The afternoon before I hit the road, I listened to a pregame interview with Phil Garner, in which he told Alan Ashby that the 2005 Astros were a team that had the potential to specialize in late-inning comebacks. "Of course they do, you dolt!" I screamed at the radio, "that's because you are using your best players as late-inning substitutions!" But now I look at the stats and see that Chris Burke has only gotten to bat twice this season, and is hitless, so that is probably not the right explanation. Garner is onto something, though -- in the Astros' three victories so far, two have come with rallies in the 8th and 9th innings. After years of sitting fruitlessly in the stands after the Astros have fallen behind in the early innings, watching everyone with more sense than me get an early start on the drive home, I am sorry that I'm not there to enjoy this sudden clutchness. Even if it is coming at the hands of Mike Lamb and Jose Vizcaino.
I haven't heard an Astros broadcast since Wednesday because I can't get my MLB radio subscription to work and there is nothing up here on the radio but Cubs and Cardinals. I think of my team constantly, though, and I am delighted to read about Willy Tavares running from first to home on someone else's double. I might end up getting cable, just so I can watch him run.
Some people spray paint graffiti on walls and some go around drawing happy faces. I have Garner down as a happy face kind of guy. Maybe there is something to it. After messing up a bunt play last night Vizcaino got in touch with his "inner Biggio" and smashed a liner off the wall to win the game.
But, the firm of Duckworth, Franco, and Wheeler looked like the kind of guys who walk by a small fire and surendipitously find a full can of gasoline to throw on it. Garner will soon hear himself saying on the mound things like "No, I think your stuff is still there. See if you can get me to the 8th."
Posted by: Dudley Bokoski | April 10, 2005 at 10:09 AM
Wheeler was pretty good in the '04 postseason, I've got faith in him (for now!).
Anyway, it has been interesting to see the Astros' different style of play this year... but I think I'll be happy when Berkman returns, healthy and hearty and ready to rack up the RBI.
Posted by: gfoxcook | April 11, 2005 at 02:32 PM
Please don't let the best baseball blog on the Internet die just because you can't see, smell and feel your beloved Astros. Not that I'd recommend becoming a Cub fan at this point in your life - it's kinda like marrying an angry alcoholic. Who can't orgasm.
Anyways, I just wanted to say please keep up the good work. If you want me to chip in $5 so you can get MLB.TV, just say so.
Also Depressed to be in the Midwest
Posted by: WRITE MORE | April 19, 2005 at 03:59 PM
Please don't let the best baseball blog on the Internet die just because you can't see, smell and feel your beloved Astros. Not that I'd recommend becoming a Cub fan at this point in your life - it's kinda like marrying an angry alcoholic. Who can't orgasm.
Anyways, I just wanted to say please keep up the good work. If you want me to chip in $5 so you can get MLB.TV, just say so.
Also Depressed to be in the Midwest
Posted by: WRITE MORE | April 19, 2005 at 03:59 PM
XM satellite radio is also a good option -- you can listen to milo & ash do the play-by-play. Oh yeah, there's music too.
HURRY BACK!!!!
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