Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla — A new era started in silence, save for the slapping of hands and some tired ballplayers bolting to breakfast. Unopened boxes towered over troves of empty lockers inside a cluttered clubhouse still preparing for most position players to report.