Another Episode of "Meet the County"

We're back with another member of the County. Each week we're meeting another Astros fan, asking them the same 9 questions we've posed to previous fans just learn a bit more about the 27 of us still cheering for the Astros.

On display today is Mark Bohn (@nitetimeguy). Incidentally, today is Mark's 40th Birthday! So go flood his twitter timeline with birthday wishes and topless photos of Brad Ausmus. Tell him that Terri sent you. :)

Here we go -

1. When did you become an Astros fan?

I'm a native Houstonian. I remember my dad taking me to games at the dome as I was growing up.  I'm fortunate enough to still be able to go to games with him. So, it's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my love for the team has grown more over the past 15 years or so of my life.

 

2. What part of the County do you hail from currently?

Houston,TX

 

3. Who is your all-time favorite Astros player?

Craig Biggio

 

4.) Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?

Crunchy.  Although, we have a 5 1/2 year old girl in the house who won't touch crunchy, so we have both in the pantry. (note from Terri: Smart girl!)

 

5. Who is your favorite current Astros player and why?

My favorite current Astro is Brett Wallace. I think it stems from the fact that he was part of the Roy Oswalt trade (via Toronto). Obviously, the writing was on the wall as far as what the Astros were going to do in regards to rebuilding. I remember thinking, well, if we are going to trade off our vets, then I really want the guys we get back to succeed. I don't know what the future holds for him here, it's hard to see him fitting in long term, but I admire the way he's come back from that horrific start in April. 

 

6. If you could have any role in the organization (field or front office) what would it be?

I think where the Astros have failed recently has been in interaction with the fans and community in general.  I think there needs to be a role of educator, marketer, and overall good person who can intelligently, logically, and passionately promote the Astros plan. Maybe that's Reid Ryan's job, but the only person in the organization who can adequately explain the plan for the Astros is Luhnow.  There should be a lot more excitement about the future of the team, something is missing on how that's being communicated to the fans.  Reid Ryan is a huge step in the right direction.

 

7. Best Astros memory?

Best memory is probably game 5 of '04 NLCS.  I got 4 seats in the lower level and was planning on taking my dad, fiancée, and cousin to the game. For some reason, my dad decided not to go (I still don't know why) and my mom said she wanted to go. My mom's not even a moderate fan, but maybe she just saw it was a way to experience something fun and memorable with her son, future wife, and nephew. Regardless, I was so glad she came. 

Those two seasons ('04 and '05) were just so much fun. I remember thinking after Kent hit that homer, "I can't believe it!  The Astros are going to go to the W.S." (obviously I was wrong and had to wait a year, I really thought we'd win one of those games in STL).  When Kent hit that homer we all went nuts, hugging each other and jumping up and down. It was truly a great moment for me and my family to enjoy together.

 

8. Do you get CSN Houston (this is just my informal and unscientific poll)? 

We do now. We switched to Xfinity after about a week into the season. It took basically a day of my life, but it was worth it. My own belief is that this TV deal is not going to get done anytime soon. The Astros have no leverage and the Rockets now have some with the signing of Dwight Howard, so maybe that helps. People have to switch providers and take money away from them, until that happens, I just don't see the incentive for providers to pay a premium to CSN Houston. AT&T has basically said as much. I think providers are looking to take a stand against the addition of all the RSNs and they are using CSN Houston as an example.  We had Uverse and have actually been happier with Xfinity, so no complaints on my end.

 

9. What year will the Astros once again be a contender? 

2015

Many thank to Mark Bohn for playing along with us! I know he doesn't really want you to send him topless Brad Ausmus photos, but I couldn't resist. 

Happy Birthday, Mark!

How Many People Are in this "Astros County" and Who in the World Are They?

I giggle every time I think of the premise of the Astros County site. The idea that the Astros don't have enough fans to fill a nation, but rather just a county has never been more accurate than in 2013. With that thought worming its way through my head I started to wonder about who these fans were living in my county. So it's time, Astros fans, to get to know your neighbor.

I'll be reaching out to an Astros fan each week to see what it is about this team and these people that keep us coming back year after year no matter what the team's record is or who is on the field.

I'll ask each fan the same 9 questions (9 - get it?) and we'll see how varied the answers are. I'm looking forward to getting to know the fans and I hope you find this interesting as well. If you want to play along, shoot me an email with your answers and maybe you'll be the next part of Astros County to share your fan history.

First up - @bbfanlady (she prefers we use her twitter name to protect the innocent). I can tell you this about her - she knows her stuff. A lifelong baseball fan, @bbfanlady has a great perspective on players, plays and like me, she's a fan of high socks.

1. When did you become an Astros fan? 

1999. I listened to them on the radio with my grandfather back when they were the Colt 45s, but they were my big brother's "team" so in true sibling rivalry, I had to like another team, the Dodgers, because of Sandy Koufax and Jim Lefebvre. 

2. What part of the country do you hail from currently? 

Houston Suburbs

3. Who is your all-time favorite Astros player? 

Lance Berkman 

4. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? 

Crunchy 

5. Who is your favorite current Astros player and why? 

Jarred Cosart. (Thank you Jeff Luhnow for calling him up in time for me to answer this question.) He has great stuff, love his intensity, and from what I hear from people who really know him, he is a good person off the field. 

6. If you could have any role within the Astros organization (on field or front office) what would it be? 

GM of course 

7. Best Astros memory?   

When Roger Clemens put on his cleats in extra innings of "the game" and told his Skipper, Garner, that he would give him everything he had left. It gave me goosebumps. I would not have been at all surprised if it had been Clemens instead of Burke that hit the game winning HR. 

8. Do you get CSN Houston? (this is just my informal and unscientific poll) 

Yes- broke down and got it on one TV because I was tired of watching on mlb.tv on my iPhone. Never figured out why I wasn't blacked out on iPhone, but was on iPad and computer. Guess they figured anybody desperate enough to watch on such a small screen, it was ok. But, kept my DirectTV and adding tv was basically free since I already had Internet/phone. I don't watch Comcast except for Astros games.

9. What year will the Astros once again be a contender? 

2015

Many thanks to @bbfanlady for sharing a little bit about her Astros fandom...and peanut butter preferences.