Flashback to Spring Training 2005 - Where are they NOW?

As the Astros headed into their first Spring Training game today, I was reminiscing about my first trip to Kissimmee back in 2005 - quite an auspicious year for the team! After a miserable start to the season, they ended up winning the pennant for the first time in team history. Could this year be a rerun (preferably without the miserable start)? Time will tell. I'll be down in Florida to check out the 2010 Astros in one week and 5 days. But meanwhile, thinking about those 2005 pennant winners -- do you wonder WHERE ARE THEY NOW? I took a few minutes to check up on the players, with the results (and a few pix from Spring Training 2005) below.

PITCHERS:

Roy Oswalt - The Wiz is still our ace (even after a disappointing season last year) and a budding restauranteur.

Wandy Rodriguez - Still an Astro starter and hoping to top his 2009 best-ever season.

Roger Clemens - Retired (did he ever OFFICIALLY retire?) and hanging around at Astros Spring Training to watch his son Koby.

Andy Pettitte - Still pitching for the Yankees (and we didn't think he'd last 2 more years and let him go)

Brandon Backe - Since the Astros released him in 2009, the only news I've seen has been his arrest in a drunken scuffle with police. (However the player we traded to the then-Devil Rays to get Backe is now back in Astros uni -- Geoff Blum)

Brad Lidge: On-again, off-again, not-quite-lights-out Lidge is the closer for the Phillies.

Dan Wheeler: Relief pitcher for the Rays.

Chad Qualls: Closer for the Diamondbacks.

Russ Springer: Pitched for the Rays in 2009, currently an unsigned free agent.

Ezequiel Astacio: Pitched in 2009 for the Des Moines Iowa Cubs (Cubs AAA).

Mike Gallo: Bumped around the minors, not currently pitching anywhere I can see.

Chad Harville: Put on waivers and picked up by Boston before the end of the 2005 season, now retired.

John Franco: Released during the 2005 season, ending his record-setting career (most games pitched in NL)


CATCHERS: 

Brad Ausmus: Signed up for another year as the Dodgers backup catcher, with an option for 2011. (Remember that high kick he tried out in 2005, hoping to improve his batting?)          

Raul Chavez: Signed minor league contract with Blue Jays, invited to Spring Training as non-roster invitee.

Humberto Quintero: Still the backup backstop for the Astros.          

INFIELD:

Jeff Bagwell: Retired after unsuccessful attempt to come back in 2006, but still working for the franchise - it's great to see him coaching the minor leaguers at Spring Training.

Craig Biggio: Retired after his 3000-hit season in 2007; now coaching his kids' high school team and doing tons of charitable work in Houston.

Lance Berkman: First baseman for the Astros. (No pix from Spring Training '05 - he wasn't playing, due to his offseason football injury.)

Morgan Ensberg: Unfortunately, he never achieved the super-star potential he showed in 2005; didn't sign with a team in 2009, he's now retired. UPDATE: But you can still follow him - on his baseball blog: http://morganensberg.wordpress.com/.

Adam Everett: Shortstop for the Tigers.

Eric Bruntlett: Minor league contract with the Nationals, in Spring Training camp as non-roster invitee. Moment of fame in 2009: Playing for the Phillies, made a game ending unassisted triple play. (I always loved that guy's defense!)

Mike Lamb: Signed a minor league deal with the Marlins; in Spring Training camp as a non-roster invitee.

Jose Vizcaino: Retired, works for the Dodger's front office.

OUTFIELD:

Luke Scott:  He’ll be at Orioles Spring Training trying to figure out where he fits in their roster -- and how he's going to protect himself now that MLB has outlawed guns in the locker room. 

Willy Taveras: Just signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, and is in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. (He went 0 for 2 in today's game.)

Jason Lane: Bopped around the minors for the past few seasons, currently somewhere in the Marlins system.

Chris Burke: Spent most of 2009 in the minor league affiliates for the Padres and the Braves. He currently has a minor league contract with the Reds.

Orlando Palmiero: Retired after 2007 season.

COACHES

Phil Garner (manager): Two years after the Astros fired him towards the end of the 2007 season, Garner interviewed for (but didn't get) the Astros Manager job last fall... I don't know what he's doing now.

Jose Cruz (1B Coach): Removed from his long-time gig as first base coach after 2009 season, he's now working for the front office. (But look for him in uni at Spring Training.)

Cecil Cooper (Bench Coach): After his stint as the Astros manager ended with the dismal 2009 season, Coop moved back to Katy, TX.

Doug Mansolino (3B Coach): Ousted from the Astros around the same time as Garner (who he eerily resembles)...I don't know where he is now.

Jim Hickey (Pitching Coach): Pitching Coach for Tampa.

Gary Gaetti (Hitting Coach): Working as a hitting instructor for Baseball USA in Houston.

AND MOST IMPORTANT (to me)...

David Whitehill (my oldest child, who was brave enough to go to Spring Training with his Astros-crazy mom): Moved to NY with his wife Marissa, where he works as an architect and cheers for the Yankees. Where did I go wrong?