Mailbag: How much time will Burke see?
03/06/2006
Although Spring Training has just started, Chris Burke appears to already be shining with several extra-base hits. Considering the crowded outfield and the job security of the middle infielders, how many times this season could we anticipate seeing Burke? I hope his improving talent and lack of a place to put him doesn't put him in a spot for good trade collateral. -- Reese E., Bellaire, Texas
The Astros have no interest in trading Burke. He doesn't have a starting job, but I can promise you he'll get plenty of at-bats this year. General manager Tim Purpura loves the combination of Phil Garner and Burke -- a creative, risk-taking manager and a young, hungry, talented player who will adapt to anything. You'll see Burke in left, at second and maybe short. By the end of Spring Training, we should have a gauge on whether Burke can adequately back up Adam Everett at shortstop.
I know you have reported on this before, but I really don't want to accidentally miss a televised preseason game. Which games are televised again? -- Steve G., San Marcos, Texas
No problem, it can't hurt to print a reminder. In addition to full regular-season coverage, MLB.TV will broadcast several Astros games throughout Spring Training:
• March 15: Yankees• March 16: Yankees• March 18: Indians• March 25: Mets• March 27: Tigers• March 28: Braves• March 29 Indians
ESPN will televise only the March 15 Astros-Yankees matchup, and FSN will carry just two games -- March 22 versus the Indians and March 28 versus the Braves.
If you're interested in coverage of games not televised or broadcast on MLB.TV, many more games throughout the Grapefruit League schedule will be audio broadcast on Gameday Audio.
Based on Milo Hamilton's comments in his book, it seems that Alan Ashby's firing took Hamilton by surprise? Do you know why Ash was released, and is there a possibility the Astros would hire him back? -- Richie E., Seabrook, Texas
It is my understanding that Hamilton was very surprised when the Astros decided to cut ties with Ashby. Hamilton was firmly in Ashby's corner when Ashby was interviewing for the road play-by-play job.
Ash was released because during the interview process, the Astros stumbled upon two extremely strong candidates for the road play-by-play job and decided to hire both. I've only known Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan a short time, but I can understand why the Astros wanted both. They're extremely talented, knowledgeable and funny. I'm confident you're going to like them.
Plus, they toiled for more than a decade covering the Minor Leagues. I spent one year covering the Minors -- 366 days to be exact -- and I spent every one of those days plotting my way out. That life can be brutal. In that respect, you have to be happy for those who are given a chance to be in the big leagues, especially Raymond and Dolan, who clearly paid their dues.
Do you think that Carlos Hernandez will make the Astros' five-man rotation at the start of the season?-- Thomas S., Houston
Hernandez is creating quite a buzz here in camp, and I would say he's got a heck of a chance to win a spot this spring. He's regained some of his velocity, and his curveball looks good. He's going to spend most of this month with the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic, but representatives from the organization will be following his every move. Phil Garner may have to make a decision based on what the scouts say, but he'll just have to trust their judgment.
I need to start off by saying that I am a St. Louis native, and I have been a lifelong Cardinals fan. As a Cardinals fan, I was born into a fundamental dislike (hate?) of the Cubs. Honestly, I've always seen your Houston team as our strongest competition within the division. So my question is, how do Astros fans view Cardinals fans? Fans of each team have had their hearts broken by the other team recently, only to have them crushed in the World Series. Is it time for me to hate the Astros also?-- Tom C., St. Louis
I can't speak for Astros fans, but I can tell you what Astros players think of Cardinals fans. St. Louis is considered to be one of the hardest places to win, one of the best places to play. The fans are terrific -- smart, respectful, and they applaud good defensive plays, from both teams.
I recently saw a photo that perfectly illustrates your typical Cardinals fan. It was a shot of Craig Biggio, walking back into the dugout minutes after the Astros won the pennant at Busch Stadium last year. The fans behind the dugout were applauding him, and one woman, wearing a Cardinals jersey and cap, was giving him a thumbs up. That's just awesome.
I can't tell you whether or not to hate the Astros, but it's my feeling that there has always been a respect between the players and fans of these two organizations.
What do you think about the signing of Preston Wilson? I believe that he will be a big help to our lineup, but won't he jam the outfield? I think it was Purpura that said that if Jeff Bagwell comes back, Willy Taveras is out and Wilson goes in. I don't think that we should be discarding Taveras to the bench so fast. But, of course, if Baggy doesn't come back, no big deal.-- Michelle G., Clear Lake City, Texas
Nothing is set in stone at this point. The Astros needed a bat in a bad way, and they have one in Wilson. If Bagwell can't play, and they hadn't signed Wilson, that would have left the offense in a pretty desperate state. They couldn't let the offseason pass without addressing the offense, even if it means Taveras loses his job.
If Bagwell can play, Taveras would likely start the year in Triple-A. He's not going to be a bench player. He needs to play every day, and if there's no room for him in the outfield, he'll have to find his at-bats elsewhere. Again, no decisions have been made. We'll have to see what's up with Bagwell first.
Who do you think will be the first player to enter the Hall of Fame with an Astros cap?-- Charles T., Houston
Bagwell and Biggio are considered to be future Hall of Famers. Who gets there first depends on who retires first and whether they get in on the first, second, third ballot or beyond. I would imagine this will be Bagwell's last year. I would guess Biggio will be ready to hang it up after 2007. If both are first-ballot Hall of Famers, Bagwell goes in first.
It would be very cool to see them go in together. That will depend more on dumb luck than credentials. It's up to the writers to decide how long they have to wait once they hit the five-year eligibility mark. Some writers get a kick out of making candidates wait for several years before they vote them in. I don't have any idea how they'll vote once Bagwell and Biggio become eligible.
Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/
Although Spring Training has just started, Chris Burke appears to already be shining with several extra-base hits. Considering the crowded outfield and the job security of the middle infielders, how many times this season could we anticipate seeing Burke? I hope his improving talent and lack of a place to put him doesn't put him in a spot for good trade collateral. -- Reese E., Bellaire, Texas
The Astros have no interest in trading Burke. He doesn't have a starting job, but I can promise you he'll get plenty of at-bats this year. General manager Tim Purpura loves the combination of Phil Garner and Burke -- a creative, risk-taking manager and a young, hungry, talented player who will adapt to anything. You'll see Burke in left, at second and maybe short. By the end of Spring Training, we should have a gauge on whether Burke can adequately back up Adam Everett at shortstop.
I know you have reported on this before, but I really don't want to accidentally miss a televised preseason game. Which games are televised again? -- Steve G., San Marcos, Texas
No problem, it can't hurt to print a reminder. In addition to full regular-season coverage, MLB.TV will broadcast several Astros games throughout Spring Training:
• March 15: Yankees• March 16: Yankees• March 18: Indians• March 25: Mets• March 27: Tigers• March 28: Braves• March 29 Indians
ESPN will televise only the March 15 Astros-Yankees matchup, and FSN will carry just two games -- March 22 versus the Indians and March 28 versus the Braves.
If you're interested in coverage of games not televised or broadcast on MLB.TV, many more games throughout the Grapefruit League schedule will be audio broadcast on Gameday Audio.
Based on Milo Hamilton's comments in his book, it seems that Alan Ashby's firing took Hamilton by surprise? Do you know why Ash was released, and is there a possibility the Astros would hire him back? -- Richie E., Seabrook, Texas
It is my understanding that Hamilton was very surprised when the Astros decided to cut ties with Ashby. Hamilton was firmly in Ashby's corner when Ashby was interviewing for the road play-by-play job.
Ash was released because during the interview process, the Astros stumbled upon two extremely strong candidates for the road play-by-play job and decided to hire both. I've only known Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan a short time, but I can understand why the Astros wanted both. They're extremely talented, knowledgeable and funny. I'm confident you're going to like them.
Plus, they toiled for more than a decade covering the Minor Leagues. I spent one year covering the Minors -- 366 days to be exact -- and I spent every one of those days plotting my way out. That life can be brutal. In that respect, you have to be happy for those who are given a chance to be in the big leagues, especially Raymond and Dolan, who clearly paid their dues.
Do you think that Carlos Hernandez will make the Astros' five-man rotation at the start of the season?-- Thomas S., Houston
Hernandez is creating quite a buzz here in camp, and I would say he's got a heck of a chance to win a spot this spring. He's regained some of his velocity, and his curveball looks good. He's going to spend most of this month with the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic, but representatives from the organization will be following his every move. Phil Garner may have to make a decision based on what the scouts say, but he'll just have to trust their judgment.
I need to start off by saying that I am a St. Louis native, and I have been a lifelong Cardinals fan. As a Cardinals fan, I was born into a fundamental dislike (hate?) of the Cubs. Honestly, I've always seen your Houston team as our strongest competition within the division. So my question is, how do Astros fans view Cardinals fans? Fans of each team have had their hearts broken by the other team recently, only to have them crushed in the World Series. Is it time for me to hate the Astros also?-- Tom C., St. Louis
I can't speak for Astros fans, but I can tell you what Astros players think of Cardinals fans. St. Louis is considered to be one of the hardest places to win, one of the best places to play. The fans are terrific -- smart, respectful, and they applaud good defensive plays, from both teams.
I recently saw a photo that perfectly illustrates your typical Cardinals fan. It was a shot of Craig Biggio, walking back into the dugout minutes after the Astros won the pennant at Busch Stadium last year. The fans behind the dugout were applauding him, and one woman, wearing a Cardinals jersey and cap, was giving him a thumbs up. That's just awesome.
I can't tell you whether or not to hate the Astros, but it's my feeling that there has always been a respect between the players and fans of these two organizations.
What do you think about the signing of Preston Wilson? I believe that he will be a big help to our lineup, but won't he jam the outfield? I think it was Purpura that said that if Jeff Bagwell comes back, Willy Taveras is out and Wilson goes in. I don't think that we should be discarding Taveras to the bench so fast. But, of course, if Baggy doesn't come back, no big deal.-- Michelle G., Clear Lake City, Texas
Nothing is set in stone at this point. The Astros needed a bat in a bad way, and they have one in Wilson. If Bagwell can't play, and they hadn't signed Wilson, that would have left the offense in a pretty desperate state. They couldn't let the offseason pass without addressing the offense, even if it means Taveras loses his job.
If Bagwell can play, Taveras would likely start the year in Triple-A. He's not going to be a bench player. He needs to play every day, and if there's no room for him in the outfield, he'll have to find his at-bats elsewhere. Again, no decisions have been made. We'll have to see what's up with Bagwell first.
Who do you think will be the first player to enter the Hall of Fame with an Astros cap?-- Charles T., Houston
Bagwell and Biggio are considered to be future Hall of Famers. Who gets there first depends on who retires first and whether they get in on the first, second, third ballot or beyond. I would imagine this will be Bagwell's last year. I would guess Biggio will be ready to hang it up after 2007. If both are first-ballot Hall of Famers, Bagwell goes in first.
It would be very cool to see them go in together. That will depend more on dumb luck than credentials. It's up to the writers to decide how long they have to wait once they hit the five-year eligibility mark. Some writers get a kick out of making candidates wait for several years before they vote them in. I don't have any idea how they'll vote once Bagwell and Biggio become eligible.
Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/
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