Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Introducing the Houston FRAstros - MLB Replacement Team
21 August 2002 | PetroniDE

Posted on 08/21/2002 11:04:29 AM PDT by PetroniDE

On August 30th, unless something along the lines of a labor miracle occurs, the ninth baseball work stoppage in thirty years will occur. Judging by the history of labor strife in baseball, it appears likely that the major league players will walk.

With the Houston Astros in contention for the NL Central title and/or the NL wild-card, it has been decided to form a replacement baseball team in order to protect the chances of the Houston Astros to finally capture post-season glory.

Team members, player profiles, and projected lineups:

XenaLyte will bat leadoff and play CF. She featurs a quick bat and lightning speed. Clearly the biggest base stealing threat on the team.
HoustonCurmudgeon will bat second and play 3B. Strong arm and good contact man.
Bobbyd will bat third and normally play 1B. The closest thing to a five-star ballplayer on the team. Good bat, glove, arm, and baseball sense. Will also play some 3B.
PhiKap bats fourth and normally plays LF. The clean-up hitter. Most powerful bat in the line-up. Will also play some 1B.
Dix bats fifth and normally plays RF. He serves as player-manager, so will he ever order himself to bunt?
Eaker bats sixth and plays SS. Strong arm and terrific baseball sense. Second best base-stealing threat.
TheMom bats seventh and plays 2B. Excellent double-play teammate with Eaker, and blocks the bag well on steal attempts. Never try to steal with TheMom on the field.
Flyer bats eighth and play C. Don't try to run on this man. He will track you down.
This is a NL team. Therefore, the pitcher bats ninth.

Remember the phrase "no pitching - no pennant"? Since you can't win without pitching, the FRAstros made sure that they have the "arms" to get the job done.

Projected starting rotation:

Iamright is the ace of the staff. Overpowering fastball and excellent change-up. Close to the right-handed equivalent of a Randy Johnson.
PetroniDE is the classic complement to Iamright. The only lefthander on the staff is a cross between a 1970's Bill Lee (minus the beard and lefty political views) and Tim Wakefield. Any pitch at anytime from him. Can also play 1B in emergency situations.
Smartaleck is another hard throwing righthander with an excellent breaking pitch.
BurFred is the sinkerballer. Lots of groundballs and not many strikeouts, but very few walks and can always pitch deep into games.
RikaStrom is the fifth starter and long reliever, but don't mess with her. She will knock you down on one pitch and have you talking to yourself after she sends you back to your dugout with a K.

When the starters tire, pitchers are summoned from the bullpen for middle relief, set-up work, and to close the games.

AntiVenom is a "don't mess with me" pitcher with a mean fastball, which serves well during set-up efforts in relief of the finesse pitchers.
OllieMB is the other set-up pitcher, featuring a nasty curve ball and change-up to complement the power pitchers. In emergencies and extra inning games, can play 2B or SS.
Humblegunner is the closer. What better name for a baseball closer than one with the name "gun" in it. When he enters the game with a lead, you can almost book it.

Can't forget the bench. Injury, fatigue, and situation substitutions insure that their services are essential.

Gracey substitutes in the OF for defensive purposes.
DrewsDad substitues in the OF for defensive purposes, and provides a speed boost for the slower base runners.
T-agent is the back-up catcher. No catcher can play every game. A dependable bat and baseball smarts.
BushDude2000 is the utility infielder and the lone switch hitter. Available to substitute at 2B, SS, or 3B. Will serve as a valuable glove man and additional contact bat.


TOPICS: Announcements; Free Republic; Political Humor/Cartoons; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: astros; baseball; frastros; houston; laborstrife
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-143 next last
To: Slip18
You have been drafted.

Slip18 (reserve catcher and switch-hitting pinch hitter).

Four openings left. I need pitching. Only have eight pitchers right now. Only one left-hander (me) on the team. I know this is a conservative websight, but as I always say, left-handed by birth, right-minded by choice.

I NEED MORE PITCHING, dammit...

21 posted on 08/21/2002 12:14:30 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ilgipper
And the Texas FRangers

Put me down as the beer man.

22 posted on 08/21/2002 12:15:17 PM PDT by TADSLOS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: uglybiker
Nice name UB! Fricken Freepin' Diamondbacks.
23 posted on 08/21/2002 12:15:19 PM PDT by Slip18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Xenalyte; Hap
What position(s) can Hap play? We need pitching and a left-handed bat or two.
24 posted on 08/21/2002 12:15:21 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
but the best is the Milwaukee FRewers . . .

Any relation to this guy?


25 posted on 08/21/2002 12:15:24 PM PDT by Xenalyte
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE; Hap
She's right-handed, but I bet she can pitch.
26 posted on 08/21/2002 12:16:14 PM PDT by Xenalyte
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE; Cyber Liberty
WAHOOOO! I'VE BEEN DRAFTED!!! What color uniforms are we going to have? I can't wear yellow it clashes with my hair. LOL!
27 posted on 08/21/2002 12:17:23 PM PDT by Slip18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Xenalyte; Hap
Hap has been drafted.

Hap: Fifth starter and relief pitcher. Is she a power (i.e. fastball) type or more of a off-speed (i.e. knuckler, curve, etc.) type?

One pitching spot and two position spots left. The final pitching spot MUST be filled by a left-hander.

28 posted on 08/21/2002 12:18:30 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Slip18
We wear the Houston Astros uniforms. Predominately white with stripes at home, and black with gold lettering on the road. They were red with gold lettering as an alternate on Sundays.
29 posted on 08/21/2002 12:19:29 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE; BluesDuke
I nominate BluesDuke for skipper...JFK
30 posted on 08/21/2002 12:20:22 PM PDT by BADROTOFINGER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BADROTOFINGER
And I nominate myself for the position of "Voice of the FRAstros"...JFK
31 posted on 08/21/2002 12:21:14 PM PDT by BADROTOFINGER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE
Well, I ain't playing if I can't wear purple.
32 posted on 08/21/2002 12:22:27 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Cyber Liberty
We don't have time to re-design the uniforms.... If this carries into next season, maybe...
33 posted on 08/21/2002 12:23:55 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE
I found my uniform, Coach.

Slip 18 would look lovely on the back.

34 posted on 08/21/2002 12:29:16 PM PDT by Slip18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Cyber Liberty
This striped number is white with gold and black. It will look wonderful on you.

Can you pitch left-handed?

35 posted on 08/21/2002 12:30:49 PM PDT by Slip18
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Slip18; Registered
They look nice, don't they? Maybe we can draft Registered for some pictures of us in action.
36 posted on 08/21/2002 12:31:01 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Slip18
I can't even wipe my butt left-handed. I can, however, speak out of both sides of my mouth....
37 posted on 08/21/2002 12:34:55 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: PetroniDE
Hmmmmm....can I apply for bench coach?

I will steal signs, read lips, discern body language. Perhaps even a role as a pinch runner...love stealing bases.

I will provide scouting videos of all opposing teams. I will provide coordinates for the opponents defense weaknesses.

I will be stealthy in all dealings with any 'presstitute.

I will stand up for you, watch your backside and listen for opposing teams strategeries. ;-)


38 posted on 08/21/2002 12:35:54 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: wordsofearnest
Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

And the St. Louis CaFRdinals
BallandPowder with his 1400ft per sec fastball...(lefthanded/sidearm)LOL!

39 posted on 08/21/2002 12:49:16 PM PDT by BallandPowder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Stand Watch Listen
I have to think about hiring of coaches for a couple of days. First task is to finish the 25-person roster.
40 posted on 08/21/2002 12:50:03 PM PDT by PetroniDE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-143 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson