Fun Day for Houston Sports Fans--The Long and Short of It!

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It seems that being a sports fan in Houston is too often an exercise in futility. But today was one of those heartwarming day for Houston fans.

The long of it--JJ Watt! The huge man is so fun to watch because he never quits, never takes a play off. And his hard work turned out to be so important today. With the Texans behind 10-7 and having just turned the ball over for the third time, JJ stepped into the path of a flare pass and intercepted it on the 20 yard line and he was off to the races. He returned the INT for 80 yards and the go ahead touchdown. It sparked the team to go on to a 23-17 win and a 3-1 record. So satisfying.

The short of it--Jose Altuve! He is so diminutive that you can hardly believe he even belongs in the major leagues. But he entered Sunday with a 3 point lead on Victor Martinez of the Tigers for the batting title. He could have taken the day off and forced Martinez to go at least 3 for 3 to overtake him. Many times over the years men in his situation would have taken the day off. But not the little man with the huge heart. He demanded to play and went 2 for 4 and ended up winning the title by six points! He is the first Astro in team history to win the batting title. Jose Altuve is the 2014 Batting Champion! So satisfying.

Happ For Oswalt--Same Pattern?

Last night's game between the Astros and the Washington Nationals reminded me of games earlier this season and last season. The Astros new left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ cruised through six innings and left with three to nothing lead. In the seventh inning the Nationals scored one run, but in the eighth they scored seven and got the win.

So Mr. Happ got a no decision last night, despite pitching well. I thought of all those times early this season and in 2009 when Roy Oswalt, for whom Houston acquired Happ, left the game with a lead only to receive a no decision. I hope this does not become a pattern for Happ the way it did for Oswalt.

A Forgetable Memorial Day!

I really don't like complainers, especially when it is me complaining. But there was lots to complain about or visit to Minute Maid Park this afternoon. First, the advertised holiday version of the Astros caps that were to be given away as promos were not provided. Not even the little American flags that we have received at games on Memorial Day were handed out this year. Can you say, "cost-cutting?"

Then when we got to the kids play area, that the Astros promote in an effort to attract families to the games, most of the activities were not open. We were told that they did not have enough staff to man all them. We had heard that the last three times we had taken to boys to a game, but those were on week nights/school nights. Today was a holiday and there should have been max staff on the job. More budget trimming?

Then the home plate umpire, Bill Hohn, decided he was the center of attention. He had, from our seats right behind the plate, squeezed the strike zone on Astros' pitcher Roy Oswalt. In the third inning Oswalt threw what both he and I thought was strike three to Adam Dunn. Hohn called it a ball, and on the next pitch, Dunn hit a bases loaded double, driving in three runs.

The next batter, Josh Willingham, had a 1-2 count. The next pitch was a fantastic pitch--I saw the replay when I got home and was right about my original opinion--but Hohn called it ball 2. Oswalt turned toward right field and raised his head and shouted. I don't know what word he said, but he was not shouting at the umpire, just expressing frustration.

But Hohn came out from behind the plate and walked toward the mound. He called Roy to attention, and Roy responded by pointing to the umpire. Hohn promptly ejected Oswalt. From there the pitching unraveled and the game got really ugly. The final score was 14-4. Most of the fans had left the building before the last out.

To add to the insanity, twice during the game, idiotic fans jumped the rails and ran across the diamond. Each time security captured the fan and led them away, one in hand cuffs. They will each pay a thousand dollar fine and spend the night in jail. Some fans find the trespassers amusing, but I am not one of those. I enjoy a baseball game, not jerks, whether they are behind the plate or trespassing on the field.

A thoroughly forgettable Memorial Day!

Perfect Night at Minute Maid

Being at a ball game anytime is a great joy, but Tuesday night at Minute Maid was almost as perfect as one could ever expect. The April temperature was about 70 at game time, and not a cloud in the sky. The roof was open and the breeze was blowing gently.

To make things better, we saw the return of Lance Berkman to the line up for the first time, following his time on the disabled list. He was one for four with a double and two runs batted in, giving hope that the offense will be improving in the days ahead. Even Carlos Lee had a hit, also a double, sparking hope that his slump will end soon. J.R. Towles had a couple of hits! Things are looking better.

After giving up hits to the first four Florida hitters, Brett Myers pitched tough enough to keep the Astros in the game. Matt Lindstrom came in and closed out the come from behind win over the Marlins.

It would be hard to find a better day at the ballpark!

Opening Day At Minute Maid '10!!!

Opening Day has been a huge part of life for my wife and I. We have celebrated 43 anniversaries, 42 of them at Opening Day for the Astros. The only time we missed was when we celebrated our 35th in New York City. We just returned from the 2010 edition.

Roy Oswalt started for the 'Stros against Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants, the reigning back to back Cy Young winner. Oswalt pitched creditably, but not well enough to avoid the loss. He gave up three runs in his six innings of work, while Lincecum did not allow a run in his seven innings of work.

Houston did not hit the ball hard very often tonight. Carlos Lee had a line drive off the wall in left, but the next well struck ball was in the 9th inning when J. R. Towles had a double to left center field to drive in the second run of the evening for Houston.

There were not too many bright spots for the over 43,000 in attendance. I wonder how many fans will be in the stands tomorrow.

Is Arbitration In Store for Wandy?

THe Houston Astros have three players that remain arbitration eligible; Hunter Pence, Tim Byrdak, and Wandy Rodriguez. The exchanged figures are not too far apart for Pence and Byrdak and the club. But there is a significant hurdle between what Rodriguez wants and the team is offering, a two million dollar hurdle.

Wandy had his best season year, winning 14 with one of the best ERA's in the league in 2008. I think he is on the verge of being a consistent winner and being left handed, hi is very valuable. I don't really care if he makes $5 million or $7 million. My concern is that Wandy has been the most easily distracted and emotional pitcher on the staff for most of his career. I hope that he does not have to go to an arbitration hearing and listen to his weaknesses presented by the team, who is trying to save a few (relatively speaking) dollars.

Here's hoping that a settlement is reached before the hearings start.

One Month To Go!

It is getting closer to baseball season, I can feel it. Every day now there is some baseball related story in the newspaper. Two of the Astros arbitration eligible players signed contracts yesterday--Jeff Keppinger and Chris Sampson. In a month the players will be in training camp and we will see pictures on the evening news of the workouts and then Grapefruit League games. I know the football playoffs are going on right now, but for me that is just a diversion till baseball gets back underway!

'Stros Added Myers!

I was away from home and the media for the first week of the new year, so I was a bit late in hearing that the Houston Astros had made a deal with right handed pitcher Brett Myers. It was a surprised because I did not think the Astros would spend the money for a free agent.

I am pleased that the move was made because I think Myers has a chance to really improve the starting staff this year. And of course that makes there be a chance to have a better season. Myers will likely be the third pitcher in the rotation, behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. That is a lot better than Mike Hampton or Russ Ortiz.

I am feeling a bit of optimism.!

No Arbitration for Miggy

I am not surprised that the Houston Astros have decided not to offer Miguel Tejada salary arbitration. He would surely win at least $12 million and they do not want to pay him that much next season.

That said, I hope they will be aggressive in negotiations for his services, he has been a positive influence on the team for the two seasons he has been in Houston. His joy at playing the game and his deep desire to win is needed on a team that features Carlos Lee and, to some degree, Lance Berkman, who are both pretty "laid back."

Plus if Miggy is willing to move to third, the Astros could get a better defensive shortstop and become a better team right away.

Wandy Was Wonderful!

It is always fun to go to the ball park, whether or not your team is doing as well as you might want. But it is lots more fun when your team plays well. Last night the Astros played well as a team and Wandy Rodriguez was wonderful.

Playing the World Champion Phillies and facing Cliff Lee may could have presented a much bigger problem, but the 'Stros got nine hits in the four innings that the lefty lasted. The biggest blow came off the bat of Wandy--as unlikely as that sounds. With the bases loaded in a scoreless game, Rodriguez took the first five pitches he saw and found himself with a full count. He fouled off four pitches before lacing a line drive into the right filed corner for a two run double. He scored moments later on a hit by Kaz Matsui. The four runs was more than enough.

Wandy had the Phils under his heel for the night and the Astros wound up with a 7-0 win! It was all topped off by a huge fireworks show sponsored by Marathon Oil. Very nice night at Minute Maid.

Hard to Be Excited!

The Houston Astros are playing so poorly that it is hard to be excited about what the dog days of summer will bring for the team. Their history indicattes that they will not give up and just be washed away by the competition. But just a few days ago I was sitting in the stands watching a game that if they won would have put them only one game under .500 for the season. Roy O. was on the mound with a lead. Relievers could not hold down the Brewers and the offense could not score again, so the game was lost. Followed by a string of losses that has put the 'Stros in the cellar and not showing any signs of getting better. Yesterday they gave up eight unearned runs and lost 8-5 in Cincinnati on a day shen the team had 14 hits. Yuk!

By-By Ty

Well, I guess I should not be surprised that the Houston Astros have decided not to tender an offer of arbitration for a contract to Ty Wigginton. I am not a huge Wigginton fan, though he won more of my favor as a left fielder when Carlos Lee went down to injury last season. But letting a productive player in the prime of his career walk is, in my judgment, asking for trouble if a team wants to win.

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The Making of a Legend

I just read an article in the Houston Chronicle called, "The Making of a Legend". It is part of a week long series of articles about Hakeem Olajuwan that has run in the paper in honor of the basketball star's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame tonight. I have know some of the story of the career of Olajuwan at the University of Houston and the Houston Rockets, but this account by sportswriter Fran Blinebury is a tribute as well as an account of an hightly unlikely story.

Hakeem grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. He was a soccer and team handball player. At age seventeen a basketball caoch took notice of the seven foot tall youngster and persuaded him to give basketball a try. He had only played for three months when he was encouraged to got to the United States to play basketball in college. His arrival in Houston and his mentoring by UH Coach Guy Lewis is now mythical in proportions. If you want to get a good look at the story, read the article on the front page of the sports section of today's Houston Chronicle. You can find it at chron.com.

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Track Or A Football Game?

I took two of my grandsons to watch the football game between crosstown rivals Rice University and the University of Houston, for the coveted Bayou Bucket. After six plays the Houston Cougars were up 14-0. Then they had a couple of misplays and the Owls tied it up. But by the end of the FIRST quarter, the score was 28-14 Coogs.

But the turnover bug bit them and they were trailing 34-26 at the half and went down as much as 41-28 in the third quarter. But the explosiveness of UH was too much for Rice and the final score was 56-48 in favor of the Cougars.

To say the least, a wild game!

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Now It Is TEN in a Row!

The Houston Astros have hit the ten loss in a row mark tonight, 4-3 tonight. Last night was 2-1. It is a sad sight to see the ineptness these professional athletes. No one is hitting. When the Reds scored 3 in the first inning off Wandy Rodriguez. You had the sense that the game was over in the first inning.

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