They realize 1 guy isn't pitching this year and the other has never played in the MLB before right?

Will the Dodgers play Turning Japanese by The Vapors before every home game?

The dodgers should play a regular season series in Tokyo during the 2025 season. It would likely break all ticket sales and merchandise records

97 Days until opening day so let's check in on the 1997 Houston Astros.

You young guys have no idea what it was to suffer without the playoffs. In 1997, we made it back after an 11-year drought, mostly because of realignment, because 84-78 ain't that good. We did that under Larry Dierker who went straight from the broadcast booth to the dugout, a move that seemed bat **** crazy at the time. He replaced Terry Collins, who was perpetually pissed about something.

Opening Night was a beautiful thing at the Dome. I was there! One of 13 straight home openers I went to from 86-99.
Astros v. Braves, Shane Reynolds vs. John Smoltz, Bagwell scores Biggio on an RBI groundout in the first inning, Larry Jones hits a solo shot off Shaner in the third, but Astro legend Pat Listach delivers the sac fly in the bottom of the third to make it 2-1.

And that was it, a pitcher's duel won by the good guys. Shaner went 8 innings and struck out 7, and Billy the Kid closed it in the 9th. Smoltook the complete game loss. The Astros got off to a 15-11 start but were only 40-42 at the end of June. They got hot with a 19-7 July, swooned again in August, and were up just 1-1/2 games at 70-68 over the Pirates on September 2. They built the lead up by basically playing .500 ball while the Pirates couldn't do ***** On September 25, the 11-year anniversary of the day they won the '86 NL West, they beat the crap out of the Cubs, 9-1, to clinch the NL Central.

Biggio had his best year to date, with 146 runs scored, 191 hits, 37 2B, 8 3B, 22 HR, 81 RBi, 47 steals, 84 BB, a OPS of .916, and played in all 162 games.
Bagwell also played all 162 and hit 43 HR, stole 31 bases, drove in 135 runs, and had more walks (127) then strikeouts (122).

Darryl Kile (RIP) had his best year as a pro, going 19-7 with a 2.57 ERA and 205 strikeouts at age 28.
25-year-old Mike Hampton was 15-10. Billy Wagner, just 25, had 23 saves and a 2.85 ERA.

The playoffs were practically over before they started. Game 1 vs. the Braves was a 2-1 classic with Maddux pitching a complete game. Kile took the loss, 2 runs in 7 innings.

The team looked clueless in Game 2, losing 13-3 and making 2 errors that led to 4 unearned runs.

I was 23 and took off work to go see Game 3 at the Dome, a 4-1 loss for the sweep. Smoltz had a 1 hitter going in the last of the 7th when Chuckie Carr of all people hit a home run off him.

For the series, Bagwell and Biggio each hit .083. Meanwhile, Darryl Kile went 2 for 2 at the plate, and the combo of Brad Ausmus and Tony Eusebio were 4 for 8 (.500).

Still, it was a year of breakthroughs and started the second-best era of team history, with four playoff trips in five years, and 6 in 9 years. Bagwell and Biggio both won SIlver SLugger awards and were named All-Star starters. Bags was 3rd, and Biggio 4th. Kile was 5th for Cy Young and Dierker finished third for manager of the year behind, you guessed it, Dusty Baker.









The 1997 division clincher on WGN. Yes, that is Bobby Abreu playing CF for the Astros. Cringe.An extremely skinny Sammy Sosa makes the last out.


1997 NLDS Game 3 - Jon Miller and Reggie Jackson the call. Carr's HR at 1:39.00.

Friend was taking tour of Minute Maid today and ran into McCullers that was there working out.

Glad to hear he was putting work in.

He's from the wrong island.

Thinice said:

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Friend was taking tour of Minute Maid today and ran into McCullers that was there working out.

Glad to hear he was putting work in.

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I'm aligned with everyone in "believe it when I see it" mode with regard to LMJ making a meaningful contribution this year. With that said, man, what a bonus it would be if he did get back to his usual self earlier than expected (May/June). The whole staff looks different with him slotted into the 3/4 rotation spot. And what his presence would do in terms of our ability to give Javier, Framber and JV a little rest over the course of the season.

We need to trade for Miller before he blows up next season.

The data on Bryce Miller’s splitter is insane!
80 mph
884 rpm
-3 IVB (43 in vMov)
15.7 in hMov
Among qualified splitters in the Majors:
vMov: 1st
hMov: 2nd
Spin: 5th lowest(low spin is good) https://t.co/7SAV7t2XwZ

— Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) December 23, 2023

The Mets' record luxury tax bill more than doubles the previous mark ($43.6M paid by the Dodgers in '15) 😳 pic.twitter.com/ttVLxN18MZ

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 23, 2023

All that for a 2022 wild card exit and a 2023 missed postseason. Plus trading away the biggest signings

There are no poor teams. Just teams that refuse to spend money while the owner takes off profits.

Mathguy64 said:

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There are no poor teams. Just teams that refuse to spend money while the owner takes off profits.

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BadAggie said:

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I mean, if they are going with the stereotype just spell it GODZIRRA

bearkatag15 said:

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An ugly hat?

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Saw it in a Russian shop near the border, so maybe evil empire is right…

Astros fan equivalent of getting a lump of coal