With one year under his belt, Astros manager Cecil Cooper is ready for the 2009 season to begin. After a rough first half which saw the Astros at 6-12 to start the season, Cooper and his team got hot after the All-Star break to go an MLB best 42-24 while just missing a Wild Card birth by 3.5 games. We can all thank Hurricane Ike and Bud Seling for that.
Houstonist caught up with the Astros skipper at Thursday's Baseball Writers Association of America Awards Dinner to talk baseball.
Coach, with spring training just right around the corner, how exciting is it for you this time of the year?
Well, it's extremely exciting. We want to make a stronger showing than we did a year ago and we think we have a chance to do that. It's pretty exciting to get there (spring training) knowing that I'll pretty much have the same team that I had a year ago and we'll be familiar with each other knowing we can just go out and play baseball.
What was the difference between the first half and second half of last year? It was a rough start, but the team rebounded for a strong second half finish.
Well, I think number one, they got used to our style of doing things. Then I think everybody's role was really determined a little bit better and then I thought the biggest key was that Carlos Lee got hot and Roy Oswalt became the Roy Oswalt that we all know and love.
The interview continues after the jump.
Speaking of Carlos Lee, how is he coming along after the broken finger?
He should be ready (for spring training). I'm expecting big things out of him just like Lance Berkman, (Miguel) Tejada and also Hunter Pence again.
If they're healthy for a full season, what can we expect from Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz?
Well, I'm hoping these guys are guys that can take the ball every five days. If we can get them to take the ball every five days I'll know we'll be successful and they'll be successful.
The N.L. Central is a competitive division with the Cubs, Cardinals and now the Brewers. What will the Astros need to do to compete for a playoff spot?
We do have to play real consistent baseball. Particularly really early in the year. The Astros have had a history of always making good runs at the end of the year. We just need to play well at the beginning. It's going to be important for us to get off to a real good start and get everybody settled in and then to particularly play well at home. That's important and then to try and hold our own on the road.
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