LET'S SEE IF YOU READ YOUR MAIL
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>> What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be
>> there?
>>
>> 
>>
>> What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy there would
>> be 10 moments of sadness?
>>
>>
>>
>> What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got to
>> tell them how you felt?
>>
>> 
>>
>> So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you again in my life,
>> you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
>>
>>
>> I look up to you, respect you, and truly cherish you.
>>
>>
>>
>> Send this to all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how
>> close you are, and send it to the person who sent it to you.
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>> Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends
>> you never will.
>>
>>
>> Remember, everyone needs a friend, someday you might feel like you have
>> NO FRIENDS at all, just remember t his e-mail and take comfort in knowing
>> somebody out there cares about you and always will.
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>> In times of trouble,
>> In times of need,
>> If you are feeling SAD,
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>> You can count on me.
>> I will give you a wink,
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>> Until you smile,
>>
>>
>>
>> give you a hug,
>>
>>
>>
>> And stand by your side. 
>>
>>
>> 

>>
>> I'll be there for you till the end, I'll always and forever, be your
>> friend!
>>
>>
>> 
>> INSTANTLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS,
>> YOU MUST SEND IT TO AT LEAST 10 FRIENDS,
>> INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU!
>>
>>
>> Good Luck!!!!
>> 
 OK Back at you Sherrie!!..Pull The Tarps.....Don't Try To Saw...SawDust....That's the June 17, 2006 "Field of Dreams Today"...Be Safe..Be Brave..Be Americans..And NEVER LET GO..."Sic Semper Tyrannis"...Let's Roll!!

---

June 14, 2006 Hey Astros fan! The game notes for the Astros are now updated for today's game. Your personalized Official Pregame Notes gives you access to every Major League Baseball club's game notes BEFORE game time. Click here to access the Astros Official Pregame Notes from MLB.com. You can also log in at MLB.com at any time to get starting lineups, player stats, and more for any Club.

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	ROGER RETURNS ULTIMATE VIP AUCTIONS THURSDAY, JUNE 22 To commemorate Roger Clemens tentatively-scheduled 2006 debut on June 22 against the Minnesota Twins, the Astros have put together two Ultimate VIP Auction packages. The first auction package includes four seats just three rows behind the Astros' on-deck circle, one Diamond Level Parking Pass and $40 in Astrobucks. The second package includes four Club Level tickets, one Diamond Level Parking Pass and $40 in Astrobucks. COMPLETE DETAILS » BELIEVE THE BUZZ! Interleague action begins again this weekend when the Astros host the Kansas City Royals. Get your tickets now for the Astros matchup next week against Torii Hunter and the Minnesota Twins. Don't miss Astros E-Savers on Sunday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 20. VS Friday, June 16 7:05PM Sports Bottle (10,000 Adults) Coca-Cola Value Night » Friday Night Fireworks (postgame) » Saturday, June 17 6:05PM Astros Trash Can (10,000 Fans) Sunday, June 18 1:05PM E-SAVER » Father's Day Necktie (10,000 Males 16 & older) VS Tuesday, June 20 7:05PM E-SAVER » Double Play Tuesday Wednesday, June 21 7:05PM Thursday, June 22 7:05PM Summer Reading Program Clemens Commemorative Poster (First 30,000 Fans) UT Night	More Ticket Links: • Schedule » • Promotions & Giveaways »

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~ GOD BLESS THE USA ~ Independent Baseball in Southside, Virginia  -  434-480-5069 ~ Voice Mail -800-699-2466 Box - Baseball 1 (2273225501) ~ Efax 775-256-6361 ~ PO BOX 105 Nottoway, VA 23955 ~ www.blackstonebomberpilots.com www.virginialeague.us   ~ John@blackstonebomberpilots.com ~Southside Virginia's FIRST Pro Sports League of the 21st Century - Let's Roll!!

Hi all....
I enjoy reading all about the Astros and players on this site. I am
inviting you to a group I just began yesterday if you are a Berkman
Fan! Please feel free to join and participate. Hopefully, I'll get
this off the ground and it will continue to grow! Take care!

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/LanceBerkmanFans/

Hi all....
I enjoy reading all about the Astros and players on this site. I am
inviting you to a group I just began yesterday if you are a Berkman
Fan! Please feel free to join and participate. Hopefully, I'll get
this off the ground and it will continue to grow! Take care!

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/LanceBerkmanFans/

This is a rumor, but it's pretty detailed and comes from someone who at
least claims to be a somewhat-reliable source. I won't vounch for the
credibility of this, but at least it sounds good. Saw this on the
largest Yahoo! Astros Group, Houston's Brand of Baseball, at
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/houstonsbrandofbaseball/.

"Clemens will be an Astro, my aunt works for the team and they will
announce a press conference either 11 AM Friday or Noon Monday
that Clemens will join the club for the remainder of the season. She
begged that I not post this tonight but Oh well, you read it here 1st,
remember that!!!"

She just deleted her post, too (sorry you can't visit the site to see
it for yourself), which suggests it's true, and she went with her
aunts' wishes after all.

After the 1957 season, when the Brooklyn Dodgers forsook the
Cathedral of the Underdog (Ebbets Field) for the City of the Angels,
and, eventually, Chavez Ravine, and the Giants fled New York for San
Francisco, a new baseball league tried to form.

The new league was called the Continental League.  It would have
eight teams, just as the Americans and the Senior Circuit did at the
time, and the league president was to be the baseball guru, Branch
Rickey.

Only five of the eight franchises were ever awarded, when the majors
began to complain to the government.

Had the band Pink Floyd been around back then, the Continental
Circuit would have quoted them:  Mother, should I trust the
government?

So, the result was hearings on the floor of the United States Senate
on the subject of the Continentals, and more to the point, the
possibility of repealing Major League Baseball's exemption from the
Sherman Anti-Trust Act, which would have cleared the way for the new
league.

MLB Commissioner Ford Frick told the Senate that the proposed new
circiut would destroy the minor leagues, abolish hundreds of player
jobs, weaken the major league designation and impair public
acceptance of the game.

Wheras Branch Rickey stated that the majors "have been so long in the
sphere of it and cannot imagine what would happen when they get
outside it."

In the end, though, the exemption was not lifted, and the Continental
Circuit threw up its collective hands and surrendered.

Here is the roster of what was to have been the eight sides of the
Continentals:

    Houston
    Minneapolis-St. Paul
    New York
    Toronto
    Denver
    Atlanta
    Dallas-Fort Worth
    Buffalo

In 1960, the majors took over the five Continental teams that had
been awarded.

The majors gave the Minneapolis-St. Paul team, or more precisely, the
rights from them, to Washington Senators owner Calvin Griffith, who
propmtly used them to move the Senators to the Twin Cities, hence the
Minnesota Twins.

In 1962, the majors awarded the Houston and New York teams to the
Senior Circuit, which awarded them as expansions, and so, as a
result, we now have the New York Mets (Boo!  Hiss!  Bah!) and the
Houston Colt .45s, which, in 1965, became the Houston Astros.

1976 saw the Toronto team awarded to the American League, which
awarded it as an expansion, ergo, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Finally, in 1991, the Continental Circuit side from the Mile-High
City was awarded to the Senior Circuit, which presented it as an
expansion, and thus, it became the Colorado Rockies.

Still, the speculation should be raised:

What if the exemption had been lifted, and the Continentals got going?

And, say, by 1965, the new boys in the majors had developed a
sparkling style of play, and the Astros had won the pennant?

Then, the three-way, round-robin World Series that Branch Rickey
proposed could go forward, and the Astros had faced, say, the
Baltimore Orioles from the Americans, and the Cardinal Redbirds from
the Senior Circuit?

Could the World Champion have been from the Continental League,
particularly the Astros?

Yes, "What If?" games are a complete and utter waste of time.

But they're so much fun.

Think about it, and then, let's talk about it.

I welcome your comments.

Since 1985, Milo Hamilton has been the Voice of the Houston Astros,
working with Gene Elston.

As Milo would say, "There are no egos, no showing up anyone on the
air, no personalities."

But, earlier this year, Milo's autobiography was released, and in it,
he couldn't resist taking one more swipe at the late Harry Carabina -
better known as Harry Caray.

To this day, Milo believes that Harry cost him his broadcast position
with the Chicago Cubs, where Milo was based from 1980 to 1984
inclusive.

But, based on what I've read from other sources, Milo Hamilton pulled
the plug on himself in the Second City.

Basically, after Harry arrived in Wrigleyville, the station brass
noticed Milo's animosity toward Harry, so he was called in from time
to time and asked, "Milo, what does it take to make you happy?
You've got the best job in America.  You do nine innings of baseball
every day.  You work DePaul University hoops and Da Bulls games.
You've got the most exposure of any sportscaster in the country."

What happened was Milo couldn't take it that the fans reacted to
Harry and not him.  In 1983 and 1984, Milo would work "the outer six"
with color man Lou Boudreau on the radio, then work "the middle
three" with Steve Stone on television.

When Milo and Harry would switch booths every three innings, the
Bleacher Bums would scream, "Harry!  Harry!  Harry!", and it just
drove Milo nuts!

The executives at WGN tried, they really did, to make Milo see the
handwriting on the wall.  But Milo was screaming at people,
undermining everybody, throwing things around.

So, Milo left Chicago for Houston.

Now, it's a shame to hear Milo bringing this up again.

Milo, how about some constructive criticism:

You can't change past history.  Let it go.

Take your setback.  Admit you couldn't beat Harry.

Let Harry rest in peace.

I welcome your comments, and suggestions.

Hope to see you at Minute Maid Park!

I chose to join you as I want to talk about certain things pertaining
to the side from time to time.

Whether our team plays in Colt Stadium, the Astrodome, or the current
joint, Minute Maid Park, we should be grateful that we have this team.

The Astros have given us some great, and not-so-great, moments in
history, and one can only hope for the best from this team.

Seeing as to how some people won't talk about things, I feel we could
possibly do such here.

I look forward to speaking to you from time to time, as we are all
friends here.  That's what I believe.

See you at Minute Maid Park!

If you are an Astros fan, you should come join  my Yahoo! Group.  It is
loaded with pictures and up-to-date info.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Astros-BradLidgeFanClub/?
yguid=207745993

Bagwell says his shoulder is better right now than at this point in any
of the past several offseasons. He understands the team's position, but
feels like Jan. 31 is an arbitrary date that doesn't matter. Of course
he can't play ball now, and there's a chance he can't play come the
season, but he says there's no way to know other than to go through
spring training to find out. It's a long interview, but a good one.

mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.
download.akamai.com/10869/2006/open/teams06/hou/mlbr/012306_bagwell_jeff
.wma?ct1=mlb

Interesting tidbit: Dr. Andrews had had a heart attack four days before
interviewing Bagwell, so didn't do as much of the examination as he
normally would.

The Astros asked him to go see Dr. James Andrews in Atlanta (am I
right on the location?) to find out if his shoulder is ready for
baseball. Andrews is the big guy for that kind of surgery.

Bagwell says he'll be good to go by the season; the team seems to
disagree, which is why they asked him to go see Dr. Andrews. Andrews
and his team said Bagwell can't play, though I'm not sure if they
meant as of right now (which is certainly true) or in a few months.
If he is declared unfit to play, $15 mil of his $17 mil salary will
be paid by an insurance company - he gets his cash, the team saves
money, he doesn't play. It's turned into a rather nasty spat between
Jeff Bagwell and the front office, but he says he's ready to go and
he's going to try and report to spring training. He also says the
team is trying to force him out, which they deny; he says his
relationship with the Astros may permanently damaged, which I take to
mean no coaching or personal services in the future.




--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, A M <txsweetheart9598@y...>
wrote:
>
> I really hope he comes back....so does anyone know exactly what is
up with baggie...i saw on the news that he might not be at spring
training?....and what is up with burkman...will he be in at all?...
>
> HexDib@a... wrote:        Seems to me there is still a guy out
there by the name of Clemens who may want to be an Astro this year.
But that is just a guess.
>
>
>
>   In a message dated 1/26/2006 10:25:03 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
texas_musician@y... writes:
>   And even then, I doubt very much that that $15 mil will be used
to
> better the team.
>
>
>
>
> To Post a message, send it to:   HoustonAstros@e...
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: HoustonAstros-
unsubscribe@e...
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>   YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
>     Visit your group "HoustonAstros" on the web.
>
>     To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>  HoustonAstros-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>     Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
>  With a free 1 GB, there's more in store with Yahoo! Mail.
>

The Royals and Pirates have had more success over the last 45 years
than the Astros had, it just hasn't been in the last 10 years.

They made the right decision on Miller, sure. But not on Luis
Gonzalez, Darryl Kile, Bobby Abreu, or Curt Schilling (though
admittedly those weren't medical moves). But I'm willing to give
Bagwell a shot - although I'm not sure if the insurance has to be
filed pre-season or not. Nonetheless, whether the team has a good
track record or not, ti's not 100%, medical or otherwise. You make
valid points, but it's no air tight.

And even then, I doubt very much that that $15 mil will be used to
better the team. McLane is a notorious penny pincher (though he has
gotten better the last year or two), and there are no big free
agents or recently rumoured trades left out there. That money will
be profit, nothing more. I'd rather show loyalty to Mr. Astros and
let him leave on his own terms than I would make another rich
businessman richer and happier.

It should also be pointed out that Bagwell, who thinks he can still
play, has said this has probably permanently damaged his
relationship with the team. We sure could have used him as a Minor
Leaguem manager or Major League bench coach, or perhaps a personal
services guy like Nolan Ryan. That's definently worth something, but
we've lost it.



--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, HexDib@a... wrote:
>
>
> Not sure where this was ever stated as fact. Do you also  realize
what it
> costs to insure these types of contracts and how much money in
insurance
> premiums are spent to cover just in case something like this
happens  to a player
> with that type of contract? I'd encourage you to do some homework
on  that as
> well. Let me also add that I believe you need to give the Astros
organization a
> little bit more credit than you do. Did they not produce a team
that went to
> the world series? Did they not make the right medical decision on
Wade
> Miller? You are way to critical of a successful franchise would
you feel  better if
> you were a Pirates fan or a Royals fan or a host of other teams
that have had
> little or no success in the last decade or so?
>
>
> In a message dated 1/25/2006 8:37:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> texas_musician@y... writes:
>
> He  believes, his agent believes, HIS doctor believes
> (albeit maybe not James  Andrews, the best), and I believe that he
> will be ready by the season. The  reasoning? He may not throw 90
feet,
> but he can throw farther than he  could Dec. 25, when he could
throw
> farther than he could Nov. 25, when he  could throw farther than
he
> could Oct. 25. There's no law or medical fact  that says progress
> stops in late January.
>

If Bagwell really is unable to perform, he should say that,
absolutely. But he doesn't think he is; I'm sure he believes he would
be lying if he said it.

Does the insurance have to be cashed in before the season starts? If
not, I'd let him play through May. If he can perform - and I don't
mean put up great numbers, but if he can get out there and play first
base at a major league baseball level - great! And if not, then, when
we know for sure, would be the time to file an insurance claim.

But if he believes he can perform, than he shouldn't say he can't.

It's very unusual that on January 25th he can't throw the ball 90
feet, so don'e tell me I think it's normal. What I also realize is
that the season doesn't start on January 26th - Spring Training
doesn't, either. He believes, his agent believes, HIS doctor believes
(albeit maybe not James Andrews, the best), and I believe that he
will be ready by the season. The reasoning? He may not throw 90 feet,
but he can throw farther than he could Dec. 25, when he could throw
farther than he could Nov. 25, when he could throw farther than he
could Oct. 25. There's no law or medical fact that says progress
stops in late January.


--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, HexDib@a... wrote:
>
> Nice to see someone bought into the "I am getting ready for  the
season and
> it isn't unusual that on January 25th I shouldn't be able to  throw
a ball 90
> feet". Nobody wishes him any bad will. What is best for the team
is all I ask
> you? The team doesn't owe him. he has been paid quite handsomely
and will
> continue to be paid should their insurance claim go thru. This
isn't  the Astros
> against Bagwell. This a debilitating injury ending a once great
players
> career. All careers end at some point. Maybe he should take the
high  road and say
> " I am unable to perform and don't deserve being paid for it."
It's always
> called a business when the team is deemed at fault ?
>

I see how it is. Ignore my logic, and go straight for the ad hominem.
There's no reason to get snippy, sir. It doesn't do you credit.

Just because I say something means I think I'm better than someone
who disagrees with it? No! Of course not! If it did, what's the point
in even having this conversation? Or any conversation? We should just
quote whoever's #1 in the field and leave at that. Dr. Andrews is the
best, but:

1) Even the best aren't right 100% of the time.
2) No field ever agrees 100% on something; I imagine Bagwell has a
personal doctor who says he's fine, or he wouldn't be pursuing this
so hard.
3) Dr. Andrews (I'm not familiar with Dr. Litner, but I'll assume
he's good) was looking at whether or not Bagwell can play right now,
I think, not if he can play in, say, May.


--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, HexDib@a... wrote:
>
>
> Just so I understand your point. You feel you are better  versed
than Dr.
> Andrews or Dr. Lintner on whether he is injured or not ?
>
>
>
> In a message dated 1/25/2006 12:16:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> texas_musician@y... writes:
>
> Nothing  wrong in using the info I provide to make the opposite
point.
> I've done  that a few times myself.
>
> If I have insurance and I get sick, yes, I'm  going to get paid. So
> will Bagwell - the question is, is he sick, and I  don't think he
is.
> I think I posted why not before; I will again below.  But first, I
> think it's a mute point to ask if the money should be spent  on
> healthy players instead, and not just because Bagwell is healthy.
> It's because the money WON'T be spent on anyone else. McLane is a
> notorious penny pincher; with no big name free agents out there and
> no  new rumours about possible big trades, he'll just pocket the
money
> in  typical McLane fashion. The AStros with a $95 million payroll?
On
> McLane's  watch? HA! The choice is between $95m and loyalty to
> Bagwell, or $80m and  the same team sans Mr. Astro.
>
> Why I say he's healthy, I think I already  posted it: it seems to
me
> that Bagwell couldn't play last year, and could  only hit at the
end
> of the year, because he was recovering from surgery.  He's
recovered
> now. He couldn't play well right before the surgery because  he
needed
> surgery, but he's had it now. Ergo, there's no reason he can't
play
> anymore.
>

The full link does. For some reason, only the first part of it was
hyperlinked, so instead of clicking on it, copy/paster the whole thing
into the URL box at the top of your browser.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/help/email.jsp?
c_id=hou&primarySubject=Other&secondarySubject=None&dest=fanfeedback@as




--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, Bill and Mavis <townsleymb@s...>
wrote:
>
> The link to mlb email doesn't look like it goes directly to Astros.
Does it?
>
>
> Bill and Mavis Townsley
>

Nothing wrong in using the info I provide to make the opposite point.
I've done that a few times myself.

If I have insurance and I get sick, yes, I'm going to get paid. So
will Bagwell - the question is, is he sick, and I don't think he is.
I think I posted why not before; I will again below. But first, I
think it's a mute point to ask if the money should be spent on
healthy players instead, and not just because Bagwell is healthy.
It's because the money WON'T be spent on anyone else. McLane is a
notorious penny pincher; with no big name free agents out there and
no new rumours about possible big trades, he'll just pocket the money
in typical McLane fashion. The AStros with a $95 million payroll? On
McLane's watch? HA! The choice is between $95m and loyalty to
Bagwell, or $80m and the same team sans Mr. Astro.

Why I say he's healthy, I think I already posted it: it seems to me
that Bagwell couldn't play last year, and could only hit at the end
of the year, because he was recovering from surgery. He's recovered
now. He couldn't play well right before the surgery because he needed
surgery, but he's had it now. Ergo, there's no reason he can't play
anymore.

--- In HoustonAstros@yahoogroups.com, HexDib@a... wrote:
>
> Thanks for the info. I called and let them know how much I  support
their
> decision. If you have insurance and you get sick do u not let the
insurance
> company pay??
>

It seems to me that Bagwell couldn't play last year, and could only
hit at the end of the year, because he was recovering from surgery.
He's recovered now. He couldn't play well right before the surgery
because he needed surgery, but he's had it now. Ergo, there's no
reason he can't play anymore. No, his numbers won't be worth $15
mil, but Jeter's numbers won't be worth his contract either, yet the
Yankees aren't about to get any insurance money out of THAT!

Bagwell can play, and even more importantly, he's an amazing
clubhouse leader. He took a hit to his pocketbook by staying loyal
to this team and its fans, now its time McLane do the same! LOYALTY,
DAMMIT! IT'S JEFF FREAKIN' BAGWELL!!!! WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

JEFF BAGWELL

HERE!!! Seriously, had I been told two years ago we'd be having this
conversation, I'd be amazed. The Houston Astros owe everything to
that man. He IS Mr. Astro! You don't get to throw him out like dirty
kleenex as soon as you grow tired of him!

Complain to the team about the Bagwell situation!

Write the Astros:
Houston Astros
PO Box 288
Houston, TX, 77001-0288

Call the Astros:
(713) 259-8000

Or visit the following link for an e-mail form:
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/help/email.jsp?
c_id=hou&primarySubject=Other&secondarySubject=None&dest=fanfeedback@as
tros.mlb.com

If you've got the time, do all three!