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 Wade, Cecil Cooper, and all the Astros staff for how they changed the attitude of the team and the accomplishments in the offseason. Everyone asks me what I think of all the changes, and there’s my answer.

We got a team full of guys who are a little crazy, and I think everyone is going to have some fun watching us go at it this season. When I say crazy, I mean it in an intense competitor beyond the norm crazy. Just like me. =)

I would like to thank everyone for stopping by and checking out my blog this Spring Training. This will be my last one this season so I can focus on the season itself. Thanks again to b5 media and to all of the fans who stopped by. I hope you enjoyed it.

Hunter

Post from: EveryJoe

From Hunter – This team is going to fight

“He’s just an exciting player, and you want him to bat as many times as you can,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper told the Houston Chronicle. “If he’s down sixth, it would probably keep him from hitting one extra time. You want your best guys right up top. Hunter’s just a guy that sees it and hits it.”

Pence has continued his impressive play during spring training as he’s leading the Astros in at-bats (54), hits (19) and RBI’s (13). Pence also has five doubles, a triple and three homeruns.

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Hunter Pence to Bat Second?

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 gives a little extra motivation.

On another note, it’s been good to see Tejada these last couple days. It’s unbelievable how he flipped the switch right after our off-day. I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure about his swing until now, but he is playing a different game than before. That’s what is so amazing about the veterans, they know just how to get themselves right in spring training. Most of them work on things until the last week then amp it up to a new level whenever they want.

Every at-bat early in spring he wasn’t in good rhythm and now all of a sudden, he hasn’t had a bad at-bat in three days. You could say that’s just the ups and downs of baseball, but he literally told us “Now it’s time to get it going.” And that’s just what he has done.

I have learned so much from this spring training, seeing how it’s my first one to be on the major league team. Every year before this has been completely different. It’s nice now, because I can use what I learned this year to better prepare for next year.

My goal is to maximize my strength, speed and baseball feel for the season. If I had it to do over again, I might focus a little less early in spring on hitting and use more of that energy in the weight room, because we have such a long time to let the game sink in.

I was in a rush to feel mid-season form this year and probably over did my cage work. All in all I’m very happy with where I’m at and soon all the talk will be over and the season will be here.

It’s go time! =)

Hunter

Post from: EveryJoe

From Hunter: It’s Go Time!

The music in the video is “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.

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A Look Back at Hunter Pence’s Rookie Season

Miguel Tejada, who was Houston’s biggest offseason acquisition, also had a big day. Tejada went 4-4 with one run, two RBIs and his first homerun of the spring. On the pitching mound, Shawn Chacon was very good. Chacon started and pitched five innings, giving up only three hits and one run.

With the win, the Astros improved their spring record to 10-12. Houston next plays against the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

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Hunter Pence Powers Astros Past Braves

Woody Williams started the game for the Astros and gave up five earned runs in four innings. Geoff Geary pitched two scoreless innings for Houston and was credited with the win.

Andre Ethier was the hitting star for the Dodgers in this game, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs. The contest marked the final game ever for the Dodgers at Dodgertown, a facility in Vero Beach, Florida. The Dodgers have played games at this location for the last 60 years but will be moving to a facility in Glendale, Arizona.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hunter Pence Homers as Astros Win

The music on the video is provided by Thin Lizzy and Chamillionaire. The cool motion graphics are extremely well done!

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Houston Astros 2008 Season Teaser

Unfortunately, the Houston Astros lost the game against the Cincinnati Reds by a final score of 5-4. The Astros took a 4-0 lead to the bottom of the ninth inning, but Houston was unable to close it out as the Reds scored five runs to take home the victory. Alvin Colina won the game for Cincinnati with a three-run double.

On Wednesday, the Astros take on the Detroit Tigers.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hunter Pence Hits First Spring Homer

Hunter played in four of those five contests and went a combined 5-14 (.357) with four RBIs. He got at least one hit in all but one of the games.

On Tuesday, the Astros play their next game against the Cincinnati Reds. It’ll be the first time this spring that the Astros face the Reds.

Post from: EveryJoe

Hunter Pence Spring Update

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 Posada … seeing them across the way is pretty special. Tuesday I had the day off but we played against Detroit and their high-powered offense. That lineup has to be one of the top two in the entire American League. They are stacked from top to bottom and I would not want to be a pitcher facing that lineup!

Wednesday, I was back in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays. They are going to surprise some people this year as they have some pretty good starters on their pitching staff and Carlos Pena came out of nowhere and hit over 40 homers last year … keep your eye on those guys. Thursday, we faced a strong Cleveland Indians club – man can they hit! They were so close to reaching the World Series last year and facing the reigning AL Cy Young Winner in CC Sabathia wasn’t easy.

He held us scoreless for the three innings he was on the mound and was pretty impressive. Friday we had a rematch against the Yankees on the road and ended up walking out of there with a win. Shawn Chacon pitched against his former club and threw groundball after groundball and that’s always great to see.

Over the next couple of weeks, you will start to see the starting pitchers go longer and position players go a little deeper into the game in preparation for the regular season – which is fine by me because i’ll take all the at-bats I can get!

Until next week!

Hunter

Post from: EveryJoe

From Hunter: Itching for the Season to Start