Sad 'Stros

I have been enjoying Major League Baseball season 2010, but sadly the Astros are not doing so well. Here are five things you might try to do to improve your season:

1. Stop trading players that are young and good.

2. Check your 2005 season notes; there has to be something in them that will help you.

3. Maybe consider adding some offense to your game.

4. How about hiring a Major league manager, not a Minor league manager.

5. Sell the team and start over...like the Oilers did!

Nah, I am not worried (okay, maybe a little bit). I will be really worried if after All Star break they don't come on strong.

Happy Baseball Season. Go 'Stros!

Top 10 on David Letterman presented by Team USA

10. Jimmy Rollins: "Due to economic crisis, we all have to share same pair of pants."

9. Curtis Granderson: "Japan has one of them crazy robot shortstops."

8. Dustin Pedroia: "Because it's an international event, our right fielder is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

7. Chipper Jones: "The winning team plays Neptune in the Galactic Baseball Classic."

6. Roy Oswalt: "It's fascinating seeing how players from other countries scratch themselves."

5. Adam Dunn: "You'll be part of a cherished baseball tradition dating all the way back to 2006." (Letterman added: "Oh, the stories they can tell.")

4. Ryan Braun: "Because of the metric system, games will be 6.83 innings."

3. Kevin Youkilis: "Before each game, get to sit through 30 different national anthems."

2. David Wright: "Australia's secret weapon: a fastball-throwing kangaroo."

1. Derek Jeter: "What else are you going to watch, hockey?"

Check out the World Baseball Classic website for more info on Team USA.

Oswalt Concerning Performance-Enhancing Drugs in MLB

"A-Rod's numbers shouldn't count for anything. I feel like he cheated me out of the game."

"It does bother me. Especially for the guys that went out there and did it on talent. We're always going to have a cloud on us, and that's not fair at all."

"I'm going out there with the ability God gave me. They have that ability, too, and they're putting something on top of it."

Baseball Memory: A. Boone Walkoff Homerun

My favorite memory of Aaron Boone came in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium in 2003. The Red Sox and Yankees battled till the 11th inning and Boone stepped to the plate with the score 5-5. With no one on base, Boone smashed a walkoff homer from pitcher Tim Wakefield, closing the game and series with a 6-5 victory over the Red Sox. It was an amazing game!

Since the 2003 season, Boone has bounced around the league and battled a knee injury. Friday, Aaron Boone was signed by the Houston Astros. I have to say, I am a little excited about the acquisition and hope to see some Boone magic in a ‘Stros uniform.

Go Astros!

Way to Go Astros: Mike Hampton Rant

I liked what Ed Wade did in Philadelphia (he helped build the 2008 World Series team), but is Mike Hampton going to help the bullpen or bring it down? Let’s take a look at a brief summary of his last 9 seasons:

In 1999, Hampton had his last and best season with the Astros winning 22 games with a 2.90 ERA. He has spent 4 years on and off the injured reserve list between 2004-2008. He did not pitch in 2006 and 2007. Last season he was 3-4 with the Braves, and only played 4 months.

At $2 million plus incentives (the possible contract with the Astros), I sure hope Hampton is worth the money. I think the Astros are making a bad move, but I guess we will have to wait and see. I say Hampton will not help the Astros.

Note from the author: Regularly scheduled Insert Title Here content to resume after this Sports Monday. God Bless.

Say Hello to Captain Blue

We aren't sure if our fish is a boy or a girl, but we thought we would introduce you to Captain Blue. Captain Blue is a beta fish requiring little maintenance. Basically Captain Blue swims around the green fake plant, buries himself in the rocks or just floats. I asked the guy at the store, "Won't he get bored? He replied, "No they keep to themselves." You have to change the water once a week and the best news is we don't have to take him outside to go to the bathroom. We went over to Kari's cooperating teacher's house and she had 3 hanging on the wall, so we thought we would check it out.

We ended up at Jordan's T-Ball game in Pflugerville on Saturday morning. We got there just in time to see him hit the ball and run the bases like a champ. Although, I did not like seeing him play for the Rangers, I guess its just T-Ball. I think he might have baseball in his near future. It was a great time watching him play and seeing him become a "big boy."

That's about it for the weekend. I hope everyone had a great one. More to come this week so stay tuned. God Bless.

Bud Selig Makes a Great Decision

Not that sportswriters in America care what I think, but I am glad Selig decided to suspend the game. Joe Buck kept presenting the scenarios saying they may consider ending the World Series without nine innings played because it was an “official” game in the 6th.

As I watched the rain fall, Hamels attempt to hold Upton on 1st base; I hoped for a hit from Pena to prevent the possible ending of the World Series according to Buck. I was worried about what would happen and surely not going to bed. Eventually Hamels would give up a base hit to Pena and the Rays tied the score 2-2. This would guarantee a suspension of play. They called a rain delay and I sent Keith a text that I was going to bed, but to let me know if they started play again.

Keith wrote back about 10:30pm and said the game was officially suspended till today (pending more rain). There was no doubt once the Rays tied the score it wasn't going to be finished, but I love what MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “There's no way they're going to allow a championship game to be canceled in the [sixth] inning on a rainout.”

On another note, it would have been a baseball travesty if the Rays didn’t score and they declared the Phillies the World Camps. I think Phillies starter Cole Hamels put it best, "I truly believe that would have been the worst World Series win on the face of baseball. I would not pride myself on being a world champion with a called game." What a great statement, Hamels and way to go Bud Selig for not even considering calling the game.

Don’t forget about your free taco (see below post)!

The Answer to Guess What Happened Here?

Last night as I was getting ready to get into the shower, I leaned over to start the water and placed my hand on the wall. As I turned the water on the wall gave way and my hand slipped through the tile and sheet rock. Tiles crashed to the bathtub and shattered making a loud noise. Kari hollered with alarm from the other room, “What happened!” I stuck my head out laughing and said, “Just come look.” She came in and I pulled the shower current back allowing the light to completely expose the hole in the tiles. We both just started laughing and she said, “That what I don’t like about apartments!” It was hilarious.

On another note, a little baseball talk. Scott Kazmir and Cole Hamels take the mound tonight for Game 1 of the 2008 World Series. I am looking forward to cheering on these two teams because I don’t really mind who wins. To overanalyze a bit, I most often watch National League baseball more than I do the American League (because the Texas Rangers don’t represent the American League well in my state). I enjoy watching baseball in general. I am a baseball fan first and than an Astros fan. I don’t really dislike one team or another, but I am glad to see the Red Sox’s go home for the winter.

Go Phillies! Go Rays! Please just give us some great games.

Have a great week. God Bless.