Author Topic: Thank You  (Read 13563 times)

HudsonHawk

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Thank You
« on: November 01, 2017, 11:14:09 pm »
I didn't know if this moment would ever come, but I cannot imagine it being any sweeter, having spent the last 20 or so years goofing off with all of you.  Tomorrow I will read the GZ and everything else, but tonight I'm smoking that special victory cigar.  We here at OWA have been through a lot, and we routinely "fight like hell" because...well, that's why we're here. 

But on behalf of OWA, and honestly, from the very bottom of our hearts...thank you OWA.  You are the best. 
The rules of distinction were thrown out with the baseball cap.  It does not lend itself to protocol.  It is found today on youth in homes, classrooms, even in fine restaurants.  Regardless of its other consequences, this is a breach against civility.  A civilized man should avoid this mania.

DVauthrin

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 11:20:20 pm »
I couldn’t think of a better collection of fans to share the franchise’s first World Series championship with.  Thank you and everyone that make this the best Astros’ fan site around.
Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.

The Third Man

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2017, 11:25:47 pm »
I love you all!

doyce7

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 11:26:13 pm »
I literally love all of you

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jbm

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2017, 11:27:42 pm »
Ditto.  Thanks to those that provide this place and those that inhabit it.

LonghornCDR

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2017, 11:30:15 pm »
DILLY DILLY!
60% of the time... it works everytime.

Craig

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2017, 11:40:21 pm »
Thanks to everyone here!

BizidyDizidy

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2017, 11:41:07 pm »
Ive only been coming here about 15 years (shorter than many), but without a doubt best online community. It doesn’t get better than this.
"My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people."
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MusicMan

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2017, 11:56:30 pm »
I literally love everyone.


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Ty in Tampa

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2017, 11:56:37 pm »
I said it in the GZ but my love for the Astros is made so much better by having this site and all of you. It's tough because I have no comrades here in Florida so this site is it. Love you all!
"You want me broken. You want me dead.
I'm living rent-free in the back of your head."

chandler44

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2017, 12:10:32 am »
This is amazing!!
Living is easy with eyes closed.

WVastro

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2017, 12:17:41 am »
Well said HH! I can't believe this is happening. They fucking won it all. Holy shit.

Astros Fan in Big D

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2017, 12:27:49 am »
God bless the Houston Astros, and God Bless every member of Orange Whoopass. 

I literally love all of you.

The Spleen

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2017, 12:39:57 am »
Astros fan since 1979. In this hive of scum and villainy since 1998.
I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the Astros had been losing since before I was born and would be losing long after I was dead.
Well fuck that.

Thanks, everybody.
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WVastro

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2017, 12:40:55 am »
Astros fan since 1979. In this hive of scum and villainy since 1998.
I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the Astros had been losing since before I was born and would be losing long after I was dead.
Well fuck that.

Thanks, everybody.

 Vaunt.

Jacksonian

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2017, 12:48:42 am »
I didn't know if this moment would ever come, but I cannot imagine it being any sweeter, having spent the last 20 or so years goofing off with all of you.  Tomorrow I will read the GZ and everything else, but tonight I'm smoking that special victory cigar.  We here at OWA have been through a lot, and we routinely "fight like hell" because...well, that's why we're here. 

But on behalf of OWA, and honestly, from the very bottom of our hearts...thank you OWA.  You are the best.

No. Thank you and all the OWA ownership.
Goin' for a bus ride.

Reuben

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #16 on: November 02, 2017, 12:49:55 am »
I said it in the GZ but my love for the Astros is made so much better by having this site and all of you. It's tough because I have no comrades here in Florida so this site is it. Love you all!
Agreed and I'm in much the same boat. Born in Houston but grew up in North Carolina, and since first stumbling upon Astros Connection in the late '90's I've used it and then this bastard child of it as a conduit while living in Massachusetts, Vancouver BC, London, New York, and now back in NC again.

My dad is as much of an Astros addict as I am - we traveled to Houston together to see Game 4 of the 2005 WS - and fittingly, he made the hour drive again tonight to watch Game 7 at our house. He and I have suffered through a lot of tough games and seasons, but there's a lot of hours of the baseball season when I have to read/discuss the Astros with other people too, and you all have been amazing in that regard.

Thank you, you fuckers.
"Come check us out in the Game Zone. We don’t bite. Unless you say something idiotic." -Mr. Happy

Navin R Johnson

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #17 on: November 02, 2017, 01:28:21 am »
AMAZING!   FINALLY!  SO DRUNK, SO HAPPY!

WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
There are three rules that I live by: never get less than twelve hours sleep; never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city; and never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Now you stick to that, and everything else is cream cheese.

moriartp

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #18 on: November 02, 2017, 02:18:16 am »
This place, you people, have taught me so much about the game and this franchise in the ~decade I've been here—thanks to each and every one of you.

JimR

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #19 on: November 02, 2017, 02:38:01 am »
I love y’all. Watched a bunch of games with HH and with Mark, and Drew Corleon came over to see us win.

This is the best Astros website by far and such a close community. I love each of you.
Often wrong, but never in doubt.

TeeJoe

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #20 on: November 02, 2017, 07:13:20 am »
+1000

I remember watching the 1986 NLCS against the Mets with my dad as a kid..  Been a lot of up's and down's since. 

Now, it was great to be able to watch these games with my kids!!! 

Thank you all at OWA for your contributions.  I grew up playing the game, but seem to always learn something new from this place.

Señor Stan

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #21 on: November 02, 2017, 07:46:18 am »
Thanks to all the mods and folks that make OWA possible.

I grew up going to Houston from Brownsville to watch Astro games as our family vacation every summer.  I never met anyone who cared as much about the Astros as I did.  Then I found this place.  The BFT and the insanely scrolling TZ introduced me to a bunch of folks more passionate about the Astros than I was.  I have learned much about the game by reading more and posting less.   Thanks to all the regular contributors.  I hope some of the old timers poke their heads in to celebrate.

My Dad died in 2000.  Mom passed in 2012.  I got to witness last night's game with my 12,14 and 16 year old sons with me.  They all get it.  Their teeth were cut during the lean years and they really appreciate what we got to experience over the past 4 weeks.   

What a ride.

Mr. Appropriate

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #22 on: November 02, 2017, 08:02:11 am »
Congrats to all you beautiful maniacs! Didn't know if this day would ever come....last day of baseball and the ASTROS got a win. In shock, literally. Went nuts. watched the game with all 3 of my boys (9, 13, 16). They are super tired this morning but hey dad it was worth it. In the car chuck says dad I am so happy this morning I forgot to hate the rangers. Missing a couple of people I watched the games with, mostly just full of joy. Gratitude and love to everyone at astrosconnection, SnS,  and the OWE who have kept the line going for so long.
Where the fuck is Toro?

NeilT

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #23 on: November 02, 2017, 08:19:35 am »
I've learned a lot about baseball right here, and I've also learned a lot about Panama, tires, guitar factories in Memphis, and stuff I had to look up in Urban Dictionary.  I've been to games with many of you, sat and drank beers or eaten lunch with some of you, and fought from time to time with a few.  This season is unforgettable, this void will be better than any before, and I hope to see you next year, live or virtual, on opening day.  It's great to have great friends.
"I think not having the estate tax recognizes the people that are investing... as opposed to those that are just spending every darn penny they have, whether it’s on booze or women or movies.”  Charles Grassley

juliogotay

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #24 on: November 02, 2017, 08:31:05 am »
Great posts folks. Hope we are all here for a long time to come and that there are more such occasions. If there aren't, we will always have this.

Dobro

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #25 on: November 02, 2017, 08:44:18 am »
This is the best Astros website by far and such a close community. I love each of you.
Thanks, Jim. I love you, too.

Go Astros!
Lighten up, Francis.

Duke

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #26 on: November 02, 2017, 08:48:11 am »
Frito Pie baby!  God bless y'all.

toddthebod

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #27 on: November 02, 2017, 08:56:57 am »
Thanks again.  To Kevin and Scott who started this crazy thing.  And to everyone who continues to make this site possible.  I love you all. 
Boom!

astrojo

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #28 on: November 02, 2017, 09:00:03 am »
What a ride! This season was the most damn fun and there is NO better place to spend time analyzing, praising, venting, and celebrating about our beloved Astros! I love reading all your knowledgeable takes on baseball rules and strategy! Thanks to all the contributors of this site, from the moderators to the posters, it’s been an amazing year!

No Dodgers, THIS Team!

Col. Sphinx Drummond

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #29 on: November 02, 2017, 09:10:27 am »
This is my baseball family. I love you all. I love OWA. I love the Astros.
Everyone's talking, few of them know
The rest are pretending, they put on a show
And if there's a message I guess this is it
Truth isn't easy, the easy part's shit

believin

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #30 on: November 02, 2017, 09:15:06 am »
I grew up in the Houston area, loving the Astros from as early as I can remember and seeing countless games at the Astrodome. I moved to Singapore in 1993, and have split time between Singapore and Shanghai since 2003. When I am in China, it can be really hard to watch games because the connection is so slow. That's how I found this forum – I could often listen, but not see, so over the past 14 years, the GZ has often been my "eyes" while I listened to the game. I can't tell you how much it's meant. I don't post often, but I watch/listen to every game I can, and read every post in the TZ and GZ.

This year, I watched the postseason games at a sports bar in Shanghai with a friend from Singapore, her husband from Baltimore (a complete baseball nut who would be an excellent fit here), and a friend from England (who only discovered baseball this year because we were talking about it constantly in front of her). I told them about this forum and how knowledgable you all are. They celebrated the World Series win like crazy with me, and have become Astros fans in their own rights after watching the games with me. They asked me to congratulate everyone on the board here, especially those who have been faithful fans for many years. So, in addition to my thanks to all of you for being my eyes, I offer congratulations from some new Astros fans here in Shanghai.

Fredia

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #31 on: November 02, 2017, 09:19:12 am »
still speechless but with a big smile
forever is composed entirely of nows

BudGirl

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #32 on: November 02, 2017, 09:25:05 am »
It's really crazy how much has changed in all of ours lives since I found this place back in 1998.  People have gotten married, divorced, married, had babies, moved, etc.  Many of us have remained here for a long time loving this team through good and bad times.  Some of us have lost those we wanted to call the most last night.  But, you all are GREAT!  A lot of you are like brothers to me, my own doesn't watch baseball - I don't know where my dad went wrong on that one. 

But you all are as great as the World Champion Houston Astros.

I hope to stop crying by Saturday.
''I just did an interview with someone I like more than you. I used a lot of big words on him. I don't have anything left for you.'' --Brad Ausmus

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Phil_in_CS

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #33 on: November 02, 2017, 09:26:07 am »
As a 15+ year lurker, this is an amazing place for insight and quality-filtered information. Thanks to all y'all for all the quality info over the years.

Ron Brand

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #34 on: November 02, 2017, 09:30:42 am »
Although I've been away for a while I've never lost my feelings for this site and for many of my friends here. It was a special treat to be able to finally see some of these games and to pop my head up above the wire, even if only briefly, and to take my share in this euphoric year. Thank you to all of you who keep this big freight train rolling, and to the new folks who have joined the family.

I think I'll get a celebratory dragon.
I'm in love with rock and roll and I'll be out all night.

Bench

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #35 on: November 02, 2017, 09:45:32 am »
Thank you to everyone who has and had made this site possible.  I owe a significant amount of my personal happiness to the people I have met via this community and being able to share this season and this team with all of you is impossibly fulfilling. 
"Holy shit, Mozart. Get me off this fucking thing."

VirtualBob

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #36 on: November 02, 2017, 09:46:18 am »
This is my baseball family. I love you all. I love OWA. I love the Astros.
+1
Up in the Air

Fredia

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #37 on: November 02, 2017, 09:52:59 am »
same
forever is composed entirely of nows

jwhudson

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #38 on: November 02, 2017, 09:54:21 am »
As a 15+ year lurker, this is an amazing place for insight and quality-filtered information. Thanks to all y'all for all the quality info over the years.
+1 I can't stop smiling!

BlownRanger

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #39 on: November 02, 2017, 10:06:34 am »
i can't imagine a better site for an Astros fan.  Thanks to everyone!!
"He hit that one right up the poop chute, Bill" - Enos Cabell

Stephen

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #40 on: November 02, 2017, 10:36:20 am »
I grew up in a non sports family, and they are very ambivalent towards sports even today. I called my brother the day after Game 5 and he said that he had heard somewhere that the Astros were in the World Series, but hadn't really heard how the games were going or if we were winning. I tried to explain games 1 through 5, but there was no way. Our parents only allowed us to watch PBS and sports on TV growing up and there's only so many times you can watch Mr Rogers so it was sports for me from the time I could operate the remote. We were in Houston for the first 12 years of my life, so my loyalties were formed early and are unwavering. I don't really care that much about football anymore since the Oilers ceased to be and my interest in basketball waned a lot after Olajuwon retired, but I've always loved the Astros.

I've always been a mathematics / statistics kind of guy so when I found Rob Neyer on ESPN.com I was very interested in how he broke down stats in baseball. One day when discussing great nicknames for players he referenced a website that called Biggio "pigpen". From that point on I read less and less of Neyer and more and more of this new website. I tried posting my thoughts a few times, but I quickly realized that I didn't know anything about baseball (or pop culture) and have mostly stuck to read more post less ever since. I've been a guest of chuck's at an Astros spring training game (great seats, great company!) and had lunch with the honorable senator from Mississippi (whom I accidentally stuck with the whole bill, sorry David!) but mostly I just sit back and watch the fighting, learn about baseball, and enjoy having people to share the joy and pain with.

Seven years ago I was living in a duplex in Minneapolis with 3 girls upstairs and me a another guy downstairs. One of the girls and I became good friends and she took me out to dinner for my birthday. We were just starting to become interested in each other romantically, but the next few weeks things really took off and within a month we knew we were going to get married. 5 months later we were.

Marriage is hard. And happily ever after is more complicated than I ever dreamed. Health problems and misunderstandings and simple selfishness gets in the way, but I'm still married to the woman of my dreams and we have a son and a daughter and a third child on the way. And my life is so much fuller and happier than my 38 year old single self could have ever imagined.

She took me out for my birthday again yesterday. We went to a restaurant that had large TVs on the wall and talked baseball and then watched the first inning from the restaurant. We spent way more than we should have but neither of us cared because we both knew this day was special. After dinner we came home and paced and cheered and yelled and hugged in our basement for 3 hours.

She loves me. She understands what yesterday means to me, and I understand how much more it means because she was beside me. Year 46 of my life begins with a beautiful loving wife, 2.5 amazing children, and the Astros as World Series Champions. Life is good.

Best. Birthday. Ever.
No, the other one

Astros Fan in Big D

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #41 on: November 02, 2017, 10:41:14 am »
Life is good indeed.

Happy birthday.

NeilT

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #42 on: November 02, 2017, 10:44:19 am »
Life is good indeed.

Happy birthday.

This. 
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Ty in Tampa

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #43 on: November 02, 2017, 10:47:27 am »
Happy Birthday.
"You want me broken. You want me dead.
I'm living rent-free in the back of your head."

Ebby Calvin

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #44 on: November 02, 2017, 10:57:07 am »
I love this site. I love all of you.
GO ASTROS!!!
Don't think twice, it's alright.

tbone421998

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #45 on: November 02, 2017, 11:01:23 am »
I'm mostly just a lurker here but I love coming here each day and reading everything.  You can get so much information here.   Thanks OWA.
 

Astroholic

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #46 on: November 02, 2017, 11:07:49 am »
So I have not posted in several years.  I was pissed off about the move to American League baseball (kinda like it now).  I was thinking about posting a few days ago but didn't want to jinks it.  I, like most of you grew up watching the stros.  Fondest memories of going to dome watching my heroes.  I still love the memories of Biggio, Bags, Ryan, Scott and most of all Billy Fing Hatcher.  Those memories are filled with failure but there were many life lessons learned in those struggles.  The heroes have changed.  These kids truly care about each other.  Watching the games with my kids was special and the message provided well...priceless.  This entire playoff series was special.  I feel like the wait was worth it.  Thanks to all of you on this site for sharing your deep knowledge of the game we all love. 

Hope to see you all again for Opening day 2018.  Its been too long.

subnuclear

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #47 on: November 02, 2017, 11:46:14 am »
I've always been a mathematics / statistics kind of guy so when I found Rob Neyer on ESPN.com I was very interested in how he broke down stats in baseball. One day when discussing great nicknames for players he referenced a website that called Biggio "pigpen". From that point on I read less and less of Neyer and more and more of this new website.

Exactly the same. And I think there were a few others who might have started the same way.

Quote from: Astroholic
I was pissed off about the move to American League baseball (kinda like it now).


Same, but all the west coast games still annoy me.

In 2015, bad life situations were making me crazy along with the Astros, so I blocked this website and a bunch of others so I could get my shit together. That lasted until earlier in the year because this team was way too good to not watch obsessively. Thanks for being a great, fun bunch of people.

JimR

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #48 on: November 02, 2017, 11:52:04 am »
I grew up in a non sports family, and they are very ambivalent towards sports even today. I called my brother the day after Game 5 and he said that he had heard somewhere that the Astros were in the World Series, but hadn't really heard how the games were going or if we were winning. I tried to explain games 1 through 5, but there was no way. Our parents only allowed us to watch PBS and sports on TV growing up and there's only so many times you can watch Mr Rogers so it was sports for me from the time I could operate the remote. We were in Houston for the first 12 years of my life, so my loyalties were formed early and are unwavering. I don't really care that much about football anymore since the Oilers ceased to be and my interest in basketball waned a lot after Olajuwon retired, but I've always loved the Astros.

I've always been a mathematics / statistics kind of guy so when I found Rob Neyer on ESPN.com I was very interested in how he broke down stats in baseball. One day when discussing great nicknames for players he referenced a website that called Biggio "pigpen". From that point on I read less and less of Neyer and more and more of this new website. I tried posting my thoughts a few times, but I quickly realized that I didn't know anything about baseball (or pop culture) and have mostly stuck to read more post less ever since. I've been a guest of chuck's at an Astros spring training game (great seats, great company!) and had lunch with the honorable senator from Mississippi (whom I accidentally stuck with the whole bill, sorry David!) but mostly I just sit back and watch the fighting, learn about baseball, and enjoy having people to share the joy and pain with.

Seven years ago I was living in a duplex in Minneapolis with 3 girls upstairs and me a another guy downstairs. One of the girls and I became good friends and she took me out to dinner for my birthday. We were just starting to become interested in each other romantically, but the next few weeks things really took off and within a month we knew we were going to get married. 5 months later we were.

Marriage is hard. And happily ever after is more complicated than I ever dreamed. Health problems and misunderstandings and simple selfishness gets in the way, but I'm still married to the woman of my dreams and we have a son and a daughter and a third child on the way. And my life is so much fuller and happier than my 38 year old single self could have ever imagined.

She took me out for my birthday again yesterday. We went to a restaurant that had large TVs on the wall and talked baseball and then watched the first inning from the restaurant. We spent way more than we should have but neither of us cared because we both knew this day was special. After dinner we came home and paced and cheered and yelled and hugged in our basement for 3 hours.

She loves me. She understands what yesterday means to me, and I understand how much more it means because she was beside me. Year 46 of my life begins with a beautiful loving wife, 2.5 amazing children, and the Astros as World Series Champions. Life is good.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

This is beautiful. Congratulations on your love, and happy birthday!
Often wrong, but never in doubt.

Craig

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #49 on: November 02, 2017, 12:23:14 pm »
I grew up in a non sports family, and they are very ambivalent towards sports even today. I called my brother the day after Game 5 and he said that he had heard somewhere that the Astros were in the World Series, but hadn't really heard how the games were going or if we were winning. I tried to explain games 1 through 5, but there was no way. Our parents only allowed us to watch PBS and sports on TV growing up and there's only so many times you can watch Mr Rogers so it was sports for me from the time I could operate the remote. We were in Houston for the first 12 years of my life, so my loyalties were formed early and are unwavering. I don't really care that much about football anymore since the Oilers ceased to be and my interest in basketball waned a lot after Olajuwon retired, but I've always loved the Astros.

I've always been a mathematics / statistics kind of guy so when I found Rob Neyer on ESPN.com I was very interested in how he broke down stats in baseball. One day when discussing great nicknames for players he referenced a website that called Biggio "pigpen". From that point on I read less and less of Neyer and more and more of this new website. I tried posting my thoughts a few times, but I quickly realized that I didn't know anything about baseball (or pop culture) and have mostly stuck to read more post less ever since. I've been a guest of chuck's at an Astros spring training game (great seats, great company!) and had lunch with the honorable senator from Mississippi (whom I accidentally stuck with the whole bill, sorry David!) but mostly I just sit back and watch the fighting, learn about baseball, and enjoy having people to share the joy and pain with.

Seven years ago I was living in a duplex in Minneapolis with 3 girls upstairs and me a another guy downstairs. One of the girls and I became good friends and she took me out to dinner for my birthday. We were just starting to become interested in each other romantically, but the next few weeks things really took off and within a month we knew we were going to get married. 5 months later we were.

Marriage is hard. And happily ever after is more complicated than I ever dreamed. Health problems and misunderstandings and simple selfishness gets in the way, but I'm still married to the woman of my dreams and we have a son and a daughter and a third child on the way. And my life is so much fuller and happier than my 38 year old single self could have ever imagined.

She took me out for my birthday again yesterday. We went to a restaurant that had large TVs on the wall and talked baseball and then watched the first inning from the restaurant. We spent way more than we should have but neither of us cared because we both knew this day was special. After dinner we came home and paced and cheered and yelled and hugged in our basement for 3 hours.

She loves me. She understands what yesterday means to me, and I understand how much more it means because she was beside me. Year 46 of my life begins with a beautiful loving wife, 2.5 amazing children, and the Astros as World Series Champions. Life is good.

Best. Birthday. Ever.

Man, that's awesome. Happy birthday.

BUWebguy

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #50 on: November 02, 2017, 01:27:05 pm »
Hard to believe I've been around this site for 20 years now -- from college days on Kev and Scott's to enjoying this run with my wife and two kids now, and everything that's come inbetween. From someone who mostly lurks, thanks for all that this community offers.
"If you can't figure out that Astros doesn't have an apostrophe, you shouldn't be able to comment." - Ron Brand, June 9, 2010

Ty in Tampa

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #51 on: November 02, 2017, 02:05:45 pm »
2AM was a little late for me to go out and celebrate last night, not to mention there would be no one to celebrate with. My girlfriend woke up just long enough to yell "congratulations" towards the living room. I shed a few tears, cracked a few beers, talked with my buddy in DC for 20 minutes and devoured all the highlights and interviews I could until I fell asleep on the couch.

If it weren't for the TZ/GZ, I don't know what this experience would have been like but I know it would somewhat pale. Having a resource of passionate, knowledgable fans to share our mutual love is invaluable to me and I know that even if I were in the Houston area, OWA would still be where I'd be. From 1998 until now and beyond, as long as you all are here, I will be too.

Tonight I'm celebrating. Good friends are visiting in town and they are well aware of my love of the Astros so we all are Uber-ing out to our favorite nearby watering hole and I'm gonna tie one on. My first glass is to the Astros, all the rest are to OWA!

Go Astros!!
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I'm living rent-free in the back of your head."

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #52 on: November 02, 2017, 02:17:36 pm »
I've been thinking of folks on the board quite a bit in the midst of enjoying this years run and ASTROS 2017 WORLD SERIES VICTORY.  And as excited as I've been to get to watch THE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION ASTROS win it all, I've also relished the fact that all of the folks here would be able to enjoy this ride as well and finally get to savor seeing THE ASTROS WIN IT ALL!!!

While marriage and kiddo(s) (one 2 year old and a -3 month old) in the last 4 years, busy work schedule, and keeping ahead of depression issues (which as you know have hit me hard in the past but remain 'at bay') have meant spending (a lot) less time on the board these past 3ish years, y'all mean a great deal to me and have remained on my mind - it has brought me joy knowing how much this season (and tTHE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP) has meant to the folks here (and me as well).

Congrats again, and thank you and THE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION ASTROS for an amazing run!

-Lee
In the end, my dissolution with the game of baseball will not be a result of any loss of love for the game, rather from the realization that I can no longer bear the anger its supposed stewards cause to be built up in my soul. -Lee (01/08/2013)

Jacksonian

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #53 on: November 02, 2017, 02:23:39 pm »
I've been thinking of folks on the board quite a bit in the midst of enjoying this years run and ASTROS 2017 WORLD SERIES VICTORY.  And as excited as I've been to get to watch THE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION ASTROS win it all, I've also relished the fact that all of the folks here would be able to enjoy this ride as well and finally get to savor seeing THE ASTROS WIN IT ALL!!!

While marriage and kiddo(s) (one 2 year old and a -3 month old) in the last 4 years, busy work schedule, and keeping ahead of depression issues (which as you know have hit me hard in the past but remain 'at bay') have meant spending (a lot) less time on the board these past 3ish years, y'all mean a great deal to me and have remained on my mind - it has brought me joy knowing how much this season (and tTHE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP) has meant to the folks here (and me as well).

Congrats again, and thank you and THE 2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION ASTROS for an amazing run!

-Lee

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Goin' for a bus ride.

GreatBagwellsBeard

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #54 on: November 02, 2017, 02:27:57 pm »
I love every single one of you.  Except that chick who didn't understand where oil comes from.
Drinking for two.

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Gizzmonic

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #55 on: November 02, 2017, 02:43:09 pm »
Been here since 2004 . Since that time, I've gotten married, had kids, moved to San Antonio, started a big-boy job. I haven't had much time to post lately, but I do wanna say that you're all incredibly smart, funny, and handsome/beautiful baseball people! Especially HudsonHawk.  In his immortal words, "pound that Budweiser, boys!"
Grab another Coke and let's die

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #56 on: November 02, 2017, 02:58:05 pm »
This year my wife and I built a house, bought a coffee shop, both changed professions, went to Ireland, and watched the Astros win 112 games. There's been this strange dissonance between our personal lives and the public life of the nation. This site has basically been a good friend through it all--even Mrs banedoodle will occasionally ask me for updates on what various of you characters are flapping your yaps about. (She is particularly a fan of Limey.) My first post was on Astros Connection in Ankiel's rookie year: "Ankiel just hit a fuckin' triple (nm)", was I believe the full content, for which I was justly taken to task.

It was great to finally open the last can with you folks. 

geezerdonk

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #57 on: November 02, 2017, 03:02:21 pm »
Many thanks to those who started the site and to those who maintain it. All of the hard work is much appreciated. None of this happens without them. The perspective that it provides really enhances the experience of following the team and watching the games. 
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #58 on: November 02, 2017, 03:11:50 pm »
I love every single one of you.  Except that chick who didn't understand where oil comes from.

That dude Joshua Dicks was kind of a hard sell, too.
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MusicMan

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #59 on: November 02, 2017, 03:12:41 pm »
That dude Joshua Dicks was kind of a hard sell, too.

I sure hope he got through grade school.


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David in Jackson

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #60 on: November 02, 2017, 03:33:28 pm »
I became an Astros fan in 1994.  Prior to that, I was a Mets fan because the Mets AA affiliate was based in my home town of Jackson, MS (this meant I was pulling hard for the Mets in 1986 - I know).  When the Mets left, the Astros moved their Texas League affiliate to Jackson.  I immediately went all in for the Astros.  Saw Wagner, Berkman, Abreu, Ward, and many more, including Bagwell on rehab in 1995 when he signed every autograph for every fan three nights in a row.  The Jackson Generals (my avatar) were sold to Nolan Ryan and moved to Round Rock after the 1999 season, but I was hooked and have stayed with the Astros ever since.  When the Braves moved their AA Southern League affiliate to the area in 2005 and where I have season tickets (PS Morton, Gattis, and McCann all played here) it did not threaten my commitment to the Astros.

I first found the TZ in 1998 when Kev & Scott ruled (I hope those guys are loving it - that great site really cemented my early fandom, especially with losing a team) .  My first conversations were with Michael N raging about losing my local team and trashing Austin (I lost).  I've read and posted on this site for twenty years (including a few tangles w Jim R, meeting HH at a game, recruiting players for a 18-year fantasy league, etc.).  I have lived and breathed Astros baseball far more than any other sport for the past 25 years and follow every bit of news twelve months a year.  Loved the 97-98-99 run.  Went to Kissimmee multiple times (where Dave Clark, who played college baseball in Jackson, gave my son a cap).  Saw Clemens pitch at RFK.  Both WS home games against the White Sox in 2005.  Cursed the Grocer for the wreckage he left.  Road trips to Houston (and Baltimore and Philadelphia this season).  As someone who read the first Bill James books in the mid-80s, I was all in on the great experiment / rebuild and even bought a "Process" t-shirt.  Saw Jeff Luhnow at Opening Day in Arlington in 2015 and told him, too.  This is what we hoped for.

Best of all, I watched the last two games with my son, who loves the Astros and understands what it took this team to get here.  Looking forward to being an Astros fan with him for a long time with road trips all over.

This championship run has meant more to me than any sporting event since I was a kid.  I have kept score to every game, even making scorecards in my hotel room on the back of conference handouts.  I expect a bright future in the years ahead.  But whatever happens, this title will mean a lot to a lot of people for a long time.  If you're a fan long enough, you know you may never get to enjoy one of these, so I plan to buy all the gear, watch all the recaps, and enjoy it for a long time.
« Last Edit: November 02, 2017, 03:36:21 pm by David in Jackson »
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Randy Watson

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #61 on: November 02, 2017, 03:35:13 pm »
Great post.  What happened to Michael N?  He was a great poster.

drew corleone

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #62 on: November 02, 2017, 03:47:16 pm »
I don't remember how I found OWA, but I think it was in 2004, probably from Waldo, who was the only other person posting on Hornfans.com that hadn't given up on the team multiple times that summer. "Read more, post less," has been my mantra, and almost every day I find myself learning things I didn't know from the collective baseball expertise this site offers.  Attending Opening Day with this group has become a constant , and I've even been lucky enough to forge real-life friendships.

It must have been the bottom of the 8th when I mustered up enough gumption to defy the BBGs and text Jim, suggesting we go have a celebratory beer down the street,  "if something good were to happen" (we live about four blocks apart). He suggested I come over there and followed it up with the simple-yet-direct "come on." I got to see the final two outs with Jim and Mark, shared numerous high fives and hugs, and even got to partake in a few "special occasion" beers Mark had been saving for such an event.

OWA is truly my "baseball family," as someone else mentioned. I've been waiting 40 years for this and I know many of you have me beat by decades. Reading the stories, seeing the reactions, and knowing that so many of us share the same passion for this team, makes it that much more special.  Thank you to all for making this place the best Astros site around.

Phil_in_CS

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #63 on: November 02, 2017, 03:50:03 pm »
That dude Joshua Dicks was kind of a hard sell, too.

Wherever Hetrodoxy is, I hope this sates at least part of his anger.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #64 on: November 02, 2017, 03:56:51 pm »
Great post.  What happened to Michael N?  He was a great poster.

He hasn't been around for a long time. Great at keeping us up with the bush leagues. We haven't heard from Nate Colbert in a while either.

chuck

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #65 on: November 02, 2017, 03:58:45 pm »
Wherever Hetrodoxy is, I hope this sates at least part of his anger.

He's doing well. I heard from him the other day. He went to one of the games in New York. He's not Reddick's biggest fan.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #66 on: November 02, 2017, 04:28:01 pm »
Great post.  What happened to Michael N?  He was a great poster.

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Duman

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #67 on: November 02, 2017, 04:31:22 pm »
Last night was fun.  My trip on this site along with my Astros journey started in 2004 when the Greeneville Astros started.  My 4 year old son talked to some of the guys at McDonalds and before you knew it, we had Troy Patton, Beau Torbert and Jordan Parraz sitting at our dinner table for a meal and playing wiffle ball with our son in the yard.  The next February I was looking for minors news and found the old Minors opinion (now the bus ride). 

I have learned a great deal from this site and have made many great friends.  Thanks for letting this late comer tag along for a great ride. 
Always ready to go to a game.

Foghorn

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #68 on: November 02, 2017, 05:22:29 pm »
Hot Damn!!!  Can't believe it finally happened.

To the ones who've been around forever, to the newer fans on the band wagon, to the ones who never thought it was possible.  Feel fucking great.

But, I would be remiss, if I did not include a list of people who don't get a thank you.  To these ass hats, you don't get a thank you, but rather a fuck you....

To Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome....which best I could tell on a quick search is what caused JR Richard's stroke.  Phillies ain't shit.  Them bitches are owed a pounding at some point.  Love to meet up with them in a WS one of these days.  Luck ass 1980 mother fuckers.

To Tommy Lasorda and the rest of the LA Dodgers of the 70s/80s....loved it when Fletch punched the Chief's picture of Fat Ass Lasorda.  Eat a big of shit tubby.

To the entire 1986 NY Mets....one of the all time great degenerate teams...Gooden, Strawberry, Dykstra, Hernandez.  For all the (rightful) shit getting thrown Gurriel's way, remember that Hernandez was to be suspended for the entire 1986 season for distributing cocaine to other players.  Damn drug dealer playing 1B, with coke heads all over the diamond.  Fuck everyone associated with the 1986 Mets. 

To Walt Weiss....nuff said.

To LaRussa, Poo holes, Big Mac, Anaheim Jimmy and the rest of the steroid stuffed Cardinals.  Make no mistake....Tony LaRussa was the figurehead behind the massive steroid abuse in MLB.  He started it with the A's and he took it with him to St. Louis.  Fuck that guy.  hope his pecker falls off.

To Drayton McLane--Drayton, you were a shitbag owner.  You were.  Glad you are gone



Any how....congrats to the 2017 Houston Astros....who had the most difficult path to a World Series champ since at least 2001.  Overcoming 3 strong teams and $711M in combined payroll.  Eat shit fuckers!!!!

You see pal, that's who I am, and you're nothing. Nice guy, I don't give a shit. Good father, fuck you. Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here, close. You think this is abuse? You think this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can't take this, how can you take the abuse you get on a sit?

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #69 on: November 02, 2017, 06:05:03 pm »
Great post.  What happened to Michael N?  He was a great poster.
Michael N got a new user name as I don't remember my old password. What happened to me? I got re-married, moved to San Antonio, raised two sons (one graduated college in May and the other will do so this coming May) and have a happy life.

Congrats to all of AstrosNation and the people of AstrosConnection/OrangeWhoopass... even grumpy old Coach, Jim R. We've endured as fans for our whole lives and our boys finally won the big prize.

Go Astros!!

VirtualBob

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #70 on: November 02, 2017, 06:23:16 pm »
Up in the Air

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #71 on: November 02, 2017, 06:30:12 pm »
Michael N got a new user name as I don't remember my old password. What happened to me? I got re-married, moved to San Antonio, raised two sons (one graduated college in May and the other will do so this coming May) and have a happy life.

Congrats to all of AstrosNation and the people of AstrosConnection/OrangeWhoopass... even grumpy old Coach, Jim R. We've endured as fans for our whole lives and our boys finally won the big prize.

Go Astros!!
Miss you Noe.
Up in the Air

Ty in Tampa

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #72 on: November 02, 2017, 06:43:15 pm »
I miss all of y’all. Welcome home.
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I'm living rent-free in the back of your head."

SoonerJim

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #73 on: November 02, 2017, 08:07:03 pm »
Game seven looks just as good on MLB network replay as it did in the original. So happy to have a community of fellow fans to live and die with. I became a fan in 1968, a bequethed victory from my father with whom I traveled by Greyhound bus to and from New Orleans to see Rusty Staub and the Expos in 1969 and the Pirates with Clemente in 1970. He died in 1989; a championship unrealized. I was by myself watching the game, but I thought of my dad often and the excitement and joy he took in following this team. I know he was with me last night. I am happy to have this community to share my love for the Astros, those responsible for this website, and the knowledge and humor of the many posters who had so many low moments which finally ended in victory. Much love to you all.

T. J.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #74 on: November 02, 2017, 10:21:01 pm »
I have no memory of how I found Kev&Scott's Astrosconnection in the first place, but I'm glad I did.  From that original site, through the current incarnation, this has been an unbelievable place to hang out with fellow Astros fans.  I've met a few of you at an Andymas celebration after (of course) an Astros game years ago, I've played denial league baseball with one of you (hi HH) in the past, and I've gotten invaluable vacation advice from one of you (hey Ty, your secret is safe with me).

I haven't posted as much lately as I used to, kid and family have interfered with my internet lurking in recent years, but I've always been around and have always appreciated this community and what you mean to me.  Thank you for keeping this up and running, and if you would put up a tip jar (hint, hint, hint), I'm guessing you would be shocked by how much this bunch of lackeys would chip in to keep this place up and running.

Love y'all (except Colt 45...you can kiss my ass.)

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #75 on: November 02, 2017, 10:35:58 pm »
Miss you Noe.

POTWA (even if unintentional).
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The Spleen

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #76 on: November 02, 2017, 10:37:23 pm »
I'm still waiting for an Alkie sighting...
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #77 on: November 03, 2017, 09:01:14 am »
Reading this thread from start to finish this morning, and I am overcome with an amazing sense of wonder and amazement:
Apparently, winning the World Series makes you gat (NTTAWWT).

Seriously (just in case you thought I wasn't joking), I love all of you too.  I would have told you this on Wednesday night / Thursday morning if only my higher brain functions hadn't been shut down by a combination of stress, joy and Hopadillo.
« Last Edit: November 03, 2017, 09:07:28 am by Limey »
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David in Jackson

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #78 on: November 03, 2017, 10:23:47 am »
I'm still waiting for an Alkie sighting...

A legend.

Has the Zipp showed up?
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Phil_in_CS

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #79 on: November 03, 2017, 10:27:38 am »
I have no memory of how I found Kev&Scott's Astrosconnection in the first place, but I'm glad I did. 

I was looking up funny stories about the original Japanese Iron Chef shows and found a link back to some hilarity on AC about it.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #80 on: November 03, 2017, 12:47:41 pm »
A legend.

Has the Zipp showed up?

He got mad at something and stomped off. He turned FB into a pretend GZ, but only Noe gave a fuck about his baseball posts. I was hoping he’d come back for Game Seven, but I guess he did not.
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Kevin

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #81 on: November 03, 2017, 02:25:56 pm »
Hello - frontrunner here. Just wanted to add my congrats to the Astros and all of the longsuffering, and thanks to the OWA team for their endurance in maintaining this sick community and overseeing the first WS title. While my knowledge of anything pertaining to the 2017 Astros is deficit, deficit knowledge hasn't stopped me in the past so I figure I'll just post a bit.

Somebody has surely pointed this out, but how fitting is it to celebrate this thing on the field at Dodger Stadium, where we were all first teased with the prospect of postseason glory after Joe Niekro dominated the one game playoff for the '80 NL West? The Astros finally brought it full circle. A wide, wide, irregular and at times hideous circle, but the ends did eventually meet.

It was difficult to miss that the big media narrative for this title run was catharsis after Harvey. Certainly winning it all can do a little something to raise spirits and make what has been an awful year for many people maybe a bit better. We flooded last year as well and I know that any pleasant distraction on the road to getting your life back in order is welcome. But I'd offer that the biggest implication of this title beyond the obvious is a cosmic vindication of Astros baseball.

Up to this point in history the near misses were the pinnacle, but this mighty iteration of the ballclub finally changed that for longtime fans. For me it puts memories of the great teams of '80, '86, '98, '99, '04, '05, the Killer Bs, and postseason heroes like Niekro, Puhl, Scott, Hatcher, Kent, Oswalt, Berkman, Beltran etc in a context that is ultimately positive, that finally culminates in a championship instead of noble defeat. All of Astros history can be looked at as building toward this, and today the ghosts of the gut-wrenching past don't haunt like they used to.

I was late and nearly a no-show to this party, with Game 3 the first full baseball game I had watched in about 10 years. I have to admit that a prolonged period of burnout, combined with the lack of Astros coverage in this market and news of multiple 100-loss seasons had pretty much kept me free and clear. But I also have to admit it was enjoyable to follow this series as a frontrunner for a change - I probably would not have survived it back in the day. My hat is off to all of you who remained committed as the whole rebuilding and turnaround thing unfolded. Gratification probably doesn't even begin to explain it.

I guess the intangibles of Astros fandom have permanently etched everyone here in some way, and it probably surfaced differently for everybody this past week. For me it was something weird--the familiarity of the H-star on the caps and the permeating orange against a backdrop of postseason intensity--that brought everything full circle for an instant and made me feel like I was 11 years old. It would be nice to be able to go back and tell that kid that it eventually all works out. What a moment, what a win.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #82 on: November 03, 2017, 04:22:13 pm »

I guess the intangibles of Astros fandom have permanently etched everyone here in some way, and it probably surfaced differently for everybody this past week. For me it was something weird--the familiarity of the H-star on the caps and the permeating orange against a backdrop of postseason intensity--that brought everything full circle for an instant and made me feel like I was 11 years old. It would be nice to be able to go back and tell that kid that it eventually all works out. What a moment, what a win.

Very well put, El Jefe.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #83 on: November 03, 2017, 05:05:45 pm »
Up to this point in history the near misses were the pinnacle, but this mighty iteration of the ballclub finally changed that for longtime fans. For me it puts memories of the great teams of '80, '86, '98, '99, '04, '05, the Killer Bs, and postseason heroes like Niekro, Puhl, Scott, Hatcher, Kent, Oswalt, Berkman, Beltran etc in a context that is ultimately positive, that finally culminates in a championship instead of noble defeat. All of Astros history can be looked at as building toward this, and today the ghosts of the gut-wrenching past don't haunt like they used to.
Great post. On this note, I watched some of 1986 game 6 yesterday with a completely new perspective.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #84 on: November 03, 2017, 05:46:36 pm »
Great post. On this note, I watched some of 1986 game 6 yesterday with a completely new perspective.

Impressive.   Still too much for me to take a second time around.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #85 on: November 03, 2017, 05:48:37 pm »
Great post. On this note, I watched some of 1986 game 6 yesterday with a completely new perspective.

How are you watching it? The medium?

jbm

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #86 on: November 03, 2017, 05:55:05 pm »
You tube

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #87 on: November 03, 2017, 05:59:55 pm »
1986 still is my biggest disappointment followed closely by 1998 and1980. Losing Game Seven this year would have eclipsed them.
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Knoxbanedoodle

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #88 on: November 03, 2017, 08:19:55 pm »
Very well put, El Jefe.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #89 on: November 03, 2017, 11:21:10 pm »
1986 still is my biggest disappointment followed closely by 1998 and1980. Losing Game Seven this year would have eclipsed them.

The terror I felt before Game 7 was like nothing I'd ever felt as a fan.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #90 on: November 03, 2017, 11:56:28 pm »
Since we are getting sappy...

I love this dump.   I use dump affectionately.  The house I lived in college was  known as the dump (wheeler & calhoun early 90s), and I can't explain how much fun I had there.

Im not sure how I found this place, but I think it was through Noe, whom you guys seem to dislike.   Either way, I made here and have enjoyed it for going on TWENTY years.

I have met a few of you guys over the years, my absolute favorite being hanging out with Chuck in Seattle.  Chuck, I still plan on making some sort of Panama soccer match with you, if the offer is still valid.   Also got to drink beers with Drew in San Fran...which was fun, but not as fun as drinking beers with Footer and Deshaies later that same night.   

This place has had a real ebb and flow.   It certainly seems like the late 90s through the 2005 WS were the ebb.   Then things here and with the team hit the shit....well other than the bus ride.

THANK YOU Bus Riders. 

 I can't explain how much that place kept my love of the Astros alive from basically 2008-2014, as the main board here floundered.   Seriously, everyone of you guys who posts updates regularly on the Bus Ride, THANK YOU.   

I would have never stopped watching the Astros, (legally or otherwise) but the Bus Ride was a place I could escape to and have hope a year like this would come.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #91 on: November 04, 2017, 01:21:27 am »
Since we are getting sappy...

I love this dump.   I use dump affectionately.  The house I lived in college was  known as the dump (wheeler & calhoun early 90s), and I can't explain how much fun I had there.

Im not sure how I found this place, but I think it was through Noe, whom you guys seem to dislike.   Either way, I made here and have enjoyed it for going on TWENTY years.

I have met a few of you guys over the years, my absolute favorite being hanging out with Chuck in Seattle.  Chuck, I still plan on making some sort of Panama soccer match with you, if the offer is still valid.   Also got to drink beers with Drew in San Fran...which was fun, but not as fun as drinking beers with Footer and Deshaies later that same night.   

This place has had a real ebb and flow.   It certainly seems like the late 90s through the 2005 WS were the ebb.   Then things here and with the team hit the shit....well other than the bus ride.

THANK YOU Bus Riders. 

 I can't explain how much that place kept my love of the Astros alive from basically 2008-2014, as the main board here floundered.   Seriously, everyone of you guys who posts updates regularly on the Bus Ride, THANK YOU.   

I would have never stopped watching the Astros, (legally or otherwise) but the Bus Ride was a place I could escape to and have hope a year like this would come.

No one dislikes Noe. He is a good guy. Not sure why he chose to leave.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #92 on: November 04, 2017, 08:58:57 am »
all differences aside--you have to love the zone the last few days. sometimes it seemed to flicker and the flame seem low but now it it is bright and wonderful full of posts as it should be  OWA
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #93 on: November 04, 2017, 01:40:02 pm »
Great post. On this note, I watched some of 1986 game 6 yesterday with a completely new perspective.

I watched Game 6 while on a plane flight a few years ago. The plane began its descent (and we had to turn off electronic devices) with the game in the 9th inning and the Astros leading. I assume Dave Smith finished out the save and the Astros won. I'm good with leaving it there.
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Gulf Coast Playboy

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #94 on: November 04, 2017, 02:31:32 pm »
Up to this point in history the near misses were the pinnacle, but this mighty iteration of the ballclub finally changed that for longtime fans. For me it puts memories of the great teams of '80, '86, '98, '99, '04, '05, the Killer Bs, and postseason heroes like Niekro, Puhl, Scott, Hatcher, Kent, Oswalt, Berkman, Beltran etc in a context that is ultimately positive, that finally culminates in a championship instead of noble defeat. All of Astros history can be looked at as building toward this, and today the ghosts of the gut-wrenching past don't haunt like they used to.

From a very appreciative lurker and very seldom poster since the AstrosConnection days, thank you for that beautifully stated post.

1980 was just a couple years before my baseball consciousness, but I remember 1986 like it was yesterday (I was nine years old and attended Games 1 and 6 in the nosebleeds with my Dad).  Since then I've been fortunate to see almost every playoff game in person (with the notable/merciful exception of the Walt Weiss game), and God knows how many regular season games.

The joy that this season brought to me and my family has been indescribable.  A big part of it was getting to share it all with my own seven-year old.  With a couple outs to go in Game 7, he said without any irony that this was probably the most exciting day of his life.

But another big part of the overall joy--or maybe just sweet relief--is the context it adds in retrospect to the memories of past near-misses.  I think I felt that in my gut but could never articulate it until your post above put it so perfectly.

Cheers to Astros baseball, and sincere thanks to everyone who contributes to this site.

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #95 on: November 04, 2017, 05:27:30 pm »
I guess the intangibles of Astros fandom have permanently etched everyone here in some way, and it probably surfaced differently for everybody this past week. For me it was something weird--the familiarity of the H-star on the caps and the permeating orange against a backdrop of postseason intensity--that brought everything full circle for an instant and made me feel like I was 11 years old. It would be nice to be able to go back and tell that kid that it eventually all works out. What a moment, what a win.

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This is your home, El Jefe. Welcome home.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #96 on: November 04, 2017, 06:05:49 pm »
I've been around a while and saw lots come and go. However, this site gave me friends whom I love and care about deeply. I grew up here, even though I started here as a thirty-something. This site is my go-to for all matters Astro. I've learned lots about baseball here too. I'd like to thank Kev and Scott for getting us started. I'd also like to personally thank each and every one of you, especially those of you (and you know who you are) who endured the painful three year tear down and rebuild when others drifted away. We share a bond.

The feeling that I have about the Astros winning the World Series is indescribable. It's better than any other high I've ever experienced.

God damnit, folks, we're the champs!
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toddthebod

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #97 on: November 05, 2017, 11:48:07 am »
1986 still is my biggest disappointment followed closely by 1998 and1980. Losing Game Seven this year would have eclipsed them.

1986 was personally devastating to me because I was freshman in college and living in a dormitory with a ton of Mets fans.  Ugh. 

1980 was my first playoff experience as an 11 year old.  I cried after that series.

1998 was a tragedy because we had so much optimism going into the playoffs with Randy Johnson. 
Boom!

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #98 on: November 05, 2017, 12:29:50 pm »
1986 was personally devastating to me because I was freshman in college and living in a dormitory with a ton of Mets fans.  Ugh.

Tell me about it.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #99 on: November 06, 2017, 06:51:18 am »
I will not bore you with the details or engage in melodrama, but my life has taken some hits in recent years. Overall, I have had a great life and still do. I have been generally successful in my endeavors, I have two great kids who love and look after me. Elizabeth, after the serious trouble you know about, has a happy marriage, a beautiful daughter, and a boy on the way. I cannot be more pleased with my relationship with Mark. He is a great guy who makes me proud every day, and we shared this championship sitting side by side. I have loyal friends. I tell myself these are the things which matter.

A couple of years ago I lost The Relationship, and, for once, the end was none of my doing. I was blindsided by what happened, and even today, some two years later, I cannot understand the why of it. Later the same year, my main client’s new General Counsel targeted me and my firm and made me instantly unproductive, which led to my voluntary decision to retire a year later before I was intellectually or physically ready. Finally, at the end of the same year I lost Her and my law practice, Dan, my best friend of nearly 40 years, dropped dead a few hours after we texted about exchanging Christmas gifts. This sudden and unexpected loss unhinged me for awhile, and I miss him every day. Baseball was a foundation of our friendship; he was a Giants fan but rooted for the Astros too because of me. He travelled with my ‘97 McCallum team to support Mark and me. We went to spring training for many years, we got together often to watch games, and we texted often about games in progresss, hot stove issues, and other weighty baseball matters. How I would have loved for him to experience the 2017 Astros.

Through these personal and professional losses, the Astros were a constant, and the games were something to look forward to each night. The TZ and the GZ also were my constant companions each day and night, and I consider many of you my close friends. All of you are my baseball family. Like many of you, I sensed very early this 2017 Team was special, and I wrote in early May my favorable comparison of this team to other great Astros teams. The postseason run is the pinnacle of my fandom, and thanks to the generosity of my friend Gordon Lakey, I attended all nine games in Houston. OMG, what fun! I shared this experience with you. Although you were not with me, we were linked by the TZ and the GZ.

The first thing I did after each postseason game was read the GZ start to finish. You guys and gals outdid yourselves each night. I am glad these classics will be a permanent archive of this site. We share this championship, all of us, and I do not have the words to express my gratitude and my love to each of you and to Kev and Scott and to those who followed them in making this the best Astros site anywhere. You are the best and most loyal fans anywhere.

Baseball, the Astros, this site, and you helped me stay afloat when Life was doing its best to remind me I am not in charge. Thank you.

Go Astros! 2017 World Series Champions! Damn, that sounds good.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2017, 06:54:46 am by JimR »
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VirtualBob

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #100 on: November 06, 2017, 08:14:59 am »
Hang in there coach. Nobody could ever use WFW about you. And I'm sure that applies outside this site too.
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Re: Thank You
« Reply #101 on: November 06, 2017, 11:23:41 am »
Damn, Coach. That was a lot to endure at one time. For obvious personal reasons, I'm elated for Elizabeth, who, like many, are proof positive about the merits of a second chance. Mark's Mark, and we love him.

Having gone through, albeit at different times, loss of practice (which was my fault) and unexpected divorce with my first wife. I tried therapy to mixed results. Obviously, for many years, I self-medicated until I almost destroyed my life.

But what finally helped me was the self-revelation, which came to me in the suicide cage of a jail, that each loss also presented another opportunity, so that I changed my focus from the loss to the opportunity. I don't know why it took so long and so much acrimony for that thought to come out of my head. But I'm grateful that it did. I made great strides and virtually eradicated my anger problem.

I have nothing butt the utmost respect for you, and I wish you all the best. Go World Series Champion Houston Astros!
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NeilT

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #102 on: November 06, 2017, 11:38:31 am »
Damn, Coach. That was a lot to endure at one time. For obvious personal reasons, I'm elated for Elizabeth, who, like many, are proof positive about the merits of a second chance. Mark's Mark, and we love him.

Having gone through, albeit at different times, loss of practice (which was my fault) and unexpected divorce with my first wife. I tried therapy to mixed results. Obviously, for many years, I self-medicated until I almost destroyed my life.

But what finally helped me was the self-revelation, which came to me in the suicide cage of a jail, that each loss also presented another opportunity, so that I changed my focus from the loss to the opportunity. I don't know why it took so long and so much acrimony for that thought to come out of my head. But I'm grateful that it did. I made great strides and virtually eradicated my anger problem.

I have nothing butt the utmost respect for you, and I wish you all the best. Go World Series Champion Houston Astros!

Thanks to both of you. 
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Col. Sphinx Drummond

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #103 on: November 06, 2017, 08:02:32 pm »
I really appreciate everyone that makes this group what it is. My life is percentage points better because of all of you. Well, everyone except for that one dude. But anyway, this thing called ORANGEWHOOPASS is pretty god damn special and I fucking love it.
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DVauthrin

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #104 on: November 06, 2017, 08:06:07 pm »
I will not bore you with the details or engage in melodrama, but my life has taken some hits in recent years. Overall, I have had a great life and still do. I have been generally successful in my endeavors, I have two great kids who love and look after me. Elizabeth, after the serious trouble you know about, has a happy marriage, a beautiful daughter, and a boy on the way. I cannot be more pleased with my relationship with Mark. He is a great guy who makes me proud every day, and we shared this championship sitting side by side. I have loyal friends. I tell myself these are the things which matter.

A couple of years ago I lost The Relationship, and, for once, the end was none of my doing. I was blindsided by what happened, and even today, some two years later, I cannot understand the why of it. Later the same year, my main client’s new General Counsel targeted me and my firm and made me instantly unproductive, which led to my voluntary decision to retire a year later before I was intellectually or physically ready. Finally, at the end of the same year I lost Her and my law practice, Dan, my best friend of nearly 40 years, dropped dead a few hours after we texted about exchanging Christmas gifts. This sudden and unexpected loss unhinged me for awhile, and I miss him every day. Baseball was a foundation of our friendship; he was a Giants fan but rooted for the Astros too because of me. He travelled with my ‘97 McCallum team to support Mark and me. We went to spring training for many years, we got together often to watch games, and we texted often about games in progresss, hot stove issues, and other weighty baseball matters. How I would have loved for him to experience the 2017 Astros.

Through these personal and professional losses, the Astros were a constant, and the games were something to look forward to each night. The TZ and the GZ also were my constant companions each day and night, and I consider many of you my close friends. All of you are my baseball family. Like many of you, I sensed very early this 2017 Team was special, and I wrote in early May my favorable comparison of this team to other great Astros teams. The postseason run is the pinnacle of my fandom, and thanks to the generosity of my friend Gordon Lakey, I attended all nine games in Houston. OMG, what fun! I shared this experience with you. Although you were not with me, we were linked by the TZ and the GZ.

The first thing I did after each postseason game was read the GZ start to finish. You guys and gals outdid yourselves each night. I am glad these classics will be a permanent archive of this site. We share this championship, all of us, and I do not have the words to express my gratitude and my love to each of you and to Kev and Scott and to those who followed them in making this the best Astros site anywhere. You are the best and most loyal fans anywhere.

Baseball, the Astros, this site, and you helped me stay afloat when Life was doing its best to remind me I am not in charge. Thank you.

Go Astros! 2017 World Series Champions! Damn, that sounds good.

What a gut-wrenching, yet heartwarming post, coach.  I’m sorry to hear of all the personal difficulties you’ve had to deal with recently, but I’m also happy to hear your daughter turned her life around, and that you had the opportunity to attend each Astros’ home playoff game during this magical season.  At the end of the day, we are all friends first and as you so eloquently put it, an Astros and baseball-loving family.  I love talking baseball with you and everyone on this site. 

Your post and all the posts in this thread have brought back memories of how my grandfather on my dad’s side always sat in front of the TV with an Astros’ game on, even when he couldn’t see and could barely hear in his later years.  He passed away in 2013, but he would’ve loved to see the team win the World Series.  I thought of him when the final out was made.



« Last Edit: November 06, 2017, 08:09:26 pm by DVauthrin »
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Arky Vaughan

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #105 on: November 06, 2017, 10:58:14 pm »
I didn't know if this moment would ever come, but I cannot imagine it being any sweeter, having spent the last 20 or so years goofing off with all of you.  Tomorrow I will read the GZ and everything else, but tonight I'm smoking that special victory cigar.  We here at OWA have been through a lot, and we routinely "fight like hell" because...well, that's why we're here. 

But on behalf of OWA, and honestly, from the very bottom of our hearts...thank you OWA.  You are the best.

Backatcha, HH. This place has made the most Astros excruciating moments of the last two decades all the more bearable, and the Astros highlights, and finally the culmination of all baseball dreams, all the more sweet.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2017, 11:01:07 pm by Arky Vaughan »

JimR

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Re: Thank You
« Reply #106 on: November 07, 2017, 10:08:06 am »
Thank you Paul, David, Bob, and Neil. Everyone has troubles, and I am not special or worthy of sympathy in that regard. No one forced me to make the choices and decisions I made, and I do not regret a single one. I never was angry or resentful...only sadness, at times almost overwhelming, about what could have been, and in my biased view, what should have been.

Through it all, though, were the Astros, my kids, and all of you. Thank you.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2017, 10:32:34 am by JimR »
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