[DannyMac]

Just finished morning coffee and paper, looks like the fire sale is about to begin. McClain was quoted the other day that he would not make any moves until the Allstar game was over, he didn't want to cause a distraction. So long Jimmy Williams. After last nights loss to LA, every member of the Lastros had better have his bags packed. Here's I see it, with the exception of the Rocket the starting pitching is terrible, Oswalt is coming around but the rest of the staff are not producing. The Petitte deal doesn't look so good after the shelling he took last week, granted he has been on the DL twice. The bull pen is a joke, they look like they are trying not lose rather than challenging the batters, and now hitting. If you look at averages, the lineup appears to be ok, but they are not getting the job done. Where is Lamb? Williams finally put Vizcaino in the lineup. Have you noticed how the opposing pitchers are consistently pitching to the outside corner of the plate to Bagwell, K,K,K,K,K,K. Regardless of the stiff upper lip that you read in the papers, just another season down the tubes. My 2 cents.

 

[Too Tall]

I see the hitting and pitching coaches gone at the break with Williams shown the door after the season is over. I guess Dierker wasn't so bad after all, at least he got them to compete instead of roll over and play dead. The season isn't over yet but they need to get busy.

 

[Blue Water Ho]

Who's to say, all I know is Steinbrener and the Yanks can do just that!!!!!! One of theses days a Texas team will get someone that knows what the he!! they are doing. But untill then GO STROS GO is all I got to go on...............................later,Dave

 

[manintheboat]

We still have enough talent in our lineup and rotation to be playing much better. Our bullpen, with the exception of Lidge is a joke. Our main problem is coaching and leadership. I fully expect Jimy Williams, Harry Spillman and maybe Bert Hooten to get wacked after the all star game. There needs to be a shake up and fast.


It is not too late, but it will be soon if we do not start playing better.

 

[Drew_Smoke]

Jimy needs to go...sorry Jack Mckeon is not coaching little league this year too... Cito Gaston is unemployed. Where's ol Roger Craig when you need him? Jimy manages like my old boss did. And everything went down the toilet there too. Always asking you to do things instead of telling you to do it....

What they are lacking is intensity. They need someone to come in and trash the clubhouse....

 

[NaClH2O]

Yesterday I finally heard the positive that has been missing the last two months. Going into last night's game, the Astros were only 3 games out of it in the wild card. As bad as they've been playing, only 3 games?! Right now, I'll take any kind of silver lining I can find.

And I fully expect Jimy Williams to be shown the door pretty soon after the All-Star break. Something has to be done and moving players doesn't seem to be working.

 

[centexangler]

I am a loyal Astros fan-have been since before they were the Astros and before the dome (dang, I'm old); but, they just seem to have a way of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!

 

[grinderman]

Personally, I'd like to see some of our big name, high priced veterans be shown the door. They've had enough chances with the Astros and we all know how they've performed in playoff games. I know they have solid stats, but we need some players that get those key hits when it counts. I agree that Williams should take some heat for the way the team is playing and should go too, but the Astros 2 big veterans are supposed to be the leaders of that team. I would much rather see both of them go for some young, energetic, talent that can bring a lot more to the team. You talk about a wake-up call to a team, get rid of Bags and Biggio. Then see how hard the rest of the players play because then they know anything goes.

 

[NaClH2O]

I wouldn't necessarily get rid of Biggio. He's been one of the few bright spots on offense (look at last night) and hasn't been terrible in the field. Bagwell, on the other hand, is fading fast. His offense has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Nothing but pop-ups, ground balls and strikeouts. I wouldn't cry over seeing him get shipped to the AL, where his arm can get some rest when he's not batting. I don't have the answers on how to fix this team, but I do know that some changes are needed and fast.

 

[Reel_Blessed II]

Grinderman....what's up? Time to chime in. Who wants to bet Beltran is not an Astro next year? This guy should be under contract for the next 8 years with the Stros, but I see this as another Randy Johnson deal. If the Stros are done with 2 months left, don't be surprise to see a trade happen. They've had a good farm system and they need to start allowing these guys to play. JO-JO the circus clown in left field needs to grab some pine or go race in the Kentucky Derby because he's a liability in the outfield. They need to move Berkman to 1st and say thanks but good-bye to Broken Wing-swing a-little-harder windmill. Jimmy needs to get the boot and ****-stache Kent needs to go back to his ranch and fall off his truck again.

Anyway...my Rangers are in 1st!!! Still in shock but it's all farm-system boys. take some notes Drayton.

Let's Fish.

 

[Fish-a-mon]

Jimy needs to go. So does the Batting coach and pitching coach. They should name Biggio the player/manager. Get Macraw back for hitting. If not hire Don Zimmer. Anyones better than JW. He is inconsistant. Example in SD the other night Clements @ bat no outs men on 2nd & 3rd. He has Clements bunt for the first two stikes and then he has him swing away. The manager controls one thing and that who's pitching. I will say a tired Rocket is better than a fresh anyone in the bullpen. The pen lost it that night again. The pen has given up 10 game themselves.

 

[TXPalerider]

I'd love to see Jimmy fired. But, who you gonna get to replace him mid-season. All the decent coaches are under contract. Dierker?

 

[Too Tall]

Cito Gaston, Jim Fregosi, Phil Garner any number of retreads out there. Not to say that any of these are right for the job but they can't be any worse.

 

[Drew_Smoke]

Two words for Reel Blessed..."Rack him" lol....... I bet there are alot of "my rangers" people in Metrosexualplex nowadays. Check back in Sept when they're in 3rd place....

 

[gatorbait]

Here is the name Im hearing

Don Baylor, dont be suprised if you hear that name more next week. He seems to be the one they want. I think we need someone in there to give these guys a little heart. That seems to be what they are lacking, that and a bit of a mean streak. Get mad and tear somebody a new one! Just like last night, they cruise though four innings and then just seemed to roll over like a sick dog. I know its gonna be hard for Astros Mgmt. to do but Bagwell's days of everyday playing are over. Put Berkman on first, Lane back in the outfield and lets roll. I heard last night we still owe Bags 36 mil, good luck finding someone to take that one with his status and all. Make Chavez the every day catcher and let Ausmus get the spot starts. And by all means if Kent doesnt come bck from the All Star game with a new attitude, let him go and get Burke in there. I agree totally that the bullpen is weak but if we scored a little more it wouldnt get exposed quite as bad. There is no reason why this line up shouldnt be putting up 5 runs a night. Put some distance on the scoreboard and the bullpen can relax, they all are save guys now with the runs we're scoring. Time for some changes, look for the hinges on the clubhouse door to get a serious workout between July 14th and the 31st. There, I threw in my .02. Now, where are the fish?

Zac

 

[manintheboat]

Don Baylor seems to be the name thrown around the most. He has a job as he Mets hitting coach. He is the one who straightened out Hidalgo in about 5 minutes (great job, Spillman). I am sure he would have no problems getting out of his Mets obligations since he would be moving up to manager with the Astros. Same thing happened a few years ago when the Royals hired Tony Pena off of our bench. Do not rule out Garner. I cannot remember his name right now, but the manager from Arizona (who won a world series a few years ago) was fired a few weeks ago and is available. I would even like to see Davey Johnson hired. As long as Jimy, Harry and Burt get wacked, I will be happy. Hell, i would settle for Jimy and Harry getting fired.


I would love to see Bagwell fire himself after this season, even though he wouldn't do that in a million years. Do you guys remember last year when we were still in the playoff race. We had a series against the Cardinals followed by a series against the Brewers. while we were still mathematically alive in the playoff race for those games, Bagwell went o-fer. The very first day after we were eliminated, he hit two home runs. That pretty much sums up his career concerning clutch hitting.

 

[Too Tall]

Don Baylor may be the right man for the job but at the wrong time. Can't you just hear all the Jesse Jacksons of the world spouting off about the Astros having an African American coach but no African American players. That would be a P.R disaster. Warranted or not.

 

[Reel_Blessed II]

Angler....thanks for the "Rack him." I hope the Rangers at least finish in 3rd. That would be an improvement from the last 4 years.

Being in Austin, I still root for both Texas teams, so I hope the Houston Circus makes a good run after the All-star break and make it an All-Texas World Series..........Yea right!

FYI out there.....just heard Bonds is in the home run derby because MLB is compensating him. He wasn't going to participate because that would have been a day off for him. What a jerk.

They should put Alex Cora in his place.

Late!

 

[DannyMac]

*********, you are dead on about Bagwell, he maybe a top notch team player, good guy and all that, but fathertime has crept up on him faster that he thought. His hitting skills have diminished and having one bad arm doesn't help. Ausmus needs to have a seat and let Chavez make it or break it. But I still ask "where's Lamb"? They didn't send him to the minors did they? Vizcaino is another player that needs to start and make it or break it. Biggio has earned the right to stay, he is having a very good season. The Stros need some more speed, but I guess they will have too play with what they have. If they lose either one of the next two games, I think there will be firings pretty quick.

"Just win baby"

 

[Drew_Smoke]

Davey Johnson...playing golf somewhere. Call him up I bet he would jump at he chance to work for a half season. I'd love to see Baylor here, too. That dude was nails back in the day....