Elston chats about days in the booth

02/22/2006
jjr928: Gene, congrats. What do your remember about the Nolan Ryan no-hitter?
Gene Elston: It was a big one for me. It was the fifth of his career, of course. I did about 11 or 12 no-hitters, but this was big because it was Nolan and he was popular and we had a big crowd that night.
Question: What are your memories of calling Cubs games?
Elston: I enjoyed it because it was my first job in the Major Leagues. It was a great thrill. I had an audition before the 1954 season. My memories are that Ernie Banks had made his debut in late 1953, so I had a chance to see him early on. Chicago was a great spot to start my big league career. I got to know Ernie Banks and he was so well-liked in Chicago. My kids got to know him and he is such a great guy. We have a place here in Houston named "Ernie's on the Banks" and it's a tribute to Ernie.
Question: What is your most memorable call?
Elston: It's very difficult to pick out one call when you've done 7,000 games. One was the no-hitters I called. I was lucky enough to do back-to-back no-hitters in 1969, when Jim Maloney and Don Wilson pitched them back-to-back. The other highlight was the 1980 season, the postseason series was so amazing, it was a great season.
houhutch: Congrats on the award. Who would you say is the best player you ever saw play? What about the single greatest play?
Elston: It's tough to pick out one play, because you see so many. I like to quote Bob Gibson who said, "The greatest game I ever pitched was like the most beautiful girl I ever saw ... it's the last one I saw." But, as far as players -- Willie Mays was the best player I saw. He could do it all, in all phases of the game.
Question: What does it mean to you to receive this honor?
Elston: It hasn't settled in yet, it probably will when I get to Cooperstown. It's a great honor to be associated with Ford Frick. He was my hero, I followed his career. It means a lot to me. It's great to be alongside those who have received the award, that's great. To be associated with Graham McNamee, for example. To be associated with Vin Scully and Jack Buck, is really something.
Question: Who were some of your favorite Astros players -- on and off the field?
Elston: I had a policy not to become too close to the players, so as not to favor any of them. However, but I came very close with Jimmy Wynn and Bob Aspromonte. There were quite a few in the early days, Joe Morgan.
Question: How would you compare Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan?
Elston: I saw Nolan a lot, and in his prime. Clemens came after I did, so I haven't seen him that much. I think they are comparable. They have similar attributes: can throw hard, both are great athletes. Both of them work hard to stay in shape. If I had to pick one, I'd probably choose Ryan.
Question: What was your favorite Astros team?
Elston: The 1980 team. It was a winning combination, the team was in first much of the year. It was great for the fans to have a winner. The end of the season drama, and then the playoff game. Overall, that was my favorite team.
Question: How did you land in Houston for the Colt .45 job?
Elston: It was interesting. I was with Mutual's Game of the Day. I was there between four and five years, nationwide. We had about 350 stations. But Gabe Paul called me from Cincinnati, he was their GM, and he asked if I'd like to go to Cincinnati and do TV. Then, later, Gabe called and said he couldn't bring me to Cincinnati, because he was taking the GM job in Houston. So, he asked me to go to Houston with him, and I did.
Question: Have you been to Cooperstown? If so, what do you recall about it?
Elston: I've been there twice, both times for the Hall of Fame Game with the Astros. The whole area is beautiful. The museum is great. The artifacts are awesome, and to look back on the early stuff, the displays were great. I loved to see them. Any baseball fan, even borderline fans, need to go to Cooperstown.
houhutch: Do you think that baseball in a dome is a good or a bad thing? I personally think that the dome was neat at the beginning but negative at the end.
Elston: It was interesting, it sort of changed baseball. After the Astrodome, other stadiums came along with turf and had standard dimensions, stadiums used for football and baseball, etc. When Baltimore opened their park in the 1990s, it really switched back to the nostalgia-type stadiums. Playing indoors didn't change the game that much. There was a roof over my head, that's all. As soon as the game started, I didn't sense any difference, as far as being inside. Except when Mike Schmidt hit a speaker with a ball, and I can still see Jimmy Wynn standing out there with his arms out, not knowing where the ball was. It sort of reminded me of the DH rule. I didn't like it when it came in, but you get used to it. The same way with domes.
Question: How good was J.R. Richard? Do you think he might have been a Hall of Famer if his career wasn't cut short?
Elston: If he kept up the pace, I think he definitely would have been a Hall of Famer. He was awesome, He threw high-90s all the time, had a good breaking pitch. He had great control. He could do everything. He dominated almost every game he pitched in.
Question: What advice do you offer aspiring broadcasters?
Elston: I had a lot of youngsters come to me and ask that. I suggest that they get as much education as they can. You also need experience. In college, you should try to get on a college station and try to go to as many games as you can with a tape recorder, and practice, practice, practice. When I was 19 that's what I did. Working in live radio was great for me, it was much better than going to a broadcasting school.
Question: What did you think of the Astros run last season?
Elston: I was happy they got in there. They got there for the first time and that was great. It was tough getting in, and maybe that hurt their chances once they got there. I think getting that close will spur them on this year.
Elston: Nice being with you all, and I appreciate the questions. I was happy to tell you how I felt. I look forward to seeing you in Cooperstown. If you're a fan of baseball, you have to get to Cooperstown. I hope to see you in July for the Hall of Fame Weekend.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Lidge to close out talk of '05 playoffs

02/21/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Houston Astros manager Phil Garner gently informed reporters over the weekend that Brad Lidge would address the events of last October one more time, and then that subject would be officially closed, for good.
Those lucky reporters were greeted by a willing participant in Lidge, who talked about last year's playoffs the same way he did 20 minutes after Albert Pujols' moon shot and two months after Game 4 of the World Series. He was matter-of-fact, professional, honest -- and he guaranteed listeners not to worry. Lidge isn't on the ledge.
Lidge made this much clear: He'd give up six more Pujols bombs for a trip to the World Series. And he's fairly certain Pujols would give that home run back if it meant his Cardinals were the team to win the National League Championship Series.
"When you're playing that late in the postseason, you're playing a team game," Lidge said. "And your personal stats don't matter. As a team, you're trying to get to the World Series. That home run doesn't matter at all."
Scott Podsednik's did, however. His home run to center field in Game 2 of the World Series -- the second long ball he'd hit all season -- sealed the win for the White Sox and set the wheels in motion for the Sox' four-game sweep of the Astros.
Lidge also gave up the winning run in Game 4, when Jermaine Dye bounced a single up the middle in a scoreless game in the eighth inning. That hit scored Willie Harris from third base, and the White Sox won, 1-0.
"The guy [Podsednik] hadn't hit a home run all year, and he hits one in the World Series," Lidge said. "You have to tip your hat. The last 3 1/3 innings I threw in the World Series, I gave up one run. It just happened to be in a 0-0 game. I'm not worried about stuff. It didn't take me long to get over it. It didn't need a whole lot of analysis."
"You're accustomed to guys not touching him, much less getting hits," Garner said. "And there were no such things as home runs. So it's a little shocking when that happens.
"But it's going to happen in our game. Players have to realize nobody goes through their careers without getting thumped every once in a while. The true test of your character is when you have a tough time, can you bounce back?"
Of course, the Pujols homer has received the most play of any of the runs Lidge gave up. The Astros were one out away from going to their first World Series. Minute Maid Park was so loud it sounded like the closed roof was about to crumble. The podium was set up in the home clubhouse for the presentation of the National League trophy, and every locker and television was covered in plastic as a protection from the soon-to-be-flying champagne.
Pujols later said as soon as the ball left his bat, it was as if someone pushed the mute button on their remote control. It was over that fast.
While Garner's edict probably eliminated the talk this spring, it's likely that the Pujols-Lidge showdown will resurface again -- probably more than once. And inevitably, so will the question of Lidge's psyche.
"If it wasn't Pujols that hit it, it probably wouldn't be as big of a story," Lidge said. "People love controversy sometimes, and people love when something abnormal happens. People know that 90-95 percent of the time, it doesn't affect anybody. Sometimes if [pitchers] have other issues off the field or other backgrounds that create mental problems, then it can have an effect on them. So, people are clinging onto, maybe, something more interesting develops than [what actually] did happen."
What did happen was relatively non-eventful. After the World Series, Lidge went home to Denver, hung out with his family, took a couple of vacations and attended his sister's wedding.
No 12-step programs for him. He's back in camp, talking fantasy football and leading his hitting group in a highly-contested bunting competition among his fellow pitchers. In other words, it's business as usual.
"For me, it's just nice to get back to Spring Training," he said. "I've turned the page. I'm really looking forward to the season. I don't really think about last year when I look forward to this season.
"I think about how great we did last year as a team. I was really happy with my year as a whole. When I think about last year, I don't think about the last week of the season. I think about the All-Star Game, being in the World Series. I was real happy with my year. I want to build on that this year, and that's what I think about."
In that vein, Lidge is working on a new pitch -- the split-finger fastball. He toyed with it a year ago but steered away from it after a short time. Now, he feels he's ready to test it in earnest.
"I've been throwing it the last couple years in the bullpen, and it finally feels like it's comfortable enough right now that I want to see how hitters are reacting to it," Lidge said. "I want to throw it a lot when I'm not in the World [Baseball Classic] baseball games.
"Once you're in the big leagues for three or four years like I am now -- two pitches for three or four years -- it's not a bad idea to show them something different."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Elston wins Ford C. Frick Award

02/21/2006
A broadcasting career that included stints with the Chicago Cubs and Houston Colt .45s and Astros has landed Gene Elston the most coveted honor in his profession -- the Ford C. Frick Award.
Elston reached the broadcast pinnacle on Tuesday when he was chosen as the 2006 Frick Award recipient, opening the doors into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
"This is the best you can get as a broadcaster in the United States," the 83-year-old said from his Houston home Tuesday afternoon. "I was very fond of Ford Frick, and I'm pleased to be associated with an award named in his honor."
Presented annually since 1978 for excellence in baseball broadcasting, the Frick Award -- named in memory of Hall of Famer Ford C. Frick, the renowned sportswriter, radio broadcaster, National League president and baseball commissioner -- is given to an active or retired broadcaster who has a minimum of 10 years' continuous Major League broadcast service with a ballclub or network, or a combination of the two.
Elston will participate in a live chat at MLB.com on Wednesday at noon ET.
"Gene Elston's soothing voice and knowledgeable broadcasts helped educate and entertain generations of budding fans as baseball headed south," said Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey. "Today, the Houston area is one of the real baseball hotbeds in the country, and Gene's influence for a quarter of a century is largely responsible. We can't wait to honor Gene and his family this summer in Cooperstown."
An original list of more than 180 eligible broadcasters was reduced to 10 finalists. Three of them -- Dave Niehaus, the late Bill King and Jacques Doucet -- were selected by a fan vote, while seven others were chosen by the Frick Award Committee, comprised of former winners of the profession's highest honor and six others.
Joining Niehaus, King and Doucet on the ballot this year were Elston, Tom Cheek, Ken Coleman, Denny Matthews, Dizzy Dean, Tony Kubek and Graham McNamee. Matthews and Doucet were newcomers to the finalists' lineup this year, the third consecutive year fans helped choose the finalists.
Born in 1922, Elston became a baseball broadcaster in 1946 with the Waterloo White Hawks of the Three I League, and eight years later, he joined the Cubs as the No. 2 radio man.
He was selected in 1958 to team with Bob Feller for Mutual's Game of the Day -- which aired over 350 stations across the country -- a position he held through 1960. Elston became the voice of Houston's National League franchise for the inaugural 1962 season and spent the next 25 years as the play-by-play man.
Among Elston's broadcasting highlights were Eddie Mathews' 500th career home run; a 24-inning, one-run marathon between the Astros and Mets on April 15, 1968; Nolan Ryan's career strikeout No. 3,509 on April 27, 1983, topping Walter Johnson's all-time mark; and broadcasting back-to-back no-hitters against the Cincinnati Reds in 1969.
"Jim Maloney no-hit the Colt .45s one night and Don Wilson came back [the next night] and did it to them," Elston recalled. "That had only happened once before, and it hasn't happened since."
Elston called 11 Major League no-hitters in all, including Mike Scott's NL West-clinching effort over the Giants on Sept. 25, 1986.
Elston left the Astros in 1987 and worked for another decade, calling games for the CBS Game of the Week. He currently works for Tal Smith Enterprises, but people still enjoy talking to him about the days when the Astros were the new team in town.
"People meet me and say they were youngsters at the time and used to listen to me in bed," Elston recently said. "I ask them, 'Well, how many times did I put you to sleep?'"
The answer invariably is "never."
Asked during a conference call Tuesday if he would like to broadcast one more game before receiving the Frick award, he said, "I would love it, but I'm not sure I could follow the ball."
Elston definitely is from the old school of broadcasters -- relying more on a soothing voice and painting a picture than the scream-in-your-ear style that seems to be so popular these days.
"I was a little more laid back," Elston said. "Most announcers talk too much today, especially on television. I think I am a lot better than they are. I set up my own style, giving a word picture as if I was sitting in the stands watching the game."
Elston always had a desire to enter the radio field, a goal that led him to take a speech course at Beloit College in Wisconsin. He actually flunked the class.
Undaunted, Elston broke into radio in 1941 at Fort Dodge, Iowa, doing general staff announcing and high school basketball play-by-play. He obtained the job by writing a letter to station KVFD -- and passed the audition.
After a stint in the Navy during World War II, Elston returned to Fort Dodge and worked at several small radio stations before eventually finding his niche in the industry. As a kid growing up in Fort Dodge, he would listen to recreations of baseball games already played -- and the announcer was Ronald "Dutch" Reagan.
Elston was elected to the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2002. But this is the big one, and he will be honored at the National Hall of Fame on July 31, along with former relief pitcher Bruce Sutter, Rocky Mountain News sportswriter Tracy Ringolsby, the J.G. Spink Award winner, and perhaps at least one former Negro Leagues player and/or executive, which will be announced on Monday.
"I wanted to be a reporter, to let my listeners know what was going on," Elston said. "I was never a homer. I was a fan of the [Colt .45s and Astros] and I wanted them to win, but my job was to report the game."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Bagwell likely to bat, field Friday

02/22/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Jeff Bagwell will arrive to Kissimmee sometime Thursday, but he'll make his first appearance at Osceola County Stadium on Friday, the day the full squad will work out for the first time.
Bagwell will be in rehab mode when he begins his spring season, but it's likely he'll be cleared to take batting practice and field grounders at first base right away.
"We'll see what program the doctors want us to have him on," manager Phil Garner said. "I'm under the assumption he'll be on the field taking grounders and taking batting practice. When he starts throwing, I don't know that yet. I think everything else is A-OK."
Bagwell, seven months removed from undergoing capsular release surgery on his right shoulder, sped up his rehab last year in order to return to the club as a pinch-hitter last September. He also pinch-hit in the playoffs and was used as a designated hitter in the World Series.
But he hasn't played his position since May, and the true test will be whether he can throw effectively. Answers will likely arrive before the exhibition season concludes.
Despite the media scrutiny that awaits Bagwell in Kissimmee, Garner does not expect Bagwell's situation -- which includes the Astros' highly publicized desire to collect insurance on the final year of the first baseman's contract -- to be a distraction in camp.
"We want Jeff to come in and get ready to play," Garner said.
Early arrivals: Position players continued to pour into the home clubhouse at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday, the day before position players are required to check into the Kissimmee complex.
Early arrivals included Morgan Ensberg, Josh Anderson, Mike Lamb, Luke Scott and Kevin Orie.
Lamb noted this was the shortest offseason of his career, which is the price one pays for going to the World Series. Of course, it was a welcome "expense," even if he didn't arrive to his home in California until Oct. 30.
"I was at Thanksgiving, and I turned to my wife and said, 'Where are the trick-or-treaters?" he said.
Getting closer: Andy Pettitte has yet to throw off a mound, but he senses he'll soon be ready to begin his bullpen sessions.
"We'll see how I'm doing," he said. "The way I'm feeling, I think it'll be shortly. It just depends on how I'm feeling. The long tossing has gone well. I'll know when it's time to get on [the mound]. I can tell when I'm throwing."
Springer rests: After tweaking a rib in his middle back prior to reporting to Spring Training, Russ Springer will take a couple of days off from throwing off the mound, as a precautionary measure.
The mound conditions where Springer was working out a week before camp began caused the discomfort, and after throwing two bullpen sessions when he arrived to Kissimmee, he decided not to push his luck.
"Why not skip a day or two and get over the hump?" he said.
Added Garner: "He's probably set back for just a couple days. We don't think it's anything serious, but we don't want him to get in any bad habits."
Remember him? Right-handed pitcher Brandon Puffer will attend Spring Training on the Minor League side after signing a contract with the Astros over the winter.
Puffer, a sidearm pitcher, played winter ball in Venezuela during the offseason. The 30-year-old lives year-round in Round Rock, home of the Astros' Triple-A club. Puffer spent parts of the 2002 and 2003 seasons with the Astros.
"He's a right-handed specialist, I would call him," assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said. "He throws from down under. It's a different delivery, and we don't really have anybody in our system that throws from that angle. The reports were intriguing. We decided to sign him, bring him into camp and see if he can make the [Round Rock] ballclub."
Bunting tournament: Pettitte's bunting group moved out of last place with a semi-impressive performance during the ongoing bunting competition among pitchers Wednesday.
His group was aided by Springer's team, which recorded a pitiful score of negative 34 and dropped to fourth place.
Brad Lidge's crew still has a comfortable lead with 396 points and is way ahead of Roy Oswalt's group, which has 259 points.
Odds and ends: A total of 37 participants of the Minor League mini-camp reported on Wednesday and will begin working out Thursday. All players who were part of last month's Nolan Ryan Elite Camp and are not in Major League camp will participate in the Minor League version, which will feature two games against mini-campers with the Atlanta Braves. The rest of the Astros Minor Leaguers will report to Kissimmee on March 5 and begin working out on the 6th. ... In addition to playing some outfield, second base and possibly shortstop, Chris Burke will also take ground balls at third. "It's all an experiment," general manager Tim Purpura said. "That's what we do in this business. It's trial and error; take a look at guys at different spots and get them opportunities to get more at-bats." ... The Astros agreed to one-year contracts with the following players: right-handed pitchers Ezequiel Astacio and Jason Hirsh, and catcher Humberto Quintero. The contracts for Astacio and Hirsh have a Major League value of $327,000, while Quintero's contract has a Major League value of $335,000.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

New beginning for new-look Hernandez

02/22/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Prior to the start of Spring Training, Carlos Hernandez was considered a candidate to make the Houston Astros' rotation. After five days of workouts, he's already making quite an impression on those who will decide his future.
Baseball life has been anything but easy for Hernandez since he made his Major League debut in 2001. Once considered the cream of the crop of pitching prospects, Hernandez hit a roadblock three years ago when he had surgery to repair a tear in the rotator cuff in his left shoulder.
Since then, he's worked to return to the Major Leagues, and more importantly, remain there. That alone is a big challenge, but Hernandez has an added burden because he's had to become an entirely different pitcher than the one he was when the Astros drafted him as a teenager in 1997.
Now approaching a still young age of 26, Hernandez has reinvented himself, having been forced to shed the flamethrower label he once wore. He used to live by his blazing fastball; now he's a finesse pitcher, relying heavily on a changeup while learning to make a slower fastball work in his favor.
"Back then, I used to be a hard thrower," Hernandez said. "Right now, I'm just trying to get guys out, hit spots, change speeds.
"I had to learn that, it was tough. It's still tough sometimes. You don't have the velocity like you used to. At the same time, my velocity's coming back. Maybe it's not going to be 94, 95 [mph], but it can be 91, 92."
Hernandez will pitch for his native Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, which will likely be a blessing. He'll be in a competitive setting, playing games that matter to this proud Venezuelan, who described wearing his country's name on the front of his jersey as one of his childhood dreams.
The Astros will send a representative to watch Hernandez as he travels with the Venezuelan club, but they already have an idea of what to expect this spring. Al Pedrique, a top assistant to general manager Tim Purpura, managed Hernandez in winter ball. All reports were favorable -- his velocity is up, his curveball has new life and the changeup that worked for him toward the end of his Triple-A season last year is so good that he's turning to that pitch as he did with his fastball.
"He was making progress at the end of last year, too, so it's not like all of a sudden he's just back," Purpura said. "He's made a steady progression, he's worked very hard, and he's back at a point where he could be a legitimate contender for these spots [in the rotation]."
Manager Phil Garner now has a firsthand view of how far Hernandez has progressed in the last year, and so far, he likes what he sees.
"He has a much better arm angle," Garner said. "I see he's substantially throwing the ball properly with arm action now as opposed to slinging it. In past years, he's been slinging it. He's been very low in his delivery, which makes everything flat.
"Now, the ball's coming out of his hand good. They're crisp, they're sharper. There's finish on them. We're talking about early in the spring here. I'm encouraged by what I see so far."
Garner emphasized that for a left-hander, velocity isn't as important as command. He's not concerned with what Hernandez registers on the radar gun as much as where the ball lands.
"Velocity for left-handers is overrated," Garner said. "It's hard for right-handers to be successful being below average with velocity. Left-handers can do it."
Hernandez is expected to contend for a spot in the rotation with last year's rookies, Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez. A trio of rookies -- Taylor Buchholz, Jason Hirsh and Fernando Nieve -- will also compete for jobs.
Hernandez isn't worried about his role, whether it's the bullpen or the rotation. He just wants another chance to prove he can pitch successfully on the highest level, and it appears the Astros believe he still has the talent to be a contributor.
"This is something new, a new beginning for me," Hernandez said. "We'll see what happens. If you wish for something so bad, you just go for it. That's what I've been doing the last three years."
The Astros took Hernandez off the 40-man roster last October, and he could have signed elsewhere over the winter. But he has a comfort level with the team that drafted, developed and promoted him to the big leagues as a 21-year-old in 2001. So he decided to sign as a Minor League free agent and spring invitee.
Hernandez has pitched in parts of three seasons for the Astros -- 2001, '02 and '04. He feels that experience will help him to reach his goal this time around.
"I think that's one thing that's helping me to get through all this stuff -- I've pitched in the big leagues already," he said. "I'm not a guy that had the surgery before I even made it to the big leagues. That's a huge step for me, because I've been there already."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Berkman to ease into games

02/23/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Lance Berkman reported to the Kissimmee clubhouse on Thursday looking more fit than usual at this time of the year.
But that's to be expected, considering he spent the offseason working to strengthen his right knee, one that was surgically repaired the previous offseason when he tore his ACL playing flag football.
Berkman isn't what you'd call a gym rat by any stretch of the imagination, and it's fairly safe to say that during offseasons where he's perfectly healthy, it's unlikely he's spending half his day in the weight room.
But Berkman hasn't been perfectly healthy in quite some time. He's only a month removed from undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to clean out scar tissue in his right knee, which means just like last year, he'll be working under the watchful eyes of the club's athletic trainers this spring.
When the Grapefruit League games begin, it's likely Berkman won't play much -- if at all -- for the first week.
"I haven't really run on (the knee) very much," he said. "I need to get my legs back under me, first of all. Then, when you get to swinging, that's a different deal because you have to turn ... there are some things that I want to make sure that I'm solid on in my own mind before I go out there in a game situation."
The running joke is that Berkman, with his laid back approach to conditioning, purposely staged this latest surgical procedure in order to get out of spring workouts.
"I'm probably going to have to miss the first two weeks of games," Berkman deadpanned. "There's no sense in pushing it, you know what I mean? That's what got me in trouble last year."
Manager Phil Garner feigned incredulousness with that statement.
"Heck no, he won't be taking it easy," he said. "He's going to have to go from Day 1. He thinks this is a country club. Put a wrap on that knee, and let's go."
Lidge, the starter: Brad Lidge will likely start the first Grapefruit League game on March 2 against the Indians, throwing one inning. Dan Wheeler will follow with one inning, and soon after the two will depart for Arizona to join their Team USA mates for World Baseball Classic training camp.
"They need to pitch, they need to throw," Garner said of the two bullpenners opening the Astros exhibition season. "If they are going to pitch in this thing, they need to get ready. So they're going to throw."
The thinking game: For a brief time every day, Garner gathers his pitchers and catchers for "skull sessions," to go over the nuances of baseball from the mental standpoint.
"Not only are we trying to (get ready) physically, we want them to know exactly what to expect, so they know what to do," Garner said.
This includes, among other things, the importance of pitching aggressively.
"The whole tone of the game is set by the pitcher in our game," Garner said. "It's interesting, because in most sports, it's offense that sets the tone. In baseball, it's defense that sets the tone.
"If you throw strikes, if you're aggressive, if you take it to the other team, you put them on the defensive. I stress that every spring. It's as basic as you can get. We've got to see strikes, and we've got to see two strikes in the first three pitches."
First workout: On Friday during the first full-squad workout, hitters will take batting practice against their pitching teammates.
"This is the most fun part of Spring Training camp," Garner said. "This is where all the position players complain for the next four days, having to face these young kids who are throwing about 99 miles an hour, with the ball moving all over the place. So it's back to business as usual."
Odds and ends: Roy Oswalt left camp early on Thursday, due to flu-like symptoms. ... Russ Springer hasn't thrown off the mound since the second day of Spring Training, due to soreness in the rib area of his middle back. He'll likely be examined by team medical director David Lintner in the near future. ... Preston Wilson is wearing uniform No. 4, Eric Bruntlett's old number. "My full name is Preston James Richard Wilson the fourth, so it seemed like a good number," Wilson said. In past years, Wilson has worn No. 44, Oswalt's number. ... Pitchers and catchers worked on baserunning fundamentals and bunt defense plays on Thursday, so they did not have time to continue their bunting tournament. That contest is likely to resume on Friday.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Bagwell to report to Astros camp Friday

02/23/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Reporting to Spring Training is nothing new to Jeff Bagwell, considering he's gone through this annual ritual 15 times in his career.
But what awaits him in Kissimmee on Friday will be unlike anything he's ever experienced, because beginning from the moment he steps onto the field, every move he makes will be scrutinzed, analyzed, and most likely, criticized.
He'll prepare for the season knowing the organization would rather he not, and he'll attempt to block out the remnants of what was likely the most difficult offseason of his career. It's unclear how long the Astros have felt his chances to be an effective player were slim to none, but this winter, Bagwell's eyes were opened to a rather disturbing reality regarding his standing with the club.
"The relationship between the Houston Astros and Jeff Bagwell has not gotten stronger over the last four months," longtime teammate Brad Ausmus observed.
For now, the Astros, and Bagwell, will attempt to push the off-the-field fiasco to the back burner and get back to the business of baseball. Bagwell is expected to take batting practice and field grounders with his teammates as early as Friday, although his timetable for throwing is much less definitive.
"I do expect him to be limited in some sort," general manager Tim Purpura said. "He's coming off major surgery and he's had some major issues over the last several years. I don't expect any player who's going through that type of thing to come on board and just all of a sudden be able to do everything on a full-activity basis."
The question whether Bagwell can play effectively on the Major League level will likely be answered this spring. Purpura isn't putting a deadline on when they must know whether Bagwell can play, but he senses the issue will probably be resolved by the time camp breaks at the end of March.
"I don't think we're in an urgent situation as far as we have to know tomorrow or next week," Purpura said. "Certainly, by the end of Spring Training, we need to know where we stand. That's Jeff's intent, too. Come in here, rehab and find out what he can do physically on the field and then take it from there.
"There's urgency with regard that the season's up and coming. It's now six weeks away instead of six months away, but we'll have to know at some point."
Bagwell has been in a no-comment mode for quite some time, soon after the news broke that the Astros filed a claim to collect insurance on the final year of his contract. Shortly afterward, the Astros also stopped speaking about the insurance issue.
But Bagwell's teammates are free to express their views on the matter, and Ausmus was quite candid with his comments following the workout on Thursday.
"I think Jeff understands quite readily the reason for filing the insurance claim," he said. "I don't think that's what bothers him. I don't want to speak for him in terms of what's specifically bothering him, but my feeling is that he feels like the door has been opened and he's getting shoved from behind."
It's unlikely things will go back to normal between Bagwell and club owner Drayton McLane, even assuming certain wounds will heal over time. Ausmus acknowledged that while Bagwell's experiment to return to the field may not work -- although the catcher fully believes it will -- Bagwell at least deserves the chance to give it a try.
"He's been really, along with Craig [Biggio], the face of the organization," Ausmus said. "Not just on the field in terms of producing numbers which are Hall of Fame caliber, but he has never said a bad thing about the organization, he's always made appearances for the organization, he's been a model citizen.
"If all athletes handled themselves the way Jeff Bagwell handles himself, with the professionalism and the courtesy and the respect he's shown, not only to other players but to fans, I don't think athletes would have as bad a rap. I think they'd have an excellent rap if they were all like Jeff Bagwell.
"I understand the fiscal aspect of it. I understand they have to file the claim before the filing date. But ultimately, I think it should be, and I think it's going to be, up to Jeff whether he plays or not.
"You hear a lot of complaints about players not having loyalties to teams and leaving their teams and going to the highest bidder or biggest contract. Here, you have a guy who's been loyal to his team for a decade and a half and he wants to stay here, and he wants to play here, and he may not be able to."
Ausmus isn't looking at this just from a sentimental standpoint. He believes Bagwell can produce the same numbers he did in the years following his 2001 surgery, even if they aren't up to the standard Bagwell set during his prime years in the late 1990s.
"I don't think there's any question that he deserves a chance," Ausmus said. "For no other reason than the fact that this is an offensively starved team and he can provide some offense. Even if he's at 80 percent, he can hit 25 home runs and drive in 90, which he did for three years in '02, '03 and '04.
"If he's right back where he was after having his capsular release surgery, he can be a big boost to our lineup. Not only when he makes contact, but when he walks. He can walk upwards of 100 times in a season."
That said, Ausmus understands that Bagwell's quest for a comeback is not a sure thing. But the catcher likes Bagwell's chances.
"Jeff's very realistic," Ausmus said. "If he comes in here and two weeks into it he can't swing the bat or he's back to where he was last year, swinging the bat and it turns to pain, I think he would say, 'I'm not able to play.' Barring that, I think he has every intention of playing this entire year."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Buchholz trying to break free from pack

02/24/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- These days he's mentioned as part of a trio, but when he first arrived to the Houston Astros organization, he had only one label: The Prize of the Billy Wagner Trade.
A little over two years later, Taylor Buchholz's name is usually mentioned alongside the other two top prospects who have a shot to make the team out of Spring Training. We'll be hearing plenty about Buchholz, Jason Hirsh and Fernando Nieve in the coming weeks, months and maybe years, but at this point, it could be Buchholz who heads to Houston with the Astros when camp breaks at the end of March.
The spring season is still young, and other than for those named Oswalt, Pettitte or Backe, the rotation is considered fair game. Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez are the projected four and five starters, in no particular order. That doesn't mean that's how the rotation will look on March 30.
Plus, if the Astros decide to carry 12 pitchers, and they're leaning that way, Buchholz could be the 12th man. He's a projected starter, but he could slide in as a type of setup man to the setup man, a la Chad Qualls.
Buchholz, 24, will leave those decisions to the front office. His focus is on health, something he hasn't had a lot of in the last couple of years. Fifteen months removed from surgery to repair the bicep and labrum in his right shoulder, Buchholz is finally feeling more like the pitcher the Astros received when they sent Billy Wagner to Philadelphia in November of 2003.
"Usually, it takes a while before you can get everything back," he said. "I know you can pitch on it after six, eight months, but you're not going to get your full potential back for about a year, year and a half."
So it comes as no surprise that he's doing well in the early stages of Spring Training. The Astros sensed he would make a breakthrough now that enough time has passed since the surgery, and it appears he's ready to make his case for why he should be in the Major Leagues.
"This is about the time that you see an increase in velocity," assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said. "The scar tissue from the surgery is pretty much done. A player usually gets a comfort level of being over the surgery, and I think that's where Taylor is at this point. His arm feels great and he's got a lot of confidence now."
It's likely the confidence began late last year, when Buchholz pitched in the Arizona Fall League in an effort to make up for time lost at Triple-A Round Rock when he was sidelined with a midseason shoulder injury. Buchholz allowed four earned runs over 23 innings for a 1.57 ERA, walking four and striking out 17.
"It went awesome out there," Buchholz said. "I just wanted to feel healthy. Actually, I felt healthy and pitched well, too."
"He had great numbers out there," Bennett said. "He threw 89-91 [mph], and he showed flashes of 92 now and again. The velocity's coming. His command is getting better."
Buchholz has made an impression on the man he hopes will be his manager in 2006, also. Joking that the baby-faced Buchholz still looks like he's 14, Phil Garner noted a physical maturity in addition to a good mound presence.
"I see quality pitches, a quality fastball and curveball," Garner said. "I would also guess he's put on anywhere from 10-12 pounds of body strength.
"He's about in the right time frame when you come back from surgery. This is about the time when they all start to get it back together, with arm strength and the dexterity to get the feel of the arm slot, to get the arm where you want it consistently. I'm encouraged by all those trends and encouraged by what I see with him."
The club won't put any undue pressure on Buchholz, but Bennett surmised the right-hander could be the surprise of the spring.
"You hear about Fernando and Jason, and everybody kind of forgets about Taylor, because he had surgery, his numbers last year were just so-so," Bennett said. "He's missed some time. But he's excited. If he goes Triple-A, it won't be a disappointment. Hopefully things will go well in the spring, and we'll see what happens."
"It's been tough, watching a bunch of my teammates get called up the last couple of years," Buchholz said. "It's been tough. But maybe it'll be my turn this year."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Bagwell arrives, greeted by McLane

02/24/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- It's likely that as time goes on this spring, life will become a little more normal for Jeff Bagwell.
But Friday was anything but a typical day at the office for the 15-year veteran, his teammates, his manager and club executives. This wasn't just the first day of full squad workouts for the Houston Astros. This was the long-awaited arrival of the franchise's most storied player, who will begin the process of figuring out exactly where he stands as a member of this organization.
The Astros gathered in a meeting room on the second floor of their headquarters at Osceola County Stadium for an early morning briefing, and as Bagwell entered the room, he ran into club owner Drayton McLane, who greeted the first baseman with a handshake. That was the extent of the encounter between the two, although both confirmed a longer conversation will likely take place, in time.
Bagwell half-joked that he felt he was at a tryout camp, attempting to show his higher-ups on the first day that he is worthy of a spot on this team.
"I've got to sit back and say, 'No, I don't,'" Bagwell said. "I have to try to get ready."
Consider this spring as an experiment. Bagwell would like to think the odds are in his favor that he'll be able to adequately field his position, a question that won't be answered for several weeks, at the very least. The Astros aren't so sure he and his right shoulder can make this work, but insurance claim or not, they appear to be willing to give him his chance.
"Jeff wanted an opportunity to participate and to see if he can compete, and this is his opportunity," McLane said. "We welcome him. I saw him this morning, shook his hand and welcomed him to Spring Training."
Asked if the relationship between him and Bagwell was irreparably strained, McLane answered: "It's like everything in life. Close relationships have different experiences as you go. Some of my best friends for 30 and 40 years, we have different times that we have different relationships.
"I've been closer to Jeff than any other player in my history of the Astros, which is now 14 years. This is a difficult time for him, and that's where friends help friends. And that's what we're here to do."
Bagwell took grounders at first base, along with Lance Berkman, and during the session he threw the ball softly, approximately 15 times back to home plate to third base coach Doug Mansolino. Bagwell also took batting practice on the practice fields and hit in the indoor cages.
Asked how his shoulder felt when he threw, he responded: "It feels like there's still something lodged in there, but it does feel better. The guys watching say it looks a lot better. I've got a ways to go. I have to be able to maintain my throwing throughout Spring Training if I'm going to be able to play during the season."
The Astros aren't expecting answers tomorrow, or the next day. Both McLane and general manager Tim Purpura said the goal is to field the best 25 players on the roster when camp breaks, and Bagwell feels that he'll be one of those 25.
"I believe if I can get out there and play, I will be one of the best 25 players, there's not a doubt in my mind," Bagwell said. "It's whether or not I can do that, whether I can actually get out there and play. If I can get in the batter's box for 500 at-bats, I promise you I'll be one of the best 25 guys out there."
The underlying theme to this story, of course, is what's going on off the field. The highly-publicized battle between Bagwell, the Astros, and most likely, the insurance company, made this day uncomfortable.
In January, the Astros filed an insurance claim, deeming Bagwell a disabled player who can no longer field his position. Bagwell whole-heartedly disagreed, and as of Friday, it's still unclear whether the Astros can give Bagwell this chance to play out his contract and still have a chance to collect should the experiment not work.
"This is a difficult thing," Bagwell said. "I understand the business side of baseball. If I cannot play baseball this year and I am physically unable to play with the Houston Astros, trust me, I want them to collect as much insurance as they can. I'll write the letter. That's not an issue for me. But I just want the chance to see if I can play."
But what if, at the end of March, the Astros decide Bagwell can't play, and Bagwell decides he can?
"I haven't really thought about that," Purpura said. "We're working to get to here, today. He wanted a chance, and he's got a chance to be here and see what he can do. I'm trying to be more optimistic than pessimistic."
"Let's cross that bridge when we get there," Bagwell said. "Right now, I don't even want to think about that. That would be a very, very tough situation. Let's not go there right now. Let's think about what tomorrow will bring."
Bagwell will continue with his program though the workout period and will play his first game on March 3, at Winter Haven against the Indians. He'll start the Grapefruit League season as a designated hitter, and it's likely he won't play his position until closer to the middle of March.
The Astros will likely implement the DH rule during their home games, too, for as long as Bagwell needs.
Manager Phil Garner warned it would be unwise to make snap judgements on how Bagwell looks now, or in the early stages of spring games. He'll keep an open line of communication with the first baseman, heeding the advice of team athletic trainers and doctors along the way.
"You have to wait a few weeks before you say, 'Does he look good or does he look bad?'" Garner said. "You can look bad for a while and all of a sudden you get your strength back and you find it a little bit.
"I've seen players in the past, particularly veteran players, when I say, 'Oh boy, we're getting down to a tough time.' And then Opening Day, bingo, things are happening. In this case, it's a little more difficult because the shoulder is impaired. There's no question about that from anybody's standpoint. But definitely, you can make too much of what you see or don't see today, tomorrow or the next couple of weeks."
Bagwell has a relatively stoic demeanor when he's on the field, rarely showing emotion in good times and bad. But this is clearly a trying time for the first baseman, who desires the opportunity to remain in good standing with an organization that hasn't been particularly supportive.
"This was a little bit of a difficult offseason, but things will get better," Bagwell said. "How this all plays out with me and the organization, time will tell. I'm not trying to harbor any bad feelings right now, I'm not trying to think about that. All I'm trying to do is find out whether I can play.
"I just need time. Let's just get through this, first. I've been a Houston Astro my whole life. I'm very proud to wear this uniform, I'm proud that I've been an Astro my whole life. I've got to believe that somehow, some way, things will work out."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Hamilton pens memoir of radio career

02/25/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Milo Hamilton's memoir, "Making Airwaves: 60 Years at Milo's Microphone," is what the broadcaster described as a "culmination of wonderment," and a somewhat therapeutic look back at a lifetime of six decades in the radio business.
"Making Airwaves" has been a smashing success for Hamilton, a 60-year veteran of the broadcasting business who is entering his 22nd season with the Astros. He sold 400 copies during a two-day jaunt through Astros FanFest a few weeks ago, and sales since then have been equally fruitful.
Hamilton reveals details about his entire life, not just the years of his broadcasting career. He grew up during the Great Depression, lived through the stock market crash and learned the value of the dollar from his father, who, as Hamilton said, "had a job for $12 a week and was glad to have it. A lot of people didn't."
Hamilton grew up in Iowa listening to Ronald Reagan on the radio, and got his first broadcasting assignment as a fluke: his commanding officer in the Navy needed someone to announce a game in Guam, just after the end of World War II. After Hamilton admitted he played baseball in high school, he was placed behind the microphone on the Armed Forces Radio Service. And a new broadcasting career was launched.
Hamilton's book, co-authored by Dan Schlossberg and former Cubs PR director Bob Ibach, includes several juicy stories of his well-known clashes with Harry Caray, when the two were broadcasting partners in St. Louis and Chicago. Hamilton cited Caray as a continuous thorn in his side, beginning in 1954 in St. Louis.
Hamilton writes, "I was hired by KXOX to travel on the road with Caray and help him out on the air. From the beginning, he wanted no part of me. I'll never forget how the 1954 season opened. At his re-introduction to me, he looked me right in the face and said, 'Kid, don't worry about your mike being on because I am the announcer here.' It was going to be a very long season, and it became obvious Caray was going to try to make me feel like a jackass."
The fireworks rekindled in the early 1980s, when both were with the Cubs.
"On occasion, I wasn't too shy to tell him what I thought," Hamilton wrote. 'Harry,' I once said, 'The people down there in the stands didn't come here to hear you sing or watch you sing.' And he said to me, 'Whaddya mean?' I replied, 'Let's do this. Suppose next Thursday is an open date and there's no game here at Wrigley Field. Let's announce in the papers you are going to be here that day, at three o'clock, and see how many of those fans come over to the park to hear you sing."
Through his writings, Hamilton felt he finally had the platform to set the record straight after stories -- some accurate, some, not so much -- had escalated over the years.
"If it would have been one time only, or even twice ... but when it carried on for decades, I felt it was a definite part of my life," he said. "Especially if it alters your life. Those things altered my life, like losing jobs. So that's why it's in there. Why now? Because this is my book, and I hadn't written a book before."
Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago recently fired back, offering a new 25-cent drink called The Milo, and said it was a cheap shot of beer with a side of sour grapes.
Hamilton's supporters at Trulucks restaurant in Houston countered with a drink called the "Harry Canary" -- two ounces of Bud, a dash of bitters and a side of (Red) Bull. According to Dave Mattern, managing partner, at Trulucks, they sold it for 50 cents: "overpriced, just like Harry."
Antics aside, Hamilton's book, which also takes shots at former broadcast partner Larry Dierker, offers praise for a myriad of baseball figures, including Houston legend Nolan Ryan and current stars Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio.
The memoir is also a charitable effort, as proceeds from select books will go toward the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. In conjunction with Nikco Sports, 5,000 sets that include a copy of the book, a special baseball autographed by Hamilton and an acrylic display case are available for $79.95.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Gallo geared to play in Classic

02/25/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Astros reliever Mike Gallo likes challenges, which is one of the reasons he will leave the team to pitch for Italy in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next week.
The decision means instead of facing a few Triple-A prospects and perhaps a Major League hitter or two as he normally would in an early March Grapefruit League game, next weekend Gallo might find himself facing the likes of Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada, Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez, Alphonso Soriano, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez or Bobby Abreu.
Since Italy is in the same Pool D bracket along with Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Australia, Gallo knows he could be called on to face such a Murderer's Row lineup.
"I think [facing the All-Stars] is going to help me," Gallo said. "If you're facing high caliber talent like that at this point in the season, I think you can use that as a springboard to the season. If you get hit around it just goes to show you make mistakes, and you just move on. My mentality is I'm hungry to pitch to a lineup like that. Everyone is an All-Star, or at least a potential All-Star, fighting for their country. I think it's going to be great for me as an experience and as a tool to help me get ready for the season."
Should things get rocky, at least there will be pitch limits.
"I'd rather face that lineup now than in July," Gallo said. "Their timing is going to be off. Honestly, I think the pitchers are going to have an edge, I really think the pitchers will have the advantage."
Gallo doesn't know much about the team -- he doesn't report to the Italian camp until March 2 -- but has an idea of what to expect. Longtime Astros coach Matt Galante is managing the team. "A college teammate of mine, Kasey Olenberger, he used to be in the Angels organization, is on [the team], so's [Houston prospect] Philip Barzilla," Gallo said. "We're going to have some guys with Major League experience, guys who have played pro ball. And we're all getting a chance to show what we can do against the best players in the world. I look at it as a great opportunity."
Some of his teammates have been needling Gallo for changing flags. Gallo was born in Long Beach, Calif., but is of Italian heritage.
"I'm getting a little bit of grief, like, 'Why aren't you playing for the American team?'" Gallo said. "I just want the experience. All I know is, if we win two out of three I get a free trip to Italy, so I'm looking forward to that."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Hernandez draws praise

02/25/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Carlos Hernandez continues to draw praise from Houston management. After an impressive debut in 2001, Hernandez's career has been going downhill following rotator cuff surgery three years ago.
That may soon change. From what the Astros have seen thus far this spring, Hernandez has his velocity back. Too often in recent years Hernandez was throwing in the low-70s for the first two or three innings because of the shoulder. The Astros don't use radar guns during workouts, but it is obvious Hernandez is throwing harder.
"In winter ball he was mid 80s from the start," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "His location is good and the ball is coming out of his hand so good, you can see that the velocity is there, he's freer and easier, his arm is up higher."
Astros manager Phil Garner said Hernandez has looked exceptional in his pitching sessions. Garner is considering the left-hander for one of the two open spots in the rotation, which would be quite a comeback for a 26-year-old who has one Major League win to his credit since the 2002 season ended.
"For him to come back and be a productive part of our rotation would be a big lift for us and certainly would answer one of the questions we've got in that four and five hole," Purpura said. "He was kind of at the depths of despair for a while. For him to come back would be a storybook type finish.
"He's come back from nowhere, that's for sure. To his credit, he never gave up. It was tough on him and I'm sure he doubted he could come back, but he never gave up. He kept on going and he's given himself a chance to get back in this thing."
No distraction: Now that Jeff Bagwell is in camp and Spring Training is back to normal, the Astros do not expect the situation to be a distraction as the team prepares for the season.
As Bagwell, attempting to come back from shoulder surgery, tries to see whether he will be able to play or not, it's business as usual for the Astros.
"It won't be a distraction because Bagwell won't let it be a distraction," Garner said. "He's not going to say anything derogatory. There were a few things said this winter, I don't think it's all that serious in that sense. It's not going to be a verbal confrontation going back and forth, so it will not be a distraction. There's just too many other things going on. The Bagwell story is a good story, as far as the media goes, but it's not a distraction for any of us here.
"It's just not a factor. One of the things that has made this organization great, and I do mean great, in the past decade is that no individual has been greater than the team. Guys have sacrificed their individuality for the benefit of the team and that's been Bagwell and [Craig] Biggio. The two of them have been great, but the whole thing they've pushed is you've got to conform to the team."
Like everyone else, Garner is pulling for Bagwell to make it all the way back.
"It's a tough story, and if he can't make it, it will be a sad story, but it will not be a distraction," Garner said.
Indoor work: Bagwell's uncertain status means Lance Berkman will have to make preparations to play both outfield and first base.
"[It] won't hurt him one bit," Garner said. "Lance won't be overworked, I can promise you that. He'll have to prepare for both positions."
Berkman and outfielder Preston Wilson will do most of their conditioning off the field so as to lessen the stress on their knees. Both have had knee surgery in the past.
"The law of diminishing returns," Garner said. "The more they do standing on their knees on the field, the less benefit they get out of it [and] the more soreness they get. So we do their conditioning off the field. Those two are running on the Stairmaster and treadmills, both will do that throughout Spring Training."
Quotable: "There's a difference between arrogant and braggadocios, and being quietly confident and proud of what you've accomplished, and I think what I'd like to see and what maybe I'm seeing is just a certain confidence, a can-do sort of attitude. Guys are upbeat. There's a little bit of buzz going on. The sense I get here is guys look forward to it, they're very pleased with what we've accomplished last year, but guys aren't satisfied. We proved we could get there. Now we've got to go back and prove we can win one." -- Garner, on the difference in the team's attitude today from what it was this time last year
Extra bases: The Astros agreed to terms with right-hander Jimmy Barthmeier and outfielder Charlton Jimerson on one-year contracts. Both deals have a Major League value of $327,000. ... Mike Lamb, one of the better pinch-hitters in the league for the last two seasons, has filled in at several spots in the infield and outfield. But Garner is looking primarily at using Lamb as the infield option this season. Lamb can play first base and third base. ... Teammates call Astros reliever Dan Wheeler "Wrecking Ball" because Wheeler recorded the final out at Busch Stadium in last season's National League Championship Series. Busch Stadium has since been torn down. The Astros have that ball, incidentally, which was caught by Jason Lane, and it will be on display at Minute Maid Park later this season. Wheeler and closer Brad Lidge threw batting practice during Saturday's workout. ... Saturday also featured an extremely popular day with all Astros players, as the club's annual Photo Day took place at Osceola County Stadium. Showing tremendous veteran leadership, left-hander Trever Miller was the first non-rookie to make it through all of the photo stations. Garner completed the photo stations before anyone else for the second year in a row. ... At the 24th Annual IDEA (Information Display and Entertainment Association) Conference held earlier this month in Los Angeles, the Astros Ballpark Entertainment crew led by Kirby Kander and Brock Jessel won the coveted Golden Matrix Award for the Best Show in Baseball. The conference featured scoreboard and videoboard personnel represented across a spectrum of the sports world, including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, multi-sports facilities, Minor League teams and universities. The crew won another Golden Matrix Award for Best Promotional Video, awarded for their "Steamed Wieners" video promoting $1 hot dog nights, featuring local radio personalities Dean & Rog (from 93.7 FM The Arrow) and set to the tune of the Gary Wright classic "Dream Weaver."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Clemens to pitch to prospects

02/26/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Roger Clemens will pitch to Houston Astros prospects on Monday and Thursday during the Minor League minicamp at Osceola County Stadium.
General manager Tim Purpura confirmed on Sunday that the Astros received permission by Major League Baseball to allow Clemens to pitch to the Minor Leaguers, one of whom is third base prospect Koby Clemens. The minicamp began earlier this week and will continue until the remainder of the Minor Leaguers report to Kissimmee on March 5.
Clemens, 43, is training for the World Baseball Classic and asked the Astros for the opportunity to pitch in their minicamp.
"He's not doing this by our request," Purpura said. He's doing this at his request, in preparation of the World Baseball Classic."
Clemens will pitch for Team USA, which begins training in Arizona later this week. He's scheduled to throw at the Astros' minicamp early Monday afternoon, but will likely start sometime before 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, before flying to Arizona.
Away games: Carlos Hernandez continues to make an impression on manager Phil Garner, but if he makes the club out of Spring Training, it will be largely on the recommendation of club employees.
Hernandez will pitch for the Venezuelan team in the World Baseball Classic and depending on how his club fares, he could be away from camp until the third week in March.
But his progress will be tracked along the way. The Astros will have representatives following Hernandez, one of several candidates who will be considered for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation.
"You just have to trust your scouts in that regard," Garner said.
More throwing: Andy Pettitte threw off the mound on Sunday for the second time this spring without incident -- unless you count being out of shape as a setback.
"It got tiring quick, that's for sure," Pettitte said with a chuckle. "My arm's not in mound shape. It'll take a while."
Pettitte is about a week behind his teammates, having taken off the entire offseason to rest instead of starting his normal throwing regimen after the first of the year. Pettitte likely will not be in the rotation the first time around when the Grapefruit League begins late this week. The left-hander will start at least once for a Minor League team, if not more.
Springer improving: Russ Springer played catch on Sunday but is still not throwing off the mound after pulling a rib cage muscle in his back.
"I felt better today than I did yesterday," said Springer, who was examined by team medical director Dr. David Lintner on Saturday. "Where my rib is pulled, he actually said it was in a good spot. Hopefully, it'll be a shorter healing process."
Short day: Jeff Bagwell hit in the indoor batting cages on Sunday but did not throw. He will likely take every third day off from throwing this spring, at least for the next couple of weeks.
"He'll do that for a little bit longer -- two days on, one day off," Garner said. "He's swinging well."
Whiteman to report: Tommy Whiteman, once a top shortstop prospect in the organization, will report to Minor League camp in March and will likely make the Triple-A Round Rock club. He may also spend some time in big league camp, when players begin leaving for the World Baseball Classic.
Whiteman will play mainly short, but can also play third and he may also be viewed as a utility infielder.
Once a top prospect, along with Chris Burke, Whiteman's stock has dropped a bit over the years. But the Astros believe he still has the ability to play at the big league level, and now it's just a matter of what assistant general manager Ricky Bennett referred to as "lighting a fire" under the quiet, somewhat introverted infielder.
"We're trying to get him to where he's got more energy and got more life and is smiling and enjoying the game," Bennett said. "But that's just his personality.
"He's got the ability to play at the big league level, no question about it. It's just him being able to continue to work at it, to get back to where he was before when he was on the roster."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Clemens vs. Clemens on tap?

02/26/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A total of 37 Minor Leaguers -- 21 position players and 16 pitchers -- arrived to Spring Training nearly two weeks early to participate in a minicamp, taking place on the backfields of the Osceola County Stadium complex.
The remainder of the club's pitchers and catchers on the Minor League side are due to report to camp on March 5 and work out on March 6. The position players will report March 9, and the full Minor League squad will work out together on the 10th.
Among the minicamp attendees is Koby Clemens, the oldest son of Roger Clemens. Koby Clemens is a third baseman in the Astros system after being selected in the eight round of the '05 draft.
The younger Clemens could be one of the lucky hitters to take batting practice against the Rocket this week. Roger is scheduled to pitch to the mini-campers, at his request, in preparation for the World Baseball Classic. He'll throw Monday afternoon and early Thursday morning before heading to Arizona to train with Team USA.
On the move: Ben Zobrist, the Astros' sixth-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, is a switch-hitting shortstop we may be seeing more of in the near future. The 24-year-old is a very instinctive player, a natural leader, and fundamentally sound.
"You tell him something one time, and he'll pick it up," assistant GM Ricky Bennett said. "He already knows things that you normally have to remind a player about."
Names in the game: Former Houston third baseman Sean Berry is in his second year as the Astros Minor League hitting coordinator and is participating in both big league camp and the Minor League minicamp as a coach. Berry, who played for the Astros from 1996-98 as part of an 11-year Major League career, has been in the Astros system in the coaching ranks since 2003. During the minicamp, Berry is assisting with hitting as well as third base and infield fundamentals.
They're No. 1: Hunter Pence, the Astros' first pick in 2004, put on quite a display at last month's elite camp at Minute Maid Park, where he he hit several balls into the Crawford Boxes. That said, Pence is not the showboat type and is one of the more coachable players in the system. He understands he has elements of his game to work on, namely, baserunning and defensive play in the outfield. He's committed to being a well-rounded player, although his best asset is his power.
Class of '05: Koby Clemens was a high school kid when the Astros drafted him last year, but the Astros see in him a maturity beyond his years. That comes as no surprise, considering he practically grew up in big league clubhouses.
"He takes it all in stride," Bennett said. "He doesn't rub it in anybody's face that he's been around the game his whole life. He understands he's a long way from the big leagues. At some point, there will be pressure for him to perform and live up to the name, but right now he's a kid who needs to work."
What they're saying: "He has his mother's demeanor, which is good, because she's the toughest one in the family." -- Phil Garner, on Koby, the eldest son of Roger Clemens and his wife, Debbie

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Mailbag: When would Rocket lift off?

02/27/2006
Please tell me that the Rangers will not end up with Roger Clemens next season. It would be sad to see it turn into another Nolan Ryan situation. By the way, does Ryan consider himself a Ranger or an Astro? It seems like he wasn't very interested to be associated with the 'Stros after his retirement until recent years and the acquisition of Round Rock.-- Jimmy F., Pasadena
I can't guarantee that Roger won't sign with the Rangers, but I would say the odds are slim that he'll head north. It has always been my belief that he'll sign with Houston, if he decides to pitch again. Who knows, he could pitch in the World Baseball Classic and decide he doesn't want to keep going.
I would say Ryan probably considers himself part of both organizations. He chose to wear a Rangers cap into the Hall of Fame, so he'll always be affiliated with Texas. But he's in the midst of a five-year personal services contract with the Astros, and he's one of Tim Purpura's most trusted sources, especially when it comes to evaluating pitchers.
Ryan had a similar personal services deal with the Rangers before he signed on in Houston, but he wasn't involved with the baseball operations side of it like he is now. He did some appearances and threw out some first pitches, but his pitching knowledge was wasted. I believe he's quite content working with the Astros.
I'm sure that anyone who was an Astros fan in the 1980s becomes a little giddy every time they hear Nolan refer to the Astros as "we."
As any Astros fan will tell you, the biggest subject is "Will the Astros re-sign Roger Clemens?" But the question that I have is, can The Rocket be ready and conditioned for an entire season if we don't get to sign him until May 1? I thought Spring Training was the period of time a person has to get ready for the upcoming season, and he won't get that chance, what's your opinion? -- Sean P., Alvin
I believe if he signs, it'll be in early May, and then he'll go to whichever Minor League team his son, Koby, is assigned to and have his Spring Training there. He can work out there, throw his bullpens and get ready for the season. Last year, between starts, he went to Greeneville quite often to work out with Koby and the Rookie League team. Roger enjoyed it and I would imagine he would do the same this year if he's not under contract with another club.
Even if he did not join Koby's team, Roger Clemens is the very last person I would worry about in terms of preparing for a season. There is no one more disciplined and dedicated than Roger, and if he commits to playing for the Astros, I can promise you he'll be ready.
Wouldn't it be great to hear Milo Hamilton and Gene Elston team up to call one game? What is the chance of that? -- Glen F., Houston
Slim to none. From what I've gathered over the years, Milo and Gene aren't exactly the best of buddies and I wouldn't expect to hear them in the booth together anytime soon. But that would be something, wouldn't it?
What is Astros camp like? Is it pretty loose, or can you tell if they have a sour taste in their mouth from the World Series? -- Erik P., Dyersville, Iowa
Astros camp is very loose. I'd challenge anyone to find a Spring Training camp that isn't happy and carefree. It's a new season, the players haven't seen each other in a few months and it's always like the first day of school when everyone reports. Players are well rested and ready to play baseball, and no one is yet out of the division race.
I do not sense any bitterness from losing the World Series. I would imagine the players have a lot more confidence considering the season they had last year, but for the most part, it's just another Spring Training. Lance Berkman's chirping about how great Texas is, Chris Burke's going back and forth between his two great loves, Duke and Tennessee, Brad Ausmus is using a lot of big words and Mike Gallo's saying "dude" a lot. Nothing's changed, except for Jeff Bagwell's hair. It's really long. Fortunately, he's keeping the goatee nice and trim.
Can you give us any of the specifics on the Silver Slugger clauses that Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler have reportedly negotiated into their contracts? I could see a starter doing it, but the setup man and closer? I had heard rumors of Dan taking a crack at starting, but surely Lidge is going to stay in the ninth inning. What gives? -- Mason J., Austin
All pitchers have a standard awards package worked into their contracts. They receive incentive clauses for All-Star appearances, Silver Slugger Awards, Gold Gloves, Cy Youngs, Rolaids Relief Man winners, MVPs ... and on and on.
Apparently, this began back in the mid-1990s when John Hudek was with the club. He made the All-Star team in 1994 and had no awards bonus in his contract. He gently bemoaned the fact that he didn't have a bonus, and the Astros decided around that time to start including standard packages for all players, even those not yet eligible for arbitration.
Awards packages are divided into three categories: player package, pitcher package and rookie package. Every player has at least one included in his contract.
With all that is going on with Jeff Bagwell, is it causing any problems with his teammates? I have been a fan of his since he came to the Astros and I also realize that he is well respected throughout baseball, but what do his teammates think? -- Derek K., Galveston, Indiana
Jeff's teammates are in his corner. They're hoping that he can make a comeback and contribute to the team this year, and they sound pretty confident that he can provide some pop in the lineup.
This whole issue really isn't causing a distraction here. His first day in camp was a bit of a circus because of all of the media that came to town that day to cover the story. But since then, things have settled down and it's back to the same four or five reporters who have been here for most of the spring.
Is there a chance that the Astros will ever play a doubleheader? Or is there just too much money to be made by not doing so? I think doing it one time a year could be a bigger draw than a regular weekend. Any chance it will happen? -- Clint B., Houston
Sure, there's a chance the Astros will play a doubleheader. In Pittsburgh. It rains and rains and rains in the spring months in Pittsburgh, and inevitably, the Astros and Bucs are rained out at least once. They reschedule a doubleheader, which is usually played in September. I would imagine odds are favorable they'll do the same this year.
Oh, you meant play a doubleheader in Houston? Fat chance. There's no money in a doubleheader, even a split doubleheader where the stadium is cleared out before the gates re-open for Game 2. I don't think doubleheaders would draw extra fans.
Plus, managers hate doubleheaders. They have to use two starters in one day, which inevitably messes up the rotation. Sometimes they have to call up a pitcher from the Minor Leagues and that means someone else has to come off the roster. It can get to be a mess, and not worth it.
Since we have an extra $20 million floating around from not giving Clemens arbitration, shouldn't we try to make some more offseason acquisitions? Or are we just relying on our rookies to pull through much like the Braves? Soon it will be too late and most of the high profile free agents will already be signed. I say this because we all know that an extra starter in the rotation couldn't hurt and everybody knows that we are in desperate need of a big bat in the lineup. -- Tony L., Houston
Sorry, I stopped reading after the first line. The Astros absolutely do not have $20 million lying around. The money they pay Clemens, if he comes back, will just sit on top of whatever the payroll is. If the payroll is $85 million, and Clemens demands $15 million, then the payroll becomes $100 million.
If the payroll is $85 million, and Clemens retires, the payroll stays $85 million. It's that simple.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Clemens hurls simulated game

02/27/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Roger Clemens won't say the word "retirement," but he won't reveal what he's going to do after the World Baseball Classic, either.
It's likely The Rocket has an idea of what he would like to do, but after throwing a simulated game to Houston Astros Minor Leaguers on Monday, he emphasized that the only commitment he's made is to Team USA.
But if he had to decide today, Clemens hinted he would lean toward not returning for a 23rd season.
"If you ask me today, I'm doing the World Baseball deal and then I'm going to watch baseball," Clemens said.
As in, retire?
"I'm not even going to mention that word," he said. "I've been doing that [retiring] for a couple of years now, and it's not working."
What is working is his repertoire of pitches, which he used during a three-inning simulated session on the backfields of the Osceola County Stadium complex. Clemens pitched to his son, Koby, and nine prospects who are currently participating in a pre-Spring Training minicamp.
Clemens threw 84 pitches, and another 28 during a quick session of batting practice. Koby Clemens connected for a home run in the second round, and the crowd -- including a dozen or so cameras and about 100 fans -- laughed when the elder Clemens responded with one high and tight the next time his son stepped into the cage.
"I said, 'I hit the ball good, hit it out of the ballpark, and the next pitch is up and in, what's the deal?'" Koby laughed. "We were joking with it. We just jab at each other once in a while."
"That was probably one of the harder fastballs I cut loose," Clemens said. "He got my attention. I wish he was around for Round 3 when I was really hot, but for some reason he didn't come back."
Having spent much of the offseason training for the Classic, Clemens is using his time in Kissimmee as a final tuneup in preparation for his departure to Arizona later this week to join Team USA.
"My arm's a little ahead of the curve," said Clemens, who is working out with his longtime personal trainer, Brian McNamee. "I want to make sure my legs are where they need to be. We're going to do our two-a-days until I get to Arizona. I'll see the guys there and hopefully we'll have some fun with this World stuff."
Beyond that, Clemens isn't tipping his hand. The Astros can't sign him until May 1, but three teams that can negotiate at any time have expressed interest in The Rocket: the Rangers, Yankees and Red Sox. All three have reportedly contacted Clemens' agents.
"I don't know what will happen down the road," Clemens said. "I may be sitting down in May, June, July, and all of a sudden, I'm looking at -- I don't think it's any big secret, three or four teams that came down to talk to me already, gave me their pitch.
"It's very flattering, but I'm not ready to make that commitment right now. Right now, I'm focusing on this commitment."
Clemens added that he was ready to retire two weeks after the Astros' season had concluded, but his wife, Debbie, and Koby talked him out of it.
Clemens' attention is now solely focused on the Classic, and he'll remain in Kissimmee to continue working out with his trainer. He'll throw to the Minor Leaguers one more time on Thursday before heading to Arizona.
Asked about the view from the cage, Koby laughed.
"Like always," he said. "Just dirty, just nasty. Two-seamer running all over the place. Throwing [his split-finger fastball], embarrassing you. He's done it to a lot of players, so it doesn't hurt you that bad."

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Lidge ahead of his normal pace

02/27/2006

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Brad Lidge admitted Monday he is pitching with more gusto now than he normally would at the end of February, especially while throwing a simple round of batting practice to his teammates.
Lidge, who is leaving on Thursday for Arizona to begin training with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, threw to Brad Ausmus, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Adam Everett and Morgan Ensberg on Monday morning during workouts at Osceola County Stadium.
"They came out aggressive today," Lidge said. "They were swinging at everything. It was fun to see where they were measuring up and where I was measuring up. They've got some good swings going now."
Because he'll be pitching in games that bear some degree of significance this spring, Lidge began preparing for Spring Training a little earlier than usual. In turn, he feels he's a little ahead of schedule in terms of arm strength this year.
"I'm throwing with a little higher intensity than I would normally be right now," he said.
As a closer, Lidge doesn't normally worry about pacing himself during Spring Training as he prepares for the regular season. He throws hard throughout the month of exhibition games, although it takes a couple of weeks for the velocity to reach its peak.
"In Spring Training games, I'm letting it go, but it just doesn't come out as fast," he said. "It takes that month of games for your arm strength to build up. Even though you feel like you're throwing it at a high intensity, you may be throwing five miles an hour off from where you normally are. Then eventually, something clicks over and halfway through Spring Training the velocity goes up as you're throwing."
Lidge expects to feel like he's close to regular season form when the Classic begins.
"I feel like I'm ahead of that anyway," he said. "Maybe the extra adrenaline gives you a little extra, too. I can pretty much project that I'll be really close to 100 percent when I'm throwing at those games, if not 100 percent."
Meeting: Jeff Bagwell and his agent, Barry Axelrod, met with lawyers from the Astros' insurance company and lawyers representing club owner Drayton McLane at the Osceola County Stadium complex on Monday.
Bagwell was asked to speak about the history of his shoulder injury. The shoulder, of course, is the main source of contention between Bagwell and McLane. The Astros have deemed Bagwell a disabled player and are attempting to collect $15.6 million on Bagwell's contract.
Bagwell, however, feels he can still play and is determined to prove as much during Spring Training. The first baseman described Monday's meeting with the lawyers as informal.
"It's just part of the process," he said.
The meeting caused Bagwell to be late to early morning drills, but he took part in the full day of workouts. He fielded grounders at first base, took batting practice and participated in the fundamental of the day: pickoffs and rundowns.
Springer throws: Russ Springer, nursing a sore rib cage muscle in the middle of his back, threw off the mound on Monday without incident.
"I didn't go full tilt," he said, estimating he threw 20-25 pitches. "Next time, I'll step it up a bit."
Ryan visits: Nolan Ryan, special assistant to general manager Tim Purpura, will spend most of his time with Minor Leaguers during his four-day visit to Kissimmee.
The visit is the first of two for Ryan this spring. He will return to Astros camp sometime in March.
After being asked jokingly if he was going to get on the mound during his visit, Ryan responded: "Somebody asked if I can throw. I said, 'I can throw, but I can't pitch.'"
Intrasquad: The Astros will play a five-inning intrasquad game on Tuesday, pitting the "Colt 45s" against the "Buffs."
The Colt 45s: Willy Taveras, CF; Chris Burke, SS; Mike Lamb, 1B; Jason Lane, RF; Kevin Orie, 3B; Charlton Jimerson, LF; Raul Chavez, C; Alan Zinter, 2B.
The Buffs: Adam Everett, SS; Eric Bruntlett, 2B; Josh Anderson, CF; Luke Scott, RF; Eric Munson, 1B; Brian Gordon, LF; Humberto Quintero, C; J.R. House, 3B.
Hector Gimenez will be a roving hitter, batting ninth for both teams. The pitchers are to be determined.
Several veteran players, including Bagwell, Biggio and Ausmus, will remain on their normal workout schedule and not participate in the intrasquad game.
Heading west: On Monday, Purpura and special assistant Enos Cabell flew to Compton, Calif., for the dedication of Major League Baseball's first Urban Youth Academy. The Academy will be christened Tuesday on the fields of Compton Community College.
Compton is a community located in Los Angeles County, about 25 miles south of Dodger Stadium in downtown Los Angeles and 30 miles northwest of Angel Stadium in Anaheim. This strip of inner city running north through South Central Los Angeles produced such great Major League players as Eddie Murray, Darryl Strawberry, Eric Davis, Hubie Brooks, Bob Watson and, most recently, Boston's Coco Crisp.
The diminished participation of minority kids in organized baseball led to the birth of the RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), which rejuvenated the dormant youth leagues, and ultimately the new academy, with its four fields stretched over 20 acres of community college property.
Odds and ends: Lidge will start the first game of the Grapefruit League season against the Indians on Thursday. He'll pitch one inning, followed by Dan Wheeler, Carlos Hernandez, Brandon Backe, Steve Sparks, Matt Albers and Dave Borkowski. Following their outings, Lidge and Wheeler will leave for Arizona to join Team USA. ... Several Astros, as well as members of the front office and coaching staff, participated in a pep rally in downtown Kissimmee on Monday. Joining the rally were Purpura, manager Phil Garner, first base coach Jose Cruz, Springer, Mike Gallo, Burke, Taveras, and broadcasters Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond. A total of 2,005 hot dogs were distributed to fans in attendance. The rally was held to celebrate the Astros' 2005 National League pennant and signal the start of Spring Training games this week. ... Also appearing in Kissimmee on Monday was 87-year-old Mickey Carroll, who played the Munchkin Violinist in the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz." Carroll is one of the five living munchkins from the original cast. He signed autographs and took photos with fans at Astros camp. He also exchanged signatures with Roger Clemens following the simulated game. Carroll has been spotted at other Spring Training camps as well.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Astros contribute to baseball academy

02/28/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- General manager Tim Purpura and special assistant Enos Cabell flew cross-country on Monday to attend Tuesday's dedication of Major League Baseball's first Urban Youth Academy, located in Compton, Calif.
But their attendance wasn't the most significant element of this event. More notable was the monetary donation they made on behalf of Cabell and the Houston Astros, whose pledge of $70,000 will pay for the batting cages at this institution.
Cabell and club owner Drayton McLane each donated $35,000 to the Academy, a facility which will provide free instruction in both baseball and softball to Southern California youth between the ages of 8 and 17.
The cages will be named after Cabell's father and will be called the Houston Astros Enos Cabell Sr. Batting Cages. Cabell grew up in the Compton area and credits his late father as a driving force of encouragement throughout his Major League career.
"It's a way to remember him and honor him for all he did for Enos," Purpura said.
The Academy is a 10-acre complex, led by former Major League catcher Darrell Miller, and will operate year-round. The MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy features state-of-the-art facilities including a show field, complete with scoreboard, a grandstand that seats nearly 200 fans, dugouts and lights, as well as an auxiliary field, softball field, youth field, and a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse consisting of a weight room, locker room, and other training facilities.
"This is an exciting project that is the first of its kind in the United States," McLane said. "The Astros are proud to be a part of the Academy and believe that this is an important step in providing opportunities for inner-city youth to play the great game of baseball."
In order to increase the efforts in scouting the South Central Los Angeles area, the Astros have hired Chuck Stone as an area scout. Stone will work closely with the MLB Urban Youth Academy in evaluating potential draft prospects from within the program.
Stone is a former scout and Minor League manager in the Detroit Tigers organization from 1985-97 who grew up in the South Central Los Angeles area. Stone and Cabell met as 16-year-old competitors on the baseball fields in Compton and have been friends ever since.
Stone will spend time in Kissimmee this spring to attend player development seminars and familiarize himself with the Astros' system.
In addition to scouting, Stone will be a presence at the Academy as an instructor.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Notes: Scott tries to retake roster spot

02/28/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- This time a year ago, Luke Scott parlayed a sizzling spring to a spot in Houston's Opening Day lineup only to see his hold on the left field job slip through his fingers when he hit only .154 in April.
Scott's .188 average in a 34-game test last season was one of the factors contributing to Houston's inconsistent offense. He was sent to Triple-A Round Rock, where he hit .286 with 31 homers and 87 RBIs in 103 games and regained some of his confidence.
When the season ended, Scott went to Venezuela to play winter ball and his outstanding performance for Magallanes has the 27-year-old back for another attempt to stick with the Astros.
This time, however, the outfield scenario is different as the Astros signed free agent Preston Wilson and have a more crowded outfield situation than a year ago, particularly if Lance Berkman does not play first base.
"I really can't control results, my job is to just go out relaxed and play hard, let God take care of the rest," Scott said. "I'm kind of in the dark [about 2006], I have no idea what's going on out there [in the outfield.] Whatever happens, I just need to stay relaxed and not worry about anything else. I need to take care of what I can take care of."
Scott hit .351 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs for Magallanes. Scouts say he swung the bat very well at Round Rock later in the season and he was torrid in South America. The Astros could certainly use another power bat in the lineup, but even if Scott hts, there's no guarantee he will make the Opening Day roster this season.
His chances would improve if Berkman moves to first base, but even then that's not a given as the Astros would prefer Scott to play every day rather than serve as a fourth outfielder.
In the meantime, all Scott can do is work and learn from last year's roller-coaster ride.
"Last year, I was really nervous, first time in the big leagues and everything," Scott said. "[It was] kind of hard to balance those emotions of being really excited and balancing all that pressure. In winter ball, I was much more relaxed. For me, it's just one of those where, if you relax, you can realize your potential. I was very relaxed when I played well in the past. The numbers are there when I relax."
Ready to go: Four Houston players and two field staff will leave for the World Baseball Classic on Thursday night. Pitchers Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler will head to Phoenix, where Team USA will prepare for the tournament. Carlos Hernandez will go to Clearwater, Fla., on Friday to train with the Venezuelan team. Mike Gallo will be in Lakeland, Fla., with the Italian team and Willy Taveras is going to be a part of the Dominican team that will play (along with Venezuela, Australia and Italy) in the Pool D bracket at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.
Longtime Astros coach and current consultant to the general manager, Matt Galante is manager of the Italian team. Astros first base coach Jose Cruz will help coach the Puerto Rican team. His son, Jose Cruz Jr., will play for Puerto Rico.
"I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be a great experience and I'm proud to get the opportunity to do this," Lidge said.
'Stros square off in scrimmage: The Astros held a five-inning intrasquad game at Osceola County Stadium. Roy Oswalt started and faced six batters. The right-hander retired Taveras, Chris Burke, Mike Lamb and Jason Lane in order before giving up a single to Adam Everett and a double to Charlton Jimerson.
Everett led the hitters with a 2-for-3 day, including a solo home run off left-hander Trever Miller. Eric Bruntlett went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
Quotable: "You could say it's motivational, yeah, [like] you better not miss a sign or you'll get whacked with that thing." -- manager Phil Garner, on the wooden mace that sits on his desk at the Astros Spring Training complex
Extra bases: Bruntlett is wearing No. 10 this year after giving up the number he wore last season, No. 4, to outfielder Wilson. ... Lidge will start Thursday's Grapefruit League season opener against Cleveland and Jake Westbrook at Osceola County Stadium. Lidge will pitch one inning. Wheeler, Hernandez, Brandon Backe, Steve Sparks, Matt Albers and Dave Borkowski will also get work against the Indians. "Backe may be a scratch," Garner said. "His neck was a little bit of a problem [Monday]." Backe threw off the bullpen mound without incident Tuesday morning. ... The pitchers will work on conditioning but will not throw Wednesday. ... Garner talked with Roger Clemens briefly following the seven-time Cy Young Award winner's batting practice session at the Minor League complex. "I thought he looked good, real good," Garner said. ... The Astros agreed to terms with right-handed pitchers Juan Gutierrez and Fernando Nieve on one-year contracts. Each contract has a Major League value of $327,000.

Source: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/

Qualls comfortable in setup role

02/28/2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- There was a time briefly this winter when events were moving in a direction that might have left Chad Qualls as Houston's closer. Had the Astros and Baltimore been able to work out a discussed deal that would have sent closer Brad Lidge, shortstop Adam Everett and outfielder Willy Taveras to the Orioles for shortstop Miguel Tejada, Qualls would have been one of the key candidates to step in as Houston's closer.
Several sticking points, not the least of which was the Astros' reluctance to trade for a player who could have demanded a trade at season's end since he would have been dealt during a multiyear contract, caused the deal to fall apart.
Though it is a job Qualls would love to have some day, he's not disappointed that his job description hasn't changed. The right-hander will once again team with Dan Wheeler to set up Lidge in what should be another very strong Houston bullpen.
"I've always wanted to be either a No. 1 or No. 2 starter or the main guy out of the bullpen, so obviously I've thought about wanting to close," Qualls said. "With Lidge here, I'll never do that. The guy's unbelievable and one of my good friends. I would really love to close some day, I would love to have the ball in the ninth inning with the game on the line, but obviously that's not going to happen here."
The 27-year-old doesn't mind.
"I've only been in the bullpen a year and a half," he said.
Qualls has been in the Major Leagues for 102 games, all in the last two seasons. After going 4-0 with a save in 25 games following his callup from the Minors in 2004, Qualls blossomed last year, going 6-4 with a 3.28 ERA in 77 appearances, the second-most appearances in Major League Baseball among rookies and tied for seventh overall.
Qualls was solid throughout the season but he was exceptionally strong after the break, going 3-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 36 appearances to help the Astros reach the World Series. He also ranks among the most effective relievers to pitch at Minute Maid Park since the facility opened in 2000. Qualls is 7-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 53 games at home.
The biggest chink in Qualls' regular-season performance last year was a subpar May (0-1 and a 9.58 ERA).
"I just tried to bear down more [after that]," Qualls said. "The early part of the season I just got a little careless at times. When we got to the middle of the season I saw the results weren't where I liked them. I really started to focus on every pitch and basically just concentrated more on each pitch."
That made all the difference, because Qualls already had the tools in the form of a low 90s-mph moving fastball and complementary sinker and slider. From May 27 through Sept. 1, Qualls struck out 45 and walked just 10 batters in 44 appearances spanning 43 2/3 innings. By now it is obvious why Houston chose Qualls with its second-round pick in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. It's not just talent, Qualls has a closer's mentality with an aggressive approach and a fearless attitude unusual in a reliever so young.
"It doesn't surprise me that he's had success; what surprised me a little bit is his delivery is a little bit, I would say, inconsistent," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "It's not what I'd call a classic, smooth delivery. He'll spin off once in a while and he's been a little bit out of balance once in a while. And he was able to maintain good control doing that. That's where I thought he might run into trouble, but he really didn't. He consistenlty threw the ball over the plate last year and proved me wrong in that regard, he had just a really fantastic year."
Qualls smiles when asked about his delivery.
"Ever since college I've always had a different type of delivery; it's a little different from when I was a starter," he said. "Once I became a reliever, I decided to just let every pitch go. But you know it's funny, because if you slow down the tape, I'm actually in the right position when I release the ball. But when I let go, sometimes my body goes this way, sometimes it goes the other way. I don't know. But it's working for me so I'm going to keep doing it."
The Astros are perfectly happy not to tinker with Qualls' success. The organization tries to convince pitchers to correct their deliveries when they detect a flaw -- former Astro Wade Miller is a recent example -- but Qualls' situation is different.
"Wade Miller was destined to have arm trouble with that kind of delivery," Garner said. "Rarely do I see a guy with that kind of delivery. Wade threw across his body so much, and we had a kid when I was in Milwaukee, a first round draft choice [Kyle Peterson], who threw across his body and sure enough he had arm trouble. Chad's is not a delivery that is destined for arm trouble. He's just a little inconsistent with his balance on