Thursday, October 20, 2005

Come Back to Texas




Word has it that the ball hit the Astros' plane on route to St. LouisAfter the Albert Pujols moonshot that essentially ended game 5, many o my friend asked if the loss was hard, but to be honest, that moment barley cracked my to 5 worse sport moments as my childhood was so bad, they named the failures: the fumble, the drive, the shot. To make matters worse, EPSN Classic shows these games every year on their anniversary. I really doubt they will be showing Game 5 this time next year. Although I have to admit I had nightmares of David Eckstien that night.

Who need momentum why you have Roy OswaltUnlike many blowhards, one thing that didn’t worry me since the homer was momentum. Momentum is just something created by sportswriters who can’t think of anything better to write about. Yeah after the shot, I really doubt the Astros would get the run back in the bottom of the ninth, but I didn’t think it would affect the team in the next games because of the two guys who didn’t play in game five, Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens. And it turned out that I was right as Oswalt pitched the type of a game that basically punched his ticket to Cooperstown baring a Jose Lima type collapse in the future.

Craig Biggio is on to Chicago then CooperstownAnd no way should I have to debate whether Craig Biggio should be in the hall anymore. His number should have been enough along with his flawless transition from catcher to second base to center field to left field back to second. Now his clutch performance in the playoffs so far should solidify his induction. And because of the performance, Biggio is wiped from being third all-time in games played without a World Series appearance. Granted he shot to number one with a bullet on the list of most games played before their first World Series with Jeff Bagwell moving into third on the list. Ironically they samwitch Big Head Barry whose Monsters all seem to be going to jail on drug charges. Hope he’s stocked up on his flaxseed oil.

Have fun on the golf course LaRussaWith two dominating performances, Roy Oswalt was the easy choice for the MVP but I think Tony LaRussa should get an honorable mention. How else can the best team in baseball lose to a team that should have been disbanded in June? The Cards were basically one rocket lancher away from losing in five games. Where Phil Garner changing the lineup multiple times to keep the hot hands in their, LaRussa keep his struggling stars at the top of the lineup. The most notable mistake was keeping the anemic Jim Edmonds and Larry Walker around Pujols. Through most of the series Pujols would come to bat with no one on because of Edmonds and then was left stranded because of Walker. Then LaRussa stubbornly still goes with the righty-lefty matchups which is the worst philosophy in baseball. Anyone who can only get out a certain type of batter shouldn’t be in the big leagues anyways. And look at some of his matchups. LaRussa continually brought in Julian Tavarez, the ugliest person in baseball, who Houston has owned in the last two playoffs to the point where Tavarez got so frustrated dude punches a telephone. So I’d like to thank LaRussa for being the most overrated manager in baseball. Hope you have fun golfing with Bobby Cox next week.

Burke, Berkman, and Oswalt are the 1st Astros to hold that trophyLooking ahead to the World Series, Garner has a big decision as what to do with the DH which he will have to utilize for as many as four games. In an interview last night Bagwell said he was off to petition of the job. That would make a great story, but having Lance Berkman might be a better choice. He’s been hurt too and then Garner won’t have to worry about benching Chris Burke, Willy Tavarez, or Mike Lamb and with those three in the field rather than Berkman would also be a better defensive lineup too. If Garner does go with Bagwell (this does set up a potential Kirk Gibson scenario), I’d go with Lamb being the odd man out because I don’t really trust Berkman’s knee to roam the outfield until they have the abbreviated left field in Houston.

They may not be part of the Big Three, but the Sox batter may not want to see these guys on the mound eitherOne think that I’m really getting sick of is people talking about Chicago’s “big four.” Just because they can get a complete game doesn’t put them on par with Andy Pettitte, Oswalt, or Clemens. Plus the original Big Three don’t have to worry about going nine innings; all they need is six with Wheeler, Qualls, and Lidge concluding the final three innings. So the Big Three doesn’t have to worry about a pitch count and can waste a few pitches setting up the batters. The so-called “big four” doesn’t have that luxury because Houston can jump on the Sox relievers much like they did against Atlanta and St. Louis.

Prediction: Houston wins the series in Houston this time.


On another sports story hats off to New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin who is asking for the “Cleveland Plan” where they get rid of the owner but keep the name, colors, records, and the like. But as a Browns fan, may I recommend that you not make Butch Davis the coach of your new Saints if it happens.

1 comment:

  1. Wow! So much you brought up. I love your prediction of Houston Winning it at home. That would be so awesome.
    I don't think you will see Roy Oswalt turn out any "It's Lima Time" pitches. They are two different personalities and they have different pitching styles.
    Lance Berkman is a great idea for DH. His knee is not really up to snuff and Bagwells arm just isn't quite ready. I hope Bags at least gets to pitch hit once or twice. It's really kind of ironic that he can't even play after all these years.

    I don't know what kind of bull pen the Sox have but our guys are up to the challange.
    Biggio will definately be in the Hall of Fame, so will Bagwell.

    The Cardinals: Sloppy playing, wild pitches, no offense.

    Game 5: Eckstein is a little pest who somehow manages to get on base. If he gets on, he gets around. I can't believe Lidge walked Edmonds. He hadn't been hitting all night long. He wasn't getting the high and inside calls. Puhols, what can I say! You let a slider flatten out over the plate and Puhols will hit it every time. I have to say that I was in total shock when that happened. Brad Lidge had to feel like someone ripped out his heart, I know I did. I'm glad that the team didn't let that loss get in their way. Roy Oswalt was definately my hero...

    Now, on to the WORLD SERIES...GO ASTROS!!!!

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