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So Much For This

This page got off to a nice start, but then last summer, when they got so bad, I couldn’t watch, and I got busy editing a film, and then moved to Los Angeles and had my life stolen from me at the American Film Institute.

This year is more of the same depressing to watch Astros. Sometimes they get a little winny here and there, but it’s just not there anymore.
I’ve actually been able to tune in the past week and watched them do well against the Nats and take one from the Cubs so far. It was nice. Pence and Berkman are swinging it well.
Lee can leave for all I care.
And Oswalt? Hmm….No comment because he gave us some pretty amazing playoff games back in the day, and I get the whole need to compete fire in him…
Anyway. I missed them when they came to LA, their only LA visit this year. I didn’t catch them last year either. That means the next time I see them in person could either be San Diego July 4th weekend, otherwise, 2011?
=(
~Justin

Finally A Live Game To Watch!

Tonight’s the night! My first game watching the Astros back in the USA! My first live game in over one year since I went to Kenya!

I am excited. I missed Sunday because I was out of town, traveling while there was an important family function at my house. I watched the box score on my cell phone while watching the movie Knowing (I was the only one in the theater).
The movie was pretty good, and the win was even better!
I can’t believe it’s finally here! My first chance to see these Astros. I hope Lance shows up, and Pence has some good swings and sprints! We can see .500! What better team to get there with than Washington?
~Justin

Rodriguez, Inc.

It looked like it was in hand, early, since the Astros had won 17 in a row in Cincy–we saw two of those wins last April–so I turned it off to watch some of the NBA. 

But it got even better with Pudge and Wandy having good rapport, getting out of jams, and Pudge hitting a HR. Got to watch those late inning HRs, relief corps! As long as there is no one on base, and we have am 8-1 lead, ok. But don’t get cocky.
These are the Astros we pay to see–not those imposters from three games ago.
Still waiting: Jason Smith’s first hit.  is this why did we let David Newhan go? David’s a Pepperdine grad, fyi.
Let’s hope the Round Rock Express continues to provide room for hope: go J. R.!

Pence!

Atta kid!

Poor Roy can’t get a win in April. Poor fantasy baseball stats for me.

If I was in Ohio right now I’d be at these games.

If they win out the week they can get to .500 on Saturday!

Just in time for me to see them live on TV for the first time in over a year on Sunday against the Braves! It’s like starting over, this time with me around!

One day a time, though. Let’s keep it up, Wandy!

~Justin

Trademarks

I flew home from San Diego to Chicago next to a Cubs fan.  He didn’t reveal it at first. We’d been talking about the Bulls-Celtics and Cavs-Pistons (doesn’t like LeBron), when he revealed his favorite sport was baseball. Good move. 

Not obnoxious but someone who cares enough about baseball to know something about other teams, he said he is hoping “in his lifetime” (I’d say he’s about 30), to see the Cubs win a World Series. He asked me whether I followed the Indians (since he knew I was headed back to Ohio). I said I was an Astros fan.  He laughed. . . then said he took no pleasure in watching the White Sox beat them in 2005, and that he was impressed with their come from behind the pack finish. He knew Biggio, Bagwell, Clemens, etc.

astrosbag.jpg

Of course, that is exactly it. The Astros’ trademark is coming from way out of it to break your heart.  The Cubs’ trademark is leading then fading at the end and breaking your heart. Which is worse? Definitely, the Cubs.
When the plane landed I got out my Astros travel bag, and he laughed again. He won’t be laughing in October.

– Bruce

Wow, A Win!?

Nice one, guys! I love the afternoon games since I can “watch” them in Africa at a reasonable hour. This was got over at 12:20 a.m.

Valverde showed he can pick himself up (though not without making it interesting of course). Berkman got a hit with RISP? Welcome back to the land of the living! And then Lee got one right after? What is the world coming to?

That’s the idea for how this team is supposed to function every 3 innings.

Keep it together. 7-12 is a terrible, terrible way to start anything. But I guess 15-30 was pretty bad, too.

Here’s dreaming of a .500 April, though that involves everyone playing to their ability.

PS – just when I mention Pence’s SBs, he gets caught. Doh!

~Justin

Unbearable

So last night I had trouble sleeping here in Kenya, which usually allows me to “might as well” tune in to the m.espn.com text coverage of the Astros.

When I came in the Astros were down in the 8th after being back and forth with the Brewers. I witnessed their first (as far as I can remember) major 2-out rally of the year by scoring 3 runs in the bottom half, capped by Matsui’s 2-run double (why are you always hurt, Kaz?).
So they were up again!
Uh oh. That meant Valverde.
We all have come to know Valverde should not be used in April. But he’s getting the millions to prove he can.
Know what I did?
I went back to bed.
I couldn’t bear to watch. I didn’t have to watch one pitch. I knew, a game like this was designed to break your heart. Hampton just made one mistake. They fought back. LaTroy was 2007 LaTroy for a bit. They fought back!
But Valverde…the guy can barely get the 3-run saves down without knocking himself to the DL.
So this morning I wanted to be surprised, but I wasn’t. 
Plus, after seeing how it went down in extra innings, whenever you have to give the ball to Geary, you are pushing the king over with your finger and saying, “Uh, we’re going home now.”
On a side note, I’m enjoying Pence’s stolen bases. He’s usually been a terrible base stealer despite his speed. Must have figured something out this spring.

~Justin

Has the Season Started Yet?

Would it kill the Astros one year to have a fast start? This falling behind by 7-10 games every year is tiresome and soul-wrenching. Shutouts, LOBs, and slowness of foot are making me cranky. These are winnable games! We coulda swept LA! Come’on Cecil shake em up. Drayton is your best move giving Cecil another year? How about signing Ty Wigginton or Randy Wolf?

Double arghhh.
– Bruce

Karibuni!

Hello and welcome to the Father & Son Astros Blog! Just wanting to give this thing a start.

I am currently writing from Nairobi, Kenya, where I have been living for the past year, crudely trying to follow the Astros via refreshing box scores online with super slow internet. And often at 4 a.m.!
I will be back in the States soon, and can’t wait to get a look at these Astros. Right now they are 6-10, but I think they’re okay, finding their way.
More later, I’ll let my dad talk if he likes!
~Justin
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