The Pecan Park Eagle

BOB HULSEY
of
ASTROS DAILY

If you never have ventured into Astros Daily.Com, the bat-and-ball cave of the Astros “Batman” historian, Bob Hulsey, you’ve been missing out on reams of detailed information on the 24/7, 53 year old history of Houston’s only MLB franchise, the Houston Colt .45s (1962-64) and Astros (1965-Present Time, 2015). The Batman analogy is intended in the most positive way. If Bob Hulsey is Batman here, we may logically conclude that his compatriot in this quest for the erasure of ignorance about the Houston Astros is our other good friend, Darrell “Robin” Pittman. These guys live, breathe, and sleep Astros history. Any time you need an answer about the Astros, just turn on two searchlights in the sky – each with the Astros logo on it – and point them full blast on – in two directions from Houston – to the west and Austin – and another toward the south and Stafford, Texas – as you also click onto Astros Daily.Com. – If the information exists, Batman and Robin will show up with the answers to your questions.

Just a few notes of caution: (1) No “jokers” need apply. These guys at Astros Daily take Astros history seriously; (2) Astros trivia “riddlers” are similarly warned. Don’t mess with these guys. After your encounter, you will be the one to walk away – “riddled” in amazement at how much these guys really know; and (3) Be upfront and honest in your dealings with the caped researchers at Astros Daily. They don’t cater to “two-faced” people.

DARRELL PITTMAN
of
ASTROS DAILY

Here’s a small sample of what we mean – and we do mean small sample of all that Astros Daily has to offer.  Here are a few historical events that have occurred on March 20-22, the corresponding dates for this weekend in 2015. “This Day in Astros History”, by Bob Hulsey, contains selective entries for each date of the year and what has happened in Astros history on each date:

March 20
2009 – After winning their first spring game of the year, the Astros fail to win their next 19 Grapefruit League contests until beating the Reds, 4-2, behind six shutout innings from Russ Ortiz. It comes the same day that the Astros sign catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The 37-year-old Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star with 13 Gold Gloves and fills a need as none of the other catchers in camp were hitting above .200 in spring action.
1996 – Jim Pendleton dies in Houston, TX at age 72. His 36 RBIs as a Colt in 1962 were the most of his big league career.
1994 – Both teams train in Florida, yet the Astros and Rangers spar in a two-game series at the Astrodome as part of their in-state rivalry. Tony Eusebio is the hero in a 6-5 victory, driving in Luis Gonzalez with an eighth-inning double. Astro nemesis Will Clark delivers the game-winner for the Rangers the following day. It’s the first Dome visit for new Houston manager Terry Collins. Afterwards, both teams fly back to Florida.
1936 – Jim Golden is born in Eldon, MO. Jim lives up to his name when he shuts out the Cubs in his first start for the Colt .45s in just the third game in franchise history.

March 21
1996 – Houston sends lefthander Billy Wagner to the minors, intent on converting him to a starting pitcher. By year’s end, he is in the Astros bullpen, winning two games and saving nine in 37 appearances.
1989 – Astros acquire second baseman Steve Lombardozzi from the Minnesota Twins for a player-to-be-named later. Lombardozzi bats .211 in 23 games with Houston.
1939 – Tommy Davis is born in Brooklyn, NY. The former two-time N.L. batting champ hits .271 as an Astro during parts of the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
1929 – Prentice “Pidge” Browne is born in Peekskill, NY. As a 32-year-old rookie, Browne hits .210 in 65 games for the Colt .45s. It is his only big league action.

March 22
2007 – After almost 20 years of wearing a pin in his cap to promote the Sunshine Kids charity for cancer-stricken children, Major League Baseball tells 41-year-old Craig Biggio that he can no longer wear the emblem during spring exhibition games. Biggio reacts angrily while the Astros front office refrains from comment. A week later, after a mild media uproar, Major League Baseball rescinds the order.
1986 – Astros lose to the Rangers, 6-2, their ninth loss in the past ten games. They provide as many errors as hits. Pressure is put on rookie manager Hal Lanier to show some imporvement. Pre-season forecasts predict the Astros will do no better than fourth place in the Western Division.
1978 – Jeremy Griffiths is born in Fairview, OH. Part of the trade in 2004 that sent Richard Hidalgo to the Mets, the 6-6 righthander makes one start for the parent club, lasting 4-1/3 innings.
1966 – Sean Berry is born in Santa Monica, CA. The scrappy third baseman bats .283 with 38 homers in three seasons with the Astros (1996-1998), including two as division champions.
1926 – Billy Goodman is born.in Concord, NC. The infielder bats .255 for the 1962 Colts in the final campaign of a 16-season major league career.

For the entire year, check out “This Date in Astros History” at http://astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/#0317

And for the whole grand ride, go to the home page of Astros Daily for a full picture on all these dedicated Astro historians have to offer:

http://www.astrosdaily.com/

And hey, Astros Daily guys, try to remember – if you’re working in the bat and ball cave this weekend, you will have to order take out meals. This is Alfred’s weekend off.

Tags: Astros Daily.Com

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