Is it really true that the last time the Astros won was when Brandon Backe pitched on ESPN? Yes it is. Maybe THIS will help. (I’m sure that ESPN was hoping for Clemens vs Maddux, part 2 – remember that before the season started, the “experts” thought both teams were supposed to be contending – and my Stros are – for the worst road record in the history of baseball.)

A few comments by some of the few Astros fans sticking by our lousy team:
Comment by Gary – “Since fiddling with the lineup isn’t working, I wish they’d lock the positions and let the lineup stand for a few weeks – couldn’t be any worse. Of course, this is the team that defines the definition of insanity: trying the same thing over and over while expecting different results. As evidence I submit that fact (among others) that Astacio is scheduled to pitch Sunday. Mr. Batting Practice gets another start even though itís obvious after several starts he can’t keep the ball down. At least we have the solace of knowing every club we face loves to see us come to town.”

- yep. I got nothing to add.

Comment by Jared Buck – “When are the ownership going to get it and fire Phil and his staff? itís obvious we won’t be going anywhere anytime soon with his staff.”
- Well, Phil was fired, what, 10 games into the season by the Tigers (or was it the Brewers) and they had the right idea.

Comment by AG – “I hope all of you *do* realize that the season is over. And please don’t give me any of that 36-10 stuff. The Astros have ALWAYS been one of the most underachieving teams in baseball, and this season is no exception. Phil, or Tim, needs to realize this and let all of the kids play every day to get experience. We won’t win the wild card, we sure as hell won’t win the Central, so now is the time to let the kids play. And maybe have the same lineup for 2 days in a row.”
- no, I don’t think that 36 – 10 with THIS team is gonna happen unless ALL the ML pitchers replaced with little league guys. I agree with letting the kids play. I would MUCH prefer to watch Burke. And I want to stop the musical lineup and the constant use of bench guys as regulars.

As for the next manager – forget Larry Dierker. Forget Joe Morgan – he has said about a billion times that he doesn’t want to manage. Forget Tony Pena – he’s in some sort of adultery scandal in KC. Jim Leyland wants to be in Philly and I’m not real too impressed with Charlie Manuel. I was NOT impressed with Bob Brenly – to put it mildly, and neither were any of the D-bax fans I know – even when they were winning. Don’t think Larry Bowa will go over real too big here. It would have to be someone a lot like Alan Trammell – real good with rookies and has a clue what to do with the bullpen (oh yeah, forget Grady Little, too.) And he needs to bring a decent hitting coach with him, too. Lessee – Davey Johnson said he was through with managing, Bobby V is in Japan. I would LUUUUVVVV Lou Pinella, but I think he’s got 2 more years and I don’t think he wants to leave his home and family in Tampa, even though the team sucks (sort of like Roger Clemens here in Houston…) Oh yeah – NOOOOO to Bob Boone, Tony Muser or Art Howe. ESPECIALLY Boone. And Muser – ESPECIALLY Muser – that dude makes Phil look like a genius.

Craig Biggio as player-manager, as Tom suggests in the Comments?
Well, I LUUUVVVV it – talk about good PR. If we gonna lose, and we GONNA lose, I’d rather do it with all the rooks learning (send Astacio down and bring up Gothreaux) and it would be COOL to have an in-team manager. But I don’t know if Biggio wants to manage and I think he probably wants to try to climb a little higher on the doubles/runs scored type lists because there are people out there who be doubting that he belongs in the HOF – believe it or not…
Anyone wanna comment about Gene Lamont?

So Backe to tonight’s game -
Brandon Backe, RHP vs Greg Maddux, RHP:
(all stats from thebaseballcube.com, yahoo.com and espn.com)

Backe this year: 3-3 in 9 GS (should be a LOT better but he has been screwed by lousy defense and relief pitching…) 6 HR, 16 BB, 40 K in 57.2 IP with a 5.15 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a .268 BAA.
vs.CHC: 1 – 1 in 3 GS and 1 in relief – 3 HR, 8 BB, 16 K over 17 IP with a 5.82 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a .294 BAA.
@ Wrigley (if you got blood pressure or a bad heart, DON’T LOOK) 0 – 1 with 1 GS and 1 in relief – 2 HR, 3 BB, 4 K in 3 IP with a 21.00 ERA, 4.33 WHIP and a .556 BAA.

Greg Maddux – he ain’t what he used to be but what he is is STILL good. Heck, we can’t even hit AAA pitchers…
(all stats from thebaseballcube.com, yahoo.com and espn.com)
this year: 2-2 in 9 GS with 8 HR, 11 BB, 34 K in 54.2 IP with a 4.12 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a .278 BAA
vs.HOU: 25 – 9 in 42 GS with 10 CG and 2 SO – 18 HR,70 BB, 179 K over 313 IP with a 2.53 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a .241 BAA.
@ Wrigley: 60 – 38 in 129 GS with 28 CG and 9 SO – 65 HR, 260 BB, 626 K over 913.0 IP with a 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIPand a .245 BAA.

Tags: Cubs, Houston Astros, MLB

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Astros baseball, Bandon Backe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.