fanatic [fuh-nat-ik] noun – a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal

With the Astros recent seasons of struggles, there have been some questions raised on the Internets about “true fans”. Most of the questions have been posted on Twitter by other fans, but they should still be addressed, because my “true fan” status is at stake here, yo!

You can love your team, and still admit they suck.

What makes you a “true fan” of a team? Is it your loyalty? Is it your tattoo? Is it your positivity? What about your negativity? Do you go to most of the home games? Do you travel to see your favorite team play on the road? Have you been cheering for the same team since you were 5?

In my mind “true fan” can be defined in countless numbers of ways and all of the above scenarios can realistically come in to play. A “true fan” lives and dies with their team, whether they’re winning or losing. You still go to games and follow their every move. A “true fan” is positive, but is also realistic and knows when his/her team isn’t good and can say it. Yes, it’s great to be positive about your team and to talk them up, but seriously when your team is the worst team in baseball it’s OK to be negative.

Confession time, I have been known to poke fun at the Houston Nine on Twitter quite often. I’ve said they look like little leaguers (they do at times), I’ve called out certain ballplayers for their strikeouts and lack of batting (I’m looking at you Jordan Schafer), and I joke about their fielding when errors are made. Seriously, they’re in the big leagues they shouldn’t be running into each other on the field, but all kidding aside I’m still at most every home game (I missed 10) and I still hope that they win, or play well, every night. Does my poking fun make me less of a fan? I don’t think so.

Another question that has been raised is what the proper etiquette should be if a player follows you, the fan, on Twitter. Twitter is an amazing social media tool that I think all ballplayers should be a part of. I think it’s an outstanding way to stay connected and to interact with fans. Ballplayers are big boys and they should be able to handle criticism and negativity. If they can’t, well they shouldn’t be on Twitter.

As fans I think it’s important to support your team in the good times and the bad. Obviously you want your team to win, but when they’re losing you don’t just give up and stop root root rooting. As fans I also think it’s important to support your fellow fan. Who are we to judge what makes someone a “good” fan or a “bad” fan. We’re all cheering for the same team and hoping that they do well and in the end that’s fan enough for me!

Greis Perez (AmazingGreis), pronounced Grace, is a lifelong Astros fan and contributor for Aerys Sports. You can email her at amazing_greis@yahoo.com, or follow her on Twitter, @AmazingGreis, where she’s considered a #BadFan and professes her undying love for Justin Timberlake and all things sparkly!

With the Astros in St. Louis right now, those of use who are used to hauling ourselves down to Minute Maid Park and cheering in a crowd (okay, lately more like a small group) would normally be stuck on our couches to watch a game. But last night, Alyson Footer, Senior Director of Digital Media for the ‘Stros, and her new intern, Rachel Frey, hosted an Astros Watch Party at Lucky’s Pub, just blocks from MMP. (to get in on these great events follow @alysonfooter or @AstrosTweeps on Twitter)

Lucky’s offered us appetizer and drink specials if we were in Astro’s gear and we all made full use of that deal. I think the cold ‘beverages’ helped ease the ache as Bud Norris and the Astros took one on the chin with a final score of 1-5. This is my new favorite way to watch an away game. Why? Because when your team is struggling like mine is this year it’s a lot more fun to be around a group of like-minded people with yummy food, cold beer and lots of laughs while your team gets pummeled.

So, yes, losing can be fun. In fact, last night – losing was a blast!

Terri Schlather (AGirlintheSouth) is the Senior Houston Astros Reporter for Aerys Sports. You can read her Astros blog at www.talesfromthejuicebox.com, email her at agirlinthesouth@gmail.com, or follow her on twitter @agirlinthesouth.

With last night’s 4-2 loss to the Padres, the Astros stand at 4-10. But in this series, it’s all tied up. Tonight Nelson Figueroa will take the mound in his third start since being named the 5th man in the Houston starting rotation. I haven’t been shy about my opinion on Figgy as a starter, I don’t understand it. So far this season, he’s 0-2 with a 10.61 ERA. Ouch. He’s thrown a mere 9.1 innings but has allowed a staggering 19 hits and 15 runs. Opposing batters are hitting .396 against him. Not a great start. Not what the team needs. And it’s been painful to watch.

I know that with the state of the Astros Farm system, we’re rebuilding it, that this is not a club that’s going to be a true contender for several years to come. I understand the idea of sacrificing now for the longterm good and I’m supportive of that. But, wow. Figueroa’s the best we could do?

Last season Fig pitched really well, no doubt (7-4, 3.29 ERA). But was last year his peak? Was last year a fluke? Or can Figgy bring it again? I personally think when you look at his career as a whole the likelihood that we’ll see last year’s stats out of him is pretty low. He’s a 36 year old veteran who’s time is likely passed. I’m not sure how long Brad Mills will let a pitcher struggle before he makes a change, and I’m not saying he should do it yet, but the thought’s bound to be in the back of his head by now. We’ve got some potential starters in the bullpen (Aneury Rodriguez) and some potential in AAA (Jordan Lyles, Ryan Rowland-Smith). I still maintain that Fig’s throwing for his life.

I’ll be sitting in Budweiser Patio tonight with the weeone and all the other Astros Tweeps (@astrostweeps) (that’s the twitter gang) and I’ll be cheering Figgy on, I promise, but I won’t be holding my breath.