Astros Cutbacks

The recession has definitely had an effect on the baseball world, with many free agents signing for less than they would have a year ago. It will be worth watching the smaller market teams, and see if they have to employ some of the drastic cutbacks teams like the Houston Astros did in the early-nineties recession.

In 1992, the Astros did away with their bullpen car to save gasoline, and instead had the bullpen catcher bring the reliever in via piggyback ride.

The team also did away with all snack foods, forcing hungry players like Eric Anthony to eat their batting gloves just to keep their stomachs from rumbling during the game.