You may not like the drunk guy shouting things from behind you, or the girl wearing pink team merchandise even though she doesn’t know who to cheer for, but it’s these fans that are crucial to the success of the game. They are fans who support your team in ways you never can, but that’s because image matters more than love. The good part is that their money is as good as anyone’s…

Celebrating their 50-year anniversary, the Houston Astros are preparing for a monumental move to the American League in 2013. They haven’t had the most successful past and are currently struggling in the NL Central, but a move to the AL West may go a long way to turning around the fortunes of this suddenly-storied franchise.

When the Texas Rangers brought castoff pitcher Roy Oswalt into the fold and sent him to Triple-A for some grooming, many people scratched their heads. With a starting rotation as good as Texas’, what were they going to do with an aging righty? However, look closer at the numbers and you’ll see that Oswalt’s abilities may be more necessary than expected. Josh Doan breaks it down.

Think about your home team’s stadium. Is it state-of-the-art? When was the last time it was updated? These kinds of costs outrage fans when they find out the money to build these luxuries is coming out of their pockets, but are fine with the idea that some players can make similar millions – to the point where some are worth more than the palaces they play baseball in.

In 2004, the Red Sox stole the hearts of many baseball fans worldwide by toppling the Goliath that was the Yankees in the ALCS. Since then, they’ve slowly been giving those hearts back because of selfish, uninspired play. Lately though, with a cast of second-string players, the Red Sox are slowly turning heads back in their favor.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been far more successful lately than most thought possible, considering their extended history. However, they’ve done it for a lot of reasons contrary to those you hear talked about. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler debunks the myths and presents the facts that truly make up the, *ahem*, American League powerhouse.

The “student has become the master” adage holds truer for no left-handed pitcher more than Gio Gonzalez. After being a prospect traded to Oakland for a big name player, he grew to become an All-Star and was then shipped off as the big name to Washington last winter. Now, he’s in a position to emerge as one of baseball’s better pitchers and is in a perfect market to do it.

Albert Pujols is getting slammed by the national media for a horrendous start to both the 2012 season as well as his massive contract. With just one home run to speak of almost a quarter of the way into the season, we’re all wondering what’s wrong? Is this a poor adjustment to Anaheim? Is age catching up with him at a breakneck speed?

Chase Headley calls himself a “Saved by the Bell” trivia whiz. Fitting, since his Step by Step progression and marked Home Improvement has allowed him to finally shed his Growing Pains and Blossom as a rising star in San Diego. Who’s The Boss now?

The life of the outfielder is a lonely one. Without any teammates around to chat with between plays, the outfielder is left with no recourse other than to make friendly with the fans. Jeff Francoeur understands this, and his lesson is one that outfielders throughout the league would be wise to learn.