We return from a somewhat-unintended but not totally-uncalled for one week break from blogging to bring you the finest links around the world of the Astros, and baseball. Sort of. It's been pretty slow.
*McTaggart has five highlights from 2015.
*The 2015 MLB rookie class could be the best ever.
*TCB has a good writeup on new Astro/Cuban pitcher Carlos Sierra.
*Ken Rosenthal is voting for Bagwell (and Bonds, and Clemens).
*The Seattle Times' Geoff Baker notes the average baseball salary is now $3.95m.
*Here's an interesting story about a Cuero native who ended up in baseball due to a chance encounter with Gerry Hunsicker.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Gerry Hunsicker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gerry Hunsicker. Show all posts
Monday, December 28, 2015
Friday, October 19, 2012
Hunsicker joins Dodgers
Former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker has left the Rays (where he was senior vice president of baseball operations) to join the Dodgers as their senior advisor of baseball operations, assisting president Stan Kasten and GM Ned Colletti.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Short list of GM possibilities
It's time to start building sourced lists of potential GMs. Any speculation is by each individual writer. Here we go:
12/5
Friedman out
12/5
Scott Nethery (CIN)
12/3
Jeff Luhnow (STL) (Interviewed)
11/30:
Levine out
Bill Geivett (COL) (Interviewed)
(Via Evan Grant):
Thad Levine (Texas)
A.J. Preller (Texas)
Both have been integral in the Rangers' rise to two-time defending AL champs. Both endorsed the club tear-down from the top that took place with the trades of Mark Teixeira, Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne in 2007.
(Via Rosenthal and Morosi):
Gerry Hunsicker (TB) - The club reached the postseason in five of his nine seasons, and sources say he would embrace a return to Houston.
Andrew Friedman (TB) - Friedman's enthusiasm for the Astros' job is less certain.
Thad Levine (TEX)
A.J. Preller (TEX)
Dan Jennings (Florida/Miami) - Was denied permission to interview for the Orioles’ GM vacancy by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.
(Via McTaggart):
All of the above, and then...
Peter Woodfork (MLB) - He's a Theo Epstein disciple, having worked under him with the Boston Red Sox.
J.J. Piccolo (KC) - As the assistant GM of the Royals who oversees both the player development and scouting departments, Picollo has plenty of experience listening to a variety of opinions.
Jeff Kingston (SEA) - Kingston worked with Kevin Towers in San Diego before being hired away by the Mariners.
Billy Eppler (NYY) - Eppler interviewed recently for the Angels' vacant opening and is considered a solid candidate to be a GM in the future.
Logan White (LAD) - White's in charge of amateur and international scouting for GM Ned Colletti. In 2007, he interviewed with the Astros before Wade was hired.
De Jon Watson (LAD) - The head of player development with the Dodgers, Watson interviewed for the Orioles' vacant GM position in October before withdrawing.
Rick Hahn (CWS) - Hahn is a former sports agent who used to work for Jeff Moorad.
Al Avila (DET) - The assistant GM of the Tigers, Avila is more of a veteran scout, in the mold of Colletti, but he has a very good track record.
Allard Baird (BOS) - If the Astros find themselves looking for a veteran GM not named Hunsicker, Baird could be their guy.
Obviously the quotes for each candidate are not the entire quotes, and you'll just need to click the source link for the full version.
12/5
Friedman out
12/5
Scott Nethery (CIN)
12/3
Jeff Luhnow (STL) (Interviewed)
11/30:
Levine out
Bill Geivett (COL) (Interviewed)
(Via Evan Grant):
A.J. Preller (Texas)
Both have been integral in the Rangers' rise to two-time defending AL champs. Both endorsed the club tear-down from the top that took place with the trades of Mark Teixeira, Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne in 2007.
(Via Rosenthal and Morosi):
Gerry Hunsicker (TB) - The club reached the postseason in five of his nine seasons, and sources say he would embrace a return to Houston.
A.J. Preller (TEX)
Dan Jennings (Florida/Miami) - Was denied permission to interview for the Orioles’ GM vacancy by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.
(Via McTaggart):
All of the above, and then...
Peter Woodfork (MLB) - He's a Theo Epstein disciple, having worked under him with the Boston Red Sox.
J.J. Piccolo (KC) - As the assistant GM of the Royals who oversees both the player development and scouting departments, Picollo has plenty of experience listening to a variety of opinions.
Jeff Kingston (SEA) - Kingston worked with Kevin Towers in San Diego before being hired away by the Mariners.
Billy Eppler (NYY) - Eppler interviewed recently for the Angels' vacant opening and is considered a solid candidate to be a GM in the future.
Logan White (LAD) - White's in charge of amateur and international scouting for GM Ned Colletti. In 2007, he interviewed with the Astros before Wade was hired.
De Jon Watson (LAD) - The head of player development with the Dodgers, Watson interviewed for the Orioles' vacant GM position in October before withdrawing.
Al Avila (DET) - The assistant GM of the Tigers, Avila is more of a veteran scout, in the mold of Colletti, but he has a very good track record.
Allard Baird (BOS) - If the Astros find themselves looking for a veteran GM not named Hunsicker, Baird could be their guy.
Obviously the quotes for each candidate are not the entire quotes, and you'll just need to click the source link for the full version.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Astros receive permission to interview Andrew Friedman
Holy Hannah! The Astros have received permission to interview Tampa Bay's Andrew Friedman.
Justice:
Astros owner Jim Crane and CEO George Postolos are hoping the lure of returning to fix the team he grew up rooting for would be just such an extraordinary situation.
Gerry Hunsicker apparently will not be interviewed for the position.
The question, for me, is what compensation would be necessary for the Astros to send the Rays' way if the Astros make the move. Hey, after paying Ed Wade for the next two years, maybe Jim Crane is in a compensating mood.
Justice:
Astros owner Jim Crane and CEO George Postolos are hoping the lure of returning to fix the team he grew up rooting for would be just such an extraordinary situation.
Gerry Hunsicker apparently will not be interviewed for the position.
The question, for me, is what compensation would be necessary for the Astros to send the Rays' way if the Astros make the move. Hey, after paying Ed Wade for the next two years, maybe Jim Crane is in a compensating mood.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
12 minutes into the new regime and there's a short list of GM candidates
Richard Justice's breathtakingly fast article on the new ownership of Jim Crane already (and, fairly, it should be added) questions the longevity of Ed Wade:
General manager Ed Wade appears most vulnerable, but Crane and Postolos have steadfastly refused to comment on his status until after they actually took over the club.Among those believed to be under consideration if a change is made is Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, a Houston native. Former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker and Texas Rangers executive A.J. Preller also appear to be under consideration.
General manager Ed Wade appears most vulnerable, but Crane and Postolos have steadfastly refused to comment on his status until after they actually took over the club.Among those believed to be under consideration if a change is made is Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman, a Houston native. Former Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker and Texas Rangers executive A.J. Preller also appear to be under consideration.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Justice takes on McLane's legacy
Good column from Richard Justice today as he looks at Drayton's legacy. A snippet:
So why did things change so dramatically? How did a really good, really successful owner lose his way?
We might never know why McLane ran off one of baseball's best general managers after the 2004 season, but if you're looking for a turning point, that's it.
And the money close, which needs no comment, and is spot on:
Why the Astros decided to play the other team's fight song speaks volumes about the people in charge...They also served lobster rolls in the stadium club, and I wonder why they didn't honor Tip O'Neill and John Havlicek. It's not the most important thing on earth. Maybe the Astros were just thankful to have more than a few thousand people in the stadium regardless of whom they were cheering.
But it's one of those little things that serve as a reminder of how out of touch these people have become. They are out of ideas. They are out of imagination. They just need to go, and the sooner the better.
So why did things change so dramatically? How did a really good, really successful owner lose his way?
We might never know why McLane ran off one of baseball's best general managers after the 2004 season, but if you're looking for a turning point, that's it.
And the money close, which needs no comment, and is spot on:
Why the Astros decided to play the other team's fight song speaks volumes about the people in charge...They also served lobster rolls in the stadium club, and I wonder why they didn't honor Tip O'Neill and John Havlicek. It's not the most important thing on earth. Maybe the Astros were just thankful to have more than a few thousand people in the stadium regardless of whom they were cheering.
But it's one of those little things that serve as a reminder of how out of touch these people have become. They are out of ideas. They are out of imagination. They just need to go, and the sooner the better.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Heyman acknowledges the Astros
SI's Jon Heyman takes a little time to mention the Friedman-to-Astros rumor:
If the elder Friedman gets the Astros, one would think he could have interest in hiring Andrew, one of the game's better GMs, at some point. One of Andrew's top lieutenants, Gerry Hunsicker, also was one of the Astros' more successful GMs and is believed to have left because working for McLane wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
If the elder Friedman gets the Astros, one would think he could have interest in hiring Andrew, one of the game's better GMs, at some point. One of Andrew's top lieutenants, Gerry Hunsicker, also was one of the Astros' more successful GMs and is believed to have left because working for McLane wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Friday, April 29, 2011
If Richard Justice had his way, it would be 2004
Richard Justice has a new post up over at the place that publishes The Constable's stuff every now and then (doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the publication, does it?). He would kindly like it to be 2004.
His advice to Jim Crane, in short form:
1. Fire Ed Wade.
2. Bring back Gerry Hunsicker.
3. Send Brett Wallace to Triple-A (or something like that, because...)
4. Bring back Lance Berkman.
5. Bring back Andy Pettitte.
His advice to Jim Crane, in short form:
1. Fire Ed Wade.
2. Bring back Gerry Hunsicker.
3. Send Brett Wallace to Triple-A (or something like that, because...)
4. Bring back Lance Berkman.
5. Bring back Andy Pettitte.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Justice's hindsight is 20/20
Richard Justice's new blog post says the Astros have been the dumbest team in baseball since Gerry Hunsicker left.
Consider these nuggets:
Gerry was in charge when the farm system began to come apart, and there's no defending that part of his legacy. Still, it seems likely he would have gotten it fixed more quickly than the people Drayton hired did.
Since Gerry left, things have spun downward quickly. The Astros went to the World Series the following year, and now they're on their way to missing the playoffs for a sixth straight year and to having three straight losing seasons for the first time since LBJ was in the White House.
Now, do I think the Astros will go to the playoffs? Not really, but to say they're "on their way" after four games against two playoff teams is a touch premature.
Consider these nuggets:
Gerry was in charge when the farm system began to come apart, and there's no defending that part of his legacy. Still, it seems likely he would have gotten it fixed more quickly than the people Drayton hired did.
Since Gerry left, things have spun downward quickly. The Astros went to the World Series the following year, and now they're on their way to missing the playoffs for a sixth straight year and to having three straight losing seasons for the first time since LBJ was in the White House.
Now, do I think the Astros will go to the playoffs? Not really, but to say they're "on their way" after four games against two playoff teams is a touch premature.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Apparently, things between Hunsicker/McLane and Biggio got "animated"
Evan Grant has a tantalizingly brief note on the Michael Young situation, referencing Craig Biggio.
Following the Jeff Kent signing in 2003, apparently nobody thought to include Biggio - which, depending on your view of labor/management rights, may or may not matter. But...
He went directly to GM Gerry Hunsicker and owner Drayton McLane for direct "animated" discussions. But Biggio never requested a trade and never accused management of any mistakes publicly.
I'd like to know more about this, Mr. Grant.
Following the Jeff Kent signing in 2003, apparently nobody thought to include Biggio - which, depending on your view of labor/management rights, may or may not matter. But...
He went directly to GM Gerry Hunsicker and owner Drayton McLane for direct "animated" discussions. But Biggio never requested a trade and never accused management of any mistakes publicly.
I'd like to know more about this, Mr. Grant.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
McLane vs. Hunsicker: An expose
Richard Justice has an in-depth interview with Gerry Hunsicker.
On his relationship with Run-DMc:
“The only thing I want to say is that we had our ups and downs together. With all the challenges, you'd have to say we had a successful relationship. He gave me an opportunity to be a general manager.”
Run-DMc, your turn:
“Gerry and I got along. I have a real good policy that if I can't get along with somebody or somebody doesn't like me, there's no point. We didn't agree always. I never raised my voice to him, and he never raised his voice to me. We had some really good times. If I'd disliked him, we would have parted ways a long time ago.”
Hunsicker, on the 2010 Astros:
“I don't like to see anybody suffer, especially an organization where I spent so much of my career. I know it's a tough period. I have a lot of respect for the people running the baseball department. I go back a long way with Ed (Wade) and Tal (Smith). They're two very solid baseball men and will get this thing turned around. I still think it's a team good enough to challenge in that division. There's not a monster in that division. You look at that roster, and I really think, barring injuries, they're good enough to get back into the race in that division.”
On his relationship with Run-DMc:
“The only thing I want to say is that we had our ups and downs together. With all the challenges, you'd have to say we had a successful relationship. He gave me an opportunity to be a general manager.”
Run-DMc, your turn:
“Gerry and I got along. I have a real good policy that if I can't get along with somebody or somebody doesn't like me, there's no point. We didn't agree always. I never raised my voice to him, and he never raised his voice to me. We had some really good times. If I'd disliked him, we would have parted ways a long time ago.”
Hunsicker, on the 2010 Astros:
“I don't like to see anybody suffer, especially an organization where I spent so much of my career. I know it's a tough period. I have a lot of respect for the people running the baseball department. I go back a long way with Ed (Wade) and Tal (Smith). They're two very solid baseball men and will get this thing turned around. I still think it's a team good enough to challenge in that division. There's not a monster in that division. You look at that roster, and I really think, barring injuries, they're good enough to get back into the race in that division.”
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Berkman upbeat, realistic
So while I like that Berkman is standing up and being more vocal, his realism is even more impressive:
You know just how quickly it can turn around. As bad as this has been, it's still not as bad as the year we went to the World Series (2005), so we can make a comeback. I'm not saying we are going to go to the World Series, but we can certainly be better than we are, and I think we're going to be.”
And later, on Gerry Hunsicker:
“His track record speaks for itself; he's probably one of the most accomplished general managers in the game of baseball today. You saw what he was able to do here; he built not one but several championship-caliber teams. He's gone over there, has the right people in place and made some great moves. He drafted and signed me, so I think he's the greatest.”
You know just how quickly it can turn around. As bad as this has been, it's still not as bad as the year we went to the World Series (2005), so we can make a comeback. I'm not saying we are going to go to the World Series, but we can certainly be better than we are, and I think we're going to be.”
And later, on Gerry Hunsicker:
“His track record speaks for itself; he's probably one of the most accomplished general managers in the game of baseball today. You saw what he was able to do here; he built not one but several championship-caliber teams. He's gone over there, has the right people in place and made some great moves. He drafted and signed me, so I think he's the greatest.”
Friday, May 21, 2010
Gerry Hunsicker is quite the diplomat
The Rays come to town to dominate the Astros this weekend, and it's a familiar sight for former GM Gerry Hunsicker. So what the heck happened?
“I would just say that, in all organizations, organizations are either successful or not successful because of the people that are in it. Not just one or two people. I guess I’ll just leave it at that. Having left five or six years ago and not being (in Houston), it’s hard for me to comment or speculate on what’s happened since.”
“I would just say that, in all organizations, organizations are either successful or not successful because of the people that are in it. Not just one or two people. I guess I’ll just leave it at that. Having left five or six years ago and not being (in Houston), it’s hard for me to comment or speculate on what’s happened since.”
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