Astros Ready To Eject From World Series
HOUSTON FANS FELL ASLEEP IN GAME 3
Has there been a more meek meltdown in World Series history or any sports championship, for that matter, than the Houston Astros last night (early this morning)?
Unless, the longest game in World Series history sapped the energy out of the Astros' fans or they just gave up. Many had labeled the home park of the Astros, Minute Maid Park, as one of the loudest in baseball. Did the commisioner's edict to open the retractable roof make that much of difference in the cheering of the fans?
Minute Maid Park was dead throughout the night and, amazingly, for the entire extra innings. On many occasions, the lone screams of a few fans were clearly audible. Fox, with its philosophy of showing as many fan shots as possible to build suspense, created a picture of a fan base that was neither excited nor hopeful, instead, it seemed like their team was one out from being swept by the White Sox and not tied in extra innings down two games to none.
If the Astros' fans acted as a 10th man on the field throughout the season, their failure to vocalized any positive emotion hovered like a dark cloud over the team. When Ezequiel Astacio was summoned from the bullpen, the Astros were already demoralized. But why? The White Sox had failed to even come close to scoring in the extra frames just as Houston. There was no sense of momentum on Chicago's part, yet Astros hitters were flailling at pitches outside the plate like the honky tonk down the street was yelling for last call.
Needless to say, when it became clear that Astacio had little pop on his fastball and no control, the wheels came off when Cal alum Geoff Blum smashed a line drive homer to give the White Sox the lead in the 14th.
Manager, Phil Garner, hurled a chair in the dugout. Andy Pettitte's face became somber and Morgan Ensberg was on the bench on the verge of angry tears.
It's been said here before, the Astros have been tight since the first pitch of Game 1 of this series. By extra innings in Game 3, they became scared. Their performance has been an utter embarrassment. From Clemens bailing in his start to Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio bowing out in their first Series appearances. Unbelievably, they played the game of their season with their tail between their legs.
OH, NOW CLEMENS IS READY TO PITCH
Friendly media to Roger Clemens reported that the future Hall of Famer's hamstring was so sore after leaving Game 1 in the second inning that he could barely walk.
Apparently, a miracle occured from Saturday to Tuesday night as the Astros announced Clemens was likely to start Game 5, if it happens. Clemens was seen warming up before Game 3. Possible Game 5 starters, Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez were, also active in Game 3 further adding credence to the report.
GARNER'S BAD MOVE
Phil Garner managed the entire season as aggressive as any in the National League. Then, why wasn't he willing to make things happen in Game 3. In the 10th, with a runner on first and nobody out, what was the rationale in not doing something with the speedy Willy Taveras at the plate? He could have called for a bunt. He could have hit and run with the hot-hitting Taveras or utilized his speed to put pressure on the defense. Instead, he called for Taveras to swing away. Taveras struck out swinging.
A STORY THAT WILL BECOME VERY FAMILIAR
After Houston's likely World Series loss get ready for a torrent of "What's next" stories about the Astros. Houston will be in the same position they were in when they lost the NLCS last year. Free Agent defections like Carlos Beltran allowed for some huge questions going into spring training. Next season, the Astros may be without Clemens, Pettitte, Biggio and Bagwell. They shouldn't fret because those players have very little left and the core of Berkman, Ensberg, Lidge and Oswalt is young and talented and very capable of contending next season.
ODDS AND ENDS
What in the world was going on with the Game 3 loser, Ezequiel Astacio's face? Was that a goiter on his left cheek or the early stages of the avian bird flu?....Garner's chair-toss reminded me of the St. Louis Cardinals' meltdown in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series against Kansas City. In that game, pitcher Joaquin Andujar was tossed by the umpire and starter, John Tudor, broke his hand punching a wall in the dugout. They lost 11-0.
Has there been a more meek meltdown in World Series history or any sports championship, for that matter, than the Houston Astros last night (early this morning)?
Unless, the longest game in World Series history sapped the energy out of the Astros' fans or they just gave up. Many had labeled the home park of the Astros, Minute Maid Park, as one of the loudest in baseball. Did the commisioner's edict to open the retractable roof make that much of difference in the cheering of the fans?
Minute Maid Park was dead throughout the night and, amazingly, for the entire extra innings. On many occasions, the lone screams of a few fans were clearly audible. Fox, with its philosophy of showing as many fan shots as possible to build suspense, created a picture of a fan base that was neither excited nor hopeful, instead, it seemed like their team was one out from being swept by the White Sox and not tied in extra innings down two games to none.
If the Astros' fans acted as a 10th man on the field throughout the season, their failure to vocalized any positive emotion hovered like a dark cloud over the team. When Ezequiel Astacio was summoned from the bullpen, the Astros were already demoralized. But why? The White Sox had failed to even come close to scoring in the extra frames just as Houston. There was no sense of momentum on Chicago's part, yet Astros hitters were flailling at pitches outside the plate like the honky tonk down the street was yelling for last call.
Needless to say, when it became clear that Astacio had little pop on his fastball and no control, the wheels came off when Cal alum Geoff Blum smashed a line drive homer to give the White Sox the lead in the 14th.
Manager, Phil Garner, hurled a chair in the dugout. Andy Pettitte's face became somber and Morgan Ensberg was on the bench on the verge of angry tears.
It's been said here before, the Astros have been tight since the first pitch of Game 1 of this series. By extra innings in Game 3, they became scared. Their performance has been an utter embarrassment. From Clemens bailing in his start to Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio bowing out in their first Series appearances. Unbelievably, they played the game of their season with their tail between their legs.
OH, NOW CLEMENS IS READY TO PITCH
Friendly media to Roger Clemens reported that the future Hall of Famer's hamstring was so sore after leaving Game 1 in the second inning that he could barely walk.
Apparently, a miracle occured from Saturday to Tuesday night as the Astros announced Clemens was likely to start Game 5, if it happens. Clemens was seen warming up before Game 3. Possible Game 5 starters, Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodriguez were, also active in Game 3 further adding credence to the report.
GARNER'S BAD MOVE
Phil Garner managed the entire season as aggressive as any in the National League. Then, why wasn't he willing to make things happen in Game 3. In the 10th, with a runner on first and nobody out, what was the rationale in not doing something with the speedy Willy Taveras at the plate? He could have called for a bunt. He could have hit and run with the hot-hitting Taveras or utilized his speed to put pressure on the defense. Instead, he called for Taveras to swing away. Taveras struck out swinging.
A STORY THAT WILL BECOME VERY FAMILIAR
After Houston's likely World Series loss get ready for a torrent of "What's next" stories about the Astros. Houston will be in the same position they were in when they lost the NLCS last year. Free Agent defections like Carlos Beltran allowed for some huge questions going into spring training. Next season, the Astros may be without Clemens, Pettitte, Biggio and Bagwell. They shouldn't fret because those players have very little left and the core of Berkman, Ensberg, Lidge and Oswalt is young and talented and very capable of contending next season.
ODDS AND ENDS
What in the world was going on with the Game 3 loser, Ezequiel Astacio's face? Was that a goiter on his left cheek or the early stages of the avian bird flu?....Garner's chair-toss reminded me of the St. Louis Cardinals' meltdown in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series against Kansas City. In that game, pitcher Joaquin Andujar was tossed by the umpire and starter, John Tudor, broke his hand punching a wall in the dugout. They lost 11-0.
