Hello everyone, The last week of spring training is over. The Houston Astros 2008 roster is set, and it’s been a frenzy in the clubhouse. I’ll say that its been tough on everyone to handle all of the packing and unpacking, and now we have to do more to get to San Diego. Not to mention trying to get everything set up with our places to stay for those of us who dont have a house yet. All that aside, when we get to San Diego the games will finally count. I know that the media and all the so called “experts” are stacked up against us because of pitching. I’ll say that this team is going to fight, and there’s way too many gamers in that locker room for this season not to surprise people. My hat is off to Ed... [Read more]

Hi, We are down to our last week of spring training and for me the season can’t start soon enough. The games get more intense at this time and the bell has rung so to speak. You really can’t tell how the season is going to go from spring training, but I can tell you that I definately have some fuel for the fire. I came across a question and answer that I found interesting and motivating. With a question asking if the Astros “can” make the playoffs … Not even asking if we WILL make the playoffs but if we “CAN.” The answer was “Put me down for a No.” This fires me up more than anything. I love it when I’m doubted and my team is doubted, because now we have even more to prove. This... [Read more]

Hi, It feels good to finally be drawing near the season. Everyone in camp is starting to get to know each other, and the team even though it’s not set is having a lot of fun together. To me, it’s important to have a team that gets along in the clubhouse because your around each other so long and I honestly believe it effects the play on the field. Things change when the season starts, and we still dont know who all exactly is going to be on the team, so there’s a lot of questions as far as that’s concerned. The talent on this team is tremendous and my expectations are high when the bell rings for the season to start. As far as myself, I’ll be honest to say that my swing is just now starting to feel proper again.... [Read more]

Hey everyone! So, we are just three short weeks away from our season opener in San Diego and I’m already itching to get on that plane to head out west. I made a couple of appearances on ESPN this week, starting by doing a phone interview on ESPN News and finishing up on First Take on Friday. Doing interviews is actually a lot of fun, especially on ESPN because I still have to pinch myself somedays that I’m lucky enough to be playing this game everyday … and being on ESPN is pretty cool. To recap the past week, we played some pretty good teams from the American League, starting off with the Bronx Bombers on Monday. There’s always a different kind of energy out there when those guys are around. Jeter, A-Rod, Rivera and... [Read more]

Hey everyone, First of all, I’d like to thank all of you for the great feedback on the Erstad nickname and all the good questions. For the record, I have been calling Erstad “Dadio” because it’s really funny to me. Someone asked if he has a nickname for me and in fact he does, he calls me “son”. It’s turned into quite the joke and we both have fun with it. I did like D-Stud as well but, I’ve grown attached to Dadio and it’s a lot of fun to mess with him like that … so it’s probably going to stick. Today, I am going to answer your questions by regarding what I do on game days. Let’s see, a typical game day during the season is somewhat of a process for me. I have a ritual routine. I start first thing... [Read more]