The Astros had to play 12 innings last night before winning their third consecutive game against the Milwaukee Brewers. After four hours and much struggle, Hunter Pence finally hit a two run home run, ending the game 8-6.

"This is without a question my biggest win as a manager,'' Cooper said. "I can't say enough about the guys. They all laid it on the line.''

First baseman, Lance Berkman definitely helped lead his team to victory by hitting a home run, two doubles and a single in five at-bats, driving in four runs.

"Whenever you can win games like this, you never feel like you're out of it,'' Berkman said. "That's a good mentality to have. The only way you can get it is to be successful in these spots.''

The Astros are now 16-16 after their three in a row comeback games against the Brewers. Jose Cruz Jr. had a pinch single in a two-run fifth inning. Geoff Blum and Darin Erstad helped the Astros by each delivering singles in the ninth.

Astros reliever Geoff Geary who pitched two scoreless innings noticed the team's effort to play as one.

"I think it's just another steppingstone to the team playing together. We spent spring training trying to figure out each other. Today was one of those days when it seemed like nobody was really pressuring each other. It was like, `It's your turn to do your job. If you don't do it, I'll do it.' ''

Last night's game definitely proved the Astros as a team and probably helped convince fans that the team is in it for the long run.
Let's just hope this year is better than the last.

African Americans and Baseball

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in baseball's major leagues. Robinson led the way for many blacks, which might cause some to wonder why only 8 percent of major league baseball players are black.



Cecil Cooper, was made the Astros' first black manager in Astros history. This shows a huge step in diversity regarding authority, so why are black players decreasing?

Richard Lapchick, Director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida, has noticed the decrease

“Jackie Robinson’s dream was to see more African-Americans playing, coaching and in the front office. It is ironic that as the role of people of color dramatically
increases regarding who runs the game, African-American players continue to decrease."

The Astros are definitely making progress. Their 2005 World Series team was the first team in more than 50 years to play in the World Series without a single black player. Now the Astros have three black players, a black manager, even Kazuo Matsui, a Japanese player has become an Astro.

"We look different, we're diverse, if you think about it," said Cecil Cooper, "It's a pretty significant step. I don't think it was consciously done for that purpose, it was done because they were guys that were right for our team and we went for it."

Hopefully the progress of the Astros will spread throughout the entire league. The percentage of blacks playing the game is lower than ever, but with strides like these, the number is bound to increase.

Jackie Robinson has paved the way for many people today. Not only for black baseball players, but for any person who hopes to one day make their dream come true.

April 15th has been named "Jackie Robinson" day. Each year players, coaches, and managers take the field wearing the number 42.

"The significance of Jackie Robinson Day is not lost on anyone," said Bob DuPuy, MLB's president and chief operating officer. "As more and more people realize what April 15 means, not only for baseball, but for our country in general, I think you're going to see the celebration grow annually."

Jackie Robinson's number 42 has recently become unretired. It has been decided that any player who wishes to take over and wear the number may do so.

Michael Bourn, center fielder for the Astros, wore the number 42 when the Astros opened their series in Philadelphia.

"Every year, when it comes around and you honor him, you think about him," Bourn said. "He's the one that started it. It's just always an honor to put 42 on. It always will be as long as I'm able to play the game."

Journalism or Attack?

I am shocked. You would think shortstop for Astros, Miguel Tejada, was brought on ESPN to take part in an interview to talk about the obvious... Baseball right? WRONG.

After the reporter asked a couple of normal questions, he then asked Tejada how old he was. Tejada answered 32. Wrong answer.



The reporter who apparently works for the FBI, called Tejada out on live television, with a copy of Tejada's birth certificate and all, asking him why he would lie about his age and if the federal government knows his real birthdate.

Tejada decided he didn't have to answer to this guy and left the interrogation... I mean interview room.

Some journalists might see this as a big step in their career. You can see the excitement in the reporter's eyes when he realizes Tejada just lied to his face on live tv. I just don't understand what makes this journalism. ESPN obviously lied about what they wanted to talk to Tejada about and then proceeded to ambush him.

Charles Barkley stood up for Tejada, saying he doesn't agree with the way ESPN handled the situation.

"I thought what they did to Miguel Tejada was one of the most Bush League things I've ever seen," Barkley said. "I would have slapped the hell out of that guy."

Miguel Tejada comes from a poor family in the Dominican Republic and had to lie about his age in order to come to the United States and play baseball. Of course it's not right to lie about your age, but is it really necessary to call somebody out on live television with documents? More importantly, is this journalism?

First back to back wins of ‘08

The Astros grabbed their first series win Sunday over the Florida Marlins with a 5-1 victory. It’s too early to jump for joy, especially since the Marlins are one of the most inexperienced teams in the majors.

Starting pitching continues to be the biggest surprise of the young season. Lefty Wandy Rodriguez threw another gem at home to get the rotation their second win in as many days. He pitched seven innings allowing only one run and striking out seven.

The Astros played once again without regular third baseman Ty Wigginton, who was moved to the 15-day disabled list. Hunter Pence was also given a much-needed afternoon off after scuffling through the first two weeks of the season. Michael Bourn hit his first home run as an Astro and rookie catcher J.R. Towles hit his third bomb of the season, which is about two more than the Astros are accustomed to getting from the catcher’s spot.

The lone piece of bad news from the afternoon was Towles getting hit in the wrist with a pitch. He left the game to get x-rays and is listed as day-to-day. That’s not a big issue since veteran Brad Ausmus can capably fill in.

The outlook on the season continues to brighten as the bats start to heat up. As long as the pitching stays the way it has been and ace Roy Oswalt’s struggles aren’t injury-related, the Astros should be in a for a successful season.

The Astros have a day off before traveling to Philadelphia to face former closer Brad Lidge and the Phillies. It should be interesting to see if the Astros can beat him around just like everyone else did the last two seasons while he was in Houston. Keep the good weather coming and I’ll see you at Minute Maid Park next weekend.

They're coming home

The first week of the season is in the books. The results of the Astros’ road trip aren’t entirely surprising. Fives losses, poor situational hitting and unstable pitching, I thought changes were made in the offseason?

The biggest question mark entering the season was starting pitching. There have only been two bad starts so far. That’s a pleasant surprise, but what is not pleasant about that is that both of those starts came from staff-ace Roy Oswalt. You would like to believe that Oswalt is the ultimate pro and that he will work his way through this rough patch, but knowing that he complained of having a tired arm in Spring Training causes great concern.

Berkman, who's recently been having neck problems, is feeling a little
better... but not enough to play.

Last night I was like, 'This thing is starting to feel better.' Then I turned my neck a certain way and it was - I wouldn't call it paralyzing - but it certainly sent a jolt and I was like, 'Oh, no.' But I've got a lot more flexibility. I can turn my neck a little further than I could yesterday.

Today is the home opener against division-rival St. Louis and Wandy Rodriguez takes the hill where he is clearly more comfortable than on the road. Last year he had a 2.94 ERA at home, while sporting a 6.37 mark on the road. Hopefully he continues his home magic, which is likely if he can keep Cardinals’ slugger Albert Pujos in the ballpark.

The injury bug has already started to bite the Astros, but it seems as if none of them are too severe. Third baseman Ty Wigginton has a finger injury and first baseman Lance Berkman has missed a couple of games due to neck spasms. Both are expected to be back in the lineup as early as today.

Those types of injuries are the ones that would make me cringe if I were a manager. They aren’t serious enough to place the players on the disabled list to free up a roster spot so you just have play the games with a short bench. Then again, it never hurts to get the 24th and 25th players on the roster some playing time.

It’s exciting for baseball to be back in Houston and hopefully the winning ways return.

Opening Day is here

The Astros begin their 2008 season tonight on the West coast against the San Diego Padres. Staff aces and close friends Roy Oswalt and Jake Peavy square off against one another in Oswalt’s club-record 6th opening day start.

The Astros’ new-look roster will make its first appearance hoping to set the tone after a disappointing 2007 campaign. Some of the notable newcomers making their Astros debut tonight are Michael Bourn, Miguel Tejada and Jose Cruz Jr., son of first base coach and Astros legend Jose Cruz.

The biggest question heading into the season is pitching and Houston fans hope that question gets answered very quickly. Houston-native Woody Williams was released, so that gives the Astros a relatively young and inexperienced starting rotation after Roy Oswalt.

The powerful offense is finally one I can tolerate watching and even if the Astros are bad they should be fun to watch. Tonight I’ll go with the Astros winning 5-4 with Hunter Pence hitting a deciding double late in the game.

2008 Predictions:

3rd place in the National League Central (82-80), behind the Cubs and Brewers.

Season Preview

Baseball season is right around the corner and the buzz around Houston centers around the expectations and questions surrounding the Astros. With a team that looks drastically different from last year's, the Astros look to get back to their winning ways.

There were many new significant additions made to the club such as shortstop Miguel Tejada, closer Jose Valverde and center fielder Michael Bourn. Most of the changes will obviously enhance the offense, but will leave the pitching skeptical at best. Familiar faces Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, Brad Lidge and Chad Qualls are no longer with the team, which pleases many Astro fans.

With Spring Training about to wrap up, most of the roster decisions have been made by manager Cecil Cooper, who will begin his first full season at the helm. Some decisions such as whether or not to carry three catchers, keep 11 or 12 pitchers or who cracks the starting rotation have yet to be made. Roy Oswalt, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez and newcomer Shawn Chacon are all locks to be in the starting rotation. Veteran Woody Williams looked to be on his way out the door until he turned in a quality start today that could save his job. Since so much is invested in Williams, it is likely that fan-favorite Chris Sampson would be the odd man out of the rotation.

This season is unlike any other, especially being the start of the post-Bagwell-Biggio era. It will also be the first time the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox and perennial powerhouse New York Yankees play a regular season game in Houston. There is a lot to look forward to this season in Houston as long as Roger Clemens does not suit up again for the Astros.