I can't take this late inning crap. Sure, the Cards won 6-4 and are now up 2 games to none over the Astros in the NLCS, but watching the game for me was what I imagine some people go through with horror movies.
I should confess something: I'm a baseball coward. In a dicey situation, say...Jeff Bagwell coming to bat in the top of the 6th with the bases loaded...the pitch will be thrown, and I'll close my eyes. The existence of the digital video recorder has only served to further enable my neurosis. During the season, I'll record games and watch them later, fast forwarding between pitches and through commercials, effectively editing a 3-hour game down to slightly more than an hour. Modern technology's a wonderful thing. Tonight, however, I found myself fast-forwarding through entire batters (as with the aforementioned 6th inning situation). I can put the FF on x4 speed and still see when something happens - then I'll stop - but the endless process of sitting through every glove and helmet adjustment between pitches was threatening to give me a heart attack, and so I succumbed to the DVR's siren call.
Worse, in the top of the 9th, with Beltran on base and Kent coming to bat, I paused the game and went to unload the dishwasher, knowing that, for better or worse, it'd be over when I finished. Either the Cards would hang on, or Kent and/or Ensberg would add some more runs, possibly tieing the game up.
As luck would have it, the Birds hung on to win. Astros manager Phil Garner made some more inexplicable moves, like pulling Munro and then taking out Wheeler in the 8th to put Gunga Dan Miceli in. Man did I perk up when he got out there. For opposing batters, seeing Miceli on the mound these days has to be like being the first Viking to enter a defenseless coastal hamlet. He's going to lay that fat breaking ball over the plate for them to pillage until he's inevitably yanked. Albert the Great was ready for it, and what a time for Rolen to finally come alive.
Back to Houston now. Garner better not pull Clemens early like he did against the Braves, 'cause both he and Oswalt are going to have to last until the 7th (at least) if they don't want the Cards to feast on their bullpen again.
And if you see a guy in a St. Louis t-shirt sitting in the first row, second deck, above right field Saturday, buy him a beer. Or, at least, don't dump yours on him.
Well, I can't buy you a beer, since I'll be in Memphis watching the game on TV. I'm resisting asking for your cell phone number to call and let you know if the cameras focus on you during the game.
Enjoy; as you know I'm green with envy....
When your team goes down 0-2, then you can be a baseball coward. Until then, enjoy the ride.
I am a football fan, who goes to an occasional Astros game. I don't know how you baseball fans do this day in and day out. I agree ... the games are very stressful. Maybe it is because so much is on the line... but man. I'm glad this isn't my favorite sport, or I'd have to go to the doctor for my high blood pressure!
Since you're on the front row of the second deck, I really hope you keep your eyes open today.
are u implying that winning games is a pain in the ass? u need style points? :-)