Oh Lord, You owe us one (actually you owe us a lot)

There are probably a lot of fans, who DVR’d today’s playoff game between the Astros and the Royals. Probably all of those recordings will be deleted unwatched.

This was a game that the Astros were leading 6-2 going into the eighth inning. This was a game that was going to escort them comfortably into the ALCS and perhaps the World Series. This was a game that died a slow painful death for Astros’ fans just like so many times before as the bullpen suffered a Chernobyl meltdown with the help of a fielding error by their young star Carlos Correa and gave up 7 runs in the last 2 innings.

Lord – you owe us. A lot. Think about all we have been through over the years.

1962 – 1979

The Astros went forever before tasting the post-season. While our fellow expansion team, the Mets went to 2 World Series, winning one in 1969, Amazing style, our home team made stumbling an art form. Only 3 seasons above .500 in those first 18 seasons and no post season appearances. Yuck.

1980 – 1986

These seasons featured 3 post-season appearances and so much angst, it burns the insides of Astro fans to this day.

They met the Phillies in 1980 for the right to go on to the World Series (which the Phillies won that season). After losing the first game in a best of 5 series, the Astros won two straight extra inning games to be one win short of the series. Game 4 they held a 2-0 lead in the 8th, gave up 3 runs in the 8th, came back to tie it in the 9th and lost in 10 innings. In Game 5 with Nolan Ryan on the mound they held a 5-2 lead going into the 8th, gave up 5 runs in the 8th (sound familiar), came back to tie it in the 8th and lost it in the 10th. That is the first time I ever cried about a baseball game and the heck with Tom Hanks.

In 1981, a work stoppage caused there to be a first half vs second half champion series and the Astros took a 2-0 lead in the series against the Dodgers before losing 3 in a row to go home.

1986 is almost as painful to Astro fans as to Bill Buckner. The Astros played the Mets and the difference maker was Mike Scott and his spit finger – oops split finger fastball. Game 6 was a classic for the ages, but don’t forget the Astros blew a 5-4 lead in the 9th to lose game 3 and fell 2-1 in 12 innings in game 5. In game 6 they held a 3-0 lead going into the 9th with Mike Scott ready to wipe the floor with the Mets in the wings for game 7. And of course they lost the lead in the 9th and eventually the game in the 16th inning.

1987 – 1996

They were not terrible, but they had a decade drought without the playoffs.

1997 – 2005

Yes, this was the golden age for the Astros. They sported six playoff appearances in nine seasons, but no ring. They suffered four straight first round losses, including the 1998 Randy Johnson led team that just could not hit and only scored 3 runs total in their 3 losses.

In 2004, they finally (after 43 seasons) won their first playoff series, but it was just a tease. They came back from 2 games down to take a 3-2 lead in the NLCS against the Cards and then one win away from the World Series they lost a heart breaker in 12 innings in the 6th game and then watched Roger Clemens falter in the 7th game.

In 2005, they did great things just to make the playoffs after a horrendous start. They had a magnificent 18 inning win against the Braves to make the NLCS against the Cards and seemed ready to roll into the World Series with Roy Oswalt as the Game 1 starter, but….. Albert Pujols highlighted another bullpen failure and the Astros had to use Roy O to get to the WS not to start it. In the World Series, the bullpen led by Brad Lidge lost 3 of the 4 games and it was a sad sweep by the White Sox.

Which leads us to today’s game. What can be said? Paraphrasing the old country song – these losses by the bullpen are a family tradition.

Can they come back on Wednesday? This is the most resilient team most of us have ever seen. But at some point Cinderella’s carriage turns back into the pumpkin and the fear is that time is about to come.

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178 responses to “Oh Lord, You owe us one (actually you owe us a lot)”

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    • On your Hamels comment. The cameras kept focusing on him and his expression didn’t change. He could have been up three runs instead of being down by three. I think it spoke volumes for him. Even after the game was over it didn’t change.

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      • Saw him in the dugout….but would you want to face him after committing 3 errors behind him?? I sure wouldnt.

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    • I would rather dip myself in honey and slalom face first into a fire ant mound than be a Rangers fan. I would rather scratch my back with a cheese grater than be a Rangers fan. I’d rather cheer for the Cowb…uh….nah, not that bad lol.

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  14. Well it would have been nice if the ump had called strike 3 on the pitch before the HR.
    I guess Fiers and Keuchel are better starters than relievers.

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  18. That does it for us. This was a magical, wonderful, agonizing, frustrating, crazy season, and it only made these guys hungry for next year! We will be back next year with a much improved team ready to take it all!! They played a clean game, and the bottom line was…..the Royals were a better team. I’m giving our guys a standing ovation, they deserve it!! Springer jersey? It will go back to my closet until next season. Good season everbody!

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  19. Couldn’t get any hits after the second so the writing was on the wall. Nothing to be ashamed of. We weren’t supposed to be here and it’s a tribute to these guys. They played hard and always felt lie they would be winners. In a way they are. Over the off season we can address the issues that are needed for improvement and come back next year. I’m proud of all of them.

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  21. Well, now I have to keep my fingers crossed Luhnow doesn’t trade my favorite players the next four months. Since the baseball season is over, how long until pitchers and catchers report?

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  24. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!! We are witnessing the birth of the next GREAT team folks! This team is destined for greatness!! All you have to do is look into the eyes of Carlos Correa, and you will see how dominate the Astros will be for a looong time.
    I’m not angry, I’m just so glad I was there for every pitch, and every ball hit outta the park! Some will go back to the game our bullpen gave it away, but I will look back on a wonderful young talented team. Cheer up…..at least we didn’t lose the way the Arlington team did. Now crown our shiny new short stop the AL roy, and our ace the AL CY young!!

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    • Becky, I wish I could join you right now but I can’t. I don’t think the bullpen gave away game 4, I think the stubbornness on the brass gave it away. If you don’t have faith in a reliever or two, then keep Valasquez on the roster. If Marwin and Jed are hunt, keep Duffy on the roster. I am a firm believer in that you don’t strike the King.

      The Cubs advanced by throwing away “the book” and playing to eliminate the Cards. Poor decisions made a game 5 necessary.

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    • Becky, most will remember it as a collapse, but the Royals earned it. Four straight singles to start the inning after giving up those gut-punch, back to back HR is pretty special.

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  25. Can’t win a playoff game with two hits. Hopefully with some roster changes for a little more contact and some maturity where everybody doesn’t swing for the fences and we will have Baseball closer to November next year. But a great year and totally unexpected! Lots of positive to take into the offseason. My favorite is that young man Carlos Correa.

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  26. I have to shake my head at my own anger and disgust..how quick we all get spoiled (counting myself, obviously)! We’ve been bad for so long, and have a year like this, and I’m this upset?

    I need to go sit down somewhere. Guess I’m just trippin’, as the kids say.

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  27. Billy…..just think about how those guys in the visiting clubhouse feel. I choose to feel blessed to be alive to see these guys improve DRAMATICALLY over where they have been! We have sooo much talent just waiting to hear their names called. I’m sad, but not as sad as those fellas we have rooted for all year are.

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    • Very true. For us to have come this far and fall short is heartbreaking, but to even get here considering the past several years is amazing, and something to be proud of.

      Honestly, you know what hurts the most? Knowing Bopert is going to come on here with his ‘I told you so’ B.S.

      We have the nucleus of a great team here…no sweeping changes need to be made, just fine tuning.

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  28. They just showed a snippet from an AJ Hinch pressed, he was on the verge of tears. This really hurt him. He cared a lot about these kids and he looked a little haunted about how some of his decisions played out.

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      • Altuve WAS crying…..and it pissed me off for the media to get in their faces and ask idiotic questions. Keuchel said ” I wasn’t good enough”…..ARE YOU KIDDING G ME!
        They are ALL hurting, and the media needs to take a hike.

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  31. I’ve said it since the Blue Jays went out and bought their team……..they are the BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL. They bought their team, pure and simple….but they paid a mighty big price to do so.

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  32. Becky you nailed the exact reason why the Astros –,replete with young, cheap superstars galore — are destined to ongoing suckiness. I just don’t see HOW this franchise can truly compete year-over-year without a competitive payroll.

    It was fun watching the kids develop this year. I’ll give you that much.

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    • Your drivel doesn’t bother me one tiny bit bopert. If all you want to do is get folks riled up……you’ve come to the wrong blog. We aren’t taking your bait. Thanks!

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    • What a surprise…you don’t post just about all year (and don’t feed us that bullsh*t about being ‘banned) , and come back only when you *think* you have your point proven.

      What did you predict for this season again?

      That’s what I thought.

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  33. I had a wonderful year following the Astros and being with all of you.
    I am so proud of the way the team played and the winning they displayed.
    For me, the 2016 season starts tomorrow. God willing, we will all be here to talk about it.

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    • I love baseball and I love the Astros. It is a 365 day a year sport for me. Sure, I will watch and root for the Rockets, but nothing compares to my love of the greatest game in the world, baseball. I already have reserved my condo in Kissimmee next March and can’t wait for the start of spring training. Now, let’s get ready for the Astros Hot Stove League. It will be interesting to see what changes are made.

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  34. As many said above a great season, beyond our expectations, and a really good bunch right here to share it all with. A lot to be thankful for, despite our collective disappointment. On to 2016 and our discussions on how to make this a better team. And like Tim, my older son and I will make our annual ST trip to see the Astros and Bucs.

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  35. I love the family atmosphere around here.
    Even bopert and the dysfunctional part of the family. lol
    You folks make this fun and interesting. If a blog post falls in the forest and nobody reads it…. well you get the idea.

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    • Bo’s a good guy. I know deep down he still loves the Astros and wants them to succeed. I think he still feels betrayed and places all the blame on Crane. I think his predictions are really his fears.
      Sometimes seeing things from another perspective is a good thing.

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  36. Bob Seger’s Possible Ode to the Astros 2015 season [emphasis by Mr. Bill]:

    Stood alone on a mountaintop starin’ out at the Great Divide.
    I could go east – I could go west – it was all up to me to decide.
    Just then I saw a young hawk flyin’ and my soul began to rise.
    And pretty soon my heart was singin’
    Roll me away I’m gonna roll me away tonight.
    Gotta keep rollin’, gotta keep ridin’, keep searchin’ til I find what’s right.
    And as the sunset faded I spoke to the faintest first starlight
    I said NEXT TIME. NEXT TIME . . . we’ll get it RIGHT!

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  38. My ambivalence is raging this AM. Being an Astros fan for their first 20 years and then moving to Arlington for the next 20, both teams lost. It did not hurt as much in 2005, because it never came down to one pitch or one inning that needed to be erased. It did not hurt when Nelson Cruz misjudged the winning out in the WS but I was back following the Astros. Not to be morbid, but the Astros (or even the Rangers) winning the WS is not on my bucket list, but father time is not on my side. And finally, I would like to punch Bopert. Not because he is wrong, but because I fear he might be right.

    I feel that “upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat.” But we cling to “that hope which springs eternal in the human breast.”

    So on to ST as we put together the “Champions” a year early in 2016.

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    • Fine post, AC45. And though I don’t know Bopert, I suspect your comment regarding him is just about right. Sandy’s and Dan’s nod to him too.

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  39. I just wanted to thank everyone for all the posts and opinions this fun season that we have spent together, I don’t post very often but I am a daily visitor and really enjoy reading all the different opinions. I have learned a lot from y’all.
    I have been an Astros fan for as long as I can remember, I was born just outside of Houston back in the summer of 86.
    Oh by the way, thanks to everyone for making me feel young.

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