Today on the Thursday 10, I am going to post the top 10 current players I’d like to see become managers one day. And no, there will be no catchers on this list, because that would just be too realistic. On with the list!
10. Randy Johnson – The Big Unit – What a site it would be for Randy Johnson to walk out to trade lineup cards and go over ground rules. The 6-10 lefty would make for great television to see him running out to argue a call with an umpire.
9. Scott Rolen – One can …read more

The Houston Astros have created a four piece collectible bobblehead set for the 2008 season.
It features Hunter Pence, Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman and …
Well, that’s what the Astros are trying to decide and they need the fans to help out. Go to Astros.com and submit your vote for the 4th bobblehead. Your choices are Brad Ausmus, Brandon Backe, Michael Bourn, Kazuo Matsui, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee and Jose Valverde.
Here is the bobblehead schedule:
Friday, April 12 – Hunter Pence – 1st 10,000 Fans
Saturday, May 24 – Roy Oswalt – 1st 10,000 Fans
Friday, August 1 – Lance Berkman – …read more

The Houston Astros had a pair of split-squad games on Sunday afternoon. Against the Atlanta Braves, the Astros lost by a final score of 6-4. Against the Washington Nationals, the Astros fell 8-3.
In the contest versus the Braves, Brandon Backe pitched two scoreless innings for Houston. New second baseman Kaz Matsui went 1-2 with a steal, a run and an RBI.
In the other game, starter Shawn Chacon gave up two earned runs in two innings of work. Lance Berkman got one hit in four at bats. That lone hit was a double that scored a run.
While our own Hunter Pence …read more

The Houston Astros play their first Grapefruit League game on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. Brandon Backe was originally going to start the game for the Astros but has been replaced by Wandy Rodriguez due to injury.
Mark McLemore, a lefthander, is scheduled to pitch in relief for Rodriguez. For the Indians, Jake Westbrook will get the starting nod. While neither team will play their regulars extensively, there will be some notable players on the field on Thursday.
On Friday, Houston’s ace Roy Oswalt is expected to get the start.

Astros Spring Training Schedule

As players got back into the swing of things during spring training, minor injuries are common at this time of year. Both Lance Berkman and Brandon Backe can now confirm that theory.
Berkman, the star outfielder for the Houston Astros, suffered a strained oblique muscle while batting during a workout. Although Berkman won’t be available for at least the first few spring training games, he isn’t worried.
“You don’t want to do anything to really hurt yourself,” Berkman told MLB.com. “Who cares about playing the first two weeks of spring training? It’s one of those deals, I want to try to be …read more

Avoiding salary cap arbitration, the Houston Astros and right-handed pitcher Brandon Backe agreed on a one-year contract. Backe, who missed almost a year after an elbow injury, returned to the Astros late last season. In five starts, Backe went 3-1 with a 3.77 ERA. In six big league seasons, Backe has 22 wins – 21 of which were with the Astros.
In other new, the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros and free-agent right-handed pitcher Runelvys Hernandez are close to coming to an agreement on a contract. The 29-year-old Hernandez has played all of his big league games for the …read more