Always Something There To Remind Me
UK pop band, Naked Eyes released this song in 1983 nearly 20 years after it's original composition. It began as a demo for legendary singer, Dionne Warwick, though it never really gained much traction in the late 60's and early 70's. While the original failed to crack the top 40, Naked Eyes would make it a sure hit, and one of the most popular songs to come out of the 80's. Feel free to listen to it here.
It may be a love song, but the title gives chase to how I'm feeling about the upcoming exhibition and regular season games in 2017 for the Houston Astros. No matter what some out there try to do in counting the spacemen out, they often find ways to prove those same cynics wrong. I have every bit of confidence that this will also be true for this upcoming season. One that I truly believe will see the spacemen hoist up that all important World Series trophy.
This same exact sentiment applies to, and includes, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. It's no secret that El Oso Blanco has had a fairly rough Spring Training offensively with the bat, finishing out with only a .204 average and a .510 OPS. He also did not get a homer all throughout Grapefruit League and only punched in 3 RBI.
To the CDH (critics, doubters and haters) crowd, this would be fodder for them to go on another rampage to discredit the Big White Bear. No doubt, many of them are probably trying to drop him from their fantasy leagues. Perhaps many of them are even going to the extremes of secretly praying that something cataclysmic happens to him so he doesn't get enough playing time throughout the season.
It is in this scenario that someone like me steps in to defuse the CDH crowd and decrease their staying power. Because these folks fail to remember, or purposely try to forget, all of the positive things that Gattis has done for this team and sport. Despite his rough start this preseason, the bear has still slashed .294/.333/.841 life time in Grapefruit League across 5 years. Additionally, 2014 saw him have similar Spring Training numbers, and he finished that season with his best average yet of .263 in only his second and final year in Atlanta before being traded.
Let's also not forget the glove! Gattis is a catcher, after all, in spite of what some would try to claim. And this spring, he has been very solid behind the dish. Here's a look at just how good the bear has been as the team's second field general in command.
In 50 innings as a catcher this past Spring:
1. 47 putouts for 50 total chances.
2. A CS Ratio of 50%. (1-for-2 in stolen base attempts)
3. 1 double play turned.
4. 3 infield assists.
5. Only 13 earned runs given up by the pitching staff across 9 games for a catcher's ERA (CERA) of 1.44.
6. Leading the pitching staff to 45 strikeouts across those 9 games, averaging 5 per game that he was behind the plate.
As exhibition games begin tonight, and the CDH crowd of El Oso Blanco tries to ramp up their blatent hatred, I stand at the ready to combat such negativity as I always have and always will. Opening Day is on Monday, and you can bet that Evan Gattis will be a pivotal part of it somehow. Especially, when you consider that Hinch is still trying to decide the lineup for the first game, per multiple sources.
So try all that you might, CDH crowd, you will NEVER win. Because it's not everyday a legend like Craig Biggio can come to camp and give you catching mentoring. You know that hall of fame level of play will rub off on the bear! No matter what negative things you try and spew, there is always something there to remind me, and others, just how valuable to this team the bear is and will continue to be.
It may be a love song, but the title gives chase to how I'm feeling about the upcoming exhibition and regular season games in 2017 for the Houston Astros. No matter what some out there try to do in counting the spacemen out, they often find ways to prove those same cynics wrong. I have every bit of confidence that this will also be true for this upcoming season. One that I truly believe will see the spacemen hoist up that all important World Series trophy.
This same exact sentiment applies to, and includes, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. It's no secret that El Oso Blanco has had a fairly rough Spring Training offensively with the bat, finishing out with only a .204 average and a .510 OPS. He also did not get a homer all throughout Grapefruit League and only punched in 3 RBI.
To the CDH (critics, doubters and haters) crowd, this would be fodder for them to go on another rampage to discredit the Big White Bear. No doubt, many of them are probably trying to drop him from their fantasy leagues. Perhaps many of them are even going to the extremes of secretly praying that something cataclysmic happens to him so he doesn't get enough playing time throughout the season.
It is in this scenario that someone like me steps in to defuse the CDH crowd and decrease their staying power. Because these folks fail to remember, or purposely try to forget, all of the positive things that Gattis has done for this team and sport. Despite his rough start this preseason, the bear has still slashed .294/.333/.841 life time in Grapefruit League across 5 years. Additionally, 2014 saw him have similar Spring Training numbers, and he finished that season with his best average yet of .263 in only his second and final year in Atlanta before being traded.
Let's also not forget the glove! Gattis is a catcher, after all, in spite of what some would try to claim. And this spring, he has been very solid behind the dish. Here's a look at just how good the bear has been as the team's second field general in command.
In 50 innings as a catcher this past Spring:
1. 47 putouts for 50 total chances.
2. A CS Ratio of 50%. (1-for-2 in stolen base attempts)
3. 1 double play turned.
4. 3 infield assists.
5. Only 13 earned runs given up by the pitching staff across 9 games for a catcher's ERA (CERA) of 1.44.
6. Leading the pitching staff to 45 strikeouts across those 9 games, averaging 5 per game that he was behind the plate.
As exhibition games begin tonight, and the CDH crowd of El Oso Blanco tries to ramp up their blatent hatred, I stand at the ready to combat such negativity as I always have and always will. Opening Day is on Monday, and you can bet that Evan Gattis will be a pivotal part of it somehow. Especially, when you consider that Hinch is still trying to decide the lineup for the first game, per multiple sources.
So try all that you might, CDH crowd, you will NEVER win. Because it's not everyday a legend like Craig Biggio can come to camp and give you catching mentoring. You know that hall of fame level of play will rub off on the bear! No matter what negative things you try and spew, there is always something there to remind me, and others, just how valuable to this team the bear is and will continue to be.
Original Photo Credit: Doug Murray of Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Like the 2 Unlimited song asks, "Ya'll Ready for This?!" I KNOW I AM!!!!
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