Astros fans, you know you’ve always wanted to see if Jeff Bagwell is an Ozarka or Dasani man, ask Woody Williams if he’s got his Kissimmee living arrangements in order – pitchers and catchers report Feb. 15, aka two weeks from today(!) – or demand Tim Purpura explain why on earth he has so much faith in Jason Lane. For that matter, ask Lane himself; he’ll be there too. Personally, Juiced can’t wait to see if Milo “Holy Toledo!” Hamilton will still sign my copy of Making Airwaves if I show up in Harry Caray glasses. My brother, btw, does a hysterical HC impression, so this is for you John: “Well, who the hell cares, numbnuts.”
Anyhow, Monday, Central Texas Astros fans will have three chances to hang out with the Astros’ Winter Caravan, i.e. Bagwell, Williams, Lane, Purpura, and Hamilton. There’s lunch at the Dell Diamond at 11:45am (tickets required, $30 or $225 for tables), and free 90-minute autograph sessions at the UT Student Union’s Main Lobby (2:30pm) and Academy Sports & Outdoors, 1351 I-35 South, back in Round Rock at 4:15pm. The lucky students of one Round Rock middle school (TBA) get the Caravan all to themselves at 10am. And don’t forget one of the Stros’ last spring tune-ups is their exhibition vs. the Express March 29 at the Dell. For more information try astros.mlb.com or www.roundrockexpress.com.
This article appears in January 26 • 2007.