The season is over. The ending this year feels 100% different than last year. I must admit, I was not ready for it to end. The void is not welcome this time. (Not that the void is ever really welcomed.)

The transformation of the team through the season is the difference. For the first time in quite a while there are players that I have new expectations. Is Chris Johnson going to be a flash in the pan or a consistent hitting third baseman? Is Castro going to be able to handle catching and hitting for a full MLB season? Can Bud Norris continue to make strides? Will Brett Wallace be given the chance to start at first base and will he be able to hit like he did in the minors. There are so many fun questions going into the off-season this year.

I was thinking of what I would recap for my last game, but my little life got in the way. So I decided to write something about the end of the season as I did last year. So, this year I was thinking of how we mark baseball seasons with the changes in our life. For such a simple game of catching, throwing and hitting it brings a lot of people together.

Baseball becomes such a huge part of our life. Quite often we plan or cancel events around games. We even categorize friends based on which team they root. I have friends from Pittsburgh, Chicago and New York who root for teams from those cities. It is always fun to go to games with them to learn more about those teams and their experiences watching them. And sometimes you will not go to a game with those friends for similar reasons.

We make so many milestones by going to games. It can be something as simple as the first time you see a particular team or player. The first time you take your kid to a game. I remember the first time my mom and dad went to Minute Maid Park to see the Astros. It was Mother’s Day 2009. My mom and I ran the bases, very awesome time.

Then there are the times you remember because you cannot see or go to the game for one reason or another. Maybe you (or I) had to attend a wedding or some other life changing event. Many remember how the Astros did the day their son/daughter was born. Whether the Astros won/loss the day you got married.

This year and probably next year we will mark our special events by new milestones by the many new players on the Astros. Hopefully their and our milestones will be great ones.

Have a great winter and see you at Spring Training.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Astros 1
Dicketies 9

W: Arroyo | L: Myers

First things first, I apologize for completely blowing off last week’s Thursday recap. It’s the first one I’ve missed without notice and I feel bad about it.

Brett Myers has accomplished more this season than he has at any time in his career, besides winning a ring with the Phillies a few years back. He’s compiled career bests in innings and ERA and matched his win total on a pretty mediocre offensive team. But the coolest thing, from the perspective of amazing feats, was his chance to go at least 6 innings in every one of his starts this season. That, unfortunately, came up one out short.

An admittedly pooped Myers gave up 2 runs early but was pitching just 1-run down entering the 5th inning when things rapidly declined. 2 walks and 3 singles plated 3 Dicketies in that frame, then returning for the 6th it all went to hell with a lead-off walk to Arroyo followed by a couple of moonshots that sealed Myers’ fate.

Myers has obviously been one of the unexpected bright spots on this team that dipped to the dregs, yet rose again to somewhat respectable. Signing Myers for the next few seasons can only help anchor this young group through the growing pains. I’ve enjoyed watching these post-trade deadline Astros and I’m looking forward to what this team becomes in 2011 and beyond.

Go Astros!! Pound the living shit out of those fucking Cubs!! Send their lame asses back to their frozen dump with a huge shit sandwich!!!

That’s going to do it for my recaps this season. It’s been fun and I want to thank everyone for reading, and especially thank Budgirl for working diligently to make sure you have these to read on a daily basis. Onward through the void!!!

Astros 3, Nationals 4W: Tyler Clippard, L: Jeff Fulchino, S: Sean Burnett

Astros Recap
No Game Zone

I cannot understand why more Nationals fans don’t go see games when the Astros are in town. Do they not understand the opportunity they have to see future greatness? Have they no appreciation of Brett Wallace, Chris Johnson or Jason Castro? Silly me, there are not that many Nationals fans to attend games.

It seemed liked the Astros would score and tie the game or even take the lead, then in the bottom of the inning give the run back. Not good for a pitcher, Wandy Rodriguez, who needs one win to be at .500.

Hopefully the Astros do better Thursday, but with all the political crap in D.C. one never knows what to expect.

Hopefully das will get to see the Astros win a game he is attending again. (He has seen one, right?)

The season is almost over. There is someone in the TZ that seems to be jinxing the Astros (and Lurch). I just want the boys to win. Whether they reach .500 may not happen, but they are ending the season way different than I thought they would.

Also, in case anyone is interested, there will be a Houston Game Watch at Griff’s on Tuesday. Hope to see you there.

Brewers 8, Astros 6
W: John Axford, L: Matt Lindstrom

Astros Recap
Game Zone

I was not afforded the opportunity to see this game. I had to work. I did read the Game Zone and was pleased that the team didn’t give up after the first inning. They were able to play their way back into the game but lost it in the 10th.

This team really does seem kind of special. They do not give up. It is nice to see a bunch of players that try on every play. It seems like they feel as though they let their team down when they give up a run or make an out. I did not feel that way about the team at the beginning of the season. This team has pride and a winning attitude with it. They probably aren’t the best team in the league, but you wouldn’t know it by watching them on the field.

I’d also like Mr. Happy to disparage a couple players on a regular basis, they seem to respond well to his “criticisms” at least Bourn and Bydrak have.