The Dugout Doctors have a story with the 10 reasons Coop got canned.
Let's look:
10. Foolishly relying upon Roy Oswalt. Surely Cooper could have had the foresight to see that Oswalt is a paper-tiger. Sure, the first eight seasons of his career were amazing, but Cooper should have seen through Oswalt’s decade of dominance and realized that he was on course for a return to earth in 2009.
This may be true. But Roy has been the ace for years. Not relying on him is more ignorant than trying to anticipate a down year. If Cooper had not run Roy out there, he would have been fired months ago. Verdict? Invalid.
9. Bringing Mike Hampton in for a Reunion Tour. What was Cooper thinking here? Hampton was ten years removed from his Cy Young runner-up season with the Astros in 1999 and five years removed from the last time he pitched over 100 innings in a season, and he gave Hampton a spot in the starting rotation.
Ed Wade brought Mike Hampton in. Had Coop not trotted him out every five days, it would have made the GM mad, and thus resulted in an earlier departure. This isn't Coop's fault. Verdict? Invalid.
8. Playing Miguel Tejada at Shortstop. Surely Cooper should have realized that Tejada has lied about his age, lied about using performance enhancing drugs, and was never that good of a defender even in his prime. Why did Cooper sign Tejada and put him at shortstop?
Tejada has had, arguably, his best year in at least three seasons, and was - at one point - hitting .380. Cooper had to put the "extra-curricular activities" aside. Cooper didn't sign Tejada. Ed Wade traded for him. Verdict? Invalid.
7. Failure to Develop Minor League Talent. Cooper failed where his predecessors did not – he never could develop young talent into legitimate major league players, relying instead upon cast-offs and failed prospects from other organizations. The Astros next manager really needs to develop talent throughout the system better.
Sure, it does not seem as though Cooper gave two craps about starting Maysonet, Johnson, or Manzella (the latter two after the Astros were well out of the race). But there has not been much minor league talent to develop, of late. Wesley Wright was a "failed prospect" from the Dodgers. Drew Locke was a "failed prospect." But I doubt the manager has the ability to look at the Double-A roster and order a player to be brought up to Round Rock. Verdict? Invalid.
6. Letting Lance Berkman Get Off to a Bad Start. Somehow, someway, Lance Berkman has never had any trouble succeeding in the early months of the season until this year. Last year, Lance was one of the elite hitters in the National League. This year, he was so-so. Shame on you, Cecil Cooper.
This is the first "reason" that can be attributed to Cooper. Lance was awful in April and May. However, since June 1, Berkman is hitting .296/.419/.533. The fact that he did not have a history of poor starts is exactly why he should have been left in the lineup. It's not Coop's fault that Lance had a career-worst year. Verdict? Invalid.
5. Signing an Aging and Inadequate Catcher to Play Full-time in the National League. There was a time when Ivan Rodriguez was an elite defensive catcher who called games very well and could hit a bit. He is no longer any of those things, and Cooper should have known it.
Again, this one's on Ed Wade. But we should give credit to Wade for spinning Pudge for two prospects when a bag of squid would have been an acceptable trade. Verdict? Invalid.
4. Putting Together the Oldest Lineup in the National League.
How are the Astros supposed to succeed when Cecil Cooper sent out a lineup everyday with an average age of 31.7 years old, the worst in the league? Plus, some of their oldest players were at key defensive positions. I would have expected Cooper to manage the roster better.
Now, could Cooper have managed the roster better? Absolutely, but if the reason he got fired is "putting together the NL's oldest lineup," then that's on Ed Wade, as well. Maysonet should have been at 2B most of the season, but he wasn't. The guy who made $5.5 million was. Verdict? Semi-valid.
3. Allowing Russ Ortiz and Felipe Paulino to Start a Combined 28 Games. These guys went 5-16 with an ERA over 5.75 and a WHIP over 1.60. How did Cooper not make sure he had better pitchers in camp before starting the season with these guys.
Felipe Paulino has been good since he stopped getting jerked around from the bullpen to the rotation, from Round Rock to Houston. So Paulino's year is directly attributed to Cooper. Russ Ortiz went through the same thing - getting jerked from bullpen to rotation. Coop's management of the pitching staff is one of the Main Reasons he got canned. Verdict? Valid.
2. Stocking the Bench with Jeff Keppinger, Chris Coste, Humberto Quintero, Jason Michaels, and Darin Erstad. If I had the oldest starting lineup in baseball, I sure would hope to have some solid bats on my bench. But between these five reserves, the only ones with 100 or more plate appearances after the starters, the Astros have a batting average under .250, an on-base percentage under .300, and an OPS well under the league average. I hope Cooper plans to have more depth at his next stop.
Again, attributed to Ed Wade. Cooper can only play the guys he has on the roster. Verdict? Invalid.
1. Playing in the NL’s Toughest Division with the NL’s Thinnest Roster. Facts are facts, people: the NL Central has six teams, which is more than any other division. So, to compete in the NL Central, a team needs to be better than five teams, not just four or three. And when three of those teams are the young up-and-coming Milwaukee Brewers, the cash-flush Chicago Cubs, and the ingeniously-run St. Louis Cardinals, you gotta come to the field with more than just Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada. You have to have guys who can pinch-hit, who can get on base, who can field the ball, and who can pitch six innings a game without giving the game away. The Astros didn’t have that this year.
Again, Cooper can only play the hand he was dealt. Saying that Coop got fired because of the division is really attributing blame to Bud Selig and alignment. Verdict? Invalid.
I'll say this. This is more like an assembly of reasons why the Astros were a wreck this season, and if the extension of that is firing Cecil Cooper, okay. Cooper was guilty of Starting Quarterback Syndrome (SQS), in which you play the guys who make the most money, not the guys more deserving of taking the field. ("Who's the Starting QB? Player X, because he makes $10 million, and Player Y is playing for league minimum.") But these ten are not the reasons that Cooper was fired.
UPDATE: If this article was intended to show that the Astros are blaming Cooper for front office problems, then this is genius. And I withdraw any intended criticism.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thank God, something to talk about other than the Big Club
Nice article on Jordan Lyles, from his hometown paper.
What was the difference for Lyles in 2009?
“I think the biggest difference this year was really just learning how to pitch and learning how to scout an opposing team. I was used to playing every day in high school. Now I have five days between starts to sit in the dugout and watch the other team hit. After a while, you start to learn where you want to attack certain players and where you want to stay away from others. About a quarter of the way through the season, I made it a point to utilize both sides of the plate. Before, I hadn’t gone inside too much. I think that was one of the things that really started to keep the hitters off-balance.”
Legends' pitching coach Travis Driskill:
“Jordan has a special fastball. It almost seems to speed up as it comes to the plate. In reality, it’s just maintaining a constant speed from the mound to the plate. But movement and location are what make it so effective. Even when Jordan throws it for a ball on purpose, he still gets hitters to swing.”
Lyles, on his curve:
“I didn’t really have too much of a curveball to begin with. It was one of those slow, looping curves that just gave the batters something different to look at. But after a while, I was able to tighten up the spin and speed it up a little. Now I’m pretty comfortable using it as an out pitch, too.”
Driskill, on where Lyles will be in 2010:
"I'm 99.9% sure he'll be at Lancaster next year, or maybe even Corpus Christi. Jordan’s grown a lot this year as both a player and a person. I’m sure he’s not too far off from realizing his big-league dream.”
What was the difference for Lyles in 2009?
“I think the biggest difference this year was really just learning how to pitch and learning how to scout an opposing team. I was used to playing every day in high school. Now I have five days between starts to sit in the dugout and watch the other team hit. After a while, you start to learn where you want to attack certain players and where you want to stay away from others. About a quarter of the way through the season, I made it a point to utilize both sides of the plate. Before, I hadn’t gone inside too much. I think that was one of the things that really started to keep the hitters off-balance.”
Legends' pitching coach Travis Driskill:
“Jordan has a special fastball. It almost seems to speed up as it comes to the plate. In reality, it’s just maintaining a constant speed from the mound to the plate. But movement and location are what make it so effective. Even when Jordan throws it for a ball on purpose, he still gets hitters to swing.”
Lyles, on his curve:
“I didn’t really have too much of a curveball to begin with. It was one of those slow, looping curves that just gave the batters something different to look at. But after a while, I was able to tighten up the spin and speed it up a little. Now I’m pretty comfortable using it as an out pitch, too.”
Driskill, on where Lyles will be in 2010:
"I'm 99.9% sure he'll be at Lancaster next year, or maybe even Corpus Christi. Jordan’s grown a lot this year as both a player and a person. I’m sure he’s not too far off from realizing his big-league dream.”
Clark, on his managerial style
McTaggart has a profile on interim manager Dave Clark, and we learn about his style.
Clark:
"My message was that we're going to continue to play hard and play the game the right way. You're dealing with a veteran ballclub, so you have guys that do that. You want a different type of attitude to be established around here, and that's what happens when you know there's someone new at the helm. I think I bring more of an unbeat, aggressive-type attitude. The players know that and expect that."
When it comes to handling his pitching staff, Clark wants to give the starting pitcher a chance to pitch deep into games.
"Deep," apparently meaning 3.2IP and 56 pitches (I know, I know. Bazardo was getting shelled.)
And on not playing the young'uns? It's because Clark is afraid the Cardinals will take their per diem.
"Not to say these kids aren't going to be good players, because I really and truly believe they are, but it's going to take some time and maturity and take running them out there to see what they're capable of doing. I'm not going to do that against a team like the Cardinals. They will be given that opportunity [to prove they can play]," he said. "Do they have the ability? Yes they do."
Clark:
"My message was that we're going to continue to play hard and play the game the right way. You're dealing with a veteran ballclub, so you have guys that do that. You want a different type of attitude to be established around here, and that's what happens when you know there's someone new at the helm. I think I bring more of an unbeat, aggressive-type attitude. The players know that and expect that."
When it comes to handling his pitching staff, Clark wants to give the starting pitcher a chance to pitch deep into games.
"Deep," apparently meaning 3.2IP and 56 pitches (I know, I know. Bazardo was getting shelled.)
And on not playing the young'uns? It's because Clark is afraid the Cardinals will take their per diem.
"Not to say these kids aren't going to be good players, because I really and truly believe they are, but it's going to take some time and maturity and take running them out there to see what they're capable of doing. I'm not going to do that against a team like the Cardinals. They will be given that opportunity [to prove they can play]," he said. "Do they have the ability? Yes they do."
Astros are cheap: Exhibit Q
David Coleman had an interesting post linked to by Rob Neyer (Coleman 1, Astros County 0) about the Astros' tendency to low-ball their draft picks.
Coleman:
Out of those five seasons, the Astros have spent the least amount of money on draft picks of any team. That's dead last. I took the average of the median bonus spending in each of those five drafts and the Astros aren't even within a million dollars of that average. In fact, there are only four teams that are over 1 million short of the league average for slot spending: the Angels, the Mets, the White Sox and the Astros.
Read the whole thing.
Coleman:
Out of those five seasons, the Astros have spent the least amount of money on draft picks of any team. That's dead last. I took the average of the median bonus spending in each of those five drafts and the Astros aren't even within a million dollars of that average. In fact, there are only four teams that are over 1 million short of the league average for slot spending: the Angels, the Mets, the White Sox and the Astros.
Read the whole thing.
Wade, on managerial search; Roy, and Arias
Ed Wade made some comments on the managerial search. Namely, interviews might start before the season ends.
“We haven't really sat down and had the in-depth internal conversations with regard to candidates. In all candor, I don't envision this process beginning before the end of the season. Now don't call me a liar if by some chance if we end up interviewing somebody in the interim. I just don't think it's going to flow at that pace. We'll have our internal discussions and try to come up with a manageable list and then begin the process at some point there after.”
-
Roy Oswalt, shut down since last week, will head to Dallas to see a back specialist for a second opinion on his jacked up back.
Wade:
“I don't know if you'd call it arthritic changes or just the changes in his back. He's just going to go see. I don't think he's looking for a contrary position but just more information.”
It's still not considered a surgical situation, because that procedure runs the risk of Roy losing feeling in his left leg.
-
Arias will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee today, to remove a piece of the bone, alleviating the rubbing of a tendon running to his hamstring.
“I'm a bit nervous. I've never had surgery. They're going to remove that little bone right there. I'll be ready to pitch in winter ball in the Dominican.”
-
“We haven't really sat down and had the in-depth internal conversations with regard to candidates. In all candor, I don't envision this process beginning before the end of the season. Now don't call me a liar if by some chance if we end up interviewing somebody in the interim. I just don't think it's going to flow at that pace. We'll have our internal discussions and try to come up with a manageable list and then begin the process at some point there after.”
-
Roy Oswalt, shut down since last week, will head to Dallas to see a back specialist for a second opinion on his jacked up back.
Wade:
“I don't know if you'd call it arthritic changes or just the changes in his back. He's just going to go see. I don't think he's looking for a contrary position but just more information.”
It's still not considered a surgical situation, because that procedure runs the risk of Roy losing feeling in his left leg.
-
Arias will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee today, to remove a piece of the bone, alleviating the rubbing of a tendon running to his hamstring.
“I'm a bit nervous. I've never had surgery. They're going to remove that little bone right there. I'll be ready to pitch in winter ball in the Dominican.”
-
We could be seeing a celebration tonight
But it won't be the Astros doing the celebrating. St. Louis can clinch the NL Central tonight with a win over a team somewhat resembling the Houston Astros.
Dave Clark:
“You know what, you don't ever want that to happen in your own backyard. It's one of the reasons why I'm playing the guys that I'm playing. We're not going to just make it easy for anyone. Really and truly that would be embarrassing to the game, and we're not going to allow that to happen.”
I can think of a lot of things about this team that are embarrassing, and letting the Cardinals dance on the pitcher's mound might actually send the message to Drayton. That wouldn't be embarrassing, that would be what they call in education a "teachable moment."
Clark continues:
“The biggest thing that I'm impressed with is that the guys aren't quitting, probably one of the easiest things to do. But they're not going to quit. They're going to continue to go out and play hard. And right now that's basically all we could ask for. But a win wouldn't hurt.”
Tejada echoes:
“I'm not quitting. I always say I respect all my fans. I respect everybody who came to see the game and wear the uniform. I've been professional all my career, and the last thing that I would do is quit.”
Dave Clark:
“You know what, you don't ever want that to happen in your own backyard. It's one of the reasons why I'm playing the guys that I'm playing. We're not going to just make it easy for anyone. Really and truly that would be embarrassing to the game, and we're not going to allow that to happen.”
I can think of a lot of things about this team that are embarrassing, and letting the Cardinals dance on the pitcher's mound might actually send the message to Drayton. That wouldn't be embarrassing, that would be what they call in education a "teachable moment."
Clark continues:
“The biggest thing that I'm impressed with is that the guys aren't quitting, probably one of the easiest things to do. But they're not going to quit. They're going to continue to go out and play hard. And right now that's basically all we could ask for. But a win wouldn't hurt.”
Tejada echoes:
“I'm not quitting. I always say I respect all my fans. I respect everybody who came to see the game and wear the uniform. I've been professional all my career, and the last thing that I would do is quit.”
Recap for G151 - Cardinals at Astros
This is getting old. The Astros have now scored nine runs in their last five games, after getting smoked, 11-2 at the hands of St. Louis. The Astros have now lost nine straight for the first time since 2007 (10 straight). Let's just do the thing:
Bazardo: 3.2IP, 6H/6ER, 2K:2BB, 14/18 First-pitch strikes, 14/35 non-contact strikes (9c:5s)
Wright: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/6 FPS, 6/15 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 3/8 NCS (3c)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 4/5 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paronto: 1IP, 4H/2ER, 5/7 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 4/5 FPS, 4/14 NCS (4s)
Astros pitchers threw first-pitch strikes to 32 of 44 Cardinals batters. And Bazardo actually started this game off dealing - getting the first seven Cards he saw, throwing first-pitch strikes to four of the six batters. Ahh, but then in the third, three runs scored on three hits and two walks. In the fourth, three more runs scored on four hits. It's amazing how quickly this outing imploded for Bazardo, but it's also not as if the bullpen came in and shut the Cardinals down, as St. Louis went ahead and scored five more runs in 5.1IP.
The key to this game could have been in the fourth for the Astros. St. Louis had a 6-0 lead, and if the Astros wanted to make an immediate statement, it would have been here. Miguel Tejada led off the inning with a double. Berkman worked a walk, and Carlos Lee got a single. That's bases loaded with nobody out. Blum hit a sac fly to score Tejada, Pence struck out swinging, and Keppinger grounded out to second to end the inning. Six plate appearances, one run.
Let's give some credit to Darin Erstad, who had a 10-pitch pinch-hit strikeout.
Man of the Match: Miguel Tejada, who went 3x4 with an RBI, and a run scored.
Goat of the Game: Yorman Bazardo. Started strong and completely fell apart. A living, breathing metaphor.
Bazardo: 3.2IP, 6H/6ER, 2K:2BB, 14/18 First-pitch strikes, 14/35 non-contact strikes (9c:5s)
Wright: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 3/6 FPS, 6/15 NCS (5c:1s)
Brocail: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 3/8 NCS (3c)
Byrdak: 1IP, 1H/1ER, 1K:1BB, 4/5 FPS, 4/8 NCS (2c:2s)
Paronto: 1IP, 4H/2ER, 5/7 FPS, 6/16 NCS (5c:1s)
Valverde: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 4/5 FPS, 4/14 NCS (4s)
Astros pitchers threw first-pitch strikes to 32 of 44 Cardinals batters. And Bazardo actually started this game off dealing - getting the first seven Cards he saw, throwing first-pitch strikes to four of the six batters. Ahh, but then in the third, three runs scored on three hits and two walks. In the fourth, three more runs scored on four hits. It's amazing how quickly this outing imploded for Bazardo, but it's also not as if the bullpen came in and shut the Cardinals down, as St. Louis went ahead and scored five more runs in 5.1IP.
The key to this game could have been in the fourth for the Astros. St. Louis had a 6-0 lead, and if the Astros wanted to make an immediate statement, it would have been here. Miguel Tejada led off the inning with a double. Berkman worked a walk, and Carlos Lee got a single. That's bases loaded with nobody out. Blum hit a sac fly to score Tejada, Pence struck out swinging, and Keppinger grounded out to second to end the inning. Six plate appearances, one run.
Let's give some credit to Darin Erstad, who had a 10-pitch pinch-hit strikeout.
Man of the Match: Miguel Tejada, who went 3x4 with an RBI, and a run scored.
Goat of the Game: Yorman Bazardo. Started strong and completely fell apart. A living, breathing metaphor.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Arias done for the year
McTaggart and Footer are tweeting that Alberto Arias is done for the year after he has knee surgery tomorrow.
And Oswalt is going to get a second opinion on his back.
The Houston Press has your vote of confidence...
And it's tucked, somewhere. The HP headline is "Your next Houston Astros manager should be..." But there's only who it shouldn't be. And I'm sure this is what Drayton means when he says the Astros have the best fans in baseball:
Seeing as it's Drayton McLane doing the hiring, I'm sure that no matter who gets the job it will be the wrong person.
In the worthwhile portion of this post, Royal crosses names off the list.
Dave Clark: Clark's primary qualification for the job seems to be that the players really, really, really like him. His other qualification seems to be that he's been the team's third-base coach, and he's sucked as badly as a third-base coach as Cooper sucked while he was Phil Garner's bench coach. So while it's okay to let Clark run out the string, it's probably safe to say that if this guy is managing the team in 2010 then this team will probably suck just as bad as this current team.
Jim Fregosi: Fregosi led the then-California Angels to their first playoff spot in 1979, and he led the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 1993 -- he was also the guy the Angels traded for Nolan Ryan. But he's not known for his ability to develop young players, and he's also known as a guy who tends to let the players run the clubhouse, and I would think the Astros are tired of guys like Carlos Lee leading the clubhouse.
Manny Acta: Acta had the misfortune of managing the Nationals, who have been one of the worst teams in baseball since moving from Montreal to Washington. This was more the fault of a bungling front office than it was Acta, but seeing as how the Astros' front office has been a bunch of bungling fools since Gerry Hunsicker left, and seeing as how the Astros seem to be as bereft of talent as the Nationals, then Acta is the wrong guy. This guy might be able to win with talent, but he's proven that he can't win with old, washed-up veterans and a non-existent pitching rotation.
Al Pedrique: Pedrique seems to be under consideration because he's already part of the Astros system. And frankly, seeing how awful the Astros organization has been this decade, that should be an automatic disqualification.
Jeff Bagwell/Craig Biggio: Jeff Bagwell has given no indication that he wants to manage...And watching Craig Biggio's "me first" form of playing should be evidence that he shouldn't be a major-league manager. Besides, except for Biggio with a bunch of high school kids, none of these guys has any managing experience. We're talking Drayton McLane here, so their lack of managing experience doesn't matter because he probably thinks -- and is probably right -- that there would be enough fools out in the city who would buy tickets for Astros games because one of these guys was managing.
Brad Ausmus: I think Ausmus would be a fantastic manager. Some of the best current managers are former catchers -- Mike Scioscia with the Angels, Joe Girardi with the Yankees, Joe Torre with the Dodgers, and Bruce Bochy with the Giants are just four that I can think of. But I also think he needs to actually earn a managing job. Let him go to the minors for a couple of years, or work as a bench coach. But his first job upon retiring as an active player shouldn't be as the manager of the Houston Astros.
Back on September 8, Royal put forth Frank Robinson as an option for Coop's replacement. He is also someone who would punch Lance Berkman in the mouth (but he'll have to get in line). Royal said:
He has never managed a team to the playoffs. So he appears to be just another manager who has been given the opportunity to fail with multiple managing jobs. But it's for this reason that he's the best possible manager for the Astros next season...Robinson was able to get Alfonso Soriano to stop pouting and to make an effort when he was forced to change positions, so think of what he could with the likes of Carlos Lee. And if Robinson couldn't command the respect of the Astros clubhouse, then it's just not possible to tame that clubhouse and massive changes elsewhere need to be made.
Seeing as it's Drayton McLane doing the hiring, I'm sure that no matter who gets the job it will be the wrong person.
In the worthwhile portion of this post, Royal crosses names off the list.
Dave Clark: Clark's primary qualification for the job seems to be that the players really, really, really like him. His other qualification seems to be that he's been the team's third-base coach, and he's sucked as badly as a third-base coach as Cooper sucked while he was Phil Garner's bench coach. So while it's okay to let Clark run out the string, it's probably safe to say that if this guy is managing the team in 2010 then this team will probably suck just as bad as this current team.
Jim Fregosi: Fregosi led the then-California Angels to their first playoff spot in 1979, and he led the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 1993 -- he was also the guy the Angels traded for Nolan Ryan. But he's not known for his ability to develop young players, and he's also known as a guy who tends to let the players run the clubhouse, and I would think the Astros are tired of guys like Carlos Lee leading the clubhouse.
Manny Acta: Acta had the misfortune of managing the Nationals, who have been one of the worst teams in baseball since moving from Montreal to Washington. This was more the fault of a bungling front office than it was Acta, but seeing as how the Astros' front office has been a bunch of bungling fools since Gerry Hunsicker left, and seeing as how the Astros seem to be as bereft of talent as the Nationals, then Acta is the wrong guy. This guy might be able to win with talent, but he's proven that he can't win with old, washed-up veterans and a non-existent pitching rotation.
Al Pedrique: Pedrique seems to be under consideration because he's already part of the Astros system. And frankly, seeing how awful the Astros organization has been this decade, that should be an automatic disqualification.
Jeff Bagwell/Craig Biggio: Jeff Bagwell has given no indication that he wants to manage...And watching Craig Biggio's "me first" form of playing should be evidence that he shouldn't be a major-league manager. Besides, except for Biggio with a bunch of high school kids, none of these guys has any managing experience. We're talking Drayton McLane here, so their lack of managing experience doesn't matter because he probably thinks -- and is probably right -- that there would be enough fools out in the city who would buy tickets for Astros games because one of these guys was managing.
Brad Ausmus: I think Ausmus would be a fantastic manager. Some of the best current managers are former catchers -- Mike Scioscia with the Angels, Joe Girardi with the Yankees, Joe Torre with the Dodgers, and Bruce Bochy with the Giants are just four that I can think of. But I also think he needs to actually earn a managing job. Let him go to the minors for a couple of years, or work as a bench coach. But his first job upon retiring as an active player shouldn't be as the manager of the Houston Astros.
Back on September 8, Royal put forth Frank Robinson as an option for Coop's replacement. He is also someone who would punch Lance Berkman in the mouth (but he'll have to get in line). Royal said:
He has never managed a team to the playoffs. So he appears to be just another manager who has been given the opportunity to fail with multiple managing jobs. But it's for this reason that he's the best possible manager for the Astros next season...Robinson was able to get Alfonso Soriano to stop pouting and to make an effort when he was forced to change positions, so think of what he could with the likes of Carlos Lee. And if Robinson couldn't command the respect of the Astros clubhouse, then it's just not possible to tame that clubhouse and massive changes elsewhere need to be made.
Lineup for G151 - Cardinals @ Astros
So I've kind of mailed it in as far as the matchups go. If there is screaming and hollering, I'll bring it back for the last 10 games of the season. If not, well, we'll do it again for G1 - Giants @ Astros in 2010.
Anyhow, McTaggart has your lineup. Matsui has himself a seat, and Towles gets the start, presumably for catching Bazardo this season in Round Rock.
Bourn CF
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Blum 3B
Pence RF
Keppinger 2B
Towles C
Bazardo P
Anyhow, McTaggart has your lineup. Matsui has himself a seat, and Towles gets the start, presumably for catching Bazardo this season in Round Rock.
Bourn CF
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Blum 3B
Pence RF
Keppinger 2B
Towles C
Bazardo P
Coop's hometown paper weighs in
Richard Bray, Sports Editor of the Brenham Banner-Press, reflects on Brenham native Cecil Cooper:
"It’s possible that the Astros can find a manager who will turn things around, maybe even one who can inspire this core group of players on to the playoffs next season.
But the Astros won’t find someone with a greater appreciation for the game of baseball, or anyone who could match his dignity.
He may not have gotten that World Series ring for the Astros, but Cooper represented that team and his hometown as well as anybody could have asked. He truly is one of the nice guys in baseball, and that shouldn’t be lost in the disappointments of the Astros’ 2009 season."
"It’s possible that the Astros can find a manager who will turn things around, maybe even one who can inspire this core group of players on to the playoffs next season.
But the Astros won’t find someone with a greater appreciation for the game of baseball, or anyone who could match his dignity.
He may not have gotten that World Series ring for the Astros, but Cooper represented that team and his hometown as well as anybody could have asked. He truly is one of the nice guys in baseball, and that shouldn’t be lost in the disappointments of the Astros’ 2009 season."
AC on Baseball Reflections
Check out a post I wrote this morning for Pete at Baseball Reflections on Coop's firing. Give him some hits.
Ken Rosenthal: Astros are "tone-deaf"
"As usual, the Astros were tone-deaf to their players, and tone-deaf to the situation that they were in."
Rosenthal puts forth Bagwell's name as a possibility, but notes, "More likely the Astros will go for an experienced manager, like Manny Acta...or Jim Fregosi...
...Frankly, it doesn't matter who the next manager is until the Astros realize they need to tear down and build back up again. And that's not something Drayton McLane wants to do."
Rosenthal puts forth Bagwell's name as a possibility, but notes, "More likely the Astros will go for an experienced manager, like Manny Acta...or Jim Fregosi...
...Frankly, it doesn't matter who the next manager is until the Astros realize they need to tear down and build back up again. And that's not something Drayton McLane wants to do."
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.
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.
Ringolsby: Houston has always been cheap, and stupid
Nothing like kicking you when you're down. Tracy Ringolsby takes some time in Baseball America to discuss the draft, and specifically the 1992 draft, which AC has discussed. What happened in 1992? That was the non-Jeter draft, but we get some insight as to how that went down.
When Derek Jeter became the all-time Yankees hits leader in September, it underscored the failures of other teams.
Jeter was no secret. He was not a matter of the Yankees outbidding anybody else. He slipped to the Yankees because four other teams did not understand the value of the investment they could have made in drafting Jeter.
If the late Hal Newhouser, a Hall of Fame pitcher turned scout, had gotten his way, the Yankees would have never had the chance to draft Jeter. Newhouser was an area scout for the Astros in Michigan in 1992, when Jeter was drafted out of high school.
The Astros had the No. 1 pick in the draft. Owner John McMullen set a $700,000 limit on the signing bonus. While the word among scouts was that Jeter, who had a scholarship to Michigan, would take $1 million to sign, Newhouse lobbied for the Astros to draft him and claimed he could sign Jeter for $750,000.
That was $50,000 over the Astros' self-imposed limit, so they instead drafted Phil Nevin, prompting Newhouser to quit.
Nevin became a solid big league player—though after the Astros essentially gave up on him. No knock on that. But Jeter has evolved into an eventual Hall of Famer, a team leader in addition to an excellent shortstop with offensive ability.
And he would have been an Astro if the organization had been willing to invest in adding the best young players available. Newhouser knew that. Nobody in Houston, however, would listen.
Weep, friends.
When Derek Jeter became the all-time Yankees hits leader in September, it underscored the failures of other teams.
Jeter was no secret. He was not a matter of the Yankees outbidding anybody else. He slipped to the Yankees because four other teams did not understand the value of the investment they could have made in drafting Jeter.
If the late Hal Newhouser, a Hall of Fame pitcher turned scout, had gotten his way, the Yankees would have never had the chance to draft Jeter. Newhouser was an area scout for the Astros in Michigan in 1992, when Jeter was drafted out of high school.
The Astros had the No. 1 pick in the draft. Owner John McMullen set a $700,000 limit on the signing bonus. While the word among scouts was that Jeter, who had a scholarship to Michigan, would take $1 million to sign, Newhouse lobbied for the Astros to draft him and claimed he could sign Jeter for $750,000.
That was $50,000 over the Astros' self-imposed limit, so they instead drafted Phil Nevin, prompting Newhouser to quit.
Nevin became a solid big league player—though after the Astros essentially gave up on him. No knock on that. But Jeter has evolved into an eventual Hall of Famer, a team leader in addition to an excellent shortstop with offensive ability.
And he would have been an Astro if the organization had been willing to invest in adding the best young players available. Newhouser knew that. Nobody in Houston, however, would listen.
Weep, friends.
Rosenthal is mean, again
In Ken Rosenthal's column this morning, he has not nice things to say about Manager 18:
Good luck trying to predict which unlucky soul Astros owner Drayton McLane will hire as the team's next manager. General manager Ed Wade and club president Tal Smith will offer significant input, but McLane, as always, will have the final say.
The Astros, after firing Cecil Cooper, are more likely to opt for an experienced manager than another first-time selection, according to a source with knowledge of the club's thinking.
The hard part?
The Astros' next manager must navigate a tricky balance — the team is starting to infuse youth but also includes a number of declining veterans. McLane refuses to permit a complete overhaul, limiting his franchise's upside.
Good luck trying to predict which unlucky soul Astros owner Drayton McLane will hire as the team's next manager. General manager Ed Wade and club president Tal Smith will offer significant input, but McLane, as always, will have the final say.
The Astros, after firing Cecil Cooper, are more likely to opt for an experienced manager than another first-time selection, according to a source with knowledge of the club's thinking.
The hard part?
The Astros' next manager must navigate a tricky balance — the team is starting to infuse youth but also includes a number of declining veterans. McLane refuses to permit a complete overhaul, limiting his franchise's upside.
Justice's Managerial Front-runner
Richard Justice has a name at the top of his list:
Former manager Jim Fregosi is there, though Dave Clark, Manny Acta, Tim Bogar, Jeff Bagwell and Brad Ausmus are on his list, too.
He worked with Wade during six years as manager of the Phillies, was the manager when the Phils won the 1993 National League pennant and has remained close to him.
Ed would have to sell Drayton on the choice. Fregosi may be a little too opinionated and a little too profane for Drayton. He's also 67 years old and hasn't managed a big league game in nine years.
He has remained close to the game working as a scout and is held in high regard by people at all levels of the game. He was a six-time All-Star during an 18-year playing career. Perhaps the biggest selling point is that he would bring a toughness the Astros need.
Ed Wade and Tal Smith want an ingredient of toughness in the next manager, and they'll be closely watching to see how Dave Clark handles certain things these next two weeks.
For instance, if Carlos Lee doesn't run hard to first base, does he ignore it? Does he confront him? Does he remove him from the game?
There's a feeling in the front office that too many things were allowed to slide, and that the next manager must establish a way to play in terms of effort...
... This search should be the last one the Astros conduct for a long, long time. This is where the organizational chaos must end. They've had four managers and three general managers since the 2004 All-Star Break. No other team in baseball has had such change.
All these changes tell you is that Drayton McLane has seen the Astros as one player or one managerial switch away from being back in the playoffs. He saw his franchise for what he hoped it was instead of what it actually was....
... I'm absolutely convinced of two things. One is that Drayton now understands the importance of the draft and player development. The Astros have done an extraordinary job getting their picks signed and in uniform the last two years. It'll be awhile before we know how good the players are, but the early returns have been good.
Second, I don't think Drayton is going to talk about being a champion anytime soon. He may speak of it as an organizational goal and all of that, but he understands that the Astros have holes now and are going to have more holes next year.
The 2010 Astros are going to be significantly younger, but there's no way of knowing if they'll be significantly better. They may sign some veteran free agents, but there won't be any long-term, big-ticket signings...
...What the Astros need to do for the new manager is make a long-term commitment. They need to conduct a thorough search and then back the new guy 100 percent...
...Jeff Bagwell will be getting a call to judge his interest, but Dave Clark's six years of minor league managerial duty, gives him a huge advantage. If Bagwell were passionate about the job, he probably could have it, but I'm just not sure he wants it.
Tim Bogar will be getting a call too. He's the third-base coach for the Red Sox and a former Astro. Like Dave Clark, he's held in high esteem.
Mainly, this hiring is the start of a new day. It's not about a splashy hire or a popular hire. It's about making the right hire.
Ed Wade made two managerial hires in Philadelphia and got both of them right. Terry Francona and Charlie Manuel are among the top 10 managers in the game. If Wade sells Drayton on someone as good as those two, the Astros will be in good shape.
Former manager Jim Fregosi is there, though Dave Clark, Manny Acta, Tim Bogar, Jeff Bagwell and Brad Ausmus are on his list, too.
He worked with Wade during six years as manager of the Phillies, was the manager when the Phils won the 1993 National League pennant and has remained close to him.
Ed would have to sell Drayton on the choice. Fregosi may be a little too opinionated and a little too profane for Drayton. He's also 67 years old and hasn't managed a big league game in nine years.
He has remained close to the game working as a scout and is held in high regard by people at all levels of the game. He was a six-time All-Star during an 18-year playing career. Perhaps the biggest selling point is that he would bring a toughness the Astros need.
Ed Wade and Tal Smith want an ingredient of toughness in the next manager, and they'll be closely watching to see how Dave Clark handles certain things these next two weeks.
For instance, if Carlos Lee doesn't run hard to first base, does he ignore it? Does he confront him? Does he remove him from the game?
There's a feeling in the front office that too many things were allowed to slide, and that the next manager must establish a way to play in terms of effort...
... This search should be the last one the Astros conduct for a long, long time. This is where the organizational chaos must end. They've had four managers and three general managers since the 2004 All-Star Break. No other team in baseball has had such change.
All these changes tell you is that Drayton McLane has seen the Astros as one player or one managerial switch away from being back in the playoffs. He saw his franchise for what he hoped it was instead of what it actually was....
... I'm absolutely convinced of two things. One is that Drayton now understands the importance of the draft and player development. The Astros have done an extraordinary job getting their picks signed and in uniform the last two years. It'll be awhile before we know how good the players are, but the early returns have been good.
Second, I don't think Drayton is going to talk about being a champion anytime soon. He may speak of it as an organizational goal and all of that, but he understands that the Astros have holes now and are going to have more holes next year.
The 2010 Astros are going to be significantly younger, but there's no way of knowing if they'll be significantly better. They may sign some veteran free agents, but there won't be any long-term, big-ticket signings...
...What the Astros need to do for the new manager is make a long-term commitment. They need to conduct a thorough search and then back the new guy 100 percent...
...Jeff Bagwell will be getting a call to judge his interest, but Dave Clark's six years of minor league managerial duty, gives him a huge advantage. If Bagwell were passionate about the job, he probably could have it, but I'm just not sure he wants it.
Tim Bogar will be getting a call too. He's the third-base coach for the Red Sox and a former Astro. Like Dave Clark, he's held in high esteem.
Mainly, this hiring is the start of a new day. It's not about a splashy hire or a popular hire. It's about making the right hire.
Ed Wade made two managerial hires in Philadelphia and got both of them right. Terry Francona and Charlie Manuel are among the top 10 managers in the game. If Wade sells Drayton on someone as good as those two, the Astros will be in good shape.
JJO: Let the bodies hit the floor
JJO brings the pain:
Cooper wasn't the best manager. Heck, he wasn't even a decent manager. A decent man, but not a decent manager.
Yet, there's no way the people who fired Cooper can honestly tell the fans they put out a winning product. Pitching wins in baseball, yet Drayton McLane, Tal Smith and Ed Wade have failed to bring a quality pitcher to help Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez carry the burden.
The fans were suckered into paying quality prices for a horrible team.
I think very highly of McLane, but unfortunately he hasn't provided a quality product for the fans. If I were McLane, I wouldn't just fire the manager of this horrible team.
I'd ask serious questions and ask why the heck he's paying $107 million for such a bad team.
If Drayton really wants to gain the fans' confidence, Cooper and his coaches won't be the only one fired for this mess.
We do get some good insight as to how this all went down. Let's let Drayton fill us in:
"We waited until he arrived at the clubhouse early this afternoon and Drayton, Tal and I went down and informed him of our decision. Then I met with Dave and made him aware of what was going on and met with the coaches, and then we just finished a team meeting with the players a couple minutes ago."
When will the Astros make a decision?
"I would like to go ahead and spend the next couple of weeks or several weeks trying to really lock down a list of candidates that makes a lot of sense. From a time constraint, we're going to be probably looking at post-World Series before we get this thing done. And that's why we felt it was important to talk to our coaching staff today to make them aware of where this thing was, because I don't want them to get caught short at the back end if we decide to make changes on the coaching staff. So there are a lot of decisions to be made; we had one decision to move on today, and that was relieving Coop of his duties as manager of the Astros. We've got a lot of other decisions to make going forward, and we're going to use every amount of time to make sure we're evaluating candidates and to make sure what we're doing is not for cosmetic purposes, but for the betterment of the Houston Astros."
Cooper wasn't the best manager. Heck, he wasn't even a decent manager. A decent man, but not a decent manager.
Yet, there's no way the people who fired Cooper can honestly tell the fans they put out a winning product. Pitching wins in baseball, yet Drayton McLane, Tal Smith and Ed Wade have failed to bring a quality pitcher to help Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez carry the burden.
The fans were suckered into paying quality prices for a horrible team.
I think very highly of McLane, but unfortunately he hasn't provided a quality product for the fans. If I were McLane, I wouldn't just fire the manager of this horrible team.
I'd ask serious questions and ask why the heck he's paying $107 million for such a bad team.
If Drayton really wants to gain the fans' confidence, Cooper and his coaches won't be the only one fired for this mess.
We do get some good insight as to how this all went down. Let's let Drayton fill us in:
"We waited until he arrived at the clubhouse early this afternoon and Drayton, Tal and I went down and informed him of our decision. Then I met with Dave and made him aware of what was going on and met with the coaches, and then we just finished a team meeting with the players a couple minutes ago."
When will the Astros make a decision?
"I would like to go ahead and spend the next couple of weeks or several weeks trying to really lock down a list of candidates that makes a lot of sense. From a time constraint, we're going to be probably looking at post-World Series before we get this thing done. And that's why we felt it was important to talk to our coaching staff today to make them aware of where this thing was, because I don't want them to get caught short at the back end if we decide to make changes on the coaching staff. So there are a lot of decisions to be made; we had one decision to move on today, and that was relieving Coop of his duties as manager of the Astros. We've got a lot of other decisions to make going forward, and we're going to use every amount of time to make sure we're evaluating candidates and to make sure what we're doing is not for cosmetic purposes, but for the betterment of the Houston Astros."
Levine's take
We get some beef from Zach Levine on why Coop was canned:
My biggest complaint about Cooper's strategy in his first year in office was how liberal he was as a base stealer on behalf of his club. He either green-lighted or didn't red light players who had absolutely no business going.
To me, the nonchalance about sending runners and strict adherence to his mantra of aggressiveness demonstrated a lack of understanding of the true values of outs and extra bases, overvaluing the latter and undervaluing the former...
...Where I think he hurt the team, literally and figuratively, this year was in bullpen management, which brings me back to the Gervacio item.
Cooper very often used a variant on the talking point win today's game and then worry about tomorrow, and I never really thought he could really believe that in a 162-game sport until I think about his bullpen use.
Cooper was very reliant on his best middle reliever, Chris Sampson, who got worn down and had to have his workload seriously reduced in the minors. Then it was Alberto Arias, who picked up the slack and not necessarily relatedly was injured.
Other injuries and the fact that the Astros didn't win a lot of games were probably the only thing that saved LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde...
...Part of the wearing out had to do with short outings from the starters, and I thought some of that was the manage-for-today philosophy. I'm not going to take exception to every 4-5 inning start when the hurler was struggling, but I thought there were a few in the beginning of the season, especially involving Wandy Rodriguez, when it would have been more beneficial to leave him in than to further wear down the pen.
Putting in Gervacio to keep the Brewers from kicking the extra point on their touchdown lead struck me as another example of managing for today, and this time there was no tomorrow.
My biggest complaint about Cooper's strategy in his first year in office was how liberal he was as a base stealer on behalf of his club. He either green-lighted or didn't red light players who had absolutely no business going.
To me, the nonchalance about sending runners and strict adherence to his mantra of aggressiveness demonstrated a lack of understanding of the true values of outs and extra bases, overvaluing the latter and undervaluing the former...
...Where I think he hurt the team, literally and figuratively, this year was in bullpen management, which brings me back to the Gervacio item.
Cooper very often used a variant on the talking point win today's game and then worry about tomorrow, and I never really thought he could really believe that in a 162-game sport until I think about his bullpen use.
Cooper was very reliant on his best middle reliever, Chris Sampson, who got worn down and had to have his workload seriously reduced in the minors. Then it was Alberto Arias, who picked up the slack and not necessarily relatedly was injured.
Other injuries and the fact that the Astros didn't win a lot of games were probably the only thing that saved LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde...
...Part of the wearing out had to do with short outings from the starters, and I thought some of that was the manage-for-today philosophy. I'm not going to take exception to every 4-5 inning start when the hurler was struggling, but I thought there were a few in the beginning of the season, especially involving Wandy Rodriguez, when it would have been more beneficial to leave him in than to further wear down the pen.
Putting in Gervacio to keep the Brewers from kicking the extra point on their touchdown lead struck me as another example of managing for today, and this time there was no tomorrow.
Berkman worried about getting jacked in the face
Seriously.
Berkman:
"I think the guys respect him. If anybody mouths off to him, he'll punch him in the face because he's a Golden Glove boxer, and we all know that."
Wade:
"That's why we selected him, because we see how he goes about his business. We saw how he handled himself at the minor league level, and we've seen how he conducts himself at the big league level with the rapport he's created with the players and his stand-up personality."
But the Astros don't need to go 2-10 in their last ten games to get rid of Clark, either. Wade:
“The reality is it's going to come down to the players. Clark will be able to apply his managerial style for 13 days, but it's going to fall on the players to step up and put their best foot forward.”
Clark:
“You're dealing with a veteran-type ballclub. The only thing that you can basically change is the attitude for the most part. I've always been that guy who firmly believed that the team takes on the attitude of the manager — of the leader of that team — and of the coaching staff. If I can bring that attitude here, that's what I'm going to do.”
Bourn:
"We just move forward and try to play hard for our next manager and finish out strong."
Pence:
"It all rests on us, all of it. We're the ones out there playing; we're the ones that have a chance to make a difference."
Berkman:
"I think the guys respect him. If anybody mouths off to him, he'll punch him in the face because he's a Golden Glove boxer, and we all know that."
Wade:
"That's why we selected him, because we see how he goes about his business. We saw how he handled himself at the minor league level, and we've seen how he conducts himself at the big league level with the rapport he's created with the players and his stand-up personality."
But the Astros don't need to go 2-10 in their last ten games to get rid of Clark, either. Wade:
“The reality is it's going to come down to the players. Clark will be able to apply his managerial style for 13 days, but it's going to fall on the players to step up and put their best foot forward.”
Clark:
“You're dealing with a veteran-type ballclub. The only thing that you can basically change is the attitude for the most part. I've always been that guy who firmly believed that the team takes on the attitude of the manager — of the leader of that team — and of the coaching staff. If I can bring that attitude here, that's what I'm going to do.”
Bourn:
"We just move forward and try to play hard for our next manager and finish out strong."
Pence:
"It all rests on us, all of it. We're the ones out there playing; we're the ones that have a chance to make a difference."
Dave Clark will run some things by Wade
If you thought, like I did, that Clark just copied a previous lineup because of short notice of actually being the manager, you're wrong.
Just because Cooper is gone does not mean that you'll be seeing Chris Johnson, Tommy Manzella, or Edwin Maysonet.
"We're going to try to mix them in whenever we can. Right now, we're going to try to win ... against the Cardinals. We've got three games against those guys that we're going to try to win starting tonight. Whatever I decide to do with the lineup, of course, I'll talk it over with the staff and with Ed (Wade) and we'll make a decision accordingly. But right now, my main concentration is (Monday's) game."
-
And fare thee well, Billy Sadler. Sadler was sent home with the shoulder dyskenesis after being placed on the 60-Day DL. He pitched in one game.
Just because Cooper is gone does not mean that you'll be seeing Chris Johnson, Tommy Manzella, or Edwin Maysonet.
"We're going to try to mix them in whenever we can. Right now, we're going to try to win ... against the Cardinals. We've got three games against those guys that we're going to try to win starting tonight. Whatever I decide to do with the lineup, of course, I'll talk it over with the staff and with Ed (Wade) and we'll make a decision accordingly. But right now, my main concentration is (Monday's) game."
-
And fare thee well, Billy Sadler. Sadler was sent home with the shoulder dyskenesis after being placed on the 60-Day DL. He pitched in one game.
Our problem is that we win too much
It's the same linked article as the previous post. But Drayton tells us our problem:
"Part of our problem is that we've become accustomed to winning, this franchise has. But isn't it true that almost every college team, high school team, pro team, they go through cycles. Nobody wins all the time."
And Ed Wade says the manager really doesn't matter much to fans, anyway:
"Anybody who follows baseball is fickle. You have to be. In a 162-game season, we all have a chance to fall in and out of love with teams and players and favorites. We live in the highs and lows. We recognize that. I don't think anybody buys a ticket to watch the manager manage or the third-base coach wave baserunners home. They come to see the players. Talent rules the day, and performance rules the day...
...Some of the most successful clubs in baseball history were ones where they absolutely hated the manager and the manager was the antithesis of the type of person they wanted to hang around. Other clubs couldn't give enough hugs to managers who went home every September (rather than to the playoffs)."
Berkman, however, makes it personal:
"The bottom line is that we didn't get it done on the field,” Berkman said. “I feel personally responsible for it. It's not a fun day."
No, it's not a fun day, and yes, Lance, you should feel some responsibility for this.
"Part of our problem is that we've become accustomed to winning, this franchise has. But isn't it true that almost every college team, high school team, pro team, they go through cycles. Nobody wins all the time."
And Ed Wade says the manager really doesn't matter much to fans, anyway:
"Anybody who follows baseball is fickle. You have to be. In a 162-game season, we all have a chance to fall in and out of love with teams and players and favorites. We live in the highs and lows. We recognize that. I don't think anybody buys a ticket to watch the manager manage or the third-base coach wave baserunners home. They come to see the players. Talent rules the day, and performance rules the day...
...Some of the most successful clubs in baseball history were ones where they absolutely hated the manager and the manager was the antithesis of the type of person they wanted to hang around. Other clubs couldn't give enough hugs to managers who went home every September (rather than to the playoffs)."
Berkman, however, makes it personal:
"The bottom line is that we didn't get it done on the field,” Berkman said. “I feel personally responsible for it. It's not a fun day."
No, it's not a fun day, and yes, Lance, you should feel some responsibility for this.
Why yesterday?
So the question today is why did Coop get fired yesterday, of all days?
David Barron:
Some fans thought the Astros were trying to force their way back into the headlines in the wake of the Texans' win Sunday. Others took the opposite tack — that the Astros opted for cover of darkness in the wake of the Texans' victory.
Regardless of the reason, Ernest Moreno, the night's ranking Little Puma, said he believes Cooper was made the scapegoat for failed decisions and substandard performances that were outside his control.
“It's been an accumulation of things — one bad decision after another, like thinking we can put a team together with retreads like Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz,” he said. “I'm sorry, but that's not how you build a team.”
I'll disagree with trying to do it under the radar. Or that they were trying to compete with the Texans for headlines. I'll agree with Moreno that it was one bad decision after another, some outside of Coop's control.
Here's what I'll say: The Astros were technically in contention until Sunday, when their sixth straight loss mathematically eliminated them from the NL Central title. Couple that with how terrible the Astros have been since sweeping the Phillies (still the most improbable series of wins this season), and coming home for a little homestand, and you're down a manager. But I think there is something else at play. I take Ed Wade and Run-DMc at their word when they say that Coop is a good baseball man. So when Coop comes home after a long losing streak to face a team the Astros have little chance to beat - even in baseball - I think the Astros made that move yesterday while Coop's managerial record was above .500 at 171-170. They threw a bone to a good man who did a bad job.
David Barron:
Some fans thought the Astros were trying to force their way back into the headlines in the wake of the Texans' win Sunday. Others took the opposite tack — that the Astros opted for cover of darkness in the wake of the Texans' victory.
Regardless of the reason, Ernest Moreno, the night's ranking Little Puma, said he believes Cooper was made the scapegoat for failed decisions and substandard performances that were outside his control.
“It's been an accumulation of things — one bad decision after another, like thinking we can put a team together with retreads like Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz,” he said. “I'm sorry, but that's not how you build a team.”
I'll disagree with trying to do it under the radar. Or that they were trying to compete with the Texans for headlines. I'll agree with Moreno that it was one bad decision after another, some outside of Coop's control.
Here's what I'll say: The Astros were technically in contention until Sunday, when their sixth straight loss mathematically eliminated them from the NL Central title. Couple that with how terrible the Astros have been since sweeping the Phillies (still the most improbable series of wins this season), and coming home for a little homestand, and you're down a manager. But I think there is something else at play. I take Ed Wade and Run-DMc at their word when they say that Coop is a good baseball man. So when Coop comes home after a long losing streak to face a team the Astros have little chance to beat - even in baseball - I think the Astros made that move yesterday while Coop's managerial record was above .500 at 171-170. They threw a bone to a good man who did a bad job.
Recap for G150 - Cardinals at Astros
Different game, different manager, same lineup, same result. The Astros have lost seven straight, after getting shelled by the Cardinals, 7-3.
Dave Clark put Berkman back in the #3 spot, and he responded with two of the Astros' six hits, but Wandy let the game get out of hand before the Astros had a chance to get going. Wandy gave up three extra-base hits in a losing effort. Let's do the thing:
Wandy: 5IP, 9H/6ER, 5K:0BB, 9/23 first-pitch strikes, 26/57 non-contact strikes (13c:13s)
Paronto: 1IP, 3H/1ER, 1K, 5/6 FPS, 8/13 NCS (4c:4s)
Gervacio: 1IP, 2H, 1/3 FPS, 2/7 NCS (1c:1s)
Lopez: 1IP, 1H, 4/4 FPS, 3/8 NCS (2c:1s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 1/4 NCS (1c)
Wandy only threw 9 first-pitch strikes to the 23 batters he faced, nine of which got on base, six of those scored. That said, the bullpen only allowed one run - Paronto gave up DeRosa's second homer of the game - over 4IP.
Tejada and Berkman each hit solo homers, their 12th and 23rd respectively. And that was pretty much it. Quintero was 1x1 with RISP, the only Astros hit of that nature, in a 2x3 night.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 17 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Humberto Quintero - 4 pitches in 3 PAs (2x3, RBI)
Man of the Match: Jeez. How about Lance Berkman, just by default?
Goat of the Game: Sorry, Wandy. It was 3-0 by the time the Astros came to bat, and the Astros just aren't built to overcome three-run deficits (cap tip, Coop).
The thing that will interest me the most today will be the lineup for tonight's game. Dave Clark had about three and a half hours after it was announced that Coop was gone to get ready for the game (I don't know if he was given a heads-up). So I'm guessing the lineup was basically the same to provide a little stability in an unstable day. Let's see if it changes today.
Dave Clark put Berkman back in the #3 spot, and he responded with two of the Astros' six hits, but Wandy let the game get out of hand before the Astros had a chance to get going. Wandy gave up three extra-base hits in a losing effort. Let's do the thing:
Wandy: 5IP, 9H/6ER, 5K:0BB, 9/23 first-pitch strikes, 26/57 non-contact strikes (13c:13s)
Paronto: 1IP, 3H/1ER, 1K, 5/6 FPS, 8/13 NCS (4c:4s)
Gervacio: 1IP, 2H, 1/3 FPS, 2/7 NCS (1c:1s)
Lopez: 1IP, 1H, 4/4 FPS, 3/8 NCS (2c:1s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 2/3 FPS, 1/4 NCS (1c)
Wandy only threw 9 first-pitch strikes to the 23 batters he faced, nine of which got on base, six of those scored. That said, the bullpen only allowed one run - Paronto gave up DeRosa's second homer of the game - over 4IP.
Tejada and Berkman each hit solo homers, their 12th and 23rd respectively. And that was pretty much it. Quintero was 1x1 with RISP, the only Astros hit of that nature, in a 2x3 night.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 17 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Humberto Quintero - 4 pitches in 3 PAs (2x3, RBI)
Man of the Match: Jeez. How about Lance Berkman, just by default?
Goat of the Game: Sorry, Wandy. It was 3-0 by the time the Astros came to bat, and the Astros just aren't built to overcome three-run deficits (cap tip, Coop).
The thing that will interest me the most today will be the lineup for tonight's game. Dave Clark had about three and a half hours after it was announced that Coop was gone to get ready for the game (I don't know if he was given a heads-up). So I'm guessing the lineup was basically the same to provide a little stability in an unstable day. Let's see if it changes today.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wade: Firing Coop now is more convenient
Seriously! He said it!
Wade:
"I thought it was going to be awkward to go all the way to the end of the season, come back from New York [following the final game] and make a move. I think the practicality of it didn't make sense to me, and the fact we can put Dave in place, we can have a different set of circumstances working for two weeks. Albeit a short period of time, but we may find some things out and hopefully this creates a spark and gets us on a run so we can finish on a high note."
Wade, on the coaching staff:
"We told them if they felt after the season was over they wanted seek other jobs that they were free to do that. I have great respect for what the coaches have done for us here, but realistically we feel that it's appropriate to give the new manager the ability to evaluate his staff and have some input into its composition."
Wade, on Clark:
"The fact that he's going to have the reins for 13 games is for his advantage from the standpoint of establishing his style. I had a chance to see Dave at the Minor League level before he joined the big league staff, but not nearly enough to make any evaluation. I think it's important for him to put his first foot forward and for us to recognize what he brings to the table in that short period of time, but not to use that as the sole criteria for making a decision. I think we have to be opened-minded. We'll have a list of people we want to talk to and hopefully make the right decision. If it turns out to be Dave, then that's great. But we'll try to make the right decision."
Dave Clark:
"This is really bittersweet for me. I enjoyed my time with Coop, and you hate to see anybody lose their job. He brought me along to be his third-base coach, and here I am replacing him. It's not a real good day for me in that perspective. But the opportunity and chance I'm getting to manage the next two weeks is outstanding."
Wade:
"I thought it was going to be awkward to go all the way to the end of the season, come back from New York [following the final game] and make a move. I think the practicality of it didn't make sense to me, and the fact we can put Dave in place, we can have a different set of circumstances working for two weeks. Albeit a short period of time, but we may find some things out and hopefully this creates a spark and gets us on a run so we can finish on a high note."
Wade, on the coaching staff:
"We told them if they felt after the season was over they wanted seek other jobs that they were free to do that. I have great respect for what the coaches have done for us here, but realistically we feel that it's appropriate to give the new manager the ability to evaluate his staff and have some input into its composition."
Wade, on Clark:
"The fact that he's going to have the reins for 13 games is for his advantage from the standpoint of establishing his style. I had a chance to see Dave at the Minor League level before he joined the big league staff, but not nearly enough to make any evaluation. I think it's important for him to put his first foot forward and for us to recognize what he brings to the table in that short period of time, but not to use that as the sole criteria for making a decision. I think we have to be opened-minded. We'll have a list of people we want to talk to and hopefully make the right decision. If it turns out to be Dave, then that's great. But we'll try to make the right decision."
Dave Clark:
"This is really bittersweet for me. I enjoyed my time with Coop, and you hate to see anybody lose their job. He brought me along to be his third-base coach, and here I am replacing him. It's not a real good day for me in that perspective. But the opportunity and chance I'm getting to manage the next two weeks is outstanding."
Davidoff: Want stability? Fire Drayton
Ken Davidoff tears his unwavering gaze away from the Mets and Yankees long enough to weigh in on Coop's firing:
The Astros, who have now fired four managers since 2000, desperately need some organizational stability. Alas, that probably won't be happening as long as owner Drayton McLane is heavily involved. The irony is, playing in the weak NL Central and armed with some payroll muscle, the Astros can still contend every other year or so.
The Astros, who have now fired four managers since 2000, desperately need some organizational stability. Alas, that probably won't be happening as long as owner Drayton McLane is heavily involved. The irony is, playing in the weak NL Central and armed with some payroll muscle, the Astros can still contend every other year or so.
Berkman has some change we can believe in
What a surprise. But JJO breaks it off strong with his lead paragraph:
Cecil Cooper was fired Monday as Astros manager, falling victim to an underachieving, injury-plagued team with a bloated payroll and one of the worst starting rotations in baseball.
Berkman:
“We haven’t been to the playoffs in four years. It seems like we’ve been on sort of a gradual downward spiral since we made it to the World Series (in 2005). And I think you can’t just point to one thing. There are several factors involved in that. If there was ever an environment for sweeping reform or change this would be it...
...I don’t know what the organization plans on doing, where they plan on going from here. Certainly the way we’re playing now and the things that have gone on here over the last three or four years are not getting it done. I think, again, players have to take ownership for that because we haven’t performed on the field like we’re supposed to. Ultimately I think managers get too much credit for the success of the ballclub and too much blame when it goes in the other direction. I think it boils down to our performance between the lines, and it hasn’t been good.”
Wade:
“Coop is a very solid baseball guy and gave his heart and soul for this organization. Unfortunately, I got to a point where it was appropriate to make this change and make it now. It gives us a couple of weeks to go ahead and evaluate some other facets of our operation at the field level and hopefully use that time to try to make the right decisions going forward.”
Drayton:
“If you'll look, this is the most expensive baseball team the Houston Astros have ever had. It's a huge investment we've had here. It's over $100 million. And we invested it in players that we thought could be championship players. Some of our key players, because of injuries or difficulties, haven't had great seasons. You can't predict all of that. But it was the judgment we had when the team was put together in December and January and we were willing to invest financially to have by far the most expensive team we've ever had...
..."You've heard me say many times everyone's evaluating, including myself. The evaluators can't predict the injuries, the difficulties, the problems that we've had this season, or why some of them haven't been able to perform at the level that they have in the past. The injuries and circumstances were different. We'd like to all go back and start from the beginning last year, but this is why we made the decision today so some real decisions can be made. Everyone will be evaluated.”
Carlos Lee:
“I’ll tell you, you just got to have a good balance and a competitive team. If you see the team across the hall right here, the St. Louis Cardinals, they find a way to do it. They’re not a big-market team. They don’t spend that much money. I guess just find a way to do it. That’s what we got to do, just find a way to do it.”
JJO puts forth some candidates, and some of Ken Rosenthal's candidates:
Clark, former Phillies, White Sox, Blue Jays and Angels manager Jim Fergosi, former Nationals manager Manny Acta and former Diamondbacks interim manager Al Pedrique, who was promoted to be Clark’s third-base coach from field coordinator, are some potential candidates to replace Cooper. Brad Ausmus, who is currently playing for the Dodgers, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, are former Astros who could be candidates if the Astros go for box-office appeal.
Cecil Cooper was fired Monday as Astros manager, falling victim to an underachieving, injury-plagued team with a bloated payroll and one of the worst starting rotations in baseball.
Berkman:
“We haven’t been to the playoffs in four years. It seems like we’ve been on sort of a gradual downward spiral since we made it to the World Series (in 2005). And I think you can’t just point to one thing. There are several factors involved in that. If there was ever an environment for sweeping reform or change this would be it...
...I don’t know what the organization plans on doing, where they plan on going from here. Certainly the way we’re playing now and the things that have gone on here over the last three or four years are not getting it done. I think, again, players have to take ownership for that because we haven’t performed on the field like we’re supposed to. Ultimately I think managers get too much credit for the success of the ballclub and too much blame when it goes in the other direction. I think it boils down to our performance between the lines, and it hasn’t been good.”
Wade:
“Coop is a very solid baseball guy and gave his heart and soul for this organization. Unfortunately, I got to a point where it was appropriate to make this change and make it now. It gives us a couple of weeks to go ahead and evaluate some other facets of our operation at the field level and hopefully use that time to try to make the right decisions going forward.”
Drayton:
“If you'll look, this is the most expensive baseball team the Houston Astros have ever had. It's a huge investment we've had here. It's over $100 million. And we invested it in players that we thought could be championship players. Some of our key players, because of injuries or difficulties, haven't had great seasons. You can't predict all of that. But it was the judgment we had when the team was put together in December and January and we were willing to invest financially to have by far the most expensive team we've ever had...
..."You've heard me say many times everyone's evaluating, including myself. The evaluators can't predict the injuries, the difficulties, the problems that we've had this season, or why some of them haven't been able to perform at the level that they have in the past. The injuries and circumstances were different. We'd like to all go back and start from the beginning last year, but this is why we made the decision today so some real decisions can be made. Everyone will be evaluated.”
Carlos Lee:
“I’ll tell you, you just got to have a good balance and a competitive team. If you see the team across the hall right here, the St. Louis Cardinals, they find a way to do it. They’re not a big-market team. They don’t spend that much money. I guess just find a way to do it. That’s what we got to do, just find a way to do it.”
JJO puts forth some candidates, and some of Ken Rosenthal's candidates:
Clark, former Phillies, White Sox, Blue Jays and Angels manager Jim Fergosi, former Nationals manager Manny Acta and former Diamondbacks interim manager Al Pedrique, who was promoted to be Clark’s third-base coach from field coordinator, are some potential candidates to replace Cooper. Brad Ausmus, who is currently playing for the Dodgers, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, are former Astros who could be candidates if the Astros go for box-office appeal.
Maybe Ken Macha isn't so easy to work for
Given that his entire coaching staff says they would be interested in helping the Astros beat their employer next year. Willie Randolph, Ken Macha's bench coach, is interested in anything and everything regarding MLB managerial positions:
"I think everybody knows I'm interested in any job. I want to manage again. I won't actively solicit that kind of thing, but I feel like if they feel I'm a fit and they're serious about it, they'll give me a call and we can talk."
Adam McCalvy also mentions Dale Sveum, the Brewers' hitting coach, who managed the Brewers for the last three innings of the season, as a possibility.
"I think everybody knows I'm interested in any job. I want to manage again. I won't actively solicit that kind of thing, but I feel like if they feel I'm a fit and they're serious about it, they'll give me a call and we can talk."
Adam McCalvy also mentions Dale Sveum, the Brewers' hitting coach, who managed the Brewers for the last three innings of the season, as a possibility.
At least SI tried to leave a voicemail
Hey, at least SI tried to leave a voicemail, which is more than I have done:
Cooper did not answer calls to his cell phone and his voicemail was full.
And Ted Keith's article doesn't give Coop's replacement much of a chance, either. Regard:
Cooper's dismissal is not surprising but it is instructive, just another example of the hot-coal walk that is managing in the big leagues. Even if you make it across to the other side, you're bound to get burned, and Cooper was. Burned by a poorly constructed team that never had a real chance to compete in its division. Burned by financial limitations that kept the Astros from being a player in the free-agent market. And burned, most significantly, by a clubhouse that included several players, it's been reported, who either didn't respect him or his decisions as a manger.
Note: We'll assume that Keith meant "manager," and not the structure in which our Lord and Savior was born. Please continue.
If Cooper was not necessarily a great fit, neither was this team. The Astros are old and it shows. They have only two position players younger than 29, and when veterans like Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman stopped producing as they did in their prime, their offense was rendered largely punchless. The pitching staff is in a similar spot. Wandy Rodriguez has turned in a fine season, but aside from him and Roy Oswalt, the Astros don't have a single starter with either a winning record, an ERA below 4.80 or even 100 strikeouts. Their payroll is north of $100 million, but they don't have much to show for it...
...Both Oswalt and Berkman have started talking openly about retirement and Jose Valverde, their quality closer, will be a free agent at year's end and may not return. That means the burden for next season and beyond rests more with the front office, and whether or not they can restock the team with quality players, than it does with the field manager, whoever it may be.
This year's manager couldn't get a team this ill-fitting to win in 2009. It's doubtful anybody will be able to any time soon, either.
Sure hope Drayton is reading...
Cooper did not answer calls to his cell phone and his voicemail was full.
And Ted Keith's article doesn't give Coop's replacement much of a chance, either. Regard:
Cooper's dismissal is not surprising but it is instructive, just another example of the hot-coal walk that is managing in the big leagues. Even if you make it across to the other side, you're bound to get burned, and Cooper was. Burned by a poorly constructed team that never had a real chance to compete in its division. Burned by financial limitations that kept the Astros from being a player in the free-agent market. And burned, most significantly, by a clubhouse that included several players, it's been reported, who either didn't respect him or his decisions as a manger.
Note: We'll assume that Keith meant "manager," and not the structure in which our Lord and Savior was born. Please continue.
If Cooper was not necessarily a great fit, neither was this team. The Astros are old and it shows. They have only two position players younger than 29, and when veterans like Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman stopped producing as they did in their prime, their offense was rendered largely punchless. The pitching staff is in a similar spot. Wandy Rodriguez has turned in a fine season, but aside from him and Roy Oswalt, the Astros don't have a single starter with either a winning record, an ERA below 4.80 or even 100 strikeouts. Their payroll is north of $100 million, but they don't have much to show for it...
...Both Oswalt and Berkman have started talking openly about retirement and Jose Valverde, their quality closer, will be a free agent at year's end and may not return. That means the burden for next season and beyond rests more with the front office, and whether or not they can restock the team with quality players, than it does with the field manager, whoever it may be.
This year's manager couldn't get a team this ill-fitting to win in 2009. It's doubtful anybody will be able to any time soon, either.
Sure hope Drayton is reading...
$850,000.
Don't feel too bad for Cecil Cooper. That number above is what Coop will get to not manage the Astros next year.
Ken Rosenthal can see the future
Look at this post, from Sept 3, where Ken Rosenthal made some predictions.
Never mind that the Astros exercised manager Cecil Cooper's option for 2010 in April. Cooper is almost certain to be fired, major-league sources say, and several of his coaches also are in jeopardy.
Third base coach Dave Clark would be the leading internal candidate to replace Cooper, but the team likely would consider a wide range of outside options.
Alright, that may not have taken a whole lot of prognostication, but his shortlist of replacement candidates were as such: Dave Clark, Jim Fregosi, Pete Mackanin, and Ron Wotus
Never mind that the Astros exercised manager Cecil Cooper's option for 2010 in April. Cooper is almost certain to be fired, major-league sources say, and several of his coaches also are in jeopardy.
Third base coach Dave Clark would be the leading internal candidate to replace Cooper, but the team likely would consider a wide range of outside options.
Alright, that may not have taken a whole lot of prognostication, but his shortlist of replacement candidates were as such: Dave Clark, Jim Fregosi, Pete Mackanin, and Ron Wotus
A volatile look back at Coop's 2009
Astros County was birthed on November 6, 2008. So how did AC cover the second half of Coop's tenure?
Jan 30: Tracy Ringolsby gets dibs on putting Coop on the hot seat first.
Mar 7: Coop calls closed-door meeting. In Spring Training. Astros County, "This makes me happy. This kind of intensity, this kind of accountability? I love it."
Mar 23: Coop, "We should win 90 games."
Mar 29: Released David Newhan lights Coop up for his lack of communication
Apr 2: Fox Sports puts Coop on the hot seat. Astros County, "The state of the Astros has nothing to do with Coop. Unless of course he starts batting Berkman 8th. Not starting Roy when he faces the Reds. Things like that should be fire-able offenses. But no, I will not be happy with Coop getting fired if the Astros start 7-20."
Apr 15: Rosenthal puts Cooper on the hot seat. Astros County, "I think Cooper is still the man for the job. But I'm afraid I'm in the minority.">
Apr 19: Astros pick up Coop's option. Bourn, Tejada on the record as happy for him.
Apr 21: Rosenthal - "McLane sure picked a funny time to pick up the option of a manager whose team started the season 1-7 and finished 1-16-3 in the spring. The owner probably believes that he snuffed out a potential problem. In truth, he might only have delayed the inevitable."
May 15: JJO calls out Coop for running Geary out while he was hurt
May 16: JJO calls Coop "Hugo Chavez"
May 20: John Royal encourages the players to go public with their complaints about Coop.
May 21: Coop screws up the lineup card
May 23: JJO describes the clubhouse aura as "toxic"
May 23: Coop knows of no disgruntled veterans
May 26: Coop throws Roy under the bus. In this post, AC says, "Managers - especially veteran managers - like job security. If six weeks, or even six months, after extending Cooper's contract through 2010, Wade and McLane go back on their extension and fire him, what self-respecting manager is going to want to come to Houston? Certainly not one the Astros would want in the clubhouse. Cooper, for better or worse, should be able to manage out this season - it's not like he was given the '55 Dodgers, in the first place. He has made some questionable decisions, and it doesn't seem as though his approval rating is very high, but injuries and inconsistency have hurt this team much more than Cooper has."
May 27: Team meeting emerges, one player asks other players not to complain to the media
May 28: Drayton - "Firing the manager is not in the cards." Astros County - "I'm still in favor of retaining Cooper, if only for the future of the organization. If Coop is not the manager after 2010, so be it...I like to think that baseball is the only sport with every contract guaranteed because baseball is still played by men of their word...Baseball is about honor and integrity. To fire a manager six weeks after hiring him for eighteen months beyond that does not show integrity, and reflects poorly on a poorly-run organization.
May 29: via Jon Heyman, "One competing GM remarked, "This could be a record for the quickest firing after a contract is extended."
May 31: Nick Cafardo - "(Coop) has the rap, true or not, that he throws players under the bus in the media and never fully has their trust."
June 10: Coop lets Backe throw 20 more pitches in his first start than his two previous bullpen outings combined.
June 19: Coop calls closed-door meeting to apologize for not congratulating Pudge for breaking the Games Caught record. JJO, "It's one thing for him to lose the clubhouse, something he did weeks ago. But the media has never, ever treated him unfairly in Houston. He needs to grow up."
June 25: Berkman publicly second-guesses Coop's strategy
June 30: Astros go to a six-man rotation, until Paulino gets shelled at San Francisco
July 8: Coop doesn't sweat being on the hot seat
July 10: Russ Ortiz pops off, alleges a lack of communication, closed-door meetings follow
July 14: Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers suggests the Astros hire Manny Acta as a bench coach
July 29: Coop lets Wright throw 51 pitches at Wrigley, Wright leaves with dehydration
Aug 3: Coop walks Pujols to get to Holliday, Tejada questions Coop's strategy
Aug 10: Coop says the Astros "aren't built" to come back from a 5-run deficit
Aug 11: Coop walks Nick Johnson to get to Hanley Ramirez. I fully believe this is the point at which Cooper lost his job
Aug 12: JJO - Maybe the front office should start telling Cooper which relievers he can use
Aug 12: Chris Sampson and Coop have an air-clearing meeting
Aug 18: Justice - "My guess is that Drayton will fire Cecil Cooper and most of the coaching staff. This is a smart move only if he hires first-rate people to replace them, and his recent history indicates he may not do this."
Aug 19: Justice announces an open insurrection between the players and Coop
Justice - "I've come to like the guy. I think he's a decent man. I just think he wasn't cut out to manage a major league baseball team...."
Aug 24: Coop admits to having "no catching plan" after Pudge gets traded
Aug 26: Jerry Crasnick says Coop's negatives outweigh his positives
Aug 27: Pissing match between Coop and Roy
Aug 27: Berkman's Players-Only meeting addresses the lack of fire and passion. Which Berkman has none of, right now. In a separate post, AC writes: "I think the only fire we'll see for the rest of the season is Coop going down in flames."
Aug 29: Drayton will not issue a vote of confidence
Aug 30: Coop puts Wilton Lopez on the mound two hours after he arrives from Corpus
Sept 3: Ken Rosenthal puts his money on Coop's firing (and would win). Same post, Astros County puts Bo Porter's name forth as a possible replacement for Coop.
Sept 4: AC - "I don't know how you justify keeping Coop in 2010"
Sept 8: Justice - Cooper should be fired regardless of race
Sept 8: Justice - Cooper will be Drayton's scapegoat
Sept 8: Houston Press calls for the Astros to hire Frank Robinson
Sept 18: Ed Wade evaluates externally and internally every day, but won't discuss Coop
Sept 20: Coop reminds everybody he is under contract for 2010
Today: Renegs on Manzella starting twice every series
Jan 30: Tracy Ringolsby gets dibs on putting Coop on the hot seat first.
Mar 7: Coop calls closed-door meeting. In Spring Training. Astros County, "This makes me happy. This kind of intensity, this kind of accountability? I love it."
Mar 23: Coop, "We should win 90 games."
Mar 29: Released David Newhan lights Coop up for his lack of communication
Apr 2: Fox Sports puts Coop on the hot seat. Astros County, "The state of the Astros has nothing to do with Coop. Unless of course he starts batting Berkman 8th. Not starting Roy when he faces the Reds. Things like that should be fire-able offenses. But no, I will not be happy with Coop getting fired if the Astros start 7-20."
Apr 15: Rosenthal puts Cooper on the hot seat. Astros County, "I think Cooper is still the man for the job. But I'm afraid I'm in the minority.">
Apr 19: Astros pick up Coop's option. Bourn, Tejada on the record as happy for him.
Apr 21: Rosenthal - "McLane sure picked a funny time to pick up the option of a manager whose team started the season 1-7 and finished 1-16-3 in the spring. The owner probably believes that he snuffed out a potential problem. In truth, he might only have delayed the inevitable."
May 15: JJO calls out Coop for running Geary out while he was hurt
May 16: JJO calls Coop "Hugo Chavez"
May 20: John Royal encourages the players to go public with their complaints about Coop.
May 21: Coop screws up the lineup card
May 23: JJO describes the clubhouse aura as "toxic"
May 23: Coop knows of no disgruntled veterans
May 26: Coop throws Roy under the bus. In this post, AC says, "Managers - especially veteran managers - like job security. If six weeks, or even six months, after extending Cooper's contract through 2010, Wade and McLane go back on their extension and fire him, what self-respecting manager is going to want to come to Houston? Certainly not one the Astros would want in the clubhouse. Cooper, for better or worse, should be able to manage out this season - it's not like he was given the '55 Dodgers, in the first place. He has made some questionable decisions, and it doesn't seem as though his approval rating is very high, but injuries and inconsistency have hurt this team much more than Cooper has."
May 27: Team meeting emerges, one player asks other players not to complain to the media
May 28: Drayton - "Firing the manager is not in the cards." Astros County - "I'm still in favor of retaining Cooper, if only for the future of the organization. If Coop is not the manager after 2010, so be it...I like to think that baseball is the only sport with every contract guaranteed because baseball is still played by men of their word...Baseball is about honor and integrity. To fire a manager six weeks after hiring him for eighteen months beyond that does not show integrity, and reflects poorly on a poorly-run organization.
May 29: via Jon Heyman, "One competing GM remarked, "This could be a record for the quickest firing after a contract is extended."
May 31: Nick Cafardo - "(Coop) has the rap, true or not, that he throws players under the bus in the media and never fully has their trust."
June 10: Coop lets Backe throw 20 more pitches in his first start than his two previous bullpen outings combined.
June 19: Coop calls closed-door meeting to apologize for not congratulating Pudge for breaking the Games Caught record. JJO, "It's one thing for him to lose the clubhouse, something he did weeks ago. But the media has never, ever treated him unfairly in Houston. He needs to grow up."
June 25: Berkman publicly second-guesses Coop's strategy
June 30: Astros go to a six-man rotation, until Paulino gets shelled at San Francisco
July 8: Coop doesn't sweat being on the hot seat
July 10: Russ Ortiz pops off, alleges a lack of communication, closed-door meetings follow
July 14: Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers suggests the Astros hire Manny Acta as a bench coach
July 29: Coop lets Wright throw 51 pitches at Wrigley, Wright leaves with dehydration
Aug 3: Coop walks Pujols to get to Holliday, Tejada questions Coop's strategy
Aug 10: Coop says the Astros "aren't built" to come back from a 5-run deficit
Aug 11: Coop walks Nick Johnson to get to Hanley Ramirez. I fully believe this is the point at which Cooper lost his job
Aug 12: JJO - Maybe the front office should start telling Cooper which relievers he can use
Aug 12: Chris Sampson and Coop have an air-clearing meeting
Aug 18: Justice - "My guess is that Drayton will fire Cecil Cooper and most of the coaching staff. This is a smart move only if he hires first-rate people to replace them, and his recent history indicates he may not do this."
Aug 19: Justice announces an open insurrection between the players and Coop
Justice - "I've come to like the guy. I think he's a decent man. I just think he wasn't cut out to manage a major league baseball team...."
Aug 24: Coop admits to having "no catching plan" after Pudge gets traded
Aug 26: Jerry Crasnick says Coop's negatives outweigh his positives
Aug 27: Pissing match between Coop and Roy
Aug 27: Berkman's Players-Only meeting addresses the lack of fire and passion. Which Berkman has none of, right now. In a separate post, AC writes: "I think the only fire we'll see for the rest of the season is Coop going down in flames."
Aug 29: Drayton will not issue a vote of confidence
Aug 30: Coop puts Wilton Lopez on the mound two hours after he arrives from Corpus
Sept 3: Ken Rosenthal puts his money on Coop's firing (and would win). Same post, Astros County puts Bo Porter's name forth as a possible replacement for Coop.
Sept 4: AC - "I don't know how you justify keeping Coop in 2010"
Sept 8: Justice - Cooper should be fired regardless of race
Sept 8: Justice - Cooper will be Drayton's scapegoat
Sept 8: Houston Press calls for the Astros to hire Frank Robinson
Sept 18: Ed Wade evaluates externally and internally every day, but won't discuss Coop
Sept 20: Coop reminds everybody he is under contract for 2010
Today: Renegs on Manzella starting twice every series
Justice weighs in
So Richard Justice has some opinions. Among them:
The Astros waited until a season had been lost to make a move they should have made months ago. The maddening thing is, the people in charge knew there was a problem.
They could see that Cecil Cooper didn't know how to run a game. They also knew he'd lost 75 percent of the players in his clubhouse.
I'm not saying this season could have been saved, but if Dave Clark had been given the job at the All-Star Break, it would have lifted a cloud from the clubhouse.
Players have been wearing t-shirts asking, ''Really?'' Really, as in, ''Did he really just do that?"...
(Note: If that's true, that pisses me off)
... Dave Clark is held in enormous respect in the clubhouse. He paid his dues as a minor league manager, and players respect him across the board.
Will he be a good manager? There's no way to know. Managers can't really be evaluated until they have a chance to manage.
Listen, Cecil Cooper was put in a bad spot. He was given a bad team to manage. It's unlikely any manager could have gotten a winning record out of this group.
But Coop must be evaluated apart from the record. Did he do his job well? He did not."
The Astros waited until a season had been lost to make a move they should have made months ago. The maddening thing is, the people in charge knew there was a problem.
They could see that Cecil Cooper didn't know how to run a game. They also knew he'd lost 75 percent of the players in his clubhouse.
I'm not saying this season could have been saved, but if Dave Clark had been given the job at the All-Star Break, it would have lifted a cloud from the clubhouse.
Players have been wearing t-shirts asking, ''Really?'' Really, as in, ''Did he really just do that?"...
(Note: If that's true, that pisses me off)
... Dave Clark is held in enormous respect in the clubhouse. He paid his dues as a minor league manager, and players respect him across the board.
Will he be a good manager? There's no way to know. Managers can't really be evaluated until they have a chance to manage.
Listen, Cecil Cooper was put in a bad spot. He was given a bad team to manage. It's unlikely any manager could have gotten a winning record out of this group.
But Coop must be evaluated apart from the record. Did he do his job well? He did not."
Clark knows some of these guys...
This turned into a pretty interesting day, after all. We just noted that Dave Clark was Corpus' manager from 05-07, and Round Rock's manager in 08. Which of the current 40-man roster has Clark managed (not counting rehab minor league starts)?
Alberto Arias ('08, RR)
Chris Johnson ('08, RR)
Tommy Manzella ('08, RR; '07 CC)
Edwin Maysonet ('08, RR; '07 CC)
Felipe Paulino ('07 CC)
Hunter Pence ('06 CC)
Chris Sampson ('05 CC)
J.R. Towles ('08 RR; '07 CC)
Alberto Arias ('08, RR)
Chris Johnson ('08, RR)
Tommy Manzella ('08, RR; '07 CC)
Edwin Maysonet ('08, RR; '07 CC)
Felipe Paulino ('07 CC)
Hunter Pence ('06 CC)
Chris Sampson ('05 CC)
J.R. Towles ('08 RR; '07 CC)
Out of Nowhere (but not really): Coop fired
The Cecil Cooper Reign of Error is over. Cecil Cooper has been fired.
Ed Wade:
"Cecil Cooper has given his all to the Houston Astros. Decisions like this are never easy, but we believe that a change in a direction on the field is in order. By making the move today, we will have the ability to evaluate other facets of our operation as we move into the offseason."
In his place, third base coach Dave Clark will take over as interim manager, and minor-league field coordinator Al Pedrique will serve as the bench coach.
In three-ish seasons at the helm of the Astros, Cooper sported a 171-170 record. In two full-ish seasons, Coop was 156-154 with a team that, Pythagorean W-L-wise, "should have" gone 142-168.
The man replacing Cooper for at least the final 13 games was the Corpus Christi manager from 2005-2007, and Round Rock chief in 2008.
Joseph Duarte:
Wade said the team will conduct a search during the offseason and Clark is considered a candidate for the job.
Ed Wade:
"Cecil Cooper has given his all to the Houston Astros. Decisions like this are never easy, but we believe that a change in a direction on the field is in order. By making the move today, we will have the ability to evaluate other facets of our operation as we move into the offseason."
In his place, third base coach Dave Clark will take over as interim manager, and minor-league field coordinator Al Pedrique will serve as the bench coach.
In three-ish seasons at the helm of the Astros, Cooper sported a 171-170 record. In two full-ish seasons, Coop was 156-154 with a team that, Pythagorean W-L-wise, "should have" gone 142-168.
The man replacing Cooper for at least the final 13 games was the Corpus Christi manager from 2005-2007, and Round Rock chief in 2008.
Joseph Duarte:
Wade said the team will conduct a search during the offseason and Clark is considered a candidate for the job.
We're seeing some historically bad September baseball
At the time of writing, the Astros are 7-11 in September, "good" enough for a .389 clip. How does that compare to previous years?
2008: 15-9 (.625)
2007: 12-15 (.444)
2006: 16-11 (.593)
2005: 17-11 (.607)
2004: 20-7 (.741)
2003: 16-10 (.615)
2002: 12-15 (.444)
2001: 12-10 (.545)
2000: 16-12 (.571)
1999: 16-9 (.640)
1998: 15-9 (.625)
1997: 14-12 (.538)
1996: 8-17 (.320)
There you have it. You have to go back to 1996 to find a September with as crappy a brand of Astros baseball you'll see this month.
2008: 15-9 (.625)
2007: 12-15 (.444)
2006: 16-11 (.593)
2005: 17-11 (.607)
2004: 20-7 (.741)
2003: 16-10 (.615)
2002: 12-15 (.444)
2001: 12-10 (.545)
2000: 16-12 (.571)
1999: 16-9 (.640)
1998: 15-9 (.625)
1997: 14-12 (.538)
1996: 8-17 (.320)
There you have it. You have to go back to 1996 to find a September with as crappy a brand of Astros baseball you'll see this month.
Astros "dumb"
Well, it's not said exactly like that, but Richard Justice drills it pretty close.
What the Twins do is so simple it's amazing others don't follow their lead. They hire smart people and give them the resources to do their jobs. They promote from within. No player, no manager, no coach, no executive is larger than the organization.
McLane's concerns are coming at a time when parity is taking a beating. Money is again dictating the standings.
Five of the top seven payrolls—Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Phillies—seem to be headed for the playoffs. The Tigers lead the Twins by three with 13 to play, so don't change that channel.
When you throw the Dodgers into the mix, six of the projected playoff teams are in the top nine in terms of payroll. The only exceptions are the Cardinals (17th) and Rockies (18th). These are opening day payrolls. The Cardinals probably will finish the season ranked above 17th after the mid-season additions of Matt Holliday, Mark De Rosa and Julio Lugo.
On the other hand, two of the three biggest spenders—Mets and Cubs—won't be in the playoffs. Neither will the Astros (eighth), Mariners (10th), Braves (11th), White Sox (12th) and Giants (13th).
Of the nine teams that began the season with $100-million payrolls, the Mets, Cubs and Astros are the only clubs not going to the playoffs—unless the Tigers continue their fade.
The Mets, Cubs and Astros might argue that money guarantees you nothing, especially if you spend money foolishly. It's one thing to throw millions at Miguel Cabrera or C.C. Sabathia, another to throw it at Kaz Matsui and Milton Bradley.
What the Twins do is so simple it's amazing others don't follow their lead. They hire smart people and give them the resources to do their jobs. They promote from within. No player, no manager, no coach, no executive is larger than the organization.
McLane's concerns are coming at a time when parity is taking a beating. Money is again dictating the standings.
Five of the top seven payrolls—Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Phillies—seem to be headed for the playoffs. The Tigers lead the Twins by three with 13 to play, so don't change that channel.
When you throw the Dodgers into the mix, six of the projected playoff teams are in the top nine in terms of payroll. The only exceptions are the Cardinals (17th) and Rockies (18th). These are opening day payrolls. The Cardinals probably will finish the season ranked above 17th after the mid-season additions of Matt Holliday, Mark De Rosa and Julio Lugo.
On the other hand, two of the three biggest spenders—Mets and Cubs—won't be in the playoffs. Neither will the Astros (eighth), Mariners (10th), Braves (11th), White Sox (12th) and Giants (13th).
Of the nine teams that began the season with $100-million payrolls, the Mets, Cubs and Astros are the only clubs not going to the playoffs—unless the Tigers continue their fade.
The Mets, Cubs and Astros might argue that money guarantees you nothing, especially if you spend money foolishly. It's one thing to throw millions at Miguel Cabrera or C.C. Sabathia, another to throw it at Kaz Matsui and Milton Bradley.
A Gift, From Astros County to You
Okay, so this Adopt-an-Astro thing went pretty well, with Greeneville's Aaron Bray defeating Corpus' Drew Locke (much to the consternation of the entire New England region) in a poll. Aaron has been a great sport about it, and I wanted to offer something to carry over through the off-season, until we do it again in 2010. I am in the process of preparing the 2nd box, which will be sent to him at his home, and you can bet there will be ballyhoo, shenanigans, and even some tomfoolery in that box.
Anyhow, after the minor-league season ended in the first week of September, Aaron went back to being a Normal Person, who goes to college (verified), jumps off of roofs into swimming pools filled with foam blocks (unverified), and eats Taco Bell at 3am (also unverified). What the heck does a professional baseball player do in the offseason? That's what Aaron will tell us throughout someone else's team being in the playoffs, throughout the Hot Stove, and going into Spring Training. It's our plan to get a "column," if you will, from Aaron every Sunday night and post it for your reading pleasure on Monday morning. If you have questions for Aaron, please send them to astroscounty@hotmail.com, and I'll pass them along. We're also planning a live chat with Aaron at some point this fall/winter.
Now may I present to you, Aaron Bray.
-
Hello Astros Fans, I am excited about posting on the ONLY BLOG THAT MATTERS, Astros County. For those of you that don't know me, I am Aaron Bray, the 27th round pick out of UNC-Charlotte. I am currently back at school trying to finish my degree in History. So along with going to class 5 days a week, I also work out everyday to prepare myself for spring training. I did enjoy about three weeks off before I decided to get back to work.
I'm going to talk about school since that is my question for the week. I am playing catch up and I am in the fifth week of class. With papers and tests coming up, my nights, which used to be filled with baseball practice, are now filled up with researching and studying. I am looking forward to getting this year over and graduating in December. Once that is over I am looking forward to preparing for spring training and heading to Kissimmee.
Now for my question (TC Note: I'll ask Aaron a question each week, which he will answer. Please continue.)
What's been the reaction of your classmates as you return from your first season as a professional baseball player? How much of a rockstar are you on campus?
Well, I haven't drawn any attention in class, which is a good thing. Not that I would BIG LEAGUE my fellow classmates, I just like to be low key. I go to class, take notes, just like all the other students. Most of them see me as a student, and not as a pro baseball player. Some classmates that had asked me where I had been gone, I gave them the answer of "I was busy playing baseball, I got drafted by the Houston Astros." Then I would be asked why I am not in Houston. That's as far as most conversations went. A lot of people did not understand the whole working your way up through the organization.
Once again I would like to thank you all of you for your support. I am looking forward to going to Houston this coming weekend to see the Astros play on Saturday and Sunday.
-
Come out and make a meaningless September game meaningful by welcoming Aaron Bray to Minute Maid Park!
Anyhow, after the minor-league season ended in the first week of September, Aaron went back to being a Normal Person, who goes to college (verified), jumps off of roofs into swimming pools filled with foam blocks (unverified), and eats Taco Bell at 3am (also unverified). What the heck does a professional baseball player do in the offseason? That's what Aaron will tell us throughout someone else's team being in the playoffs, throughout the Hot Stove, and going into Spring Training. It's our plan to get a "column," if you will, from Aaron every Sunday night and post it for your reading pleasure on Monday morning. If you have questions for Aaron, please send them to astroscounty@hotmail.com, and I'll pass them along. We're also planning a live chat with Aaron at some point this fall/winter.
Now may I present to you, Aaron Bray.
-
Hello Astros Fans, I am excited about posting on the ONLY BLOG THAT MATTERS, Astros County. For those of you that don't know me, I am Aaron Bray, the 27th round pick out of UNC-Charlotte. I am currently back at school trying to finish my degree in History. So along with going to class 5 days a week, I also work out everyday to prepare myself for spring training. I did enjoy about three weeks off before I decided to get back to work.
I'm going to talk about school since that is my question for the week. I am playing catch up and I am in the fifth week of class. With papers and tests coming up, my nights, which used to be filled with baseball practice, are now filled up with researching and studying. I am looking forward to getting this year over and graduating in December. Once that is over I am looking forward to preparing for spring training and heading to Kissimmee.
Now for my question (TC Note: I'll ask Aaron a question each week, which he will answer. Please continue.)
What's been the reaction of your classmates as you return from your first season as a professional baseball player? How much of a rockstar are you on campus?
Well, I haven't drawn any attention in class, which is a good thing. Not that I would BIG LEAGUE my fellow classmates, I just like to be low key. I go to class, take notes, just like all the other students. Most of them see me as a student, and not as a pro baseball player. Some classmates that had asked me where I had been gone, I gave them the answer of "I was busy playing baseball, I got drafted by the Houston Astros." Then I would be asked why I am not in Houston. That's as far as most conversations went. A lot of people did not understand the whole working your way up through the organization.
Once again I would like to thank you all of you for your support. I am looking forward to going to Houston this coming weekend to see the Astros play on Saturday and Sunday.
-
Come out and make a meaningless September game meaningful by welcoming Aaron Bray to Minute Maid Park!
So when, exactly, will Manzella play?
I guess that plan of having Manzella start two games every series has been shelved for a while.
"The main reason he's here is to see what was going on and get used to the atmosphere and that type of thing. I talked to Tejada a couple days ago in Cincinnati about trying to get (Manzella) in one game a series if it works out that way. Maybe not here, maybe not the St. Louis deal. But after that, for sure trying to get him in. And Tejada has some things that he's trying to accomplish too, so you've got to be mindful of that.”
So I guess that's "one or two starts" per series, starting in 2010. But what could Tejada possibly be trying to accomplish? Well, 10 more hits and he gets to 2100. 42 more plate appearances to get to 8000. One more GIDP for 30 on the season. Is that it? To his credit, Zach Levine points out that Tejada hasn't made any mention of individual goals beyond playing hard.
Manzella:
“This is really the first time I've had to deal with not really playing. So I'm trying to keep my legs fresh and experimenting with different things and trying different ways to stay loose and be ready. You never know when the opportunity is going to present itself and when you're going to have to be ready to play...
...I didn't really have any expectations. I didn't know what they had in mind for me, so I didn't want to set any goals for myself and then feel any kind of letdown because I didn't get there."
Hey! He's already talking like an Astro - set no expectations and receive no disappointment (just kidding, it's alright to not set any expectations as a September Call-Up with a manager who throws darts at a roster.)
"The main reason he's here is to see what was going on and get used to the atmosphere and that type of thing. I talked to Tejada a couple days ago in Cincinnati about trying to get (Manzella) in one game a series if it works out that way. Maybe not here, maybe not the St. Louis deal. But after that, for sure trying to get him in. And Tejada has some things that he's trying to accomplish too, so you've got to be mindful of that.”
So I guess that's "one or two starts" per series, starting in 2010. But what could Tejada possibly be trying to accomplish? Well, 10 more hits and he gets to 2100. 42 more plate appearances to get to 8000. One more GIDP for 30 on the season. Is that it? To his credit, Zach Levine points out that Tejada hasn't made any mention of individual goals beyond playing hard.
Manzella:
“This is really the first time I've had to deal with not really playing. So I'm trying to keep my legs fresh and experimenting with different things and trying different ways to stay loose and be ready. You never know when the opportunity is going to present itself and when you're going to have to be ready to play...
...I didn't really have any expectations. I didn't know what they had in mind for me, so I didn't want to set any goals for myself and then feel any kind of letdown because I didn't get there."
Hey! He's already talking like an Astro - set no expectations and receive no disappointment (just kidding, it's alright to not set any expectations as a September Call-Up with a manager who throws darts at a roster.)
Eliminated!
With yesterday's loss to the Brewers (I can't bring myself to do a recap), the Astros were officially eliminated from postseason contention, as opposed to Theoretically Eliminated - which occurred on July 24, when Berkman left the game with an injury.
Paulino pitched well - giving up four earned in six innings, but Coop still had some rough things to say, setting up a February/March fight for SP5:
"There’s a lot of potential there, but there has to be a little more quality, particularly early in the game."
Paulino has given up 10 runs in 15 1st innings this season, so it's merited, but he has received zero run support (and that's a literal number) in his last four starts.
Paulino pitched well - giving up four earned in six innings, but Coop still had some rough things to say, setting up a February/March fight for SP5:
"There’s a lot of potential there, but there has to be a little more quality, particularly early in the game."
Paulino has given up 10 runs in 15 1st innings this season, so it's merited, but he has received zero run support (and that's a literal number) in his last four starts.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Coop has a fever, and the only prescription is More Wild Card
Apparently, every time the Astros are in Milwaukee Coop stops by Selig's office for a chat. What's on his mind? A 2nd wild card team.
"That would add three or four more teams to the mix," Cooper said of adding another Wild Card entrant.
His format would include a first-round bye for the team with the best record in the league.
-
But they didn't talk about that. They only talked about the 1982 Brewers. The Great Communicator strikes again.
Richard Justice says some interesting things
In this morning's column Richard Justice says some alarming things. Keep in mind, this is Richard Justice, and not Ed Wade, but still:
-The Astros may explore the possibility of Matsui returning to Japan. It won't help the contract situation, but it will give us Edwin Maysonet at 2B for $5.9 million, and if he can hit .280 over a season, I'm happy with that.
-Drayton McLane would prefer for Berkman and Oswalt to finish their careers in Houston. I'm all for that, too, but first I'd want to talk to them and check their attitude. It's troubling that both have talked about how they're looking forward to retirement. When I hear that kind of talk, it tells me they've lost their love of the game.
-Tal Smith called T.J. Steele "the best five-tool player since Cesar Cedeno."
The Astros need a blueprint for 2010 that includes a restatement of values. Pitching. Defense. Effort. If Lee and Berkman can't bring themselves to run hard to first base four times a night, then they go sit on the bench and watch someone else play.
-The Astros may explore the possibility of Matsui returning to Japan. It won't help the contract situation, but it will give us Edwin Maysonet at 2B for $5.9 million, and if he can hit .280 over a season, I'm happy with that.
-Drayton McLane would prefer for Berkman and Oswalt to finish their careers in Houston. I'm all for that, too, but first I'd want to talk to them and check their attitude. It's troubling that both have talked about how they're looking forward to retirement. When I hear that kind of talk, it tells me they've lost their love of the game.
-Tal Smith called T.J. Steele "the best five-tool player since Cesar Cedeno."
The Astros need a blueprint for 2010 that includes a restatement of values. Pitching. Defense. Effort. If Lee and Berkman can't bring themselves to run hard to first base four times a night, then they go sit on the bench and watch someone else play.
Oh yeah, Coop does have a contract next year
...Because of the short-sighted decision to exercise his option 15 minutes after the season began. Anyhow, Coop reminded everybody of that when asked about how he feels about the complete re-evaluation of the organization:
“I know I have a contract through 2010, and my plan is to fulfill that and let the management decide what they want to do. That's basically their decision. I think ownership has said that he was going to look at everything and evaluate it when it's over. I take Drayton at his word; that's what he's going to do.”
-
Johnson's letting the Jimmy Legs get him a little bit in his first big-league action this month. Johnson:
"I feel all right; I've just got to relax. That's one of the biggest things for me is just learning how to relax when I'm up there.”
Coop?
“I think he's kind of feeling his way a little bit. It looks like he might be a little jittery and not quite sure, maybe, of the zone. That will happen with a young hitter. He's going to be thinking about (his) hands, (his) feet and ‘ooh, this guy's on the mound' — that kind of stuff. He's got to just relax and go play the game and let the talent take him.”
-
The Astros aren't happy that Towles hasn't had another 7-RBI game, or that he isn't hitting .990 this time around. Coop:
“We saw some good things out of J.R. a couple years ago when he was here in September, and we have yet to see that since then.I just think he needs to play a little more consistently, so he can show some of that and maybe get his feet on the ground.”
“I know I have a contract through 2010, and my plan is to fulfill that and let the management decide what they want to do. That's basically their decision. I think ownership has said that he was going to look at everything and evaluate it when it's over. I take Drayton at his word; that's what he's going to do.”
-
Johnson's letting the Jimmy Legs get him a little bit in his first big-league action this month. Johnson:
"I feel all right; I've just got to relax. That's one of the biggest things for me is just learning how to relax when I'm up there.”
Coop?
“I think he's kind of feeling his way a little bit. It looks like he might be a little jittery and not quite sure, maybe, of the zone. That will happen with a young hitter. He's going to be thinking about (his) hands, (his) feet and ‘ooh, this guy's on the mound' — that kind of stuff. He's got to just relax and go play the game and let the talent take him.”
-
The Astros aren't happy that Towles hasn't had another 7-RBI game, or that he isn't hitting .990 this time around. Coop:
“We saw some good things out of J.R. a couple years ago when he was here in September, and we have yet to see that since then.I just think he needs to play a little more consistently, so he can show some of that and maybe get his feet on the ground.”
Recap for G148 - Astros at Brewers
The Astros sure are finding ways to make this season interesting. It's almost like the players have realized, "Hey. If we finish .500, Coop will be back next year, so let's come up with the dumbest ways possible to lose games." Because that's exactly what happened in a 7-2 loss to the Brewers last night.
A five-run 7th will do that to you. Let's do the thing, and then we'll look at the 7th:
Moehler: 6IP, 5H/1ER (2 total), 3K:2BB, 18/26 first-pitch strikes, 21/56 non-contact strikes (14 called:7 swinging)
Byrdak: 0IP, 1H/2ER, 1BB, 1/2 FPS, 0/2 NCS
Gervacio: 0IP, 2H/2ER, 1/2 FPS, 1/3 NCS (1c)
Wright: 0IP, 1H, 1/1 FPS, 1/3 NCS (1s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1H, 1K, 2/4 FPS, 7/12 NCS (5c:2s)
Valverde: 1IP, 3H/1ER, 1K, 3/6 FPS, 8/18 NCS (5c:3s)
Notice a couple of things here:
-The Astros trotted out three relievers who did not record an out. As far as I can remember (and I'm not going back and looking) that hasn't happened this season.
-Moehler, again, pitched well. That's his eighth straight start in which he's gone at least 5IP and given up three or fewer runs, and he has lowered his ERA to 4.80.
So in the top of the 7th, Hunter Pence got himself a homerun to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. And then Jason Kendall singled to left to knock Moehler out of the game.
Byrdak comes in, and a bunt finds its way through. Byrdak walks Felipe Lopez, and in comes Gervacio, who gives up singles to Gerut and Braun. And in comes Wesley Wright to solely face Prince Fielder, and Fielder wins for the second straight night with a single. In comes Fulchino - remember, there aren't any outs at this point - and he gives up a 2-run single to McGehee. That was fun, no?
The Astros only managed five hits - Matsui, Lee, Pence, Tejada, and Johnson - and again were 1x5 with RISP. There were five 1-2-3 innings, including a stretch from the 3rd to the 7th in which Jeff Suppan retired 11 Astros in a row. And the Brewers pitching staff retired 19 of the final 21 Astro batters of the night.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 20 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada - 8 pitches in 3 PAs (1x3)
Man of the Match: Brian Moehler. Has slowly reestablished himself as a pitcher in which I don't go "Ahh crap" when he's the PP.
Goat of the Game: This one goes to the bullpen, collectively, who needed five guys to face 15 batters, and get six outs.
A five-run 7th will do that to you. Let's do the thing, and then we'll look at the 7th:
Moehler: 6IP, 5H/1ER (2 total), 3K:2BB, 18/26 first-pitch strikes, 21/56 non-contact strikes (14 called:7 swinging)
Byrdak: 0IP, 1H/2ER, 1BB, 1/2 FPS, 0/2 NCS
Gervacio: 0IP, 2H/2ER, 1/2 FPS, 1/3 NCS (1c)
Wright: 0IP, 1H, 1/1 FPS, 1/3 NCS (1s)
Fulchino: 1IP, 1H, 1K, 2/4 FPS, 7/12 NCS (5c:2s)
Valverde: 1IP, 3H/1ER, 1K, 3/6 FPS, 8/18 NCS (5c:3s)
Notice a couple of things here:
-The Astros trotted out three relievers who did not record an out. As far as I can remember (and I'm not going back and looking) that hasn't happened this season.
-Moehler, again, pitched well. That's his eighth straight start in which he's gone at least 5IP and given up three or fewer runs, and he has lowered his ERA to 4.80.
So in the top of the 7th, Hunter Pence got himself a homerun to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. And then Jason Kendall singled to left to knock Moehler out of the game.
Byrdak comes in, and a bunt finds its way through. Byrdak walks Felipe Lopez, and in comes Gervacio, who gives up singles to Gerut and Braun. And in comes Wesley Wright to solely face Prince Fielder, and Fielder wins for the second straight night with a single. In comes Fulchino - remember, there aren't any outs at this point - and he gives up a 2-run single to McGehee. That was fun, no?
The Astros only managed five hits - Matsui, Lee, Pence, Tejada, and Johnson - and again were 1x5 with RISP. There were five 1-2-3 innings, including a stretch from the 3rd to the 7th in which Jeff Suppan retired 11 Astros in a row. And the Brewers pitching staff retired 19 of the final 21 Astro batters of the night.
Pitch Count Hero: Michael Bourn - 20 pitches in 4 PAs (0x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Miguel Tejada - 8 pitches in 3 PAs (1x3)
Man of the Match: Brian Moehler. Has slowly reestablished himself as a pitcher in which I don't go "Ahh crap" when he's the PP.
Goat of the Game: This one goes to the bullpen, collectively, who needed five guys to face 15 batters, and get six outs.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lance ain't happy
Nor should he be. Lance:
"Generally when we've gotten good pitching this year, we've won. This is the first time that I can remember, and I could be wrong, that we've had and extended streak of good starting pitching and really have nothing to show for it because we haven't been able to get anything done offensively. It's a bad streak; there's no doubt about it."
"Generally when we've gotten good pitching this year, we've won. This is the first time that I can remember, and I could be wrong, that we've had and extended streak of good starting pitching and really have nothing to show for it because we haven't been able to get anything done offensively. It's a bad streak; there's no doubt about it."
Recap for G147 - Astros @ Brewers
So that's 0-fer on this four-game road trip, and five straight losses overall. Since sweeping Philly, the Astros are 3-7, with this latest bullpen loss - a 3-2 loss at Milwaukee tonight.
Bud Norris pitched five effective innings (though throwing 96 pitches), and the bullpen pitched three fairly ineffective ones for the loss. Let's do the thing:
Norris: 5IP, 3H/1ER, 8K:3BB, 15/21 first-pitch strikes, 27/61 non-contact strikes (21 called:6 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.1IP, 0/1 FPS, 0/1 NCS
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 2K, 1/2 FPS, 5/6 NCS (5s)
Fulchino: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 5/6 FPS, 5/15 NCS (4c:1s)
Wright: 0IP, 1H/1ER, 0/1 FPS, 2/3 NCS (2c)
LaHawk: 0.2IP, 1H, 1BB, 3/4 FPS, 1/7 NCS (1c)
Fulchino gave up his own run, but LaHawk gave up the run charged to Wright. The Astros had a 2-1 lead going into the 7th. Fulchino then came in, and promptly gave up a single to J.J. Hardy, who was sac'ed over to second by Jason Kendall. Hardy then made it to third on a passed ball by Towles, and when Felipe Lopez singled to center, Hardy scored. I've been wondering whether or not Hardy would have scored from second if Michael Bourn came up throwing, but regardless, that's a 2-2 game.
So in the 8th, Wesley Wright comes in to face Prince Fielder, who takes him for a double. LaHawk is brought in, and Casey McGehee singles to deep right to score Fielder. That's 3-2, and that's your final score.
The Astros, offensively, outhit the Brewers 8-7. Bourn and Pence had two hits each, with Matsui, Lee, Berkman (who homered), and Tejada getting the other four hits. Bourn stole his 58th base of the season - tying him for fourth all-time in Astros history with Cesar Cedeno, seven behind Gerald Young's francise record, set in 1988.
The Younguns are having a rough time of it. Chris Johnson was 0x2 with a walk and is now hitting .067 (1x15), and is hitless in his last 9ABs. J.R. Towles was 0x3, and is hitting .130.
Pitch Count Hero: J.R. Towles - 16 pitches in 3 PAs (0x3); Michael Bourn - 20 pitches in 4 PAs (2x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Carlos Lee - 10 pitches in 4 PAs (1x4)
Man of the Match: Michael Bourn. 2x4 with the SB (and a CS, but whatever...)
Goat of the Game: LaHawk. A hit and a walk in 0.2IP. Even though he didn't get charged with the loss, he sure did get Wright charged with it, and nothing slips by Astros County.
Bud Norris pitched five effective innings (though throwing 96 pitches), and the bullpen pitched three fairly ineffective ones for the loss. Let's do the thing:
Norris: 5IP, 3H/1ER, 8K:3BB, 15/21 first-pitch strikes, 27/61 non-contact strikes (21 called:6 swinging)
Byrdak: 0.1IP, 0/1 FPS, 0/1 NCS
Gervacio: 0.2IP, 2K, 1/2 FPS, 5/6 NCS (5s)
Fulchino: 1.1IP, 2H/1ER, 5/6 FPS, 5/15 NCS (4c:1s)
Wright: 0IP, 1H/1ER, 0/1 FPS, 2/3 NCS (2c)
LaHawk: 0.2IP, 1H, 1BB, 3/4 FPS, 1/7 NCS (1c)
Fulchino gave up his own run, but LaHawk gave up the run charged to Wright. The Astros had a 2-1 lead going into the 7th. Fulchino then came in, and promptly gave up a single to J.J. Hardy, who was sac'ed over to second by Jason Kendall. Hardy then made it to third on a passed ball by Towles, and when Felipe Lopez singled to center, Hardy scored. I've been wondering whether or not Hardy would have scored from second if Michael Bourn came up throwing, but regardless, that's a 2-2 game.
So in the 8th, Wesley Wright comes in to face Prince Fielder, who takes him for a double. LaHawk is brought in, and Casey McGehee singles to deep right to score Fielder. That's 3-2, and that's your final score.
The Astros, offensively, outhit the Brewers 8-7. Bourn and Pence had two hits each, with Matsui, Lee, Berkman (who homered), and Tejada getting the other four hits. Bourn stole his 58th base of the season - tying him for fourth all-time in Astros history with Cesar Cedeno, seven behind Gerald Young's francise record, set in 1988.
The Younguns are having a rough time of it. Chris Johnson was 0x2 with a walk and is now hitting .067 (1x15), and is hitless in his last 9ABs. J.R. Towles was 0x3, and is hitting .130.
Pitch Count Hero: J.R. Towles - 16 pitches in 3 PAs (0x3); Michael Bourn - 20 pitches in 4 PAs (2x4)
Pitch Count Punk: Carlos Lee - 10 pitches in 4 PAs (1x4)
Man of the Match: Michael Bourn. 2x4 with the SB (and a CS, but whatever...)
Goat of the Game: LaHawk. A hit and a walk in 0.2IP. Even though he didn't get charged with the loss, he sure did get Wright charged with it, and nothing slips by Astros County.
Bagwell receives Little League award
I'm one of those baseball fans who absolutely refuses to watch Little League baseball when it's the championships on ESPN/ABC. The championships of Little League baseball are approximately four years longer than the NBA and NHL playoffs. And there are eight kids on the field who are 5'1" and 95 pounds. Except for one kid, who has an Adam Morrison mustache, is 6'3" and 245. It reminds me too much of middle school gym class.
That said, this is pretty cool, in which I just found out (and if I'm behind, I apologize), that Jeff Bagwell was given the 2009 Bill Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate Award last month in Williamsport.
The award was established in 1987 to serve a two-fold purpose. First, and most importantly, the award is presented to a former Little Leaguer in Major League Baseball who best exemplifies the spirit of Little League. Consideration for selection includes both the individual’s ability and accomplishments and that person’s status as a positive role model.
Why Bagwell? Let's ask Stephen D. Keener, President and CEO of Little League Baseball and Softball:
“Jeff Bagwell played the game for its enjoyment and he had the talent to make baseball his career. Now as a member of the Astros’ front office, he is engaged in player development and serves as a talent evaluator, while continuing he charitable endeavors...
...“For Mr. Bagwell, baseball has been a life-long ambition, and his drive to play the game at the highest level required personal commitment and fortitude that was learned while playing Little League. His transition from playing to teaching skills and mentoring young players has brought him full circle with the experiences and enthusiasm enjoyed during his Little League days. Jeff’s athletic prowess coupled with his desire to assist in the lives of children makes us are proud to honor him with this award.”
Bagwell:
“I loved putting on my Little League uniform and going to play. As I got older, every time I put on my uniform it was exciting. When I talk to young players, I tell them, ‘If baseball is what you want to do, go practice, play hard, keep plugging away and don’t give up.’”
That said, this is pretty cool, in which I just found out (and if I'm behind, I apologize), that Jeff Bagwell was given the 2009 Bill Shea Distinguished Little League Graduate Award last month in Williamsport.
The award was established in 1987 to serve a two-fold purpose. First, and most importantly, the award is presented to a former Little Leaguer in Major League Baseball who best exemplifies the spirit of Little League. Consideration for selection includes both the individual’s ability and accomplishments and that person’s status as a positive role model.
Why Bagwell? Let's ask Stephen D. Keener, President and CEO of Little League Baseball and Softball:
“Jeff Bagwell played the game for its enjoyment and he had the talent to make baseball his career. Now as a member of the Astros’ front office, he is engaged in player development and serves as a talent evaluator, while continuing he charitable endeavors...
...“For Mr. Bagwell, baseball has been a life-long ambition, and his drive to play the game at the highest level required personal commitment and fortitude that was learned while playing Little League. His transition from playing to teaching skills and mentoring young players has brought him full circle with the experiences and enthusiasm enjoyed during his Little League days. Jeff’s athletic prowess coupled with his desire to assist in the lives of children makes us are proud to honor him with this award.”
Bagwell:
“I loved putting on my Little League uniform and going to play. As I got older, every time I put on my uniform it was exciting. When I talk to young players, I tell them, ‘If baseball is what you want to do, go practice, play hard, keep plugging away and don’t give up.’”
Valverde ready to go
Word from JJO that Valverde is in Milwaukee, and is ready to go.
"I'm here now. I feel a lot better, a lot better. Now I'll be able to pitch starting Friday. They didn't tell me what I had. They did a lot of analysis. They said I was fine. I feel a lot better. From Friday on I'll start playing and helping my teammates."
I checked the symptoms on WebMD, but no matter what your symptoms are, WebMD will tell you that you have Hepatitis Q, AIDS, or SARS. So no help there.
"I'm here now. I feel a lot better, a lot better. Now I'll be able to pitch starting Friday. They didn't tell me what I had. They did a lot of analysis. They said I was fine. I feel a lot better. From Friday on I'll start playing and helping my teammates."
I checked the symptoms on WebMD, but no matter what your symptoms are, WebMD will tell you that you have Hepatitis Q, AIDS, or SARS. So no help there.
Elimination game tonight?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cardinals are 14.5 up on the Astros, with 15 to play. So if the Cardinals win tonight against the Cubs, the Astros are done. Yes? No?
JJO drops Ponce de Leon on us
Jose de Jesus Ortiz drops some Spanish explorer knowledge on us, with Ed Wade the captain of the ship, heading to Florida, looking for youth.
And Wandy is the wizened veteran, talking to JJO, but apparently yelling loud enough for the young guys to hear:
"They just need to learn to locate and have patience and to study the hitters well. Remember, in 2007 and 2006 I'd lose games in one inning? I'd throw five good innings and lose it in one. But I learned to concentrate. You just have to learn it. People can tell you how to do it, but ultimately you have to learn it. These guys have great arms, and they'll learn.”
Let's stop here. With Roy popping off every so often, and becoming...shall we say, grizzled, is Wandy stepping up and assuming a leadership role in the clubhouse?
Ed Wade:
“We want to win as many games as we can. We want to finish on a high note, but at the same time try to take advantage of the opportunity to see Bud Norris and Paulino, Bazardo and some of the young position players, not to make definitive judgments on them but give them opportunities to get their feet wet and sort of experience what being in the big leagues is all about...
...“We're going to be younger. It's going to be necessitated by the economics. We're going to have to give every opportunity to the young players in our system to compete for jobs at the big league level, to win jobs out of spring training and begin to transition into a younger club.”
So, Eddie, is the left side set?
"Yeah, but that said we still have interest in exploring the possibility of bringing the veterans as well. You start talking about what Miguel and (Geoff) Blum have done for us, I don't think we can overstate the importance of their roles. We can't overstate what they've brought to our ballclub both off and on the field from the standpoint of talent, attitude, makeup, leadership, but again we're going to have to sit down when the season is over and continue to put pen to paper and see what's realistic and what isn't.”
What about Coop?
"I think we're always evaluated. As I've told you before, I don't get into those types of daily discourses on staff, whether it's front office or field staff. But we're always, all of us, are always in a position of having our successes and failures evaluated every day, both internally and externally.”
The starting pitching is pretty much set, but JJO drops a big If:
"If Oswalt can bounce back from the degenerative disk, he, Rodriguez, Norris and Brian Moehler could be the starters."
That's four. So unless they're winding back the clock to 1947, they'll need another one. What say you, Lance?
“It's hard to prognosticate for next year when you don't know what your personnel situation is going to be like. You don't know who's coming back or who's not. I think until you know from a personnel standpoint it's hard to say this is what's going to happen. The one thing I do like about our team next year is the fact that I think we're going to have Roy and Wandy and Bud and then Moehler. So I think we have four pretty solid starters that give you a chance to win, and that's where you have to start. That's the whole foundation of the team.”
So there's your "There's two weeks left, but we've checked out" story, and it's overdue. But who will be the captain? Ponce de Leon was killed by a poisoned arrow.
And Wandy is the wizened veteran, talking to JJO, but apparently yelling loud enough for the young guys to hear:
"They just need to learn to locate and have patience and to study the hitters well. Remember, in 2007 and 2006 I'd lose games in one inning? I'd throw five good innings and lose it in one. But I learned to concentrate. You just have to learn it. People can tell you how to do it, but ultimately you have to learn it. These guys have great arms, and they'll learn.”
Let's stop here. With Roy popping off every so often, and becoming...shall we say, grizzled, is Wandy stepping up and assuming a leadership role in the clubhouse?
Ed Wade:
“We want to win as many games as we can. We want to finish on a high note, but at the same time try to take advantage of the opportunity to see Bud Norris and Paulino, Bazardo and some of the young position players, not to make definitive judgments on them but give them opportunities to get their feet wet and sort of experience what being in the big leagues is all about...
...“We're going to be younger. It's going to be necessitated by the economics. We're going to have to give every opportunity to the young players in our system to compete for jobs at the big league level, to win jobs out of spring training and begin to transition into a younger club.”
So, Eddie, is the left side set?
"Yeah, but that said we still have interest in exploring the possibility of bringing the veterans as well. You start talking about what Miguel and (Geoff) Blum have done for us, I don't think we can overstate the importance of their roles. We can't overstate what they've brought to our ballclub both off and on the field from the standpoint of talent, attitude, makeup, leadership, but again we're going to have to sit down when the season is over and continue to put pen to paper and see what's realistic and what isn't.”
What about Coop?
"I think we're always evaluated. As I've told you before, I don't get into those types of daily discourses on staff, whether it's front office or field staff. But we're always, all of us, are always in a position of having our successes and failures evaluated every day, both internally and externally.”
The starting pitching is pretty much set, but JJO drops a big If:
"If Oswalt can bounce back from the degenerative disk, he, Rodriguez, Norris and Brian Moehler could be the starters."
That's four. So unless they're winding back the clock to 1947, they'll need another one. What say you, Lance?
“It's hard to prognosticate for next year when you don't know what your personnel situation is going to be like. You don't know who's coming back or who's not. I think until you know from a personnel standpoint it's hard to say this is what's going to happen. The one thing I do like about our team next year is the fact that I think we're going to have Roy and Wandy and Bud and then Moehler. So I think we have four pretty solid starters that give you a chance to win, and that's where you have to start. That's the whole foundation of the team.”
So there's your "There's two weeks left, but we've checked out" story, and it's overdue. But who will be the captain? Ponce de Leon was killed by a poisoned arrow.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Seeing the 2010 Astros will cost not a penny more, not a penny less
The Astros announced that they are freezing season ticket prices for 2010. So I guess we know that payroll isn't going up.
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sbd.preview&articleID=133384
Sadler shelved
In the Notes section, we read a number of things. Among those things:
Billy Sadler, whose call-up was dependent on him being healthy in September, has ironically been placed on the DL. Chad Paronto will make his way from the golf course to Milwaukee to replace him.
Sadler has right shoulder scapular dyskinesis, the same issue he had last month when the Astros signed him to a minor league contract and sent him to rehab with their Gulf Coast League team.
-
Alberto Arias' simulated inning didn't go so well. Said the "dejected Arias:"
“I didn't feel very good. The doctor will check me out again soon, and we'll see what happens.”
-
Hey, awkward moment with Tejada and Manzella tonight, as it's announced that Manzella will get at least one - maybe two - starts each series at shortstop. What do you think, Miggs?
“When I got to the big leagues, people helped me. That taught me that when a kid like Manzella came up I should help him and give him advice. He's a young player with talent to be in the big leagues and be the future shortstop of this team. My job is to help him if he's going to be my substitute for the future.”
Billy Sadler, whose call-up was dependent on him being healthy in September, has ironically been placed on the DL. Chad Paronto will make his way from the golf course to Milwaukee to replace him.
Sadler has right shoulder scapular dyskinesis, the same issue he had last month when the Astros signed him to a minor league contract and sent him to rehab with their Gulf Coast League team.
-
Alberto Arias' simulated inning didn't go so well. Said the "dejected Arias:"
“I didn't feel very good. The doctor will check me out again soon, and we'll see what happens.”
-
Hey, awkward moment with Tejada and Manzella tonight, as it's announced that Manzella will get at least one - maybe two - starts each series at shortstop. What do you think, Miggs?
“When I got to the big leagues, people helped me. That taught me that when a kid like Manzella came up I should help him and give him advice. He's a young player with talent to be in the big leagues and be the future shortstop of this team. My job is to help him if he's going to be my substitute for the future.”
Roy's back sucks
Latest word on Roy's back ain't good, and he's been shut down for the year.
Roy:
"It just ain’t going away. I’ve pitched with it for (four) starts, and it’s just not getting any better. It’s just kind of lingering more and more. If we were in contention fighting for the playoffs, I would probably get up and just try to block it and ride it as long as I could. But I don’t want it to linger on for next year."
Easy Eddie and Roy got together. Ed told him what's what, and Roy agreed. Roy:
“We both decided it’d probably be best. If I skipped a start, you’re looking at two starts, just to make two starts. And right now I’m not able to throw between starts, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to just to try to come back and throw two starts. Especially with young guys down here, you’ll be able to see young guys go in my spot.”
Coop:
“We can’t have Roy going and not really being himself and maybe causing the issues with his arm at some point. We can’t take a chance on that.”
Apparently, Coop has some knowledge - because that's exactly what happened. Roy has been feeling soreness in his shoulder and numbness in his leg.
Roy:
“I could tell I was getting sore in different areas than I normally do. I’m scared that trying to protect my back I’m going to start throwing a little bit more (with pressure on the) arm. I don’t want it to go to my shoulder.”
What about surgery, there, Roy?
“One surgery they can do is something about a laser and something about heating the nerve and killing it. It’s 50-50. I really don’t want to lose feeling in my leg.”
Can't say I blame him.
Wade, on Roy's treatment:
“Talking to the back specialist over the week, it didn’t sound as if … it’s not a surgical back. There have been changes in his back that are creating this nerve issue that he’s going through now. And I guess the hope is that by doing the trunk-strengthening exercises he’ll be able to build that core strength up.”
See you in February, Roy!
Roy:
"It just ain’t going away. I’ve pitched with it for (four) starts, and it’s just not getting any better. It’s just kind of lingering more and more. If we were in contention fighting for the playoffs, I would probably get up and just try to block it and ride it as long as I could. But I don’t want it to linger on for next year."
Easy Eddie and Roy got together. Ed told him what's what, and Roy agreed. Roy:
“We both decided it’d probably be best. If I skipped a start, you’re looking at two starts, just to make two starts. And right now I’m not able to throw between starts, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to just to try to come back and throw two starts. Especially with young guys down here, you’ll be able to see young guys go in my spot.”
Coop:
“We can’t have Roy going and not really being himself and maybe causing the issues with his arm at some point. We can’t take a chance on that.”
Apparently, Coop has some knowledge - because that's exactly what happened. Roy has been feeling soreness in his shoulder and numbness in his leg.
Roy:
“I could tell I was getting sore in different areas than I normally do. I’m scared that trying to protect my back I’m going to start throwing a little bit more (with pressure on the) arm. I don’t want it to go to my shoulder.”
What about surgery, there, Roy?
“One surgery they can do is something about a laser and something about heating the nerve and killing it. It’s 50-50. I really don’t want to lose feeling in my leg.”
Can't say I blame him.
Wade, on Roy's treatment:
“Talking to the back specialist over the week, it didn’t sound as if … it’s not a surgical back. There have been changes in his back that are creating this nerve issue that he’s going through now. And I guess the hope is that by doing the trunk-strengthening exercises he’ll be able to build that core strength up.”
See you in February, Roy!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Recap for G146 - Astros @ Reds
This couldn't have gone more poorly, no? The Astros were swept by the Reds, in what once was a home away from home, 5-4
Let's do the thing:
Bazardo: 5IP, 7H/4ER, 2K:2BB, 14/24 first-pitch strikes, 18/58 non-contact strikes (13 called:5 swinging)
Lopez: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K, 3/5 FPS, 6/16 NCS (3c:3s)
Wright: 0IP, 2H/1ER, 1/2 FPS, 1/4 NCS (1c), 1L
Fulchino: 2IP, 6K:1BB, 6/7 FPS, 17/20 NCS (8c:9s)
Dude. Fulchino? Lights out. 20 of his 31 pitches were for strikes, and 17 of those were non-contact strikes. He struck out all six batters he faced.
Once again, the Astros had the lead twice, and squandered it, twice. 1-6 in the lineup went 10x25, and hit five home runs in a game for the first time since Game 2 - and they lost both games. J.R. Towles got the start behind the plate, presumably to keep the Express connection alive. Keppinger was the champ, going 3x4 with two runs and two RBI. Pence rebounded with a 2x5 night, and the Rough Game award goes to Tommy Manzella, who in his first career start, went 0x3 with 3Ks. Kaz Matsui had another homer, his second in two games (the first time he's had homers in consecutive games since Aug 1-2, 2008 vs NY Mets, and the third time in his career).
Pitch Count Hero: Kaz and Pence - 23 pitches in 5 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Tommy Manzella - 10 pitches in 3 PAs (0x3, 3Ks)
Man of the Match: Jeff Keppinger. Gets back at his old team with 2 HRs/RBIs and a 3x4 night.
Goat of the Game: I just can't bring myself to give it to Manzella, in his first start. So it goes to Wesley Wright - who retired nobody and took the loss.
Let's do the thing:
Bazardo: 5IP, 7H/4ER, 2K:2BB, 14/24 first-pitch strikes, 18/58 non-contact strikes (13 called:5 swinging)
Lopez: 1IP, 2H/1ER, 1K, 3/5 FPS, 6/16 NCS (3c:3s)
Wright: 0IP, 2H/1ER, 1/2 FPS, 1/4 NCS (1c), 1L
Fulchino: 2IP, 6K:1BB, 6/7 FPS, 17/20 NCS (8c:9s)
Dude. Fulchino? Lights out. 20 of his 31 pitches were for strikes, and 17 of those were non-contact strikes. He struck out all six batters he faced.
Once again, the Astros had the lead twice, and squandered it, twice. 1-6 in the lineup went 10x25, and hit five home runs in a game for the first time since Game 2 - and they lost both games. J.R. Towles got the start behind the plate, presumably to keep the Express connection alive. Keppinger was the champ, going 3x4 with two runs and two RBI. Pence rebounded with a 2x5 night, and the Rough Game award goes to Tommy Manzella, who in his first career start, went 0x3 with 3Ks. Kaz Matsui had another homer, his second in two games (the first time he's had homers in consecutive games since Aug 1-2, 2008 vs NY Mets, and the third time in his career).
Pitch Count Hero: Kaz and Pence - 23 pitches in 5 PAs
Pitch Count Punk: Tommy Manzella - 10 pitches in 3 PAs (0x3, 3Ks)
Man of the Match: Jeff Keppinger. Gets back at his old team with 2 HRs/RBIs and a 3x4 night.
Goat of the Game: I just can't bring myself to give it to Manzella, in his first start. So it goes to Wesley Wright - who retired nobody and took the loss.
Ed Wade anoints Bourn with oil
Jerry Crasnick's Starting 9 on the outfielders who have emerged in 2009. And with a great sigh of relief, Ed Wade says the following about Michael Bourn:
"He's been our most valuable player...Last year Michael put himself in a lot of tough situations. Word got around that he was trying to take pitches and be patient, and all of a sudden he was hitting in a lot of 0-2 and 1-2 counts. Now if somebody throws a fastball, he'll square it up and hit it somewhere -- preferably to the left side...He makes center field look awfully small. Sometimes it seems like he's covering it corner to corner, foul line to foul line."
"He's been our most valuable player...Last year Michael put himself in a lot of tough situations. Word got around that he was trying to take pitches and be patient, and all of a sudden he was hitting in a lot of 0-2 and 1-2 counts. Now if somebody throws a fastball, he'll square it up and hit it somewhere -- preferably to the left side...He makes center field look awfully small. Sometimes it seems like he's covering it corner to corner, foul line to foul line."
Roy to get shut down?
McTaggart is tweeting that Roy could get shut down for the season, thanks to the complications with his back.
Coop (via Alyson Footer):
"We need to sit down with Roy and talk about it...we can't keep sending someone out there who's not 100 percent."
Coop (via Alyson Footer):
"We need to sit down with Roy and talk about it...we can't keep sending someone out there who's not 100 percent."
Coste "hopefully" will stay in Houston
Interesting article in the Grand Forks Herald about the only two players from North Dakota to get back-to-back hits in a Major League game: Darin Erstad and Chris Coste.
It's a good long article, but worth noting is Coste's reaction to 2009, and its effect on 2010:
"I know I still have it, but whether another team next year believes that, we’ll see. I’ll squeeze out a few more years, hopefully, but having said that, if I don’t pick it up a little this month, it could easily be my last year and not by my choice. But as long as the phone rings and somebody wants me and hopefully it’s Houston, I’ll always give it a try until my body says it’s time to go."
It's a good long article, but worth noting is Coste's reaction to 2009, and its effect on 2010:
"I know I still have it, but whether another team next year believes that, we’ll see. I’ll squeeze out a few more years, hopefully, but having said that, if I don’t pick it up a little this month, it could easily be my last year and not by my choice. But as long as the phone rings and somebody wants me and hopefully it’s Houston, I’ll always give it a try until my body says it’s time to go."
Manzella in the lineup for G146 - Astros @ Reds
Lineup, courtesy of Brian McTaggart:
Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Pence RF
Lee LF
Blum 1B
Keppinger 3B
Towles C
Manzella SS
Bazardo P
Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Pence RF
Lee LF
Blum 1B
Keppinger 3B
Towles C
Manzella SS
Bazardo P
Heyman/Agent/GM predictions on Valverde, Tejada
Jon Heyman got together with an unnamed agent, and an unnamed GM to put together some figures regarding the more prominent free agents and the price tag they'll command. Jose Valverde and Miguel Tejada qualify for this list. Here are the results:
-Jose Valverde
Heyman: 2 years/$16 million
GM: 3 years/$27 million
Agent: 3 years/$36 million
-Miguel Tejada
Heyman: 1 year/$10 million
GM: 2 years/$18 million
Agent: 2 years/$20 million (or 3/$30)
What say you?
-Jose Valverde
Heyman: 2 years/$16 million
GM: 3 years/$27 million
Agent: 3 years/$36 million
-Miguel Tejada
Heyman: 1 year/$10 million
GM: 2 years/$18 million
Agent: 2 years/$20 million (or 3/$30)
What say you?
Gaston falls three RBI short of $7,000
Albuquerque's Mitch Jones won the Joe Bauman Home Run Award, despite hitting the same number of home runs as our boy Jon Gaston.
How did that happen? Because, in the event of a tie, the nod goes to the player with the most RBI - and Mitch Jones finished with 103; Gaston, 100.
And it came down to the last at-bat, with Jones hitting his Gaston-tying homer in his last at-bat of the season.
How did that happen? Because, in the event of a tie, the nod goes to the player with the most RBI - and Mitch Jones finished with 103; Gaston, 100.
And it came down to the last at-bat, with Jones hitting his Gaston-tying homer in his last at-bat of the season.
The Astros are winning the games they should lose, and losing the games they should win
Not much to report in Astroland today, so I got curious, how are they performing against other teams? And what's the problem?
Alright, so here's what I found as far as winning percentage against teams above .500:
Los Angeles Dodgers: .571 (44-33)
Philadelphia: .537 (36-31)
Atlanta: .521 (38-35)
San Francisco: .521 (37-34)
Houston: .474 (37-41)
St. Louis: .472 (25-28)
Colorado: .459 (34-40)
Florida: .457 (32-38)
San Diego: .409 (38-55)
NY Mets: .394 (37-57)
Milwaukee: .386 (27-43)
Arizona: .369 (31-53)
Cincinnati: .369 (24-41)
Pittsburgh: .368 (25-43)
Chicago Cubs: .352 (19-35)
Washington: .268 (22-60)
Notice a few things here:
1. It's easy to see how the Dodgers are almost 30 games over .500 - they've won 44 out of 77 games against teams better than .500.
2. The Cardinals are so far ahead of anyone else in the NL Central because they're 60-33 against teams with records below .500. That's a pounding.
3. The Cardinals (53) and the Cubs (54) have played the fewest games against teams over .500. And the Cardinals are 6.5 games better against those teams than the Cubs. Even that up and the Cubs are only 2 games behind St. Louis.
Alright, so here's what I found as far as winning percentage against teams above .500:
Los Angeles Dodgers: .571 (44-33)
Philadelphia: .537 (36-31)
Atlanta: .521 (38-35)
San Francisco: .521 (37-34)
Houston: .474 (37-41)
St. Louis: .472 (25-28)
Colorado: .459 (34-40)
Florida: .457 (32-38)
San Diego: .409 (38-55)
NY Mets: .394 (37-57)
Milwaukee: .386 (27-43)
Arizona: .369 (31-53)
Cincinnati: .369 (24-41)
Pittsburgh: .368 (25-43)
Chicago Cubs: .352 (19-35)
Washington: .268 (22-60)
Notice a few things here:
1. It's easy to see how the Dodgers are almost 30 games over .500 - they've won 44 out of 77 games against teams better than .500.
2. The Cardinals are so far ahead of anyone else in the NL Central because they're 60-33 against teams with records below .500. That's a pounding.
3. The Cardinals (53) and the Cubs (54) have played the fewest games against teams over .500. And the Cardinals are 6.5 games better against those teams than the Cubs. Even that up and the Cubs are only 2 games behind St. Louis.
The injuries, oh Lord, the injuries
The Chronicle's Notes column today is more like the church's sick list.
Lance:
"It's just the middle of my back. It's either a spasm of some kind or a tweaked muscle. After (Monday's) game, I went to lift weights. Then I got the dumbbells, and I sat down on the bench to do dumbbell benches, and I had to have Doc (Gene) Coleman come get the weights from me. I couldn't move. It kind of just locked up on me."
Lance isn't expected back (ha) until Friday at the earliest.
-
Erstad:
Out until Friday, again, at the earliest, because of right shoulder problems. Erstad had a cortisone shot on his left shoulder a few days ago.
-
Valverde:
"I still don't feel good, but they haven't told me exactly what I have. I still have a fever, but it's not as bad as it was. I'll see if I can join the team in Cincinnati (today). If not, I'll go to Milwaukee (on Friday)."
He ran a fever as high as 101 on Monday.
-
Arias:
"It's boring, very boring to be on the disabled list. Seeing situations in the game when you know you could help is tough. Now if I'm activated, the pitchers can get some rest."
He'll throw a simulated inning today in a test before becoming eligible to be activated on Friday.
-
Sadler:
Sadler, whose contract was dependent on him getting a September Call-Up if he was healthy, is now not healthy. He has shoulder capsulitis, and hasn't pitched since last Thursday.
Lance:
"It's just the middle of my back. It's either a spasm of some kind or a tweaked muscle. After (Monday's) game, I went to lift weights. Then I got the dumbbells, and I sat down on the bench to do dumbbell benches, and I had to have Doc (Gene) Coleman come get the weights from me. I couldn't move. It kind of just locked up on me."
Lance isn't expected back (ha) until Friday at the earliest.
-
Erstad:
Out until Friday, again, at the earliest, because of right shoulder problems. Erstad had a cortisone shot on his left shoulder a few days ago.
-
Valverde:
"I still don't feel good, but they haven't told me exactly what I have. I still have a fever, but it's not as bad as it was. I'll see if I can join the team in Cincinnati (today). If not, I'll go to Milwaukee (on Friday)."
He ran a fever as high as 101 on Monday.
-
Arias:
"It's boring, very boring to be on the disabled list. Seeing situations in the game when you know you could help is tough. Now if I'm activated, the pitchers can get some rest."
He'll throw a simulated inning today in a test before becoming eligible to be activated on Friday.
-
Sadler:
Sadler, whose contract was dependent on him getting a September Call-Up if he was healthy, is now not healthy. He has shoulder capsulitis, and hasn't pitched since last Thursday.
Paul Janish's big night
Cy-Creek native/Rice grad Paul Janish had himself a big night last night, going 3x4 with three doubles.
In his short career (111 games, 318 plate appearances), Janish had only enjoyed a three-hit game once before, May 18, 2008 vs. Cleveland. He had only had multiple extra-base hits twice in his career - both this season - before last night, and he sure hasn't had three doubles before. In fact, before last night, he only had 14 doubles on the year.
So...thanks to the Astros' pitching staff, Janish has raised his batting average 12 points in these last two games, and 11 points last night alone. Glad we could help.
In his short career (111 games, 318 plate appearances), Janish had only enjoyed a three-hit game once before, May 18, 2008 vs. Cleveland. He had only had multiple extra-base hits twice in his career - both this season - before last night, and he sure hasn't had three doubles before. In fact, before last night, he only had 14 doubles on the year.
So...thanks to the Astros' pitching staff, Janish has raised his batting average 12 points in these last two games, and 11 points last night alone. Glad we could help.
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