Well, this is it, my final favorite Astros moment from 2011. Regardless of the struggles of 2011, I am and will always be a Houston Astros fan. I may not always agree with the owner. I may think the General Manager has lost his mind. I might sometimes feel the Manager would be a better Little League skipper than Major League.

But then again, sometimes there are moments of genius, both in the front office and in the dugout, and they can lead to greatness on the field. There is nothing better to me than watching a really well fought baseball game because when it is played by men at the top of their game who are playing with all of their heart and soul, baseball is America’s best sport.

And so as I leave you for the last time in 2011 I hope you’ll join me in sticking with the Astros a wee bit longer. I don’t expect miracles in 2012. Large ships take a long time to turn around, but it seems the Captain has begun to turn the ship in Houston, but it’s going to take time. This leads me to the final moment of 2011: the introduction of Jeff Luhnow as the new General Manager of the Houston Astros.

I don’t know much about Luhnow, but I know this – Houston needed a change and someone who is forward thinking and so far it seems the new GM’s given us that. My opinion is still out on Jeff Luhnow, but he does represent one big thing to baseball fans in Houston – HOPE.

Click the photo to watch the video.

With that I wish you all a very Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year! Thank you for being a part of Tales From The JuiceBox and I’ll see you at the ballpark in 2012!

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the tortured Senior Houston Astros Writer for Aerys Sports. You can email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her ridiculous ramblings on sports, vodka and the weeone on twitter @agirlinthesouth.