Parity Violation

Well well. I had written the Astros off about 3-4 times during the current road trip, but each time I had left them for dead … they managed to win a game. They finished the road trip 6-5. Shocking.

As Lance Berkman said, they really have to win 10 games straight to have a shot at making the playoffs. Maybe they can do it. They did a similar feat in 2004. They really don’t know how to make it easy. In my years as an Astros fan the only stress free year I had was 1998 when they coasted to the division crown and won 102 games. Every year since it’s been a manic run to make the playoffs.

And how about Willy T? 30 game hit streak. Very impressive. Still barely halfway to the magic number of 56. I hope he continues the streak on the homestand, that should make for some additional excitement.

Two years ago today, the Astros started a thirteen game winning streak. Of course, they were already at .500 at the time. Still, the NL is much weaker this year than then. They could yet well pull it off. This homestand starting this week would be a good place to start a big winning streak.

Well, it didn’t take me long. I figured out why college baseball gets such scant media coverage. It’s basically a regional sport. Like college hockey. Quick, who won the Frozen Four last year? I bet you don’t know. Neither do I. I’d wager it was some midwest or north eastern team though.

Just look at the College World Series bracket. All southern teams or from the west coast. Why? The season starts in February and northern teams fields are still tundra, assuming they have a field at all.

So, the good programs are all away from big media markets like New York and Chicago and the sport is relegated to regional status and ESPN2*. It may not be fair, but that’s how it is.

* Several games this year will actually be on ESPN/ ESPN HD. In 2002, CBS carried the College World Series and stunk at it. They didn’t even have a post-game interview or show the trophy presentation. I’m very glad it’s on ESPN these days.

Unlike Lurleen Lumpkin, my title is not a metaphor. I just hit a home run. It might be the first one I’ve ever hit. I think in the past maybe an outfielder has stumbled around and dropped the ball, or let it go over his or her head, but tonight’s was the real deal.

I was up with runners on second and third. I think there was one out. I wanted to hit the ball to right field, because there was an enormous gap in right-center. So I took the first pitch for a strike, because it was inside. The next one was high and outside and I waited and put a decent swing on it. Still kind of a fly ball, but slicing toward the right filed line… I watched it down the line as I ran towards first and it hit the line just as I was reaching first base so I put it in high gear. I’m not exactly sure who fielded the ball or how it was played, but the throw got to home plate just about as I was crossing. 3 run homer. Of course, we still lost 16-9, but it’s nice to hit the ball out of the infield for a change.