games against the Boston Red Sox, my Add in Pittsburgh reject Zach favorite team regardless of league, does Duke and ancient junkballer Livan take the sting out of the Astros’ move. Hernandez (who, I swear, must have But did I mention how late games defected from Cuba the day after start on the West Coast? This is not Fidel Castro took over) and it looks like, again this year, double-digit wins only bad for Astros fans, who will have to stay up past midnight to might be too much to ask for from watch Houston play division games in any one pitcher. So, yeah, it’s a disappointing squad California and Washington, but it’s bad for the inky wretches at your in what should be a proud, exciting local newspaper, too. season. Those inter-division road games This shouldn’t be the Astros’ last aren’t even going to come close to finseason in the National League. I ishing before any reasonable newspawrote a column back in June 2011 per deadline, so, be prepared to read explaining why moving the Astros to lots of rhythmic gymnastics and fencthe AL is a bad idea, but, it looks like Houston got caught in the wrong ing (or whatever) stories over the coming warm months as the boys in place at the wrong time. The team the sports department look to fill the was for sale and Commissioner Bud empty space where the Astros game Selig decided to use this as an opporstories used to go. tunity to leverage the new owners Good thing for them the Astros into doing his bidding. look like they’re going to be terrible Not that the new owner, Jim this year. No need to wait up for that Crane, minded or anything. He was story with quotes. It’s sad for such a prepared to strip the team down to storied franchise as the Astros; no even its nickname before common one waiting up. And so it will probasense took over. bly be a pretty muted celebration Astros’ fans, on the other hand, when the Astros kick off their season were not consulted. on April 6. So, Houston’s 50th year in the It’ll be five days after the Golden National League now becomes a Raspberry Awards. The Razzies, are farewell tour. presented in Los Angeles to the worst Gone will be the rivalry games movies of the year. Baseball-wise, it against the St. Louis Cardinals, trips to Wrigley Field (seriously, how weird might be a Golden Raspberry kind of year for the Astros in their golden is it going to be playing the Cubs as anniversary season. the AL representative during interleague play?), the strategy that goes Brandon Shoumaker is a along with your pitcher graduate of McNeese State having to bat for himself. University and has covered The future will instead sports for more than a be filled with rivalry games decade for various publicaagainst the Texas Rangers tions. Coaches or parents (admittedly, not a bad conwith story tips or comments solation prize), trips to may contact Brandon at lovely, touristy-type places bshoumaker@yahoo.com or like Oakland and Anaheim, send him a message on and the designated hitter. Twitter (@bshoumaker). On a personal note, the potential for more home Brandon Shoumaker TJN
Volume 3 • Issue 24
MARCH 8, 2012
PAGE 23