Tag Archives: Astros

You have a strange definition of “only”, Bud

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Or maybe it’s your definition of “logical”, I’m not sure. But while first-year manager Bo Porter continues to fire up his players and general manager Jeff Luhnow oversees year one of a complete organizational overhaul, many longtime Astros fans continue … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

How cursed is Houston as a sports city?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So another Super Bowl is history, and as you might have noticed the Houston Texans were not be playing in the game. This continues an unbroken streak of Houston football teams not making it to the Super Bowl, some in … Continue reading →

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The Hall of Fame and guilt by association

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

John Royal hits on one of the least admirable traits of Hall of Fame voters. There are some voters out there once again claiming that Jeff Bagwell used ‘roids, and these same folks are claiming that Craig Biggio used them … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Biggio on the ballot

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Former Astros great Craig Biggio will make his debut on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. Ballots for the 2013 Hall of Fame class will be issued this week to media members; candidates will officially be announced Wednesday. Results … Continue reading →

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Mills and Clemens

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Enjoy your paid time off, Brad Mills. General manager Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane see no reason to wait until the season ends to begin the search for the next Astros manager after Brad Mills was fired and replaced … Continue reading →

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Retire #50!

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I was enjoying this story about JR Richard, was was inducted into the Astros Walk of Fame at Minute Maid on Friday night, until I got to these paragraphs: The Astros have been more liberal than most teams in retiring … Continue reading →

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No more Not-Stros

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Glad we got that settled. New owner Jim Crane ended a week of speculation and rare attention on a national level and anticipated backlash among Houstonians, saying he would not change the name of the club – a possibility he … Continue reading →

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The Houston Not-Stros

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, hell no. Even more drastic changes could come next year, when the [Astros move] to the American League. Possible transformations include new uniforms and logos, changes to the playing field and “Tal’s Hill” in center field, and even a … Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Sports Authority will not impede Astros move to AL

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One of the odd side stories that came out after MLB officially approved the sale of the Astros to Jim Crane was this contention by attorney Kevin W. Yankowsky of Fulbright & Jaworski that the Astros’ lease at Minute Maid … Continue reading →

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MLB approves Astros sale

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Jim Crane’s $610 million purchase of the Astros from Drayton McLane was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball’s owners this morning. All that remains is a formal closing of the transaction, which likely will take place early next … Continue reading →

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Astros almost to the AL

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s happening. Prospective Astros owner Jim Crane and his group of investors have reached an agreement with Major League Baseball that would shift the franchise to the American League, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday. One person … Continue reading →

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Astros to the AL update

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I remain puzzled by this. Major League Baseball is discussing with prospective Astros owner Jim Crane possible compensation for agreeing to move the team to the American League. Three people familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday that MLB has … Continue reading →

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MLB realignment?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is interesting. A simple form of realignment being seriously considered has been raised in the labor talks between Major League Baseball and the players’ association, according to four sources: two leagues of 15 teams, rather than the current … Continue reading →

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Start ’em young

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Jordan Lyles, whom the Astros hope will be a big piece of their future, has arrived. The Astros took an injury to lefthander Wandy Rodriguez as a cue to summon Lyles to make his first major league start tonight against … Continue reading →

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Astros sold

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

With everything else that’s been going on I’ve only been peripherally aware of the ongoing sale of the Astros to a new owner, which is now official. Jim Crane stood behind the microphone Monday afternoon at Minute Maid Park, in … Continue reading →

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Dynamo “Your Name Here” Stadium

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

In a conversation with the Chron, Tim Leiweke, the president of Dynamo co-owner AEG, discusses the next big item on their to-do list: The naming rights is the next task at hand and it will be a hot priority, but … Continue reading →

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Don’t play ball with the state of Arizona

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

What Kevin Blackistone says. About 10 years ago, the NCAA made one of its most bold and upright decisions: it refused to allow any more of its postseason tournaments, like March Madness, to be held in South Carolina until the … Continue reading →

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Montgomery County gets in the minor league act

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We know about Sugar Land’s plan to build a stadium for a minor league baseball team. They’ve now been joined by a neighbor to the north in that pursuit. The East Montgomery County Improvement District signed a memorandum of understanding … Continue reading →

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More on the Sugar Land minor league baseball push

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update from the Chron to last week’s news about Sugar Land’s pursuit of a minor league baseball team. The preliminary discussions about the ballpark put it in the Class AAA compatibility range, typically requiring a seating capacity at … Continue reading →

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RIP, Sister Damian Kuhn

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This is the sweetest story you’ll read all week. One spring season when the Astros were in a particularly bad slump, Sister Damian Kuhn made her way to owner Drayton McLane’s office, dressed in her traditional blue habit and veil. … Continue reading →

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Watch for the loophole

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So today Olivia and I went to the Astros game, which they won by a score of 5-0, and there was a situation that occurred that could have been a lot more interesting that it turned out to be. With … Continue reading →

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Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I think the key bit in this story about the Astros’ policy forbidding fans from bringing their own food into the stadium is this: Most MLB teams list their policies on outside food and drink on their Web sites. Details … Continue reading →

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From the “Math is hard” files

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Inside this article on the Astros’ poor home attendance numbers so far comes the following mathematical muddle. Through May 20, only 10 of the 30 teams in the majors were seeing an increase in average attendance over last year. Of … Continue reading →

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