Spring Training......

[Bearkat36]

The temperature is changing, protein feeders are being filled, and the big league clubs are in Arizona and Florida.........Yes, it's spring training and baseball is around the corner!!

Just wanted to throw a little something out there, and see if anyone would like to agree or disagree..........

I've made a $100 bet with my boss that the Astros will be playing in the NLCS! Is it foolish, maybe so, but I think this year is going to be something special!!!

Yes, pitching & defense wins championships, but the game has changed and now it's an offensive approach! When they had the pitching....they couldn't score, so it didn't matter how good the pitching was....now, they have a stacked lineup, a great bench with solid veterans who know their roles, a strong bullpen (with a lights out closer), and if the rotation can give them 6+ innings a game..........they are going to win a lot of games!!!

Any takers on this...........

[cj7zrcool]

Bring it on!! I've been waiting since November for baseball to start again. Umm...GO RANGERS!!

[Heath]

I have worked the last two Spring Trainings in the Cactus league in Arizona. It was a great time getting to work in the Major league and Minor league camps, getting to see some good baseball, and playing some golf while I was out in Arizona for almost a month.

This year my company has decided not to go to Spring Training with our glove line as we have done so well the last two years we have all the endorses we can handle right now. It is a little bitter sweet as I was looking forward to going back out there.

[Dale Moser]

Bring it on!! I've been waiting since November for baseball to start again. Umm...GO RANGERS!!

I don't think what the Rangers are gonna run out there will qualify for "Baseball"........Tom Hicks is a sorry SOB!

[junior]

Bearkat, you might win a few with no pitching, but in the long run pitching is what wins the games.
Dale we gotta give Nolan time to work some magic, he'll get things going now that he's part of the system!

[kfd82]

Cant wait to see the Astros in action again!!! The line up is sure to produce lots of runs this year. Just wish we had better pitching.
Maybe wandy will come around and be able to pitch at home and on the road. Really, I cant believe we still have Wandy on the payroll.

[Mailman]

I am SO READY for baseball... It will be very interesting to see if the Astros have enough pitching to go with that line-up.

I had high hope for the Rockets, but they announced today that Yao is out for the remainder of the season and play-offs, that hurts.

I ain't rooting for the Mavs or Spurs either!!!

[DamonJ]

I don't think what the Rangers are gonna run out there will qualify for "Baseball"........

I will agree with the Hicks comment, but I think you may be suprised with this group..

[Heath]

Cleat-chasers.

One of the best words in the game.

[Dale Moser]

I will agree with the Hicks comment, but I think you may be suprised with this group..

Who is gonna pitch?

[cj7zrcool]

I will agree with the Hicks comment, but I think you may be surprised with this group..

I have to agree. I'm the eternal optimist when it comes to the Rangers, but Hick's will never do what it takes make the Rangers contenders. Baseball salaries are ridiculously high, but it is the nature of today's game. It's a multi-billion dollar entertainment business. Either get in, or get the hell out. I don't claim to know exactly how to put the Rangers in a world series, but I do know that in cities where the team owner(s) are committed to winning, they do whatever it takes to put themselves in a position to contend every year, like the Yankees....and I despise the Yankees.

[kfd82]

What do you mean they dont have a closer?
They have the best closer in the national league.

And I will agree the pitching could be WAY better, they do have Backe who came back pretty strong last year after tommy john surgery. I think he will be a good compliment to Oswalt.
Its the rest of the rotation that worries the heck out of me.

[cj7zrcool]

Who is gonna pitch?

That, as always, is the BIGGEST problem. No pitching. Millwood says he's now healthy. So does McCarthy. Who knows what planet Padilla will fly in from. It's always retreads or prospects, all hoping to find lightening in jar.

[Oz_Ag]

I don't know how they'll do with the lack of pitching, but I do know that Roy-O will win the Cy Young. I can't imagine him ever losing if he can keep his ERA around 3.00. He should get plenty of run support this year!

Go Stros! Sucks to be a Rockets fan right now!

[DamonJ]

Who is gonna pitch?

Always the question with the Rangers. I do not have the answer, but I am hoping they bring up some young arms and let them throw get in the mix.