Key to the Astros' season: Fewer DL days

You can argue that there are many keys to the Astros' success for 2009. Among them: Official 2008 DL Days PlayerDays Matsui49 Wigginton26 Rodriguez35 Geary16 Quintero15 Oswalt11 Lee45 Paulino161 TOTAL358 • Michael Bourn and J.R. Towles need to mature. •...

Astros prospect Sapp continues to fight meningitis

 United States - Doctors also said that while he is improving, he will need occupational and physical therapy before resuming baseball activities. ... Astros prospect C Sapp removed from ICU National Post Sapp showing steady signs of recovery MLB.com

Oswalt has lofty World Baseball Classic hopes

A year before most Astros fans really learned about Roy Oswalt, the ace righthander played in the 2000 Sydney for Team USA. Thinking back to that gold medal-winning experience, Oswalt remembers most vividly how players were more focused on winning...

Astros' Oswalt to pitch in World Baseball Classic

Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March. “If I only play three more years, this would be a good ... Astros Ace Committs to WBC Houstonist Oswalt, Pence Visit Corpus Christi OurSports Central (press release)

Astros' Oswalt to pitch in World Baseball Classic

 United States - Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March. "If I only play three more years this would be a good ... Astros counting down days to camp MLB.com Oswalt may be No. 1 starter for USA MLB.com all 6 news articles

Baseball heats up: Astros hold top scouting meetings

Astros assistant GM Bobby Heck realizes he and his scouts are in the business of making educated guesses, which is why the organized scouting director wants his scouts to learn as much as possible about the players they select. Heck...

Next up for Astros: Dialing for Dollars

We've reached the next phase of the offseason hit, Astros' Dialing for Dollars. Or is it Deal or No Deal? At any rate, our contestants are primed and ready and our host for this two-week special is Ed Wade. Our...

Attention, Ed Wade. Free-agent bargains await the Astros

Be patient. Spend shrewdly. Yes, Ed Wade, your time is near. Baseball's free-agent market has collapsed. Smart teams are about to have a huge opportunity to improve their teams at a relatively low cost. Sure, the Yankees have thrown some bucks around. The Giants (Randy Johnson and Jeremy Affel...

Texas lawmakers to focus on transportation politcs

 United States - In mid-December, a citizen's committee made up of Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane and other business leaders outlined for the commission $313 billion in ...

Justice: Clemens can reclaim good name

 United States - Jan 1, 2009 I just know the Astros never have had anyone better in the narrow ways we measure athletes. Did I really know the guy? Of course not. ...

Thinking of Roger Clemens on New Year's Day

I just wish they knew the Roger Clemens I knew. Listen, I'm not defending his behavior. I don't know what he did before he arrived at Minute Maid Park, and I don't know what he did after he left. Drayton McLane would bring him back in a heartbeat as a pitcher or ambassador or instructor.

Readers vote Rockets' streak top sports story of '08

Readers vote Rockets' streak top sports story of '08  United States - Dec 31, 2008 The storm forced Major League Baseball to move the Astros to a "home" series in Milwaukee, where they were no-hit by Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano, ...

Astros '06 first-round pick hospitalized with meningitis

 United States - “It’s going to take him time to gain his strength and get back to baseball activity. The doctors said because he was in such good condition it helped fight ... Sapp hospitalized with meningitis MLB.com all 4 news articles

How much would Berkman, Oswalt be worth today?

Is Roy Oswalt better than C.C. Sabathia? How 'bout A.J. Burnett? Is Lance Berkman worth more than Mark Teixeira? How much would those Astros cornerstones be worth on today's market? Burnett and Oswalt are about the same age. Burnett's getting...

Astros owner McLane in favor of salary cap

 United States - Dec 29, 2008 be in a position that is unique to the game from the standpoint of the revenues and what they’re capable of doing,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. ...

Salary cap? Tell me you didn't say that, Drayton.

Let's review why the Astros have missed the playoffs three straight years. The reason is that Drayton McLane has made some mistakes. I can't see this ever happening. If it does, Drayton McLane becomes another green-bean salesman in Temple.

Clemens' name to be removed from Houston sports clinic

Clemens' name to be removed from Houston sports clinic AP Roger Clemens is shown at the Astros spring training camp in Kissimmee, Fla., in this Feb. 27 file photo. Roger Clemens' name is being removed from a ... Houston Hospital Drops Roger Clemens’s Name From Medical Center Bloomberg

In tough offseason, McLane favors salary cap

 United States - Astros owner Drayton McLane is one of the wealthiest men in the country and is accustomed to hearing about multi-million dollar deals being made in any of ...

Houston area lost leaders in a variety of fields in 2008

 United States - Dec 27, 2008 An Astros relief pitcher, Smith spent a decade with the Houston team beginning in 1980 and racked up 53 relief wins and an Astros' record for games finished ...

Former Astro Taveras signs with Reds

David Zalubowski AP Former Astros centerfielder Willy Taveras, traded to the Rockies in a deal for pitcher Jason Jennings, has signed with the Reds. ... Reds sign free-agent center fielder Taveras to two-year deal ESPN Cincinnati Reds sign Taveras for 2 years United Press International

Catching up with Wade and McLane

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season and will have a great new year. I had the opportunity to visit for a little while with Astros general manager Ed Wade and owner Drayton McLane the day after Christmas, and...

Will Christmas come late for Astros?

Will there be a late Christmas present for the Astros? Will Ed Wade do some bargain shopping now that prices are dropping faster than a barrel of oil? It's beginning to look a lot like the major spending spree on...

Justice: Everyone gains when Yankees spend

 United States - Dec 25, 2008 a great week for baseball. Nothing is better for the sport than a furious spending spree by the New York Yankees. Personally, I think the Astros winning ...

Great sports year for Houston. Inside a Texas-OU recruiting war.

How about those Astros? Some run in the second half. I don't know about you, but I haven't seen such excitement since the World Series. Those kids did almost everything right for a couple of months. If you didn't like your 2008 Astros, you probably don't like ice cream.

Commentary: Houston’s been blessed with a number of stars

 United States - 8 as an Astros coach for three playoff appearances? Heck, Yogi Berra sported No. 8 in the rainbow-colored uniform as a coach in the late 1980s. ...

Teixeira's signing with the Yanks is good for baseball.

Which rotation do you like more? Which group has done more in October? I love how the media — and even owners like this Milwaukee guy — award the World Series to the Yankees before Christmas. TV ratings for the Red Sox and Cubs are decent. The Dodgers still do well. The Giants, Tigers and Cardinal...

Justice: Astros have character guy in Boone

 United States - Dec 23, 2008 There was the time a couple springs ago when beloved Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy, who has been the final word on the Cincinnati Reds for four ...

Astros sign Aaron Boone; oh, the stories he can tell

Aaron Boone hit one of the most dramatic home runs in the long and wonderful history of Major League Baseball. No matter what else he does in life, he'll always be remembered for the stunning evening in Yankee Stadium. He's 35 now and in the twilight of his career. The Astros see him as the perfec...

Will Oswalt ask the Astros to trade him?

I haven't talked to him about it, but here's what I know. First, Drayton McLane wants Oswalt and Lance Berkman to finish their careers with the Astros. Both have a chance to make the Hall of Fame, and he wants them to go in as Astros. The Astros listened to offers for Oswalt a couple of years ago whe...

Why did Wade make the Tejada trade in the first place?

His biggest gambles were on Miguel Tejada and Michael Bourn. He believed--and more than a few scouts believed--that Tejada would benefit from a change of scenery. He also believed in Miguel Tejada. I don't think I've ever been around a better teammate than Tejada.

How the Astros are dealing with a bad economy

Major League Baseball is the first professional sport to try selling tickets, sponsorships, etc., since the ecnomic collapse, and teams are afraid. Everything I've written about Drayton McLane and his payroll numbers should now be viewed differently.

If Astros are having financial woes, Drayton should say so

Why can't Drayton McLane just be honest with us about his finances? Does he think we're dumb? Back when he was losing money and needed public cash for a new stadium, he had no problem talking about how Houston had to pony up to keep its baseball team.

Someone should tell Drayton that it's only money

So the Astros will be fiscally conservative and they'll go to spring training with a team designed to finish no higher than second. Maybe they'll catch a break or two. Maybe Michael Bourn and Miguel Tejada will have huge seasons. Maybe Hunter Pence will continue to get better. Maybe Wandy Rodr...

What the Astros can learn from the Phillies and Rays.

Between 1996 and 2003, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Pat Burrell, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers and Kyle Kendrick. That's an argument for another day. Baseball is in an era of amazing parity. The Rays or Phillies will be the eighth diffe...

Astros GM Wade assures Tejada to remain Astro

Astros general manager Ed Wade put to rest any speculation All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada would be dealt, saying Tuesday the club never had an interest or ... What Is Going On Down In Houston? The Braves Show Miguel Tejada: Red Sox Interested Rotowire

Astros, pets pose for calendar to raise money for the Houston ... - Houston Chronicle

Astros, pets pose for calendar to raise money for the Houston ...  United States - Apr 24, 2008 It was hard to decide which was cuter: Houston Astros pitcher Wesley Wright's getting instructions on how to cradle the whimpering puppy or the sweet-faced ...

Minute Maid Park beefs up flavor factor - Houston Chronicle

Minute Maid Park beefs up flavor factor  United States - Mar 26, 2008 By KEN HOFFMAN There will be several new crowd-pleasers in the lineup when the Astros begin the 2008 baseball season at Minute Maid Park. ...

30 baseball reasons to be thankful

4. Next year's Astros schedule: Josh Beckett's Boston Red Sox and Andy Pettitte's New York Yankees will come to town, and that will be a treat to Houston baseball fans who deserve to see these teams play regular season series at Minute Maid Park.

Opinion: Bring on instant replay in baseball

Baseball general managers voted 25-5 on Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., in favor of using instant replay to review questionable home run calls, and this corner of the world believes it's a good idea. Astros GM Ed Wade was among the five who voted against instant replay, which is used in the NFL, NBA...

Why not Tim Raines Jr.? And other minor league news

His position is probably left field and we have a left fielder. You can't play him in right because he doesn't have enough arm strength, and with Hunter (Pence) and Josh (Anderson) playing in center it didn't make sense." • • • Lefthander Brian Bogusevic, the Astros' first-round pick in 2005...

Opinion: Astros rally to avoid sweep by Bucs on Bagwell's day - Houston Chronicle

The Astros snapped a three-game losing streak and earned their first win at Minute Maid Park in six games this season against the Pirates by scoring two ... Astros Rally to Avoid Sweep by Pirates Forbes Pirates bump bullpen, top Astros 8-3 in 15 Houston Chronicle

Regular exercise and surfing keeps Ausmus fit and calm - Houston Chronicle

Regular exercise and surfing keeps Ausmus fit and calm  United States - Catcher Brad Ausmus and his family split their life between two cities — Houston during the Astros season, and San Diego otherwise. ...

Opinion: Chris Burke, here's your chance

This isn't exactly the Astros telling Chris Burke he's their everyday second baseman, but the decision to give Burke most of the starts on the road while resting Craig Biggio is his best chance yet to show management what he... This isn't exactly the Astros telling Chris Burke he's their ever...

Opinion: Missed the Astros chat? Read the transcript.

Grading the Astros and offering good baseball for a good price

Honestly, folks, it has become hard to watch the Astros, especially because it's difficult to watch such wonderful, classy guys struggle. I promise you if you got to know Roy Oswalt, Woody Williams, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman, Morgan Ensberg, Brad Ausmus, Brad Lidge, the en...

Firing Garner not the answer

He had Mark Loretta hitting second and playing second base in place of struggling Craig Biggio, and Loretta goes 0-for-4. Lance Berkman went 1-for-4 batting third and is no longer off to a bad start. He's just having a bad season. Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus actually pulled t...

Opinion: This is the year the Texans become our No. 1 franchise.

I knew he didn't have the money to do much more with the offense than sign Carlos Lee. I believed that if Lance Berkman and Lee were dominant, that if Morgan Ensberg's shoulder was healthy, the Astros would score enough runs. I thought Craig Biggio, Luke Scott and Chris Burke would do far more t...

Rockets clueless. Time to get Biggio out of leadoff spot.

Only Adam Everett has a lower OBP among regulars. Biggio's OBP is 52 points lower than Chris Burke's. The thing that's tough is figuring out who should hit there. The top five OBPs on the club are: Mike Lamb, Lance Berkman, Mark Loretta and Hunter Pence.

Astros in first place. Decision time on Lidge. Rockets-Jazz Game 1.

Pitching depth? Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson and Albers have combined for a 2.12 ERA in five starts. The Astros have 10 quality starts in 15 games. Only Atlanta (11) has more in the NL. Just when you were ready to throw Biggio off the bus, he delivered another late game-winning hit in a 6-5 vict...

That's why Carlos Lee makes $100 million, and you don't.

At the beginning of this season, the Astros had four players they probably couldn't afford to lose and stay competitive: Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt and Jason Jennings. Right now about, Purpura and Drayton McLane may be wishing they'd tried just a teensy bit harder to re-sign An...

Opinion: If these numbers hold up, the Astros will win by 8 games.

• To quote Joe Torre, ''It's all about the pitching.'' So far, so good. The Astros have gotten six quality starts in eight games, and Chris Sampson came within an inning of one on Tuesday. Overall, the rotation has a 2.45 ERA, second-best in the NL. No starter has allowed more than three earned run...

Time to play ball at Round Round and Corpus Christi

Round Rock, the defending Pacific Coast League American Southern Division champ, starts the season with an eight-game homestand. AP Photo/James A. Finley Pitcher Fernando Nieve is part of the opening-day lineup for the Round Rock Express. Hunter Pence, CF • • • Tim Raines Jr., CF

Podcast: Round Rock's the place to be (w/audio)

Audio: Astros manager Phil Garner on prospects in Round Rock Audio: Express manager Ricky Bennett on quality of talent on team Audio: Hunter Pence on being held in high regard by seasoned veterans Audio: Round Rock pitching coach Burt...

Podcast: Is Sampson in, Lidge healthy?

Phil Garner told Brian McTaggart that Lidge will pitch Wednesday and then again Thursday against Class AAA Round Rock. • • • Roy Oswalt and Lidge will pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday. Oswalt, of course, is having a stellar spring. Lidge is not, but Lidge also is adamant that he usually h...

Podcast: Ezequiel Astacio claimed by Rangers (w/ audio)

Astacio's highlight with the organization was likely last year at Class AAA Round Rock. His low moment was probably the game-winning home run he gave up in Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park. He also gave up the game-winning home run in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series against the Chic...

Readers write (and are usually wrong). Vince a Pro Bowler.

• • • I will answer your question, but first, I want to ask you never ever to compare a young pitcher like Troy Patton to Roy Oswalt or Roger Clemens. Those guys are rare ducks. They're just different. The Astros may never again have a pitcher as great as Roy Oswalt.

Opinion: And another thing. If they get rid of Brad Lidge, they're going to look might silly.

Brad Lidge goes nowhere. Got that? Nowhere? He pitches the ninth inning for the Houston Astros next season. No trade gets Brad Lidge from the Astros. Miguel Tejada won't get me to part with Brad Lidge. Pat Burrell won't do it, either. If the Phillies called and offered Ryan Howard straight up... Uh,...

Opinion: Somebody help me! Uncle Drayton just passed out!

I'm very excited to hear that you have a source telling you that about Lee. Now this is going to sound absolutely crazy but I think (the Astros) should try and also get Soriano, and let him play second base on the road and right field at home.

I'm not one to spread rumors except about Lee, Astros

That would be a good start for the Astros. If you believe that Luke Scott and Willy Taveras will play the way they did in the second half, that Mike Lamb and Morgan Ensberg could be a productive platoon at third and that Craig Biggio and Chris Burke can do a good job at second, then catcher is the o...

Astros inch closer; Kubiak gets tough

Now a word about the schedule. The Cardinals have played one less game than the Astros because a game against the Giants was postponed September 17. Since the Giants and Cardinals haven't had any matching off-days, that game will be played next Monday only if necessary to settle a playoff be...

Wandy, Garner, lineup decisions, flip-flops and the Rockets' new guard

• Everyone has to contribute. During the six-game winning streak, Brad Aumus led the Astros with a .471 batting average. Adam Everett hit .316. Lance Berkman was the RBI leader with eight, but Berkman, Biggio and Jason Lane hit two home runs apiece. The Astros hit .292 as a team during the streak.

Notes from Texans camp...

Thoughts on the Astros... • Luke Scott is 7 for 17 with runners in scoring position. He looks like a completely different player since he was last in the big leagues. Wouldn't it be strange if he was better down the stretch than Miguel Tejada?

Astros trade talks heating up again ...

One, all of the teams with whom the Astros are talking today are asking too much in the Astros' view. For the likes of a Tejada or Soriano, teams are expecting big-time return. You can probably interpret that as Hunter Pence and Jason Hirsch, neither of whom the Astros want to let go. Willy Taver...