Houston Blogs: Houston Sports Blog

Now We're Having Some Fun

Okay. I admit it. Two months ago I never thought the Astros would be playing a meaningful game in late July.  Two months ago I was ready for McLane to fire Cooper. Two months ago I was so ready for football to start. BUT...here we are again. The Astros awakening from their April to mid July hibernation and giving us something to have fun with in the dog days of summer. Can they get in the playoffs? After 04 and 05 I'll never say never. I talked with some of the players and coaches yesterday. They said the keys are the pitching keeping them in the games, and the steady leadership of veterans like Berkman, Tejada and Lee. On paper they should'nt be a game out. So what? I say with everything going on in the world right now, economy etc...let's just use whatever happens with the Astros to have some fun this summer.

MY TALK WITH DRAYTON

Last night after Eyewitness News at 6 Drayton McLane returned my phone call from that afternoon. He'd been travelling. I asked him if  he had read Richard Justice's piece in the Chronicle about Cecil Cooper's future with the team. He said he had'nt but heard about it. He said the premise of the writer questioning a manager's future would be like him trying to tell me how to do a TV newscast. Not quite. But we talked. On the surface he's saying all the things I thought he would...have to have patience..team has injuries...some players not playing well, etc...And he said you have to be patient. Said he learned that in his 17 years in baseball. He did admit he was embarassed by Cooper's lneup card gaffe. He would'nt definitively say Cooper will be his manager at season's end. Bottom line..after all his rhetoric...If the Astros don't turn things around drastically in the next 2-3 weeks, Cooper is gone. Period.

Welcome Pudge

The Astros finally got some decent catching help with the signing of free agent and future Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez. At the start of spring training the Astros didn't want to spend the money to sign him, but he's performed well for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, and would be the starter in Houston, as opposed to the backup with other teams. Up to today the Astros catching position was terrible. Humberto Quintero was the starter...the same Humberto Quintero who was cut last spring. And after him they had nothing. Rodriguez signed a 1 year deal for 1.5 million and could double that if he meets incentives. One more thought. This has been a very quiet offseason for the Astros and Drayton usually likes making some kind of off season splash. Consider yourself splashed.

Graves, Ortiz and the Pitching Problem

Had a long talk with pitcher Danny Graves. He's an interesting story in that he hasnt pitched in a couple of years. Got to spring training by directly calling Drayton McLane and told him he was a Christian who wanted a chance to come back. Drayton gave him the chance. Graves was a former Reds all-star who was a cocky showboat who didnt endear himself to anyone. Now he's found religion and wants to try to start over..Does'nt have much of a shot. Meanwhile Russ Ortiz, another former all-star could be the surprise of camp. He's bouncing back after injuries. A nice guy too. Talking about good people, you'll like 3rd baseman Chris Johnson not just as a player but person. He's the kind of kid the Astros can market. They need personalities like Biggio and Bagwell to get people to the games while they're reloading. And one of the biggest holes is at catcher. Humberto Quintero?? Starter?? Please... Coming home tonight. See you on Eyewitness News Monday.

Thoughts from Kissimmee

Saw the Astros play an exhibition exhibition against the Panamanian World Baseball Championship team. Brian Moehler got lit up early but the Astros won 7-5. Some of the things I'm noticing here.  The starting pitching is going to be a real problem. If anything happens to Roy Oswalt healthwise these guys are dead. Had a long talk with Mike Hampton, and he's the kind of guy you pull for. I know he signed a huge contract, but you would have to , if you could. He's had so many injuries and now thinks he's as good as ever at age 36. For his and the team's sake hope he's right.  The surprise here could be Russ Ortiz, who could  very easily be a starter in April. He feels good and is throwing well after his health problems.  What I did'nt like today was Michael Bourne breaking his bat on a grounder to second. He loafed down the line and the second baseman mishandled the ball. If Bourne had hustled he'd have been on base. Cooper did'nt say a word to him when he got back to the dugout.  That's something you take care of in the spring and don't let carry into the season..

Still...not enough pitching

As much as I love the usual spring training optimism being here in Kissimmee I still don't see where the Astros are going to have enough solid starting pitching to make any noise down here. After Oswalt the rest are big question marks. You hope Hampton can make it back...You hope Rodriguez finds consistency. Russ Ortiz could be a surprise. I talked with Lance Berkman today and he honestly thinks the Astros could surprise people. One of the more interesting stories is infielder David Newhan. He's been up and down from the majors to minors nearly every year in the last 10 years, yet he says he's still living the dream. I'll have a story on him tonight at 10. We'll talk to rookie phenom Chris Johnson at 6.  Today's game is an exhibition exhibition...a spring game against the Venezuelan WBC team that does'nt count for anything...Pretty exciting stuff.

Astros Spring Training..first thoughts

Arrived in Florida late last night after helping host our annual Special Olympics fund raising golf tournament with Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak..The Astros are playing the Rays here in Pt. Charlotte. As I'm watching the game my initial thoughts are that things are starting to bode well for this team...not this year but down the road. They're finally rebuilding the farm system to Hunsicker type levels. The kid to watch this spring is 3rd baseman Chris Johnson, who they love. Big, strong, one of those do it all prospects. His dad Ron played briefly in the bigs and is now manager of the Red Sox triple A team in Pawtucket. Keep an eye on him. With the current plan to platoon Blum and Boone at 3rd, if Johnson impresses enough he'll be the everyday 3rd baseman. They can't make the same mistake with him they made with J.R.Towles last year. They nearly ruined the kid bringing him up too soon. We'll have a story on Towles tonight at 10. Cecil Cooper seems more comfortable on the job this season. We talk to him at six. Don't expect big things from this team this year, but if you're a fan you'll be glad to know they're rebuilding, whether Drayton likes that word or not.

FEELIN' ANY ASTROS LOVE?

I'm headed to Kissimmee Monday night for Astros spring training, and honestly I'm just not feeling it from the fans this year. Is it the less than enthralling roster, is it the lack of big moves in the offseason or is it the economy that's keeping the interest down? I know spring is always a time for optimism, so here's mine. Maybe with expectations low, good things might happen. What do you want me ask the Astros while I'm there? Post it here...what questions for what player or front office member. My blogs will start Tuesday.

BTW still have some spots open in the annual golf tournament I host along with Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak. It benefits Special Olympics...It's Monday morning at Kingwood. For info 713 290 0049.

EXPECTING BASEBALL DOWNTURN

There are two huge elephants in the closet that will finally give the seemingly bulletproof Lords of Baseball some comeuppance. One of course is the economy. People just won't have the expendible dollars to spend on overpriced tickets and 8 dollar beers. And it's my opinion that enough is enough on steroids. If the game does'nt have the wherewithal to police itself and protect it's integrity, why, especially in this somber time, should a fan give them the benefit of the doubt? Personally I love the game, love going to spring training, hearing the crack of the bat and the pop of the glove. BUT I think there's are too many negatives this year for fans to be paying the attention they want us to.

On a brighter note, I'll be hosting along with Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews the annual Coca Cola Celebrity Golf Classic to be benefit Special Olympics of Texas. It's Monday March 2 with a shotgun start at 10 at Kingwood. THIS is money well spent for a great cause. Sign up and play with us...For information call 713 290 0049...

Lance Berkman the workout machine....

Old Lance takes a lot flak for nothing looking the part of a buffed athlete.   But truth be known he just knows his body and knows how to get it in shape.   Lance has been over at Danny Arnold's PLEX working out as he gets set to head to spring training.   Berkman turns 33 next week, and old veteran plans to be ready to start the season.

The Astros haven't exactly created a buzz with their off-season moves, but Berkman is staying optimistic.   He says there are only about four big if's on the Astros roster.   They just need them to all fall into place.    It sounds like and is a lot for the Astros to overcome.   We know Berkman though will be there to lead the way, the Astros just need the young players to follow his lead, and the roster pick ups to have career years.    OK, it sounds like a long season, but let's stay optimistic with Lance, that's what spring training is for.

Berkman also has an interesting theory.   He's never been crazy for working out.  Lance thinks pro athletes should bond together and ban workouts.   He believes the level of play would only go down one level and the best athletes would still be the best.  He wouldn't have to bust his butt so much.    Anything to get out of wind sprints.

Bob Slovak