Tagged: Minute Maid Park
After Ike
As we all know by now, Hurricane Ike left a terrible mark on the Houston Area. Despite the fact damages are less than originally expected, they’re important enough so they’re changing everyone’s plans substantially. Most areas are without electric power, authorities are advising residents to boil water. Debris and broken glasses are everywhere to be found in the Downtown area, that’s why authorities advise people not to go to that area until further notice.
Minute Maid Park was especially built for resisting severe weather. I’m pleased to say that it performed beautifully under those conditions. Astros Business President Pam Gardner told media that the ballpark had only minor damages but none to the building’s core and structure.
This is pleasant to know not just because of the fact baseball can be played there as soon as conditions on the surrounding areas allow it, but because many Astros employees spent the night in the ballpark looking to stay safe under Hurricane Ike. Some others were with their families at their residences. To all of them my word of appreciation and my thoughts and prayers are with them at all times.
Despite the fact Minute Maid Park is almost on top-notch condition, this is not the only requirement for baseball to be reassumed. That’s why Major League Baseball and the Astros were looking for alternatives so they can play the crucial series against the Chicago Cubs. Because holding a sporting event in Downtown Houston is almost a ludicrous thought at the moment, and the threat to fans’ safety, two games will be played at Milwaukee’s Miller Park. Those games will be held Sunday and Monday. The final game would be played only if it has playoff implications.
Fans with tickets to those games are advised to keep them until the Astros inform of ways how those tickets can be reimbursed.
Personally, and despite the fact the Astros are in the midst of a wild and exciting Wild Card race, my mind has been a bit away from baseball, concerned with the fate of all my friends and coworkers in Houston. I hope we can meet again at Minute Maid Park very, very soon.
Leaving Arlington
These have been some very good days to keep an eye on your Astros, haven’t they? Many things are floating around our heads after this final game against the Rangers:
– It looks like the Rangers will always pound the Astros no matter what. It was different today, though. It was to be expected to see one or two losses in a row for the ‘Stros after this latest roll. We don’t think losing will become a new pattern in the near future.
– Lance Berkman, Lance Berkman, Lance Berkman. He finished this game very near the .400 mark (just one tiny point). This run by the Houston first baseman has been unbelievable. He has always been a top-notch ballplayer, but what he’s done these past few days defies description. It’s a 17-game hitting streak now, folks. You’ll see something we wrote on him very soon at Cronicas de los Astros, the Spanish-language official magazine.
– We hope Roy Oswalt’s pain is not an indication of anything too big. Oswalt has been a factor of stability among a very shaky starting rotation. And there are a few days left for Wandy’s return.
– José Valverde has picked up the pace. Thank God. This team is not Berkman alone, they have “a truck full of lumber” as they say where I come from. But the pitching is always a reason for concern.
– Some interesting series we have coming up. Astros, Cubs, a division rivalry, Berkman on fire. What else can you ask for? The Juicebox should be packed.
Welcome home
We’ve heard a lot about the Astros’ initial woes. That’s our topic for a feature at astrosdehouston.com, the official Spanish-language website of your Houston Astros. For those of you already swearing to tune in to Grey’s Anatomy or whatever else is on TV, I have a message for you:
Don’t panic yet. There’s a very long way to go.
In fact, this isn’t the Houston team that was destined for the cellars last year; not even the 2005 team which rode all the way to the World Series, with pitching so good they could bear a lack of hitting so bad I wouldn’t even want to think about it again. And they were NL champs with that.
You can see all Astros starters have had at least very decent outings. Some even could be considered brilliant. That was the case tonight. Wandy Rodriguez was again at home, and you could feel it. Heck, he has even pitched great on the road.
7.1 solid innings, and he had his teammates’ support to back him up this time. Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and J.R. Towles went yard. All Astros runs were scored courtesy of the good old homerun.
Jose Valverde’s missteps were erased with a Miguel Tejada walkoff homer. Yes, you read that right. The Dominican-born player couldn’t have dreamt with a better welcome to Minute Maid Park, turning the tables for good against the Cardinals.
Fans can’t say they didn’t get their money’s worth tonight. It was a very entertaining ballgame to watch, defined in the most dramatic way possible. They have not won the World Series, very far from it. They’re celebrating their season is starting to show different shades and colors, instead of gray.
The Space Race 