July 7, 2005, 5:08PM

All-Stars open spot for Roy-O
Pitcher joins Clemens, Lidge on NL's roster
By MICHAEL MURPHY
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

For Roy Oswalt, run support has been an issue for much of the
season. But on Wednesday night, Oswalt got all the support he
needed, winning the Ameriquest All-Star Final Vote to receive the
first All-Star berth of his career.

Oswalt edged Padres closer Trevor Hoffman for the final NL roster
spot for the 76th All-Star Game, which will be played Tuesday at
Comerica Park in Detroit.

"It's great," said Oswalt, who is 11-7 with a sparkling 2.44
ERA. "It's the first one I've been to. Being an All-Star in the big
leagues is something I've always wanted to do."

When the fan vote, conducted via the Internet and text messaging,
was announced in the third inning at Minute Maid Park, where the
Astros were in the midst of defeating San Diego 5-4, the crowd of
29,774 gave Oswalt a standing ovation. After being congratulated by
his teammates, Oswalt stood and tipped his cap to the crowd.

In addition to Hoffman, Oswalt beat out Arizona's Brandon Webb and
the Philadelphia duo of Billy Wagner and Brett Myers. In the
American League voting, White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik beat
out New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter for the final spot.

"I'm just glad to be there," said Oswalt, laughing when asked if he
deserved the honor more than the other four players in the final
balloting. "The guys on that (NL) staff already have been throwing
up (incredible) numbers, especially (Atlanta's John) Smoltz and
(Florida's Dontrelle) Willis. They've been pitching real well this
year, and to be able to pitch alongside those guys is an honor."

Oswalt, who threw 104 pitches in Monday's 4-1 complete-game victory
over the Padres, joins teammates Roger Clemens and Brad Lidge on the
NL roster. It's the first time that the Astros have sent three
pitchers to the All-Star Game since 1999, the year they sent Mike
Hampton, Jose Lima and Wagner.

"I think that's exciting for Roy. I think he deserves it," said
Astros' manager Phil Garner. "With the importance of the All-Star
Game now in terms of home-field advantage (in the World Series), I
think he gives the National League an advantage."

Does he ever — especially if Oswalt stays on the wave he's been
riding lately.

Oswalt is 7-3 with a 1.31 ERA in is last 10 starts, a big reason the
Astros have been quickly closing in on the .500 mark.

After one last start — Saturday against the Dodgers — Oswalt will
head to Detroit for his first All-Star appearance. He's hoping to
perhaps hitch a ride on Clemens' private jet, which just may have an
extra seat for the Astros' newest All-Star.

"I hope he has about 12 seats open," Oswalt said. "I'm taking both
sides of my family — my wife's side and my side. I don't know how
many tickets I get, but hopefully I'll get enough. If not, then they
can watch it from the hotel."

michael.murphy@...

Well, now it's two games under .500, but that can still be done by the
All-Star break. We could hit the break a winning team! :-)

--- In houstonsbrandofbaseball@yahoogroups.com, "Ken Hamilton"
<jlhkih@c...> wrote:
> The Astros are now only 1 game under .500 and only 5 games back in
the loss
> column for the wild card spot.
>
> Maybe they have started their rally earlier this season. 8-)
>
> Ken Hamilton

The Astros are now only 1 game under .500 and only 5 games back in the loss
column for the wild card spot.

Maybe they have started their rally earlier this season. 8-)

Ken Hamilton

July 4, 2005, 1:34AM

Ensberg raises no stink about being bypassed
Third baseman takes snub in stride; NL staff includes Clemens, Lidge
By BRIAN MCTAGGART
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

CINCINNATI - Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg said all the right
things and expressed no bitterness Sunday over not being selected to
participate in next week's All-Star Game despite his strong
credentials.

While answering questions from the media about getting snubbed
following a 9-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, a player from a nearby
locker chimed in with a sentiment shared by all of Ensberg's
teammates.

"He got robbed," Lance Berkman said.

Starting pitcher Roger Clemens and closer Brad Lidge were the only
Astros chosen for the National League team in the 76th All-Star Game
on July 12 in Detroit, leaving the Astros without an All-Star
position player.

Ensberg, who leads all NL third baseman with 22 home runs and 59
RBIs while batting .287, finished a distant sixth in fan voting at
third base.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen, who has been injured
for much of the season, was voted the starter by the fans, and
Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez (.301 average, 18 homers,
52 RBIs) was chosen as the backup in voting by managers, players and
coaches.

Instead of making his first All-Star appearance, Ensberg, 29, will
spend a relaxing few days with his wife in Lake Tahoe.

"My personal opinion is Scott Rolen is the best third baseman in the
game," Ensberg said. "Ramirez has had just a great year and
certainly deserves to be there. The fact I would be considered third
is not such a terrible thing.

"We are playing better baseball and you love the personal accolades,
but it really is about our team, and our team is doing really well
right now and playing really solid ball. I don't want to sit here
and say 'Woe is me.' We're playing good ball and our team is doing
well."

Clemens, who pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday to improve to 7-
3 and lower his ERA to 1.41, was chosen for the 11th time in his 22-
year career. He started last year's All-Star Game at Minute Maid
Park.

"It's very flattering," said Clemens, 42, who was chosen through
player balloting. "Everything that's happened the last couple of
years is just icing on the cake because I never expected to be here.
To have your peers vote you into that game is very special."

Lidge, 28, is 2-2 with a 2.73 ERA and 18 saves, but hasn't pitched
since June 24 because of a muscle strain in his biceps. He was
chosen in a vote by the players to his first All-Star Game.

"I'm surprised and honored," he said. "It's obviously a huge deal
for me. I'm hoping Roy (Oswalt) will be going with us. I felt Morgan
should have been there, too."

Oswalt, 10-7 and third in the NL in ERA at 2.54, still has a shot to
make his first All-Star team. He's one of five finalists on the
ballot to receive the final roster spot in the NL, joining Trevor
Hoffman of San Diego, Billy Wagner and Brett Myers of Philadelphia
and Brandon Webb of Arizona.

Clemens campaigned for Oswalt, 27, to make the team. Fans can vote
for the final roster spot in each league until 7 p.m. Wednesday on
MLB.com.

"The fans need to get behind him," Clemens said. "This kid needs to
go. He's never been, and he needs to be a part of the All-Star Game.

"Now you're playing for keeps, playing to win the game, and I know
Tony (La Russa) will be managing it that way. Roy needs to be a part
of that."

La Russa's Cardinals had the most players selected with six —
Rolen,
shortstop David Eckstein and outfielder Jim Edmonds as starters;
first baseman Albert Pujols as a reserve and pitchers Chris
Carpenter and Jason Isringhausen.

In the AL, the Red Sox have four starters — outfielders Johnny
Damon
and Manny Ramirez, designated hitter David Ortiz and catcher Jason
Varitek — the most since the Reds had five in 1976.

brian.mctaggart@...

RESOURCES
STRONG CASE

How Morgan Ensberg compares to the third basemen on the NL team:
Selected
  Avg.  HR  RBI
Scott Rolen  .260  5  22
Aramis Ramirez  .301  18  52

Left out
  Avg.  HR RBI
Morgan Ensberg  .287  22  59

That oughta clinch the HOF!  Skip

texas_musician <texas_musician@...> wrote:Ouch! Biggio get hit-by-pitch
record

June 29, 2005
DENVER (AP) -- Craig Biggio was hit on the elbow by Colorado's Byung-
Hyun Kim on Wednesday, breaking the modern record for being hit by a
pitch.

Biggio was hit on the padding guarding his right elbow during the
fourth inning of Houston's game against the Rockies, marking the
268th time he's been plunked, the post-1900 record. He tied Don
Baylor's record in the fifth inning Tuesday night, when Colorado's
Jason Jennings hit him in the lower back.

Biggio has been hit 12 times this year, his 10th time in double-
digits in 12 seasons.



Updated on Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005 4:32 pm EDT






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ouch! Biggio get hit-by-pitch record

June 29, 2005
DENVER (AP) -- Craig Biggio was hit on the elbow by Colorado's Byung-
Hyun Kim on Wednesday, breaking the modern record for being hit by a
pitch.

Biggio was hit on the padding guarding his right elbow during the
fourth inning of Houston's game against the Rockies, marking the
268th time he's been plunked, the post-1900 record. He tied Don
Baylor's record in the fifth inning Tuesday night, when Colorado's
Jason Jennings hit him in the lower back.

Biggio has been hit 12 times this year, his 10th time in double-
digits in 12 seasons.



Updated on Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005 4:32 pm EDT

The team's been strong lately. I'm doubting we make the playoffs this
year, which is too bad since I doubt Clemens will be back next year,
but I bet we finish over .500.

Question, did I calculate right & are the pictures for next week Backe
on Sat & Pettite on Sunday.
Second. Anyone been to "dads run the bases" & know if the "kids" are
allowed on the field that day. If not, what is the cut-off age?
Reason I am am asking is friend waiting on decision on which game to
go to. Need to make decision by 8pm tonight to get correct tickets.
Doesn't want to go to Sun if 12yr old daughter not allowed to get on
field.

Whats up with that. I have never seen it and never heard of it. Why
did it get called. I obviously missed it. This was called on Pettitte

Couple of local picks - 3B Koby Clemens, Rogers' son, and RHP Ryan
Mitchell from Magnolia.

ASTROS PICKS
• 1. 24. Brian Bogusevic LHP Tulane
• 1A. 38. Eli Iorg SS Tenn.
• 2. 72. Ralph Henriquez C Key West HS, Fla.
• 3. 89. Thomas Manzella SS Tulane
• 3. 104. Joshua Lindblom RHP Harrison HS (Ind.)
• 4. 134. Joshua Flores OF Trenton College (Ill.)
• 5. 164. Wilson Hart 3B USC
• 6. 194. Brandon Barnes LF Cypress College (Calif.)
• 7. 224. Timothy Johnson SS Wissachickon (Pa.)
• 8. 254. Koby Clemens 3B Memorial High School
• 9. 284. Jordan Meaker RHP Flower Mound HS (Tx.)
• 10. 314. Allen Langdon OF Eagle HS (Ind.)
• 11. 344. Cory Lapinski LHP Illinois Wesleyan University
• 12. 374. Tip Fairchild RHP Southern Maine, Monmouth, (Me.)
• 13. 404. Eric King SS Tennessee/Antioch, (Calif.)
• 14. 434. Mark Ori 1B Northwestern/Niles, (Ill.)
• 15. 464 Eric Sheridan RHP Saddleback CC/Mission Viejo, Calif.
• 16. 494. Aaron Bulkley OF Le Moyne College/Port Bryon, N.Y.
• 17. 524. Andrew Kroeker C Biola University/Clovis, Calif.
• 18. 554. Brian Needham RHP Dulles HS
• 19. 584. Drew Himes RHP Illinois Wesleyan University
• 20. 614. Ryan Mitchell RHP Magnolia HS
• 21. 644. Sarver Scott LHP Cal State Fullerton

June 8, 2005, 12:18PM

Astros go local again on Day 2
Day after choosing Clemens' son, Astros take Magnolia pitcher
From staff and wire reports

The Astros' selections are underway on the second day of the 2005
Major League Baseball draft. The 50-round draft continues today at
noon and concludes this evening. Eighteen rounds were completed
yesterday.

With the 20th pick, the Astros went for homegrown talent, selecting
righthanded pitcher Ryan Mitchell from Magnolia High School.

Roger Clemens' oldest son, Koby Clemens, who just finished at
Memorial High School was one of 20 players the Astros drafted during
the first 18 rounds yesterday.

The Astros began the day today by selecting Illinois Wesleyan
pitcher Drew Himes with their 19th round pick. Himes was the second
player chosen by the Astros from the Division III school.  The
righthanded pitcher joins lefty hurler and college teammate Cory
Lapinski, who was chosen by the Astros in the 11th round.

Houston picked Tulane ace Brian Bogusevic with the 24th overall
pick, making him the first lefthander drafted by the Astros in the
first round since they selected Billy Wagner in 1993.

A few hours later, the club surprised Koby Clemens by selecting him
with the 254th pick. Astros scouts watched nearly every high school
game Koby Clemens played this year. He also impressed scouts and
team personnel at a workout last week at Minute Maid Park.

Arizona selected infielder Justin Upton with the first pick in the
draft yesterday. The 17-year-old Upton, the Virginia player of the
year, was mainly a shortstop at Great Bridge High School in
Chesapeake, Va., but also played third base and the outfield.

He batted .519 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in just 54 plate
appearances. He and his brother B.J., the second pick in 2002 by
Tampa Bay, are the highest-drafted siblings.

Apparently, Clemens has a verbal deal with McLane that if the 'Stros
are out of contention at the deadline, he'll waive his no trade
clause so he can be sent to New York. With luck, McLane will
remember the 'Stros post-break surge last year and won't want to
trade Clemens, but you never know. Anything is possible. I do hope
it own't happen, and if it did, Clemens would finish the season with
the Yankees and not be back.

Whatever happens, I don't think the Rangers will be a factor.


--- In houstonsbrandofbaseball@yahoogroups.com, "matrixenos ."
<matrixenos@h...> wrote:
> The Stros former owner was ripped a new one by Houston for dealing
Nolan.
> Drayton won't want to be that guy again in this town.  No Clemens
means lost
> hope, empty seats and alot of bogus P.R.
>
> Though, I wouldn't be mad if we traded and got something worth it
to build
> on for next season.
>
> I don't think a team that thinks they can make a playoff run (and
make a
> trade to do so) will give away Hank Blalock though.
>
> >From: twcrm@a...
>
>
> >
> >Drayton is not about to trade Roger Clemens. If the season sees
the Astros
> >stay in the 2nd division, Clemens gives the fans more of a reason
to come
> >out
> >every fifth day. If you'll notice, the main source of these
rumors is New
> >York.  The Rangers are doing some wishful thinking, but unless
they want to
> >give
> >us  Blalock (which I doubt), I don't think any trade is possible
with them
> >anyway.
> >
> >Tony
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >

Hey all,

In response to where Clemens were to go if he were traded, last month on ESPN
they had a small part of an interview that he had done with someone there. 
Anyway, he said that he would like to stay in Houston, but if he were to go
anywhere upon leaving the Astros he said that he would go back to the Yankees,
saying that he has many friends with the Evil Empire (Jeter and so forth) . 
Hopefully this does not happen, it would really suck.

I think it is all just a bunch of hooey.

Just my thoughts on the matter,

Have a good day!!

Matthew Winslett

houstonsbrandofbaseball@yahoogroups.com wrote:

There are 2 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1. HouChron story on the draft
From: "texas_musician"
2. Clemens trade rumors
From: bigdogv65


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2005 18:39:54 -0000
From: "texas_musician"
Subject: HouChron story on the draft

I'm giving just the link instead of the whole story, because there are
some good little sidebars and graphics on some of of the prospects.
http://www.chron.com/CDA/umstory.mpl/sports/3212475




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 07 Jun 2005 00:07:02 -0000
From: bigdogv65
Subject: Clemens trade rumors

What do you all make of this stuff? I find it hard to beleive that
this rumor has been going on stronger than ever for the last two weeks
and there not be any truth to it.
What I do find hard to beleive is that the Rocket would go to two of
the three teams that of in the rumor. The Rangers, and the Yanks. I
dont see him going to a team where he could potentially be in second
place as far as stats go. Kenny Rogers is right on his tail stat wise
and I have no idea where the Big Unit is stat wise but he is a
showtime player. The Redsox????? I dont think so.
Who would they trade him for?
A month or so ago everyone was talking about the trade clause he had
but yeaterday the said he had a no trade clause. I smell a fish.
What are your thoughts on this.
Just mo .02 here
I think the Chavez thing sucks. The guy plays 3 games out of every six
to eight and they wonder why he cant get into a rythm. Geez, tough
crowd.




________________________________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Stros former owner was ripped a new one by Houston for dealing Nolan.
Drayton won't want to be that guy again in this town.  No Clemens means lost
hope, empty seats and alot of bogus P.R.

Though, I wouldn't be mad if we traded and got something worth it to build
on for next season.

I don't think a team that thinks they can make a playoff run (and make a
trade to do so) will give away Hank Blalock though.

>From: twcrm@...


>
>Drayton is not about to trade Roger Clemens. If the season sees the Astros
>stay in the 2nd division, Clemens gives the fans more of a reason to come
>out
>every fifth day. If you'll notice, the main source of these rumors is New
>York.  The Rangers are doing some wishful thinking, but unless they want to
>give
>us  Blalock (which I doubt), I don't think any trade is possible with them
>anyway.
>
>Tony
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

June 7, 2005, 8:14AM

Bagwell at a crossroads as he goes into surgery
The shoulder operation he has today determines if the Astros icon
will play again
By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

If it had been up to Robert Bagwell, his eldest boy would have
headed to the disabled list a year ago and stopped taking cortisone
shots and painkillers long before that.


Robert Bagwell knows his son, though. He knew Astros icon Jeff
Bagwell, a potential Hall of Famer, would take a bum right shoulder
as far as he could before finally saying "enough" last month.

Now, Robert Bagwell prays his son gains enough right shoulder
flexibility to play catch with his two daughters.

"Jeff is the kind of kid that never gives up and never quits,"
Robert Bagwell said. "Usually when a father says something to a son,
they do just the opposite. I talked to Jeff and told him to go on
the disabled list last year. I said, 'Geez, Jeff, how can you play
like this?' It's tough to play baseball when you're hurt. He's done
it for four years and may have paid a price for doing it."

Jeff Bagwell, 37, will go for broke today when he undergoes capsular
release surgery on his arthritic right shoulder at Dr. Richard
Hawkins' Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Spartanburg, S.C. The procedure
will either buy Bagwell more playing time or seal his fate and send
him toward retirement.

Bagwell is due about $24 million on the contract that ends after
next season. The Astros have insurance that will pay a great portion
of next year's salary if Bagwell cannot perform.

The 1991 National League Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL MVP already
has secured his legacy as the most feared slugger in Astros history
with a club-record 449 homers, 1,525 RBIs, 1,517 runs, 1,400 walks
and 969 extra-base hits. The only first baseman and one of only 10
players in major-league history with at least 400 homers and 200
stolen bases, Bagwell also ranks 28th on the all-time home run list.


Will have no regrets
Even if he never plays again, Bagwell doesn't expect he or his
family will have any regrets.

"I've had a nice career," he said. "If retirement is what's meant to
be, it's what's meant to be. With that said, I'm still hopeful that
this surgery lets me play one more year."

Bagwell, 37, planned to leave Houston with his wife, Ericka, and
Astros medical director Dr. David Lintner on Monday to prepare for
the surgery in South Carolina. Barring any complications, recovery
takes about three months, although it's doubtful Bagwell will return
this season. The big decisions will likely come next spring when he
tries to play again.

Although he has been told there's no guarantee, Bagwell believes
he'll play again.

"I know I'm not going to be 100 percent, and I know I can play not
being 100 percent," he said. "I think that's a positive. There's a
lot of guys that have surgery and would expect to be 100 percent.
Then when they don't get back to 100 percent, they just can't handle
it."

Being less than 100 percent hasn't stopped Bagwell, who has played
with shoulder problems since 2001.

"It's almost relief," Robert Bagwell said of the surgery. "I'm glad
that he's doing something about his shoulder. Letting it go on and
on threatens his entire happiness in the future. He has a lot of
years to live, and you want him to have a good life after baseball.

"He's taken all these cortisone shots, and from what I understand,
you can only take so many cortisone shots before you really destroy
your shoulder. I'm kind of glad that he's doing something with it
one way or another."

Robert Bagwell understands shoulder pain, having had shoulder
problems throughout his college pitching career. He has had back
pain much of his adult life, and he has three surgeries to show for
it. He also acknowledges he's had neck pain, just like his father,
Bernie.

"My dad had arthritis in his neck," Robert Bagwell said. "All the
Bagwell men seem to have arthritic problems, but they say it isn't
genetics."

Robert, who weathered searing pain to throw as many rounds of
batting practice as his sons wanted, fears Jeff won't have the
shoulder strength to play catch with his two girls.

"Every time after I pitched, the pain was terrible," Robert said. "I
had a thing where I couldn't lift my arm over my head because of the
pain. But at least I was able to play pepper and hit him ground
balls. I don't know if he'll be able to do that with his daughters.
He can't throw. He can't raise his right arm, so how's he going to
do that?"

Bagwell, who was hitting .250 (22-for-88) with four doubles, three
home runs and 15 RBIs this season, had surgery after the 2001 season
to reattach the labrum in his right shoulder with screws. Since
then, he has needed cortisone shots — one every six weeks during
the
season — and painkillers to help him play.

"I'm just ready to get this over with," Bagwell, who went on the
disabled list May 11, said of surgery. "There's no other option.
That makes it easy.

"I look at (the possibility that) if it doesn't work out, how am I
going to feel? The other way is, 'What if it does work? How am I
going to feel?' Rejuvenated? Probably. Excited? Probably. It could
be the total opposite and I say, 'Damn, I should have done this a
long time ago.' "

As a first baseman, Bagwell doesn't need a strong arm. All he wants
is a bit of relief.

"If I get back to where I was before and I can finish my career on
my own terms, that's all I want," he said.


Backing from teammates
Bagwell, who has a career .297 average over 2,135 games in Houston,
hasn't suffered alone. The man most of the Astros acknowledge as
their leader has received plenty of support from teammates.
Bagwell's family also has offered moral support. And, in some ways,
Bagwell's family has felt the pain right along with him.

"I said, 'Jeff, you can't get around (on a pitch). You can't reach
the outside pitch with your right arm. You can't extend your right
arm,' " Robert Bagwell recalled.

"Jeff's old swing, he'd corkscrew himself to the ground, and he'd
follow through. He couldn't follow through anymore. ... He was a
liability in the field and couldn't get around (on the pitch), but
he just didn't want to quit."

That's what Robert wants Astros fans to think about today when his
boy goes in for surgery: that Jeff Bagwell endured at a time when
other men would have given up.

jesus.ortiz@...

In a message dated 06/07/2005 8:26:34 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
itsmesteph11@... writes:

A month  or so ago everyone was talking about the trade clause he had
but yeaterday  the said he had a no trade clause. I smell a fish.
What are your thoughts  on this.




Drayton is not about to trade Roger Clemens. If the season sees the Astros
stay in the 2nd division, Clemens gives the fans more of a reason to come out
every fifth day. If you'll notice, the main source of these rumors is New
York.  The Rangers are doing some wishful thinking, but unless they want to give
us  Blalock (which I doubt), I don't think any trade is possible with them
anyway.

Tony


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That is so old news,
Clemens will not be going anywhere before retireing permanantly.

bigdogv65 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
What do you all make of this stuff? I find it hard to beleive that
this rumor has been going on stronger than ever for the last two weeks
and there not be any truth to it.
What I do find hard to beleive is that the Rocket would go to two of
the three teams that of in the rumor. The Rangers, and the Yanks. I
dont see him going to a team where he could potentially be in second
place as far as stats go. Kenny Rogers is right on his tail stat wise
and I have no idea where the Big Unit is stat wise but he is a
showtime player. The Redsox????? I dont think so.
Who would they trade him for?
A month or so ago everyone was talking about the trade clause he had
but yeaterday the said he had a no trade clause. I smell a fish.
What are your thoughts on this.
Just mo .02 here
I think the Chavez thing sucks. The guy plays 3 games out of every six
to eight and they wonder why he cant get into a rythm. Geez, tough
crowd.




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What do you all make of this stuff? I find it hard to beleive that
this rumor has been going on stronger than ever for the last two weeks
and there not be any truth to it.
What I do find hard to beleive is that the Rocket would go to two of
the three teams that of in the rumor. The Rangers, and the Yanks. I
dont see him going to a team where he could potentially be in second
place as far as stats go. Kenny Rogers is right on his tail stat wise
and I have no idea where the Big Unit is stat wise but he is a
showtime player. The Redsox????? I dont think so.
Who would they trade him for?
A month or so ago everyone was talking about the trade clause he had
but yeaterday the said he had a no trade clause. I smell a fish.
What are your thoughts on this.
Just mo .02 here
I think the Chavez thing sucks. The guy plays 3 games out of every six
to eight and they wonder why he cant get into a rythm. Geez, tough
crowd.

I'm giving just the link instead of the whole story, because there are
some good little sidebars and graphics on some of of the prospects.
http://www.chron.com/CDA/umstory.mpl/sports/3212475

Astros call up Rodriguez

May 23, 2005
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Houston Astros called up left-hander Wandy
Rodriguez from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday and sent right-hander
Mike Burns back to the minor league club.

Rodriguez started Monday night's game against the Chicago Cubs in
place of Andy Pettitte, who has tightness in his left forearm.

Rodriguez, the third pitcher to make his major league debut for
Houston this season, was 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA in eight starts for
Round Rock.

Burns was 0-0 in four relief appearances with a 10.13 ERA.



Updated on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:07 pm EDT

Just saw your son's name mentioned during tonights game.  Congrats.

Shawn

--- In houstonsbrandofbaseball@yahoogroups.com, A Van Richards
<van@a...> wrote:
> I'd like to ask for your help.
>
>
> My 9 year old son, Blake and I have been lucky enough to be selected
individually as finalist in two essay contests to win $20,000 for the
refurbishment of Copperfield Community Baseball Fields in Houston.
Blake's essay already is responsible for awarding $5,000 to the
Copperfield community to refurbish the baseball fields.
>
>
>
> But there is a chance to help the community further.  The essay that
gets the most online votes wins the $20,000!  So we have two separate
chances to win.  And the Houston Community has two chances to win as
well because there are lots of kids that use those fields.
>
>
>
> Will you help us and the Houston Area win the Grand Prize?  All you
need to do is go to the following links and vote for our essays and it
will help our Houston Community.
>
>
>
> Between May 6th and May 12th, you can vote online for Blake's essay
at www.BriggsDiamondsInTheRough.com
>
>
>
> Between May 10th and May 17th, you can vote online for my essay at
www.mlb.com/gmcdiamondintherough
>
>
>
> If you'd like, you could help further by passing this email along
and asking your friends, ball team, church circle, school groups,
scout groups, relatives and co-workers to vote as well.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time and interest.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Van Richards
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Help Houston's youth baseball by voting in the Diamond in the Rough
Contest.  Look for the Houston entry in the South Central Division.

It's a problem when a career AL pitcher has a higher batting average
(Clemens @ .357) than any of your starters...

It's a big problem when you lost 16-0...

Oswalt's numbers should get better soon, and as Berkman warms up so
will his production. Hopefully Bagwell's shoulder will heal somewhat
and the front office will trade for a decent reliever... if those
things don't happen, we are so dead.

But hey, at least we won today! :-)

Pastimeradio.com's free baseball-only talk show is
back with a new hour long episode recapping the week
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into some eminent adjustments.

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of a third knee surgery since January for Barry Bonds,
the Wild N.L. West, an end to Johan Santana's 17 game
win streak and the Florida Marlins bid for a new
stadium, as well as a proposal for stiffer penalties
within baseball's drug testing policy.

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victorypoker.net and pokerinstructors.com (use
discount code rainking13 for a 35% bonus)



Yahoo! Mail
Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour:
http://tour.mail.yahoo.com/mailtour.html

Nope - Everett is too valuable as a defensive guy manning one of the
toughest positions on the field (as well as being the infield leader).
  He's been knocked around in the lineup a bit and hopefully will get
his bat worked out soon.  Both Burke and Everett were/are (.222 and
.210 respectively) struggling at the plate in the majors.

Maybe Duckworth instead of Burke?  Bruntlett instead of Burke?

Just my 2 cents.

Shawn



--- In houstonsbrandofbaseball@yahoogroups.com, flyerno9
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Does anyone think Mr. Mendoza... err, Adam Everett should have been
> sent down instead of Burke???
>
> http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ChrisBurkeFan

Does anyone think Mr. Mendoza... err, Adam Everett should have been
sent down instead of Burke???

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

I’d like to ask for your help.


My 9 year old son, Blake and I have been lucky enough to be selected
individually as finalist in two essay contests to win $20,000 for the
refurbishment of Copperfield Community Baseball Fields in Houston.   Blake’s
essay already is responsible for awarding $5,000 to the Copperfield community to
refurbish the baseball fields.



But there is a chance to help the community further.  The essay that gets the
most online votes wins the $20,000!  So we have two separate chances to win. 
And the Houston Community has two chances to win as well because there are lots
of kids that use those fields.



Will you help us and the Houston Area win the Grand Prize?  All you need to do
is go to the following links and vote for our essays and it will help our
Houston Community.



Between May 6th and May 12th, you can vote online for Blake's essay at
www.BriggsDiamondsInTheRough.com



Between May 10th and May 17th, you can vote online for my essay at
www.mlb.com/gmcdiamondintherough



If you’d like, you could help further by passing this email along and asking
your friends, ball team, church circle, school groups, scout groups, relatives
and co-workers to vote as well.



Thank you for your time and interest.



Best regards,



Van Richards





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Berkman activated from DL, Burke sent to minors

May 6, 2005
ATLANTA (AP) -- Lance Berkman was activated from the disabled list
Friday by the struggling Houston Astros and started in an unfamiliar
position -- first base.

Berkman missed the first month of the season after offseason knee
surgery. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee
while playing flag football in November.

After a minor league rehab assignment, Berkman was added to the 25-
man roster for the second game of a series against the Atlanta
Braves. Infielder Chris Burke was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock
just before the game.


Instead of going to his usual spot in the outfield, Berkman played
first base for only the eighth time in his seven-year career. He
figured that would put less stress on his knee, and the spot was
open with Jeff Bagwell sitting out his third straight game because
of a shoulder that has bothered him all season.

Burke, hitting .222 with three RBIs, was the victim of bad timing.
The Kentucky native had plenty of friends at Turner Field, including
his high school basketball coach.

``There's not a whole lot of comfort in this situation,'' Burke
said. ``It's frustrating. Just caught in a tight spot.''

Bagwell, who was available for pinch-hitting duty, will have another
cortisone shot in his ailing shoulder when the Astros get back to
Houston next week. He had a shot just before opening day and must
wait six weeks to get another one.

``I hate to see it, but it's where things are right now,'' manager
Phil Garner said. ``So we adjust, adapt and overcome.''



Updated on Friday, May 6, 2005 7:44 pm EDT

thanks you 2 for answering my question

I am processing a large die-cast dispersal sale with 1,000s of
items from 1990-present, including a handful of Astros items.

Please visit http://www.diecastdispersal.com to view the current
listing (4 Astros items currently listed) or review the complete
inventory.  Be sure to scroll down as the items were just listed
and are currently near the bottom.

Thanks!

Stewart
http://www.diecastdispersal.com

Link to a photo of (1) item currently listed:

http://i20.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/fb/58/f4_1_b.JPG

Manufacturers: First Gear, Ertl, SpecCast, Corgi, JLE Scale and More.

Models: Trucks, Cars, Planes, Boats, Construction, Military, Police,
Fire and More.

Brands: Mack, Peterbilt, Ford, Chevy, Harley-Davidson, Texaco,
Amoco, Hess, NASCAR, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Campbell's, Disney and More.

What a different team the Astros are at Minute Maid Park compared to on the
road.  If they could just make it to .500 on the road they just might make
the playoffs.

Ken Hamilton