Astros: Five key takeaways from eventful Dodgers series

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 28: Manager Dusty Baker #12 of the Houston Astros argues with umpires Chris Cuccione (C) and Alphonso Marquez after they warned the Astros pitchers after a benches emptied after Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw at Alex Bergman, Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park on July 28, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Certain People Won’t Move On

Look, we get it. The Astros cheated. No one denies that, nor does anyone deny they deserved to be punished. Like it or not, Commissioner Rob Manfred gave the players immunity in exchange for their truthful testimony. That was his only option, because anything else would’ve drawn a fight with the Players Union.

That’s not an excuse for opposing players to dole out their own vigilante justice, and it’s especially no excuse for intentionally throwing at people’s heads. Still, that’s just what Kelly did on Tuesday, drawing an eight-game suspension for his attempts at both Bregman and Correa, and also for running his mouth at Correa and causing the benches to clear.

It’s funny that Kelly was the one to do it considering his place on the 2017 and 2018 Red Sox teams, both of which have been busted for illegal sign stealing. It’s also funny that the Los Angeles media hailed him as a hero and a legend despite his place on those teams and despite the fact that he served up the grand slam that knocked the Dodgers out of the 2019 postseason. For Pete’s sake, he’s so terrible he couldn’t even hit the players he was aiming at!

HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 28: The benches emptied between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros in the sixth inning after Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw several high inside pitches to Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman #2 and Yuli Gurriel #10 at Minute Maid Park on July 28, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

We all know social media is a cesspool and a way for people to post things they wouldn’t have the guts to say in person. It’s similar to Kelly, who was perfectly fine to yell at Correa while walking away and then hiding behind his teammates. People like that will not move on and will not stop acting like the Astros were the only ones cheating. At this point, there’s nothing that will change their minds or make them see reason, so all we can do is keep our heads up high and move along.

Dusty Baker is a Legend

A few days ago, manager Dusty Baker said he didn’t see himself as a legend. Maybe he doesn’t, but Astros fans sure do. He’s proven himself to be exactly the kind of personality this team needs in the dugout with everything they’ll be dealing with this year.

What put him over the top was a comment that was caught by the TV mics. After Kelly covered first base and stuck his foot in the basepath, nearly causing a bad incident with Michael Brantley, a voice could be heard yelling, “Get on the mound, little (fudger)!” We don’t have conclusive evidence, but the consensus seems to be that it came from Baker.

That, combined with his comments after the game that, “We don’t start nothing, but we don’t take nothing either,” show he has just the kind of fiery attitude this team needs. They’ll be taking a lot of flak from some teams, but Baker won’t just let them roll over. Good thing the Astros picked up his option for 2021.

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