Happy Thanksgiving from WTHB

A few baseball things for which I am thankful ~

I am thankful to know that the Astros farm system is getting stronger and stronger, and is chock full of really good, talented, funny, intelligent and decent people who will be easy to root for (and I am thankful that no one will give me grief for ending that sentence with a preposition).

I am thankful that Jim Crane did not change the Astros name.

I am thankful that Jim Crane hired Jeff Luhnow, gave us back the orange and blue and made it possible for people to bring in food and water without having to smuggle it like common criminals.

I am thankful for a robust Astros blogging community with passion, good humor and a variety of viewpoints.

I am thankful for twitter for introducing me to so many wonderful people over the last season.

I am thankful to Buca Morris for helping me retain a sliver of sanity when he started helping out with the blog last season.

I am thankful for the vision that Jeff Luhnow has as GM of the Astros and his desire to build the Astros system back up the right way - no shortcuts!

I am thankful for Baseball-Reference for providing me with valuable information day in and day out.

I am thankful for Baseball America's Draft Database, Minor League Free Agent Tracker and weekly transaction reports.

I am thankful that Baseball Prospectus had the good sense to hire Zachary Levine so that he will continue to have a regular outlet for his awesomeness.

I am thankful for my readers who have accompanied me on my journey thus far.

I am thankful for all of the fantastic (and helpful) people I met on my trips to the various minor league ballparks (yes, Jason Schwartz, I'm talking about you!).

I am thankful to Bobby Heck, Jeff Luhnow, Allen Rowin and Mike Fast for patiently explaining various minor league processes and mechanisms to me.

I am thankful for the players who were willing to share just a little of their stories with me.

But most of all, I'm thankful that, no matter what, baseball is still the same basic game it has always been, that it brings us together as family, friends and fans and helps create a lifetime of memories.

Happy Thanksgiving All!