Hi, I’m Michael Hurta. I used to write Home Plate in Space, but I ended up running out of time, because there are just so many things to do. I might go into blogging again, who knows, but right now the only thing I am doing is making guest posts here and there when wanted. My latest post anywhere was for Chris Bell, who has now decided he will be running for Governor in Texas.
But that is not what we are here for. This is a baseball site, and my political leanings have nothing to do with baseball. Anyways, when asked to do a guest post, I was afraid that I wouldn’t think of anything outside of Astros-stuff to write about. And since I haven’t been able to think of anything better to write about, I guess I’ll just stick to that topic.
Its a really good year to be an Astros’ fan. Arguably a better year than last year. There are so many amazing things happening with this team – it is mindblowing.
1. Rookies:
This is really a league-wide thing. I haven’t ever seen one team rely on so many rookies and do so well at the same time. From the As to the Braves to the Astros, its rookie here, rookie there. The Astros have used six rookies this season. Not only that, Willy Taveras is the regular center fielder who is playing easily as well as Carlos Beltran and maybe better – not to mention he saved us over 100 million dollars. Chris Burke is also starting on a regular basis in left field. Our 5th starter has been a rookie all season – either Wandy Rodriguez or Ezequial Astacio, and both have pitched very good games. Now, they are both pitching in the rotation.
2. Craig Biggio:
It helps this argument that Craig Biggio is my favorite player. But if your a true and longtime Astros’ fan, the chances are that Biggio is one of your favorite players. This ‘kid’, and I say that in a nice way, he is what, 39 years old? – is passing players in all time records left and right. The most nationally known thing was his passing of Don Baylor for the hit by pitch record. He is also climbing the all time hits ladder on his way to 3000. He has hit his 2700th this year with the team, and should hit 2800 this year too. He is also 13th all time in doubles. Next up is Cal Ripken, and after Ripken there are a few guys tied at the end of the top ten all time. Its not just that Biggio is passing all these guys – he is still having a very productive season; worthy of a starting job on multiple teams in the majors. I would herald it the best Astros’ old-guy season I have ever seen, but there is another guy who stops me from doing that. We will get to him later.
3. The comeback:
This is what made last year great too. Except this time, it happened earlier. We were at a point of the season 15 games under .500. As many probably know, no team has made the playoffs since the early 1900s Boston Braves after falling 15 under. The Astros are now 10 over and at this rate they might, with Oakland, achieve that feat. The great thing about this – it feels like playoffs in July and August.
4. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching
Ya, our pitching is good. Period.
First, lets look at the staff as a whole. Since the All Star break, only one of our 13 used pitchers has had above a 3.75 ERA. Only three pitchers, including that one, have had an ERA not below 3.00. I’m no expert at baseball statistics – but something tells me that that is pretty damn good.
Now we go to the rotation. The trio of Clemens-Oswalt-Pettite has been unbelievable. Spectacular. But they haven’t been the only ones throwing the nice stuff too. Zeke Astacio has thrown gems. Wandy “W-Rod” Rodriguez has thrown great gems as well. Brandon Backe has remained consistent.
But the big three is really big. All three of them are in the top six in the majors in ERA. A quote from Fox Sports’ power rankings: ” Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt, as measured by Baseball Prospectus’ Runs Prevented statistic, are on pace to be the greatest pitching trio in the history of the game. Yes, in the history of the game. ”
Roy Oswalt leads the majors in innings too as our workhorse. Andy Pettite just won pitcher of the month with a .90 ERA last month. And then. There is Roger.
Ah yes… Roger. The Rocket. Clemens. This is the alien greatness to watch this year. This is easily the best old guy season EVER on this pace. In the history of Sports. Period. Then, people talked about it being one of the Rocket’s best season. Some are even talking about it being one of the best seasons in the history of the game. Remember, folks, this guy just turned 43 yesterday. Happy birthday to him. His ERA is 1.45. Last time it was that law was Bob Gibson in 1968. The average league ERA then was well below 3. The only other times an ERA was that low for a pitcher was the deadball era. This year, the league average ERA is easily above 4.
I realize that being a Red Sox fan might be really fun, but I’m sure glad I’m an Astros fan. And while the Red Sox might be the Fire Brand of the American League, here in Houston we have some brands of our own.
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