Daily Craig: Day one in the Majors

I decided late yesterday afternoon NOT to go the Astros game. I have a credential and was also invited to a suite. Sweet, but in order to not take any of the spotlight off Rookie Alex Bregman, I would watch on the major league TV we have at the ranch. I have to admit others showed up to see what this kid could do and what the fuss is all about. He, of course, follows George Springer and Carlos Correa in the parade of first round draft picks. I choose to remember a pretty good second rounder the Astros took in 2004.

Hunter Pence has won two World Series with the Giants and had a run with the Phillies but he's an Astro to me. Hunter was the 64th player taken in 2004 and it took him a couple of years to put on the BIG LEAGUE OUTFIT. He saw the bright lights of Round Rock and Corpus before getting a call up from then G.M. Tim Purpura. It was April 28, 2007. I was at the far end of the dugout when Pence's group interview was finally over.

I asked him if I could do a quick interview and he said yes. I told him since he was now rich he could buy his family a home, maybe a new truck, or perhaps his own plane. He thought I was serious and told me "I did get a new sport coat and a haircut". That was the best rookie interview ever.