Would Altuve be able to get out of his batting funk? Did Verlander look like his old self again? What are the signs that the Astros could win it all this year? We break down game one with our very own Sr. Sales Manager, Kyle Carter.
By Kyle Carter
The perspective of an athlete reviewing a game is slightly different than your average Joe watching the same game. The players are the same, field is the same and even the lineups are the same but the mind of an athlete, looking for the competitive edge, is what makes the game still intriguing and fun to play.
The first game of the World Series involving our Houston Astros did not go the way we all had hoped. The excitement of the moment, the pageantry, the history, all rolled up into that first pitch by our hall of famer Justin Verlander. As the game started, nerves are obvious, by us the viewers and not so much the players. These athletes are professionals and nerves are only felt on the inside, never shown on the outside. As soon as that first pitch is made, your nerves steady, you jump into your roll for something that you have been doing your whole life that has made you the best of the best.
The first few innings go any way the home team would want them to go, steady, exciting, moment to moment and then the breakout home run from a first time all-star, Kyle Tucker, to put us ahead and start the excitement momentum building. Building up a five run lead with our ace on the mound, who could ask for anything better.
Then the inevitable happens, the first hit by the visiting team, the second and the runs start creeping up slowly. We’re feeling vulnerable but confident in our hall of famer who is now looking a little frazzled. His “stuff” is not cutting or breaking the way he wants it to, the batters are keying in on what he was able to get by them the first time up to bat. Hit after hit occurs and just like that, the game is tied and we’re back to square one. It’s that time, our hero, can do no wrong star pitcher, is replaced by the outstanding and tenacious bullpen relievers.
Again, the bullpen relief pitchers work their magic, inning by inning, keeping the opponent from scoring but our own bats have gone cold. Managers of both teams start playing their strategy of pitcher vs batter for the next few innings. Something has got to give we keep telling ourselves. Someone has to hit a home run to break this tied game and take game one. We are just hoping that unsung hero, somewhere down in the lineup, will be the one to put our home team ahead and hold on.
The it happens, the one swing, as soon as it comes off the bat, your gut knows it’s out of the park, it’s a home run, by the visiting team. We’re behind, losing, something that hasn’t happened in this playoff run. How will we respond, the anxiety builds but alas, no response comes, the bats are luke warm at best, the possibility of tying up the game comes, only to be dashed by that professional, that one player that no one really knows who he is, making a play that could have extended the game one more inning, that could have given us another opportunity, but no, the momentum has faded, and it happens.
The first loss in our playoff run. The sullen looks of the players, realizing that they might be vulnerable, the fans quiet as they leave their seats, taking a look at the field where it just happened. This is where the character, strategy and inner strength of an athlete comes out. They understand that it’s just one game, there is another one tomorrow, and another, and another. Fate might not have gone in favor for the first game, but there will be another chance and to come out, getting to do it again, is all the competitive professional ask for. Good Luck Astros !!
Bio: Kyle Carter
Kyle Carter was born and raised in Amarillo, Tx and lifelong fan of sports. He was introduced to sports at the age of 2 and played football, basketball and baseball through high school. He earned a football scholarship and played all four years as a starter. Kyle comes to Texan Insurance with over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He uses his years of experience on the field to build trustworthy and strong teams as our Sales Manager.
