>>>>Yet no moment sticks out to me more than the one on August 27th 2004, Wrigley Field. Kerry Wood took on Oswalt, but it will be remembered as Michael Barrett- Oswalt, round two in the bean war saga. Five days earlier, as most Astros' fans will remember, at Minute Maid Park, Oswalt plunked Barrett after giving up a 3-run shot to Aramis Ramirez. Barrett saw it as retaliation and home plate umpire Bill Hohn concured, tossing the Astros' ace (a lovely piece of symmetry here, as guess who tossed Oswalt in that start against the Nats two weeks back? You guessed it, Bill Hohn).* In the rematch at Wrigley Field every time Oswalt stepped up to the plate, Barrett stepped up his verbal assault, taunting the young right hander all through his at-bats. Not allowing himself to be provoked, Oswalt kept his composure and ignored the onslaught. Barrett continued as, having been plunked by Kent Mercker, the catcher followed the pitcher down the first base line as he took his base, so he could yell at him some more.* It was a beautiful moment. While C.B. Bucknor waved the angry catcher away, Oswalt merely peered at him from below his batting helmet, and grinned, and why shouldn't he? He had got inside Barrett's head.*
Great memories! 2 days later Dan Wheeler - in one of his first appearances for the 'stros, IIRC - plucked Derrick Lee to get back at the Cubs for plunking Beltran and Berkman. What a great 2-year run; can't wait for the good times to return to H-town!
Probably going to go down as an all-time "what could have been" especially if he keeps getting snubbed for the HoF. Two or three more healthy years could have put Bagwell into no doubt HoF category: 500+ doubles, 500+ homers, and getting close to 3,000 hits (assuming he averaged around 150 hits/year from 2005-2008). I know we shouldn't place these guys on pedestals, but it is really sad to hear about some of the demons that have surfaced in whispers here recently around Baggy.
A more accurate description would be that voters would become aware of this. The voters who don't think he is numbers worthy just didn't pay attention.
He is in my book as well, just a darn shame that he's stuck in neutral with the lame national media with respect to the HoF vote.
I was at the ceremony and was so damn disappointed in the turnout. Lance ended his speech with, "these current astro players dont know how loud this building and city can get, so lets let them hear how these rafters can rattle." That was followed by a 50 decibal applause that lasted 30 seconds. Man, those guys deserved such a better sendoff than they got. Half the damn stadium was empty. Granted, I know that most are but it wasnt supposed to be on that day.
Agreed, but your post leaves me confused though. I dont know if you agreed or disagreed with my sentiment.
I agreed with your sentiment that Berkman and Oswalt deserve better but disagreed that you should expect more from the crowd by adding to your comment that because the current team is so crappy that we shouldn't expect a large boisterous crowd.
I know what you mean but I didnt expect more from THAT crowd. I expected MORE of A crowd that shouldve been there. Fans of the last decade remember what those two guys meant to this city and organization and should have showed up and supported them even if it indirectly supports the current owner and the product he puts out, directly, if that made any sense.
