2022 Houston Astros Thread

[runthebone 7,932]

47 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

It’s going to be a fun plane ride home today 

Not for Neris, I bet.

[Planet Houston 4,923]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

This is so badass. 

[Scraps 13,542]

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

[UTexasFight 9,380]

14 minutes ago, Scraps said:

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

That’s where old’s needs to pivot and say, we’ll have you seen Maldy hit? He’s worse than a pitcher batting 

[Planet Houston 4,923]

44 minutes ago, Scraps said:

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

If I knew @Armybrat was an Astros fan, I’d forgotten it. 

[billfromlaketravis 11,362]

58 minutes ago, Scraps said:

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

Time to take away armybrat's flip phone. 

[Rimbo 25,784]

3 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Took a moment this morning to be a little nostalgic. I was too young for 1980 but my first baseball memory is being heartbroken and, yes, crying in 1986 when I was 9 years old. My parents had taken me to a game that season where José Cruz beat the Cardinals with a walkoff homer and I was instantly hooked. Baseball was my favorite sport starting with that moment, and the Astros were my first favorite team. 

Starting there and going through the '90s playoff failures, etc. These are the glory days, lady and gentlemen. Enjoy every minute of it. 

My parents moved to Houston the year the city got its first baseball franchise. Mom told me about watching the outfielders run into each other, with the fly ball landing harmlessly next to them.

These days won't last forever. But man, is it ever fun for My Team to be dominant to the point of being boring.

Granted, sweeping the Yankees will never be boring. Nor were three games of really close ball with Seattle. Actually come to think of it, there's nothing at all boring to me about the Astros being dominant.

I waited too long to see the Astros win it all; now, we go to the World Series often enough to have squatter's rights.

If you can't enjoy this, there's something wrong with you, because it doesn't get any better.

[Fudge Nuggets 19,151]

2 hours ago, UTexasFight said:

That’s my hope as well

I posted somewhere yesterday during the Phillies game that I was leaning towards them just finishing off the job and getting a long layoff.

I think Phillies lose more by the bats sitting around a week than they gain in arms being well rested.

 

That didn't work against the Nationals in 2019.  They sat around forever and came out and kicked our ass for the first two games.

[MaybeACoordinator 8,349]

27 minutes ago, Planet Houston said:

If I knew @Armybrat was an Astros fan, I’d forgotten it. 

I wondered who called suggesting JV start games 1,3, 5 and 7 (if necessary) 

[Armybrat 40,744]

27 minutes ago, Planet Houston said:

If I knew @Armybrat was an Astros fan, I’d forgotten it. 

Nah, but we did attend a ‘Stros game at the Astrodome in 1980. It was a treat for our son’s LL team.

Highlight was watching the pigeon flying around until it chose out of the 30,000 or so fans to shit on Mrs. Brat.

[Fudge Nuggets 19,151]

The Braves beat us in the playoffs three times back in the day and I absolutely hated those fuckheads.  Despite all the YouTube and Twitter evidence, I still can't imagine how much the Yankee fans hate us for beating them four times in the playoffs.

Poooooooooor Yankees.

[sidis 9,754]

someone upthread mentioned the astros being the all-time leader in knocking the yankees out of the postseason and i couldn't help myself from confirming.

[Scraps 13,542]

All WS games start at 7:03 central

[TonyTexas 10,482]

11 minutes ago, Scraps said:

All WS games start at 7:03 central

Better karma would be a 7:13 start time. 

[Huckleberry 32,703]

47 minutes ago, sidis said:

someone upthread mentioned the astros being the all-time leader in knocking the yankees out of the postseason and i couldn't help myself from confirming.

Yes it's due to playoff expansion, but essentially the Astros have eliminated the Yankees more times in the last 8 seasons than anyone else has managed in 101 seasons of Yankee playoff eliminations.

(Yes I know 1921-2022 would normally be 102 seasons but don't forget the 1994 mess)

Edited October 24, 2022 by Huckleberry

[Wulaw Horn 18,981]

25 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

Better karma would be a 7:13 start time. 

That’s my birfday 

[Planet Houston 4,923]

Speaking of Still Tippin, which one of you is this? I snapped it on my way out of Game 2 ALDS. Pretty sick!

 

[Grade of D as in David 13,253]

15 minutes ago, Wulaw Horn said:

That’s my birfday 

Go shawty

[Alien Octopus 499]

2 hours ago, Scraps said:

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

They DH now this Harper won their game

[Scraps 13,542]

2 minutes ago, Alien Octopus said:

They DH now this Harper won their game

umm ok

[Scraps 13,542]

Sorry if already posted, but I found this going down a rabbit hole sort of and it is a pretty nice piece regarding Chas

https://www.papercitymag.com/culture/chas-mccormick-home-run-family-moment-makes-perfect-playoffs-possible-astros-javier/

 

NEW YORK — As Chas McCormick rounds second base and heads for third, floating on another unexpected playoff high, he points towards where his family is sitting in the stands. McCormick wants his mom and dad, his twin brother Jason and his girlfriend to feel like part of this too. Because what the Houston Astros are doing in these playoffs is beyond rare.

Something to be treasured. Something to be shared. And because it’s Chas, something to have fun with.

“It means a lot, man” McCormick says when I ask him about having his family in Yankee Stadium, watching this Northeast kid have a big moment. “I know where they’re

sitting. When it gets close to home — New York, Philly, Baltimore — a lot of them show up.

“And being able to hit a home run off Gerrit Cole and knowing they’re there. . .”

McCormick stops and grins, just letting the thought hand there. Sometimes there are no words. Even for someone who talks as much as Chas McCormick. Yankees fans have run out of words to describe what is happening in this American League Championship Series too — for a whole different type of reason. They even forget to boo Jose Altuve when he comes up to bat in the top of the ninth inning.

That’s right, there is Altuve, the man cast as the No. 1 villain for so long in New York, swinging in silence in the house that replaced The House That Ruth Built. If that does not encapsulate just how dominant the Astros’ 5-0 Game 3 win and 3-0 series lead are, nothing will.

Yankees fans even lost the will to hate Jose Altuve by the ninth inning of this Saturday night in the Bronx.

That is a new level of Astros high. The team that’s playing to become a dynasty is more than halfway to a perfect postseason now. These Astros are 6-0 in the playoffs and the idea of them becoming the first team to go 11-0 in the postseason doesn’t seem so farfetched anymore. Since Major League Baseball expanded to a third round of the playoffs in 1995, the 1999 Yankees and the 2005 White Sox share the record for the most dominant run ever with matching 11-1 sprints to the title.

The Astros still have some significant work to do to reach those lofty heights, but this is a team that’s come together in every way. Jim Crane’s franchise hasn’t possessed this seemingly perfect mix of young enthusiasm and veteran know how, hungry new players and proven veteran winners, since that 2017 squad that won Houston’s only baseball championship.

Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yuli Gurriel, Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. are still around, showing everyone new who comes into this clubhouse the Astros’ way. But in many ways, it’s the younger Astros generation — the next few waves that followed those remaining Core Astros — who are charging this October of dominance.

“We have some young guys who are really starting to thrive a little bit,” McCormick says. “Framber (Valdez), Luis (Garcia), Cristian (Javier), you know (Kyle) Tucker, (Yordan) Alvarez. I think that’s why we’re a really good team.

“It’s a special mix.”

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

“YOU DON’T MAKE IT TO THE ALCS SIX YEARS IN A ROW WITHOUT HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT FIRE IN YOU TO COME IN EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NOT TAKE A SINGLE DAY OFF.” — JUSTIN VERLANDER

The young Astros are certainly bringing the fun and more outright joy to the winning. McCormick is a firecracker come to life, always eager to bring some sparkle. And sometimes some downright comic relief.

This former Division II college baseball player and 21st round draft pick is the one who jokes to foundational Astros star Jose Altuve, a former American League MVP, that Altuve should keep the baseball for “his first hit.” That would be the double that finally broke Altuve’s 0 for 25 start to this postseason.

Of course, Altuve already has plenty of big playoff hits in his career, including 23 postseason home runs. So yeah, about McCormick’s “first hit” souvenir baseball crack. . .

“He’s kind of funny sometimes,” Altuve deadpans when someone asks about McCormick’s dugout remark.

That’s the thing. These Astros veterans almost seem to get as much from these young Astros as they give them. Guys like Altuve and Verlander are getting a real kick out of seeing this next Astros wave react with such joy to every moment.

Like McCormick drilling a 98 MPH Gerrit Cole fastball into Yankee Stadium’s short right porch, jolting the Astros to an early 2-0 lead that the Yankees will never recover from. And triggering a whole fresh new round of Chas Chomp celebrations in the dugout.

McCormick is one of lowest paid Astros, making right around the MLB minimum of $700,000. Twenty-first round picks don’t get big contracts or signing bonuses. But McCormick’s enthusiasm is priceless.

“He always brings that energy,” Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña tells PaperCity about McCormick. “He brings that good vibe and sense that something is going to happen. You need that.”

These Astros need 25-year-old Cristian Javier’s electric stuff too. Making his very first playoff start, in Yankee Stadium with all those pregamed up Yankees fans just dying to erupt, Javier once again leaves Aaron Judge and Co. absolutely baffled.

“Javy’s been incredible for us,” Justin Verlander, the Astros ageless ace, says. “It’s wonderful for him to go out there and do it on the big stage.

“. . . To be a starter here on the mound at Yankee Stadium and go out and do what he did, he put his name on the map. He’s been there for us all season long. He’s been one of our best arms. That’s saying a lot. We’ve got a lot of good arms. . . He was ready for this stage — and he showed it.”

Cristian Javier proved to be more than up for the big Yankee Stadium stage. (@Astros)

Javier easily out pitches $324 million man Gerrit Cole, giving up just one hit and three walks in his five and one third innings. Judge takes such a hesitant swing while striking out on a 81 MPH Javier slider in the fourth inning that you have to half wonder if sorcery is involved.

It turns out there is — a little Framber advice wizardry. Javier and Valdez, the Astros’ 28-year-old second ace, spend the flight to New York talking in Spanish about the Yankees lineup and the best way to attack it.

“Just things that he saw in the hitters and different things like that,” Javier says of the plane powwow.

The Yankees probably wish that flight was much shorter. For even before Judge and friends ran back into Javier, the man who threw that seven inning, 13 strikeout, no hit masterpiece in the Bronx in June, they struggled to score in this ALCS.

Now, they’re up to 41 strikeouts in three games. Even the 40-year-old virgin scored at a higher rate than this.

The Complete and Fun Astros

These 2022 Astros are just keep coming at you in waves, as a complete team, making a perfect postseason seem possible.

“I think that tells you a lot about the team we are,” Altuve says. “Today, was (catcher) Christian (Vazquez), Chas and Trey Mancini. (In Game 2), it was Breggy with the big homer. A couple of nights ago (against Seattle), it was Alvarez with the homer. Yuli.

“It seems like every night it’s a different guy. That tells you how good this lineup can be.”

Cole is driven crazy by the collective discipline of an Astros lineup that just keeps stacking good at-bats on top of good at-bats. After Bregman laces a double into left field to lead off the  sixth inning, it’s a Kyle Tucker walk and a little Yuli Gurriel flare single into right that knocks Cole from the game.

Lou Trivino, the Yankees reliever charged with cleaning up Cole’s bases-loaded mess, is equally small ball frustrated.

Mancini works the count to 2-2 and hits the sixth pitch he sees deep into the outfield for an easy sacrifice fly. Vazquez follows by dumping the first pitch he sees into left field for a two run single. Astros general manager James Click’s two big trade deadline acquisitions will both come through in this 5-0 victory. In a very Astros way.

“WE HAVE SOME YOUNG GUYS WHO ARE REALLY STARTING TO THRIVE A LITTLE BIT. FRAMBER (VALDEZ), LUIS (GARCIA), CRISTIAN (JAVIER), YOU KNOW (KYLE) TUCKER, (YORDAN) ALVAREZ. I THINK THAT’S WHY WE’RE A REALLY GOOD TEAM. IT’S A SPECIAL MIX.” — ASTROS CENTER FIELDER CHAS MCCORMICK

Houston’s seven, eight and nine hitters (Mancini, Vazquez, McCormick) account for all five RBI in this 5-0 Game 3 win. New York is a city that celebrates stars like no other. And the Astros come into the Yankees’ home and show them the relentless overwhelming power of a complete team.

“I mean, they’re really good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone says of the Astros.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

“It’s really tough obviously,” Altuve says of being 6-0 in these playoffs. “But that’s our goal. Our whole mentality is to go out there and not think about anything else but to win.”

Mancini’s trained himself to do that. With his team, he really didn’t have a choice. There’s no moping around allowed in this Astros clubhouse. So even as he struggled through a nightmarish September and his own now 0 for 8 playoff start (albeit with that big sac fly), Mancini kept reminding himself to stay in the moment. To enjoy being part of this special team.

“Rather than have any self pity and feeling sorry for myself, every at-bat and game from here on out is going to be the biggest at-bat and game that I’ve played in my life,” Mancini says. “I’d be remiss not to just wash everything in the past and put my best foot forward.

“And try and help this team win a World Series. It felt really good to contribute tonight.”

Chas McCormick and Embracing the Joy of Baseball

That’s what these Astros do, find ways to make everyone feel involved, celebrate everyone’s success not just the stars’, provide a place where the collective comes before any individual.

“It starts at the top,” Verlander says. “It starts with the guys who have been here for a while and know the culture, the established culture of this organization. You don’t make it to the ALCS six years in a row without having a little bit of that fire in you to come in every single day and not take a single day off.

“And that carries down.”

It even hits the lowest-paid guys on the roster. The Chas McCormicks of the world. The guy from Division II Millersville University who really isn’t even supposed to be here.

The Astros are all smiles with Jose Altuve loving every minute of it after another big win at Yankees Stadium. (@Astros)

McCormick’s Yankee home run only travels 335 feet, but its damage is immeasurable. Cole and the Yankees are suddenly already reeling in the second inning. Before anyone watching at home even has a chance to be annoyed by one of those TBS promos.

That home run is not just a damage maker though, It’s a magic maker. For McCormick and the entire crew that comes out to see him (Chas estimates he has good 13 family members and super close friends at the game).

“Just to see my dad, my mom, my girlfriend,” McCormick says.

It’s going to be a good night in New York for the McCormicks. Another Astros night in Yankee Stadium. Go ahead and share that moment. It’s better that way.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

 

[tx 3 putt 76,396]

3 hours ago, Scraps said:

Lmao at this caller on Matt Thomas show who sounds 70

"We didn't even have Brantley out there, so next year when we have Brantley out there and Yordan DHing.

Also we gonna lose the DH when we go to Philly cause its a NL Park, so I hope our pitchers have been working on bunting. NL game is different cause they hit and run and run and hit....rabble rabble"

Finally Ross jumps in to break the news to this.dude that there is a universal DH and caller is like "oh there is? Well I am old and behind the times" Matt is like yeah we gonna let you go

that douche was calling in with the Klan hood on. That racist fuck had been waiting to call in about that all season

[tx 3 putt 76,396]

FYI, HPD is handing out parking tickets left and right around the Astros Team Store 

[txduck87 982]

Sorry if already posted, but I found this going down a rabbit hole sort of and it is a pretty nice piece regarding Chas
https://www.papercitymag.com/culture/chas-mccormick-home-run-family-moment-makes-perfect-playoffs-possible-astros-javier/
 

NEW YORK — As Chas McCormick rounds second base and heads for third, floating on another unexpected playoff high, he points towards where his family is sitting in the stands. McCormick wants his mom and dad, his twin brother Jason and his girlfriend to feel like part of this too. Because what the Houston Astros are doing in these playoffs is beyond rare.

Something to be treasured. Something to be shared. And because it’s Chas, something to have fun with.

“It means a lot, man” McCormick says when I ask him about having his family in Yankee Stadium, watching this Northeast kid have a big moment. “I know where they’re

sitting. When it gets close to home — New York, Philly, Baltimore — a lot of them show up.

“And being able to hit a home run off Gerrit Cole and knowing they’re there. . .”

McCormick stops and grins, just letting the thought hand there. Sometimes there are no words. Even for someone who talks as much as Chas McCormick. Yankees fans have run out of words to describe what is happening in this American League Championship Series too — for a whole different type of reason. They even forget to boo Jose Altuve when he comes up to bat in the top of the ninth inning.

That’s right, there is Altuve, the man cast as the No. 1 villain for so long in New York, swinging in silence in the house that replaced The House That Ruth Built. If that does not encapsulate just how dominant the Astros’ 5-0 Game 3 win and 3-0 series lead are, nothing will.

Yankees fans even lost the will to hate Jose Altuve by the ninth inning of this Saturday night in the Bronx.

That is a new level of Astros high. The team that’s playing to become a dynasty is more than halfway to a perfect postseason now. These Astros are 6-0 in the playoffs and the idea of them becoming the first team to go 11-0 in the postseason doesn’t seem so farfetched anymore. Since Major League Baseball expanded to a third round of the playoffs in 1995, the 1999 Yankees and the 2005 White Sox share the record for the most dominant run ever with matching 11-1 sprints to the title.

The Astros still have some significant work to do to reach those lofty heights, but this is a team that’s come together in every way. Jim Crane’s franchise hasn’t possessed this seemingly perfect mix of young enthusiasm and veteran know how, hungry new players and proven veteran winners, since that 2017 squad that won Houston’s only baseball championship.

Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yuli Gurriel, Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. are still around, showing everyone new who comes into this clubhouse the Astros’ way. But in many ways, it’s the younger Astros generation — the next few waves that followed those remaining Core Astros — who are charging this October of dominance.

“We have some young guys who are really starting to thrive a little bit,” McCormick says. “Framber (Valdez), Luis (Garcia), Cristian (Javier), you know (Kyle) Tucker, (Yordan) Alvarez. I think that’s why we’re a really good team.

“It’s a special mix.”

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

“YOU DON’T MAKE IT TO THE ALCS SIX YEARS IN A ROW WITHOUT HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT FIRE IN YOU TO COME IN EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NOT TAKE A SINGLE DAY OFF.” — JUSTIN VERLANDER

The young Astros are certainly bringing the fun and more outright joy to the winning. McCormick is a firecracker come to life, always eager to bring some sparkle. And sometimes some downright comic relief.

This former Division II college baseball player and 21st round draft pick is the one who jokes to foundational Astros star Jose Altuve, a former American League MVP, that Altuve should keep the baseball for “his first hit.” That would be the double that finally broke Altuve’s 0 for 25 start to this postseason.

Of course, Altuve already has plenty of big playoff hits in his career, including 23 postseason home runs. So yeah, about McCormick’s “first hit” souvenir baseball crack. . .

“He’s kind of funny sometimes,” Altuve deadpans when someone asks about McCormick’s dugout remark.

That’s the thing. These Astros veterans almost seem to get as much from these young Astros as they give them. Guys like Altuve and Verlander are getting a real kick out of seeing this next Astros wave react with such joy to every moment.

Like McCormick drilling a 98 MPH Gerrit Cole fastball into Yankee Stadium’s short right porch, jolting the Astros to an early 2-0 lead that the Yankees will never recover from. And triggering a whole fresh new round of Chas Chomp celebrations in the dugout.

McCormick is one of lowest paid Astros, making right around the MLB minimum of $700,000. Twenty-first round picks don’t get big contracts or signing bonuses. But McCormick’s enthusiasm is priceless.

“He always brings that energy,” Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña tells PaperCity about McCormick. “He brings that good vibe and sense that something is going to happen. You need that.”

These Astros need 25-year-old Cristian Javier’s electric stuff too. Making his very first playoff start, in Yankee Stadium with all those pregamed up Yankees fans just dying to erupt, Javier once again leaves Aaron Judge and Co. absolutely baffled.

“Javy’s been incredible for us,” Justin Verlander, the Astros ageless ace, says. “It’s wonderful for him to go out there and do it on the big stage.

“. . . To be a starter here on the mound at Yankee Stadium and go out and do what he did, he put his name on the map. He’s been there for us all season long. He’s been one of our best arms. That’s saying a lot. We’ve got a lot of good arms. . . He was ready for this stage — and he showed it.”

Cristian Javier proved to be more than up for the big Yankee Stadium stage. (@Astros)

Javier easily out pitches $324 million man Gerrit Cole, giving up just one hit and three walks in his five and one third innings. Judge takes such a hesitant swing while striking out on a 81 MPH Javier slider in the fourth inning that you have to half wonder if sorcery is involved.

It turns out there is — a little Framber advice wizardry. Javier and Valdez, the Astros’ 28-year-old second ace, spend the flight to New York talking in Spanish about the Yankees lineup and the best way to attack it.

“Just things that he saw in the hitters and different things like that,” Javier says of the plane powwow.

The Yankees probably wish that flight was much shorter. For even before Judge and friends ran back into Javier, the man who threw that seven inning, 13 strikeout, no hit masterpiece in the Bronx in June, they struggled to score in this ALCS.

Now, they’re up to 41 strikeouts in three games. Even the 40-year-old virgin scored at a higher rate than this.

The Complete and Fun Astros

These 2022 Astros are just keep coming at you in waves, as a complete team, making a perfect postseason seem possible.

“I think that tells you a lot about the team we are,” Altuve says. “Today, was (catcher) Christian (Vazquez), Chas and Trey Mancini. (In Game 2), it was Breggy with the big homer. A couple of nights ago (against Seattle), it was Alvarez with the homer. Yuli.

“It seems like every night it’s a different guy. That tells you how good this lineup can be.”

Cole is driven crazy by the collective discipline of an Astros lineup that just keeps stacking good at-bats on top of good at-bats. After Bregman laces a double into left field to lead off the  sixth inning, it’s a Kyle Tucker walk and a little Yuli Gurriel flare single into right that knocks Cole from the game.

Lou Trivino, the Yankees reliever charged with cleaning up Cole’s bases-loaded mess, is equally small ball frustrated.

Mancini works the count to 2-2 and hits the sixth pitch he sees deep into the outfield for an easy sacrifice fly. Vazquez follows by dumping the first pitch he sees into left field for a two run single. Astros general manager James Click’s two big trade deadline acquisitions will both come through in this 5-0 victory. In a very Astros way.

“WE HAVE SOME YOUNG GUYS WHO ARE REALLY STARTING TO THRIVE A LITTLE BIT. FRAMBER (VALDEZ), LUIS (GARCIA), CRISTIAN (JAVIER), YOU KNOW (KYLE) TUCKER, (YORDAN) ALVAREZ. I THINK THAT’S WHY WE’RE A REALLY GOOD TEAM. IT’S A SPECIAL MIX.” — ASTROS CENTER FIELDER CHAS MCCORMICK

Houston’s seven, eight and nine hitters (Mancini, Vazquez, McCormick) account for all five RBI in this 5-0 Game 3 win. New York is a city that celebrates stars like no other. And the Astros come into the Yankees’ home and show them the relentless overwhelming power of a complete team.

“I mean, they’re really good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone says of the Astros.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

“It’s really tough obviously,” Altuve says of being 6-0 in these playoffs. “But that’s our goal. Our whole mentality is to go out there and not think about anything else but to win.”

Mancini’s trained himself to do that. With his team, he really didn’t have a choice. There’s no moping around allowed in this Astros clubhouse. So even as he struggled through a nightmarish September and his own now 0 for 8 playoff start (albeit with that big sac fly), Mancini kept reminding himself to stay in the moment. To enjoy being part of this special team.

“Rather than have any self pity and feeling sorry for myself, every at-bat and game from here on out is going to be the biggest at-bat and game that I’ve played in my life,” Mancini says. “I’d be remiss not to just wash everything in the past and put my best foot forward.

“And try and help this team win a World Series. It felt really good to contribute tonight.”

Chas McCormick and Embracing the Joy of Baseball

That’s what these Astros do, find ways to make everyone feel involved, celebrate everyone’s success not just the stars’, provide a place where the collective comes before any individual.

“It starts at the top,” Verlander says. “It starts with the guys who have been here for a while and know the culture, the established culture of this organization. You don’t make it to the ALCS six years in a row without having a little bit of that fire in you to come in every single day and not take a single day off.

“And that carries down.”

It even hits the lowest-paid guys on the roster. The Chas McCormicks of the world. The guy from Division II Millersville University who really isn’t even supposed to be here.

The Astros are all smiles with Jose Altuve loving every minute of it after another big win at Yankees Stadium. (@Astros)

McCormick’s Yankee home run only travels 335 feet, but its damage is immeasurable. Cole and the Yankees are suddenly already reeling in the second inning. Before anyone watching at home even has a chance to be annoyed by one of those TBS promos.

That home run is not just a damage maker though, It’s a magic maker. For McCormick and the entire crew that comes out to see him (Chas estimates he has good 13 family members and super close friends at the game).

“Just to see my dad, my mom, my girlfriend,” McCormick says.

It’s going to be a good night in New York for the McCormicks. Another Astros night in Yankee Stadium. Go ahead and share that moment. It’s better that way.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not

[txduck87 982]

Houston’s seven, eight and nine hitters (Mancini, Vazquez, McCormick) account for all five RBI in this 5-0 Game 3 win. New York is a city that celebrates stars like no other. And the Astros come into the Yankees’ home and show them the relentless overwhelming power of a complete team.

“I mean, they’re really good,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone says of the Astros.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not satisfied.

“It’s really tough obviously,” Altuve says of being 6-0 in these playoffs. “But that’s our goal. Our whole mentality is to go out there and not think about anything else but to win.”

Mancini’s trained himself to do that. With his team, he really didn’t have a choice. There’s no moping around allowed in this Astros clubhouse. So even as he struggled through a nightmarish September and his own now 0 for 8 playoff start (albeit with that big sac fly), Mancini kept reminding himself to stay in the moment. To enjoy being part of this special team.

“Rather than have any self pity and feeling sorry for myself, every at-bat and game from here on out is going to be the biggest at-bat and game that I’ve played in my life,” Mancini says. “I’d be remiss not to just wash everything in the past and put my best foot forward.

“And try and help this team win a World Series. It felt really good to contribute tonight.”

Chas McCormick and Embracing the Joy of Baseball

That’s what these Astros do, find ways to make everyone feel involved, celebrate everyone’s success not just the stars’, provide a place where the collective comes before any individual.

“It starts at the top,” Verlander says. “It starts with the guys who have been here for a while and know the culture, the established culture of this organization. You don’t make it to the ALCS six years in a row without having a little bit of that fire in you to come in every single day and not take a single day off.

“And that carries down.”

It even hits the lowest-paid guys on the roster. The Chas McCormicks of the world. The guy from Division II Millersville University who really isn’t even supposed to be here.

The Astros are all smiles with Jose Altuve loving every minute of it after another big win at Yankees Stadium. (@Astros)

McCormick’s Yankee home run only travels 335 feet, but its damage is immeasurable. Cole and the Yankees are suddenly already reeling in the second inning. Before anyone watching at home even has a chance to be annoyed by one of those TBS promos.

That home run is not just a damage maker though, It’s a magic maker. For McCormick and the entire crew that comes out to see him (Chas estimates he has good 13 family members and super close friends at the game).

“Just to see my dad, my mom, my girlfriend,” McCormick says.

It’s going to be a good night in New York for the McCormicks. Another Astros night in Yankee Stadium. Go ahead and share that moment. It’s better that way.

6-0 — and looking for more. Perfect. But not

It moved. And more than just a little. Great write-up.

Stros fan since 1977. Man I love this team. Go Stros. Finish the job.

[runthebone 7,932]

Ok, but we don't all have to quote it

[Scraps 13,542]

that douche was calling in with the Klan hood on. That racist fuck had been waiting to call in about that all season

Wut

[tx 3 putt 76,396]

Just now, Scraps said:

44 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

that douche was calling in with the Klan hood on. That racist fuck had been waiting to call in about that all season

Wut

 

he mentioned if dusty could 'handle' complicated double swaps, right before they cut him off 

[Gut Wagon 8,052]

I was there to see it happen in 1980. It was just as excruciating as you'd imagine. Worse than '86. Some details of course have faded, but the pain remains. 

[Scraps 13,542]

 
he mentioned if dusty could 'handle' complicated double swaps, right before they cut him off 

Meh

[henrygandorf 29,177]

has nobody posted this yet?!

 

[Scraps 13,542]

Supposedly tweeted and deleted....regardless if true or not this is funny as hell since jomboy trying to make money on stros gear

[IDIOTsavant 8,449]

Probably the wrong group to ask as everyone here is going if they have tickets, but my brother-in-law is looking to two tickets to the World Series for his father-in-law. If any season ticket holder here is looking to sell a game, let me know.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19,093]

Well, good thing Astros won last night.  It’s been raining all damned day.

[CycleTex87 2,954]

Man I was there at the last game in the Dome against the Dodgers in the NLDS in 1999 and saw Walt Weiss snag a sure base hit to end the game.  2017 was an absolute joy and we need that again. 1-4 in World Series just won’t cut it.  I’m here to fight every day and do whatever I can to help the team win this thing.  We still got work to do.  Who’s with me?

[AugieBall 233]

6 minutes ago, CycleTex87 said:

Man I was there at the last game in the Dome against the Dodgers in the NLDS in 1999 and saw Walt Weiss snag a sure base hit to end the game.  2017 was an absolute joy and we need that again. 1-4 in World Series just won’t cut it.  I’m here to fight every day and do whatever I can to help the team win this thing.  We still got work to do.  Who’s with me?

You might have been there in 1999, but it doesn't sound like you remember it too well.  

[formermav43 4,599]

11 minutes ago, CycleTex87 said:

Man I was there at the last game in the Dome against the Dodgers in the NLDS in 1999 and saw Walt Weiss snag a sure base hit to end the game.  2017 was an absolute joy and we need that again. 1-4 in World Series just won’t cut it.  I’m here to fight every day and do whatever I can to help the team win this thing.  We still got work to do.  Who’s with me?

That was the Braves.

[Pimphand 5,597]

10 minutes ago, formermav43 said:

That was the Braves.

Yeah 1997, 1999, & 2001. We got them back with 2004 & 2005 but still 2021 brings the rage back.

[IDIOTsavant 8,449]

My God what the Ump Scorecards would’ve looked like for the games those 90s Braves pitched.

[TexArcher 37,519]

I was there when the Astros lost to the Packers back in '92.  That was some bullshit.

[IDIOTsavant 8,449]

2 minutes ago, TexArcher said:

I was there when the Astros lost to the Packers back in '92.  That was some bullshit.

Really? Sounds like some good shit.

[Pimphand 5,597]

Who the 'Stros owe the most revenge to (-2)
2-4 ATL 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, & 2005 NLDS & 2021 WS

Next up on the revenge scale (-1)
0-1 WAS 2019 WS
0-1 PHI 1980 NLCS
0-1 NYM 1986 NLCS
0-1 SDP 1998 NLDS
0-1 KCR 2015 ALDS

The teams we still need to beat for good measure (0)
1-1 CHW 2005 WS & 2021 ALDS
1-1 TPA 2019 ALDS & 2020 ALCS
1-1 STL 2004 & 2005 NLCS
1-1 LAD 1981 NLDS & 2017 WS

The teams Stros have a mostly positive postseason record against (+1)
2-1 BOS 2017 ALDS, 2018 & 2021 ALCS
1-0 CLE 2018 ALDS
1-0 OAK 2020 ALDS
1-0 SEA 2022 ALDS
1-0 MIN 2020 WC

Has anyone seen Houston's bitch? (+4)
4-0 NYY 2015 WC & 2017, 2019, & 2022 ALCS

[henrygandorf 29,177]

i don't really give a shit about the texans, and why would i, but the timing of the texans-eagles game is quite interesting.

[runthebone 7,932]

Fuck the '86 Mets, that shit counts quadruple.

[WBT 20,422]

3 hours ago, runthebone said:

Ok, but we don't all have to quote it

too long; Dusty didn't read

Spoiler

because he hates Chas

 

[Saint Tacky 1,610]

Found my program from the 1980 NLCS and ticket stub from Game Five.

[Telegraph_it 3,354]

I got tickets for Saturday. Is section 120 good? 

[tx 3 putt 76,396]

tickets prices have jumped a lot this evening. ive been eyeballing 106 / 107, $750 yesterday, $1500 today 

[CycleTex87 2,954]

1 hour ago, formermav43 said:

That was the Braves.

 

1 hour ago, AugieBall said:

You might have been there in 1999, but it doesn't sound like you remember it too well.  

Huh, I guess it was the Braves. Been some water under the bridge since then.  Still was Walt Weiss with the final out. Don’t know why I vividly remember the Dodgers. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by CycleTex87

[tx 3 putt 76,396]