So who is ready for baseball season? If you are like me, you may have found yourself stunned that baseball preseason has begun. If the Minute Maid parking lot was any indication of what to expect, a wave of anticipation re-ignited the energy only Houston Astros fans can generate. It can best be described as a dedicated optimism with a side of “I got the best brisket” confidence. You know what I mean, that comfortable confidence that can only come from knowing the best cut of meat has been smoking for 8 hours with perfectly charred burnt ends and a juicy shadow as it has been resting on a cutting board.
Game time excitement is upon us. The stadium was cracking with a renewed liveliness as the Houston Astros faced the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in their first exhibition game. Space City jerseys, retro Sugar Land Skeeter jerseys, and bright new Astros sweaters and jackets made the stadium light up as it began to fill up.
I was very eager to see the lineup of both teams, specifically, see Spencer Arrighetti, Astros top pitching prospect, showcase his talent. Since the Spring Breakout game, Arrighetti had a 95.4 fastball, threw two hitless innings, and threw 25 pitches with 14 strikes. None of that happened this game, but a girl can dream. Fans were abuzz about the Astros new batting line up and the season opening game against the New York Yankees. The Astros changed from their 2023 line up with Jose Altuve (R) leading, Alex Bregman (R), Yordan Alvarez (L), and Kyle Tucker (L) following to a proposed 2024 Jose Altuve (R), then Yordan Alvarez (L), Kyle Tucker (L), and Alex Bregman (R). The reviews were mixed with some claiming that the two righties and then two lefties gave the Astros a more competitive advantage versus a new mix with Bregman being the rallying hitter. There was a surplus of pros and cons scenarios, but the underlying consensus was that they were open to the mix up if it got the Astros close to the World Series win.
It was unclear if the new line up had any advantage due to the number of foul balls being hit into the air, turning the stadium from spectators into a truly interactive audience. The ohhs and ahhs when the balls popped in the air and bounced off rails, chairs, and on the occasion a person’s hand, were riveting. Kids were running through sections to line up for a shot at the next foul ball. People who brought their baseball gloves were on high alert and even standing for a chance to catch a ball on the run. Meanwhile, I was hoping it didn’t pass the foul line because the balls were coming so fast. How am I supposed to enjoy my nachos and have side commentary with my friends?
In the first inning, Yordan Alvarez made a first base hit that had the mere 17,000ish attendees cheering like a packed arena. Then a pop up to third really had the collective revisiting our passion for the sport. Later, Bregman hit a straight-line pass 3rd right in the center field. You could hear the screams from fans and chants from kids as Abreu had a ground a ball close to second base that loaded the bases. Finally, the Astros ended their first inning with a run.
At the top of the 5th, Ryan Pressley headed to the mound to a huge, thunderous roar from the crowd. It was a rock star welcome with a full-on dimming of the stadium lights and fans turning their phone lights and waving them. The mood was being set for greatness. So much so, I tried to catch the country song that accompanied the light show, but Siri couldn’t detect it past the cheers. It was a moment only to be dulled by a base hit to first by Sugar Land’s Will Wagner. The 5th inning ended with Sugar Land scoring a run making the game even.
Things escalated quickly after the 6th inning, when the Astros were unable to return the run Sugar Land had made in the 7th and the 8th. Fans really tried to bring the energy to help the Astros rally in each inning. The tension was palpable as fans stood up, kids chanted and cheered from the top all the way down to the field, while the Mascot tried to pump up the crowd. Unfortunately it was not enough to get a win from the Astros. The game ended with a final score of 3 to 1 with Sugar Land defeating the Astros in their first exhibition game. It was a bit nerve wrecking, but also exhilarating like any game should be when you really want your team to win.
As we began to exit the stadium, you could hear fans speaking optimistically about the next exhibition game, hoping for better hits, better fielding the ball, and getting the energy needed to get their “legs up under them’. One thing was clear, though, Astros fans are eager for this season because there is a lingering sense of incomplete job from last year’s inability to win the World Series. The opportunity to confront what is ahead couldn’t be more perfectly placed, with the highly anticipated game opener on Thursday, March 28th with the New York Yankees.
https://www.milb.com/gameday/space-cowboys-vs-astros/2024/03/25/747814/final/box
