This Day In Astros History 3-14-08

[Guest JoesBros]

2003 - Houston signs lefthander Bruce Chen to a minor league contract but he stays with the parent club. This is his sixth National League team in the past four seasons but the ride doesn't last long. He is cut after 11 appearances with a 0-0 record and a 6.00 ERA

2002 - Larry Dierker drops in on the Astros spring camp in Kissimmee, FL to smiles and hugs. After 37 years in various capacities with the franchise, the ex-manager says it felt "weird" to not be at spring training

1991 - It's March Madness time and the most popular guy at the Astros camp is rookie Kenny Lofton. During his years at the University of Arizona, Lofton was known more as a guard for the highly-ranked Wildcat basketball team than as a speedy center fielder. Lofton becomes the resident expert in tournament betting pools._

1987 - After an 0-for-8 start and three errors in the field, shortstop Dickie Thon walks out of training camp. Although Thon is able to successfully return to basbeall, it's the beginning of the end of his time in Houston. Blurred vision is cited as the reason for his walkout

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[Wes57]

Dickie Thon would have been a great shortstop if he hadn't got injured. He's probably lucky to be alive from it.