Merry Christmas (and long overdue Houston Astros 2022 World Series champs post)

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! This is a much long overdue post of 2022 World Series champions Houston Astros. Why would I post something that happened six weeks ago? I tried to put words in it, but it kept going blank. The truth is, I couldn't put words into a fan's ecstasy of his favorite team winning the World Series. When I take a look at this team you can never ever count them out ever. Astros are already driven by opposition dislike that they channel it into motivation. Whatever adversary comes at them they tackled it head on finding ways to fill in the gaps. It started before the season when Carlos Correa left in free agency. Team plugged rookie Jeremy Pena in his spot. Very quickly he made fans forget about losing Correa as he went to have amazing rookie season from the start of the season to the end of the World Series netting himself Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP. Team's ace Justin Verlander, coming from TJ surgery and being out for a year and half season, quieted doubters as he never lost a step on the mound leading the league ERA and winning Cy Young award. Alex Bregman started the season off slow, but bounce back in the middle of the season end in a solid high note. Offensive contributor Michael Brantley was lost for the entire season for a shoulder injury during the middle of the season. The team worked their way around with Chas McCormick filling in his spot in left field while Yordan Alvarez is plugged in DH role. Speaking of Yordan, he and Kyle Tucker provided 1-2 punch in the lineup. Jose Altuve went on a huge slump during the playoffs only to break out of it at right time at game 4 of ALCS against New York Yankees. When Yulieski Gurriel got hurt and pulled from the game 5 of World Series due to injury, Trey Mancini, who the Astros picked up around the trade deadline, filled in for him at first base. He made, not only, inning ending, but one of game saving plays snagging a line drive off Kyle Schwarber preventing potential runs from scoring. That same game in the bottom of the 9th inning, another game-saving play made when Chas McCormick (who took over injured Michael Brantley spot during middle of the year) caught a deep fly ball from J.T. Realmuto ending potential threat from the Phillies. There's the pitching as they formed a solid starting rotation core with Framber Valdez breaking out on his own along Christian Javier, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy. Speaking of Christian Javier he started both of the team's combined no-hitter games this season. This despite not having starter Lance McCullers, Jr. for most of the season due to injury. When McCullers returned he pitched decent in 8 starts. The middle relief no longer became questionable with the core of Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Ryne Stanek, and Hector Neris holding the lead before turning it over to Ryan Pressly closing it out. The team proved naysayers wrong and became a case of be careful what you wish for or you might get it. When Yankees fans chanted on wanting the Astros in ALCS, they swept them badly. When Yankees manager Aaron Boone complained about the roof being open at Minute Maid Park causing a potential homerun to become fly out, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pena hit a homerun in the open air confines of Yankees Stadium. Phillies fans, not only demanded Astros in the World Series, but poke the bear going after Astros super fan and philanthropist Mattress Mack. Astros responded with three straight series clinching wins as well combined no-hitting the Phillies. It's fitting the one of final runs Astros scored in the season when Yordan Alvarez turned Jose Alvarado into Mitch Williams sending a 3-run 450 feet homerun shot into center field of Minute Maid Park to give them the lead for good. Astros World Series championship gave them redemption and manager Dusty Baker a long overdue World Series ring as manager. Was this a magical season for the Astros? It's too easy say that. I will say this Astros season started with driven motivation for being branded the "bad guys" with some bad breaks in between and ended with Kirk Cousins-esence "You like that?!" moment.

After six weeks I finally puts words into this. How? I received my Christmas presents and I felt that ecstatic joy once the second the ball hit the glove for the final out of 2022 season clinching World Series championship.

I love having championship gear of my favorite team. Not pictured is the 10-card Topps Now Astros World Series set. Here to the 2022 World Series champions the Houston Astros!

As of this posting the team will be missing few players from the championship through free agency like Verlander, Aledmys Diaz, and Trey Mancini, as well searching for GM. They might not re-sign Yulieski who is a free agent. They re-signed Rafael Montero and kept all their coaches. For the team's first big free agency move they signed Jose Abreu. Meanwhile, former Astro Carlos Correa, who gambled on himself after a season with Twins, find his signing with New York Mets in potential limbo because of concerns from his physical.

Those Prospects from 2001

It's fun going through past programs from minor league teams and listing the top prospects. This one from 2001 Midland Rockhounds program as they preview Texas League teams along top 30 prospects from the affiliate system. It's interesting look at hits, misses, mind baffling list rankings, and what happen to the team afterwards. Let's start out with El Paso Diablos who was Diamondbacks double-A affiliate at the time. Their no. 1 prospect of the year is......

Alex Cintron. He played four seasons before getting flipped to Chicago White Sox playing for two seasons and follow it up with stints as member of Orioles and Nationals. He would take up coaching after his playing career and is currently Astros hitting coach. No. 2 Jack Cust would bounce around the league before finding a home as member of Oakland A's in DH role hitting homeruns. The best two players on the list is Jose Valverde (no. 10) and Brandon Webb (no. 27). Valverde became 3-time All-Star and lead the league in saves three times, all playing with different teams (Diamondbacks, Astros, Tigers). Webb became a Cy Young winner (2006) and 3-time All-Star in his six seasons with the team before injuries ended his career. He attempted a comeback in 2011 playing 4 games with Rangers affiliate Frisco Roughriders. Lyle Overbay (no. 11) finished the season as Diamondbacks minor league player of the year. As for the original El Paso Diablos they moved to Springfield, MO becoming the Cardinals after 2004 season. The new Diablos team played independent ball til they got a new team (El Paso Chihuahuas) as well new stadium becoming Triple-A affiliate of San Diego Padres.

When Round Rock Express was Double-A team and affiliated with Astros. They got it right with Roy Oswalt at no. 1  as he became the ace of the Astros pitching staff most of 2000s. I still wonder to this day how Brad Lidge was perfect all regular season and the playoffs (All-Star game don't count) in his first season with Philadelphia Phillies helping them to World Series championship. Adam Everett (no. 6), Morgan Ensberg (no. 15), and Jason Lane (no. 22) become regular starters on the field for the Astros. J-Lane would take up pitching and return to the league as one. Chad Qualls (no. 19) had long journeyman career playing in the majors from 2004-2017. Round Rock moved up to Triple-A and end up being Texas Rangers affiliate.

San Antonio Missions is still around which included a single season stint as Triple-A team. This is first year they became Mariners affiliate. In a strange twist how the hell did they rank Ryan Anderson no. 1 over ICHIRO, who went on to be one of greatest hitters ever? Anderson never made it to the majors as he battled injuries. Ichiro accomplishment would take forever so let's say automatic Hall of Fame selection. Outside of him Joel Pineiro (no. 4), Willie Bloomquist (no. 7), and Shin-Soo Choo (no. 14) went on to have long careers. Pineiro spent 13 years in the majors which include brief stop with Red Sox, three years with Cardinals, and two with Angels. Bloomquist played 15 years as utility player most of them with Mariners. Choo would get shipped to Indians playing 6 1/2 with them then spent a season with Reds via trade. He signed with Rangers where he shone. For Missions they are currently Padres AA-affiliate. I seen the talent Padres crank out throughout the years. They should have kept some instead going for broke and blowing it up in their face like this year.

Arkansas Travelers is another team that is still around to the day. 2001 is the first season as Angels affiliate. Another baffling no. 1 with Joe Torres on top over K-Rod. Torres played 13 seasons AND never made it. I even got his autograph at a game back in 2011 as a member of Rangers affiliate Frisco Roughriders. K-Rod and John Lackey would become big part of 2002 Angels World Series championship. K-Rod became a 6-time All-Star and holds the record with most saves in a season at 62. Lackey became very reliable starter led the AL in ERA in 2007. Fireballer Bobby Jenks (no. 25) signed with White Sox after Angels released him where he became their closer and as well being part of 2005 World Series Championship team. There was another Johan Santana except he played three seasons making it high at A-ball. Travelers is currently Mariners AA-affiliate.

Shreveport baseball sure changed. Originally called Captains they changed their name to Swamp Dragons in 2001. I still remember their hideous looking green jerseys. They were Giants affiliate at the time and talk about weak system. Jerome Williams took the no. 1 spot and would have journeyman career. Kurt Ainsworth didn't fare much better and neither than Tony Torcato and Lance Niekro. Ryan Vogelsong (no. 5) and Pedro Feliz (no. 8) are the two from the top 10 that have decent career. Vogelsong struggled in his first part of his career he plied his trade in Japan for few years before returning to play. He would become a reliable pitcher and contributor of Giants 2012 and 2014 World Series championship. For Shreveport team it was sad saga. With very small attendance (on one box score clipping they reported 400 in the crowd) their team would be sold and moved to Frisco becoming Roughriders after 2002 season. Shreveport got another baseball team playing in the independent American Association league, first as Sports then changed to Captains, from 2003-2011. Like previous team the team got sold and moved.

Rangers had a long affiliation with Tulsa Drillers. Carlos Pena was no. 1 on that year list getting time in majors later that season with future All-Star flashed all over him. His career path took a strange twist as he got traded to Oakland A's (A's would part with few prospects that will be mention later on) months before 2002 season where it took 40 games for them to unload him to Detroit Tigers where he played for 3 1/2 seasons. After a trying 2006 season playing in Yankees AAA club and 18 game stint with Red Sox he signed with Tampa Bay Rays in 2007. It was there he unleashed all of his All-Star potential with comeback player of the year (2007) and All-Star nod in 2009 when he should have made in 2007 and 2008. His career lasted to 2014 as he played his final season with Rangers coming full circle. Few of the pitchers went on to journeyman career such as Joaquin Benoit (no. 5) , Colby Lewis (no. 6), and Danny Kolb (no. 24). After struggling early in his career and cast aside Lewis spent two seasons in Japan before returning and going full circle playing with Rangers as he became a reliable starter. Kolb got All-Star nod in 2005 as member of Brewers. Kevin Mench (no. 4) and Hank Blalock (no. 10) became regular starters for Rangers as they provided the offense. Travis Hafner (no. 12) gets shipped to Indians (along with Aaron Myette) where he had four straight seasons with 100 RBIs as well hitting homeruns. This is kinda of same thing with Rangers minor league system through the decades: Produce hitters, not pitchers. If they do the pitchers are long journeyman playing multiple teams. Rangers drop Tulsa as their double-A affiliate after 2002 season and signed on with newly rechristen Frisco Roughriders (formerly Shreveport Captains/Swamp Dragons). Don't blame them since its a 45 minute to hour drive from Arlington to Frisco. Tulsa would become Rockies double-A affiliate til 2014 when Dodgers bought part of the Drillers and became their double-A club in 2015.

Wichita Wranglers was Kansas City Royals double-A affiliate. Talk about yikes when I look at the list. Royals minor league system was rough during this time. No. 1 Chris George had very bad four seasons with Royals. Dee Brown (no. 2) only had one season (out of 8 in the majors) where he played over 100 games. Mike MacDougal (no.3) had a journeyman career as did Jeremy Affeldt (no. 16). Jimmy Gobble (no. 4) switched to relief to where he one good season then back to ERA over four. Alexis Gomez (no. 9) spent his career bouncing between majors and minors, mostly in the minors. Mike Tonis (no. 14) and Byron Gettis (no. 29) had cup of coffee in the majors. Two top players on the list had very short careers. Angel Berroa won rookie of the year in 2003 and that was his peak. He forgot how to hit the next following years and was out of the league after 2009 season along multiple stints in the minors. Ken Harvey had a good first half in 2004 being Royals lone All-Star representative. Then he collided with teammate Jason Grimsley on a play. He wasn't the same afterwards and was out of the league after 2005 season. While still as Royals double-A club Wichita Wranglers relocated to Springdale, AK becoming Northwest Arkansas Naturals after 2007 season. Independent team Wingnuts replaced them playing til Wichita got a new minor league team (also double-A) known as Wind Surge.

Off to Oakland A's as their no. 1 prospect of 2001 is........

Jose Ortiz who I never heard of. After researching he was one of three players (one of them also a prospect) traded to Rockies for Jermaine Dye later that season. 2002 was his final season in the majors as he spent most of his career in Japan. Interesting look at potential 2004 A's lineup where seven of players listed no longer on the time when it came time three years later. The remaining nine prospects....

... and yeah. Call it all-trade prospect team. Only two remain in the A's system when 2005 season started and one remained after the season ended. Jason Hart, Ryan Ludwick, and Mario Ramos (along with Gerald Laird) got sent to the Rangers in the Carlos Pena (and Mike Venafro) trade. All three made it with the Rangers. Only one had a longer career. Hart career got cut short for cancer. Ramos spent two weeks with Rangers til he DFA and A's picked him up where he spent remainder of his career in the minors. Ludwick played for six teams in 14 years. His best years with Cardinals which included a 2008 All-Star selection. Mario Encarncion was part of the Jermaine Dye. Like Ortiz he was out of the league after 2002 season. Justin Miller got sent to Blue Jays in Billy Koch trade after 2001 season. He played for 4 teams in 7 years also yoyo-ing between the majors and minors. Berroa was no longer on the team and already ranked no. 6 in Royals prospect list. Fast Freddie Bynum got September call up in 2005 and got sent to Cubs in a three-way trade after the season 2005. Chad Harville get shipped to Astros early of 2004 season. Eric Byrnes got a call up for 14 game stint between May through July then return in the September call up in 2001. He spent first month of 2002 in the minors but getting called up in May where he remained as every day starter til he got traded middle of 2005 season to the Rockies only to gets shipped to Orioles two weeks later. For Midland Rockhounds they still remain as A's double-A affiliate over 22 years and going.

A good look at teams top prospects from a good two decades. I'm still baffled Ichiro wasn't no. 1 on Mariners top prospects list of 2001.

2015-2021 Astros = Modern Day 1988-1992 A's

It's known I'm an Houston Astros. I take another tough pill to swallow as drop another World Series. Dusty Baker couldn't manage to win a big one when it comes. The team bats went silent and pitching was suspect. Loss of Lance McCullers, Jr. to injury didn't help. Team is loaded with talent built up from 2014. Now looking at this team I can't help but think 1988-1992 Oakland A's. Both teams were loaded with talent. Both teams went on make the playoffs and the World Series. Both end up with one in those World Series trips when they felt they should have won more than one.

A's had Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, Dave Stewart, and Dennis Eckersley as their top players with good backing from Carney Lansford, Dave Henderson, Walt Weiss, Terry Steinbach, and Bob Welch. A's was a stacked team during the Bash Brothers era. You expected a dynasty out of them during the five year period and it almost looked that way. In 1988, they reached to World Series only to get beat by Los Angeles Dodgers in five games known for the Kirk Gibson homerun. In 1989, they reached to World Series again and won it sweeping San Francisco Giants. The celebration was subdue as an earthquake hit before start of game 3 resulting many deaths around the area. In 1990, reached to World Series for third consecutive time only to get swept by Cincinnati Reds. In those three years they had the best record in the league. In 1991, they missed the playoffs. In 1992, won AL West only to lose the AL pennant to World Series champions Toronto Blue Jays. After that season the team collapsed. Jose Canseco traded to Texas Rangers, Dave Stewart signing with Blue Jays, Carney Lansford retired, and Mark McGwire only played 27 games due to injury. Rickey, Dave, Terry, and Walt remained with Bobby Witt (one of three players from Canseco trade) and Ruben Sierra (free agent pickup) as new members of the team. 1993 A's finished in bottom of AL West standings. Jose Canseco would admit being on steroids during that time and outed Mark McGwire along causing irreparable damage between the two. The 1988-1992 Oakland A's was one of those should been a dynasty, but never were.

I see 2015 to current Houston Astros that way. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, Alex Bregman, and Lance McCullers came through the system and help build the team a contender. Along the way they picked up Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole both who came from trades. Few others came through the system such as Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker. During that time they made it in the playoffs as wild card team twice, won AL West division four times, missing the playoffs once, and made three trips to World Series. They end up winning one which will always going be scrutinized for rest of history despite some felt they were being scapegoated when its an open secret in the league. So far they lost Springer and Cole through free agency. Verlander is out when it was well known back in 2020. It's most likely Correa last time as an Astro as he tests free agency in the offseason. That just leave Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker as their key offense with Yordan Alvarez hitting occasional bombs. Is the talent pool replenished with Alex Meyer and Jose Siri? Will Dusty Baker be back since his contract ends after the series? To be honest I rather have someone manage Astros than him. Too many questions going into offseason. For me I feel Astros blew another chance and that window is closing. Like 1988-1992 A's team it became a team that should have been a dynasty, but never were.

First Time Purchase

One product I never kept up is Topps Now. It's too gimmicky for having a card available to purchase for 24 hours and print run depending on amount of sales of the card. I been burned in the past by Topps when they introduced eTopps. I threw money in to it for years and didn't get much value in return. In fact I totally forgot I had eTopps account for over a decade til one of blogs I read mention about it. I dusted the account off and got half of the collection from eTopps portfolio on-card delivered costing me almost $50. With no trade/purchase demand in the hobby I'm stuck with "paperless" eTopps cards unless I get it on-card delivered. Last week I got Topps Now ad while browsing a website. One card they showed on the ad caught my eye I went to their site.

The one of Alex Bregman hitting a grand slam to lift Astros to 8-1 victory over Nationals in game 4. It's the pose and holding of his bat drew me to it along being a member of Astros. I end up making my first ever Topps Now purchase. I got the card from the mail today in a case with a foam inside to keep it protected. I hope Topps Now purchases become normal occurrence for me.

Tough Loss, No Such Thing as Home Field Advantage, and Successful Last Run

Bitter pill for this Astros fan having see his team losing in the World Series as all four losses came at home. Astros/Nationals series made history as the road team won in the entire 7 game series. It proved there's no such thing as home field advantage anywhere. The road team outscored home team 49-14. Nationals can only muster total of 3 runs in their three World Series home games. Astros offensive power was shut down in their final two home games despite many chances to score more runs.

Big "what if" is what if Astros put Gerit Cole on the mound in relief instead Will Harris. Will Astros hold on to the 2-0 lead? Cole testing free agent market and who knows if Astros drop money on him. Justin Verlander still couldn't win World Series game. This was Astros best starting pitching core along with happy homer hitters and got no ring out of it. I said the same for Dodgers when I felt that was one of best roster they had in and couldn't come up big as well.

Washington Nationals surprised everyone beating two of top MLB teams of the season in the playoffs on their way to title. Many wrote them off after Bryce Harper left for Phillies claiming their title run is over. The bullpen known to be very shaky at times. Instead they made playoff run getting the wildcard spot and having beat the Brewers to get in NLDS. They eliminated heavily favorite Dodgers in five games and swept Cardinals in NLCS before taking on another heavily favorite Astros to the distance and winning it. Stephen Strasburg was unstoppable on the mound. Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon provided offensive spark. Howie Kendrick two homeruns in postseason were game winning clutches. Max Scherzer bounced from shaky game 1 despite a victory and being scratched from game 5 for back troubles showed up for game 7 ready to win it. Starter Patrick Corbin came off the bullpen to help keep the team in the game. Manager Dave Martinez emptied the tank entire run to the World Series. At the end Washington Nationals came on top just when many thought team's title run is over. With Rendon being a free agent and question loom over Strasburg opting out the Nationals able squeeze one last playoff run for World Series title.

The one player who won't be getting Nationals World Series ring is Bryce Harper. He might be counting his big money but really missed out on that ring big time.

Trip to Houston For Wrong Reasons

Last week my parents and I urgently got in the car driving 8 hours to Houston. By the time we got there near 7 PM it was too late. My uncle passed that morning. We spent the entire time consoling our heartbroken family and discussing funeral plans. Rough weather hit when Imelda made landfall on Thursday flooding parts of Houston. The storm came during middle of meeting with funeral home discussing plans. We end up at funeral home from Thursday to Sunday discussing type of memorial to grave site. Surprisingly they gave me a ticket to Astros game for Friday night and said go have fun. The game took my mind off family tragedy for few hours. Angels pitcher Justin Anderson signed on a stub as it was only thing I had with me along with my camera. Saw Astros blasted four homeruns in the 1st inning then Carlos Correa with a second blast. Zack Grienke lost control in the 4th giving up five straight hits and Angels scoring four runs. The bullpen held on to the lead when Grienke left after five innings for 6-4 victory. On Saturday made a trek to Houston Sports Connection on Westheimer to pick up packs and oddballs especially on 1981 Donruss. Oddballs such as pack of NFL Facts Stay in Tune cards, large portrait size Pinnacle Beehive hockey cards and Topps sticker card of Don Sutton. Some of it will be posted on A Pack to be Named Later. During that few days around Houston caught up with old family friends from my parents side as well going shopping with my relatives. Two of my relatives flew in on late Saturday from California Bay Area catching up with them especially "Mr. Happy" who will always have a laugh and smile. I don't know how he does it. My dad and I left Houston yesterday without seeing the body leaving mom with the relatives for the wake and funeral. It's just our work schedule would allow us short time off even at urgent. More relatives flew in today to pay their respects. I'm going to miss my uncle. He's the one that drove us to Sacramento for a day trip during family reunion few years back. Two years ago he invited me to join them for Christmas marking first time in six years I been with family during Christmas day as I was living in Austin at the time. It was Christmas off but work the next day making 5-6 hour drive in Midland impossible. But three hour drive to Houston is great to relax with family. RIP Uncle. Everyone will miss you.

Jeff Bagwell in Cooperstown

ABOUT DAMN FUCKING TIME! He should have gotten few years way earlier but the idiot writers was concern about unfound steroid suspicions despite his name NOT linked to anything related to steroids and PEDs. Bagwell was the face of the Astros in the 90s along with Hall of Fame teammate Craig Biggio as the team built their offense around them. They were known as Killer B's along side with Derek Bell which later included Lance Berkman, and Chris Burke as the main source of team offense in the late 90s and early 2000. Congratulations to Jeff Bagwell earning his overdue spot in Cooperstown.

Has Astros lost Austin and San Antonio market?

Last week I was down at Academy in south Austin for Houston Astros caravan. The guests listed for event are Alan Ashby, Chad Qualls, and Marwin Gonzalez. I got there hour before they were schedule and surprisingly I was first in line. Just as they scheduled appeared there was approximately 20 people in line. Alan Ashby no-showed the event leaving appearance of Qualls and Gonzalez. I chatted with both of them, but all I notice was lack of crowd despite appearance of both players and Orbit. Few of those that was in line happen to be at San Antonio location from previous day admit there wasn't much of a crowd there as well. It's far cry when Rangers caravan was in town two weeks ago up in Cedar Park which is north of Austin. There was a huge line before schedule and giving vouchers on autographs. Last week was came as you go on meeting Astros. It makes me wonder has Astros lost the Hill Country market? The rainy weather on that day didn't help the attendance. Was it list of guests that's scheduled to be there? Have fans got tired of their losing and "lack of star power" just made them not care anyone? Possible changes from the past that end up haunting them to current. Round Rock used to be Astros AAA affiliate til they switched to Rangers which still continue on. Astros took Oklahoma City which was formerly Rangers affiliate. Then came affiliation change which Astros got screwed out of. Colorado Rockies took their AAA affiliation to Albuquerque. The former affiliate Los Angeles Dodgers took Oklahoma City as their AAA club leaving Fresno, California as the only option for Astros to pick. Since Fresno in west division of PCL and they already played up in Round Rock in 2014 leaving their next appearance in 2016. The closest Astros fans in the area to see prospects and minor leaguers play in San Antonio, a hour and half drive, when Corpus Christi Hooks come in the area. If they want see Astros live get on 290 and go east for 3 hours. This makes it harder for Astros fans in Hill Country area to see the present and the future. Let's not forget original TV deal debacle with defunct CSN Houston which left them off TV. What once area split between Astros and Rangers fans becoming majority Rangers market. Hopefully good things to come for Astros now they have TV deal with ROOT and to improve over last year win total.