Merry Christmas (and long overdue Houston Astros 2022 World Series champs post)

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! This is a much long overdue post of 2022 World Series champions Houston Astros. Why would I post something that happened six weeks ago? I tried to put words in it, but it kept going blank. The truth is, I couldn't put words into a fan's ecstasy of his favorite team winning the World Series. When I take a look at this team you can never ever count them out ever. Astros are already driven by opposition dislike that they channel it into motivation. Whatever adversary comes at them they tackled it head on finding ways to fill in the gaps. It started before the season when Carlos Correa left in free agency. Team plugged rookie Jeremy Pena in his spot. Very quickly he made fans forget about losing Correa as he went to have amazing rookie season from the start of the season to the end of the World Series netting himself Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP. Team's ace Justin Verlander, coming from TJ surgery and being out for a year and half season, quieted doubters as he never lost a step on the mound leading the league ERA and winning Cy Young award. Alex Bregman started the season off slow, but bounce back in the middle of the season end in a solid high note. Offensive contributor Michael Brantley was lost for the entire season for a shoulder injury during the middle of the season. The team worked their way around with Chas McCormick filling in his spot in left field while Yordan Alvarez is plugged in DH role. Speaking of Yordan, he and Kyle Tucker provided 1-2 punch in the lineup. Jose Altuve went on a huge slump during the playoffs only to break out of it at right time at game 4 of ALCS against New York Yankees. When Yulieski Gurriel got hurt and pulled from the game 5 of World Series due to injury, Trey Mancini, who the Astros picked up around the trade deadline, filled in for him at first base. He made, not only, inning ending, but one of game saving plays snagging a line drive off Kyle Schwarber preventing potential runs from scoring. That same game in the bottom of the 9th inning, another game-saving play made when Chas McCormick (who took over injured Michael Brantley spot during middle of the year) caught a deep fly ball from J.T. Realmuto ending potential threat from the Phillies. There's the pitching as they formed a solid starting rotation core with Framber Valdez breaking out on his own along Christian Javier, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy. Speaking of Christian Javier he started both of the team's combined no-hitter games this season. This despite not having starter Lance McCullers, Jr. for most of the season due to injury. When McCullers returned he pitched decent in 8 starts. The middle relief no longer became questionable with the core of Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, Ryne Stanek, and Hector Neris holding the lead before turning it over to Ryan Pressly closing it out. The team proved naysayers wrong and became a case of be careful what you wish for or you might get it. When Yankees fans chanted on wanting the Astros in ALCS, they swept them badly. When Yankees manager Aaron Boone complained about the roof being open at Minute Maid Park causing a potential homerun to become fly out, Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pena hit a homerun in the open air confines of Yankees Stadium. Phillies fans, not only demanded Astros in the World Series, but poke the bear going after Astros super fan and philanthropist Mattress Mack. Astros responded with three straight series clinching wins as well combined no-hitting the Phillies. It's fitting the one of final runs Astros scored in the season when Yordan Alvarez turned Jose Alvarado into Mitch Williams sending a 3-run 450 feet homerun shot into center field of Minute Maid Park to give them the lead for good. Astros World Series championship gave them redemption and manager Dusty Baker a long overdue World Series ring as manager. Was this a magical season for the Astros? It's too easy say that. I will say this Astros season started with driven motivation for being branded the "bad guys" with some bad breaks in between and ended with Kirk Cousins-esence "You like that?!" moment.

After six weeks I finally puts words into this. How? I received my Christmas presents and I felt that ecstatic joy once the second the ball hit the glove for the final out of 2022 season clinching World Series championship.

I love having championship gear of my favorite team. Not pictured is the 10-card Topps Now Astros World Series set. Here to the 2022 World Series champions the Houston Astros!

As of this posting the team will be missing few players from the championship through free agency like Verlander, Aledmys Diaz, and Trey Mancini, as well searching for GM. They might not re-sign Yulieski who is a free agent. They re-signed Rafael Montero and kept all their coaches. For the team's first big free agency move they signed Jose Abreu. Meanwhile, former Astro Carlos Correa, who gambled on himself after a season with Twins, find his signing with New York Mets in potential limbo because of concerns from his physical.

Tough Loss, No Such Thing as Home Field Advantage, and Successful Last Run

Bitter pill for this Astros fan having see his team losing in the World Series as all four losses came at home. Astros/Nationals series made history as the road team won in the entire 7 game series. It proved there's no such thing as home field advantage anywhere. The road team outscored home team 49-14. Nationals can only muster total of 3 runs in their three World Series home games. Astros offensive power was shut down in their final two home games despite many chances to score more runs.

Big "what if" is what if Astros put Gerit Cole on the mound in relief instead Will Harris. Will Astros hold on to the 2-0 lead? Cole testing free agent market and who knows if Astros drop money on him. Justin Verlander still couldn't win World Series game. This was Astros best starting pitching core along with happy homer hitters and got no ring out of it. I said the same for Dodgers when I felt that was one of best roster they had in and couldn't come up big as well.

Washington Nationals surprised everyone beating two of top MLB teams of the season in the playoffs on their way to title. Many wrote them off after Bryce Harper left for Phillies claiming their title run is over. The bullpen known to be very shaky at times. Instead they made playoff run getting the wildcard spot and having beat the Brewers to get in NLDS. They eliminated heavily favorite Dodgers in five games and swept Cardinals in NLCS before taking on another heavily favorite Astros to the distance and winning it. Stephen Strasburg was unstoppable on the mound. Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon provided offensive spark. Howie Kendrick two homeruns in postseason were game winning clutches. Max Scherzer bounced from shaky game 1 despite a victory and being scratched from game 5 for back troubles showed up for game 7 ready to win it. Starter Patrick Corbin came off the bullpen to help keep the team in the game. Manager Dave Martinez emptied the tank entire run to the World Series. At the end Washington Nationals came on top just when many thought team's title run is over. With Rendon being a free agent and question loom over Strasburg opting out the Nationals able squeeze one last playoff run for World Series title.

The one player who won't be getting Nationals World Series ring is Bryce Harper. He might be counting his big money but really missed out on that ring big time.

The Quake From 30 Years Ago

This 1990 Score baseball card immortalized event that took place 30 years on this date. I still remember it so vividly watching entire thing unfold on TV. I was 8 at the time getting ready to watch game 3 of World Series between Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants. Dubbed the Bay Bridge Series both cities separated by 5 mile bridge across the bay. A's took first two games at home and it across the bridge to Candlestick for games 3 and 4. Just as festivities about to start disaster struck as major earthquake shook the area including the stadium. TV feed was lost only to be restored minutes later. Outside the stadium it was carnage as buildings and highways collapsed and fires from ruptured gas lines raged. The game no longer mattered as TV crews focused of damages and loss of life in front of the viewers. I was glued on the screen as live helicopter shots showed section of upper part of Bay Bridge collapse down to lower level. With TV stations focused around San Francisco and Bay Bridge I didn't know about collapse of Cypress Freeway in Oakland. I found out about it watching a documentary of the earthquake (which I forgotten the name) I saw 10-15 years later on a movie channel. Another importance I have relatives living in Oakland (and still do to this day). I remember being scared for them. After hours passed my dad got a hold of my great aunt and great uncle revealing they along everyone else is okay leaving entire the family relieved. They were at home when the quake happened. That moment was re-lived 5 years ago with ESPN 30 for 30 documentary called "The Day The Series Stopped."

The World Series would resume on October 27 with A's taking 2 games at Candlestick in sweeping the Giants. At the time it was longest end date to World Series. It was only World Series victory for A's in their three straight appearances from 88-90 which included stacked lineup of Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, Dave Henderson, Terry Steinbach, Dave Stewart, and Dennis Eckersley. I still remember game 3 for being homerun fest. Not much of celebration at the end due to the earthquake and causalities around of surrounding Bay Area. It was one of the memories etched in my mind while growing up.

Some things changed or stayed the same during those 30 years. Bash Brothers were no more, potential A's dynasty never materialized and despite many attempts for new one, A's still play in that shit stadium that been renamed many times that I'll just call it Oakland-Alameda. Giants landed Barry Bonds from Pittsburgh and bashed many homeruns. They left Candlestick for ATT Park located just few miles south of 80. Giants would have small dynasty with 3 World Series championships starting 2010. Both my great aunt and great uncle still living at the same house in Oakland along uncle who never launched out unlike three others.

EDIT: Another blogger point of view of Loma Prieta earthquake as he was living there when it hit head to Fuji's post at The Chronicles of Fuji.

Cubs Win and Made All-Star Game More Useless

In a thrilling game 7 Cubs fought off another postseason collapse with least likely Rajai Davis doing the damage for Indians in the late innings and scoring much needed two runs in extras to finally break 108 year World Series championship drought. I'm glad they won not because of the drought. I'm glad they made then-commissioner Bud Selig decision of having winning league of All-Star game get home-field advantage a very useless incentive. After 2002 All-Star tie embarrassment he made the call to use winner of All-Star game get home-field advantage incentive prop. Nothing but mixed results since final World Series game played at away. Cubs won the game on the road at the Indians ballpark in game 7 putting away home-advantage myth. Look into NHL and NBA this year the championship team won at their opponent arena. Home-field advantage doesn't matter anymore. It's open season whether home, away, or neutral sites. How to fix the All-Star game? Offer bunch of non-contract bonus money to play. See how many willing play hard for cash.

Why 2002 Anaheim Angels Run to World Series is Memorable

World Series starts tonight and throughout the years there were so many memorable teams that won it. One of my all-time favorites will always be 2002 Anaheim Angels team. At the time the team payroll was in the middle of the league. The team consist players they built through minor league system such as Tim Salmon, Garrett Anderson, Troy Glaus, Darin Erstad, Benji Molina, Jarrod Washburn, Troy Percival, and Scott Shoeneweis to name a few. Along the way they picked up Martin Donnelly who was cast away bouncing around minors. When teams expanded the roster in September they called up two players who turned out to be key for the team: John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez. With Mike Scioscia managing they employed back-to-basics offense with timed hitting spraying the ball through gaps of the field and hard-nose running on the bases. They got their chemistry working in the season and made their run to the playoffs with a hot September.

In the divisional series they took on dangerous high-priced New York Yankees team. When they lost game one you thought Yankees easily moving on. Wrong. The next three games Angels obliterated Yankees with offensive show as they took three straight to eliminate them in shocking fashion. They took on Twins which they lost game one then proceed win next four putting them in World Series. In the World Series they are pitted against Giants with a feared batter in name of Barry Bonds. Both teams battle back and fourth in barrage of offensive firepower. Down in the series 3-2 Angels was in must win situation. Things were not looking up being down 5-0 on bottom of the 7th and their season possibly ended the bats came alive for the Angels. Glaus and Brad Fullmer hit back-to-back singles only for Scott Spiezio hit 3-run homerun making it 5-3. On bottom of the 8th Darin Erstad open up with a homerun. Later in the inning Glaus double drove in Garrett Anderson and Chone Figgins coming back from 0-5 to lead 6-5 as they hang on to win. Now on season ending game 7 Angels handed the ball to then-rookie John Lackey. Giants struck first with a run in the 2nd. Angels bounce back tying it up in bottom of the 2nd. In bottom of the 3rd with bases loaded Anderson cleared it with a double sending David Eckstein, Erstad, and Tim Salmon home making it 4-1. It was enough runs for the Angels. Lackey would hold on the lead giving way to Martin Donnelly then Francisco Rodriguez then to Troy Percival saving the game. Final score: 4-1 and Anaheim Angels are 2002 World Series champs. What the team did on the field with offense and pitching strategy was art. It was old school and going clutch when needed.

Angels World Series victory changed the way how teams build a team into a contender. It wasn't through big money free agency. It was through old school homegrown style of scouting for "hidden" talents and going through minor league system. They made teams realize if they build a team into a World Series winner they can do it. It showed with Florida Marlins winning it the following year. St. Louis Cardinals have always been constant winner with trips to playoffs and World Series. There's Tampa Bay Rays who made few runs to the playoff including World Series appearance. That method still going on today with two teams in the World Series: Royals and Giants. If they can build it they can win.