SB Nation User Blog: Stros Bro

What Do You Do During The Offseason?

Stros Bro — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:09:16 -0000

Pretty simple question really... the Astros were not a member of the 2008 MLB playoffs and therefore most of our reasons for watching baseball was taken away from us once the season end. Obviously most of us are more fanatical about the Astros than your normal fan(being that we spend an awfully large amount of time chatting about them on this internet meeting place).

That being said... what do you do during the off season? Do you still check the news sites on a daily basis trying to find anything Astros related to help tide you over until spring training? Do you go into baseball hibernation and pretty much ignore anything Astros/baseball related until next season?

Do you do some combination of the two?

Personally... I'm some where in the middle. After the baseball season I usually kind of ignore baseball for a little while... I mean I'll check my google news(in which I have an Astros section created) and I'll look at anything new there... but I don't really go out searching the internet for anything new and fun about the Astros... eventually I'll get back into the swing of things and start doing more intense research and then start trying to figure out what this team needs to do for the next season. Right now I'm kind of in the forget about baseball stage... Maybe after the playoffs when the teams can really start "moving and shaking" I'll get back into the swing of things.

SBN Awards:Manager of the Year

Stros Bro — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:34:38 -0000

SBN Awards:Manager of the Year

Houston Astros Pitcher Brandon Backe - Arrested for Brawl

Stros Bro — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:50:28 -0000

According to reports, Backe was attending a wedding at the Island Convention Center. After the reception, he and a group of people from the wedding party went to the H20 bar in the San Luis Resort to continue the celebration.

Galveston’s City Manager Steve LeBlanc said one of the men had an open container of liquor. When told by an on-duty officer outside of H20 that he could not enter the bar with the alcohol, the wedding guest allegedly shoved the officer.

LeBlanc did not say what Backe was charged with, but did say that only those individuals who were combative with the officers were arrested.

Full Story

Shouldn't he be at home rehabbing... not fighting with the police? obviously I realize that this isn't the entire story... but they said that only those who were "combative with the officers were arrested" which means he did more than just stood there...

Is It Bad That I'm This Happy...

Stros Bro — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:44:59 -0000

That the Cubs got swept out of the playoffs by the Dodgers? If you told me before the season started that the Cubs were going to make the playoffs, and the Astros were not... what is the one thing that could make me happy... it would be watching the Cubs get swept in the 1st round. (okay, that is probably a stretch... but not much of one). Lets just say that I am very pleased with the way the Dodgers series went down. The Dodgers were(record wise) the worst team in the playoffs. They had 6 less wins than the NL Wild Card team and were 24th in all of baseball in runs scored. So HOW did they score 20 runs over 3 games and sweep the Cubbies? Just goes to show... pitching is king in the MLB and the Dodgers have the 2nd best ERA in all of baseball.

Of the top 10 ERA's in baseball, 7 of them went to playoff teams. The only team in the playoffs with out a top 10 team ERA is the White Sox who sit at number 11 with a 4.06 team ERA. Of the top 10 teams in runs scored... only 4 of the playoff teams made the cut.

Pitching is king. Offense is just a high ranking official.

Poll

They say it's better to have loved and lost, than to never loved at all... but when it comes to baseball....

MLB Division Series - A Plethora of Sweeps?

Stros Bro — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:31:13 -0000

I realize the chances of it actually happening are slim to none... but so far in the division series', it doesn't appear any of them are going to even go to 4 games? I wonder if it has ever happened that all 4 division series' went 3 games and out.

The Phillies, Rays and Dodgers all lead their series two games to none and could easily take the 3rd game. If I had to put money down on the outcome of the next 4 games(1 game per series), I would say that the Red Sox will be the only team to lose... which would mean 3 of the 4 series go down in sweeps. Kind of interesting...

CURRENT SERIES

Red Sox lead the series 1-0

Wed 10/01	WP: Jon Lester (1 - 0) SV: Jonathan Papelbon LP: John Lackey (0 - 1)	4 - 1 win
Boston Red Sox @ Los Angeles Angels Friday, Oct 3, 2008, 8:37 PM CDT Angel Stadium of Anaheim Daisuke Matsuzaka vs Ervin Santana Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70. COMPLETE COVERAGE >
Sun 10/05		6:17 PM CDT

CURRENT SERIES

Dodgers lead the series 2-0

Wed 10/01	WP: Derek Lowe (1 - 0) LP: Ryan Dempster (0 - 1)	2 - 7 loss
Thu 10/02	WP: Chad Billingsley (1 - 0) LP: Carlos Zambrano (0 - 1)	3 - 10 loss
Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct 4, 2008, 9:07 PM CDT Dodger Stadium Rich Harden vs Hiroki Kuroda Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 65. L.A. Goodbye: Cubs-Dodgers Series Preview posted by Al 3 days ago 628 comments \| 0 recs COMPLETE COVERAGE >

CURRENT SERIES

Rays lead the series 2-0

Thu 10/02	WP: James Shields (1 - 0) SV: Dan Wheeler LP: Javier Vazquez (0 - 1)	4 - 6 loss
Fri 10/03		2 - 6 loss
Tampa Bay Rays @ Chicago White Sox Sunday, Oct 5, 2008, 3:07 PM CDT U.S. Cellular Field COMPLETE COVERAGE >

CURRENT SERIES

Phillies lead the series 2-0

Wed 10/01	WP: Cole Hamels (1 - 0) SV: Brad Lidge LP: Yovani Gallardo (0 - 1)	1 - 3 loss
Thu 10/02	WP: Brett Myers (1 - 0) SV: Brad Lidge LP: CC Sabathia (0 - 1)	2 - 5 loss
Philadelphia Phillies @ Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct 4, 2008, 5:37 PM CDT Miller Park Jamie Moyer vs Dave Bush Sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60. COMPLETE COVERAGE >

MLB - What Would You Change?

Stros Bro — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:37:40 -0000

So here's the scenario. Bud Selig gets fired tomorrow and YOU are hired on as the commissioner to Major League Baseball. What changes would you make to baseball(if any) and why would you make them?

My Changes

Change # 1 - How the playoff teams are decided and to fix scheduling. I would get rid of the Wild Card and inter-league play and have a balanced schedule throughout the league. At the end of the season, the top 4 teams in each league would make it to the playoffs with the 1st seed playing the 4 seed, and the 2 seed playing the 3 seed.

I would even at least really think about adding 2 more teams to the AL and even up the divisions at 16 teams each(assuming we have 2 markets that could support teams). I still don't understand why Las Vegas has 0 main stream Professional sports teams(MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) and I would look there as expansion team 1. Expansion team 2 might be tough... Maybe Nashville?

If that change would have been implemented this season, you would have the 1st round in the NL being between the Angels and the winner of a 1 game tie breaker between the Yankees and the White Sox, and the Red Sox and Rays playing. In the NL you would have the Cubs taking on the Mets, and the Phillies taking on the Brewers. Sorry Dodgers, no playoffs for you. There are 6 teams in the NL with more wins than the Dodgers.

Change # 2 - The designated hitter. I know what I am about to say isn't going to go over well in an NL town... but here goes. Add the DH to the National league. WHAT?!?! Yes.... Let me go on record as saying that I am against the DH and think it should be removed from baseball... but I also understand that the MLB players union is a very strong union and no way would they ever allow the DH to be removed from the AL. So the 2nd option is to add the DH to the NL and make the leagues rules THE SAME!! It's unfair to have different rules for the different leagues. The only resolution in my mind is to make the rules the same.

Change # 3 - Fire Angel Hernandez. Simple and well warranted.

That's pretty much it. I think baseball is doing VERY well how it is and raking in the dough. I don't think it needs a lot of changes to it, just a few tweaks here and there. I think instant replay was needed and should stay in baseball how it is now. Maybe find ways to make it a little quicker, but I definitely keep it the way it is now(boundary calls on home runs only).

SBN MLB Playoff Coverage

Stros Bro — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:01:11 -0000

Just take a look! It's awesome!!!!

Sampson will sign to help sick girl

Stros Bro — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:48:46 -0000

Sampson will sign to help sick girl

Chris Sampson will hold an autograph session on Friday in an effort to raise funds for a family in need after their newborn daughter fell gravely ill.
The session will be held at Las Palomas Mexican Restaurant at 1426 Kingwood Dr. in Kingwood, Texas from 6-7:30 p.m. CT, with all proceeds going to The Zoe Means Life for Us Foundation.

Sampson will autograph an 8 x 10 photo and up to two items for a donation of $20. The proceeds will benefit the family of Zoe Batiansila, who was born with Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder that gives a life expectancy of less than a year.

Proceeds from Sampson's autograph session will help offset lost wages, pay for mounting medical expenses and help the family stay afloat through their stuggle.

"In order to get the medical attention she needs, they need help," Sampson said.

Mike Hampton - Wouldja?

Stros Bro — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:35:27 -0000

Hampton, who started for the Braves on Sunday afternoon and gave up a two-run homer to his good friend Brad Ausmus in the third inning, will be a free agent in a few weeks, and he confirmed after the game that he would be interested in signing with the Astros.

"I've always loved this place," Hampton said after the Astros beat the Braves, 3-1. "Definitely. I'm sure there will be interest on both sides. We'll see if we can work something out. I've always loved it here."

Full Story

Poll

Are you interested in Mike Hampton?

2008 MLB Post Season Bracket - Predictions Anyone?

Stros Bro — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:23:18 -0000

via mlb.mlb.com

Here's the bracket as listed on MLB.com. The playoff picture is set except for the Twins/White Sox section of the bracket which could be settled as early as tomorrow as the White Sox and Tigers play a make up game. If the White Sox win, then they and the Twins will have a 1 game play off to see who takes the AL Central crown. If the White Sox lose against the Tigers, then the Twins will take the AL Central.

I'm hoping the Twins win. I still have a sour taste in my mouth about the 2005 World Series, so lets just say I won't be rooting for the White Sox anytime soon.

I'm not a fan of the AL and really don't follow it too much... but I like the Rays(mainly because they are in their 1st winning season in their 10 year history) so I will definitely be rooting for them.

On the NL side... I guess I'm rooting for the Brewers. I don't think the Brewers are the best team and I think they will be eliminated in the 1st round(Sheets and his "broken arm" is just too much of a blow to overcome... even with Sabathia).

And on to my meaningless predictions.

NL Side
1st Round, the Phillies and Cubs will win with the Phillies beating the Cubs and going to the World Series. I think the Cubs are the better team, but I just don't think they go to the World Series this year.

AL Side
Red Sox and Rays advance to the 2nd round with the Red Sox advancing. Just a gut feeling... I don't think this year is as magical for the Rays as it has been so far and I think the Red Sox will overtake them... I hope I am wrong.

World Series
Phillies vs Red Sox... I hate to say it, but I think the Red Sox will win yet again... and I think they will do it in about 5 games.

SB Nation User Blog: Stros Bro

What Do You Do During The Offseason?

SBN Awards:Manager of the Year

SBN Awards:Manager of the Year

Houston Astros Pitcher Brandon Backe - Arrested for Brawl

Is It Bad That I'm This Happy...

They say it's better to have loved and lost, than to never loved at all... but when it comes to baseball....

MLB Division Series - A Plethora of Sweeps?

CURRENT SERIES

Red Sox lead the series 1-0

CURRENT SERIES

Dodgers lead the series 2-0

L.A. Goodbye: Cubs-Dodgers Series Preview

CURRENT SERIES

Rays lead the series 2-0

CURRENT SERIES

Phillies lead the series 2-0

MLB - What Would You Change?

SBN MLB Playoff Coverage

Sampson will sign to help sick girl

Sampson will sign to help sick girl

Mike Hampton - Wouldja?

Are you interested in Mike Hampton?

2008 MLB Post Season Bracket - Predictions Anyone?