Tradeless

Aside from the Wigginton-Wheeler deal and dumping Ensberg’s salary, the Astros did nothing at the trade deadline (non-waiver). They held onto Mark Loretta, Mike Lamb, Jason Jennings, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge. The first three mentioned will be free agents at the end of the season, so the most the Astros will receive for them [...]

Abolish Tenure?

Several recent posts around the ‘net on this question. I just wanted to note them and think about it.
Abolish Tenure
The Trouble With Tenure
Ultimate Academic Scandal?
More Tenure
Tenure: An idea whose time has come

FCC Sets Rules for Wireless Spectrum Auction

I confess that I am not completely conversant with the issues involved in this process, not remotely. Also, the auction that will take place probably won’t have practical effects for end users for several more years, however, I have become interested in the discussion about this auction over the past couple of weeks. Google made [...]

Iraq’s Christian Exodus

Bad news in this report from National Review Online about the sufferings of Christians in Iraq. 

Tim Purpura’s Nightmare

Keith Law calls($) the Wheeler-Wigginton trade a head-scratcher and speculates that the D-Rays will try to flip him for something better, maybe even before Tuesday. (h/t MLB Trade Rumors)
However, the Rays will more likely keep Wheeler moving, or at least will shop him aggressively in the next 48 hours to see if they can do [...]

Marvin Zindler Died Today

Houston TV crusader Marvin Zindler dies at age 85
(h/t blogHouston.net. Click the link for a neat graphic showing Zindler thru the years.)

Really? It’s worth that much to you?

One of the more devious trick plays I’ve seen, although I think you have to question the judgment of a coach who goes to these lengths to win a youth football game.
(h/t Wrong ball, coach. Also note the cryptic Herc Palmquist reference. (Sigh) We knew him when he was just getting [...]

Astros Trade for Ty Wigginton

They sent Dan Wheeler to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for utility player Ty Wigginton. I guess Tim Purpura didn’t learn his lesson after making basically the same deal last year for Aubrey Huff. At least that only cost us 2 middling minor-leaguers.
My initial reaction and the reaction around most of the websites was that [...]

Carlos Lee on Fire

The Astros won today against the Padres behind excellent pitching from Oswalt and the bullpen and more offense from El Caballo. Since the All-Star game, and especially the past week he has been crushing the ball. I heard him interviewed after the game and he said that he got a little pull-happy in June, but [...]

Roger Clemens Ad for ATT Wireless

I’m not as big a fan of Clemens as I was say at this time last year, but I don’t hate him like a lot of people. Anyway, I just saw a commercial for ATT Wireless that featured him and his wife that cracked me up. It’s similar to the ones where they show two [...]