2015: A Houston Odyssey
So I know there were some of you readers that have been wondering why it has taken me so long to post an article regarding the early 2015 exit of the Houston Astros from the ALDS and post season in general. Well, like many of you, I've been in my own baseball mourning period. Nothing to be ashamed of, but something that warranted my taking a little time away from sports writing in general. Taking a step back and breathing was actually incredibly therapeutic for me, and something I highly recommend for any fan of any sport, including baseball.
But now is the time to reflect. And in this post, I will attempt to do just that while making every last effort to do everyone in the 2015 Houston Astros organization justice. Not an easy feat, but I will give it my best. So here goes....
From the very get go, I knew that this was a playoff caliber team. In fact, shameless plug alert, I predicted they would be in the 2015 playoffs, hands down, before ANYONE in sports media. You can read my article on that here. Sidebar: I also finished the regular season with FantasyPros.com publishing 728 articles, 18 of those were long form pieces on various topics around the sport. You're welcome, baseball world.
All of the other big wig TV analysts and personalities were not as bold as I was, to say the least. They threw around phrases like, "Oh, they MAY get to .500" or "Maybe they'll have a few more wins then the year before." News flash for you stuck up tycoons on the telly: They finished 10 games above .500 at 86-76, only 2 wins fewer than I predicted. So, get a slice of humble pie, and savor it.
Honestly, I had to keep it PG in case any kids are reading this. I mean, I do have SOME standards, after all.
But all boasting aside, this particular baseball season was a joyous one for fans in H-Town. (Or, as it has been come to be known by, Crush City or Hustle Town!) Though it was a shame to see it end so quickly at the hands of the reigning AL Champion Kansas City Royals, not a single solitary thing should be taken from this organization. They exceeded all expectations, in spite of opposition and overwhelming odds stacked against them at times.
Every reader out there should take a GOOD look at this roster:
EVERY....SINGLE....ONE of these men on these lists contributed something of great value to the organization, as well as to the city of Houston itself. Including the GM himself, Jeff Lunhow, and multiple reporters and commentators whom should all be given just as much credit as anyone on the rosters.
Let us not let the early elimination from the playoffs ever deter what these folks have given us all in 2015. That being, a strong sense of great hope for the future and a hell of a team to root for. And though the uncertainties of the off season may not have all of them together in 2016 and beyond, the lasting legacy they will have all brought, and potentially will leave, with them will not soon be gone or forgotten.
Yes, I say all this as a fan from afar, rooting all season from all the way here in Atlanta. (Which, pending a job prospect in Dallas/Fort Worth, shouldn't be much longer, but details on that later!) But that is the tremendous mark this club has left on the baseball world. For the remainder of my years, that I hope to be many, two baseball teams will come to mind as having the biggest impact on my life: The World Champion 1995 Atlanta Braves (As if you didn't guess already. I mean, come on, I was 10 when that happened!) AND these 2015 Houston Astros. With my luck, another squad may just win me over in 2035. Doing the math, I'll be 50 in that year.
May H-Town now stand for "Hold Head High-Town." That is what everyone in the Astros organization and fan base should do going forward. Happy off season, all! See most of you, hopefully, again in 2016!
But now is the time to reflect. And in this post, I will attempt to do just that while making every last effort to do everyone in the 2015 Houston Astros organization justice. Not an easy feat, but I will give it my best. So here goes....
From the very get go, I knew that this was a playoff caliber team. In fact, shameless plug alert, I predicted they would be in the 2015 playoffs, hands down, before ANYONE in sports media. You can read my article on that here. Sidebar: I also finished the regular season with FantasyPros.com publishing 728 articles, 18 of those were long form pieces on various topics around the sport. You're welcome, baseball world.
All of the other big wig TV analysts and personalities were not as bold as I was, to say the least. They threw around phrases like, "Oh, they MAY get to .500" or "Maybe they'll have a few more wins then the year before." News flash for you stuck up tycoons on the telly: They finished 10 games above .500 at 86-76, only 2 wins fewer than I predicted. So, get a slice of humble pie, and savor it.
Honestly, I had to keep it PG in case any kids are reading this. I mean, I do have SOME standards, after all.
But all boasting aside, this particular baseball season was a joyous one for fans in H-Town. (Or, as it has been come to be known by, Crush City or Hustle Town!) Though it was a shame to see it end so quickly at the hands of the reigning AL Champion Kansas City Royals, not a single solitary thing should be taken from this organization. They exceeded all expectations, in spite of opposition and overwhelming odds stacked against them at times.
Every reader out there should take a GOOD look at this roster:
Manager & Coaches
| # | Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 |  | A.J. Hinch | Manager |
| 22 |  | Trey Hillman | Bench Coach |
| 51 |  | Dave Hudgens | Hitting Coach |
| 53 |  | Brent Strom | Pitching Coach |
| 10 |  | Gary Pettis | Third Base Coach |
| 48 |  | Rich Dauer | First Base Coach |
| 52 |  | Craig Bjornson | Bullpen Coach |
| 55 |  | Alan Zinter | Assistant Hitting Coach |
| 85 |  | Javier Bracamonte | Bullpen Catcher |
| 96 |  | Carlos Munoz | Bullpen Catcher |
EVERY....SINGLE....ONE of these men on these lists contributed something of great value to the organization, as well as to the city of Houston itself. Including the GM himself, Jeff Lunhow, and multiple reporters and commentators whom should all be given just as much credit as anyone on the rosters.
Let us not let the early elimination from the playoffs ever deter what these folks have given us all in 2015. That being, a strong sense of great hope for the future and a hell of a team to root for. And though the uncertainties of the off season may not have all of them together in 2016 and beyond, the lasting legacy they will have all brought, and potentially will leave, with them will not soon be gone or forgotten.
Yes, I say all this as a fan from afar, rooting all season from all the way here in Atlanta. (Which, pending a job prospect in Dallas/Fort Worth, shouldn't be much longer, but details on that later!) But that is the tremendous mark this club has left on the baseball world. For the remainder of my years, that I hope to be many, two baseball teams will come to mind as having the biggest impact on my life: The World Champion 1995 Atlanta Braves (As if you didn't guess already. I mean, come on, I was 10 when that happened!) AND these 2015 Houston Astros. With my luck, another squad may just win me over in 2035. Doing the math, I'll be 50 in that year.
May H-Town now stand for "Hold Head High-Town." That is what everyone in the Astros organization and fan base should do going forward. Happy off season, all! See most of you, hopefully, again in 2016!
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