2008 Woodie Awards
Astros' late season surge earns them wildcard spot
Cassidy Juneau
Issue date: 10/6/04 Section: Sports
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Let us go back in time to before the Major League Baseball season began. There were many teams that made some big deals, and one of those teams was the Houston Astros, which picked up former Yankees teammates Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens to bolster its pitching staff. They were, to many, the missing pieces of the puzzle for the Astros.
At this time last year, the Astros players were watching as their chances of making the playoffs went down the drain. A late-season slump gave the Chicago Cubs a playoff spot and the unlikely Florida Marlins gained the wild card spot, eventually winning the MLB championship.
Around the All-Star break this season, it seemed as though Houston once again would fall short of the playoffs. Manager Jimmy Williams was fired at the break, and Phil Garner took control of the team on an interim basis. The Astros proceeded to go four games below .500, and things were not getting any better. Some people called for a youth movement to start, and it was reported on television that long-time first baseman and fan-favorite Jeff Bagwell told management he would be willing to be traded if it was in the best interest of the team.
At this point, something happened to spark the players into actually playing up to their potential. No one can seem to pinpoint the exact time when this happened, but today everyone who is an Astros fan is happy because they are returning to the playoffs as the National League Wild Card.
The unlikely hero of Sunday's final regular season game against the Colorado Rockies was also a surprise. Clemens was slated to start after only three days of rest, but after he battled all night with a stomach flu, the unlikely starter was Brandon Backe. Not even a starter at the beginning of the season, Backe not only pitched five scoreless innings, he also singled to right center in the second inning, driving in two runners and giving the Astros the early two-run lead. Houston scored three more runs in the next inning, and the Rockies were never able to catch up.
Now, the Astros will be in a best-of-five series against the Atlanta Braves, with the winner of that series going on to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the St. Louis Cardinals for a chance to make the World Series. The Atlanta Braves have eliminated Houston three times in the past seven years, so it will not be an easy take for the Astros players, who won their final seven regular season games. The Braves have been a constant presence in the playoffs for many years and have one the best managers in baseball history. It is up to the Astros to continue their hot streak. Because if they do, it will be tough for any team to beat them.
At this time last year, the Astros players were watching as their chances of making the playoffs went down the drain. A late-season slump gave the Chicago Cubs a playoff spot and the unlikely Florida Marlins gained the wild card spot, eventually winning the MLB championship.
Around the All-Star break this season, it seemed as though Houston once again would fall short of the playoffs. Manager Jimmy Williams was fired at the break, and Phil Garner took control of the team on an interim basis. The Astros proceeded to go four games below .500, and things were not getting any better. Some people called for a youth movement to start, and it was reported on television that long-time first baseman and fan-favorite Jeff Bagwell told management he would be willing to be traded if it was in the best interest of the team.
At this point, something happened to spark the players into actually playing up to their potential. No one can seem to pinpoint the exact time when this happened, but today everyone who is an Astros fan is happy because they are returning to the playoffs as the National League Wild Card.
The unlikely hero of Sunday's final regular season game against the Colorado Rockies was also a surprise. Clemens was slated to start after only three days of rest, but after he battled all night with a stomach flu, the unlikely starter was Brandon Backe. Not even a starter at the beginning of the season, Backe not only pitched five scoreless innings, he also singled to right center in the second inning, driving in two runners and giving the Astros the early two-run lead. Houston scored three more runs in the next inning, and the Rockies were never able to catch up.
Now, the Astros will be in a best-of-five series against the Atlanta Braves, with the winner of that series going on to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the St. Louis Cardinals for a chance to make the World Series. The Atlanta Braves have eliminated Houston three times in the past seven years, so it will not be an easy take for the Astros players, who won their final seven regular season games. The Braves have been a constant presence in the playoffs for many years and have one the best managers in baseball history. It is up to the Astros to continue their hot streak. Because if they do, it will be tough for any team to beat them.