When I outlined the ways the Astros could turn their season around a couple of weeks ago(1. Keep producing offensively 2. Brad Lidge has to return to his old form 3. The team needs to acquire another solid pitcher) .....I also believed they would get off to a better start after the All-Star break. Geez ....are you kidding me?? They lost 3 straight to the Cubs at Wrigley?? How bad of a team are you when you lead 5-0 after 1 1/2 innings ...and then give up 6 in the bottom of the 2nd??? When was the last time the Astros made a big pitch or made a big play in a critical situation ....in a road game?? These guys have to pick it up and pick it up soon .....or not only will Manager Phil Garner be fired ..... there's going to be a fire-sale on players. The Jason Jennings trade also could be the biggest mistake of GM Tim Purpura's reign.

In the meantime .....some of owner Drayton McLane's people have won another award. You ever wonder why the Astros average over 37,000 fans per home game ...despite their lackluster record this year?? There are a number of reasons .... air-conditioned fun during Houston's hot summers, the hangover affect of ticket-buyers from the 2005 World Series ....and of course, fans are entertained at the ballpark no matter what happens to the home team. This last reason is the one that really strikes me. If you have gone to a game this season .... you probably noticed that no matter what the score is ......10-1 in favor of the Astros ...or 10-1 in favor of the visiting team ..........most people are still sitting in their seats and enjoying themselves with their famiy and friends. Well part of that is due to the great show put on at each game by the Ballpark Entertainment Department. That department just won for "Best Show in Baseball" award in a competition against the other major league teams. It's the second year in a row that they have won the award. The department also won the award for "Best Occasion Video" for their production of "Astros Wars: Hitting for the Cycle; Starring Luke Scottwalker." This was a great video ....and when the ballpark crew does their salutes to the 80's or the 60's they always do a great job!!

So even though his team may not be putting out a winning effort right now .....at least McLane can take pride in the work of his marketing department. Do you feel better now?? Yeh ... I didn't think so.

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