Let It Be "Gnome!!!!"

Alright, folks! You asked for it, and now I'm delivering to you my live game recap from this past Saturday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels. Of course, this is the game that I had planned on driving down from Fort Worth to see ever since I bought the ticket back in March. No surprise, the giveaway was my big draw to this specific game featuring a lawn gnome created by the good folks at Academy Sports and Outdoors™ of your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis.

And boy, did he have him some game that night!!!!

Those that know me well enough know that I have been following Evan since his debut with the Atlanta Braves back in 2013. What you may not know is that I have also been to 2 of his 4 seasons worth of giveaway days through his career so far. BOTH times that I attended, he's hit a home run. This past giveaway contest of his was no exception. After this past weekend of games, which by the way saw him launch another moon shot right as I was pulling up to my driveway in Fort Worth, Evan Gattis has a .303 BA and 1.038 OPS as a catcher, compared to .175 BA and .579 OPS as a designated hitter. This after starting 20 games and appearing in 22 as a catcher all together.

Evan's post game interview after his gnome giveaway game is just purely poetic. I especially love the quote from Colin McHugh that was captured so brilliantly by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:

"Today was Gatty Day," McHugh said. "No doubt. He hits two homers, catches a great game. It's his gnome day. It's Gatty Day, and I couldn't be happier for him."

McHugh took the words right out of my mouth! I even have friends saying that I may, in fact, be a good luck charm for Evan. That's one of my greatest hopes. So let me take you on a whirlwind journey through this past weekend's excitement! Shall we?!

    When I arrived back at Minute Maid Park. This time, for an actual game!

    This young fan, by name of Christina from Waco, brought this sign that I just HAD to snap a pic of. Note to Evan, if you're reading this, please make me your campaign manager/chief of staff if you make a White House run! You won't be disappointed!!!! 

And as the stadium promotion for being one of the first 10,000 fans into Minute Maid Park, I got one of THESE nice little toys. Actually have it sitting on my desk at work as we speak!

               Notice the detachable bat. Pretty clever!!!!

A little pregame intro video....

....AND SELFIE FROM THE STANDS!!!!

Got to see a good chunk of the team practice up close! From left to right: George Springer, Preston Tucker, Carlos Correa, Luis Valbuena, and Jake Marisnick.

And of course, THE BEAR MAN HIMSELF!!!!

Even the mascot, Orbit, came over to near my section of the ballpark! Pretty awesome!

When the team lineup was being announced! I tried to give them all cool nicknames!

Evan doing is last minute warm ups with Colin McHugh, who took the hill for the game that night. With all due respect to pending free agent, Jason Castro and his solid defense, they REALLY need to consider making Evan their starter back there next season and beyond!!!!

An historical moment for me, as this was the first live game I ever got to see Mike Trout take swings. Thankfully on this at-bat, he struck out!

I always make it a habit of recording the first at-bats from Evan in the games I attend that he is in the lineup. But THIS ONE is the most special, and one that I will never forget! After you watch, you'll know why.

Saw this outside the team store as I was leaving the game. All six of these men are all stars in my eyes!!!!

Bart Enis and Mike Stanton of Root Sports Southwest doing the Astros Post Game Show. Had I not been rushed out by the ushers, I would have given both of them one of my business cards. Still available if you'd like one, gents!!!!

    The infamous home run pump out in center field. With the 2 Evan hit, plus another one from Carlos "SHOW-rrea," that number jumped up another 3, and continues to grow with each passing game!

Fare thee well, Minute Maid Park! Until we meet again, which will likely be next year's fan fest, or celebrating an Astros' World Series Victory in November. Either way, I'm not that far from you!

So after the game, I also got a few minor souvenirs to go along with the giveaway gnome I received.....

                         a.                                                   b.                                                 c.

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A souvenir soda cup featuring a. Colin McHugh and Tyler White b. Carlos Correa c. Jose Altuve

Now have a magnet on my car to show these local Rangers fans up here in Fort Worth which REAL Texas baseball team I support over here!!!!

I always get the GameDay magazines for my teams, and this one just happened to feature my bear buddy!!!!

Astros' fans should take note of this quote, as I believe and have shown the numbers to prove that he deserves to stay an Astro!

Once the game ended, I got to see a jazz procession for the first time, having not yet made it to New Orleans. Using the brightly lit skyline as their backdrop, they filled the night air with some of the most upbeat music I have ever heard before in my life! I made the trek back to my hotel room off of I-610 and Homestead Rd, and to my surprise, saw a Citgo commercial featuring, none other than, Jose Altuve.

The more and more I visit Houston, the more I fall in love with this city. I'm hoping that my career may eventually get me there. But until then, I shall continue enjoying making the trek down I-45 to the Lone Star Bayou City. And with that should come even more great adventures, I'm sure of it! Thank you to the Astros organization, Minute Maid park, and the city of H-Town for always making me feel so welcome. You have become a great part of me since moving out here from Atlanta, and I'll never forget it!