The Houston Astros were just one out away from their first trip ever to the World Series. Nolan Ryan hadn't been able to get them there, even with Advil. Ken Caminiti hadn't been able to get them there, even with steroids. Jeff Kent hadn't been able to get them there, even without his motorcycle. J.R. Richard hadn't been able to get them there. Cesar Cedeno, likewise. Jimmy Wynn, ditto. Carlos Beltran came close as a "rent-a-body" last year. But now it looked like the Astros' "Big Three" of Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens would finally do it. Just one out to go, with a 4-2 lead, ace reliever Brad Lidge pitching and no one on in the top of the ninth. Oh, and two strikes on light-hitting St. Louis Cardinals' shortstop David Eckstein.
People won't forget what happened next for a long time. Eckstein drove a ground ball just outside the reach of 'Stros third baseman Morgan Ensberg. Then Jim Edmonds walked on five pitches. And then, with two strikes, Albert Pujols connected with a hanging slider ... which slid well over 400 feet before returning to earth. 5-4, Cardinals. And that's how it ended.
The Astros should still win the NLCS. But the drama of that moment won't be forgotten for years and years to come. That's how it should be.
1 comment:
Hey Ayak, I had no idea you had a blog. I just wanted to say hi, I read your post about your wifes bipolar issues. Wish you luck and let you know that I think you're one of the wisest people I know or sorta know.
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