Astros 3, Cubs 0
W: Harrell (11-11) L: Berken (0-3) SV: Wright (1)
This was the game I’ve waited all season to watch. The Astros shutting the Cubs out and giving them their 100th loss. Life only gets a little bit better than that. Lucas Harrell, Ace of the Astros pitching staff, did a great job for the 6 innings he was allowed to pitch. The bullpen then continued with the scoreless and pretty much hitless streak started by Harrell through the rest of the game.
The hitters did their job, especially F. Martinez. He hit a nice shot onto Sheffield (?) Avenue. There was just enough Astros offensive to win the game without being gaudy. Hopefully you can get an opportunity to see Altuve’s caught stealing. It was a complete Major League slide.
One outstanding topic I heard during the game, which was a great relief, was Brownie and J.D. talking about hotels and where they would stay in St. Petersburg next year. Yes, they were having a discussion about next seasons games as though they are going to do the broadcasting!!!!
——————————
This is my last recap of the season. In the past when I have submitted my final recap I tried to write something memorable or at least worthwhile. (I feel I rather mailed it in this year on a lot of the recaps this year.)
The end of something is near. The something to me is not just Astros baseball. To me the something ending is SnS (also known as orangewhoopass or AstrosConnection) as many of us know it. Some of the recaps and previews have felt like eulogies to me of late. A lot has changed in the last year. The Astros were sold, many were pleased but then they weren’t. Included in the sale was the agreeing to move the Astros to the American League. After that happened the team got stripped of any value at the major league level, which there was not much. In that stripping, there was some hope for the future planted. For once, the farm system is not the bottom feeder it has been of late. Hopefully the seeds planted by Luhnow will develop into the stars Astros fans deserve. I know the fans will come back to the team when they start winning again – and I truly believe they will. There is always room on any team’s bandwagon.
I also think part of the reason for this feeling is that many of us have had substantive changes in our personal and professional life over the last year or two. Some have lost loves, found loves, getting ready to marry loves. Many have been blessed to have their families grow. And some of us are finishing things we started a long time ago. For the most part, these are great things and are the wonder of life. I am blessed and honored that many of you have shared them with me.
But the writing seems to be on the website that things are going to change. I do believe some of you will stick around because you just cannot give up the Astros crack. I believe some of you will stick around because of the friendships you have made. I believe some of you will stick around because you will not know what else to do while you should be working. And some will stick around because you love this team. I will admit for me it will be a mixture of all of that.
Overall, we are all handed things in life that challenge our commitment to loving and caring for something. Usually, those things are bad. But, I feel if it is something you love you don’t leave it willingly. Those that are choosing to leave, I hope you find happiness. Those that are going to be around, I hope we get to the World Series in 5 years (is that too optimistic?).
And I want to make sure that I mention a special thank you to Ron Brand and Mr. Happy. Without you two this season there would not have been a GameZone. You are the fans that the Astros are going to need in five years to tell the new and returning fans what they missed.
For those of you breaking up with the Astros this song is for you!!!!
Love you guys (and gals) and hope you have a great void!!!