I can’t say the outcome of yesterday’s Cards-Astros game surprised me. Clemens was more or less nails, even after giving up early HRs to Walker and Edmonds (more on that later), but especially after Sanders apparently pissed him off and Rolen got mouthy on second. For the record, I don’t think Clemens threw at Sanders. My sight line was pretty much behind Clemens to the left batter’s box, and the pitch didn’t go anywhere near Sanders.
Suppan settled down a little after Houston's 3-run first, but our bats never really woke up. I still don't know why anyone gives Carlos Beltran anything he can come close to hitting, but with every home run (seven in the post-season so far) my confidence grows that he won't be in an Astros uni next year.
And hopefully not in a Cubs uniform either. In fact, get that bastard out of the NL Central altogether.
Our seats were pretty great, considering: first row, second deck, right over the Astros bullpen in right center. This led to a humorous series of exchanges with Javier Bracamonte, one of Houston’s bullpen catcher. Edmonds’ homer in the 1st landed in the bullpen (dropping a good fifteen feet in front of me, meaning I didn’t have a shot, even were I inclined to risk severe head and neck trauma by leaning over the ridiculously low railing to try for it). Bracamonte scooped it up and, over the course of the next five innings, ignored my repeated pleas for him to throw it to me. Among the approaches I tried:
“Don’t give it to some kid, they’re too young to use eBay.”
“Edmonds wants me to have it.”
“Dude, my wife is really pissed about the money I dropped on these tickets. Give me something to take back to her.”
“I’ll put in a good word with Garner about getting you a starting spot.”
“You’re ten times the catcher Ausmus is.”
I even offered him $20, but he ended up giving it to some elderly black veteran in the section below us. That’s affirmative action for you.
The crowd was pretty nice to the Cardinals fans (all seven of us in section 255). There were the occasional cries of “Cardinals suck!” and the expected critiques of Ray King’s weight, but the only ugly incident was before the game, when some jagoff in a passing car made a comment equating Cardinals fans to homosexuals. I rubbed my nipples and gave him the finger, further demonstrating the high level to which intellectual discourse has risen in America.
I took a number of pictures, which I’ll post later (can’t find my data cable just now). I’ll be watching the game on TV with everyone else today, hoping we can do a better job against Oswalt. Or at least chase him before the 8th.
No kidding about Beltran. As one of the announcers said today, his price tag goes up with every home run he hits. It is almost bittersweet to watch him play for the Astros, knowing he probably won't be here next year.
Well, the Cards did better against Oswalt, they chased him before the 8th...and they still lost. It's a brand new series, folks.
I think there is a chance Beltran will return to the Astros. That chance is 12%. It rises to 23% should the Astros beat the Cards, and continues up to a staggering 41% should they win the World Series. I say this because I think Beltran, like all star-calibre players, wants to win rings, and if he can stay with a club that can has a chance to win one, he'll do it.
Regardless, Drayton will have to prepare to pay the buckage, something he has been reluctant to do. Greg Hudson suggested $13M for 6 years. I think that's a bit low, but it might be possible to hit that number if deals can be cut with some of the other players. I think Kent would return for a fraction of his current salary, for instance, given the right structuring and, of course, the electrodes to the nipples.
$13 million? I assume he means per year. Even then, no chance.
Bagwell has two years left at close to $40 million total.
Biggio has a $3 million option.
Berkman - batting around .500 in the series - and Oswalt are both arbitration eligible this year.
So is, I believe, Wade Miller.
Is Clemens coming back?
Nice theory about Kent, but I don't see it. Beltran's agent is also Scott Boras, meaning unless Beltran specifically tells him to cut Drayton some slack, he's probably going to try and break the bank. McClane's going to have to pry open the wallet more than ever before if has a shot at keeping the guy.
As for the talk of rings, if George Steinbrenner offers Beltran $20 million a year, he's going to New York. I don't care how much lip service he gives to what a great town Houston is to play for.
Beltran's audition for Steinbrenner could not go any better.
The only other teams I could see competing for him are the Dodger and the Cubs. But when it comes down to crunch time, the Yanks will overpay and get their guy (and likely Pedro to boot)
You probably didn't want it, but at least you got an exciting game. Houston is surprising me with their resilience and intensity. Quite unlike the simpering wimps in Boston.
I'm glad you didn't fall over the railing.