Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Back in December of 1971, Disney released this crossover live-action and animated feature in what can best be described as a mixture of elements from The Chronicles of Narnia and Mary Poppins. Fittingly, it's all British cast was the perfect compliment to a story that involves magic and early 20th century England, while transcending the same literary formulas used by both C.S. Lewis and P.L. Travers, respectively. Societal turmoil and the grips of war are the emotional backdrops in an otherwise whimsical world of witches and cartoon animals.
Unlike this film, there is no international unrest or griping problems to worry about when it comes to the Houston Astros. However, like the flying bed in the film, the spacemen continue soaring to unimaginable heights, taking all of us fans on an equally unforgettable journey. Keeping the best record in all of Major League Baseball, the team now sits at 29-12. Ironically, it is also the same exact record that the reigning world champion Chicago Cubs were sitting with at this point last season after 41 games played. Tells you something, doesn't it?!
Beating the Miami Marlins for 3 straight games gave the Astros their first sweep of the season as well. Hence, my reasoning for wanting to use that particular Disney movie for my title with the word "Broomsticks" at the end. Hard to believe the Marlins were the first team the Astros have swept, when you consider the record they currently hold onto. But that can easily be attributed to the team going out and making ever effort, and succeeding, at winning series. In fact, they have only been beaten out in series by two teams. Both just happen to be from the AL Central; the Cleveland Indians, who they will open up a 3 games series of a 10 game home stand with starting on Friday, and the Kansas City Royals, who are sitting at the bottom of that division right now.
The chemistry of everyone on this team, from top to bottom on the roster, is a big contributing factor to the statement making run of the Astros. These fellas find ways to win every night they go out and play, boosting a confidence like nothing ever seen before. And as I make a mention every entry of this blog, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis continues to flourish and be a big part of this synchronicity. Despite some recent struggles with the lumber, going only 3 for his last 15 and slashing a worrisome .194/.265/.290/.555 in the month of May, he still sits at a very respectable .276/.360/.438/798 so far in the 2017 season.
For all the flack he gets in general, but especially about his defense and game calling behind the plate, it should be noted that most of his catching starts in 2017 have been behind Mike Fiers, who we all know is the weak link in an otherwise strong rotation. Once you get him behind the likes of Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, and hopefully soon behind Dallas Keuchel, you will see, as we have already in the past game, his defensive numbers tick up. Pitchers that actually know how to throw what's called, unlike Fiers. Gattis was very perennial in getting McCullers and the rest of the pitching staff to that 3 game shutout and sweeping victory over the Marlins.
I would attest that these are just a few reasons why Hinch has got to keep on track in getting El Oso Blanco more playing time. Deviating even a little bit by sitting him more often than is needed will continue to rust his skills to the point of almost being conducive to a set up of failure. It's one of my greatest fears, and no doubt one that Evan probably shares, though perhaps not as vocally as me. Hopefully, Hinch knows this in the back of his mind. Though the Big White Bear may not be an everyday player on this current roster, like he has been over the course of his first 4 seasons, the team needs to keep finding ways to get him action.
If that should mean putting Carlos Beltran in the outfield, then do it! Beltran has shown that, even at age 40, he can still handle it. So when the team is at home, like they will be the next 10 games, have Carlos go out once every series, or twice in 4 game sets, and field the short porch in left field near the Crawford Boxes. There is no harm, or shame, in doing this. Do you want to be careful with him physically? Sure, but Beltran is no invalid. He still has game at his age, so put him to the test!
Anywhere else on any other team in the league, Evan Gattis would be a starting player. I still very much believe that about him as much as he likely believes that about himself. The question still remains: Does this organization value him enough to try and make it so? I want to believe that the answer is yes. All current indications, however, lead me to believe otherwise. Which is a shame, since Gattis is still very much in the prime of his career. I would even venture to say that he still has at least another decade left of ball playing, though many would find that to be a bold statement.
Those that know me well enough, though, know that I am not one to beat around the bush or hold anything back. Too many people have been telling me to keep quiet all of my life, especially when it comes to things like my sexual orientation and such. But you know what? Anyone out there like that can seriously.... (DISCLAIMER: Parents, turn your kids away from the computer screen for this one! Only gonna warn you once. That's all!)
....KISS THE FATTEST PART OF MY ASS!
I have every right to use what limited media power I have, social and otherwise, to make my voice be heard. Whether it be about this team, LGBT activism, or anything else. And yes, I have every right to voice my frustrations when a player that tallied 128 games and nearly 450 AB's last season, while leading this Houston Astros ball club in home runs and even in RBI back in 2015, the two seasons since he has been here in H-Town, is now having to play the role of bench warmer.
Many fans out there, for this team and others, want to see Evan Gattis out there playing. He's an instant fan favorite, after all, and there is substantial evidence to support this claim. And when he doesn't get to, it makes them frustrated and drives me nuts to the point of almost having veins in my head explode! Let's not forget exactly what the bear brings to this team, on and off the field, and let's do our part to steer the conversation AWAY from it being about making him a trade piece for a starting pitcher, as so many out there would want the public to believe. Especially, after headlines like THESE were revealed just today.
There are other ways to get a starter without depleting your current active roster. If need be, dip into the extensive and deep farm system to get another arm. Also, both Gattis and catching mate, Brian McCann, need to be kept around for as long as possible. If I were you, Mr. Luhnow, I would extend them both ASAP! The desire to want to keep trusting the process remains in tact. However, if this team messes around with Evan Gattis and his playing time any longer, or tries to trade him to a non-contending team with no shot at a ring, that desire will fade....AND FAST!
Unlike this film, there is no international unrest or griping problems to worry about when it comes to the Houston Astros. However, like the flying bed in the film, the spacemen continue soaring to unimaginable heights, taking all of us fans on an equally unforgettable journey. Keeping the best record in all of Major League Baseball, the team now sits at 29-12. Ironically, it is also the same exact record that the reigning world champion Chicago Cubs were sitting with at this point last season after 41 games played. Tells you something, doesn't it?!
Beating the Miami Marlins for 3 straight games gave the Astros their first sweep of the season as well. Hence, my reasoning for wanting to use that particular Disney movie for my title with the word "Broomsticks" at the end. Hard to believe the Marlins were the first team the Astros have swept, when you consider the record they currently hold onto. But that can easily be attributed to the team going out and making ever effort, and succeeding, at winning series. In fact, they have only been beaten out in series by two teams. Both just happen to be from the AL Central; the Cleveland Indians, who they will open up a 3 games series of a 10 game home stand with starting on Friday, and the Kansas City Royals, who are sitting at the bottom of that division right now.
The chemistry of everyone on this team, from top to bottom on the roster, is a big contributing factor to the statement making run of the Astros. These fellas find ways to win every night they go out and play, boosting a confidence like nothing ever seen before. And as I make a mention every entry of this blog, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis continues to flourish and be a big part of this synchronicity. Despite some recent struggles with the lumber, going only 3 for his last 15 and slashing a worrisome .194/.265/.290/.555 in the month of May, he still sits at a very respectable .276/.360/.438/798 so far in the 2017 season.
For all the flack he gets in general, but especially about his defense and game calling behind the plate, it should be noted that most of his catching starts in 2017 have been behind Mike Fiers, who we all know is the weak link in an otherwise strong rotation. Once you get him behind the likes of Lance McCullers, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, and hopefully soon behind Dallas Keuchel, you will see, as we have already in the past game, his defensive numbers tick up. Pitchers that actually know how to throw what's called, unlike Fiers. Gattis was very perennial in getting McCullers and the rest of the pitching staff to that 3 game shutout and sweeping victory over the Marlins.
I would attest that these are just a few reasons why Hinch has got to keep on track in getting El Oso Blanco more playing time. Deviating even a little bit by sitting him more often than is needed will continue to rust his skills to the point of almost being conducive to a set up of failure. It's one of my greatest fears, and no doubt one that Evan probably shares, though perhaps not as vocally as me. Hopefully, Hinch knows this in the back of his mind. Though the Big White Bear may not be an everyday player on this current roster, like he has been over the course of his first 4 seasons, the team needs to keep finding ways to get him action.
If that should mean putting Carlos Beltran in the outfield, then do it! Beltran has shown that, even at age 40, he can still handle it. So when the team is at home, like they will be the next 10 games, have Carlos go out once every series, or twice in 4 game sets, and field the short porch in left field near the Crawford Boxes. There is no harm, or shame, in doing this. Do you want to be careful with him physically? Sure, but Beltran is no invalid. He still has game at his age, so put him to the test!
Anywhere else on any other team in the league, Evan Gattis would be a starting player. I still very much believe that about him as much as he likely believes that about himself. The question still remains: Does this organization value him enough to try and make it so? I want to believe that the answer is yes. All current indications, however, lead me to believe otherwise. Which is a shame, since Gattis is still very much in the prime of his career. I would even venture to say that he still has at least another decade left of ball playing, though many would find that to be a bold statement.
Those that know me well enough, though, know that I am not one to beat around the bush or hold anything back. Too many people have been telling me to keep quiet all of my life, especially when it comes to things like my sexual orientation and such. But you know what? Anyone out there like that can seriously.... (DISCLAIMER: Parents, turn your kids away from the computer screen for this one! Only gonna warn you once. That's all!)
....KISS THE FATTEST PART OF MY ASS!
I have every right to use what limited media power I have, social and otherwise, to make my voice be heard. Whether it be about this team, LGBT activism, or anything else. And yes, I have every right to voice my frustrations when a player that tallied 128 games and nearly 450 AB's last season, while leading this Houston Astros ball club in home runs and even in RBI back in 2015, the two seasons since he has been here in H-Town, is now having to play the role of bench warmer.
Many fans out there, for this team and others, want to see Evan Gattis out there playing. He's an instant fan favorite, after all, and there is substantial evidence to support this claim. And when he doesn't get to, it makes them frustrated and drives me nuts to the point of almost having veins in my head explode! Let's not forget exactly what the bear brings to this team, on and off the field, and let's do our part to steer the conversation AWAY from it being about making him a trade piece for a starting pitcher, as so many out there would want the public to believe. Especially, after headlines like THESE were revealed just today.
There are other ways to get a starter without depleting your current active roster. If need be, dip into the extensive and deep farm system to get another arm. Also, both Gattis and catching mate, Brian McCann, need to be kept around for as long as possible. If I were you, Mr. Luhnow, I would extend them both ASAP! The desire to want to keep trusting the process remains in tact. However, if this team messes around with Evan Gattis and his playing time any longer, or tries to trade him to a non-contending team with no shot at a ring, that desire will fade....AND FAST!
Original Photo Credit: Wilfredo Lee of the Associated Press
This is a valuable bear to have around on this team. Don't screw this up, Houston Astros organization!
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