As I'm writing this, the White Sox just took a 3-0 lead, and by the time you are reading it, the series may be over. But for the sake of this article my prediction is that, even though Brandon Backe went against Freddy Garcia last night, the Astros pulled it out. I've got a feeling that Houston won't roll over and should at least take it back to Chicago. Maybe a bold statement, but what could be the worst that could happen if I'm wrong? I'm still about 2,654 crappy predictions short of Sean Salisbury. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.
Even if the Astros do get swept, this World Series deserves recognition beyond a few bad calls. The bottom line is that we have had a great series (regardless of the win discrepancy) between two teams which play the type of baseball that is perfect for ushering in this new era of semi-steroidfree play. Despite the recent heroics of Podsednik in Game 2 and Blum in Game 3, both the White Sox and Astros have made it to late October because of pitching, defense, and timely hitting.
It's a baseball purist's wet dream and just what baseball needs right now. I mean have you ever seen an American League team attempt more sacrifice bunts? Neither team stands out as far as run differential or on-base percentage, two of the more "in vogue" baseball terms of the moment, but they both manage to get the job done.
Why? Because both have lived by the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." The Astros were plagued with injuries from the start and stumbled out of the gate with a record of 16-31, but then went on a tear to right the ship. The White Sox followed the opposite pattern, carrying a 15-game lead into late August only to see it crumble to 1.5 games making their manager contemplate retirement.
But both teams managed to weather the storms and found themselves in the playoffs. And because of these serious valleys, both teams grew very close. You can see it in the way young Astros like Chris Burke and Brad Lidge gush about the role and influence of Bagwell and Biggio on the team. The White Sox get their unity from Ozzie Guillen and his ability to both guide the team and be like just another player in the dugout.
Because of his wacky behavior, Guillen was able to take the pressure off his team by putting it all on his shoulders. This pressure, or lack thereof, was another part of both teams' success. The Astros were playing with house money after their terrible start even though they came within one game of the series last year. Some even considered them the underdogs with a 3-2 lead in the NLCS this year and their stopper, Roy Oswalt, taking the hill.
In regards to the White Sox, although they definitely felt the pinch coming down to the end of the season, I have never seen a team with home field advantage throughout the playoffs dismissed so easily by the media as a whole. Yes they went into one of the most dramatic free falls in recent memory, but when it was gut check time at the end of the season, the Sox finished 8-2.
But both these teams relish the underdog label because both are made up of guys who have been dismissed and disregarded. There is the pitching trio of Yankee rejects in Jose Contreras, Orlando Hernandez, and, to a lesser degree, Andy Pettite. Astros manager Phil Garner was fired from the Brewers, not exactly a job experience you want to build your resume around. Then there's Bobby Jenks, who was released only last year from the Angels because of off-the-field problems. And as for Mark Buehrle, he was cut from his high school baseball team. Twice.
Beyond the players with a chip on their shoulder the teams are also filled with guys who just don't know any better and are reveling in the moment. The Game 2 reactions of Aaron Rowand after Konerko's grand slam and Freddy Garcia (who was for some reason wearing a helmet) after Podsednik's homer were priceless. The emotion was great because you could tell it was spontaneous. Grown men transformed before your eyes into kids, making me realize what I had forgotten after a sobering baseball year of steroids, lies, and Gary Sheffield. Baseball is actually supposed to be fun.
What would the Game 2 celebration be like if other teams were in the Series? If the Yankees had won it would consist of a lot of awkward Jeter fist pumps and stern head nods from A-Rod. As for the Red Sox, what do you think the odds that Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon, or that ray of sunshine, Edgar Renteria, would have even cracked a smile after a finish like that? I'm going with 5:1. It's a shame, but baseball has turned into life and death for many players and their fans.
But the White Sox and Astros realize how unbelievably awesome the opportunity of getting in the playoffs and competing in the World Series is. That's why guys like Joe Crede, Geoff Blum, Jason Lane, and Chris Burke have stepped up their play. It's not a case of luck, just a group of guys playing loose, enjoying the moment, and putting on a great show thus far. Hopefully Houston found a way to gut one out last night and we can all have a little more fun.
