60 seconds with an Astros fan....

[Astro Annie]

For those of you who haven't gotten to a game yet this year, one of the things they do between innings is "60 Seconds with [a player]" where the player is asked to choose between pairs of items by another player. Hunting or fishing? Blondes or brunettes? World Series ring or Hall of Fame?

They always say "World Series ring." Okay, then why don't they play like it? Now, I don't wanna hear any crap about how they're trying their best. With a couple of exceptions, these guys are better than the level of play they've been demonstrating. This is where having the right manager comes in. I'm not saying that it's the manager's job to win games, but it is the manager's job to keep his players motivated and doing their best every day, every game. And if they're not doing it, you most definitely can look back at the manager.

[barzilla]

"60 second with a fan"? Yeah, as if this organization does anything for the fans. Let me explain for a second:

1. I have been to Seattle, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and Baltimore in addition to Houston. We have the only ballpark in that list that does not permit fans to bring food or beverage into the ballpark. In fact, at BOB, Coors, and Camden Yard there were numerous vendors outside selling water, soda (we call it all coke in Texas), hot dogs, burgers, and even apparel outside of the ballpark. I bought a jersey for twenty that would have cost 80-100 inside. No can do in Houston. Thanks Ebeneezer McClane.

2. Food, soft drinks, and especially beer is more expensive in Minute Maid than any of those other ballparks. How did the Astros respond when this was reported? "Our prices are very competitive. You see, they are the same as you can get in the movie theatre." Hmmmm, never knew we were comparing ourselves to AMC and Cinemark, but thanks anyway.

3. As far as I know, the beer vendors in the Juice Box still get the lowest cut of any beer vendor in baseball. So, let's see, you have the highest price beer and the worker that sells it gets a lower percentage cut than anyone in baseball. You're still losing money right?

That brings us to the main point. Is Drayton really about winning? Consider a couple of very basic questions:

1. Which media market is bigger? St. Louis or Houston?
2. Which stadium generates more local revenues? St. Louis or Houston?
3. Which team has had the highest payroll in each of the last five seasons?

For those left in suspense the answers go as follows:

1. Houston
2. Houston
3. St. Louis

Like everyone else I can only say good things about what has been done in the front office this season, but being a champion is something you do EVERY season. When you underspend a team that has less money then you, you are not trying to be a champion. A real champion would call up Boras and ask how much it would cost to keep Beltran instead of allowing a rumor to fester that he will dealt if the season continues as is.

So, let's recap:

1. The Astros earn more money and spend less of it than the Cards.
2. The Astros don't allow fans to bring in food or drink when at least 90% of the leagues allows same (Milwaukee is the only other team not to that I know of, see, there is the Bud Selig PR machine at work).
3. The Astros' food cost more than most teams.

So, they don't spend much on the product on the field, they don't allow you to bring in your own food to offset the cost of a ticket and then gauge you when you get in. This guy is a fan friendly owner you say? More like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[PopTop]

:eek: You are 'da man, 'Zilla! :clap:

The only defense I will offer McLane has to do with the idea that vendors get a lower cut in Houston. I'm not defending the prices for ANYTHING at a ballgame. It's pure rape, nothing short! :angry: But salaries and wages are smaller in Houston than other big cities (500K or more) since the cost of living is so much cheaper than in a good 75%-80% of the other big cities. Earning $35,000 a year in Houston is probably the same buying power as $50,000 or more in NYC, and maybe $65,000 and up in some Cal locales.

I'm best buds with a guy who works as a bartender on the club level, and he kills! He's also a chief dispatcher for whatever the hell they call the old HL&P Power nowadays, so it's a second job just as it is for a lot of folks who work these events ... I know he rakes cash on the good nights at the place, though there are just 81 of those.

I love the guy to death, but I also have less than zero sympathy for the folks who are there selling $7 beers and $5 hot dogs and complaining they can't make any money ... The last game I went to a few weeks ago, I spent exactly zilch at the stadium, and about $50 before/after at other establishments.

[barzilla]

My wife and I go to Kim Son after every game we go to, but we might try another Chinese food establishment in the area. It is an embarassment.