Are the Astros interested in Gary Sheffield?

Or is it the other way around?

Mark Miller has some rumors pertaining to Gary Sheffield, who will turn 85 this offseason. Miller notes a Kevin Kernan NY Post report that Sheffield has narrowed his list of clubhouses he would be willing to screw up to five times.

And yes, the Astros are in there.

He's not closing the door on the Mets -- they'll have to close it on him, and that's probably going to happen. If it does, he could land with one of the Mets' biggest rivals, a return engagement with the Marlins. If not the Marlins, the Tampa native would love to sign with the Rays or even the Astros or Rangers.

Everyone mark July 24-26 on your calendar, and tremble in fear

Or something like that. In Ken Davidoff's column today, the note came up that Gary Sheffield will play in his 52nd ballpark by season's end (provided he stay healthy), a record among current players.

Sheffield said that Minute Maid Park, in Houston, was his all-time favorite. "For some reason, I see the ball well there. I hit the ball well there. I like the atmosphere there."

He's not kidding. In nine games at the Astros' home, totaling 46 plate appearances, Sheffield has eight homers, a .587 on-base percentage and a 1.195 slugging percentage.