------------------( Forwarded letter 1 follows )---------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 17:08:58 -0500
From: cyberstros@...
Reply-To: cyberstros@...
Subject: Cyber-Stros, Vol. II, No. X



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Cyber- Stros
An email newsletter for the latest News, Highlights and Happenings of your
three-time defending NL Central Champion Houston Astros

The Houston Astros continue an all-NL Central homestand, hosting the Milwaukee
Brewers for a three-game weekend series. Slammin Sammy Sosa and the Chicago
Cubs will visit Enron Field from 8/21-23 to conclude the nine-game home stint.

The homestand began on high note, as the Astros swept a three-game series over
the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking the first-ever Astros sweep at Enron Field. The
Astros are 18-16 since the All-Star break, a mark which includes a season-high
five-game winning streak from 7/22-26. Over their past 13 games, the Astros are
batting .333 (155x466) with 36 doubles and 30 homers. Through those 13 games,
Houston has raised its team batting average from .265 to a season-high .272,
which the fifth-highest in the league.

ROSTER MOVES: The Astros announced on Wednesday that catcher Mitch Meluskey was
activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him on Houston s
25-man roster, catcher Raul Chavez was optioned to Triple A New Orleans. Also,
RHP Jay Powell was placed on the 15-day DL due to inflammation in his right
shoulder. RHP Jason Green will be recalled from New Orleans to take his place
on
the roster. Finally, OF Roger Cedeno, who missed 75 games due to broken bones
and torn tendon in his left hand, was activated from the DL and will be ready
to
play this weekend vs. Milwaukee. As a corresponding move, OF Matt Mieske was
granted his unconditional release.

BAGWELL NEARS 300: Jeff Bagwell, who has hit six home runs in his past seven
games, logged his 298th career longball on Wednesday and is just two homers shy
of reaching the 300 career homer plateau. Bagwell would become just the 87th
player in major league history to reach such a feat. Jay Buhner (304) and Greg
Vaughn (314) are the two other active players who entered the 300-homer club
this year. Frank Thomas, who has 338 homers on the year, began the season with
301 roundtrippers.

LIGHTS OUT: Since moving from the starting rotation to the closer s role on
7/6,
Octavio Dotel is 1-0 with seven saves and a 2.55 ERA (5ER/17.2IP) in 17 relief
appearances. He notched his seventh save on Wednesday vs. Pirates to take sole
possession of the team lead. According to the Rolaids Relief Man statistics,
four of Dotel s seven saves have been labeled as tough . A tough save
opportunity occurs when the reliever comes in with the tying runs on base and
saves the game. Dotel s four tough saves tie him for second in the National
League. The National League leaders in tough saves (through August 16):

Rank--Pitcher, Team--Saves
1.--Dave Veres, St. Louis--6
T2.--OCTAVIO DOTEL, HOUSTON--4
T2.--Keith Foulke, Chicago-AL--4
T2.--Mike Remlinger, Atlanta--4

CLUBHOUSE CHATTER
Credit Jose Lima for trying just about anything to turn his luck around this
year. After starting the year with a miserable 13-game losing streak, he came
back after the All-Star break with a new attitude, a positive outlook, and
blonde hair. He thought if he dyed his hair a different color that may change
his luck on the mound. Well, before one of his more recent starts, he showed up
to Enron Field with yet another look bald. He shaved off the blonde locks and
is sporting the cue-ball look for the time being. I ve been feeling bad, low
and miserable for a while now, he explained. But today, I feel handsome,
gorgeous and good looking. I feel great.

Speaking of handsome, gorgeous and good-looking, the 11th annual Wives Gala
took
place at Enron Field on Thursday evening. Proceeds from the event benefit the
Houston Area Women s Center. Laura Spiers, wife of super infielder Bill Spiers,
and Sarah Wagner, wife of Astros flamethrower Billy Wagner, were the co-chairs
of the event. Tuxedos and evening gowns defined the code as everyone in
attendance was dressed to the nines. A few days before the gala, Jay Powell s
wife, Candace, arranged for a representative from Al s Formal Wear to stop by
the Astros clubhouse to fit the players for tuxedoes. The only straggler was
relief pitcher Marc Valdes, who wasn t planning to attend, until his wife
coaxed
him into going. Luckily, Marc was able to send in his measurements at the last
minute and picked up his tux just moments before the cocktail portion of the
evening began

A traditional gathering before the wives gala is a dinner party hosted by the
players and their wives a week ahead of the actual event. This gives the Astros
wives a chance to thank the people whose donations were among the more generous
of the patrons. This year s party was at Maggilio s near the Galleria area. The
party was officially slated to conclude at 9:30, but as late as midnight Jose
Lima (who else?) was spotted perched at the piano harmonizing with the hired
help. The highlight of the night would definitely have to be when Jose s wife,
Melissa, and Astros manager Larry Dierker took to the dance floor to spin to a
few tunes, sung by none other than Lima.

As always, the Astros had to pose for the dreaded team photo taken once or
twice a year, and always met with mumblings and grumblings. This year was no
different. Fresh off of a long and grueling three-game road trip, the players
grudgingly put on their uniforms and headed to the field to pose for the
seven-minute photo session. It didn t take long, however, for the usual
suspects
to start to goof around. And as usual, it was mostly the coaches instigating
the
mischief. Bullpen coach John Tamargo and first base coach Jose Cruz had to be
told to cut out the rabbit ears and just smile for the camera