RMJ 230 October 3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 ● Houston ● Playoffs, Game 3 vs Braves

I told the writers that I was optimistic about facing Smoltz.

“He throws riding fastballs, and he challenges hitters more than Glavine. Obviously, you don’t win the Cy Young Award by giving up three-run homers all the time, but the long ball is more likely with him than with the two guys we faced in Atlanta. Maybe we’ll get lucky and break loose with the bats.”

I said this, but I didn’t really believe it. Smoltz throws a riding fastball, all right — but he seldom throws it in the hitting zone. When he is sharp, he is tougher than Maddux and Glavine. And he has generally been sharp in the postseason.

One thing about Smoltz: if you do get to him, he gets upset. He doesn’t have quite as much poise as the other two — or their fourth starter, 20-game winner Denny Neagle.

Shane has been pitching well for us lately, but he’s still not quite right. I had my private doubts about our ability to win this game.

I watched the pregame introductions from the front of the dugout. The trainers were the first to be called, and they ran out to the first-base line, way beyond the bag. Then the nonstarters were announced, and they lined up from the trainers, past the bag and about halfway to home plate. 

I knew I would be next, and that I was supposed to stand near home plate. The guys in the lineup would fill the gap between where I was standing and the rest of the team.

I noticed that Bobby Cox went to the end of the line and slapped hands with everyone, starting with his trainers. I did not do this in Atlanta, but I felt I should do it today.

Ordinarily I don’t show a lot of emotion; I prefer the businesslike approach. But this was special. Fifty-three-thousand fans were present: the largest baseball crowd in Astrodome history. 

I vacillated: should I, or shouldn’t I?

I finally decided to do it — but to do it fast, with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. It turned out to be the right choice. The players seemed to appreciate it, and the fans went nuts. When I got to home plate and shook hands with Bobby Cox, he said, “they love you here, man. They really love you.”

I have a lot of respect for Bobby Cox, and his words meant a lot to me. I hope we have won some fans over with our hustling style of play, and by the way we carry ourselves.

I hope we can match the standard of excellence the Braves have set during the last six years. But without a superstation to subsidize our payroll, it will be difficult. What they have done is so extraordinary that it would be tough to match with unlimited funds.

Still, the way I felt at that moment made me realize the importance of our mission, because I knew most of the fans were sharing the feeling.

Houston has enjoyed the pride of a world championship twice with the Rockets, but we haven’t done it once in our 35 years in the National League. We still have a chance to win the ring this year, but it’s a long shot. I just hope the fans will stay with us to some extent if we don’t win this series. 

 

Unfortunately, I was right about Smoltz: he turned out to be the toughest pitcher of all.

In the first inning, he set the stage, retiring Biggio, Bell, and Bagwell in order — throwing nothing but fastballs. The only run we got was on a solo homer by Chuckie Carr in the seventh inning. We were down 3-0 at the time, and the Braves got the run back in the top of the eighth.

The final score was 4-1, but it really wasn’t that close. We only got three hits and a walk, while Smoltz struck out 11 batters.

I was really discouraged. Seven months’ effort to get into the postseason, and then three-games-and-out.

The first game in Atlanta was dramatic; we easily could have won it. After that, we never came close. We were so thoroughly beaten, it was embarrassing. Losing to the Braves is no disgrace, but the way we did it was shameful.

For the past few weeks, I have been telling everybody that we have nothing to lose.

“If we win, we make more money and have a chance to advance to the World Series. If we lose, we go on vacation. It’s a win/win situation.”

We are on vacation now. Whoopee. I suppose I will enjoy the time off, after I get over the heartache; I know I will. I’m pretty good at vacation. It’s going to take a few days, though.

This bitter pill is enough to make you gag.