10-4-04 - Catching Up
7-6-04 - Some Thoughts
7-5-04 - My Triumphant Return
6-3-04 - Alex's Take on Tubing
5-23-04 - NBA Conference Finals
5-22-04 - Hari's Guest Column
5-19-04 - Meaghan's Guest Column
Archives
On August 15, the Houston Astros were two outs away from being swept by the woeful Montreal Expos and falling seven games out of the wild card race. Seven weeks, 46 games, and 36 wins later, Houston is hours away from the start of its eighth playoff seriess in franchise history.
When the Astros signed Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte in the offseason, expectations were so high that anything less than a trip to the World Series would have been deemed a disappointment. The season started just like everyone expected...Houston won 21 of its first 32, and sat comfortably in first place 20% into the season. Then the wheels flew off. Pettitte suffered a series of arm injuries, the whole team (save Lance Berkman) went into a slump, the bullpen faltered, and Wade Miller went down for the year. Neither the acquisition of Carlos Beltran or the replacement of Jimy Williams with Phil Garner could serve as a tourniquet during a disastrous
1) Can't Stand Me Now- The Libertines
2) Somebody Told Me - The Killers
3) iGeneration - MC Lars
4) You and Only You - Graham Colton
5) When I Goose Step - The Shins
6) Another Morning Stoner - And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead
7) Nowhere Again - Secret Machines
8) Come Back Down - Nickel Creek
9) Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
10) Vertigo - Jump Little Children
With the playoffs starting, you would think I'd be nervous about past playoff failures or ecstatic about the possibility of a World Series title. Honestly, though, I'm neither...I enjoyed the ride to the playoffs so much that anything more will just be a bonus. I'm so thankful for the happiness that this team has brought me and the opportunity to watch a few more games, that I feel like I'd be completely ungrateful if I complain if they lose in the first round. That's not to say that I don't like their chances...I feel like the playoffs this year are even more wide open than in years past. I think the Cardinals and the Red Sox are probably the favorites, but the only team that I would be surprised to see win is the Dodgers. I think the Astros definitely have a puncher's (or power pitcher's) chance.
After this wonderous season, I definitely have a few people I want to thank:
Thank you Roger Clemens for pitching your ass off all season, even if you are an asshole.
Thank you Phil Garner for bringing enthusiasm to a previously lifeless team.
Thank you Brad Lidge for becoming the man faster than anyone could have hoped.
Thank you Jeff Kent for actually smiling once or twice down the stretch.
Thank you Jeff Bagwell for playing hurt all season and ignoring the loudmouths that frequent talk radio.
Thank you Michael Barrett for being such a douche. You helped light a fire under a team that was far out of contention.
Thank you to Barrett's teammates who choked time and time again in spectacular fashion.
Thank you Cody Ransom for not being ready for prime time and thank you Steve Finley for making him pay.
Thank you Lance Berkman for being the backbone of the lineup all year.
Thank you Craig Biggio for taking the fork out of your back long enough to be a spark plug all season.
Thank you Roy Oswalt for turning it on down the stretch.
Thank you Brandon Backe for pitching your best in the two biggest games of your career so far.
Thank you Mike Lamb and Morgan Ensberg for alternating clutch hits during this incredible stretch.
Thank you Carlos Beltran for everything...you are a game changer on the basepaths, in centerfield, and at the plate. I will wash your car if you resign...
Thank you Drayton McClane and Gerry Hunsicker for not giving up.
