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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.
2) The Astros can only get better from here
A.J. Reed playing first. Photo Credit by Tammy Tucker
They were the surprise Cinderella team in 2015, even though the Texas Rangers came back from a worse record in 2015 than the Astros. The truth is, the Astros are built to last and constantly replenish itself for the foreseeable future. The next wave of talent is due to hit at some point in 2016, including A.J. Reed, Mark Appel, Tony Kemp, and Joseph Musgrove since he was added to the 40-man roster for the 2016 season.
More from Climbing Tal's Hill
- Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
Appel will probably be the number five guy in 2016 at some point, probably not opening day. Appel will learn to be more consistent, but will strive in the majors. Reed should be the missing element in this Astros lineup, a consistent RBI bat along the lines of Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Cabrera, and Nolan Arenado hopefully. The Astros will want him to get some experience in Triple-A, but he can be fast tracked like Correa was in 2015 if the Astros don’t have any other answers at first base.
Further down the road you will see some of the premiere talents in the Astros organization such as Daz Cameron, Alex Bregman, Riley Ferrell, Kyle Tucker, Francis Martes, and J.D. Davis. The Astros organization is so loaded that they could potentially lose 4-5 of their top 30 prospects in the Rule V draft. Look for Luhnow to try to deal some excess talent for major league talent to help now, instead of losing them in the Rule V draft.
Sports Illustrated famously predicted that the Astros would win the World Series in 2017 which is no longer an out of reach possibility as it was in 2014 when the Astros were losing 97 games.
Next: What is my third 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.
More from Climbing Tal's Hill
- Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
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.