By Michael N
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on June 29, 2001.
(more…)
Archive for June, 2001
2001 Draft Recap
Friday, June 29th, 2001Nice Work, Blue
Friday, June 15th, 2001By Breedlove
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on June 15, 2001.
The Astros were on the receiving end of a terrible policy from Major League Baseball in their June 14 contest with the Minnesota Twins. After surrendering a leadoff double, Astros phenom Roy Oswalt hit Twinkie outfielder Torii Hunter with an inside fastball to put runners on first and second with a 2-1 lead. Hunter began an aggressive stare-down with Oswalt and advanced toward the Astro righty, resulting in a benches-clearing breathing match. (more…)
Lone Star Sham
Monday, June 11th, 2001Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.
So the Lone Star/Dr. Pepper/Enron/Compaq series got underway this weekend as Major League Baseball kicked off the annual Inter-league Farce (because it’s good for you stupid fans. Eat it.) Color me totally uninspired.
The only good thing about putting the Texas Rangers on the Astros schedule for 6 games is that the Stros should win 4-5 of those. A second good thing might be if Saturday’s game sent Kent Bottenfield packing. (more…)
The Water In The Cup Is At .500
Monday, June 11th, 2001By Knoxbanedoodle
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com on June 11, 2001.
Some people want to bring heat on the Hun right now because the Astros are underachieving. But let’s take a look at it, seriously.
You can imagine that during one of last year’s ridiculous games, where the opposition ran all over Mitch Meluskey and exploded against the bullpen as if we had cloned Doug Henry six or seven times, the Hun sat in his air conditioned suite, perhaps fiddling with his nice cuff links, and thought: “This is hell.” (more…)
Baserunning
Wednesday, June 6th, 2001Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.
Many fans and commentators believe there is no longer a place in baseball for baserunning as an offensive weapon. As more and more teams pack their lineups with bulked-up sluggers, the conventional wisdom seems to be that baserunning skills no longer are needed and that aggressive baserunning is too risky and too low percentage in this era of the home run. Taking the extra base when the opportunity arises, however, can enable a team to score on plays other than hits. Intelligent baserunning can help a team compensate for a lack of speed and can complement a strong hitting team rather than detract from it. Unfortunately, the 2001 Astros apparently do not believe this. (more…)
May 2001 in Review
Tuesday, June 5th, 2001What have they done?
Like April, the Astros excelled the first half of the month, going 11-4 through May 17. The rest of the month they went 3-9, including an eight-game losing streak. The offense and pitching both declined during the collapse, but given that the staff continued to post a decent ERA, the line-up was chiefly to blame:
Dates R/G ERA --------------------- 5/01-5/17 5.33 3.73 5/18-5/31 4.58 4.78
