Houston Astros: 3 Things to be Thankful For This Offseason

The first thing to be thankful for as a Houston Astros’ fan

Oct 11, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (center), second baseman Jose Altuve (27), and shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Royals in game three of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

On this Thanksgiving Eve, as Houston Astros’ players and fans alike prepare to celebrate family and all the things that they are thankful for. Following the 2015 playoff season, Astros fans have many things to be thankful for. While everyone has different things that they are thankful for, I wanted to give three personal reasons to be thankful. They will center around Astros things because you probably don’t wish to hear about all my personal stuff.

The was much to celebrate in 2015, as the Astros returned from a decade of not being in the playoffs. During that time, there has been a changing of guards from Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio to Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Carlos Correa. The pitching staff has changed from Roy Oswalt, Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite to Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, and Lance McCullers. The 2005 and 2015 teams may have played different style games, they both relied on timely hitting and decent pitching.

As a lifelong Astros fan, here are three things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1) The Astros are fun to watch and talk about

For the past 4-5 years, the Houston Astros have not been a fun team to watch before 2015. I have always supported the Astros, but there were times that I paid attention, but if they fell behind I would just change the channel. I always supported what Jeff Luhnow was doing during the process, but the losing attitude that the team adopted was draining. My ticket representative with the Astros would call me several times inquiring if I would like to purchase season tickets. I remember telling him several times that I would not buy season tickets again until Correa and Springer were on the team, I fulfilled my end of the bargain getting full-season tickets for 2016.

Now that those two are on the Astros team, they have brought back a winning attitude back to Houston. Even in 2014, when Springer was out for the rest of the season, it was not as exciting with him not in the lineup. As I walk through the hallways at school, people are always asking me what players the Astros are going after. Baseball in Houston was dormant for a few seasons, but the love of the game has been resurrected this season and fans started supporting the team towards the end of the season.

Next: What is my second thing I am thankful for? Click to go on.

3) That I have been given the opportunity to write for Fansided

Sep 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers (43) walks in the dugout during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

I have always been a creative writer, but I often struggled with grammar and written communication, which was one of the primary reasons I applied to blog about the Astros through Climbing Tal’s Hill. In the beginning, I thought I could maybe only write 1-2 times a week, just to get my Astros fix during the offseason. Something happened during this process; I enjoyed it. While I am not official press, I enjoy my role in the Astros’ world, giving fans the news in the eyes of a fan, not an unbiased reporter.

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I just passed my anniversary of starting to write for CTH right before the Rule V draft in 2014. While I know that I am not perfect, fans have said that they love my passion in my writing. Ironically, my passion comes from the interaction with the Astros fans through social media. Some writers have a hard time finding things to write about, but if I am interested in something, then I am sure someone else would be interested in that as well.

I am blessed to be covering the Astros under Luhnow’s watch as there is never a dull moment. Luhnow is always out there, posturing for a particular deal. I am glad to be one of the 9 Astros’ bloggers to get to ask Reid Ryan, Jeff Luhnow, and A.J. Hinch questions before last season. I am thankful for the Astros’ prospects who have taken the time to do an interview with me, mostly former Astros prospect Brett Phillips for taking the time to interact personally with me at a Hooks game. McCullers has also been a player who has kept in touch with me, even after he went to the Astros.

Thanks to Jason Burke and David Hill at Fansided for recognizing something in me, and helped me become the editor I am today. Thanks to my patient wife for helping get the kids to sleep on the nights that I was behind in writing and for helping keep me motivated through the rough patches.

Next: Houston Astros: A Time to be Thankful

My family is very important to me; I just have the Astros as a side family. Thanks to my kids for being excited when they go to baseball games with their old man even if they are tired or bored. My son is gaining the love of the game through my interactions with him, and I hope I am helping some of you rediscover the love for Astros baseball again through my writing.