*Random 2017 Astros fact:
Mike Fiers led the team in regular season innings pitched with 153.1, making the Astros the first World Series champion without a 200IP guy since the strike-shortened 1981 season.
*Matt Young notes the following autograph sessions at Academy:
-Carlos Correa, 5:30-6:30 today at the 9734 Katy Freeway location
-Lance McCullers, 7:00-8:00 today at the Pearland location
-Alex Bregman, 7:00-8:30 tomorrow (Thursday) at the Webster location
-Jose Altuve, 5:30-6:30 on November 20 at the Katy location.
Note:
The autographs are free, but passes will be distributed two hours before each appearance on a first-come, first-served basis. Each player will only sign a copy of the Houston Chronicle poster series, provided by Academy. The players will not be able to sign any outside items or merchandise.
*Jeff Luhnow said the Astros are considering starting Spring Training a few days later and making other changes to February/early March in an effort to prevent a Cubs-esque World Series Hangover:
Our workhorses are probably going to get a later start in spring, but we'll need to have those innings early so we'll probably have more Triple-A and Double-A guys or guys that we sign between now and then.
Gonna have to take a day off from work when Forrest Whitley pitches this Spring.
*Brent Strom talked to MLB Network Radio yesterday about how Carlos Beltran made his job easier. Strom:
He wore me out telling me how my pitchers are tipping. It finally got to the point where I said, 'I know, I know.' He really helped me a great deal with Lance McCullers Jr and Chris Devenski and everybody. It's really frustrating sitting there, watching your pitcher, and he's whispering in my ear that a changeup is coming. And there it was. Or a curveball is coming, and there it was.
*Lance McCullers Jr talked to Mad Radio yesterday morning about the use of his curveball, the postseason, and his frustration with how he was used at the end of the regular season.
*Carlos Correa visited kids at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital.
*You need to see this tribute video from Quan CM Tran:
*A.J. Hinch finished 3rd behind Paul Molitor and Terry Francona in AL Manager of the Year voting. I mean, Hinch had the division won by June, dealt with all those injuries, and a hurricane but hooray Twins and a 22-game win streak!
*Jake Kaplan notes that Mike Minor is a near-perfect fit for the Astros this offseason.
*USA Today picked Jose Altuve as their AL MVP, which will be announced tomorrow.
*The Royals are interested in Early September MVP Cameron Maybin.
*Here are FanGraphs' Top 50 Free Agents.
*Fox Sports has been accused of bribing South American soccer officials.
*I'm off to go pick up 15 dozen donuts, kolaches, milk, and orange juice for 125 11th graders. Pictures (maybe) later. #TylerWhiteDay
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
