May 22, 2010

Saturday afternon 55 SABR members and friends including new members Joseph Thompson and Dick Bily arrived at Union Station and Minute Maid Park to hear Houston Astros' General Manager Ed Wade candidly review in detail the team and coaching staff player by player and position by position.

Ed spent over an hour with us and started the conversation by discussing Roy Oswalt's request to be traded. After his review of the team and the direction they want to go, he opened the floor to questions which included comments about the status of certain minor league prospects, Miguel Tejada negotiations last winter, the dynamics of a baseball trade and the upcoming baseball draft where the team is currently evaluating and prioritizing 600+ prospects down to the top 14. This is important because the Astros have 4 picks in the first round.

Following Mr. Wade came Mike Acosta Authentics Manager of the Astros who spoke about uniform traditions, licensing, and turn-back uniforms the team would utilize this year as well as plans for a Houston Astros Hall of Fame and a commerative book being prepared to celebrate the team's 50 years in Houston in 2012.

Jeff Share and Mike Acosta provided over 10 door prizes that were very well received. Everyone in attendance also received a Michael Bourn bottlehead.

Following the meeting, we moved to Minute Maid Park to watch the NL Astros battle AL Tampa Bay Rays. It should be noted that 3 local Houstonians played in the game: Michael Bourn of the Astros plus Carl Crawford and Jeff Niemann of the Rays.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday June 8th at the Houston Sports Museum starting at 7 PM. The museum is located of I-45 south of Houston in the basement of the Fingers Furniture Store which is also the site of former Buff's Stadium. Details will follow.