Several Astros, Marlins Players Back Bush's War Plans

Houston Chronicle ^ | 03-19-03 | Jose De Jesus Ortiz

[Bulldogs22]

Since we have Dusty Baker, we will get Kent next. Go Cubs.

[berserker]

From the title, I thought for a minute that this was going to be a story about how some wealthy players were in the Reserves or had enlisted or something to actually show their support for the war. Or helping out at the USO. Or something. I didn't know that it was simply a story about some wealthy players saying, Yeah, I support the war, because its protecting me.

[Tall_Texan]

Well, it's a step in the right direction.

There was an NFL player who quit his job and joined up to fight in Afghanistan. But realistically, it would be asking a lot to expect some pampered athlete to walk away from millions of dollars to go fight in the military and put himself in harm's way.

If you think about it, their salaries *are* helping to fund the war because they are rich enough to get taxed at the highest percentage.

As for other displays of public support, I don't doubt that, just as with charity, their good works often go unreported and they'd probably prefer it that way.

[anymouse]

Astros back troops. I smell a pennant this year. :)

[PetroniDE]

I disagree with the pennant prediction. I lived in Boston and Chicago for long periods of time. I know bad baseball when I see it.

To Summarize: No Pitching - No Pennant.

[Wolfie]

Any word on the mascot's stance?

[A Texan]

I love the Astro's and with Kent this year we will win the pennant.

[baseballmom]

I like playing baseball for a living. That's my job. Those guys are over there willing to risk their lives so we can live our lives. How can that not be supported by anybody?"

That's it in a nutshell.

[baseballmom]

Forgot to add this:

GO PHILLIES

[ChewedGum]

If the pitching staff stays healthy! (Go Roy'O and Wade)

Gum

[Tall_Texan]

To Summarize: No Pitching - No Pennant.

I'm not predicting a pennant but I'd disagree that pitching is a major problem. Who, in the NL, has a stronger staff?

Arizona? Once you get past Johnson and Schilling, what do they have?

Atlanta? Now that Glavine and Millwood are gone and Smoltz is in the pen, they have to rely on Maddux, Ortiz and what's this? Mike Hampton?

Philadelphia? You might have something there but it's not exactly a stable rotation and they still have a shaky closer.

The Dodgers, Cardinals or Giants? Lots of question marks there.

Houston has two starters (Oswalt and Miller) who are among the top ten in the league and have Cy Young potential. The bullpen is anchored by Dotel and Wagner, among the best set-up and closers in the NL. After those four, they have a lot of question marks but then so does everyone else. And the rest of the league doesn't have a heart of the order like Bagwell, Berkman and Kent.

A lot will need to go right for the Astros to win it all but I wouldn't write them off so soon. Talentwise, they're at least on par with the rest of the league.