NO MORE O FOR!

Finally!

I was nervous to sit down and watch tonight but I am thankful I did. I am an Astro fan. That will never change. However history changed tonight for the Astros. No longer can they say O for 7, O for 8 or O for whatever. A playoff series has been won. Won by a team that never gave up on their season even though most everyone else did. The most die hard of Astro fans have to admit tonight that in the middle of the season our hopes were slim. I was already feeling bad thinking it might be the last year of Biggio and Bagwell leading the charge. If it is well what a charge they led.

The main reason is team. They had a lot of guys out there who rose to the occasion and produced when needed. Regulars like Berkman and Kent and Ausmus. The newcomer Beltran who was stellar. Vizcaino stepped in when Everett went down. Ensberg held down third. Guys like Lane, Palmerio, Lamb, Chavez and Bruntlett all took their roles on with focus and dedication. All the men who pitched made things happen, even those with such limited big league experience when injury took down the likes of Pettitte and Miller. An amazing run that has reached the platform of best Astro season ever. Looking at the results that is how you have to look at it. No disrespect to the teams of 80 or 86. Nor to the teams of late nineties. Winning a post season series takes you there. It is great to see the Astros as a team get themselves there, especially when it would have been easy to falter in game 5 in Atlanta.

The key to me was, besides their mental state tonight, was the following. First getting out of the sixth with no hits and no runs after the disasterous 3 run sixth inning homerun last night. Secondly being able to mount more pressure right away by getting 4 more runs with two outs in the top of the seventh. Truly the key to their success this series was the number of 2 out runs scored. The Astros did it much better than the Braves. Third and finally was getting that double play in the bottom of the seventh. After they turned that I knew I could not celebrate yet with six more outs to go, but deep down I felt it was over. The Astros had finally knocked Donkey Kong off their back and would not let him get back off the ground. Sweetness.

The main reason I am happy tonight is to see two quality men who have approached the game with such respect and work ethic finally earn, I emphasize EARN their due. Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell both mentioned quickly in their post game interviews "the team" and that this "team worked together". This is so true and so clearly defines their respect and admiration for their teammates. These are humble men who have given Houston and all Astro fans much more than they could ever receive in return, yet in their wisdom they would tell you the inverse is true. I consider myself lucky to have become an Astro fan and have two men such as they to root for.

A world series title may or may not come in my lifetime, that remains to be seen, however I have gotten to root for such gentlemen as Biggio and Bagwell and now see them earn playoff glory.

Three cheers guys, three cheers.