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I hadn't planned to use this in my throwback photos until last night when it was becoming evident that the Houston Astros could possibly win their first World Series.
They did. No offense to the Dodgers cuz they definitely had a banner year too, but, as far as baseball goes, the Love family has a few indirect ties to Houston.
Coming from Louisiana, Bill has followed the Astros pretty much his whole life, as indicated in a throwback blog entry below.
As for the rest of us, the first major league baseball game that Willie, Annie and I ever attended was at the Astrodome with the Astros playing the San Diego Padres (we think).
At least that's who Willie, the lifelong sports statistics aficionado, remembered the other day when we were talking about our Astros memories. Willie's recollection (he was 3 at the time) differ from Bill's, as noted below, but who cares!
More on that game and another in 1984 can be seen below.
Jump forward to 2017.
I can, with great clarity, say that the last major league baseball game I watched involved the Astros and the Mariners at Safeco Field this past June.
The game was an anniversary/Father's Day present for Bill and me, thanks to Annie. Twasn't the best of days for the Astros as the Mariners and King Felix won 13-3.
I'll admit that we did not stay until game's end because we were headed off to Ireland the next day.
Last night's victory for the Astros kept a family streak alive for Bill, Annie and me: two years in a row, we've watched the World Series winner play in the regular season.
That's a nice statistic, but our batting average with World Series winners hasn't been so good: both the Cubs and the Astros lost the games we attended.
The only message in that stat, I guess, is that we should stay away from the World Series if we want our team to win.
Congratulations, Astros!
Enjoy the throwback blog post below and the latest "fake, I wish" news from the Lovestead.
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Thursday, October 20, 2005
Hoorah for the Astros! After luring all their fans out of their
seats in their Houston stadium or to the edge of their couches at home on
Monday night, the team's apparent victory just went "Poof!"
Just like
that, after one pitch and one three-run homer by a big, strapping St. Louis
hitter, all went silent. Fans sat down in the stadium while those on the couch
rolled over and quietly groaned. They were that close to making it to the World
Series for the first time ever in their 45-year history.
With that stunning last-minute defeat, many thoughts turned toward the Cubs in their big game two years ago when they were finally on their roll toward baseball immortality. Then, suddenly came the controversial hit where the fan touched the ball and "Poof," the momentum fizzled.
With that stunning last-minute defeat, many thoughts turned toward the Cubs in their big game two years ago when they were finally on their roll toward baseball immortality. Then, suddenly came the controversial hit where the fan touched the ball and "Poof," the momentum fizzled.
The Cubs lost.
The supposed jinx continued. This will
probably happen again, we thought. Houston will self-destruct and lose in St.
Louis. Bill will have to wait one more time for his Astros to go to the Series.
Nonetheless, we watched last night's game.
Somehow, from the beginning when Houston's pitcher stepped onto the mound, all thoughts of the Astros' bubble being completely burst, quickly dissipated. This young, determined pitcher had come to St. Louis to win a game.
Somehow, from the beginning when Houston's pitcher stepped onto the mound, all thoughts of the Astros' bubble being completely burst, quickly dissipated. This young, determined pitcher had come to St. Louis to win a game.
Houston hitters came to win a game. They did so, methodically,
without fanfare, with disciplined, hard work and highly controlled offensive
and defensive baseball. The Houston Astros ARE going to the World Series, and
my hubby is pretty happy.
He's followed the Astros since they were the Colt 45's. He attended games in the Astrodome during the mid-'60s when the team became known as the Astros because of Houston's space program.
He's followed the Astros since they were the Colt 45's. He attended games in the Astrodome during the mid-'60s when the team became known as the Astros because of Houston's space program.
He remembers the
glass opening in the roof of the Eighth Wonder of the World which caused
problems when the sun came through, often blocking the players' view of action
on the field. They painted over the roof. The grass died. Astro turf was born.
Bill was a teenager when all that happened.
When Bill was married and the father of two little kiddies, he returned to the Astrodome on a June day in 1980. That was my introduction to Major League baseball in person.
When Bill was married and the father of two little kiddies, he returned to the Astrodome on a June day in 1980. That was my introduction to Major League baseball in person.
This morning, we were trying
to remember who the Astros played that day and finally agreed it was the
Cardinals. I don't remember too much about the game because the only tickets
available were in the "nosebleed" section.
My true fear of high places became quickly apparent that Saturday as we sat almost near the ceiling and struggled to identify those tiny little players running around on that field seemingly miles away.
I spent most of the game walking around outside the seating area, watching people and trying to find some souvenirs I could afford.
Several years later, when the kids had grown and Pittsburgh's "We are FAMILEE" World Series winners came to town to play the Astros, we were once again in Houston and had ground-level seats just a few rows from the field.
My true fear of high places became quickly apparent that Saturday as we sat almost near the ceiling and struggled to identify those tiny little players running around on that field seemingly miles away.
I spent most of the game walking around outside the seating area, watching people and trying to find some souvenirs I could afford.
Several years later, when the kids had grown and Pittsburgh's "We are FAMILEE" World Series winners came to town to play the Astros, we were once again in Houston and had ground-level seats just a few rows from the field.
I have pictures of the great Willie Stargill as he
spent part of his pre-game visiting with fans just in front of us. Thanks to
our prime location, this time I spent more time watching baseball rather than
people that day.
Because of our Houston Astros experiences, we're all thrilled to see them in the Series. I'm just as ecstatic about the White Sox. When one has the Irish Chicago genes like mine, with both parents born in the Windy City, it's totally natural to pull for the White Sox or the Cubs.
I can't even begin to imagine the elation my two classmates Gil Bohan and Mike Parkins must be feeling as the days wind down toward this year's Series.
Because of our Houston Astros experiences, we're all thrilled to see them in the Series. I'm just as ecstatic about the White Sox. When one has the Irish Chicago genes like mine, with both parents born in the Windy City, it's totally natural to pull for the White Sox or the Cubs.
I can't even begin to imagine the elation my two classmates Gil Bohan and Mike Parkins must be feeling as the days wind down toward this year's Series.
In June, we spotted Mike in Sea-Tac on his way to
Chicago for a Father's Day White Sox game, and Gil's main claim to fame among
us 1965 classmates was his undying devotion to his Sox.
There'll be no losers for us in this World Series. We'll simply sit back and enjoy the games. I'm sure Bill will be happy if his Astros win, but I think we both agree that this match-up and the legendary lore that goes along with it exemplifies all that's good about the sport of baseball.
There'll be no losers for us in this World Series. We'll simply sit back and enjoy the games. I'm sure Bill will be happy if his Astros win, but I think we both agree that this match-up and the legendary lore that goes along with it exemplifies all that's good about the sport of baseball.
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| Yesterday |
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| Six o'clock this morning. |
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| Liam looked out the window and hid under his curtain. Since he was a pup, the curtain has been his security blanket. Looks like lots of curtain time ahead for Liam. |
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Let's just say we're not quite ready for winter yet at the Lovestead.
And, that has nothing to do with slouching around either.
We've been racing as fast as possible to get ready for the snow, but this year's weather patterns have slowed the usual process.
So, with this first snowfall, there's
no plow on the tractor, and leaves still clinging to trees.
Hope we have a break in the next few days, allowing us to finish up the usual pre-winter tasks.
For now, it's "Dirty Rackaprack!"
That's all I've got to say!
Have a lovely snowy day!
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