By residency in Houston, I have become an Astros fan - though I still root for the Dodgers.
Thank you Mr. Kepner for this great report on my team.
I just hope that this young Cuban remains humble and stays focused on his job.
And I hope he does not follow Puig or that other Cuban player, Cespedes - who played for A's one time - as they became more enchanted with themselves than doing something for the team.
Luckily, Houston is not a team that allows for that kind of nonsense.
I wish Mr. Kepner had told us if this margin of victory over the Orioles was an MLB record or what the record is.
It was more a football score than a baseball one.
Another one of the Dodger's terrible trades.
Yet another great player from the Caribbean. All the more convincing, in my hopes, for an MLB expansion that locates at least two new teams there, ideally Santo Domingo and Havana. After all, about 50% of starting players on MLB teams come from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico. A third expansion team would logically be in Mexico.
I feel like we’re back in the steroid era. The ball is definitely wound tighter—juiced—and that’s why you’re seeing home runs at record levels and improbable rookie seasons. Pitchers are at a distinct disadvantage. When I was growing up in the 1960s and 70s, to have an earned run average over 4.00 would result in a one-way ticket to the minors. Now it’s routine for starters to have ERAs that high. On top of that, ESPN enhances the sound of the ball coming off the bat and hitting the glove when it’s caught. I feel defrauded when I watch games these days. Then again I’m a Red Sox fan.
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Am I the only reader who cringed at reading the phrase, "22-year-old designated hitter"? What has happened to the game we used to know and love? SMH
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@BKLYNJ It sounds better than, “inexperienced and timid left fielder.” We don’t care, though. Dude is amazing.
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Can someone tell me what is the white device that Alvarez has on the thumb of his orange batting glove?
Now you have me wondering also. I thought it might have been tape but it also could be a part of the glove he used.
@Wordsworth from Wadsworth
It’s a shock dampener. Batters are taught now to hold the bat lightly. Don’t tighten your grip to get more of a golf swing that whips around the body. If the ball hits close to the hands or the end of the bat it vibrates to high heaven.
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He's extraordinarily patient in the box; he makes the pitcher work.
It's a joy to watch him play. Houston is dangerous up and down the lineup!
Watched him take batting practice in Baltimore on Friday (the day BEFORE he hit 3 HRs). It literally looked like a home run derby. The guy is going to be incredible.
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The last homer he hit in Baltimore on a high breaking ball showed real patience. Kid seems like the real deal.
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YorDaddy! See you in Oct Yanks.
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A home run is the new double.
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