Fall from...Grace?!
Some good news from yesterday, as the Houston Astros snuck in a last minute road win, defeating the World Champion San Fransisco Giants in a 2-0 shutout in an afternoon game. The fellas now head home for the next 10 games being played at home against the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. God be with them if Greinke or Kershaw take the mound in that series!
There was one thing from the past 2 game series with the Giants that provided both laughs and gasps all at the same time. And that was when your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis, made left field starts in both of those games due to inter league competition in a National League park. (i.e. NO DH!) Specifically, his start on Wednesday provided one incredible high, and one not-so-much low.
Here was the high; He hit his 8th triple of the season! Don't adjust your computer screen! You are actually reading that correctly: 8 TRIPLES! He is in a 3 way tie for second place overall in the majors in that category, trailing only Kevin Keirmaier of the Tampa Bay Rays for most overall, as he has tallied 11 3-baggers already. Some baseball fans have been wondering whether or not the Gods of this sport have been playing a cruel and unusual trick on fans. But no, this is not a dream, and very much the reality. While Evan is already well known for his power hits and Bunyanesque home runs, no one anticipated him having the speed to get this many triples.
But you see, if you were a true fan of Evan Gattis, you would know already how much weight he has lost at how much better shape he has been in lately, providing him with necessary hustle. Some have even called him "Hot Wheels" as one of many amusing and exciting new nicknames for the powerful bear slugger. But the hustle also caused something that, at least for me watching, was quite scary.
And there in lies the low; Evan was making a charge for a fly ball by Gregor Blanco, heading towards the left field foul territory. While chasing it, he stumbled over the bullpen mounds, tuck and rolled up against the tarp, and onto his back. You can see the replay of the moment here:
I'm no mother hen, by any means. And any hater that tries calling me that can go fudge themselves! But maybe I may have been one of only a few people that was actually concerned about the possibility that Evan could have gotten hurt. (I mean, next to his girlfriend and parents, probably.) Don't get me wrong, glad he and so many others were able to laugh and smile about it, which is always a healthy thing. It was almost like a cartoon-like leap up and shouting of, "I'm okay!" afterwards, which certainly is a relief. But at the same time, it is just as healthy to express concern when it is warranted. In this particular incident, it was. Not to mention, some of the captions, including from yours truly, that took place with this still photo of the aftermath:
But the important thing, when all is said and done, is that he came out of all of this scratch free with another record breaking triple on the evening. And going into the home stretch, he can hopefully get the White Bear groove back at the plate, like we know he all can. He just needs to get the breaks he needs and deserves, that's all. But unlike the haters that want to be so quick to judge and mock every little mistake he makes, I vow to stand by him and do the right thing by highlighting the wonderful feats of greatness he brings to this sport. Haters can deny it all they want, but actions speak louder than words. And all of Evan Gattis' actions since being called up to the majors, both on and off the field, speak tremendous volumes to his generous character, poise, hard work, grace and humility. Traits truly worthy of the title given by me to him of "The REAL people's champion!"
There was one thing from the past 2 game series with the Giants that provided both laughs and gasps all at the same time. And that was when your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis, made left field starts in both of those games due to inter league competition in a National League park. (i.e. NO DH!) Specifically, his start on Wednesday provided one incredible high, and one not-so-much low.
Here was the high; He hit his 8th triple of the season! Don't adjust your computer screen! You are actually reading that correctly: 8 TRIPLES! He is in a 3 way tie for second place overall in the majors in that category, trailing only Kevin Keirmaier of the Tampa Bay Rays for most overall, as he has tallied 11 3-baggers already. Some baseball fans have been wondering whether or not the Gods of this sport have been playing a cruel and unusual trick on fans. But no, this is not a dream, and very much the reality. While Evan is already well known for his power hits and Bunyanesque home runs, no one anticipated him having the speed to get this many triples.
But you see, if you were a true fan of Evan Gattis, you would know already how much weight he has lost at how much better shape he has been in lately, providing him with necessary hustle. Some have even called him "Hot Wheels" as one of many amusing and exciting new nicknames for the powerful bear slugger. But the hustle also caused something that, at least for me watching, was quite scary.
And there in lies the low; Evan was making a charge for a fly ball by Gregor Blanco, heading towards the left field foul territory. While chasing it, he stumbled over the bullpen mounds, tuck and rolled up against the tarp, and onto his back. You can see the replay of the moment here:
I'm no mother hen, by any means. And any hater that tries calling me that can go fudge themselves! But maybe I may have been one of only a few people that was actually concerned about the possibility that Evan could have gotten hurt. (I mean, next to his girlfriend and parents, probably.) Don't get me wrong, glad he and so many others were able to laugh and smile about it, which is always a healthy thing. It was almost like a cartoon-like leap up and shouting of, "I'm okay!" afterwards, which certainly is a relief. But at the same time, it is just as healthy to express concern when it is warranted. In this particular incident, it was. Not to mention, some of the captions, including from yours truly, that took place with this still photo of the aftermath:
But the important thing, when all is said and done, is that he came out of all of this scratch free with another record breaking triple on the evening. And going into the home stretch, he can hopefully get the White Bear groove back at the plate, like we know he all can. He just needs to get the breaks he needs and deserves, that's all. But unlike the haters that want to be so quick to judge and mock every little mistake he makes, I vow to stand by him and do the right thing by highlighting the wonderful feats of greatness he brings to this sport. Haters can deny it all they want, but actions speak louder than words. And all of Evan Gattis' actions since being called up to the majors, both on and off the field, speak tremendous volumes to his generous character, poise, hard work, grace and humility. Traits truly worthy of the title given by me to him of "The REAL people's champion!"
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