Voir le texte source

== Ultimate Astros  Castro selected as All 0 ==

<html>Share this gallery:
1of35

 





ARLINGTON — In two years, the Astros hope to field a confident, talented team loaded with young professionals whose value on the field is rivaled by their passion for the game they play.

Catcher Jason Castro is one of the few current Astros who meets those winning requirements. And he’s a Major League Baseball All-Star reserve because of it.

Castro, 26, on Saturday was named to the American League squad as the Astros’ lone representative. It’s Castro’s first selection and long-delayed public validation for the No. 10 overall pick of the 2008 MLB amateur draft, who played in just 154 combined games during 2010 and 2012 and missed all of 2011 due to a knee injury.

The 84th annual game will be July 16 at Citi Field in New York.

After Saturday’s win over the Rangers, the lefthanded-hitting Castro (6-3, 215) is hitting .271 with 23 doubles, 31 RBIs and an .814 OPS. Entering Saturday,[http://www.smiabcy.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=27878 Anchorage- West's Tufi rode competitive fire to Division I softball scholars], he ranked first among AL catchers in extra-base hits (34), second in doubles and fourth in runs (36).

Castro’s also a clubhouse leader on a struggling team that sits 24 games below .500 and with some veterans who view the July 31 trade deadline as a way to remove themselves from a club on pace for its third consecutive 100-loss season.

‘High expectations’

Held in high regard by everyone from first-year manager Bo Porter and general manager Jeff Luhnow to the Astros’ community relations department,[http://www.wikipony.ru/index.php?title=%D0%A3%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA:Taylor625#Petric.27s_mental_state_key_to_motion_in_slaying_of_his_family Petric's mental state key to motion in slaying of his family], the former Stanford standout has been the team’s best overall player through 88 games and is showing the potential to become a long-term piece of the organization’s competitive future.

“Jason Castro placed high expectations on himself.” Porter said. “We’re now witnessing what it is we all believed the organization had when he was picked in the first round. His maturation has taken place right before our eyes and it’s good to see, because he’s worked so hard to get his health back right and get his game to the point where he’s able to play at an elite level.”

Castro grew up holding home run derbies based off the annual All-Star Game. The future Astros catcher and his childhood friends would place stars’ names in a hat,[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Jets-13-Selanne-blue-Throwback-Jerseys-7623/ Jets 13 Selanne blue Throwback Jerseys], shake it up, then draw out individual players, attaching their hitting heroics to the best in baseball.

Saturday, Castro bridged his current life with his past and cemented his name in MLB. He joins starter Joe Mauer (Minnesota) and reserve Salvador Perez (Kansas City) on the AL squad.

“It was something I was always hearing about growing up and watching all the All-Star Games,” said Castro, whose three-run homer in the seventh inning Saturday gave the Astros the lead immediately after the Rangers had tied the game. “It’s a pretty surreal thing to even be in the conversation. That in and of itself is a pretty cool experience.”

All-around catcher

Castro was named AL player of the week May 28 after hitting .579 with three home runs,[http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=350246077266&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT A new way to enter into contracts for home improve], five RBIs and a 1.741 OPS from May 20-26.

He entered Saturday leading MLB in multi-double games (six) and his 12 homers are the most for an Astros catcher since Mitch Meluskey hit 14 in 2000.

Castro’s defense is evolving. But he threw out the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler twice on steal attempts Saturday, is respected by the club’s pitchers and has linked up well with a makeshift staff that showed clear improvement from mid-May to late June.

“You have to remember that Castro had only caught one year in college and got drafted as a catcher — the Astros made that clear, that they wanted him to catch. So he’s taken the bull by the horns and really run with it,” said Astros No. 1 starter Bud Norris, who was also an All-Star candidate. “He’s in there doing all the scouting reports with (pitching coach Doug) Brocail … figuring these things out, and it’s really paid dividends for all of us.”

Two years ago, Castro couldn’t even get on a major league field. Now, he’s the most-complete Astros player wearing a pro uniform and barring a teammate being a replacement selection, he’ll be the lone athlete in New York at the All-Star Game representing a franchise trying to figure out how to win at the major league level while creating lasting names for the future.

“I’ve put in a lot of work to get back to where I feel like I should be and it’ll be a re-affirmation of the process — everything that I’ve done to get back to this point,[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Nordiques-26-Stastny-Light-Blue-Jerseys-7212/ Nordiques 26 Stastny Light Blue Jerseys],” Castro said. “I feel like it’ll definitely be a good reward and motivating factor to keep going. You’ll never really be satisfied and there’s always something to improve on.”</html>

== Public asked for help in finding Shawn David ==

<html>ST. CROIX - Police are asking for assistance from the community to help them locate a man who has not been seen by his family since he left his Estate Mount Pleasant home on Friday.
V.I. Police spokeswoman Melody Rames said Tuesday that investigators have issued a missing persons' alert for Shawn Ferris David, also known as "Biggs."
The family told police that they last saw David, 28, on Friday at his residence, Rames said. 
Police are asking anyone in the community who saw David anytime after July 5 to tell police what they know.
Rames said David is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. He has brown eyes,[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Blazers-12-LaMarcus-Aldridge-Red-Jerseys-2228/ Blazers 12 LaMarcus Aldridge Red Jerseys], a dark brown complexion and long black locks. David has a tattoo of his nickname, Biggs,[http://www.ejglobal.com/blog.php?do=showone&type=blog&cid=6&itemid=1080340 Birds Turning Off Friday Night Lights in Hawaii], on one arm and a snake on the other. He frequents Estate Mount Pleasant,[http://wenurse.funbbs.me/viewthread.php?tid=83670&extra= Five Link Building Tactics That You Should Avoid After Panda And Penguin],[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Tigers-35-Verlander-Red-2011-All-Star-Jerseys-115/ Tigers 35 Verlander Red 2011 All Star Jerseys],[http://forum.rohan-ots.com/showthread.php?470234-Market-your-business-with-free-classifieds-in-California&p=1372631#post1372631 Market your business with free classifieds in California], Grove Place, the Frederiksted Vegetable Market, Lagoon Street Complex and Hannah's Rest Plaza.
Anyone who has seen David or knows of his whereabouts can call detectives at 712-6077, 712-6037 or 911 or call the confidential tip line at Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477. 
- Contact Fiona Stokes at 714-9149 or email fstokes@dailynews.vi.</html>

== Ultimate Astros  Astros’ Norris dilemma continues as ==

<html>ST. LOUIS ― The Bud Norris questions never end.

Even when the Astros’ No. 1 starter is halfway through a career year and is the second-best overall player on a struggling team. Even when Norris leapt across the third-base foul line and took the mound Tuesday at Busch Stadium, facing a Cardinals club he’s regularly owned since entering the majors in 2009.

How much longer will Norris remain an Astro?

Does he want to remain an Astro?

Do the Astros truly want Norris?

A July 31 trade deadline is expected to provide the Astros’ answers. The best pitcher on the worst team record-wise in Major League Baseball tops the club’s list of deal-worthy players with a little more than three weeks remaining before the non-waiver cutoff.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has listened to,[http://cgi.tako.ne.jp/~friends/bbs3/light.cgi?res=8483%2520zumba%2520fitness%2520dvd%2520http Finding The Best SEO Search Engine Optimization Sp], read and tuned out Norris trade rumors ever since a 107-loss 2012 season ended. Tuesday, Luhnow continued to ignore the chatter, instead focusing on the fact his 28-year-old righthander entered a 9-5 defeat to St. Louis leading a team with baseball’s highest ERA (4.83) in wins (six),[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Bears-50-Singsletary-White-Jerseys-4067/ Bears 50 Singsletary White Jerseys], individual ERA (3.22), strikeouts (76) and innings (109).

“It’s so hard to tune out all the noise around you, and Bud has done a tremendous job of that this year,” Luhnow said. “And he is our best pitcher, and he’s been our most valuable pitcher this year, and he will continue to be. And we need him. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a leader on the team. He’s a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. And I used to sit here in this stadium in fear every time I watched him on the other side.”

Norris’ start Tuesday was his 19th this season. He could hit 20 before the All-Star break, but with former No. 2 starter Lucas Harrell recently demoted to the bullpen ― the disgruntled trade candidate relieved Norris ― and a slot open Sunday at Tampa Bay for the Astros’ pre-break finale, manager Bo Porter has decided to rest Norris and turn to an as yet unnamed fifth starter.
Norris to get rest

Porter made the call for two reasons. He wants to reward Norris’ strong first half with nine days of rest. Porter also wants to keep his best pitcher available in case Detroit manager Jim Leyland calls with a just-opened spot on the American League All-Star team.

“If we wanted him to make the start (against Tampa Bay), he would definitely do it,” Porter said.

He added: “I understand what goes into making those decisions as far as guys dropping out of the All-Star Game and you have the opportunity to add reserve guys. And I want to do everything that we can to put him in position.”

But the extra rest also creates another question: Could Tuesday’s start be the last Norris makes in an Astros uniform?

Norris was off-target from the start against the Cardinals.

He entered the contest having more success against St. Louis than any other club he’s faced, going 8-5 with a 2.74 ERA.

He exited having given up a first-inning two-run homer, a second-inning sacrifice fly, 11 overall hits and seven runs in five innings.

Norris rarely appeared comfortable and twice was at the center of injury delays. He pulled up limping after throwing a 95 mph two-seam fastball that turned into Matt Carpenter’s second-inning sac fly. After collecting the Astros’ first hit off Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright with an infield single in the third inning,[http://www.jerseys-hearts.com/Nike-49ers-85-Davis-Red-Limited-Jerseys-21620/ Nike 49ers 85 Davis Red Limited Jerseys], Norris hobbled around first base and later pulled up while running toward second base.

“There was a lot going on today,” Norris said. “I just tried to battle through it the best I could.”

Sub-standard outing

Before the bottom of the fourth was complete,[http://www2.toua-u.ac.jp/cgi-bin/bbs/vbbbs.cgi?res=12170 What to Expect from a Contextual Link Building Ser], it was 6-0 St. Louis. Norris’ dominance against the Cardinals had been erased. His last outing before the break would be his worst statistical start since May 13.

The Astros continue to say they want Norris. They have three weeks left to prove they believe keeping him in uniform is the best long-term move for their No. 1 starter and the organization’s multi-year rebuild.

“Bud has handled himself admirably this entire year given all the chatter that is out there,” Luhnow said. “He’s taken control of the things that he can control. … Bud’s been here, and he’s grown into that role. He’s here,[http://textsports.net/forums/showthread.php?p=135710#post135710 Improve Your Website Performance with Cheap SEO Services], and he’s arrived.”

But will he stick around?

brian.smith@chron.com
twitter.com/chronastros</html>