It would be an understatement to call 2011 a disappointing year for Astros fans. Nevertheless, in this season of gratitude, I have good news. You do have toms things for which to be thankful. Here are some things that I’m thankful for this year, and thankful for as I look forward to 2012.
New ownership
Putting on the holiday spirit and putting aside my concerns about Jim Crane, the prospect of a new regime and new success in Houston is thrilling. I’m not expecting a lot of earth shattering moves this winter, but hopefully next year when the front office has gotten its legs under it, when they have a better view of their finances and when the Astros are finally free of Carlos Lee’s contract, maybe we’ll see some movement to fill some of their pressing needs. The good news, if you’re seeing the silver lining, is that with all the needs to fill, the Astros can’t help but upgrade.
Youth movement actually infused with youth
There was a lot of bustle and bluster last year about the youth movement in Houston, but I always thought it was a tad overblown. But, with the departure of Clint Barmes, trade of Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence and Jeff Keppinger, and the aforementioned impending expiration of Lee’s contract, the Astros’ youth movement is for real. We saw flashes from Jose Altuve, Jimmy Paredes, JD Martinez, Henry Sosa, Jordan Lyles and Aneury Rodriguez, though each still has considerable work to do. But the flashes were highly encouraging. They get Jason Castro back next year, who is getting in some makeup work in the Arizona Fall League. And, thanks mostly to trades, the farm system is stocked for the first time in a long time with legit prospects like Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, George Springer, Jonathan Villar, Brett Oberholtzer and Paul Clemens. Houston is still a long way off from being good, but you have to be thankful that there’s actually a visible path to being good for the first time in a while.
Rock bottom means one way to go
The best thing about seasons like this one is that there’s only one way to go — up. Things can only get better for the Astros from here out, and that will include the number one overall draft pick next year. A 56-106 season is hard to bear, but it does come with a near-guarantee that it only gets better from here.
Warm fuzzies
Because this season means stories like this and songs like this. The song doesn’t actually have anything to do with the Astros, I just love it.
Happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays!
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Yeah, and maybe just a couple of more days of Ed Wade in Office. Wait. I’m no longer a ‘Stros Fan because of this move and constant cover-up by McNugget and Miss Toot! Good thing the Rox don’t have someone as moronic as Eddie. But then again, O’Dowd did ink Brandon Wood last week! Oh well, at least I’m used to it!
Good Luck, ‘Stros (and mainly their remaining Fans)! More lying from the Astros’ Socialist Media Propaganda Machine will be coming soon… In the Form of the Caravan and 50th Anniversary (even though it’s the 51st SEASON!!), while they MAY talk about the move to the American League on Astroline this week…unlike they allowed on their last one! Can’t wait to see those Vote for Travis Buck All-Star placqards in a couple of months as well! lmao
The Road to Damascus follows route 290:
“MLB shows backwards priorities in sale of Astros”
to “Things to be grateful for”
Sorry Austin,,
Untill Crane Fires Ed Wade, Brad Mills, & Brocail. There is very little to look forward too. Status Quo= a 2nd straight 100 loss season.
One down, two to go. I can’t imagine Mills and Brocail will last past this season if the team plays anything like they did last year. I know it’s not a lot, but there are still things to be grateful for. The Astros are making some positive moves. I’m trying to see the silver lining.
Yeah I agree with you Austin. I have been as frustrated as anybody lately but there is a lot to look forward too. I am starting to like Crane (firing Ed Wade) and I think he will put the right management and leadership in place. As a lifelong Astros fan, I hate the move to the AL, but I would rather watch baseball and the Astros at the Juice Box than abandon my home town team. I would hope that the city will get behind them, regardless of the style of play, as they build a winner again. Which they will. Given that it’s Thanksgiving, I’m thankful to have a baseball team in my city, and for the time being, it will be exciting to see what moves they will make and also how the younger talent will develop over the next couple years. Every team has to rebuild at some point. If they have another 100 loss season, bring on another #1 draft pick!
Too bad you didn’t wait a day to write this. Wade and Smith are out as of Sunday night. I’m thankful for that.
Looks like Mills gets to finish out his contract, which is initially disappointing, but at least now we’ll get to see if he’s as bad as we thought or if it was Eddie and Drayton pulling his puppet strings.
Gee, can’t wait.
And Corporan will be back, apparently. Yay.
Yeah, I’m still confused as to why he seems to deserve more shots than JR Towles even though he appears to be the exact same player…except without the power and ball-blocking skills.
Sorry guys, but BB as we have known in past glory years is dead in Houston. I remember in the past few years when i would try and be optimistic about our team and you and Lisa would tell me to get real and face reality that this was a terrible team going nowhere. Now Austin i am telling you the same thing, Get Real, this organization has no future.
I know that i was hating to see Hunter Pence traded, but now how gratefull i am that they let him go when they did and saved him from total misery in danger of becomming a real loser with a sorry team going nowhere to a very good team where he is still young enough to bloom.
If you read this blog Jim (Crane), do a favor for us Astros fans and rename the AL expansion franchise you just bought to something else. We’d be grateful to have the NL team retired so we can go in peace to our other teams.
By the way, rock bottom is realizing the Angels and Rangers are going to spend the next 10 years beating the living s&it out of the Astros. I truly admire you fans who are staying with them, and mourn for the fact that you have virtually no chance of seeing playoff baseball ever again.
Off to the Dodgers from now onward, it’s been a great 25 year ride. Best of luck to all you Astros fans staying with them. I’ll never root against you guys.