 116 mil, falling viewership and everything.
All Astros fans need to bow down to the Texas rangers. No longer are we allowed to talk smack about them, as they will forever be our daddy.
Astros' market ranks 10th of 30 teams. If you split the 30 into 3 tiers (1-10 big-sized, 11-20 middle, 21-30 small), technically, Astros are a big market. Payroll is increasing with the Cuban signings and this offseason will likely bring an additional upgrade or two.
With these rankings, you are equating the Astros with the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and Cub, among others. In that respect, they are clearly not a big market team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Astros">#Astros</a> have hit 13 leadoff HR this season. Only the 2003 <a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Yankees">#Yankees</a> (15) hit more.</p>— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) <a href="https://twitter.com/theaceofspaeder/status/772515446813757441" data-datetime="2016-09-04T19:23:29+00:00">September 4, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Astros">#Astros</a> most leadoff HR in a season2001 Craig Biggio 82004 Craig Biggo 72016 George Springer 72006 Craig Biggio 62016 Jose Altuve 6</p>— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) <a href="https://twitter.com/theaceofspaeder/status/772516083202949120" data-datetime="2016-09-04T19:26:01+00:00">September 4, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's just numerical semantics. Are you really going to say the Astros are equal to the NY Yankees or Chicago Cubs.
Not necessarily equating... rankings just mean Astros are in the big market mix, the lower end... lower upper class.
If Jake develops in to a 260-270 guy with a 320 OBP, then he becomes a huge core piece. I think he has improved this year. Seems a little bit more consistent with the bat. Needs to take one more big jump.
