Lance Berkman News

I remember it like it was yesterday. Larry Dierker used to write a regular column for the Chronicle before he became the manager.

One question, hundreds of answers: Which Astro had the greatest offensive season at his position? Major League baseball has been asking fans this same question in an effort to choose each team's best-ever collection of stars.

Branch Rickey always said it was better to deal a guy a year too early than a year too late.

Astros center fielder Michael Bourn has followed up a terrific season on the field with a banner season off the field, winning two major awards in his second season roaming the spacious outfield at Minute Maid Park.

Astros icon Jeff Bagwell couldn't help but notice a large group of people lined up to get supplies outside a homeless shelter next to Minute Maid Park as he made his way to the ballpark on Saturday morning for a charity event.

Yes, it's November, but why not take an early look at what the Astros' roster may look like next season.

Congratulations are in order for Michael Bourn. Yesterday, he became the first Astros outfielder since Cesar Cedeno in 1976 to win the Gold Glove.

Are you ready to be a champion? You are? I hope you know that championships are expensive, and, uh, well, the local baseball team is in kind of a bind.

Astros first baseman Lance Berkman admitted Tuesday afternoon he didn't know very much about his new boss, but that was exactly what made the announcement that Brad Mills was the new Astros manager so exciting.

With the World Series underway and the hated Yankees back in the Fall Classic, fans will have to wait on word concerning MLB news and the Houston Astros.

An hour before and two hours after Brad Mills was introduced as Astros skipper not a single person made their way to the Astros ticket counter at Minute Maid Park.

At last count, fans from 15 states and four foreign countries had signed the "guestbook". It's a Free Blog Weekend.

Manny Acta. Brad Mills. Phil Garner. Dave Clark. These four, uninspiring names are supposedly the Four.

Ed Wade made the perfect baseball when he sent Brad Lidge to the Phillies for Michael Bourn two years ago.

The Astros commenced their interviews for a manager Wednesday at Minute Maid Park by sitting down with two men familiar to the organization -- interim manager Dave Clark and Minor League field coordinator Al Pedrique.

Bob Melvin and Manny Acta, two men who were fired as managers in the first half of last season, interviewed with the Astros on Friday for their full-time managerial position with hopes of leading the way in Houston next year.

Bob Melvin sees the Houston Astros being in better shape than the Diamondbacks were when he became their manager in November 2004.

Lance Berkman made his way to Kissimmee, Fla. in the summer of 1997 with something to prove.

As if 13 years in the Astrodome wasn't enough torture. So Jose Cruz is no longer the first-base coach of the Houston Astros.

Upon hearing the Astros were in search of a full-time manager with plenty of experience, Phil Garner last week called president of baseball operations Tal Smith to give an endorsement of Bob Melvin, who had coached under Garner in Milwaukee.