Cooper Relaxed for Second Camp

By Alyson Footer / MLB.com 

HOUSTON - When manager Cecil Cooper reports to the Astros' Spring Training complex this week, he senses he'll be a more relaxed, confident and calm presence than he was this time one year ago.

Last year, he admittedly was nervous. He was accustomed to the behind-the-scenes role of coach, planning the day of workouts for his skipper away from the spotlight, where reporters' questions and scrutiny were directed elsewhere.

He wasn't entirely prepared for, nor was he looking forward to, being the focus of the attention. But with a year in that role now under his belt, Cooper is more confident and better prepared for what lies ahead.

"Last year, a lot of the players didn't know me, and I didn't know them," Cooper said. "It was all brand new for a lot of us. This year will be a lot easier in that respect."

Indeed, in 2008, half of the players who were to participate in Astros Spring Training were new to the team, ranging from the shortstop to the center fielder to the closer and the second baseman.

By contrast, the Astros didn't have as much turnover this past offseason, although they did lose two role players in Mark Loretta and Brad Ausmus, and a key member of the pitching staff in Randy Wolf, all of whom signed with the Dodgers. Ty Wigginton has also moved on, signing with the Orioles after the Astros deemed him unaffordable. But by and large, the starting lineup returns a host of holdovers from '08, including Lance Berkman, Kazuo Matsui, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence.

The rotation has only one newcomer -- Mike Hampton -- whose familiarity with the Houston club dates back to his five-year run with the team from 1994-99. The bullpen has also remained intact, starting with closer Jose Valverde and on down --Doug Brocail, LaTroy Hawkins, Chris Sampson and Geoff Geary -- just to name a few.

Few jobs are available, but there will be a handful of opportunities in the pitching department. The projected rotation of Roy Oswalt, Hampton, Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe and Brian Moehler undoubtedly could use a lift, and veterans such as Russ Ortiz and Clay Hensley, or oft-injured Felipe Paulino, will get a look.

The Astros front office begins its seven-week "road trip" to its Spring Training home this week. Soon after, Cooper and the coaching staff will arrive in Florida, and by the end of the week, the complex at Osceola County Stadium will be fully functional and open for business through April 2, when the Astros head home in anticipation of Opening Day.

Most years, pitchers and catchers will work out together five or six days before position players report, but this time, only three days separates the arrivals of the two groups. There really is no reporting day for pitchers and catchers -- they're required to be at Osceola County Stadium by Saturday morning, at which time they'll have their first workout. The following Tuesday (Feb. 17), the rest of the crew arrives to Florida for the first full-squad workout -- 57 players in total, including roster players and non-roster invitees.

For the most part, Spring Training is everything the regular season isn't. Workdays start in the early, early morning hours, with Cooper and the coaching staff arriving to the complex as early as 6:30 a.m. ET. The clubhouse staff gets there around the same time, as does the athletic training staff, to get the facility ready before the arrival of the players at around 8 a.m.

Morning workouts, prior to the start of the Grapefruit League season on Feb. 25, are open to the public and free of charge. Gates open at 9 a.m. and workouts normally run until between 11:30 a.m. and noon.