March 17

They don't whine, because that's not this team's nature. But life has been unfair to the Houston Astros. A Jim Leyritz ball that seemed to go sideways and ended up a home run. An unforgettable, improbable Walt Weiss stab and Billy Wagner's tight shoulder means the Astros still have never won a postseason series in their 39 years.

	Boston fans still rue the day the Red Sox traded away Jeff Bagwell.

After winning 97 games last season, things will be more difficult this year. Owner Drayton McLane has decided to slash payroll as the team moves into its new ballpark, so gone are their best pitcher, Mike Hampton, and arguably their 1999 MVP, Carl Everett. The two November 2000 free agents were moved for Roger Cedeno and the promise of pitcher Octavio Dotel and shortstop Adam Everett, promise that may not be appreciated for another season, or two. "Carl's trade upset me more than Mike's," says Jeff Bagwell. "Carl plays as hard as anyone I've ever known, and I understand Mike made it clear that he wasn't goling to sign an extension. But, still ... "

Houston will still be in the thick of a National League Central race that could be the best of any division, with Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and an improved Cubs club. "This team always has a chance to win because of the nature and leadership of its star players," says veteran Matt Mieske. "They work so hard, play so hard, care so much. There can't be many teams like this, which is why I've so enjoyed playing here at this point in my career."

Bagwell and Craig Biggio don't act like stars, but like guys who learned the right way to play from Casey Candaele; in fact, in a baserunning drill this spring, when Bagwell's ability to cut the bags and run the bases was pointed out by a coach, Bagwell said it was Candaele who taught him. The fiery Ken Caminiti is a big part of this team's makeup. So are Billy Spiers and Wagner's quiet toughness. While they will miss Everett, who carried them through difficult stretches in the dog days, knocked in 108 runs and played a brilliant center field, they are still a solid offensive team. Moises Alou is back, and looks outstanding. "This rehab has been easier than the one after my injury in '93," says Alou, comparing his blown knee that caused him to miss the entire season to the ankle he tore up in September 1993. "I could barely play in spring training of '94, and it killed me every day. Now I just need a couple of aspirin, and I'm fine." Never understimate the power and fire of Alou's presence in the lineup.

Alou is playing right field, to get young Daryle Ward at-bats. Ward, a big left-handed hitter who showed in September that he gets great at-bats against good pitchers, will play some in left, although a simple platoon is clouded by the fact that he hits lefties as well as righties. Cedeno, acquired in the Hampton deal, has shown Larry Dierker that he is a patient hitter who will work pitcherss for the top of the order. And now that Richard Hidalgo is recovered from knee surgery to correct a congenital problem, he is again regarded as a prime young productive player. That gives them four good offensive outfielders for three positions. Caminiti looks terrific as well.

While coach Matt Galante says Adam Everett's shortstop fundamentals are "the best I've ever seen" and they know he could play now and do a fine Roger Metzger imitation, they will send him out and allow the former University of South Carolina star to develop offensively. If they need someone for defense, Everett will bounce right up.

The Astros are going to need defense, because their pitching is thin, especially with the short left field porch in their new stadium. Jose Lima and Shane Reynolds are their foundation. Doc Gooden has thrown very well this spring, showing a newfound touch for four pitches. Dotel has been just OK; he has tried too hard at times and overthrown, resulting in some mechanical flaws. Chris Holt has come back after a year of injury and 5-13 record, but one player says, "He's got to win his first start." Scott Elarton will be out the first month following shoulder surgery, although he could fit right in with Lima and Reynolds.

"If you look at these teams, the one that makes the move for the big pitcher -- be he (Mike) Mussina, (Brad) Radke or whomever -- could win the thing," says Bagwell. "We did it with Randy Johnson two years ago." Johnson may have made them the best team in the National League in 1998, but they lost to San Diego in what was a bizarre first round.

One good sign is that the Houston players do not concede anything to the Reds, Cardinals or anyone else. "The Reds got a birthday present last season," says one player. "They won't get that again." They respect the veteran pitchers acquired by the Cardinals, and consider the Pirates the sleepers. "They may have the best pitching, especially the best starting pitching," says Bagwell. As he ran through the names, he added "best stuff in the league" after Kris Benson.

This is the players' team, and when one looks around at the Yankees, Braves and even the Red Sox, there is a definite sense that character counts in this game. But so does luck, and the Astros have had none in October. "Maybe," says Bagwell, "we have some fluke year coming."

They're still the Braves
If you saw Andres Galarraga right now and the way he is keeping his hands inside the ball and driving it hard to the alleys, you would be convinced that he is back -- and back big. "In some ways, this is our best team," says Chipper Jones. With Chipper, Galarraga, Brian Jordan, Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones (who under hitting coach Merv Rettenmund is beginning to show signs of taking his MVP skills and applying them better on the field), they have remarkable firepower.

Quilvio Veras gives them a legitimate leadoff hitter, and if John Rocker stays on his ladder, their bullpen is the best they've ever had; rookie Luis Rivera, who throws 96 mph and somehow makes the ball disappear in his uniform with his delivery, which freezes hitters, gives them yet another power arm in relief. The problem is going to be replacing John Smoltz, although there are many in the organization who believe Bruce Chen will be a fine 4-5 starter if they'll let him start every fifth day and develop the touch he needs to be successful.

Players are wowed by rookie shortstop Rafael Furcal, who can slash balls through the alleys and fly, and some have suggested he play against right-handers, since he is a better left-handed hitter, with Walt Weiss playing against lefties, since he's better right-handed. But Bobby Cox believes Weiss is going to have a good year, and trusts his pitchers to Weiss's sure-handed defense.

The players also believe rookie George Lombard will make an impact this season if there is an outfield injury. "He's learning to stay back, not think or worry as much and just trust himself," says Rettenmund. "It's scary how good his tools are," says Chipper. "I'd pay just to watch him run first to third."

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