[NotAJerry]

RIP Earl Weaver. One of the very few managers in MLB history that I think actually made a difference in the game. That and his baseball video game was groundbreaking for its time.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... -1.1243096

[NotAJerry]

Bryce Harper is the best player in the NL already. Just ridiculous what he is at this point and he's probably 5-6 years from his peak.

EDIT: And it's not even close.

[jbock13]

Bryce Harper is the best player in the NL already. Just ridiculous what he is at this point and he's probably 5-6 years from his peak.

EDIT: And it's not even close.

I thought this thread was about the Orioles

[Cider Jim]

BUMP

Four O's made the American League All Star game: Chris Davis and Adam ones as starters and J.J. Hardy and Manny Machado as infield reserves!

[LUminary]

That's great to see. It's been a long time since the Birds have had that many all-stars, much better than the token one.

[Cider Jim]

Correction--the O's now have FIVE players going to the all star game on Tuesday: SP Chris Tillman was just added to the AL squad's pitching staff.

[Cider Jim]

The Astros STEAL HOME with the bases loaded against the O's tonight in Baltimore.

But the O's still win 4-3 on a Davis dinger!

[Sly Fox]

The 'Stros still exist. I had forgotten about them along with most of Houston. Attendance is better at Texans training camp than Minute Maid Park.

[SumItUp]

The 'Stros still exist. I had forgotten about them along with most of Houston. Attendance is better at Texans training camp than Minute Maid Park.

The Astros are rebuilding the right way. They are developing one of the strongest farm systems in the league. It looks like they are cruising to another #1 draft pick next season. Does anyone (paging BJ) know if a team has ever had 3 #1 overall picks in a row? As a fan, it will be nice to leave the disAstros era in the past.

[BJWilliams]

The 'Stros still exist. I had forgotten about them along with most of Houston. Attendance is better at Texans training camp than Minute Maid Park.

The Astros are rebuilding the right way. They are developing one of the strongest farm systems in the league. It looks like they are cruising to another #1 draft pick next season. Does anyone (paging BJ) know if a team has ever had 3 #1 overall picks in a row? As a fan, it will be nice to leave the disAstros era in the past.

Actually SumItUp, it has never happened. Over the last seven drafts, a team has earned the #1 pick in consecutive years three times (Tampa Bay 2007-2008, Washington 2009-2010, and Houston 2012-2013). The Mets, Padres, and Mariners have all had the top pick two of three years (Mets 1966 and 1968, separated by the Yankees in 1967, Padres 1970 and 1972, separated by the White Sox in 1971, Mariners 1979 and 1981, separated by the Mets in 1980).

[NotAJerry]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/95259 ... ton-astros

Good move for both teams. O's get a legit starter and Astros get another very good prospect, this time one that's probably ready for his MLB debut.

[Sly Fox]

The 'Stros were taking offers right up until the deadline. There goes one of the last 2-3 players anyone in Houston has ever heard of. Yeah, the team might be good in the 2015 or 2016 seasons. Maybe. But by then, the Dynamo may be higher in the local pecking order of sports. They may already be now. Going to Minute Maid Park this season is depressing.

It is sad seeing the continued decline in interest in MLB. I used to be an intense fan and LOVED covering the game back in the day. These days I barely follow it at all.

[BJWilliams]

Patience is certainly not a virtue among Houstonians as the sports teams go...The Astros are bad, I will agree on that. But they do have a GM who is trying to rebuild from the ground up as opposed to bringing in unnecessarily high priced free agents just so they can win now. It may take until the 2015 or 2016 season, but Astros fans need to show some semblance of patience because "win now or else" attitudes aren't exactly good for long term viability.

[Kolzilla41]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/95259 ... ton-astros

Good move for both teams. O's get a legit starter and Astros get another very good prospect, this time one that's probably ready for his MLB debut.

How is a guy who is 6-9 with a high 3 era a good pick up? It's an even move if you ask me.

[Sly Fox]

Throw out the record for any Astros pitcher. He's playing with a Double-A lineup in a hitter's ballpark. I wouldn't be surprised to see him excel in Baltimore.

[SumItUp]

With today's trades, the Astros now have a 13 million dollar payroll.

[Cider Jim]

Baltimore losing 10-0 in the 6th inning.

[Sly Fox]

With today's trades, the Astros now have a 13 million dollar payroll.

Nearly 10% of their World Series roster if memory serves me correct.