Silver Linings Playbook
I went to an ophthalmologist for a glaucoma evaluation and screening yesterday. Thankfully, all tests came back negative, so I'm not going blind. However, I was diagnosed with a minor ocular condition known as Pigment Dispersion Syndrome. You can read all about the condition here.
I go back for another vision exam in six months to monitor my above normal eye pressures. However, I'm not at any serious risk of anything happening to my vision. At least, not anytime soon. And I now know what it is, so I can take care of it early.
One thing I've not been enjoying seeing lately, however, is the struggle of the Houston Astros so far in Spring Training. They now have 10 Grapefruit League games in the books, and only 2 wins to show for it. On top of that, two of their games had to end in ties, since there are no extra innings in preseason baseball.
I did a pretty extensive analysis of this rocky start in my latest piece for House of Houston. Presumably, many in the fan base are probably feeling a bit uneasy about this record the spacemen are currently sitting at. I know, for me personally, this is not the best of feeling in the world.
Despite the uneasy feelings, fans really need not hit that panic button. Lest we forget, it is still only 10 games into the PRESEASON. There is still so much baseball left to be played over the next 7 or so months. As some would say, these first games don't "technically count."
Hopefully, the season lasts longer than 7 months, since I feel confident that the Astros can make it all the way this season. And while 8 of the players make a separate quest to win the World Baseball Classic, or WBC, other players that are projected to start down in the minor leagues, or come off the bench or out of the bullpen, will get their fair taste of playing time.
That includes your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. Now I know, he only has a .200 average so far (2-for-10). But, he also has above a .300 OPS from drawing a fair share of walks, and has a couple of RBI so far this spring. Like all other positional players on the team, El Oso Blanco is trying to get into regular season form and re-find his baseball footing.
While the Big White Bear has been only serving as a DH so far, Brian McTaggart tweeted out yesterday that Gattis has been cleared to catch on either Thursday or Friday of this week. The right shoulder soreness appears to be a thing of the past. Thank the dear Lord above! This may also coincide with Lance McCullers or Dallas Keuchel getting their first spring starts as well. Certainly some good news on the horizon for a player that will have much more of an impact on the roster this season than these so-called "experts" appear to be giving him credit for.
So you see, Astros fans! There are some silver linings. And the spacemen have every shot to get them going forward. But win or lose, we need to stick behind them. It is out job as fans of this team. And by extension, it is also our duty as lovers of this crazy game we like to call baseball!
I go back for another vision exam in six months to monitor my above normal eye pressures. However, I'm not at any serious risk of anything happening to my vision. At least, not anytime soon. And I now know what it is, so I can take care of it early.
One thing I've not been enjoying seeing lately, however, is the struggle of the Houston Astros so far in Spring Training. They now have 10 Grapefruit League games in the books, and only 2 wins to show for it. On top of that, two of their games had to end in ties, since there are no extra innings in preseason baseball.
I did a pretty extensive analysis of this rocky start in my latest piece for House of Houston. Presumably, many in the fan base are probably feeling a bit uneasy about this record the spacemen are currently sitting at. I know, for me personally, this is not the best of feeling in the world.
Despite the uneasy feelings, fans really need not hit that panic button. Lest we forget, it is still only 10 games into the PRESEASON. There is still so much baseball left to be played over the next 7 or so months. As some would say, these first games don't "technically count."
Hopefully, the season lasts longer than 7 months, since I feel confident that the Astros can make it all the way this season. And while 8 of the players make a separate quest to win the World Baseball Classic, or WBC, other players that are projected to start down in the minor leagues, or come off the bench or out of the bullpen, will get their fair taste of playing time.
That includes your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. Now I know, he only has a .200 average so far (2-for-10). But, he also has above a .300 OPS from drawing a fair share of walks, and has a couple of RBI so far this spring. Like all other positional players on the team, El Oso Blanco is trying to get into regular season form and re-find his baseball footing.
While the Big White Bear has been only serving as a DH so far, Brian McTaggart tweeted out yesterday that Gattis has been cleared to catch on either Thursday or Friday of this week. The right shoulder soreness appears to be a thing of the past. Thank the dear Lord above! This may also coincide with Lance McCullers or Dallas Keuchel getting their first spring starts as well. Certainly some good news on the horizon for a player that will have much more of an impact on the roster this season than these so-called "experts" appear to be giving him credit for.
So you see, Astros fans! There are some silver linings. And the spacemen have every shot to get them going forward. But win or lose, we need to stick behind them. It is out job as fans of this team. And by extension, it is also our duty as lovers of this crazy game we like to call baseball!
Original Photo Credit: Karen Warren of the Houston Chronicle
Soon, ladies and gentlemen....SOON!!!!
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