It's a moment in time when power displays its full force. In all its chaotic fury, it can provided poetry in motion. There are few things on this planet that can capture the masses with awe while whipping them into a frenzy. And two of these phenomena collided this past weekend.
The first is as simple as a bat and a ball. The second one is as complex as thermodynamic physics.
Baseball has seen its share of hot streaks, comebacks, and collapses. From the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals making up six and a-half games in 12 days (known more for the Philadelphia Phillies' collapse) to 2007's Rocktoberfest (Colorado won 13 of 14 just to get into a one-game playoff for the wild card spot), the game has seen some spectacular months of September. This blog entry tells the story of a few more hot streaks and starts off with a familiar theme
The Houston Astros might as well be known as the Down-the-Stretch Team of the decade for their amazing feats of coming out of mediocrity to make a push for the postseason. This franchise has come back from the critically wounded to contend in 2001 (division title), 2004 (wild card), 2005 (wild card and the National League pennant), and 2006 (won 10 of their last 12 to finish 1½ back of the division crown).
Now, after giving up the spotlight to the Rockies last year, Houston's at it again. After losing to Cincinnati on August 27th and falling to 66-66 on the season, the 'Stros had reeled off 14 victories in 15 games to sneak to within 2½ of wild card leader Milwaukee by Friday. Then, the second force decided to take over in the form of Mother Nature.
Houston was set to host division-leading Chicago this weekend for three, with the Cubs having lost eight of nine before getting two wins in St. Louis. However, Hurricane Ike decided to show up at the party. And even though his 110 mph winds, torrential rains, and storm surge weren't invited, they crashed anyway.
Unfortunately for the Astros, the tropical storm left its mark on the city. Minute Maid Park was flooded and in no condition for baseball (let alone the rest of the city didn't seem in condition to celebrate the game). More unfortunate for the team was the decision by the upper brass of MLB to hold a shortened two-game series in Milwaukee's Miller Park, which is much more Cub-friendly.
Houston manager Cecil Cooper was reportedly upset with the decision (as I would be if in his position). Although they were the home team on Sunday night, the 'Stros seemed to lose a ton of their momentum. Of course, being no-hit by Carlos Zambrano can do that to you.
Do I empathize with the Houston Astros organization? Yeah. Colorado's run last year was a perfect example that once you get red hot, you don't want to quit playing. Every pitch looks like it's grooved over the middle of the plate. Your glove seems twice as big. No throw goes offline of its target. That snowball was in the ownership of the Astros. Now, it appears that a bit of rain has melted the effect away. If they get on another streak the likes of the last couple of weeks, I'll be very impressed.
But did Major League Baseball make the correct decision? Unfortunately, yes. The league might have been able to move the series to Dallas because the Texas Rangers were out west in Oakland for the weekend. That wouldn't have worked out either, though, with north Texas getting rain dumped in their back pockets, too.
With a week until the Astros finish their home schedule, the city should be able to clean up enough to give the team a viable home presence. However, three games is too much to make up after the season ends, which is what would have probably happened had the League saw it necessary to replace the home games. The Astros do have an off-day next Monday, but the Cubs would more than likely have to schedule a double header with another opponent (most likely the Mets) in order to appease Houston. This wouldn't be fair to the Cubs or their opposition.
So, we're stuck with two games in Milwaukee and a possible make up date in Houston ... if the Astros can keep the interest alive. And while I'm far from a fan of Bud Selig and his Commissioner ways, I feel that this is the best solution. Again, if you're a fan of the Astros, I empathize with you. But just think of the headline if your team starts their fire again and pulls off a playoff berth.
"Wild Card, Strength of Ike Swallowed Up in Ferocious Pennant Push"
And you thought Mother Nature's power was awesome.
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