From the achives of almosts.....

Hello sports fans let me paint a picture for you if I may. It was January 6, 1980 and the Oilers (yes our home team once upon a time...) were once again finding themselves "knocking on that door" in an AFC Championship game vs the much hated Pittsburgh Steelers - hated not because they were even close to a team over rated, over paid, or containing within their ranks, players from a police lineup and prison roster as with that team up north of us - but because they were...well damn good and in this era of Houston sports, forever stood in the way of that defining game, that moment of glory, that championship that seem to always be dashed by a single play and as in this case, a bad call. Yes friends it was a stage that was set for all to see and after the previous AFC championship where we were soundly beaten by this very same team 34-5, it had a totally different feel about it. This Houston team seemed poised for upset, this team seemed ready to dawn the uniforms of a truely inspiring cinderella team that would dash the talk and quiet the naysayers and finally get through that door to the big show.

The game was close and the oilers trailed 17-10 in the third quarter. the drive was on and at the helm under center was our beloved but sometimes very brittle QB Dan Pastorini. Pastorini takes the snap and fades back and with the 'Steel Curtain' coming on strong, He lofts the ball toward the back of the endzone into the waiting hands of one Mike Renfro, just out of the reach of the defender. Ball caught, TOUCHDOWN! The Oilers have tied the game and with momentum had the upper hand. The Steelers fans were in shock and disbelief. Celebrations in the endzone insued and in my living room as I spilled my ice tea while jumping up in the air, pumping my fists in a rush of pride and ecstasy!

But wait.....hold on......why was that referee waving his arms and looking like a traffic cop and why haven't they posted the score up on the board? Something was wrong and after a short pinstripe convention in the endzone, we all were directed to the the head linesman who proceeded to enlighten us all of the decision to call one of the greatest catches in Houston sports history incomplete saying that both feet were not in! No catch! No Touchdown! UGH!!! Watch the replay you idot, throw the red flag coach! It was a catch damn it! But alas this was 1980, there were no red flags, there was no instant replay challenges, but....there was instant replay and so the footage of the greatest catch that never happened played over and over again. No commercial break on this one folks, Less feeling, taste great arguments would have to wait. Slow motion after slow motion of first the ball being drawn into Renfro's hands, then down to the left foot firmly planted inside the endzone line and then with great control and mastery, the right toe touches inbounds and is dragged through the endline. Backwards and forwards they ran the tape. from the right angle, from the left angle. Slow motion after painful slow motion it ran as the hearts of Houston fans sunk down more and more for we knew the meaning of this all too well. This was the play that counted and there would only be one play....one chance and it was gone.

Renfro had made the catch and with unbelievable poise and control managed to keep both feet in bounds as the replays clearly showed but a bad call would not be reversed and it was ruled an incomplete pass. The Oilers would settle for a field goal and with a shift in momentum would go on to lose 27-13. I quietly and somberly cleaned up my spilled tea, turned off the television, and muttered out loud to no one in particlualr....Damn it! Both feet were in!!!!

Random Thoughts

I've just got a few thoughts on the world of sports in general. I went to youtube the other day and watched the last 54 secs of the Lakers vs Pistons in game 7 of the 1988 finals. That got my heart to pumping. The Forum, Magic, Kareem, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Micheal Cooper, A.C Green, Isiah, Lambeir, Pat Riley, Chuck Daly. What a great era in NBA history. Those days are done and although I love a good basketball game if the Lakers had choked up a 24pt lead at home in the 80's, I would have been suicidal. Our loyal, lone reader, DC, knows how obsessed I was back then. I turned off the tv in the 3rd quarter and didn't even care. I just cannot get into the NBA like I used to. Maybe if the Rockets get passed the 1st round, I could get excited again. And just for the record, I totally believe that the NBA will manipulate games to keep superstars on the court, but I'm not so sure, that they would actually plan to purposely extend a series
It appears that our Astros are headed for 81-81. The rotation is average, the bull pen is above average, the hitting is good, but doesn't come up in the clutch often enough. Good pitching beats good hitting and that's whats happening to the Astros. I really like the young guys they have brought up lately, Abercrombie and the lefty pitcher Wright. I think Erstad, Blum, and Loretta should play more often. I guarantee the Astros will get plenty of sportscenter coverage this weekend with the Yanks in town. I still think Puma could win the MVP, because it is clear that he is the MVP of the this team.
I don't know if you like horse racing or not, but if you get the chance go to youtube and watch Secretariat at the 1973 Belmont. Simply amazing!
Finally, Texans season is just around the corner. I am so pumped for this season. I hope we get more readers because this blog should be loads of fun. We are going to do a feature where we give immediate, drunken reaction to what just happened, then in the following days we will analyze our reaction and further discuss the game and get ready for the next. I CANNOT WAIT! GO TEXANS!!!

Reeling or Just a slump

Last week, I mentioned to one of our loyal readers......... our only loyal reader, that the Astros, were about to begin a series that could send them toward NL central division leadership or reeling to the basement. Well, a 1-5 record later and I want to know the answer. Are the Stros, reeling or is this just a bad stretch? They are still above .500 at 30-28. They certainly have been in a worse position this late and still made the playoffs or even the Series. The problem is, Murderer's Row; Puma, Tejada, Lee, Pence, have been very quiet during this stretch. I think that the bats will wake back up, but the pitching has been sloppy and somewhat unwatchable. I see a serious run at a starter, soon. Who? I don't know, but I can't help, but think that Ed Wade will at least pursue someone. Anyway, I aint giving up


GO STROS!!!