Turdsday, June 19th, 2008
Astros 5
Birds 7
W: Burres | L: Chacon | S: Sherrill
Phew, the stench is heating up on the horseshit show as it finished it’s stop in crime-infested Baltimore on about as low a note as can be played. Tonight’s shitburger marks the 8th straight loss, the 2nd straight sweep and the 7th straight series loss dating all the way back to just after the Phillies split in late May. Add to that 6 straight interleague losses and there’s not a lot to feel good about this team.
An early 2 run lead on a Twinkie RBI single and a Spaz HR was vaporized by the 4th inning. 3 of Chacon’s 4 walks came in the 3rd as he struggled with a tight strike zone and with 2 on and 2 outs, he walked 2 straight to post the first Oriole run. 2 solo shots in the bottom of the 4th gave up the lead and then the 5th brought on the complete meltdown. 3 straight hits to start the inning plated 1, then a 2-out single to right scored 2 more. 6-2 Birds. I was oddly comforted by this from Orioles broadcaster and Hall of Fame asshole Jim Palmer:
“I’ll tell you what, the Orioles don’t get any runs this inning if (the Astros) had taller infielders”
He was right but fuck him.
The bats continue to scatter their efforts rather than bunch them into something that counts. A Miggy solo shot in the 6th was negated in the 7th by Huff’s own, then a mini-rally in the 9th had the bases loaded and just 1 out. A Kaz sac fly and a Miggy RBI single scored 2 and brought Twinky up with 2 on and down by just 2. Alas, the heroics elude this team at this time for some fucking reason. F7. Game over.
Astros @ Rays
I have a bad feeling about this series, based as much on what the Rays just did to the Cubs as the Astros’ month-long skidmarks. But I have another bad feeling. I’ll be attending all three of these games this weekend and for the first time since I’ve lived here, I’ll be rooting for the away team. I’m never an asshole at any sporting event. I prefer to just watch the game, talk about it with my friends and enjoy. There’s no reason to feel bad about being a fan of the opposing team but for some reason I do.
Florida’s home-grown teams have been handicapped right out of the gate. While they slowly build a fan base of their own, a good chunk of the people living here have teams of their own who they won’t give up on and consequently, they’re going to attend and cheer for that team over the team in the town in which they live.
I’ve never had a chance to do this in the 20 years I’ve been here, but I see the evidence of it all the time. I remember a Packers/Bucs game at the Old Sombrero back in the early 90’s where you could look across the field at the stands and see the line where the season ticket holders stopped and the Packers fans began. One-third orange, two-thirds green and gold.
At the hockey arena here, fans of some teams from the northeast can often literally take over the energy of the place, taunting the home team and the fans with some serious bravado. It sucks but it’s really just a fact of sport-spectator life here in Florida.
Winning has obviously helped the Buccaneers. A Super Bowl, consistent quality play and a slightly smaller new stadium have guaranteed sell-outs and a season ticket waiting list. You still see opposing fans but not at all unlike what you see anywhere. Ditto for the Lightning. The Stanley Cup and the quality of play has the place nearly sold out every game.
The Rays have had it the worst. They were given a funny name, housed in a gym far away from most of the population and placed in the league and division with the team that trained in Tampa, the fucking Yankees. Stinking up the field didn’t help. Rays crowds vs. the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians are a joke, really. 2 or 3 to 1 in most cases and they’re fucking obnoxious. I choose not to go to those games. I’d rather see the Rangers or White Sox or an NL team and watch the game in peace.
So here I am. Astros fan in Tampa. I’m going to see my childhood team in the new town I call home. I don’t know why I feel bad. I really don’t have anything to worry about. I’m just going to watch the game. Plus…
…these Rays are good.