Minor League Whiff

It's a well documented fact that the Astros farm system stinks. Not much relief for the big league team sits in the pipeline.

I've complained many times about it before but I'm not beating a dead horse.

I'm about a month behind on my subscriptions (longer in some cases). In the June 7, 2010 edition of Sports Illustrated, an article entitled Wave of the Future features the upcoming draft. The article also describes how many clubs now view the draft as an efficient less inexpensive way of building a team than free agency.

It's obvious owner Drayton McLane knows trucking and grocery distribution. He doesn't know squat about baseball. He disdained paying rookie signing bonus put the club in its current crisis. Instead of smartly paying cheaper bonuses, McLane authorized terrible contracts for veterans like Carlos Lee and the Kat. That's all old news.

Until this article though, I didn't realize how badly the Astros missed out on the draft. I just thought a couple of top picks didn't sign. Scouting lower round talent also lead to the current state of disaster. According to the article, in 2007 the Astros didn't sign 4 of the top 11 picks and in 2008 they missed out on 6 of the top 25. Folks that is a 28% failure rate.

To miss out on 28% of top draft picks shows the incompetence fostered by McLane. The number becomes more staggering when you factor in the players signed but not to make the big leagues. Living up the Quest for Futility, the Astros record for moving players to the Majors is just as abysmal at the season record. Actually the season records looks magnificent compared to the number of players promoted to the Majors. Of 243 drafted players in five drafts, the article states only three played at least a day with the big team. That number is up to four or five now with the promotion of Julio Castro. The success rate of drafted players sits at 1.65%. The
article contrasts that with the Red Sox and Rangers. Both teams produced double digit players in the Major Leagues from those same five drafts.

Drayton McLane managed to destroy one of the more competitive baseball teams in short time. The rot of the club starts up top with the owner and permeates down the depths of the minor league system. McLane believed the Astros could remain competitive only by signing free agents and not stocking the farm system. Now the Astros are crippled by overpaid players and the minor leagues are crippled by loss of trying to undersign players.

The Astros are now just a sad state of affairs.

So Many Things Wrong That Satire Doesn't Do Justice

There are just so many things wrong with the Astros that I don't even feel like doing satire or sarcasm. The ineptitude of the organization seems to plummet to new depths.

The latest mistake involves the firing hitting coach Sean Berry and hiring Jeff Bagwell as his replacement. I'm so jaded about any move now that I think it is just a desperate publicity stunt by Chief Astros Clown Drayton McLane. My jaded guess sets off alarms that McLane thinks fans will go to games just to see Bagwell. Former fan favorite, All-Star and MVP Bagwell will bring a few more fans into the stands. Right? When the product on the field stinks, hire a new coach or manager. Everybody goes to see coaches and managers fill out line ups, give instructions and make hand signs to base runners.

For a while I thought only Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence were untradable. I stand by my stance on Bourn but if Pence can bring in a couple of AA prospects they better think long and hard about it.

Roy Oswalt will probably bring in the biggest haul. The question remains how much can Oswalt actually bring in. I'd like a three prospects for one starter trade but I'm not sure he will bring that. It is obvious Oswalt wants out and teams will lowball the Astros. They will probably have to keep a big portion of his salary too.

Lance Berkman might fetch a prospect and a box of cleats. Used cleats.

Anyone else? The Astros are stuck with Carlos Lee. Wandy Rodriguez might get them some discarded hot-dogs and used drink lids.

The bottom line is the Astros are one of the worst teams in baseball and this will probably be the worst team in Astros history. They are stuck with a top heavy payroll concentrated on a few players. Even if they can move Oswalt and Berkman, the return won't really much and they will also be stuck with the majority of each player's salary.

To bad the owner can't be fired.

Shaky Start But Back On Track

The Astros started June with a dubious start. For the first ten games, the listlessly won eight games and lost only two games.

The Astros needed a tough road opponent to help get back on track. The schedule makers smiled on the Astros though. A trip to the New York Yankee loomed. The Astros started the nosedive they needed in New York losing all three games.

In Kansas City, the Astros looked to continue the new losing streak but screwed up and won the middle game. They managed to drop two of three. While I'd prefer a clean sweep, losing is the name of the game and two of three isn't bad.

In an unanticipated match up by fans outside the Houston or DFW areas, the Astros tried to avoid embarrassment in beating Interstate-45 rival Texas Rangers. The Astros didn't fail to deliver. The Rangers swept the Astros to keep the new losing streak intact.

The Astros have lost 26 games which is completely unacceptable. They've blown all chances of breaking the all time and modern records for losses in a season. The only goal left for the team is to set a franchise records. I still can't find a losing streak record. The franchise record for losses in 64 and setting a new record seem attainable.

First order of business though is returning to the worst record in the Major Leagues. Currently the Pittsburgh Pirates hold a half game lead on the Astros. Catching the Baltimore Orioles will take some work. Currently the Orioles maintain a lead with only 19 wins.

Dammit! A Two Game Win Streak!

After the Astros rolled over for the Gnats, the Astros have embarrassed themselves for two games in a row.

First was choke game down the stretch with Lance Berkman knocking a walk off single two nights ago.

Then they refuse to lose and take a 5-1 win in the third game. I listened to the game at work and am perplexed with this sudden urge to win. Wandy Rodriguez tried to give up a lead but he had no help. He loaded up the bases but the Gnats still wouldn't take the bait. Even the umpire tried to help out with a probable phantom call on catcher interference. The Astros refused to lose though.

They will give it one more shot this afternoon against the Gnats. After that the Chicago Scrubbies come to town. I'm in a bit of a quandary. While I prefer the losing Astros, I despise the Cubs. This is the one series I'm rooting for the Astros to win every game.

Plodding Along Astros

Thus far through for May the Astros have won a grand total of six games. If it wasn't for the little hiccup in St. Louis they'd have a better record of futility.

The sweep of the Cards was down right embarrassing. The team once again lost sight of the goal of futility and won. That's not what the season is about. This season is about reaching into the gutter and seeing how low they can go.

Right now the Astros are neck and neck with the Baltimore Orioles for worst record in Major Leagues. Outstanding!

First the bad news. This week they waived infielder Kaz Matsui. Houston Chronicle blogger Bernard Fallas applauds the move as an easy decision.. I disagree. Matsui was at team leader. He needed to stay in order to maintain the losing attitude in the clubhouse. The duty of how not to play baseball now falls on Carlos Lee.

Despair not Astros fans. I did a recent check of National League team stats on ESPN. What I found wasn't surprising at all. The Astros are dead last in every offensive category that ESPN tracks. LAST! How great is that? That is completely unselfish play by the team. Everyone isn't contributing and that makes for a truly bad team. Keep up the bad work Astros! It can only get worse.

In other news, Roy Oswalt reportedly asked for a trade. I think I understand where he's coming from. Tired of the team not giving their worst effort, he wants off the team and move on to a contender. I believe Oswalt is only going through the motions of being terrible. Fearful of team retaliation if he plays well, Oswalt wants off the team and to play where the pressure isn't so great to lose.

Good Luck, Roy O! You definitely deserve better than the Astros.

Off To A 1-6 May!

Since April 27th, the Astros have gone 1-10. After absolutely embarrassing themselves with a 9-2 run, the Astros returned to the ways of losing.

First a sweep at the hands of the Reds. In that series, the Astros put up an astounding eight runs but allowed an even better sixteen runs in the three game series.

Feeling feisty, the team then decided to lose in bigger fashion to their old nemesis the Atlanta Braves. What followed was an amazing lack of run production while giving up plenty of runs. The Astros probably felt they competed to hard against the Reds so the were determined to lose in convincing style to the Braves. Even the first game was to close for comfort by losing 4-2. The team bounced back from that close call by losing 10-1 and 7-1 to make sure they left Atlanta without a win.

Feeling great about the losses, the Astros carried over the momentum from the Atlanta series and lost in convincing fashion to the Diamondbacks 9-1. Ros Oswalt then followed up the series opener with perhaps his worst performance of the season in losing 1-0. Fortunately his teammates were there to kick him down and put up zero runs. That's what great teammates do. When one player struggles, they rally to the cause and do the best they can to succeed.

Perhaps deflated by the LULAC protest on Cinco de Mayo, the Astros won the game 4-2 over the Diamondbacks.

Undeterred, the Astros rebounded from the win to drop the next two games. They lost the Diamondback finale and for good measure batted a 7-0 shut out to the visiting San Diego Padres.

In off the field news, Carlos Lee said he wants to play out the remainder of his contract and then retire. My guess is he feels he won't be able to duplicate the lack of effort in the future and wants to get out on the bottom of his game as his play declines with age.

And then things are right with the world. At least for now it is. The Astros embarrassed themselves and their fans with a 2-1 series win against the Marlins and a sweep of the Pirates.

The Astros shook the foundations and scared fans rooting for futility with a nice run of 8-3. In order to attain futility, then one must first wrest the crown from the kings. Losing to the Cubs, Pirates and Marlin early on allowed the chance to prove yourself against the competition.

Yeah but it's no big deal. They are still working on futility. All is not lost. Baltimore are the race and lead for now but Carlos Lee is pathetic and Lance Berkman will play in streaks. The Time is Now. o-162 is gone but worst record is attainable

Fortunately the Reds came to town and swept the return of the listless Astros. The Astros try to make up ground with three or four more for the Atlanta Braves.

Go Astros! Lose Everything!

Stop It! Please!

I'm still wrapped up in NHL and NBA playoffs and just now starting to get up to speed.

I look away for a moment and what happens? The Astros not only are on a winning streak but they swept the Pittsburgh Pirates at home.

Making matters worse is the fact they are no longer laughing stocks. Baltimore can claim that title with just three wins. The Astros now have 8 wins and are tied with several teams with that number.

Maybe the tornado that shook up Roy Oswalt's home rattled the team. Seriously, I'm glad Oswalt's family is safe. Now the Astros can please get back to losing?

Astros Avoid the Sweep!

To distracted by NHL playoffs and NFL draft to notice any Astros news until I now. Just checked the score. Way to go guys! Keep up the bad work!

What Is Wrong With The Team?

The cliche is winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing. The Astros are seriously off track and breeding out of their class.

If they keep this winning streaks going, records of futility will be out of reach.

Games like the 5-4 come from behind victory of the Florida Marlins will bring all hopes of reaching the depths of league history to an end. The Astros had the loss in hand and were cruising a long to another defeat. The game appeared well in hand. Then a collapse ensued.

A series of events in the 7th inning propelled the Astros to victory. Geoff Blum finished off what started in front of him (an infield hit, a wild pitch and a swinging bunt) with a triple and gave the Astros the despicable win.

There may be plenty of blame to pass out for the victory but none should be laid at the feet of starting pitcher Bud Norris. Norris gave up a 4 run 5th inning and built what seemed an insurmountable lead. Instead the bullpen caved in and couldn't hold the loss.

The win extends the Astros winning streak to 4 and raises the overall record to 5-9.

The wheels are starting to spin out of control.

Dear Astros....

...Please stop winning.
Signed,
A Disgruntled Fan

Uh boy, 2 out of 3 Wins! Not Good!

The problem with playing losers like the Cubs is that they lose. Normally that's a good thing. For the Astros it's a bad thing. Loser Cubs impede progress. The Astros team goal is to lose as many games as possible. Beating the Scrubs two out of three and putting a two game winning steak is the wrong approach.

As always I look for the positive. Even in victory, there is always something to build on. For starters the run production is still abysmal. Other than the torrential run scoring in the Cardinals finale, the 'stros are still struggling at the plate. In three games the Astros scored 2, 4 and 3 runs. Any other team and that would probably equate into more Astros losses.

Fortunately I believe the pitching won't hold up. This pitching staff won't hold many teams under 4 runs. In the future I look for worse outings from the pitchers.

While victory brings despair, I have low hopes that the march toward futility will continue this season.

Go 'stros! Bring on the Marlins!

Just When You Thought It Was Safe

The Astros win. Again. Sigh!

I worked today so I didn't get to witness today's debacle.

The Astros blew a chance to right a wrong and construct a new losing streak. For shame, they are winners in 2 of last 3 games.

The Astros need to take a few lessons from the fellows across the field. Some refer to the Cubs as "lovable losers." I prefer just "losers." What's so lovable about losing? The Cubs are a lesson in futility.

Learn your lessons well and study history, Astros. The dream of perfection is over but the dream of futility is still alive.

On the Astros locker room entrance the sign reads:

Quest for PerfectionFutility!
0-162!
1-161!
2-160!

The Start of a New Streak

Apparently I was worried about nothing. The Astros shook off the one blemish on their record and preceded to start a new losing streak.

Plus they got the new streak off in striking in an exciting way. For a while they had me worried that they would embark on a winning streak. They took a 2-1 lead into the 7th inning. Pitcher Felipe Paulino then decided to put the game away. Paulino allowed two doubles to lead off the 7th allowing the Cubs to tie the game. Feeling not enough damage was done, Paulino then walked the next two batter and loaded up the bases. Setting up the game winner for the Cubs, Paulino was pulled and reliever Tim Byrdak entered. Not wanting to let Paulino or the team down, Byrdak sealed the Astros fate by giving up a 3 run homer to give the Cubs the lead for good and a 7-2 win.

After a 5 run outburst yesterday, the Astros returned to a tried and true method of losing - don't score many runs. For the 7th time in 11 games, the team failed to score more than 2 runs. While they can score a lot of runs and give up a lot more to lose that would be playing with fire. Better to keep the scoring to a minimum.

One good thing lesson to learn from this game. Despite the late lead, the Astros didn't panic. They found a way to loss the game and their confidence.

Let's keep get a nice long losing streak going 'stros! 1-161 is the new goal.

In closing I have one announcement. On Monday I'll give the details but I'm going to start a campaign that I hope will spare us watching to many prolonged Astros games.

Go 'stros! Break the losing records!

Picking Up the Pieces

After yesterday's stunning win, the Astros look to pick up the pieces and put together a new steak of historic proportions.

The team will try to focus on the Cubs and no look off into the future. I suspect that is what happened in St. Louis. The excitement of tying a franchise record proved to much and they buckled under the pressure.

The monkey is off their backs and the slate is clean. When a new record for ineptitude rears it's head the Astros need to shake it off and just concentrate on losing the game.

Today's game looks promising for a loss. The Astros send Felipe Paulino and his 7.20 ERA to the mound. The Cubs start Carlos Silva and a minuscule 1.50 ERA. Also Cubs 1st baseman Derek Lee hits well against the Astros. In the last eight games versus the Astros, Lee has belted four homers, three doubles, four RBIs while sporting a .407 batting average.

Things are looking bright for a new streak and possible new records. 1-161 is the new goal!

1-8! The Dream of Perfection Died Today

In a stunning turn of events, the Houston Astros beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1. This heartbreaking loss gave the team some unneeded confidence heading into tomorrow's game against the laughable loser Chicago Cubs.

The Quest for Perfection! 0-162! is over. The Astros failed to match the 1983 Astros for worst start at 0-9. Not only were they looking to tie the record but also looking forward to setting a new record at 0-10.

The Astros took an early 2-0 lead. Houston outfielder Carlos Lee tried to let the Cards back into the game when he dropped a two out fly ball. Unfortunately the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on the golden opportunity and managed only one run from the error.

A series of events conspired to bring the dream to an end. First the Astros uncharacteristically jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held it. They dug an even deeper hole when they scored three more runs in the 8th inning. Adding insult to injury, starting pitcher Bud Norris struck out nine Cardinals and allowed only an unearned run. Despite Lee's heroics in dropping the fly ball, the team moves to a disappointing 1-8 record.

The Astros can take heart that this is a long season and several records are attainable. I can't find an official team losing streak. The longest one I find is a ten game losing streak. The Astros can gun for that. They can also gun for longest streak of 24 set by the Cleveland Spiders (more about the Spiders in a future blog). The modern record (from 1900 on) is 23 games lost by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.

As the season progress, more record breaking attempts will become evident. So Astros fans, enjoy. While the dream of a perfect season is over, the dream of a record setting season is still within reach.

0-8!

The Astros scared me a few times. The first close call was going ahead 1-0 in the 1st inning. They managed to immediately right the ship. In order to keep the streak going, they allowed the Cardinals to take 2-1 lead in their first at bat.

The Astros came close to tying things but ended up salvaging the game. More details to come.

In an interesting note, manager Brad Mills held an optional work out today instead of the usual mandatory one. The players appreciated the break as it allowed them to concentrate on everything but the game of baseball.

The loss drops the Astros t0 0-8 and one game short of tying the franchise record of 9 straight losses to open a season. In a long 162 game season the team needs to take incremental steps toward perfection. Instead of looking down the road at the remaining 154 games, the 'stros will focus on near term goals. Within sight is tying the franchise record and after that they can focus on setting the team record at 0-10. After team records, they can start thinking about league records.

One step at a time and one loss at a time and before you know it the season will be over...Go 'stros!

After a Hiatus The Quest Continues

After a one day break, the DisAstros return to the field in pursuit of imperfection.

The first line in ESPN.com's Cardinals vs. Astros preview for tomorrow:

Brad Penny didn't get a win in his first start with the St. Louis Cardinals, but the veteran right-hander showed plenty of encouraging signs.

Brad Penny didn't get a win in his first start with the St. Louis Cardinals, but the veteran right-hander showed plenty of encouraging signs.

Don't worry Penny. You face the Astros tomorrow. If you thought his first start is encouraging, wait for his second start.

The Astros are sending Brett Myers to the mound to throw batting practice for Albert Pujols and company. If Penny's first start was encouraging then Myer's was discouraging. He gave up 4 runs on 12 hits in 6 innings for a stellar 6.00 ERA. I like ERAs in multiples of 3. I'm hoping Myers should go for the perfect baseball number of 9.

I noted a few things from the article.

A discouraging sign is Penny's record against the Astros. In five career starts, Penny has a 5.58 ERA with an 0-2 record. Also disturbing is Geoff Blum's .435 (10 for 23) batting average versus Penny.

What the Astros have going for them is they are averaging 1.86 runs a game. In addition, five Astros average less than a .200 batting.

Considering the match ups, overall team play and the opponent, I think the Astros Quest for Perfection! lives one more game.

Go 'stros! 0-162 one game at a time.

0-162? Really?

Obviously the Astros are not going to lose every game. I might have jinxed this blog by proclaiming the Quest for Perfection! Odds are very long that it will happen.

I've done a little research and if the Astros do blow the Quest for Perfection! I have some low marks they cans still strive for.

But let's root opponents and pray they do all they can to give the Astros that perfect season.

It should be noted that the Astros are the only team still in contention for a unvictory season. After seven games, all the other teams have won at least one game.

Go 'stros!

0-7!

What can I say? I love perfection and the Astros are on the march for a perfect season.

The only way the season more perfect would for them to get no hit every game. That didn't happen.

So this is my on going chronicle of the Houston Astros 2010 season and the Quest for Perfection!

Today's fiasco was a 5-0 loss to the Red Birds of St. Louis.

Key Stats of the Game:

For the Cardinals it was Albert Pujols with 2 hits on 3 at bats with one walk, one homer and 4 RBIs.

For the Astros it was my hero favorite Astro ragged arm pitcher Wandy Rodriguez. Rodriguez gave up 4 earned runs over 4 1/3 innings while expanding his ERA to 6.10

Tomorrow's pitching match up: no one. They don't play the Cards until Wednesday. Fortunately that means the Quest for Perfection will stand intact for one more day.

Go 'stros! Just Don't Win!