Woo Hoo
I’ve lived in Texas since ‘71 and have rooted for the Astros (as well as other teams) since shortly after arriving here as a Midwestern immigrant. And I’ve suffered through their repeated post-season almosts: I was glued to the television for the heartbreak final inning of the final game against the Phillies in ‘80, lamented the ‘86 Astros extra-inning loss to the Mets, as well as suffered through the relentless whuppings by the Braves in playoffs along the way. Seven times the ’stros tried to get an invite to the dance, and seven times they were turned away at the door, not quite good enough to rub elbows with baseball’s elite. But not this year.
Sometime during the late innings of last night’s demonstration of why this year’s Astros are different, a small simian was seen leaving the stands of Turner Field with bags packed, hoping to find some other, different uniforms to ride. And sometime after the cold champagne and joyous laughter died down in the Astros clubhouse, the fans are believing that the monkey is no more.
This year’s Astros are a dangerous team, and the only National League team to give the Cardinals (owners of the best record during regular play) fits all year. The best possible combination of National League teams that would yield the most exciting NLCS advanced, as did the two best-combination teams for the ALCS. It looks to be two amazing championship series ahead for all baseball fans. I of course am hoping to have the epitome of dilemmas during a World Series between two of my favorite teams: the Boston Red Sox and the Houston Astros, made all the more sweeter this year by the impeding elimination of those overpaid Bronx Bombers. While Boston’s monkey is more aged and holding on tighter than Houston’s, this is looks finally to be the Year of the Monkeyless teams.
The two league series are nearly complete opposites: The Sox/Yanks drama is an old-West-style showdown between two teams who hate no other team more than each other, while the rivalry between the Cardinals and Astros is one of mutual respect and adoration. A mug-fest versus a love-fest for the eyes and ears. And did you catch the classy move by the Dodgers when they joined the Cardinals on the field to congratulate them on their series victory, ala hockey rivals who spend the night gouging each other’s eyes out yet at the end shake hands and go home? Baseball needs this touch of class, this “after the last strike of the last out of the last inning” display of sportsmanship that is all too rare in pro sports. Nice touch, but can you see the Red Sox and Yankees pulling this off? Mebbe…if you frisk all the players first to make sure no one’s packing.
Whatever your preference, mark my words that this year’s League Championship Series pairings will result as one of the best playoff match ups in a long time. And if the magic continues and the Yankees go down (does anything else *really* matter?!) and the Astros remain dangerous, I’ll truly be conflicted come time for the Big Dance. That’s a dilemma I’ll delight in for it will mean that finally, one of my lovable losers will have their dance in the big spotlight. Woo hoo indeed.
One Response to “Woo Hoo”
I am a diamondbacks and a cubs fan, and seeing as how neither made it to the playoffs I can root for the Astros. However, i dont think they stand much of a chance against the Cardinals — sorry! Wouldn’t it have been cool to see Clemens and Pettite play their old team though in the World Series?