The Astros figured briefly into Jayson Stark's Spring Training preview this morning. Among those notes:
*The Astros got three votes for the AL's Most Improved team, but didn't escape an asterisk joke. The Rangers and Mariners came in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
*For the second year in a row the Astros are the Least Recognizable Team! Actual quote alert: "Wow," said one NL GM. "I don't even know if I could name them." Ha ha ha the NL is soooo stupid.
*Scott Feldman came in 2nd on the Worst Free Agent Signing of the off-season poll.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
