Tubthumping (Birthday Style!)

Get ready for another exciting blog post about the birthday of your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis, ladies and gentlemen! Yes, it is that time of the year again. And for this year's post title, I chose to reference a song by the short lived, one-hit wonder, British power pop group, Chumbawamba. This single, released in 1997, became a perseverance anthem of sorts. The chorus to the song is a dead give away on that one, with lyrics that go as follows:

I get knocked down, but I get up again! You're never gonna keep me down!

Honestly, nothing describes the current state of El Oso Blanco better than that. Except for, maybe, some of the tweets announcing his return to batting practice on Wednesday, after passing the IMPACT concussion test?:

Evan Gattis (concussion) passed his ImPACT test and will take batting practice on the field today.

— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) August 16, 2017

Evan Gattis (concussion) says he recently was cleared to hit, so he'll hit on the field for the first time today.

— Christian Boutwell (@_CBoutwell) August 16, 2017

Evan Gattis cleared to hit on the field today.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 16, 2017

Out of all of the news that came through the wire on Wednesday, however, I have to give a slight edge to Mr. Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston, who gave us both a quote from the Big White Bear:

Evan Gattis (@BulldogBeing): "Symptoms have been non-existent pretty much for the last 2 days. Hopefully (I'll return) as soon as possible." pic.twitter.com/frnWvzW8kF

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 16, 2017

AND showed video footage of Evan taking bating practice for the first time since he sustained the concussion from the back swing of Corey Dickerson of the Tampa Bay Rays back on August 3rd. Check that out below!:

Evan Gattis takes batting practice for the first time since suffering a concussion. #Astros pic.twitter.com/tTIxQgPnyb

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 16, 2017

As I so cleverly commented below that video, seeing this again was pure poetry in motion. I honestly do not care what others try to think of, or label me as such, on this. Folks don't want to admit that, in spite of it being a team sport, we all have that one player we are the most excited of to see. This sentiment is true, even for the CDH (critics, doubters, haters) crowd out there. So guess what, readers? I'm gonna continue to be me!

Simultaneously, Evan is going to keep being his warrior bear self, and fight his way back into the lineup as soon as possible. My thoughts are, he can be activated as early as the final home series against the Washington Nationals that begins next Tuesday thru the following Thursday. We'll see what transpires throughout that time, as skipper A.J. Hinch already revealed that he will need a minor league rehab stint. And for good reason, because you don't want to risk anything treacherous happening while he makes his way back from any injury, much less a head injury such as a concussion.

But now, let's shift to the more positive stuff. Today is Evan Gattis' 31st birthday. Don't let his numeric age fool you, ladies and gentlemen! The bear can still play like he's in his mid 20's. And as I've postured already to so many out there, he is far from done in this league! Even in the midst of the recent concussion, El Oso Blanco still has another decade in this game, EASY! Not to mention, he has poise and grace, both on and off the field. His is a personality that the sport of baseball needs more of.

If you don't believe me on this, check out this recent interview he gave not too long ago on MLB Network's hit show, "Intentional Talk." It's the third one he has done with the show, and you will see for yourselves exactly what I'm talking about....

Didn't I tell you? Humble, plus a sense of humor. Gattis really is the genuine article. He puts up quality numbers on both sides of the ball, without showboating or making himself the center of attention. He's a sheer presence to have in any clubhouse. And I'm willing to bet, dollars to donuts, he's gonna give this offense a spark with the consistency he has had all throughout the 2017 season so far.

Is he a super All-Star like Jose Altuve? No. Will he make it to a midsummer classic? I'd like to think he will someday. But even if he never puts up the same kind of numbers of a Bryce Harper or a Mike Trout across his still ways to go in his career, it doesn't make him worthless, as some would be so quick to point out. Sure, he has his flaws because he is human, after all. But the way some go after every little mistake he makes by calling him "a bum that shouldn't be here" or "someone who just gets lucky too often" is pretty asinine, shameful, impulsive and disrespectful. 

Which is why I'm around to counteract those CDH fans, and put them in their place whenever I find them to be wrong. Unfortunately, that's a little bit more often than I would like for it to happen. But I refuse to back down, and rebuke any attempts by folks that either know nothing about this game, or throw in complicated advanced metrics to discredit him. That has no place here anymore, and those making attempts to do just that will be called out by me. That's not a threat, it's a promise!

So as the bear prepares his comeback just in time for his birthday, let's use today of all days as a time to celebrate the good things about him. Cherry picking is for the birds! I hope you all will join me in wishing the bear a very happiest of birthdays. Sending positive energy towards him as he makes his way back to the Astros roster is just the ticket he could use right now. He does so much good for us, now let's do something positive for him, as I did with my Facebook tribute post to him just this morning!:

Original Photo Credit: Hunter Martin of Getty Images

The day the bear came into this world is always one to celebrate. Happy Birthday, Evan! We're all pulling for your big return!