Chicago Cubs VS Houston Astros @ Miller Park
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 5:07 PM CDT
150 comments
Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros, Sep 14, 2008 7:05 PM CDT
Current Series
3 game series vs Cubs @ Minute Maid Park
| Fri 09/12 | Postponed | |
| Sat 09/13 | Postponed | |
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Sunday, Sep 14, 2008, 7:05 PM CDT Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 65.
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| Mon 09/15 | 1:05 PM CDT | |
Alright, I think we've all got our 2 cents in about how we disagree with the Astros playing their "home" game in Milwaukee, so I'll just get past that and on to what really matters... the game.
Zambrano will be making his 1st start since he last faced the Astros on 9/2/08 in which he gave up 3 earned runs through 5 innings and left the game pretty early(86 pitches) with a "tired arm". The Evil Z as we like to call him has sit on the pine for 12 straight days in an attempt to rest what was eventually diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder. Randy Wolf has been pretty good in his 9 starts as an Astros pitcher this season going 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA. Overall this season he has a 10-11 record and a 4.45 ERA(split between San Diego and Houston). Wolf has been much better than many of us expected and has been a welcome addition to the Astros injured rotation. The Astros and Cubs appear to be teams going in opposite directions... despite all of the recent Astros injuries(Carlos Lee, Ty Wigginton, Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backet etc), the Astros have managed to win 9 of their last 10 games and are currently on a 6 game winning streak. The Cubs on the other hand have only won 3 of their last 10 and are quickly watching their lead in the NL Central diminish. The Astros have played very well and watched what at one time look to be an impossible deficit in the NL Wild Card rankings, drop to just 2 games (as of 5:00 PM CST) with the Brewers losing the 1st game of a double header with the Phillies.
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Had to pay for MLB.tv to watch this
and also use a Colombian proxy server to avoid the blackout, but I’m watching this damn game. I really wish the Astros just sold their Sunday games to FSN Houston. We actually get that in NOLA.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This game is being aired on FSN
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Dammit. Well, at least I’ll get the other Sunday games now.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately it's only 2 more games
at least for the regular season.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ed Wade puts positive spin on missing two days
and on moving the games to Milwaukee.
I almost bought it until the radio guys said the Astros players on the plane ride had more on their minds than the baseball game.
Radio guys said crowd is dressed un cubbie Blue
And Astros wearing road uniforms!
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cubs may be wearing their home uniforms
anyone with better knowldedge than I can tell?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cubs wear white jerseys at home
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Astros "home" dugout
is on the Visitors side(in comparison to MMP)
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
chicago writer's twitter earlier
said the Astros had the cubs use the “home” team locker room. Maybe the Astros figured it’d be easier to treat this as a regular road game.
wonder if that extended to dugout as well
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano leads off with a home run
DAMNIT!
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay - now the game can begin
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miller Park erupted in very loud cheering with the HR.
Then the fans at the stadium began loud “let’s go Cubs” chanting. This seems like greater fan support for the Cubs than if they were at Wrigley.
by clack on Sep 14, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In case you didn't see my post in another thread
It takes an hour and 45 minutes to get to Miller Park from Chicago…
It takes 19+ to get there from Houston..
If there wasn’t more Cubs fans there it would be a joke… This might as well be a home game for the Cubs
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miller easier and quicker to get to for many in Chicago area.
by ol Pete on Sep 14, 2008 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crowd chanting "Let's Go Cubs"
and the fans behind home plate are dressed in Cubs shirts.
Neutral field – yeah – give me a break
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully we'll kick their ass
and this will be a moot point..
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like almost a full stadium
and it is a sea of Cubbie Blue
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wolf looked very good after the HR
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fortunately
Soriano (and every manager to ever use him) is a dumbass. He has to bat first, no matter what. So a good number of his homers are necessarily solo shots.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hate bud selig
and all his MLB minions.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Phillies lead Brewers 4-0 in the second inning
after winning the first game today.
Phillies still batting
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so who gets the gate?
i have no idea how gate receipts, concessions are split for a regular game, but i wonder about this one.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As a cubs fan
I have to wonder why these games weren’t played in Atlanta? Wouldn’t that have been more “neutral” then milwaukee? Given anywhere you play there would have been more cubs fans then astros fans, it wouldn’t have been so lopsided, and also its a shorter trip for ya’ll to florida for your set against the Fish
then again maybe it was just me wanting to watch the games in turner
by cubsfaninatl on Sep 14, 2008 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Anything makes more sense than Milwaukee
I wasn’t as pissed about it until I mapped it out and realized it was less than a 2 hr drive there..
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
according to one chicago report
MLB was insisting it be a domed stadium and tampa is home.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brownie just mentioned that
Lance got up at 4:00 AM today to make the plan trip to Miller park
How refreshing
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah
JD mentioned earlier that they may really feel it tomorrow during the day game.
i hope they slept on the plane. i never can.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure they are able to
I’m assuming most of them are used to flying..
I wouldn’t know.. I’ve never flown.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not an energizing sleep
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JD/Brownie both agree
that both of these games might as well be considered away games.
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
c'mon miggy
if you at least make the throw, Zambrano has to get in collision at the plate
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
sorry miggy
that was on bourn, not you
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you can blame Tejada
for trying to barehand the ball like an assclown
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Astros down 3-0 after a 2 run double by D Lee
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3-0 Cubs
I don’t like the way this game is developing
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that was weird
3b coach came down to talk to Ramirez.
picked up Wolf tipping his pitches?
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that's just a WAG
i really doubt that’s the case
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Make it 4-0
RBI single by Ramirez and then he moves to 2nd on what should be an error on Tejada for throwing the ball away
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
this is not good and i cant even watch it on WGN
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wolf getting killed
get rid of him, everyone is hammering him
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i know it won't
but maybe this will keep our moron GM from offering Wolf a big offseason deal
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
aarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh
goddamnit
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sloppy fielding
Somebody should catch the ball in the infield.
Astros are not mentally in this game
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Case in point:
Tejada’s stupid ass throw
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, their implosion has been sweet
hope this kills any TLR as manager of the year talk.
it’s easy to be a good mgr when no-names like Ludwick, Schumacker have career years. now everyone is slumping or hurt.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the bright side
The Cardinals were swept.
On the other hand, I like the Cardinals fans more than Cubs fans, so the scheudenfreude is not as sweet.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 7:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bye Bye Wolf
Nieve coming in.. Wolf doesn’t look too happy
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
looked away a second
did wolf get pulled in the middle of a batter?
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was going to the sports bar to watch this
but now I will stay home unless this gets much much better
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 7:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Finally the 3rd is over with...
Go 'Stros!
by Stros Bro on Sep 14, 2008 7:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wolf's line
2.2 IP 6 H 5 ER 5 R 1 BB 2 K 1 HR
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you sure this game is on FSN Hou?
I really want to watch it at the bar on direct tv
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 8:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yep, FSN Houston
that’s what I’m watching on in Austin
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love the way Cubs fans shriek and cheer on cheap flyouts
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 8:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
there isn't a fan base in the majors that doesn't
including ours.
it’s stupid canard that people use to make fun of other people’s fans.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah,
but there’s something endearing about the way Astros fans cheer a Tejada pop-up.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nieve doing good
Retired seven straight batters.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
last I saw, that was true
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well - yeah
but Astros have hit into a double play – I don’t think the Cubs have
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phillies leading Brewers 6-0
If Phillies they will be tied for the Wild Card lead.
That scares me because Phillies have a relatively weak schedule to go.
It also means Astros more or less control their destiny now (if they can win this game)
Astros may have to catch the Mets for the Wild Card playoff slot.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 8:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
lol
hunter doesn’t have any padding back there. ouch
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
everything going right for cubs
newhan lines right to lee and hunter doubled off.
this one wasn’t really his fault, but hunter may lead our team in getting doubled off bases. him or bourn
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As usual
fate is conspiring to screw over the city of Houston. The next Cubs fan I see at this stupid school, I’m going exact some revenge.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 8:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
fernando nieve and some other team employees
stayed at MMP during Ike
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-astros-weatheringike&prov=ap&type=lgns
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
dang I thought we fixed that bug w/ links...
click here to go read that
sorry about that…I’ll log a ticket and get that fixed
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this point, we have to root against a no hitter being tossed against the 'Stros.
by clack on Sep 14, 2008 8:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm still hoping for a win
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jinx Zambrano!!!!
I hope you get the no hitter, you deserve it soooo much. Such a stand-up guy.
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 8:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Zambrano struck out
But he still has one more hit and scored one more run than the entire Astros team.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We're getting no-hit
It’s definitely going to happen. We’re gonna lose the game and get no-hit. Yes!
Bourn to Run!
by jsams on Sep 14, 2008 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ahhhh FUCK
Not going to count on Borne to get a hit
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
amazing, this no hitter going on
isn’t that where one team doesn’t get any hits at all?
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 8:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No he won't
Carlos Zambrano is such an awesome pitcher, he’s going to get a NO HITTER.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No matter what happens
This can’t be good for the Astros’ confidence level
by garageinc on Sep 14, 2008 9:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
eh, i'm less sure about that
w/ the ridiculous way they’ve played over the past month, all the Ike crap this weekend, i would have to guess their emotions, etc are all over the place this weekened.
tomorrow’s another day
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is one reason I was ticked
about playing this game.
Telling the Astros players aroud 5:00 last night to be ready to leave on a plane at 8:00 in the morning to play a game later in the day n Milwaukee. The players are not ready mentally to play this game.
They may not be ready to play Monday either.
and be physically exhausted by the time they reach Miami for Tuesday’s game.
This may cost the Astros a miracle season.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If it's any consolation...
at least the bullpen has pitched shutout ball.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
boy this really puts Wolf's blowup w/ 2 outs in perspective
we’ve shut their offense down since then. be a much more interesting game if it was just the one run.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Phillies Beat Brewers
Both are 83-67.
Mets are 83-65.
If Astros lose, they will be 80-68.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ESPN showing the last of the ninth
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
First Cubs no-hitter since 1972
Put an asterisk by it. Astros were not mentally ready to play.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dear Joe:
If Drayton McLane wasn’t a cheap soulless asshole your team would flown to Milwaukee on Thursday night and the series would have started on Friday like it should have.
by LoneStarCubFan on Sep 14, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dear Classless Loser
you’re not worth wasting any effort on. take your mindless gloating elsewhere. i’m sure there’s some other drunk cubs fan who will appreciate your brilliant reasoning.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand but I disagree
See my comments farther down this thread on "Bottom Line: Astros -Cubs Series should have been postponed until later "
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 15, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this sucks
i hope the cubs get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
F me
Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just wanna say
eff you to Bud Selig, Zambrano and every Cubs fan in the world. And Jim Edmonds, for good measure.
But, hey, the Cubs fans can have a no hitter. We can hand them a few extra of ours. We’ve got about a billion of them we don’t need.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dear City of Houston, hope you feel better,
Love,
MLB
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank You Bud Fucking Selig
Z most definitely could not have done it without you.
Demote Bourn . . . Before Someone Gets Hurt
by rastronomicals on Sep 14, 2008 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope
he chokes on the Cubby dick he’s sucking
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still Think
this is more about helping the Brewers than the Cubs. Cubs are in anyway, it’s the Brewers who coming into this weekend looked like they needed the help (and this weekend confirmed it).
Good news is the way Milwaukee’s choking it, it probably won’t matter, never mind the Astros.
Demote Bourn . . . Before Someone Gets Hurt
by rastronomicals on Sep 14, 2008 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it helps the cubs
by the number of games they would have to play between end of season and beg. of playoffs.
now it’s a max of 1. it could have been up to 3
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Guess.
I mean, I see that they’re benificiaries here (their travel week went from difficult to ridiculous), but the plan was CONCEIVED with the Brew Crew in mind.
Call me a conspiracy theorist, whatever.
Demote Bourn . . . Before Someone Gets Hurt
by rastronomicals on Sep 14, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
either way, Bud Selig == EPIC FAIL
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that was some fine pitching by Z, but I hate the Cubs and this whole thing stinks
all the Cubs fans there cheering at our “home” game is just ridiculous
btw, I hate you too Ike – Bud Selig wouldn’t have been able to pull this crap without you
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i think the most draining part
is the travel the day of the game.
JD pointed out that it’s never done like that in majors now.
According to this story, Astros got to park around 8 AM, took buses to airport, flight left at 12, landed in Milwaukee at 2pm. Got to park at 4, played at 7.
Sure, Z pitched good against a team of travel fatigued players who’d spent the previous 48 hours worrying about friends and family during a major hurricane. good job there z, you fat ass-clown.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
w/ 24000 fans cheering his every move
during an “away” game
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And of course the Astros won't bitch about it...
… because they’re pros and they don’t make excuses.
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, not pros, CHAMPIONS
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Drayton,
I didn’t know you had a CB log in.
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cooper didn't give Zambrano a lot of credit.
He said he pitched “good,” but that much of this is the impact of stacking the cards against the Astros. He said the off time, travel situation, and hurricane all affected the Astros in this game. However, he emphasized that it’s just one loss, and it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s a no hitter or not…it’s a loss all the same.
Zambrano in his interview gave credit to the crowd for pushing him to pitch the no hitter.
by clack on Sep 14, 2008 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
stinks real bad
that story is just incredible on how rushed all this was. no airports open. no airplanes on the ground. hard to find buses and they had to use alternate routes to the ballpark because of standing water.
this quote from the traveling secretary who had to make all the plans on his cellphone because his own power was out says it all:
He also couldn’t help but wonder, why are we doing this in the first place?
“People don’t have electricity, trees are down, houses are broken, and we’re worried about playing this game?” Waters said.
why did we play this game at all if it was so difficult to get our players out of Houston? they couldn’t find a better way to do this? really?!
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And some like Berkman drove to Houston this morning
He was in New Braunfels and woke at 4:00 to drive to Houston.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the perfect cherry of a turd
to put on top of the what has been a shit sundae of a weekend.
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Enjoy your cheap, asterisked no-hitter Zambrano, you clown
MLB really screwed the Astros.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Inarticuable rage subject
Paroxysms of bile message
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Let's
go burn Chicago to the ground. I figure I can get there and back in time for classes tomorrow. Who’s with me?
Or at least go feed Bud Selig a shit sandwich.
by Only_A_Lad on Sep 14, 2008 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm in.
You’ll have to drive though, because I will soon be heavily medicated.
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Sep 14, 2008 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just buy Mrs. O'Leary a cow.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 14, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm in.
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
by DyingQuail on Sep 14, 2008 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather go burn Miller Park down
that’s several birds w/ one stone
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy. - Nolan
by Trei Brundrett on Sep 14, 2008 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My question is...
From what I understand, talks were going on between MLB, the Astros and the Cubs on Thursday…my question is: If Drayton would have agreed to play at an alternate location on Friday, would other sites have been an option besides Milwaukee (Minnesota, Atlanta, Dallas, etc.)? I heard MLB had given a few ballparks the heads up that their site may have hosted this game.
It seems like Drayton really wanted to wait and see if he could play the games in Houston, so he held off on alternate plans until after Ike hit Friday night/Saturday morning…he didn’t want to lose the gate (rightly so) and wanted the home field advantage…not blaming him at all, but just wondering if the wheels were put in motion a little earlier if a site other than Milwaukee could have been used.
by Chicago Guy on Sep 14, 2008 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He may have
But he’d have looked like a big friggin idiot for:
1. Flying everybody out on Thursday for a “home” series when the hurricane could have weakened, hit farther down the coast and with less intensity, sparing Houston and otherwise not affecting the city
or,
2. Flying everybody out on Thursday to have them play Friday night when Houston is getting the sh*t pounded out of it, with players who have local homes, family, and friends, sitting in the dugout during the game, wondering if their house is currently getting smashed by storm surge and not having their heads in the game, and then playing Saturday night (in an away park with no Astros fans to fill the seats) with their heads also not in the game due to having discovered their friends or their own houses having been smashed to bits by storm surge.
Either way, Drayton would have looked like a huge a**hole for playing games away while a hurricane is leveling Houston or not leveling Houston.
by pel on Sep 14, 2008 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not enough info
We don’t really know what kind of talks went on between MLB, Astros, Cubs and players. We have a bunch of incomplete press accounts, revealing whatever they wanted revealed.
We didn’t know exactly where and how bad Ike would be on Thursday. The track for landfall was moving all week and when you look at Rita 3 years ago there was a very similar situation that ended up in a big fizzle (for Houston at least; Rita still caused a lot of devastation in SE Texas). Even Ike did not do quite as much damage as the experts were predicting during the day Friday and Saturday morning (not saying that a game in Houston could have been played today, but making the point that predictions for hurricanes have relatively large margins for error). Minute Maid Park itself was in playable condition; the problem playing games was primarily b/c traffic would interfere w/ rescue and repair efforts.
The vast majority of Houstonians did not evacuate. I think only 9 zip codes were under evacuation orders, and those were in the far south and east parts of the city. A whole lot of people currently w/o power would have been glad to go to Minute Maid where the air conditioning is apparently working.
Based on the admittedly incomplete press reports, it doesn’t appear that non-domed stadiums were given serious consideration as alternate sites. I think the Ballpark at Arlington was available this weekend (Rangers in Oakland, not sure about any other activities) and the Astros AAA park was also offered as a solution. Round Rock wouldn’t have been ideal, since it’s not a major league park and there may be other shortcomings that aren’t readily apparent to a fan, but it’s almost brand new, and recently upgraded with the move to AAA. Other people mentioned Turner Field, but none apparently were qualified b/c they lacked a roof.
The reason that I, personally am pissed off is that I think MLB put the league’s agenda ahead of the best interests of the Astros. Maybe that’s acceptable. You screw the minority to do what’s best for the majority. MLB didn’t want to schedule any makeup games after the season, so they wanted the Astros to agree to move the game. The Astros, as you said, rightfully didn’t want to give up the financial and emotional benefits of an actual home game and waited as long as possible before making the best of a bad situation.
If the situation was reversed, Cubs fans would be screaming bloody murder. The thing that really sucks is that I believe if the situation were reversed, the Cubs would probably not have been screwed nearly as bad. MLB is definitely more sensitive to the needs of some fans than others.
This post is too long now so I’m not going to go into possible alternatives, like games Monday or after the season.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Round Rock
would have been a good idea. There were a ton of Houstonites in Austin for the weekend. Some of our local businesses got completely run over Friday night and Saturday night due to coastal visitors.
by pel on Sep 14, 2008 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
and we had barely any effects from Ike. Light winds during the day yesterday and a few scattered showers.
on some thread somewhere, I read that at one point in another situation RR was disimissed as an alternate site b/c the lighting on the field wasn’t quite up to MLB standards. First, that sounded strange to me and second, it’s worse than third hand info, but that’s why I put that bit in there about my comment above.
I completely forgot your points, but you’re absolutely right. In addition to all the MLB considerations, baseball has asked the Astros now to leave their homes and families in the immediate aftermath of this storm, perhaps w/ no power. I know that not all the players live in Houston, but many do. The ones that are the most affected are the guys who aren’t the big stars. Fernando Nieve and his family stayed at MMP during the storm. Wouldn’t it have been even worse if MLB and Drayton told everybody, “Don’t worry about this possible hurricane and what could happen to your families, let’s go to Milwaukee” on Thursday?
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
...
Wouldn’t it have been even worse if MLB and Drayton told everybody, "Don’t worry about this possible hurricane and what could happen to your families, let’s go to Milwaukee" on Thursday?
Drayton would have looked like a huge tool had that happened.
Not only would it be bad to be playing a game when a sizable contingent of fan base is up on the second floor with shotgun and flashlight in hand, but it would be adding insult to injury by taking away three days of jobs and vendor money and transferring it to a RIVAL’S BALLPARK.
I just don’t understand why they couldn’t play the three games at the very end, after the Atlanta series, in a Sept 29 double header with Sept 30 game to follow, if needed.
by pel on Sep 14, 2008 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB didn't want to deal w/ that schedule headache
that’s all it is.
like I said above, what was best for the league got put before what was best for the Astros.
Those kind of decisions probably get made on a regular basis, but it happened when we have a razor thin margin of error and as a result had a particularly large result against us.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the Cubs.
Keep in mind that there were two teams with two different interests. The Cubs have all but clinched and would not want to have to make up 3 games after the season. Playing in Milwaukee is much less of a burden on the Stros than playing 3 games after the season would be for the Cubs. As it turns out the Cubs still lose their Monday off-day to prepare for a huge series with the Brewers and may have to play a game later anyway. Both teams made sacrifices here though it seems to me it should have been a weekend series in ATL… McClain got greedy and did not use common sense and now there are consequences.
by fanofthegame on Sep 14, 2008 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the "McLane got greedy meme" has set in
and I"m sure those Cub fans who lack critical faculties will enjoy repeating it for the rest of their lives.
You didn’t address any of the issues raised above. I doubt there’s anyone in sports who will argue with a straight face that the Astros were treated fairly by MLB. You admitted that MLB weighed the Astros interests against the Cubs and found that the Cubs’ was more important. There’s no way that’s right, unless you are a Cubs fan. The Cubs are leading the division and are almost certain to make the playoffs. The Astros are fighting an admittedly huge struggle to make the playoffs, so which team could really use some consideration?
I’m not sure how you can argue in one sentence that the Cubs have all but clinched and then turn around and say they have a “huge” series against the Brewers coming up. Would that be the same Brewers team that’s lost 10 out of the last 13 games or so and that you currently lead by 7.5 games.
Even if “greediness” means not wanting to lose a significant amount of revenue that you’ve budgeted for and instead having a large part of that revenue go to one of your chief rivals, then he’s in pretty good company w/ just about every business owner in the world.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, The Cubs.
McClain got greedy and did not use common sense and now there are consequences.
The Astros are on a tear, actually with a possibility to make the playoffs, and somehow he’s greedy for wanting home games? wtf, over? It’s greedy to want to win and keep some money local? And somehow it’s not greedy for the Cubs to be troubled with moving a series to the end of the season when it might “make it hard” for them in the playoffs?
Cry me a friggin river for the cursed Cubs and spare me the double standard.
YES, McLane was greedy. It’s GREEDY to want to want home series. Did you ever consider that keeping people employed after a hurricane is probably better for Houston than shipping their funds out of state? Those beer guys get paid by the hour and by tips, they aren’t salaried positions.
Look, a hurricane smashed up Houston, and no matter how you slice it, that has to shake up the team. The Cubs could show a little respect for the team and its fans by shouldering some of the burden.
But I might as well be talking into my glove for all the good it’ll do to expect anything above a**holedness from the Cubs and their fans.
by pel on Sep 15, 2008 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Astros game should have been in Arlington
McTaggar’s blog post here. Says the weather’s been fine.
He says something that I didn’t remember re: Round Rock – there has been a regular season series at the Braves’ spring training home the last two years.
I’m not entirely sure about that last part, but it sounds right.
by lnewcomer on Sep 14, 2008 11:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bottom Line: The Astros -Cubs series should have been postponed until later
Astros players have more on their minds than baseball. My mother lives in Houston and and my inability to contact her Sunday and today worries me. She’s safe – I talkled with her Saturday – but on this I want frequent updates and assurances. The players with wives and children have them high on their mind .
The series should not be played now. Sunday and parts of Monday at home to deal with this crisis was absolutely necessary. How do the players feel worrying about how their families are coping with food, water and continuing electricity shortages?
I don’t blame Drayton McLane for delaying his decison to play eslewhere. I do blame him for allowing the Astros to play two of the Cubs games. Take forfeits if that was necessary. If the city was in such bad shape the games could not be played in Houston, then the games should nott have been played anywhere.
The Florida series may be a different matter. A day or two makes a big difference, The families may have made the necessary adjustments by today (travel with the team if necessary).
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Sep 15, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This whole thing is a joke.
I wish the players would speak out about this. It’s sickening.
by entropic soul on Sep 15, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 2.10.2010 at 5:43 AM CST)
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