Fanshots

"Everybody knows in baseball you have to show a little offense to get a Gold Glove. We know it...

+

"Everybody knows in baseball you have to show a little offense to get a Gold Glove. We know it doesn't have to do with offense, but that's what it is in baseball. You have to roll with the punches."

Courtesy of Alyson Footer's Twitter account...interesting that a player recognizes this...

Do you think Joe Blanton feels bad that CC Sabathia, on three days rest, is better than he is on...

6

Do you think Joe Blanton feels bad that CC Sabathia, on three days rest, is better than he is on full rest?

I asked this question to a few people early, via sms, and I liked the responses. Let's see what we can, collectively, come up with.

After Francona gave Astros owner Drayton McLane a strong endorsement during a telephone...

+

After Francona gave Astros owner Drayton McLane a strong endorsement during a telephone conversation Sunday, Houston announced Tuesday it had hired Red Sox bench Brad Mills to be the 18th manager in franchise history.

Meanwhile in the history of spin control... This will be the last time I reference the Mills as the second choice snafu, but I finally read the Drayton McLane spin-control statement on Mills and it was too hard for me not to jump all over it.

According to a baseball official, the next Astros manager is apparently down to Red Sox [team...

+

According to a baseball official, the next Astros manager is apparently down to Red Sox [team stats] bench coach Brad Mills and former Nationals manager Manny Acta. Acta may have an edge because he came up in the Houston system, but he is also a finalist for the job in Cleveland, complicating matters a bit.

Admittedly, this comes from the Boston Globe, under the sub-heading "Gaffer Gossip," but make of it what you will. A hat tip to OremLK.

The fate of the Astros' 2009 coaching staff has been set with only hitting coach Sean Berry...

27

The fate of the Astros' 2009 coaching staff has been set with only hitting coach Sean Berry retaining his position. Dave Clark, who served as interim manager for the final 13 games after Cecil Cooper was fired, can be on the 2010 coaching staff if he isn't hired as manager.

There's more to it than just that. McTaggart has this to add about Cruz and I'm sure there'll be more info tomorrow.

The Astros revealed their list of 10 managerial candidates and the list consists of a handful of...

10

The Astros revealed their list of 10 managerial candidates and the list consists of a handful of former skippers -- including one of their own, Phil Garner. Yes, you read that right. Phil Garner. The full list: interim manager Dave Clark, Minor League Field Coordinator Al Pedrique, former Brewers manager Ned Yost, Padres hitting coach Randy Ready, former Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, former Nationals manager Manny Acta, Garner, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar and Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin.

http://footer.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/10/astros_reveal_list_of_10_manag.html

Realistically, we may contact some candidates and they'll not have an interest in the job. Right...

+

Realistically, we may contact some candidates and they'll not have an interest in the job. Right now, the plan is to contact around 10 and try to set schedules.

Ed Wade on starting talks with managerial candidates tomorrow

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out...

8

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." --Rogers Hornsby

World Cup Baseball Site...It sums up what Farmstros has been doing since Labor Day.

Minor League call-ups announced: 3B Chris Johnson, SS Tommy Manzella and RHP Billy Sadler

9

Minor League call-ups announced: 3B Chris Johnson, SS Tommy Manzella and RHP Billy Sadler

Brian McTaggart, via Twitter.