Sorry to see you go Big Toe

It's been a helluva ride the last 5 + years and we wish you, kind of, well on your next endeavor.  Nothing but love for you and the instant stability, credibility and mentorship you brought to the Astros pitching staff.  You were the Big Toe we needed.  You showed what it took to be at the top and I can't help but think it carried over to the others on the staff.  You were a throwback to another time.  You achieved much more as an Astro than our legend Nolan Ryan, but you do remind me of him at times when you got into a little trouble.  Couple of runners on, maybe even the bases loaded, and then you battle and battle until you get out of the inning with not even a scratch sometimes.  Your regular season utter dominance helped paved the way to postseason glory.  

If it's about the bag, then so be it.  You're entitled, but we know others have left and not found the MLB postseason their own personal playground like the organization you just left.  Things may look up in NYC, but the Astros are the only team that provides you with the best chance year after year to fulfill all your postseason hopes and dreams.  

And like I said, the seeds of your example over the years have now provided a plentiful bounty of Big Toe pitchers in Framber, McCullers and Javier.  Combine them with our other salty starters in Urquidy, Garcia and Brown and the best bullpen in baseball, and I like our chances.  With the Mets, nothing is guaranteed. 

Big Monday In Houston Sports

 

There's still plenty to talk about in November around Houston even when your NFL team is in rebuilding mode.   The University of Houston Cougars basketball team has ascended back to #1 in the nation and the Astros made a big time addition to their lineup with the Jose Abreu free agent signing.

Let's start with Coogs.  Not since 1983 have they been #1 in the nation.  The basketball defensive genius, Kelvin Sampson, has been steadily building the program since 2014 with trips to the Sweet Sixteen in 2019, Final Four in 2021 and Elite 8 in 2022 (two key players out with injuries).  We've been waiting for almost 40 years for this return to dominance.  Tell your momma and your poppa about the Phi Slamma Jamma.   

As for the Astros, they are set to go 7 deep in the lineup again with the acquisition of Abreu.  Dude hit .304 with an OPS of .824 last season.  He had 15 dingers and 40 doubles.  I'd prefer Yuli to stay as our Utility guy over Aledmys Diaz, and if you re-sign Brantley too, this lineup will be one of the most feared again.  Combine that with the most feared pitching staff and the Astros are set to go chase down another World Series title.  

Good day sir.

Let it be said and not questioned: The Astros are the best in baseball again

 

Congratulations to our 2022 Astros for the many fantastic memories that come with their World Series championship.  They played like the best team in baseball every time the stakes were raised all throughout the year.  As much as us locals want 2022 to be a vindication for the 2017 asterisk, this was really about unfinished business from last year for this team.  It was finishing the job, and they did so in convincing fashion.  Of course there were new faces that did plenty of damage, and the future looks bright with a good blend of youth and veterans in the lineup and a dominant pitching staff.