Silent Running

Released in 1986 on their self-titled debut album, Mike and the Mechanics, spearheaded by Genesis founding member, Mike Ruthorford and vocalized by Paul Carrack, had a real hit with this song. The original concept of the song was centered around the dangers of war, nationalism and organized religion. However, the instrumentation of the track itself does give way to a "Chariots of Fire" style symphony. It would be one of five big hits that the group had throughout their run of the 80s and early 90s.

What does this have to do with the Houston Astros and Spring Training? Glad you asked that. It has to do with the lyrics of the chorus that go accordingly:

"Can you hear me running? Can you hear me calling you?"

That, along with the title of the song itself, applies metaphorically to this team. The reason why stems from so many factors. Namely, the disrespect that our World Champions still get from those in the media. Chris Russo is the biggest culprit, saying on his MLB Network show and a corresponding tweet, the following dirt-slinging quote:

"There's no way you can't think that the #Yankees are the team to beat in the American League."

Of all the slanderous things being said about the spacemen, THIS has to be the most vile. I mean, did he not watch the playoffs at all last season? Did he not see who eliminated the Yankees from even making it to the Fall Classic in the first place? Are all reporters out there just so high on the outfield combination of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge that they just completely disregard anything that happened in 2017? Not to mention, the entire American League has to get by the Astros first.

Well, fear not fellow Astros fans! Justin Verlander came to our defense in a big way!:

🤔 I can think of a reason. https://t.co/Pt3nTunBNK

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 13, 2018

Can anyone else out there just imagine what kind of spark he's bringing our boys down in West Palm Beach right now? I mean, an entire season of the JV machine is sure to give the Astros every shot at a title repeat come this October. So much of the team is already down there. Even position players, who aren't even due until tomorrow, are already down at the Ballpark of the Palms getting their reps in. Just check out this reunion between AL MVP, Jose Altuve and All Star starting catcher and the second half of #BearSquared, Brian McCann, that happened on Valentine's Day:

Reunions. 🧡#AstrosST pic.twitter.com/MhN2qDwZKX

— Houston Astros (@astros) February 14, 2018

I don't know about you, readers. To me, that looks like another ultimate bromance brewing among our guys. To be honest, I enjoy everyone that forms. It clearly shows the strong chemistry and culture this team has. The New York Yankees wish they had something like this. Sure, the Stanton and Judge duo will certainly have some merit and poise. But can the same be said for the remaining boys in pinstripe? From my vantage point, not really.

However, the spacemen will have all the real and metaphorical cosmic forces working in their favor. That includes, much to some folks' collective dismay, your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis. He had quite a bit of wise words to greet reporters with when he arrived last week down in Florida. Here are a couple of video tweets capturing the quotes:

Astros C Evan Gattis said team is "ready to do it again." pic.twitter.com/iAAayojP2q

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 14, 2018

#Astros Gattis ready to roll. #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/5xM6jvgHdB

— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) February 14, 2018

Another interesting quote comes courtesy of ESPN.com, where El Oso Blanco had THIS to say about what he expects for 2018....

"I don't want to hang out and talk about last year forever -- maybe off the field or away from work, talking to fans," slugger Evan Gattis said Wednesday. "It's incredible what we did as a whole for the city. Like I said, I still can't believe it. All that being said, you can't win the 2017 World Series in 2018."

Some may see that quote as being too stern or pessimistic, but I happen to see that as having a sense of being grounded. The bear has always possessed that, and it comes through incredibly strong at every turn. Despite what naysayers continue to push, it is my sincerest belief that Evan Gattis is going to be a much bigger factor for the team this season, and in more seasons to come. I'm even willing to venture that the bear will make his first All-Star Game in 2018, if by no other way, through a managerial choice from skipper A.J. Hinch, who will manage the American League team this coming July.

Even with the preseason games just a few short days away, some armchair GM's out in the Twitter world still want to trade him for someone else, like that is somehow going to miraculously make the team World Series shoe ins. Folks, you need to come to the realization that this is just not happening. Especially, when you see Gattis talking strategy with newly acquired pitcher, Gerrit Cole, out at practice:

Getting to know you @BulldogBeing and Gerrit Cole talk pitching. What do you need to win big? @astros pic.twitter.com/RCDpQpzvIp

— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) February 17, 2018

I'm even willing to stake that Gattis will be re-signed as a free agent next off season for 5 years at $8 million/year. That's more than reasonable for a proven veteran and champion like him, and I'll be praying long and hard that this will come to fruition. For now, however, we should all build up our excitements for baseball season know. In doing so, we plan to ask the rest of the world, in pursuit of showing that their championship run in 2017, the very question that Mike and the Mechanics ask in the song. Haters are gonna hate, but they won't keep the Astros, or the fan base down. So let us now call out to the rest of the world....

Original Photo Credit: The Houston Astros on Twitter

Can you hear them running? Can you hear them calling you??!!