Richard Justice has been busy today. His new blog post details how the Astros may actually rally from this, despite 20% of the rotation crying like he has a banana in his tailpipe.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Astros played better in the days ahead. I'm not saying they're capable of any kind of sustained run, but I believe there are players who will feed off Roy Oswalt's unhappiness. As Geoff Blum said, ''I'm proud to be an Astro.''
At the moment, I think there are 24 players proud to wear the uniform of the Houston Astros. I don't know if they truly feel that way, or if they're sending a not-so-subtle message about Oswalt's attitude...
...There was a buzz inside the clubhouse Friday night after Brett Myers' great performance against the Rays. Players were happy and talkative and feeling pretty good about things.
Their attitude was a huge contrast to Oswalt's sullenness. I don't know this for a fact, but I believe Lance Berkman has chosen not to comment on Oswalt because he's caught in an impossible spot.
Does Roy deserve to go to a winner, or should he play out his contract? Either way, he's getting his money, and the Astros will get something for him. But this got ugly quick. Ed Wade should move quickly, because this can be the defining moment of his tenure - something that takes him from being a five-year guy to a 10-15 year guy. If Wade can figure out how to trade Roy quickly, it just might overshadow the reminder that he was once choke-slammed by Shawn Chacon. This is the chance to assert his authority, to show that anybody who doesn't want to be here can get the hell out. Roy went from being a guy who could have been the most celebrated Astro (post-2000) to being a guy the fanbase can't wait to get rid of, and if Wade can figure out a way to trade him to...well, I can't think of a team worse right now, even better.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
