Today, the Astros made a trade for Miguel Tejada. In return, Houston sent Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo to the Baltimore Orioles.

5 for 1. Lopsided? It's probably a push.

My logic is simple. Let me explain.

Luke Scott is a fan favorite in Houston, probably because the fans don't believe he was given a fair chance to play everyday. With the arrival of Hunter Pence and the trade that brought Michael Bourn to play center, it was clear that Scott was on his way out. Rather the front office believed he was worthy of a starting job is irrelevant. With Carlos Lee intrenched in left field, Pence moving to his natural position in right field, and Michael Bourn's speed in center, Scott was the odd man out.

Troy Patton was our top prospect, but even he was expandable for the right deal. Was this the right deal? That remains to be seen.

Patton is a lefty with a fastball that tops out around 92 mph. He has a good command of his pitches, but his stuff doesn't blow you away. He's probably a third or fourth starter over his career, and it seems to be the general impression that he's never reached his full potential. With a history of slight shoulder problems, I wonder if the Astros organization was concerned with his durability.

Matt Albers is the pitcher that I'm concerned with losing. We've heard about his maturity issues over the years, but seen flashes of brilliance. He has great stuff, but it appears his work ethic won't allow him to completely develop. If he can gain better control, he can be a true stud in this league.

Dennis Sarfate was decent in the minors, but brilliant in his short time in the majors last September. 14 strikeouts and one walk over 8.1 innings had people asking if he could step in as the Astros closer. His control problems probably won't allow it this early, but with a fastball near 100 mph, the potential exists. It appears neither of his two former teams (Brewers & Astros) were convinced he'd be an impact player in the majors.

Mike Constanzo was acquired in the Brad Lidge trade, and the knock on him was terrible defense and a high strikeout rate. He's a power hitting third baseman with Adam Dunn-type potential: he'll hit a home run, strikeout, or walk in most of his at bats.

Miguel Tejada is 32-years old (9 months older than Adam Everett), and by no means has he lost his ability to hit. Last season was the first he's missed a single game in several years, meaning he's durable. When you get 140 less at-bats, your numbers are going to go down.

He brings energy to the clubhouse, helps the Astros with the Hispanic market, and should bring an element to the diamond that the team could use. He'll make everyone around him better.

Don't forget, Adam Everett had 8 errors in 66 games last season. Those numbers aren't very good, and translate into a bad defensive year. While he had one of the best defensive seasons in baseball history in 2006, he's an out machine at the plate.

Stop reading the message boards and get your information from a real source, like ESPN.com, FoxSports.com, or local papers. The Astros get knocked for giving up a lot. I say we gave up a couple good prospects (Albers, Sarfate, & Patton), a major league-ready outfielder who should be a role-player (Scott), and a throw-in (Costanzo).

The Astros got a lot better this week. Now lets find a proven pitcher.

Labels: Baseball, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 1:09 AM | Permalink | Comments

Working in sports ticket sales, I've learned that ticket prices aren't the enemy -- Ticketmaster is the enemy.

You buy a $25 ticket, your hammered with $8 - $10 in fees, per ticket. Now, a family of four pays $140 instead of the face value of $100.

I've said recently, that if I'm going to sporting events, I'm buying a package from the team.

So tonight I was thinking, why am I not a ticket holder for the Rockies?

I don't need an entire 81 games, but something that'll get me to the ballpark a few times a month. Why not? That way, when the playoffs roll around, I'm not a part of the Rockies inability to handle order processing.

Onto other things. Here are a few notes of interest:

• If you watched the ceremony to begin Game 3 of the World Series in Denver, you saw Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem. It's become tradition to include a fly-by from the Air Force before major sporting events, but I noticed there wasn't one tonight. Being literally 67 miles from the Air Force Academy, it didn't make any sense.
  
  Until there was a fly-by.
  
  Here's how it works: the team's Game Operations department coordinates with the Academy at precisely what time the fly-by should commence. The anthem singer prepares her timing, and usually the jets fly over during the line "and the land of the free..." *fly-by* "...and the home of the brave." Anthem finished.
  
  Someone screwed up tonight. Because I live a few blocks away from the ballpark, we hear the fireworks, see the lights, etc. The fly-by happened during the first commercial break. Keep in mind, there's also a 10-second television delay.
  
• Anyone want to explain to me how Texas found their running game? Oh yeah... they played Nebraska.
  
• I hate when people pick on the MLS, so I commented.
  
• Astros fans hate the trade that sent Willy Taveras to the Rockies. For Game 3, Willy was benched. Jason Jennings may have been a bust, but it wasn't as lopsided as the Jeff Bagwell/Larry Andersen deal.
  
• Matt Holiday is a stud, and when his current contract expires, he's gonna get paid... and leave Denver.

Fin.

Labels: Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Houston Astros traded relief pitcher Dan Wheeler to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for infielder Ty Wigginton. Shortly after, the Astros designated third baseman Morgan Ensberg for assignment.

This move likely means the Astros have their third baseman of the future, and could use Mark Loretta in a potential trade. Mike Lamb has played a number of starts at third, as well, and is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Astros are saving money in this move, hopefully to bring in a starting pitcher next season. As bad as Jason Jennings has been pitching lately, he's not helping himself if he's hoping for a big payday when he enters free agency after the season.

GM Tim Purpura faces too many questions as we near the end of the season. Can Chris Burke play second base every day? Is Luke Scott a long-term solution to the outfield? Will Brandon Backe come back from Tommy John surgery? Do we have a catcher?

It looks like third base has been answered, so let's hope it's the first of many moves. If the atmosphere of message boards is any indication, Astros fans don't trust Tim Purpura, but his track record doesn't give us a lot of faith.

Labels: Baseball, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

Roger Clemens waisted no time. After the Yankees 5-0 win over the Seattle Mariners, the Rocket was playing toss in the outfield.

Is anyone really shocked at the decision?

What amazed me the most was the timing; I certainly didn't expect it this soon.

Undoubtedly, Astros fans will be upset, but I'm not quite sure we should be. Roger Clemens does a few things: (1) brings excitement to the ballpark, (2) gives the Astros national coverage, (3) costs too much money, and (4) weakens our bullpen.

I'm not concerned with the attendance figures that line Drayton McLane's pocket, nor am I concerned with how the rest of the country portrays my ball club. Clemens' salary is irrelevant as well, because if they don't spend it on the Rocket, the money won't be spent.

I do not, however, like how he weakens our relief pitchers. Roger is a five-inning pitcher, and Woody Williams has that market covered -- not that I'd take Woody over the greatest pitcher of our generation -- and we don't need two.

Roger hasn't won us games -- we lose games he pitches. If we're going to be shut out every fifth day, then pitch Fernando Nieve.

Let Roger pitch in New York and pull a hamstring when they make it to the World Series. But Astros fans must appreciate that we had our best two seasons in club history with him and Andy Pettitte on the mound. When he returns to Minute Maid Park upon retirement to begin his personal services contract, don't boo him -- appreciate his work.

Houston can't offer him what New York can. The atmosphere is different. The fans are different. Management is different.

The Yankees have history. The Astros have zero Hall Of Famers.

It's still a tough day. Finding out Clemens won't be pitching for you certainly doesn't make your team better.

---

AP Photo taken by Kathy Willens and found on ESPN.com

Labels: Baseball, Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 1:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Today was a good day.

While I've been working my new job with Continental Television Sales, my two-week notice for Carrabba's finally ended tonight -- on Valentine's Day.

After nearly eight years in the restaurant business, I'm finally finished.

While I appreciate everything it's brought to my life, it'll be nice to get away from late nights and weekends. I'll be able to watch Grey's Anatomy live, or take a weekend trip to the mountains without having to be home for Sunday lunch at the restaurant.

I've always believed life comes in three phases: (1) growth, (2) maturity, and (3) retirement. I'm leaving the growth stage, and beginning the 'real' maturation process. No more school, internships, or jobs that get me by. It's time for the good stuff, and actually having the time to enjoy life.

Living in Denver can only expedite the process. The options here are endless with a positive job outlook, mountains to play in, and culture to learn.

Tonight was truly a good night, knowing that the moment I've been waiting for has finally arrive -- working 8:00 - 5:00 with endless opportunity.

To celebrate, I lie in bed next to a beautiful sleeping woman, with a Sam Adams Winter Lager in my hand and Van Morrison on my iPod. Again, life is good.

And for my birthday, Rebecca bought me tickets to the Astros vs. Rockies series at Coors Field.

I can't wait to marry her.

Labels: Baseball, Career, Houston Astros, Rebecca

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 1:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

Today, the Houston Astros traded center fielder Willy Taveras, and two young pitchers Jason Hirsch and Taylor Buchholz to the Colorado Rockies for starting pitcher Jason Jennings and youngster Miguel Asencio.

Houston gets a 200+ inning pitcher to fill in behind Roy Oswalt and replace Andy Pettitte. His numbers show a high E.R.A., though baseball fans know that pitching in Denver will inflate your statistics. Since the Rockies began using the humidor, his numbers have come back down to Earth. He doesn't give up the long-ball and strikes a lot of guys out, although he does walk a lot of batters. He's will benefit from being a sinker-ball pitcher with the solid defense in the Astro infield. Jason Jennings was the pitcher with the second worst run support in MLB last season.

We lose Willy Taveras, who is the true center fielder the Astros were looking for when they originally acquired Carlos Beltran. His defense is fantastic, but as a lead-off hitter, the Astros believe he had work to do. Another rumor regarding Willy, was that because his agent is Scott Boras, the Astros were looking to move him before he reaches the point in his career that contract talks would begin. Since the incident with Carlos Beltran, the Astros do not deal with Boras.

Jason Hirsch was highly regarded by Astros management as a top of the rotation starter with lots of upside, as was Taylor Buchholz, who has a history of injuries. As I stated in a previous blog, the Astros do not typically deal with players with a history of injuries.

Currently, the Astros rotation appears to be Roy Oswalt, Jason Jennings, Woody Williams, Wandy Rodriguez, and Matt Albers.

Tentatively, Chris Burke is slotted as the starting center fielder, but Jason Lane will compete for the position, as well. Hunter Pence is a prospect who's never played above Double-A, but is expected to compete for a roster spot in Spring Training.

Maybe the Astros overpaid a bit, but in order to make the Carlos Lee signing make sense, it was a good decision, and both sides benefit from this trade. Jennings is under contract for one more season, so the Astros hope to sign him to an extension soon.

Labels: Baseball, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm  at peace with the loss of Andy Pettitte.  I am not, however, appreciative of how Richard Justice and the Houston Chronicle are handling the press coverage.

Let's begin with Andy Pettitte signing with the Yankees.  According to reports, it was a one-year contract worth $16 million, with a player options for a second season.  The same report says the Astros offered $12 million and said "take it or leave it."  Pettitte claims he would have accepted a $14 million deal from Houston, but GM Tim Purpura wasn't budging.  

Watching the amount of money teams are paying for starting pitchers makes me wonder, why not pony up the extra $2 million for a proven 200 inning workhorse?  When Adam Eaton and Ted Lily are receiving large contracts, giving Pettitte $14 million would seem like a bargain. 

Now critics believe that losing Andy Pettitte means we'll lose Roger Clemens, as well.  I doubt it.  Roger can receive a prorated $20 million for half of a season from the Astros, Red Sox, or Yankees, but only the Astros will allow "the Rocket" to show up on his schedule.  The Yankees have made it clear in the past that, if he comes to New York, his cozy arrangement with Houston won't fly.

I have to believe the Astros know something we don't.  Why would you not want Pettitte back?  Was $2 million really the difference maker?  Were they that reluctant to give him a player option for a second year? He's had elbow troubles in the past, but last season, he tied a career high with 35 starts, but nearly matched a career high by allowing 178 home runs.  His E.R.A. was a high 4.20, but he logged over 214 innings.  He's obviously nearing the end of his career, but his numbers certainly show plenty left in the tank.

Do the Astros believe his injuries are worse than reported?

Follow the track record of Houston: they do not deal with injured players.  Someone with chronic elbow problems, like Pettitte, may be too risky.  Using the same logic, Chris Burke is not likely to be untouchable with his history of shoulder problems.  The only example of them pursuing a player with a history of injuries is Roy Oswalt with his hamstring.

Regarding Richard Justice and The Houston Chronicle: you're playing right into the Houston fans, and feeding the belief that Drayton McLane is a cheap owner.

The fact is, Drayton McLane is not a cheap owner.  2006 saw the Astros with the 8th highest payroll in Major League Baseball.  Cheap owners don't spend $92.5 million.  He is, however, a bit overcautious at times. 

Six playoff teams in ten seasons tells me something, and top that off with one losing season in eleven years makes a successful franchise run by quality ownership.

The decisions made by some clubs deserve criticism, like the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Oakland A's, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Astros deserve the benefit of the doubt.  Their way works, and they all have the track record to prove it.  Being a patient sports fan is difficult, but when your team has tangible success, give them a break! 

Richard Justice feeds the negativity surrounding Houston sports.  I like his work, enjoy his opinions, and appreciate his desire to see our franchises flourish, but do you have to present all of your articles with an ambiguously negative overtone?  The Astros have proven they know how to win -- be patient; they've earned it.

So what's next?

Rumors are circulating that the Astros are interested in Ervin Santana of the Angels, Dallas native Jason Jennings of the Colorado Rockies, and a pair of White Sox pitchers: Jon Garland and Javier Vazquez.  The Angels want a third baseman, Colorado is in need of a center fielder, and the White Sox want young, cheap starting pitchers.

With the needs of other clubs, Morgan Ensberg, Willy Taveras, Chris Burke, Jason Hirsch, and Taylor Buchholz all  become trade options.

Losing Andy Pettitte isn't the end of the world, nor does it guarantee Clemens will pitch elsewhere.  Changes are coming, but we'll need Morgan Ensberg to play the way he's capable of playing, Luke Scott needs to be the real deal, Carlos Lee has to deliever, Willy Taveras must continue to improve, and a young rotation has to step up.

Be patient, give them time, and don't be so quick to criticize.  McLane continues to bring you a competitive team, so show them the respect they've earned.

And if Clemens does decide to play elsewhere, that's not the end of the world, either; but that's a completely different blog.

Labels: Baseball, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

Unfortunately my writing has been limited. I miss it, and specifically, I miss the sports discussion. Let’s see how much I can catch up on.

• Okay, so the Astros are out of it. We came close, but fell just a bit short. Remember how people say the games in April and May don’t really count? Wouldn’t it be nice to have one more win on your record right now?

• So what off-season moves will the ‘Stros make? I expect GM Tim Purpura will sign Carlos Lee, and (here’s the bold prediction) will make a serious run at acquiring Alex Rodriguez. We have lots of young pitching that the Yankees will consider, but in the end, Jason Hirsch, Chris Sampson, and Morgan Ensberg will not be enough to make the Yankees complete a deal.

• I’m not quite sure why Carlos Lee is so coveted by Houston. He’s big – very big – fat, big. He should be playing first base, not the outfield, and with Lance Berkman’s injury history, he needs to be playing the infield, not Lee.

• I have been a true believer that as long as Alex Rodriguez or Peyton Manning is on your team, you’ll never win a championship. Come talk to me in 10 years; you’ll see.

• Why would the Yankees even consider firing Joe Torre? Doesn’t George Steinbrenner know that a baseball manager is one of the most unimportant jobs in sports? Especially in the American League. You want to fire someone, look at Brian Cashman. An aging Randy Johnson, and injury prone Jaret Wright, and an overpaid and unproven Carl Pavano are reason enough to give him the ax. With the resources in New York, you couldn’t have conjured up one ounce of creativity?

• The Detroit Tigers will win the World Series. They have that spark that the White Sox had last year, the Red Sox had in 2004, and the Marlins had in 2003. They’re fired up, zoned in, and showing that “youthful exuberance.”

• Leave Terrell Owens alone. He wants the ball – what wide receiver doesn’t? He argued with his position coach – what wide receiver doesn’t? The difference is ESPN making it into more than it is.

• If the Longhorns have any hopes of playing in the National Championship, Missouri needs to run the table and give Texas another big game to play in the Big 12 Championship. Florida, USC, West Virginia, Michigan, and Ohio State all need to lose, and most of them need to lose twice. A second Notre Dame loss would be nice, as well. Our second straight national title hopes are a very long shot.

• Getting back to the Astros, our rotation will look uncomfortably different next season. While Oswalt will be back, I'm not sure about Pettitte and Clemens, as I expect both of them will retire. With Backe out with Tommy John, we could see Oswalt, Jason Hirsch, Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson, and Matt Albers. I doubt that rotation will win a pennant.

• Many Astros fans want Houston to acquire Texas native Woody Williams since his contract with the Padres is finished. There have to be better options than that?

• Can’t we resign Aubry Huff and trade Morgan Ensberg to San Diego for Chris Young? We can be somewhat creative, right?

We’ll let that be enough for now. It’s been a slow time in sports.

Labels: Baseball, Football, Houston Astros, Predictions, Sports, Texas Longhorns

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments

There are less than two hours until the Major League Baseball trade deadline.  As an Astros fan, waking up this morning brought along a very nervous afternoon. 

I frequent several message boards and rumor sites, and here are a few points floating around:

• Apparently, the Mets are interested in Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge.  Former Astros closer Billy Wagner has told Mets GM Omar Minaya that he can fix Lidge's problem.  For Oswalt, the Astros were asking for Brian Bannister and Lastings Milledge. 

• The Red Sox are also interested in Brad Lidge. 

• I've never said any Astro should be without discussion in trades, because I'd make a deal for anyone if the right players are involved, however I'm not sure how 'right' this would be.  Oswalt probably won't be with Houston after the 2007 season, so maybe they're thinking they'll need to cash in their chips as soon as they can.  I'd cry like a baby.

• Apparently, Oswalt is interested in testing the trade market after next season, and wants a 5-year deal.  With his history of injuries, the Astros are balking.

• Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, and Fernando Nieve were offered to the Orioles for Miguel Tejada.  Baltimore rejected, somehow Oswalt got in the mix, and while the Baltimore Sun reports the O's rejected the deal, the Astros camp report Oswalt was never offered.

• Hank Blalock of the Texas Rangers for Brad Lidge.  Folks, I'm a Brad Lidge fan, but I'd make this move in a heartbeat.  Qualls or Wheeler are very capable closers, and Fernando Nieve has been sent to Triple-A to work in the late-innings of games, so they're breeding another closer as we speak. 

• Blalock has a terrible average against left-handed hitters (about .202) and has been benched when Texas faces a southpaw, but he's playing against superior pitching in the American League.  Ultimately, they gave up a failed closer (Cordero) to the Brewers to possibly make a deal for another failed closer (Lidge), so it's basically a situation of two teams trading problems.

• It seems that if we make the deal for Blalock, the subsequent move would be to send Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett to San Diego for relief pitcher (and former Astros) Scott Linebrink and Khalil Greene. 

• I'm a big fan of Adam Everett (and despise people who are calling for his head), so I'd be real careful before I make this deal!  I like Greene, but he's a very small offensive upgrade, and he can't beat Everett's defense.  And do we need Linebrink that bad?  But at that point, we'd have three third baseman (Ensberg, Blalock, & Huff). 

• The deal with San Diego won't happen, meaning the deal with the Rangers probably won't, either.

• I'm worried that if the Astros trade for Soriano, it'll be at the last minute against several other offers, and they'll give up too much.

Tick tock kiddies.  It's almost time.

Labels: Baseball, Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments

Whew... after spending nearly four days in South Dakota, I missed a lot in news, sports, etc.  The house we stayed in was a nice home, but unfortunately only had one television, and it wasn't in a place I could gain access. It's not fun to lose touch with society.

• The Astos lost 3 of 4 to the Cardinals, and Lidge blew (I believe) two games. I can't wait for the second half of the season. Maybe it'll get better.
  
  
• I told you fuckers Italy would win!  I also said the Rockets would select Rudy Gay (but I didn't think they'd trade him).  Start listening to me, bitches!
  
  
• South Dakota has a few hotties; I was impressed -- but they're not Texas women.
  
  
• So North Korea is launching missiles? I'm sure the rednecks are foaming at the mouth hoping 'Ol Dubya will blow 'em up.
  
  
• Last year, Kenny Rogers was at the bottom of the baseball world.  Now, he's the starting pitcher for the American League in the MLB All-Star game.
  
  
• After watching soccer (or futbol), I have to ask if these guys are a bunch of sissys.  When they get tripped up, they roll on the ground putting on the best show for the referees. That gets old.
  
  
• Have you ever heard the accent people have from Minnesota/Wisconsin/the Dakota's?  We stayed with Rebecca's family friends, and one of the guys is a 30-something year old construction worker who rides a Harley, has four dogs, stands about 6'5, and weighs about 240 lbs.  He's big and could easily crush me, but that accent simply doesn't scare me.  It doesn't matter what you look like.  If you have that accent, I'll laugh.
  
  
• If I were to laugh in his face, he'd crush me.  He just wouldn't sound cool doing it.
  
  
• Rebecca commented, after she found out about Ken Lay's death, that he's probably not dead, but used his money to ultimately buy his freedom.  I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I wonder how accurate that is.
  
  
• 18 more credit hours until graduation!
  
  
• Houston is working on city-wide WiFi access. Pretty soon, we'll all be getting rid of RoadRunner, or whatever high speed access you have, and pay the city for internet access.
  
  
• Rebecca and I have talked about moving to Denver -- and it might happen sooner than later.

Labels: Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Sports, Travel

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

There's a lot of events happening in the next couple weeks!  I'm excited!

• Italy is my pick to win the World Cup.  Everyone thinks I'm crazy. We'll see!  I just pray someone beats the French.

• A lot of you have taken your summer vacation to the lake, or to float down the river, even California and Florida.  On July 6th, I take mine to Mitchell, South Dakota.  Rebecca's best friend is getting married and she's a bride's maid, it's just the Dakota's weren't my idea of a summer getaway.  Ah, the things we do for love.

• I really am looking forward to the wedding, getting to meet more of Rebecca's friends, seeing where she grew up, and hanging out with her parents again. 

• Oh by the way, did I mention that after the wedding, the reception is going to be at the Moose Lodge?  And the yankees make fun of us rednecks. 

• Another semester is about to be in the books!  Soon, a December graduation.  Merry Christmas to me!

• Lance Berkman was the only Astros selected to the 2006 National League All-Star team.  It would have been nice to have Biggio there.

• Maybe I'll watch more of MLS.  The World Cup's been pretty entertaining.  Since the United States is the only country in the world who doesn't give a damn, we might want to pay a bit more attention.

• So I'm an American, right?  Isn't Mexico part of America?  And isn't Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, and Puerto Rico, as well?  I bet people don't realize this when they say "I'm proud to be an American."  Instead of an American, should I be a United Statesman?  Forget it -- just call me a Texan, bitches!

• About profiling, I hate the term African-American.  Someone born within the borders of the United States, who calls the U.S. their home, is not a ____-American.  They're simply an American!  Why can't they just be black?  Or better yet, why must we label people at all?  If we want to help Affirmative Action, let's remove the 'race' line from the job application.  It's no longer necessary -- unless I'm supposed to be a French-American.  Or German-American.  Hell I don't know what I am.

• While working at Disney, I met a man -- a white man -- who just moved to Orlando from South Africa to work at the Magic Kingdom.  While talking, he asked me sardonically, "When I get my citizenship, am I African-American?"

• Rebecca and I need to pick a wedding date.  We've already selected the location -- Jamaica.  Or St. Lucia.  I guess we need to pick that, too.

• Two more friends of mine have either moved or is about to move out of town.  At this rate, Rebecca and I will have no one left by the time the both of us graduate. 

• If you've got a screen name on an instant messaging program, I want it.

• If Jay-Z decides to 'un' retire, you won't see Cristal in his videos.  He's boycotting the 'bubbly' after Frederic Rouzaud, the champagne maker's boss, mentioned in an interview that hip-hop was giving the company "unwelcomed attention."  In a statement, Jay-Z said he would no longer purchase Cristal because Rouzaud was "racist," among other words.

• Is it really racist?  Maybe culturalist, but not racist, right?  Read the article.  Is hip-hop only black? 

• It's raining, and it's 2:45 AM.  It's time for bed.

FIN.

Labels: Houston Astros, World Cup

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

It sure hurts to lose, especially when Clemens pitches such a good game. 

Unfortunately, when the Rocket hits the mound, the opposing pitcher understands the importance of the game and brings his best performance.  Today, Nate Robertson did just that. 

A solid performance by both pitchers brought a great match-up, but a bad call by an umpire gave the Tigers the advantage they needed. 

In the 7th inning, Clemens had a runner on second, and a full count to Carlos Guillen.  The next pitch, taken as a ball, should have been a strike.  On the same pitch, Magglio Ordonez attempted to steal 2nd base and was clearly thrown out by Ausmus, but because Guillen walked, Ordonez freely advanced.

The result should have been a strike 'em out/throw 'em out double play ending the inning, but instead allowed two base-runners, and ended Clemens' night, instead.

Dan Wheeler, who's been pitching quite well as of late (and is actually a bright star in our terrible bullpen) made the pitches he needed, unfortunately, Craig Monroe hit a good pitch -- hard.  Two runs came in, they'd later add two more, and that'd be all the Tigers would need.

Losing doesn't get any easier, but this loss showed excellent pitching by Clemens and -- minus two bad throws -- a good game by the Astros defense, pointed by two fabulous plays by Berkman and Taveras. 

I'm worried that Wheeler, Springer, and Lidge are going to get more heat than they deserve.  I despise hearing from Astros fans who want to fire a player after a bad outing, or think the solution is to cut guys from the team.  Those people aren't fans of baseball -- they're fans of popular culture.  Be patient.  These things happen; sometimes, though, they last longer than we'd like. 

Fortunately, July puts us against the Cardinals (who we usually play well against), the Cubs, Marlins, Mets, and Diamondbacks.  We can win a lot of games the way our Central Division rivals are playing, but the Marlins pitching has been stellar as of late, and the Diamondbacks play in one of the best divisions in baseball.  The Mets -- well, let's try not to get swept. 

Damn I hate losing, but it's a long season.  I'm just not sure my high blood pressure can handle many more losses.

BTW -- there must be something againts Texas teams today.  If you haven't watched the highlights, the umpires screwed the Texas Rangers out of a possible win agains the San Francisco Giants. 

You can't win 'em all -- I'd just like to win one.

Labels: Houston Astros, Roger Clemens

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

This game was going exactly the way we wanted it.  Roy Oswalt was coasting along, and we ended up with a 9-1 lead against the White Sox. 

Then we bring in the bullpen.

After a couple runs, then the bases loaded, Tadahito Iguchi drives 'em all in -- at once. 

A fuckin' grand slam!

Did you know that in the last four games at U.S. Cellular Field (Game 2 of the World Series, and all three games of this interleague series), the Astros have given up a grand slam to the White Sox? 

No one seems to remember the World Series slam.  It was just like Game 1 of this series -- first pitch from Qualls went into the left field bleachers.

Have you watched Bobby Jenks from the White Sox?  Who throws a 97 mph slider?  This guy's a monster.

This year our offense has been streaky.  Our starting pitching has been a disappointment, and our bullpen has been terrible.  It seems like we go over this year after year.

... and year after year I hear the same thing -- the Astros suck.  After six playoff appearances in nine years, we don't suck.  We're one of the top franchises in baseball.  We've been up, and we've been down, but never give up on the Astros. 

People ask me every time we lose, especially difficult loses, why I pull for the Astros.  "They always choke," I hear. 

Folks, when my child gets a bad grade in school, or my fiance gets into a car accident, they'll still have my love.  I'll never turn my back.  Sometimes it's tough to watch, and I get just as upset as the next guy, but when you love something as much as I love the Astros, you've got to have faith. 

If you're a fan, don't give up.  We can't win 'em all, and sometimes we'll look terrible.  We're going to go through streaks of tough loses, and several weeks when we look like we can't be beaten -- that's the game of  baseball we love so much.

For someone like me who lives and dies every night the Astros take the field, tough loses hit me hard.  But I have to take a hard look at where we are, and where we soon will be.

With Clemens returning to the rotation, and soon Brandon Backe, we get two quality pitchers that compare to a nice mid-season trade.  Then we'll need bullpen help, and it'd be nice to have a left-handed bat. 

• I've heard a trade rumor that the Astros were attempting to send Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Vladamir Guerrero.  I'm not sure what that'll accomplish for the Angels who are still very much in the race for the AL West.

 

• Wouldnt it be nice if we could make a trade for Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins?  I'd be willing to give up Jason Lane, Adam Everett, and even Morgan Ensberg for him.  Luke Scott would be a viable replacement for Jason Lane, Mike Lamb would move to 3^rd base, and Berkman could have his position at 1^st.  I don't see Florida willing to make that move, though.

 

• I'm not against Morgan Ensberg, but he's so streaky.  Adam Everett is a hell of a defensive shortstop (and we've won several games because of his work on the diamond), but the kid has very little hitting ability.  To his defense, though, he's won several games for us this season at the plate.  Jason Lane, though, is still hitting below .210; that's a season-long slump.  He's still unproven, not very young, and should be on the trading block.  Unfortunately, everyone else knows he's not as good as we'd like him to be.

 

• With trades, the bottom line is if you want an impact player, you've got to be willing to give up an impact player in return.  Luckily, with Mike Lambs' production as high as it has been, Ensberg becomes expendable. 

 

• With Taylor Buchholz, Fernando Nieve, Ezekiel Estacio, Jason Hirch, and Chris Sampson, the Astros have a number of young arms that can be dealt at the trade deadline, if the deal is right.

 

• Trust GM Tim Purpura.  He's not dumb. 

 

BTW -- the Astros finally beat the White Sox.  To the fan who interfered with the ball sending Adam Everett to 3^rd base thank you.

 

It's a nice win, but there's little joy in it.

Labels: Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

So the Astros are tied for the second best record in the major leagues.  At 10 - 4, that ties them with the Boston Red Sox, and second only to the New York Mets at 10 - 3. 

Houston has five players hitting above .300, while Morgan Ensberg is leading the league with a .429 batting average. 

It seems like the power is coming around as Ensberg, Berkman, Lane, and Wilson have combined for 19 long balls.  Unfortunately, a person named Albert Pujols seems to keep the attention on himself with a personal total of 10.  That's ridiculous.  Are we sure he's 26?

We're seeing a nice difference from last season.  Runs seem to be showing up in large quantities, and the team is hitting a strong .289.  The difference, though, is pitching. 

Strikeouts are down, walks are up, and our team ERA is not where we'd like it.  Most of this can be contributed to the loss of Roger Clemens, but seeing Andy Pettitte get rocked in his first outing didn't help things, nor the fact that the bullpen has been giving up an unusual amount of runs.

How long will this last?  Houston usually is a second half team, and seeing them get started off so strongly makes me question whether or not we can sustain it.  We're going to have our ups and downs, including our string of wins and losses, but it's nice to see the kids get started in the right direction.

But you still gotta believe. 

It's time to get back to the park!  Let's keep it up!

I truly do live for this!

Labels: Houston Astros, Sports

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments