Catching Up on Life

This weekend started off with a bang on friday. We'll just leave it at that. Seriously though folks, this weekend was spent back home in East Texas. For you big city folks East Texas is where people act like your out-of-state friends envisioned Texans would act, but without the vast nothingness and vagina like fauna that covers West Texas; which is the physical image in all of your out-of-state friends imaginations...though East Texas is full of 10 gallon hats.

That being said, a trip back home is a bit of an ego stroke and a kick in the balls. I'll save the stories for a later post, like when I really have nothing to say. At any rate, aside from a kick ass jam session, a Father's day feast, and a drive into the sunset, East Texas left me feeling disconnected from the rest of the world; which is only natural in a place where 90% of all cell phones get zero connection and the rest only work when 25 yards from pine trees (which is tough).

So instead of talking about the good ole days, drug reform, or whatever random headline catches my attention on Drudge; I'll catch you up on life:

First, Texas baseball. The Longhorn boys of summer defeated Baylor in a highly anticipated rematch of the Big 12 semifinal. Augie's boys played solid ball for 9 innings, forcing Baylor to show their hands in the 6th. Baylor ace Mark McCormick (1st rd pick by St. Louis) avioded control problems that had been his cross to carry all season, but to no avail. Texas' small-ball strategy and near flawless execution proved to be the difference. Seth Johnston was the Longhorn's offensive player of the game after his 2 run homer in the 1st inning. Robby Hudson, probably the weakest bat in the lineup, continued the tear he started in Oxford, MS during the super regional. He's now 6 of his last 12 going into Monday night's game v. top seeded Tulane.

Second, David Maroul. Maroul might be the most entertaining player on the Texas team after Stubbs and/or Teagarden for the sole reason that you never know what to expect from the kid. He batted .227 in an injury shortened season but displayed some serious power, belting 9 homers in 181 ABs. Aside from his hit or miss bat stats what really makes this kid stand out is his defense. He plays what I like to call an out-of-control type D. Because of incredible range for his position he can get to grounders all over the left side of the field, becuase of his cannon like arm, he always has a chance to make a play. On the flip side, he looks like he struggles making the routine plays. Thats not to say that he can't handle the routine plays, just that more often than not he makes the rountine plays look harder than they should be. He's worth keeping an eye on, if his power numbers are of any indication; this kid might be a few hours with a sports skrink from becoming a great third baseman.

Third, The Astros. While the playoffs remain distant memory rather than a realistic hope (kinda like a strong govenor of Texas), the 'Stros have shown some signs of life. Morgan Ensberg has regained his power stroke, belting his way to a team leading 16 homeruns. Jason Lane, after suffering through a serious slump (slump-buster anyone?), has also been living life by the trot of late. These two youngsters, along with Lance Berkman and two good knees will be the central makeup of the Astros lineup for years to come. Add to that the stellar speed of Willy Taveras and Adam Everett and you start to see what may prove to be a very exciting line up....in two years. Given the shift in makeup to younger players, the growing pains make last a while, especially when Clemens is gone. On the bright side, the first batch of growing pains are behind us and have shown who are the men and who are the boys. There are a few good arms in the pipeline which could supplement a staff anchored by Roy "the Wizard" Oswalt, and Brandon "fuck the strike zone" Backe. Still with the pending retirement of Bagwell, the Astros need a bat that can produce as consistently as the future hall of famers if they are going to be competing with St. Louis and Phat Albert Pujols.

Ok, time for bed. Don't forget: Texas takes on Tulane and the Astros number 1 draft pick tomorrow at 6pm.