From Gold Gloves to Grand Slams

The Astros traded yet another prospect from our completely and totally depleted farm system that isn't that good anyway for...drumroll please...Randy Wolf.  Pretty anti-climactic if I do say so myself.

Let's just pretend here for a second that the Astros aren't in 5th place and 10+ games out of first place and there is a legitimate shot at winning the division.  The Cubs traded for Rich Harden who has given up a whopping 1 run in two starts and basically struck out EVERYONE.  The Brewers traded for C.C. Sabathia who threw 2 complete games in his first two starts, has 3 wins and has basically struck out EVERYONE.  The Astros traded for Randy Wolf...who I hadn't heard of until I looked at the website today.

But let's face it...the Astros are in 5th place and have fluxuated between 13 and 11 games out of first for the past month or so now.  There are 4 teams in front of us including the Cubs, Brewers and Cardinals who are all within a few games of first (well, the Cubs are in first so...yeah).  Maybe, maybe, maybe if it was just one of the teams and we were only 6 or 7 games out I would believe that we could make a miracle run on good luck and an epic self-destruction of a first place team, but I have a hard time believing that all three of those teams are going to fall apart in the 60 or so games remaining in the regular season.  I have accepted (and did accept pretty much before the season started) that the Astros are not making the playoffs this year.  I suppose anything could happen, but...

Anyway, this team is obviously not going to make the playoffs and based on the terrible state of our farm system, we are not going to make the playoffs very often in years to come.  So why in the world did we trade for Randy Wolf?  Even if we were in contention - why would we want another guy with an ERA near 5 (4.74)?  I would be willing to overlook his record (6-10) because the Padres are really bad this year and have a terrible offense if his ERA weren't so high.  But add to that that he is basically a rental player.  He is a free agent at the end of this season.  According to astros.com, Ed Wade thinks we can keep him through next year but Wolf just bought a house in Hollywood and this past offseason he turned down a $7 mil offer from us for a $4.5 mil deal with the Padres.  Sounds like a rental to me.

Ugh, I don't understand!  Tim Purpura never did anything and that was bad.  Ed Wade is doing too much and that is worse.  Because not only are we a bad team now, but it looks like we are going to be bad for a long time.  I hope I'm wrong...but I don't think I am.

Also, Alyson Footer may also be drunk/stupid because apparently she thinks the Astros still have a chance at the division too.  I was on the Indians site the other day and they are in the same situation the Astros are.  Last place, 12 games out of first and they have accepted the fact that this year was a waste.  Why can't we?  We have a lot of high price, aging players who could probably be used by a contender and maybe get some good/decent prospects that will help our team in years to come.  Because the way it's looking now is that we're going to have old players past their prime hobbling around on our field because no other general manager is drunk enough or stupid enough to sign them...

Maybe I'm being overdramatic...we'll see

Just for the record, the final order of the Home Run Derby:

1. Justin Morneau
2. Josh Hamilton
3. Lance Berkman (14)
4. Ryan Braun (14)
5. Grady Sizemore (6-he gets 5th because he hit them further)
6. Dan Uggla (6)
7. Chase Utley
8. Evan Longoria

Though I'm happy that Justin Morneau won (see All-Hottie Team), Josh Hamilton put on one heckuva show.  And as sick as I was of hearing the ESPN announcers talk about him, he was awesome.  Not just the fun he was having with Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Milton Bradley or the cute way the 71 year old man pitched to him, but because in every single interview he made sure that all of America knew that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior and the only reason he made it through those 3 dark years is because of the power of our mighty God.  That's one good man, right there.

And my favorite line from any announcer tonight, "It's a bad night to be an athiest." ha!

The Home Run Derby is tonight!   I generally find the All Star Game incredibly boring and usually don't watch more than a few innings but I love the Home Run Derby.  I enjoy watching the players sitting around watching.  I like seeing how some take the Derby far too seriously while some just sit back and enjoy the ride.  I love seeing the players interact with their kids and the terrible ball-shaggers fighting the sun and inevitably dropping/missing the fly balls.

My predictions (probably wrong...) are as follows:

1. Josh Hamilton - apparently he puts on a show that can't be missed during BP

2. Ryan Braun - This kid is pretty dang powerful.

3. Grady Sizemore - Very wishful thinking here...I just hope he gets this far that way I can watch him on my TV longer.  Who knows, maybe he'll come through.  He's been on a power streak lately.

4. Dan Uggla

5. Lance Berkman - He has a history of poor showings at the Derby and he's batting right handed when the short porch is in right field.

6. Chase Utley - He'll probably do better than this, but I always feel like his home runs are accidental because he never looks like he's trying to hit homers.

7. Justin Morneau - He had a poor showing last year in the Derby and has only hit 14 homers so far this year.

8. Evan Longoria - A rookie from the Rays who might be nervous.

On ESPN's website they have a poll about the order and they are as follows:

1. Josh Hamilton
2. Lance Berkman
3. Chase Utley
4. Ryan Braun
5. Dan Uggla
6. Grady Sizemore
7. Justin Morneau
8. Evan Longoria

Okay, so it's been about a hundred years since I updated.  Life is busy, friends!  But I decided to finally do the shallow, baseball fangirly thing and come up with my All-Hottie Baseball team in honor of the impending All Star game.  Neither roster is based on talent but while mine is based on the way they look in their uniform and partially on baseball awesomeness, the All-Star team is mostly based on ESPN face time/if they play in Boston or New York and a bit on baseball awesomeness.

Now, I am sure that I am missing many very attractive men who man their positions on the baseball diamond so feel free to give me suggestions as to what I could have done differently.  My view of all players on all teams are limited since I am primarily a Houston fan and get most of my info about other teams from ESPN, so I'm sorry if I overlook someone.

NL Roster
Catcher-Brad Ausmus, Astros     



Not much to say about this except have you seen the man lately?  Strong jaw, straight teeth, gorgeous eyes and all those years of squatting behind the plate did the thighs some good!  Not to mention, who doesn't love a cerebral man with a dry sense of humor?

1st Base-Derrek Lee, Cubs



I'm not one to give the Cubs any credit at all, but this man is gorgeous.  He's tall, dark and handsome!  He towers over most of his opponents and yet is lean and powerful.  Add in the friendly smile and dark brown eyes, what's not to love?  Oh yeah, and don't forget the .300+ BA...

2nd Base-Chase Utley, Phillies



It took me a long time to decide between Chase Utley and Orlando Hudson.  I spent many "painful" minutes searching through photos of both before I came across a picture of Chase and his wife cuddling a puppy and that sent me over the edge.  I won't lie, rangy middle infielders are my weakness...Chase not only has the looks but he has the baseball ability too.  Hitting, defense, speed and looks, this man has it all.

3rd Base-David Wright, Mets



Unlike the previous decision, this one was made without any contemplation whatsoever.  Who could resist that winning smile or those brown eyes?  Add to that his broad shoulders and knack for hitting home runs and we've got ourselves a winner!

Shortstop-Hanley Ramirez, Marlins



Now, you know this is based purely on looks because like I said earlier, I love me some defensive middle infielders and Hanley does not fit that bill at all.  He's got that lean but deceptively strong look about him.  Not to mention his beautiful skin and chocolatey eyes.

Outfield-Chris Burke, Diamondbacks



That jaw, those legs, that butt...have I mentioned I like eyes that are like pools of chocolate?  Not to mention that slightly hickish but kinda cute southern accent.

Outfield-Fred Lewis, Giants



I have seen this kid in person...way cute!  He has boyish good looks but the intensity of a veteran.  He is also very thin, which is something that I am oddly attracted too.

Outfield-Endy Chavez, Mets



Again with the skinny and the speed and the defense.  He has a winning smile and eyes so brown they are practically black...yum!

Honorable Mention-Mark DeRosa, Cubs; Orlando Hudson, D-Backs; Pat Burrell, Phillies; Michael Bourn, Astros

AL Roster
Catcher-Joe Mauer, Twins



Another really easy pick that took no time at all.  He is your classic, American hunk.  With his sideburns and burly build, there's nothing not to love.  He's big enough to be an efficient backstop but not so big that everyone in the stands wonders how in the world he manages to stand up after every pitch.  He also has a quiet intensity that just draws me in.  Oh yeah, and he is one heckuvan all around ball player.

1st Base-Justin Morneau, Twins



Um...blonde hair, blue eyes, strong and muscular, Canadian, what's not to like?  Really, what else is there?  The .300+ BA and bounce back year along with beating out Derek Jeter for AL MVP 2 years ago is just icing on the cake, my friends.

2nd Base-Ian Kinsler, Rangers



Again, pretty much a no brainer.  Whether he has his long curls or has his hair buzzed off, there is no denying the boyishly handsome good looks of this middle infielder.  Mix in some good defense and pleasing power display and you've got one good recipe!

3rd Base-Adrian Beltre, Mariners



Though his good looks don't smack you like a ton of bricks, his looks are more subtle.

Shortstop-Adam Everett, Twins

 

Well, who did you expect?  Julio Lugo?  Of course I'm going to pick Adam Everett.  Sure, he's no David Wright but he is quietly good looking.  With his cute ears and his blonde curls and "his skinny" who could deny his boyish good looks?  Let's not forget his pale blue eyes and endearing Georgia accent.  Not to mention the man is a wizard with the glove when his leg isn't broken and his shoulder isn't inflamed.

Outfield-Grady Sizemore, Indians



Oh Grady...is there anyone in baseball more fun to look at than you?  Survey says...No!  Grady Sizemore is all that is good about baseball.  He has dark curly hair, dark brown eyes, a big boyish grin, he looks oh-so-good in those baseball pants, he is a lean, mean power hitting machine and he can run down/dive for/climb walls and catch just about anything hit near center field.  Plus, who else has a fan club called "Grady's Ladies" with the motto "I'd whore for number 24"?

Outfield-Torii Hunter, Angels



Mmmmm...yes, Torii Hunter.  Not only is he a classy man but he is a heckuva ball player.  He's a monster in the batter's box and a vacuum in center for the Angels.  Not to mention a big grin that will make you melt and broad shoulders that any girl would be happy to be folded in.  Yes, he is so loved by the fans in Minnesota that after he left them for more money in LA and then came back to play in Minnesota on opening day the fans gave him a standing ovation...classy.

Outfield-Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox



Who could hate the man who won all of America free Taco Bell during last year's World Series?  I find that I follow a pattern of loving dark haired, dark eyed, lean men because that is the same pattern that Jacoby follows.  He looks as young as any rookie but has the intensity and focus of a seasoned veteran.  I would watch the Red Sox and put up with East Coast bias all day long as long as I got to look at him!

Honorable Mention-Michael Cuddyer, Twins; Casey Blake, Indians; Alex Rios, Blue Jays; Carl Crawford, Rays; Michael Young, Rangers


And like I said, I have limited experience with many of the Major League teams and would love to hear who you would put on the All Hottie team, who you might leave off and if you have anything to add to what I wrote.  Oh and, I'm too tired to do pitchers which is why they were left off.

EDIT: I added photos for your viewing pleasure, courtesy of Google Images.

Oh yes I do.  I am sitting here watching the Twins because I heart Adam Everett and because the Astros don't start until 9.  I only got to watch (and by watch I mean stare at mlb gameday because we don't have cable at my house) about an hour of the Astros game because I have to go to bed early for work.

It sucks that the Astros lost their first game, but it's not the end of the world and they were going against Jake Peavy.  I doubt very much that they will have many more shutouts.  When I went to bed Peavy still had the only two RBIs.  Roy clearly wasn't at his best last night, but again, I doubt very much that Roy will struggle the rest of the year.  And just to set the record straight...Yes, the Astros are still my team.  I love Adam Everett.  He is my favorite player so I am going to keep watching him, but the Astros are my hometown team and I love them too!

The Twins did win their opener however.  It was a thriller 3-2.  I don't care too much about how the team does.  I mean, I liked the Twins before Adam played for them, but the only reason I want them to win now is because I'd like to see Adam on a winning team.  He seems to be enjoying himself in Minnesota.  He made a couple of routine plays last night and went 0-4.  He lined hard into a double play to second base and then was about 1 foot foul of a grand slam.  Pretty exciting stuff.  And then tonight he hit a grounder to 2nd but he hit it well.  And he just made 2 OUTSTANDING plays.  The announcers are going crazy over his defense.  Mmmm...I love him.  He did really well in spring training.  Only one error and he hit .270 something.

Anyway, I'm thankful that the Twins have good announcers.  No one is as good as Bill Brown and Jim Deshaies, but these guys are good.  They clearly love baseball and talk about all players on the field and have good voice inflection. 

EDIT: So Adam made another awesome play...and then a throwing error...gross

Who's excited to see some Astros baseball????  THIS GIRL!!!!!!!  I just searched "Adam Everett" in a Twins blog and found this.  Thought some of you might enjoy it! 

"Adam Everett is back after staying in bed for two days with the flu. Everyone calls him “Killer” now, though nobody will take credit for the nickname. It likely came out of the Punto-Redmond think tank, and Punto says it’s a good fit: “Just look at him.” We were joking that Everett looks like one of those guys about whom neighbors one day have to go on TV and say, “He was such a quiet man, kept to himself, seemed nice enough. We never suspected he was capable of anything like this.” Mike Lamb, his teammate in Houston, agreed with that assessment. So did Everett have a nickname with the Astros? “Yeah,” Lamb told us. “I think it was ‘Adam.’ “"


"Adam Everett wasn’t sure which field he was supposed to report to for batting practice, and he blamed the Twins’ inscrutable daily planner, posted on the clubhouse board. It’s color-coded about 12 different ways, has all sorts of initials and abbreviations, about six different typefaces and seemingly random words underlined. “It’s like rocket science. C’mon, this is baseball,” Everett joked. “It’s a kid’s game.”"


"Nice running catch in center field, way more effort than anyone usually puts in to shag a BP fly ball. I thought, “Wow, Pridie’s really hustling out there.” Nope. Batting coach Joe Vavra pointed out that it was Adam Everett, killing time before infield practice began."


"Punto said just in his brief workout with Adam Everett yesterday, he could tell what a great fielder he is. Extremely fluid, great hands, he said. Impressive, especially on Day 1." 


EDIT:I found another addition:

"Spring training helped, of course. The players spent six weeks together, long enough to come up with a nickname for the mild-mannered Everett.

They call him Killer.

"He's a killer, man," Twins reserve Nick Punto said. "Look at him."

Right. The soft grin ... the flowing blonde locks ... California cool.

"We're trying to find something that sticks," catcher Mike Redmond said. "We've tried Sunshine. You know, a bunch of different things.

"I mean, obviously, Killer? I don't even know where that came from. He definitely doesn't have that type of look. We're trying. Everybody in baseball's got to have a nickname."

Last Monday, Everett spent the whole day in bed, laid up after being stricken with a flu bug that spread through the clubhouse. So Redmond had Gardenhire call his cell phone with a message: "Hey, Killer, get well soon."

And so it went this spring. A bunch of guys from everywhere else, getting to know each other in the Twins' clubhouse."

 More Adam stuff!  Thought you guys might be interested.  This article talks about Adam and Mike Lamb giving each other a hard time on their new team.  Also, just so you know, Adam hit a double against the Red Sox today!  And if you want to see a cute picture of him, go to the twins web page and there's a picture of him up on the front.  So adorable!

A&M baseball team is doing well.  AFter losing the double header against Northern Colorado last Saturday, we have won 6 in a row.  Our star hitter, Blake Stouffer, is still struggling at the plate but there is a reason that he is an All-American and a reason he was drafted so high and I have all the faith in the world that he will come around. 

Edit: this is a funny article about the scrappy players on the Twins.  When asked if Adam was one of those players, he said this:

""Yeah, I consider myself that kind of player. I'd just describe it as old school," said shortstop Adam Everett. "I'm not a guy who can stand in the 4-5-6 hole and hit the ball out. But there is an attention to detail — not just doing the little things, but doing them right — that I take pride in. When you're called upon to bunt, you get the bunt down. When you're called on to hit and run, you do it. And you don't complain. ... If that's a piranha, I hope I am." "

hehe!