Biggio FYI

Craig Biggio begins the 2007 season with 2930 career hits. Biggio stands to become the FIRST member of the 3000 hit club ever to have played a game (427) at Catcher. The present leader in hits holding that distinction is Hall of Famer Adrian Constantine "Cap" Anson, whose career spanned 1876-1897. Anson appeared in 83 games at Catcher, and he finished with 2995 career hits...

***This is a Paulsen post.***

Earth to Houston

This just in from the Round Rock Express and Houston Astro game Thursday night in Round Rock. Hunter Pence hits a 2-run shot off Brad Lidge. Watch it Lane, it's a short leash.

Word on the streets in Atlanta from Blodge (aka Dan Marino)

I talked to Blodge in Atlanta to get his take on Schaub. He was taken by surprise when first hearing the news. He offers us his insight. Check it out.

Welcome Matt Schaub; Farewell To Carr

6'5" 237lbs; two professional starts at quarterback; hottest back-up prospect in the NFL; I don't know what any of that translates to but I bet I can safely say that we will be able to throw past the line of scrimmage. I like the physical attributes, but only time will tell if this turns out to be a good deal. Kubiak is really putting his neck out there on this one. Not only does he admit that he was wrong in passing on Vince in favor of Carr (don't tell me the new head coach had no input whatsoever in who his quarterback would be) but he also is trading two potential starters for this quarterback. For a team needing help in many areas this kind of mistake could set us back considerably. Quarterback guru Koobs obviously is not the most astute evaluator of quarterback talent (Gives Plummer and Carr the OK and passes on VY). Don't get me completely wrong. I am dancing a jig today. There is a reason now to be optimistic about the 2007 season, and how this effects the draft is considerable. The early word is to go after the fastest man in the draft, Ted Ginn Jr to pair with Dr. Dre and Schaubie. Stay tuned.

"Rain Man" -ager Must Have Lidge, Rodriguez

Why was it news that Brad Lidge threw Batting Practice the other day? Lidge spent most of 2006 throwing Batting Practice (when he wasn't perfecting his "walk" pitch. the dirt-seeking slider.) The Astros' paid paragon of mental inflexibility, Phil Garner, insists that Lidge isn't available for trade. Why not? Trade him now while he still has significant value and get something in return. Lidge was unhittable in 2004, but he's never recovered from the 2005 Post Season. Keep Lidge and risk testing Brad Ausmus' reflexes and the fans' patience.

Wandy Rodriguez has a 5.19 ERA this spring, so he's already in mid-season form. What is Phil's fascination with this "Big Inning waiting to happen" AAA lifer?

**This post submitted by Paulsen**

Spring is here!

Just back from Spring Break. Don't think there is some shortage of women who hate the cowboys. I just wasn't here to post. Spring brings us NFL draft talk, Baseball and Hoops. Good hoops. The NBA starts the stretch run to the playoffs, and the NCAA tourney is in full swing. Can Bonzi & Jeff kiss and make up, so he can get into condition and develop some chemistry during the last month of the season. We need all the weapons we can get. He may not have shown much thus far, but this is a guy who put up 20pts and 10 boards just last year in the first round of the playoffs. Too bad for Texas. Durant just couldn't get any help. Danny Ainge (putz) and he will be laughing about that $30,000 fine someday down the road. Go with Durant Danny because you won't have to wait as long for him to develop like Oden. You'll be fired before Oden is dominant. Not that he won't be, but Durant comes in averaging 20-25 a night. Team him with Jefferson and Pierce and it's a whole new look Celtics. They just need to find a point. How about Ohio State coming from 9 behind with 3 minutes to go? Fantastic finish. My boy Nieve appears to be gaining a foothold on one of the open spots in the rotation, and what is the magic batting average for Pence to force the Astros hand? .400+ I think it's .500+ and he is at .590 now. With only a week or so to go, he should end up over .500. Let's hope the Astros put our centerfielder of the future out there like they did Taveras after just AA. Here's my Tourney bracket for those that want a peek into the mind of a freakin' genius. (I filled it out in 7 minutes)

"Depenceless" Point To Ponder

The Jason Jennings deal has left the Astros with a projected outfield of Lee, Burke and Scott. One converted second baseman and two left fielders. This defensively suspect trio COMBINED for 9 outfield assists last season - the same number (9) single-handedly achieved by the departed Willy Taveras. In the event one might wonder... Apparently Round Rock bound Hunter Pence had 13 outfield assists at Corpus Christi in 2006. For anyone not paying attention, Pence is hitting *.636 this Spring.

*as of 3/13/07

**This post submitted by Paulsen.**

Carr Redux?

Okay, the latest on the rumor mill is that we will make a trade with Washington to move up to # 6 if Brady is still there. I don't know about you, but I am ready for a break from the so-called franchise quarterback. I mean do we give this guy 5 years to develop too? I want to see a winner before I start drawing social security checks. The guy could be the be all end all. He is fairly well credentialed, been coached by a former top NFL assistant, blah, blah, blah. Could we stop going with the first and only option? Ala, Ahman Green. Let's build a hellacious defense to go along with a scrappy veteran quarterback. David, do not bother applying. Guys who throw their O-line under the bus at every turn do not command nor deserve their teammates respect, and they especially would not be deemed "scrappy leaders". Back to Brady Quinn. I posted two photos for a reason. The one on the left represents all of the potential in a top prospect quarterback who played at a big time college. The one on the right is if Quinn turns out to be Carr.

Women Who Hate The Cowboys

Our new installment, 'Women Who Hate The Cowboys', will appear on Fridays. Believe me when I tell you, there are plenty of them out there. Jessica is our leadoff hitter, and she said her disgust with the Cowboys goes back to the Leon Lett "it go" days.

Texans Foolproof Mediocrity Plot

Unload a lot of "Green" on a 30 year old Running Back with a history of injury. Draft a quarterback in the second or third round. The "dream" backfield of Drew Stanton and Ahman Green has opposing coaches huddled in their respective film rooms (deciding whether to watch HBO, Showtime or Cinemax.) Remember, that "new team smell" becomes another aroma after five years...

**This post submitted by Paulsen**