2 months ago
In his second media interview in three days, Dana Brown, who was dismissed as Houston Astros general manager Aug. 24, stood up for Jeff Bagwell, Jim Crane and Joe Espada.
Speaking with A.J. Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and Scott Braun on Tuesday's episode of "Foul Territory," Brown made it clear he had no hard feelings about the people trying to keep the Astros in first place in the American League West, especially Bagwell, the senior advisor for the franchise, who works closely with Crane, the team's owner, on baseball decisions.
"Jeff Bagwell's a good baseball man," Brown said in the 16-minute interview. "I have no problems with Jeff Bagwell. I love talking with Jeff. We have some great conversations."
Bagwell, a Hall of Famer for the 15 years he manned first base for the Astros, has become a bit of a divisive figure among fans concerned about his influence in front-office decisions. After general manager James Click was let go shortly after the team won the 2022 World Series, Bagwell and Crane orchestrated many of the moves that offseason, including signing first baseman José Abreu and reuniting with reliever Rafael Montero and outfielder Michael Brantley. Neither Abreu or Montero made it to the final season of their three-year contracts and Brantley was able to play just 15 games after signing his deal.
With Brown gone, Crane has taken over baseball operations with Bagwell working with the team's three ******* istant general managers to take over Brown's duties until the next general manager is in place.
#astros
Speaking with A.J. Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and Scott Braun on Tuesday's episode of "Foul Territory," Brown made it clear he had no hard feelings about the people trying to keep the Astros in first place in the American League West, especially Bagwell, the senior advisor for the franchise, who works closely with Crane, the team's owner, on baseball decisions.
"Jeff Bagwell's a good baseball man," Brown said in the 16-minute interview. "I have no problems with Jeff Bagwell. I love talking with Jeff. We have some great conversations."
Bagwell, a Hall of Famer for the 15 years he manned first base for the Astros, has become a bit of a divisive figure among fans concerned about his influence in front-office decisions. After general manager James Click was let go shortly after the team won the 2022 World Series, Bagwell and Crane orchestrated many of the moves that offseason, including signing first baseman José Abreu and reuniting with reliever Rafael Montero and outfielder Michael Brantley. Neither Abreu or Montero made it to the final season of their three-year contracts and Brantley was able to play just 15 games after signing his deal.
With Brown gone, Crane has taken over baseball operations with Bagwell working with the team's three ******* istant general managers to take over Brown's duties until the next general manager is in place.
#astros
2 months ago
NEW YORK - Bringing Brent Strom back into a baseball role did not require a hard sell.
"I know one thing," a smiling Strom said at Citi Field on Saturday. "This retirement job is the worst job I've ever had."
About 48 hours earlier, Strom said, his phone had rung. It was Jeff Bagwell, the Houston Astros' senior advisor and one of several executives handling baseball operations after the team parted with general manager Dana Brown this week. Bagwell asked if Strom, the 77-year-old longtime pitching coach, would be interested in rejoining the Astros as a pitching consultant for the rest of this season.
"I looked at my wife, she said, 'Do it,' and that was the answer right there," Strom said.
So after joining the Astros in New York on Friday, watching their series opener on TV in the clubhouse at Citi Field, Strom was on the field Saturday afternoon in Houston gear again, observing pitchers he will work with for the next month-plus. Manager Joe Espada described Strom as a "fresh set of eyes," who will complement pitching coach Josh Miller and ***** istant Ethan Katz down the stretch.
#bagwell
"I know one thing," a smiling Strom said at Citi Field on Saturday. "This retirement job is the worst job I've ever had."
About 48 hours earlier, Strom said, his phone had rung. It was Jeff Bagwell, the Houston Astros' senior advisor and one of several executives handling baseball operations after the team parted with general manager Dana Brown this week. Bagwell asked if Strom, the 77-year-old longtime pitching coach, would be interested in rejoining the Astros as a pitching consultant for the rest of this season.
"I looked at my wife, she said, 'Do it,' and that was the answer right there," Strom said.
So after joining the Astros in New York on Friday, watching their series opener on TV in the clubhouse at Citi Field, Strom was on the field Saturday afternoon in Houston gear again, observing pitchers he will work with for the next month-plus. Manager Joe Espada described Strom as a "fresh set of eyes," who will complement pitching coach Josh Miller and ***** istant Ethan Katz down the stretch.
#bagwell
3 months ago
HOUSTON (AP) — General manager Dana Brown and the Houston Astros have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Monday, when it was tied for first place in its division.
Brown's contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Senior adviser Jeff Bagwell and ***** istant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin ***** ey and Connor Huff will take over Brown's responsibilities while team owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition.
The move comes after the Astros went 3-6 on a homestand that ended Sunday to fall into a tie with the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.
Brown had been the team's general manager since January 2023.
"Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division ***** les and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts," Crane said in a statement. "On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization. We wish he and his family the best."
#astros #general #dana
Brown's contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Senior adviser Jeff Bagwell and ***** istant general managers Charles Cook, Gavin ***** ey and Connor Huff will take over Brown's responsibilities while team owner Jim Crane will oversee baseball operations during the transition.
The move comes after the Astros went 3-6 on a homestand that ended Sunday to fall into a tie with the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.
Brown had been the team's general manager since January 2023.
"Over the past four seasons, Dana has helped our organization win two division ***** les and has led our baseball front office through key scouting, draft and development efforts," Crane said in a statement. "On behalf of the Astros, I want to thank him for his commitment, energy, and contributions to our organization. We wish he and his family the best."
#astros #general #dana
3 months ago
Charles Scaggs, a name that might not ring a bell right away, but one that wrestling fans from the 90s and early 2000s will recognize instantly once you mention 2 Cold Scorpio or Flash Funk, has pleaded guilty to second-degree ****** ault and armed criminal action. The 60-year-old former WCW and WWE performer entered the plea as part of an agreement that spares him a trial, and he's now scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9.
The case stems from a 2024 incident at a Love's Travel Stop in Kansas City, where Scaggs stabbed a man during a confrontation, reported Cageside Seats. According to Scaggs' account to police, he was working security at the station and told a customer he couldn't light a cigarette inside the building. That exchange escalated into threats, then a physical struggle outside, and eventually Scaggs pulled a knife.
What makes this case particularly serious is that Scaggs told police he continued stabbing the man even after the initial confrontation, saying he stabbed him "a few more times," stated Penn Live. The victim was found bleeding from multiple areas, including his head, chest, abdomen, and legs, and was reportedly in and out of consciousness as he was taken to the hospital. He originally faced two felony charges before the plea deal was reached.
For those who followed wrestling in that era, this news lands differently than your average crime blotter item. Scaggs was a fixture on national television for years, known for an athletic, high flying style that was ahead of its time. It's a reminder that the people we watched flip off top ropes decades ago are living regular, complicated lives long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Before any of this, Scaggs built a genuinely impressive résumé in the ring. He held the WCW Tag Team Championship alongside Buff Bagwell, and later found a home in ECW, where he teamed with The Sandman to capture tag gold there as well. He also picked up the ECW World Television Championship on four separate occasions, a ****** le he defended with the kind of flair that made him a crowd favorite during ECW's scrappy, high risk heyday.
#championship #television #case #stabbed
The case stems from a 2024 incident at a Love's Travel Stop in Kansas City, where Scaggs stabbed a man during a confrontation, reported Cageside Seats. According to Scaggs' account to police, he was working security at the station and told a customer he couldn't light a cigarette inside the building. That exchange escalated into threats, then a physical struggle outside, and eventually Scaggs pulled a knife.
What makes this case particularly serious is that Scaggs told police he continued stabbing the man even after the initial confrontation, saying he stabbed him "a few more times," stated Penn Live. The victim was found bleeding from multiple areas, including his head, chest, abdomen, and legs, and was reportedly in and out of consciousness as he was taken to the hospital. He originally faced two felony charges before the plea deal was reached.
For those who followed wrestling in that era, this news lands differently than your average crime blotter item. Scaggs was a fixture on national television for years, known for an athletic, high flying style that was ahead of its time. It's a reminder that the people we watched flip off top ropes decades ago are living regular, complicated lives long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Before any of this, Scaggs built a genuinely impressive résumé in the ring. He held the WCW Tag Team Championship alongside Buff Bagwell, and later found a home in ECW, where he teamed with The Sandman to capture tag gold there as well. He also picked up the ECW World Television Championship on four separate occasions, a ****** le he defended with the kind of flair that made him a crowd favorite during ECW's scrappy, high risk heyday.
#championship #television #case #stabbed
3 months ago
All streaks must eventually come to an end. Blue Jays 3 Astros 1 For Houston, their 6-game run might be history, but a new chapter has officially begun. A few hours prior to Monday's trade deadline, Houston would acquire Daulton Varsho in an effort to shore up their outfield production. Varsho would seize the moment, paying immediate dividends in the first inning. In some ways, it was only fitting that Nathan Lukes would start the night flying out to Daulton, and then in his Astros debut at the plate, he'd reach on a single to right field.
In the top of the second, Alejandro Kirk started the scoring with a solo shot to left field. That made the score 1-0. In the fourth, Toronto would increase their lead after a pair of hits from Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer, combined with an error from Taylor Trammell. That combination of events made things 3-0.
Houston would have their chances early but failed to capitalize. In their first and second innings they'd have multiple runners on base, but Christian Walker and Jeremy Pena each struck out swinging, stranding a pair of runners.
Cristian Javier would provide a quality start. Javier would go 6 innings and allow just 3 runs while scattering 7 hits. In the 7th inning, Tatsuya Imai would make his debut out of the bullpen and pitch three scoreless innings, at one point, striking out five in a row for an impressive relief outing.
In the bottom of the 6th, Houston would load the bases. They'd score their first and only run on Jeremy Pena's RBI single which brought in Yanier Diaz. In the frame, Yordan Alvarez would be intentionally walked for the 23rd time this season. The Astros all-time record is 27 free passes, which Jeff Bagwell registered back in 1997.
#astros #varsho #javier #they 'd
In the top of the second, Alejandro Kirk started the scoring with a solo shot to left field. That made the score 1-0. In the fourth, Toronto would increase their lead after a pair of hits from Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer, combined with an error from Taylor Trammell. That combination of events made things 3-0.
Houston would have their chances early but failed to capitalize. In their first and second innings they'd have multiple runners on base, but Christian Walker and Jeremy Pena each struck out swinging, stranding a pair of runners.
Cristian Javier would provide a quality start. Javier would go 6 innings and allow just 3 runs while scattering 7 hits. In the 7th inning, Tatsuya Imai would make his debut out of the bullpen and pitch three scoreless innings, at one point, striking out five in a row for an impressive relief outing.
In the bottom of the 6th, Houston would load the bases. They'd score their first and only run on Jeremy Pena's RBI single which brought in Yanier Diaz. In the frame, Yordan Alvarez would be intentionally walked for the 23rd time this season. The Astros all-time record is 27 free passes, which Jeff Bagwell registered back in 1997.
#astros #varsho #javier #they 'd
4 months ago
How he got to the Braves: 2024 6th round pick (#191 overall)
In a farm system full of intriguing young arms, Bagwell continues to fly under the radar despite putting up excellent numbers to begin his career.
Last season, Bagwell made a total of 10 starts with Augusta after dealing with an injury that sidelined him for a majority of the first half of the year. In those starts, he tossed 50 innings of 2.88 ERA ball while holding opponents to a .198 average. While the baseline numbers were solid, Bagwell's strikeout numbers left something to be desired as he only managed 30 strikeouts in those 50 frames.
In 2026, however, Bagwell has seen his strikeout rate jump while also keeping his impressive walk rate in check as well.
Bagwell made 13 starts for Augusta before being promoted to Rome, where he made his first high-A start on July 1 in which he tossed six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one in the process.
#bagwell #first #strikeout
In a farm system full of intriguing young arms, Bagwell continues to fly under the radar despite putting up excellent numbers to begin his career.
Last season, Bagwell made a total of 10 starts with Augusta after dealing with an injury that sidelined him for a majority of the first half of the year. In those starts, he tossed 50 innings of 2.88 ERA ball while holding opponents to a .198 average. While the baseline numbers were solid, Bagwell's strikeout numbers left something to be desired as he only managed 30 strikeouts in those 50 frames.
In 2026, however, Bagwell has seen his strikeout rate jump while also keeping his impressive walk rate in check as well.
Bagwell made 13 starts for Augusta before being promoted to Rome, where he made his first high-A start on July 1 in which he tossed six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one in the process.
#bagwell #first #strikeout
