Texas are fun to watch...sort of

They are a disastrous finish waiting to happen.  They keep you on the edge of your seat.  Then the mostly lose, but if excitement matters more than wins and losses they are a joy. I've got my "different" thoughts from the Sports Library.

http://vimeo.com/18203375

As Bad as it IS...It can be Worse, So Look Ahead!

The Texans are a lost cause, but only for this year...everything else is still in the future.

Astros HAVE Added Some Punch to their Infield

The signing of Bill Hall to a one year contract presumably to play second base for the Astros in 2011 ranks right up there with the acquistion of Clint Barmes to presumably play shortstop for the local nine in the same season.  It will not start a run on the ticket windows.

However, believe it or not, the additions of both Hall and Barmes have improved the Astros.  Will they be improved enough to challenge the Reds and the Cards for the top spot in the division?  Can they at least get back to a .500 record or better?  No one knows that for sure.  The oddsmakers still won't be expecting too much from the 2011 Astros, but in baseball far stranger things have happened over the years. (Sports Illustrated before the Hall acquistion ranked the Astros #25 in their power rankings of the 30 teams in major league baseball.  The top three were the Red Sox, Phillies and Giants.  Only Seattle, Arizona, Kansas City, Cleveland and Pittsburgh ranked behind the Astros.)

The Hall addition could boost the Astros a spot or two. Granted neither Barmes or Hall are high batting average or high on base percentage hitters, but that both have more punch in their bats than Tommy Manzella, Angel Sanchez or Keppinger.  The Astros need more punch desperately.  Teams who can hit home runs score more runs than clubs with higher batting averages, but much less power. 

Hall hit 18 home runs for the Red Sox in 2010. He hit 35 for Milwaukee as recently as 2006. His lifetime average is roughly .250.  He is only 31 and worth the one year contract.

Barmes hit 23 home runs for Colorado as recently as 2009.  Neither will likely be all stars but both should provide more from their positions offensively than the Astros had in 2010.

Jeff Keppinger, if reports turn out to accurate, will likely be traded soon.  The Yankees among others have expressed some interest in returning Jeff to the utility role he was holding down in Houston before Kazuo Matsui's skills eroded.  Kepp had his best season in the majors, too.  But while he made few errors his range is average and he does not provide much RBI punch.  The role of backup utilitymay seems headed to the lower priced but effective Sanchez.

The Astros still need one more solid starting pitcher, the comeback to form of Carlos Lee in either left field or first base and either the coming around of Brett Wallace at first or someone to upgrade things overall in left if Lee has to move to the infield.

They HAVE improved their middle infield.  How much is the question.  And will it be enough?

Keeping Busy in the Baseball Off Season

Since I am often asked what keeps me busy during the non baseball months...I have the answer.

Texas Bowl for Bears is Big Deal, but Griner is Bigger!

The fans and followers of the Baylor Bears are undisputably proud of their football team that will meet Ilinois in Reliant Stadium's Texas Bowl later this month.  But the real big story in Baylor sports is building on the women's basketball team.

The Baylor women might just win a second NCAA basketball championship this season. 

After Sunday's impressive home court domination of Tennessee Baylor's record is now 10-1.  Their only loss was by one point to #1 ranked Connecticut at UConn earlier this season.

They handled Tennessee before a sold out crowd at the Farrell Center of 10,569 with ease.  Houston's Brittney Griner scored 21 points along with nine blocked shots.  The big 6'8" pivot player also altered countless more as the Volunteers shot only 25% in the 65-54 Baylor win.

But Baylor is way more than just Brittney.  In fact, Odessey Sims led the Bear scorers with 24 points.  Of Griner's 21, fifteen of them came in the first half along with six of her nine blocked shots.  She set the tone and the rest of the Lady Bears took over from there.

ROCKETS MAKE TWEAKS

Closer to home the Houston Rockets pulled off a deal that was more complicated than just Jermaine Taylor for Terrence Williams since other clubs and draft picks and cash were involved, but the bottom line is thd swap of the two player mentioned.

What will he do to help the Rockets, who have been as confounding as the Texans?  Sometimes they look and play so well, yet other times they have stretches in which they look like the lottery team they presently are.

Williams is touted as a very good all round small forward who has all the physical skills to be good.  In his limited play with New Jersey (between being late to practices or team meetings) he has shown those skills.  When sent down to the D-league he scored and rebounded with the best ever in that loop.   Now the Rockets hope he can show a better attitude and accept the discipline necessary to play meaningful minutes in the NBA.

Taylor was seeing very little playing time in Houston so the Rockets don't appear to be giving up much for a player in a position they need help.  It is pretty much up to Williams to grab this chance and make something of it.

ASTROS WILL PUT A TEAM ON THE FIELD

Things remain quiet with the Astros.  Hopefully for the club this is not harming season ticket sales extensively.  While there are some solid players on the Astro roster and the top of the Astros starting rotation is certainly at the least adequate, the lack of any real excitement about the 2011 club is evident.  With the club for sale and a stated desire to reduce a payroll that was inflated compared to the team's lack of success the past four years this is not a surprise.

Even with the commendable desire to build from within the system as much as possible the Astros still need a significant player move to attract attention, raise the interest and thus stimulate the desire to buy tickets by fans.  Is there a move Ed Wade can make that would help both the business side and the baseball side of the Astros?   

Some Holiday Gift Suggestions for Readers or Watchers

If you are thinking of extra gifts this holiday season, as a reader, I must suggest a couple of books written by a couple of early Astro-era players--Norm Miller, and Jimmy Wynn (with Bill McCurdy.)

Both books are full of great behind the scenes strories of players who had colorful if different careers.  Both Jimmy, who was the first big power hitter in the history of Houston major league baseball, and Norm who was not have some great stories.

Jimmy's book, "Toy Cannon" is published by McFarland Press.  Norm's book, "To All My Fans...from Norm Who?" was self published.  To order either:  http://www.normwho.com/   or http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/   

Now why should you?  Well, for one thing there have not been that many books written about the Houston Colt 45s or Astros.  It is not like the team has been one of baseball's big winners in a major media market.  So when icons like Wynn, Miller (and earlier Larry Dierker) put things on the record it makes for good reading and insight.

I have a pretty good library but can count only 12 books that I can rely on to dig up historical notes from Houston baseball in the major leagues.  Coming up in the 2011 season every piece I write and narrate on "Astros Insider" will originate from one of those books.  I am very happy that Norm, Jimmy (and Bill) have added to my sources.  You will be happy too.

The relationship between the players and manager Harry Walker is a continuing theme through any book ever written by former players.  He and GM Spec Richardson are by far the most reviled pair of leaders the franchise has ever had.  Even so, there is some humor in their transgressions.  Norm and Jimmy--like authors before them, Joe Morgan and Dierker--have some of the same stories from different angles or new ones never published before.

Astro fans will enjoy both books.   But I must also add another item to the holiday gift basket which barely mentions Houston.  It is Ken Burns' "Baseball" DVD series.  You can buy it through PBS.com.  It includes the original series plus the update that was recently aired on PBS and the MLB Network.  How much do I enjoy it?  I had the original offer on VHS and just bought the DVD version with update, too.

I had not watched it for more than ten years, but started again and am as transfixed as ever.  The photos and video are entrancing.  The story encapsulates baseball's long history.  It is a true baseball history class in a box.

So, as my suggestions I heartily endorse both books and if you are feeling a bit mor expansive and have a larger budget, the DVD series as well.  Whatever you decide on...have a happy holiday season.

When Yao Returns it should be Off the Bench

It is not expected to be Tuesday night as earlier reported, but it won't be too long before Yao Ming is able to return to the active roster with the Houston Rockets.  Presumably his minutes will still be limited as he tries to come back from his foot surgery (and now the bone bruise ) that has kept him sidelined the past month.

So how should he be used?  From this corner it is pretty obvious.  The Rockets should use him where he can be the greatest force.  And if he still has to be limited in minutes he should not start but be part of the second unit to boost the offensive skills primarily in the second quarter.

A check of Rocket box scores this year shows a signficant drop off in points scored in the second quarter.  That is the period in which virtually all clubs use their benches.  The Rocket offensive production in that part of the game has been worse that what they have often shown in the final five or six minutes of the fourth quarter.

So why not use Yao off the bench?  To be fully effective on the offensive end he needs to have one of two outside shooters on the court with him and a point guard that can get the ball to the right people.  The Rockets DO have the players to fill those roles--especially when Aaron Brooks returns as the starting point guard. 

In addition to getting more offensive production in the second quarter Yao would also be available for 4th quarter action where the Rockets have struggled as well. 

His return does require the club play two styles during a game.  There is nothing wrong with that and it can be especially effective for this team.  All clubs have to do some things different in the second quarter when the Koby Bryants and Dirk Nowitzkis and Labron James are getting some minutes off.  I like the Rockets options much better than any of those other clubs if the Rockets are coming in with Yao Ming during that period. 

Yao Ming is till 7'6".  He is a major force in the middle without being able to jump or run fast.  He has soft hands, can hit from out on the court and the foul line.  He can reach enough rebounds with his arm stretch that, if able to play most of a full game, would still be a 20 point/ ten rebound player.  Smooth and spectacular he is not.  But he still has great value to the Rockets or any other NBA team.

What he could do for the Rockets off the bench might make the whole difference in the rest of this season.

Only-- he has to get back on the court--and be able to stay there.

Cubs Lost an Icon and Really Nice Man

The news came down on Friday morning that long time Chicago Cub great third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo had died in an Arizona hospital.  He was 70 years old.  Certainly Ron had a great life as a ballplayer who many feel has been wrongly slighted by Hall of Fame voters, but also was the most exhuberant radio analyst in baseball.

But while on the surface it might have looked like a great life it was not untroubled.  Ron had battled diabetes since his teen years.  In fact he hid that fact until he had been safely established as a major league regular.  Making sure he did whatever he could to control the disease while playing the game he became the premier third baseman in the National League for a number of years. 

After his career his medical problems increased.  Ultimately he lost both legs to diabetes while battling the disease.  He had undergone more than twelve operations on his legs over the years.  He had also had eye surgery, bladder surgery and ultimately died of complications from bladder cancer.

While Santo was greatly disappointed in not receving a phone call from the Hall of Fame his number 10 was retired by the Cubs and hangs from the left field flag pole under that of former long time teammate Ernie Banks #14.

I knew Ron as a broadcaster and whenever we saw he other he always was upbeat and ready to talk about the game he lived his life for.   Early in 2010 I was walking in San Diego and wandered through the Italian section where I saw a banner of Santo in his Cubs uniform.  He and other great ballplayers of Italian heritage were honored.  I snapped a picture of it was going to get to to Santo when we next saw the Cubs. 

Unfortunately I never saw Ron again.  He was not working the next series in Chicago and when the Astros came into Houston for their last visit he was not on the trip. 

Often criticized by non Cub fans for his rooting style in the booth when his excitement for a great Cub moment often resulted in his almost overwhelming play by play man Pat Hughes, Santo was unique.

He also will be missed by many. 

Rockets upset Lakers. Can Texans do the same with Eagles?

Why we follow sports was demonstrated on Wednesday.  And it feeds hope for Thursday night.  From the Sports Library.

Quintero Returning a Good Move

To many folks the return of Humberto Quintero as an Astro catcher is hardly big news.  True, Q is not going to be making any all star teams soon, but his re-signing was a needed move by the club.  Quintero is one of those players whose numbers don't impress much--especially as a hitter.  Yet, he is also the type of player every club needs.  When Quintero is behind the plate the Astros are a stronger defensive team.  If a club isn't going to score many runs as the Astros had troubles doing in 2010 it behooves the defense and pitching to allow as few as possible. Q helps that happen.

His throwing arm is among the best of all major league catchers.  He is not afraid to use it.  His pickoff of Philadelphia's Jayson Werth at second base after the fourth ball of an intentional walk was voted by fans as the Astros top play of the whole season.  No one could every remember that situation ever before. 

Astro first basemen always have to be alert.  Humberto loves to fire the ball to nail runners who fail to return to the bag.  Even though he has the rep and most runners are alert he still gets one or two each season.  That is a tremendous feat and especially so when one remembers he does not play everyday.

Quintero played more in 2010 than ever before after starting the season knowing he would make the team, but only as a backup.  The starter was going to be either J.R. Towles or rookie Jason Castro.  Quintero would back up whichever won the job and the other would go to the minors.

Towles won the job, but for the second time quickly lost it.  He did not hit well, but didn't lose the job due to that. (If he HAD hit he would have been given more rope.) He lost it as a result of not communicating or working well with his pitchers.  So, Quintero took over as the lead catcher for a time until Castro was deemed ready.

Ultimately Castro got the call.  He was scheduled to catch at least five times per week.  That didn't last as he failed to hit major league pitching.  While his throwing arm was big league, he needed work blocking balls in the dirt and learning his pitchers and opposing hitters.  Good old Humberto Quintero was available to catch a bit more.  And he did.  He will be starting spring training #2 behind Jason Castro again.  There is no reason to think Castro won't improve his hitting in 2011.  If he does Q may spend more time on the bench.  He is used to that.  But he is also ready to go into the lineup at any time and provide perhaps the strongest "back up" catcher in baseball. 

A good offseason move by Ed Wade and the Astros.