ICYMI: Astros Fire Bo Porter

((ht: chron.com))

It's gotta be somebody's fault right?

Happy Labor Day Bo Porter, hope your resume is updated. The Houston Astros decided on Monday to fire you.

The Astros parted way with their 2nd year manager who with one of the youngest--and cheapest lineups in baseball, cobbled together a 110-190 record.

G.M Jeff Luhnow made the announcement in Houston this morning, tossing aside Porter and bench coach Dave Trembley and promoting Tom Lawless as interim team manager.

Yes, there were reports circulating in Houston that Porter and Luhnow did not exactly...um, get along and that was briefly touched upon during the impromptu press conference.

Lunhow said "When you think about the relationship between a manager and general manager, it's complicated. We are looking for a collaborative environment, a unified environment."

((Ed. Note--Feel free to interpret that as you will. The message isn't exactly subtle))

Read the entire story from the Houston Chronicle RIGHT HERE

Now, that being said, many baseball experts consider the Astros one of the most up-and-coming franchises in baseball. The team, under owner Jim Crane essentially has sold the present day with the hope the future will yield titles. It remains to be seen if that will happen, though the presence of future stars like George Springer haven't hurt.

MLB.com writer Richard Justice (former Astros beat writer) talks about what happened and where the team goes from here:

So, THAT'S Where The Money Is Going... Astros Buying A Triple-A Team...???

((HT: MLB.com/Footer, MyFoxHouston))

Alyson Footer caught up with Houston Astros owner Jim Crane after it was disclosed that the new tenants of the American League are looking at buying a triple-a team- probably, the New Orleans Zephyrs...

Her interview is hyah...

And it brings up interesting financial questions for the total of, say, $20-million.

But Crane is looking to build a stadium in a northern suburb of Houston which would take time. The affiliate agreement with current triple-a team, Oklahoma City, runs out after the 2014 season.

"We just met with them and said is there any interest in selling and they said yes," Crane said.

So, the Astros have an infinitesimal payroll, but they'll be more than happy to vertically integrate. The practice is common, but in this situation seems a bit out of whack with staying competitive...

Okay, we'll bite...
Good luck on that...

Here's Chris Aguila hitting a homer last year to get to the top of the Zephyrs career home run list...
((HT: nocomsports))

Is Roger Clemens coming back with the Astros?

((ht: myfoxhouston.com))

Well, the thought of Roger Clemens coming back to pitch for the Houston Astros has at least been discussed.

We know this because Astros owner Jim Crane admitted as much to Fox 26 TV in Houston on Thursday.

Crane says he and his staff are preparing for the possibility the multiple Cy Young winning 50-year old shows up on the mound at Minute Maid Park. Though Crane says he'll "Have extensive discussions with Major League Baseball" before he pulls the trigger.

Oh, he also made it a point to say "This isn't a Publicity Stunt".

Yeah...sure it isn't.

Read the entire story from MyFoxHouston.com RIGHT HERE

Clemens will pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters on Saturday and no, he isn't denying the talk. He thinks if it goes well, it "Could lead to bigger things", things he says he'll discuss later. 

Crane just basically confirmed the speculation by opening his pie hole. And since his Astros are by a LARGE margin the worst team in baseball and closing in on worst team in history territory, they've got nothing to lose. It sure sounds like he's planning on doing this...unless Clemens looks terrible on Saturday.

Why not trot out a 50-year old legend who can still throw in the mid 80's and see if he can put some butts in seats? Crane says most of the money will go to local charities which is nice, but it is still all about getting attention. Attention for his woebegone franchise and more importantly, a chance to provide Clemens an opportunity to rehab his image. (Unless he gets shelled)

Stay tuned, we're guessing this story will be around awhile.

Here's a story on Clemens's re-emergence from CBS News (because Fox doesn't believe in video on their websites)

Crane "Humbled" By Owning Astros

((HT: MyFoxHouston))

So, now there's a natural rivalry in the AL West in 2013 when the Houston Astros move over to the AL from the NL...

Guess Milwaukee did it going one way, so Houston will do it going the other...

Jim Crane was approved in Milwaukee (insert irony here) by the MLB owners to take over the franchise from Drayton McLane. The pricetag...??? Only US$610-million...

The original price was $680-million, but when Crane agreed to move the team from the NL to the AL, the price was trimmed.

Mark Berman has an interview with the man who now owns a team in transition...

Jim Crane: 'Humbling Experience': MyFoxHOUSTON.com

"It was a long vetting process,” commissioner Bud Selig told Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. “Sometimes in life you have to go through all that. We did. Spent an enormous amount of time. I’m very comfortable today telling you he has put together a really blue-ribbon group. There’s a great president (Postolos) who has a wonderful reputation in sports. I’m relieved it’s over. I’m happy. The group represents the entire Houston community, and I think they’ll do very, very well.”