Hello, everyone. I… am not Hunter Pence. In fact I am James Walker, and like most of you I am but a simple fan. As you probably heard, I’ve been brought on board here at b5 while we try to take Inside the Ballpark in a different direction. Rather than being a chronicling of one man’s life as a major leaguer, we’re going to try and just look at the sport and business of baseball.
Through beer goggles.
A few things about myself and baseball: I’m a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan (meaning I was a fan before 2006). I’ve been to over …read more

Since Hunter Pence has decided to leave b5media and concentrate on the season (Good luck to you and the Astros, Hunter) we have decided to take this blog in a different direction.
Soon, this blog will have a new dedicated writer, who will be bringing humorous takes about baseball news, teams and players.
We hope you check back here real soon to see what’s happening at Inside the Ballpark.
In the meantime, check out the rest of the b5media sports channel and get your baseball fix at Knuckle Curve.
Thanks,
Kori Ellis
b5media Sports Channel Editor

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 …read more

Coming into spring training, it appeared as if Hunter Pence would be batting sixth in the Houston Astros’ lineup. After an impressive spring training, it appears as if Pence may find himself batting second permanently.
“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 …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 …read more

Check out these new Hunter Pence YouTube video. It features a lot of Hunter’s pictures and is put together quite nicely. If you want to take a look back at Hunter’s rookie season, this is a good way to do so.
The music in the video is “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.

The Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday by a final score of 8-7. The big bat for the Astros was our very own Hunter Pence. Hunter went 3-4 with two runs, three RBIs and his third homerun of the spring. He also had a double and a stolen base.
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 …read more

Hunter Pence combined with Michael Bourn to hit back-to-back homeruns for the Astros as they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by a final score of 12-10. The Astros, who improved their spring training record to 9-12 with the win, also got homers from J.R. House, David Newhan and Nick Gorneault.
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 …read more

If you want to get excited about the 2008 Houston Astros season, check out this video. It features both current Astros, plus takes a look back at some legendary Astros moments.
The music on the video is provided by Thin Lizzy and Chamillionaire. The cool motion graphics are extremely well done!

Congratulations to Hunter Pence for hitting his first homerun of spring training on Tuesday. Houston’s Michael Bourn led off the 4th inning with a homerun of his own, then Hunter followed with his homer one batter later. Hunter finished the game with two hits in his three at bats, hitting a double to go along with his homerun.
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 …read more