It's Official - Astros to AL in 2013

[HPF Bob]

Fyb fyb fyb fyb

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Fyb fyb fyb fyb

As usual, you have it wrong. It's not Bud. He's doing his job. Drayton has sold out his fans and his franchise and is getting a free ride from the Houston media. It's disgusting.

[HPF Bob]

Well, nobody's getting a free pass on this, believe me but I do sincerely believe neither McLane or Crane would have switched leagues on their own because they knew there would be hell to pay from the fans. Still, they ultimately agreed to do it so they get all the scorn and derision they deserve.

But I'm with you regarding being done with the Astros. By this time next year, I'll be the fan of another NL team or I just won't give a shit about baseball anymore. Given all I've invested in documenting their history, I feel spat upon. Can't tell you yet if AD will fold, but it's a strong possibility.

[WMH]

Crane had zero leverage in this deal. Zero.

I can imagine the conversation went like this:
You want to buy a team, sure, we'll "let" you. But, in order for us to approve this deal, you have to agree to move to the AL.
Just to account for some of the issues you will face, we'll give you a $70MM "discount" for agreeing to this. MLB will kick in $35MM, and we'll make Uncle Drayton knock off $35MM.

How's that sound to you? Well, we really don't care. It is what it is, take it or leave it.

At first I was happy it was finally done, but then I heard Crane's presser. Budget, budget, budget. Payroll will go backwards before going forward.
Huh? WTH? You have a $60MM payroll, and your telling your fans, who you just pissed off by moving the team to the AL, that your going to spend less?

WOW. The Houston Astros have officially become the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Gee, great.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Well, nobody's getting a free pass on this, believe me but I do sincerely believe neither McLane or Crane would have switched leagues on their own because they knew there would be hell to pay from the fans. Still, they ultimately agreed to do it so they get all the scorn and derision they deserve.

But I'm with you regarding being done with the Astros. By this time next year, I'll be the fan of another NL team or I just won't give a shit about baseball anymore. Given all I've invested in documenting their history, I feel spat upon. Can't tell you yet if AD will fold, but it's a strong possibility.

The AD forum is not exactly my cup of tea but there is a ton of excellent archival data and historical information on the site that I appreciate a great deal. And I am well aware of how much time you've spent contributing to the site. I can only imagine how disappointing it is for you in light of the investment you've made.

What disgusts me as much as any of it is that Drayton knew about the plan to move the team all along and he lied about it continually. My contempt for that piece of shit human being is total.

[Arky]

Don't care what they say - should've been Milwaukee to make the move all along..... Astros have 50 years of NL tradition. Milwaukee? They've already been in the AL before...

Boycott. There ain't much any of us can do about it except boycott. Don't feed the machine...

I"m surprised there haven't been some "leaders" to come out and speak out against the move... Bagwell, Biggio? Where are you guys? Any former Astros stepping up? Deshaies and Brownie ain't saying nothing cause they still want to keep there jobs....

[HPF Bob]

The Chronicle had a story where Larry Dierker came out opposed to the idea. Later on, Jim Wynn and Bob Watson did too in subtler ways.

But the Chron has been carrying the water on "the move is a good thing" for months now so they've lowballed any disenchantment for months. The media knows they can't go too negative because the Astros bring them revenue and the current players are too young or new, largely, to understand what's at issue.

Lance Berkman generated headlines last week by calling it "a travesty".

Crane has his 30 shekels of silver and what's done is done.