Did You Hear About Morgan Ensberg in San Diego?

Archie Brown has been wanting a change at third base for the Houston Astros for several seasons. Morgan Ensberg has been so aggrivationg that Archie has called him Morgan Stinkin' Ensberg since before he was the goat in the World Series in 2005. His tendency to take called strikes was the source of the irritation. He was supposed to be a run producer. He got traded to San Diego this week and made his debut for the Padres today. He went 4 for 5 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI.

That is a run producer!

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Did You Hear About Mike Coolbaugh?

Archie Brown read the sad, yet inspirational story of Mike Coolbaugh this morning in the paper. Mike was drafted in the 16th round of in 1990 and decided to go pro instead of go to college, because his dream was to be a professional baseball player.

Over the next 17 years my plate and several organizations and made to brief appearances in the major leagues. But he always seemed to be caught in the numbers are behind somebody that was a bigger star.

Please let not be capitalized and in 2005 season. Mike had a superior season going in AAA, at Round Rock. The Astros were in a push for the pennant that ultimately ended up in the World Series. That aside I would call up Coolbaugh for some added strength to the bench. But that might Mike got hit by pitch and his wrist was broken. So he missed his chance to enjoy a trip to the World Series.

This season he had decided not to play any longer in the minor leagues. He had gone to San Diego and begun to try to sell real estate. But just last month he had accepted a position coaching first base for the Tulsa Drillers, which is a minor league team for the Colorado Rockies. He was thrilled to be back in uniform and have a future in the game.

Then Sunday night in the ninth inning of a game in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mike was struck on the side of the head by a line drive. He collapsed and less than an hour later was pronounced dead. He leaves behind a wife, five-year-old and three-year-old boys, and a third child to be born in October.

Mike Coolbaugh was just 35 years old.

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Did You Hear About Mark Prior?

Archie Brown is a big baseball fan, and he loves the Houston Astros. So any thing that helps the 'Stros is usually cause for rejoicing in his mind. But the News that Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior had to withdraw from a minor league game where he is rehabbing his shoulder is not good news for baseball. Prior was so promising a young pitcher that it is a shame he is not as healthy as in necessary to live up to the promise!

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Did You Hear About The Astros' L Train?

Archie Brwon has been an Astros' fan for a long time and has really enjoyed the era of the Kiler B's. Centered around Biggio and Bagwell, and lately Berkman, there have been an array of players with B for and initial.

This year there has been a move to L. Carlos Lee, Jason Lane, Mark Loreta, Luke Scott, and Lance Berkman. Archie thinks maybe it is time for him to get on the L train!

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Did You Hear About Spring Training?

The Astros' pitcher and catchers are to report to Kissimmee, Florida tomorrow for the beginning of Spring Training. Archie Brown is one of the biggest baseball fans anywhere and he looks forward to this time of year. For him, football season is just a diversion till baseball returns in the middle of February.

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Did You Hear About Our Season Ticket Seat Selection?

Archie Brown and five other guys split a pair of season tickets for the Astros' home games at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Tonight is set for the guys to select the games they will see. They use a drawing of numbers from a hat to determine the order of choosing games. The guy who draws number one gets the first pick and so on. It is usually a lot of fun and determines who gets to attend Opening Day!

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Did You Hear About Fan Fest?

Archie Brown was so pleased when he read that baseball returns to Minute Maid Park this weekend. Some of the best college programs in the country, including Rice and University of Houston, will have a round robin tournament. The Astros will conduct Fan Fest in conjunction with the tournament. At Fan Fest Autograph sessions will be held with several players, and former players. Fans will get to hear from the General Manager, Tim Purpura, as welll as have a chance to ask questions of Purpura. Phil Garner, Astros manager will also speak to the fans. A card and memorabilia show will take place throughout the stadium. Admisssion is just $20 for adults, $10 for kids. The admission will get you into the tournament, the player sessions and the show!

Archie called to see if his grandsons could go with him!

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Did You Hear About Hunter Pence?

Archie Brown's reading in the sports page this morning about the Elite Training camp conducted by the Astros, he was reminded not only of the laeft handed pitching prospect, Troy Patton. He also read about the promising young power hitter, Hunter Pence. Pence has been hitting homeruns throughtout his minor league career and has fans like Archie drooling Pence had a good week at the camp. Along with Patton, Pence today received an invitation to the Major League Spring Training camp with the Astros in Florida later this month.

Maybe his dream will come true this season!

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Did You Hear About Troy Patton?

Archie was reading the sports page today about the Astros young prospect, Troy Patton. He remembered Patton from his high school days in the Houston area. The young man is left handed and throws very hard. Those are commodities the Astros desparately need. Patoon has had more strike outs than innings pitched through his minor league career. Archie thought that was a good sign.