Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Odd start for 'Stros

On the day that Astros position players reported to srping training, there were three headlines that had nothing to do with baseball.
1. We knew this was coming - New SS Miguel Tejada reported to camp, met his teammates and said hello for the first time. Then the questions about the Mitchell Report.

2. Hunter Pence arrived earlier in the week and I guess that's a good thing since he's now out a week, after jumping through a sliding glass door -- accidentally. You know the skeptics will have their theories about what really happened. I don't really care as long as he will be out just the week and that is all.

3. The Astros saved some more money, winning their 2nd of two arbitration cases. Mark Loretta now has to give it his all for the Astros (at least until the trade deadline, maybe!!) despite taking a sizable pay cut from $3.5 million to $2.75. He wanted $4.9 - that's what greed gets him.
Is anyone surprised that management is 5-0 league wide in arbitration cases?? Let's see if Ryan Howard or Francisco Rodriguez can represent the players a little better.

Loretta is a pro so I doubt he'll be an issue. Pence is young, he called his parents after the accident - he's a good kid. This shouldn't be an issue. Tejada can't help his cause by talking about the Mitchell Report. Provided there is no suspension and I seriously doubt there will be one this season, Tejada will deliver more than just the best offensive numbers for a SS in Astros history, he's going to become a huge factor in the clubhouse. Oswalt, Berkman, Lee and Tejada will comprise a very strong leadership quartet for this team.

-------as always more throughout the day------- WEX
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I suppose you forgot about a super special shortstop by the name of Craig Reynolds....
I mean, I suppose Miggy will hit better overall... but I challenge him to
1) Match those locks (curly hair is hard to match)
2) Hit 3 triples in a single game

2/20/2008 10:06 AM
Wex said...

I also was foolish not to mention his play in the '86 NLCS with the Mets when he beat out an infield grounder only to have the moronic umpire call him out, yet another bad break for the 'stros in what should have been an even more magical year.
--- WEX

2/20/2008 10:44 AM

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