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CAMP KISSIMMEE: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Greetings from Astros Spring Training in Florida!
No, we didn’t forget about the fellas……..It’s just watching pitchers throw to catchers in bullpen sessions doesn’t do it for us.. so when March arrives that’s when baseball begins in our book. Ok, glad we could all agree on that once and for all..
It is pretty quiet on the media front here. Very small contingent covering the team. Just us, another TV outlet , along with Astros.com’s Alysson Footer, MLb.com’s Brian McTaggart and Steve Campbell from Chron. That about does it.. Nice , quiet and productive. They are making us feel like family around this place!
We’re also pleased to be able to run into Milo, Dave and Brett from the Astros radio crew as well. Our small group have it to ourselves at the best part of camp to cover every spring. Practice in the morning, interviews, game, more interviews.. Well, you get it . It’s our annual March trip here and since I’ve been coming to the old stomping grounds at Osceola County Stadium since 1991, it never gets old.
I love this place and have a lot of memories here as a young journalist 20 years ago sitting in that home dugout 1 on 1 with the likes of Biggio , Bagwell and company. They could care a less that I was from a TV outlet in Beaumont at that time. They granted me the time and didn’t rush it. The “Moonwear” bit I did with Biggio and a few of the guys along with Dennis Liborio in 1992 or 1993 remains one of my all time favorites along with Jose Lima breaking out in song for me just outside of Field 1 one spring morning after practice.
Today we were here for the Jason Castro breaking news, Roger Clemens was here, and I spent some quality time with the man himself- Drayton McLane in his suite at the stadium. Very nice and he invited me, Daryl and Gene to stay for a few innings. Man, I was eyeing those freebies in the frig and his ballpark snacks and I was tempted… He was by himself but we all had work to do so we’ll take a raincheck on that one. I’ve always been a big fan of Drayton. Very few owners are like him. Great stories he shares and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness a few others. He’s a good man once you get to know him and what he does quietly outside of baseball. Houston fans will miss him.
One of the fun parts is catching up with some of the longtime employees I’ve gotten to know over the years. Many I met on one of my first trips here. Most of em’ live around here year around or come down over the winter and spring and work at the stadium several hours a day.
We’ve been here a couple of days and have 3 more to go including our annual live SPORTS SUNDAY from the stadium. That’s a fun night because our man Pete actually gives us the keys to the joint… gates, doors, stadium lights.. Cool stuff..
CASTRO OUT FOR SEASON
Catching situation is a little dicey now that Castro is out for the 2011 season. This morning we were here when the news hit about doctors finding a Meniscus tear AND a torn ACL. Not good.
A 3 month rehab quickly went to a minimum of 6 months. Castro is only 23 years old and this early it’s a setback for him because he needs the experience and reps in the big leagues. He did enough in his 4 months to impress most folks in the organization. His bat is questionable but his catching ability and running a pitching staff is advanced.
He’ll be back and probably better. He’s smart and will work hard to get back to 100%.
J.R. Towles now has a bigger chance to show he can stay and produce. I like the guy and enjoy talking baseball and family with him. He’s matured quite a bit and quietly is a gamer that most don’t recognize. This guy is a baseball junkie and has beaten the odds just to get to this point after a rough couple of years going back to AAA and AA and injuring his hand.
J.R. and Humberto Quintero are two guys that will get a lot of time unless the Astros try to find a veteran.
” We have 5 guys here in camp,” Wade told me early this morning. ” We don’t need someone for years to come, because we have our guy (Castro) who we believe will be here.”
Another big day on tap tomorrow (Saturday) at the ballpark and coverage on KPRC Local 2 Sports and SPORTS SUNDAY .
See ya,
Randy Mc
