- On this day in history April 15th, 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African American baseball player to play in the Big Leagues, subsequently breaking the color barrier. He made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a career .300 hitter and was selected into 6 Allstar games while winning one Championship with them in 1955. His #42 was worn by every single Major League player on this day to honor his skills as a player, and to also honor his character. His number is now retired by all of the 30 MLB teams.
In other news Houston... we have a problem...
The Houston Astros have posted an 0-8 record to start the 2010 season, which makes them dead last in there division the NL Central. However they were able to crack the champagne bottles today thank God. The Stros picked up there first win of the season today beating the St Louis Cardinals 5-1. They also avoided tying there worst start in franchise history in which the club started the season 0-9 back in 1983. However 1-8 is a horrific way to start off a season and unfortunately for the Astros, they have some hills to climb. Or as one of my most favorite musicians of all time Bono would say "Its not a hill its a mountain, as you start out the climb". So yes, in this sense Bono is correct because the Astros don't have hills to climb but MOUNTAINS to climb! So what must happen for the Houston Astros to at least have a legitimate chance at winning there division the NL Central? First off injuries don't help any team, unfortunately its just a part of the game. Fans don't like it and the players don't like it, and of course the general manager doesn't like it. It really hurts your team as a whole when you lose your players due to injury. (Just ask the 2009-2010 Portland Trail Blazers). Houston's regular first baseman Lance Berkman who has averaged 20+ homers 100+ RBI's throughout his long career, is on the DL recovering fromarthroscopic knee surgery . However, if Houston can hold on for another week or two Berkman will be back very soon. But injuries aren't always the reason to blame a team for bad play so thats no excuse. Here are some other reasons the Astros are struggling out of the gate.
-Carlos Lee or as there teammates like to call him "El Caballo" which in spanish means "the horse" is hitting .086 with 0 homers and 0 RBI's. Thats not good when you look at Lee's career as a whole, where he has averaged 24+ homers and 100+ RBI's over 13 years in the Big Leagues. He needs to get it going offensively.
-Not only is Lee to blame but also Houston's starting catcher J.R. Towles has 1 hit in his first 18 At Bats this year which is a train wreck (.056 average). Kaz Matsui starting 2nd baseman is 2 for 21 to start the season (.095). Also the team as a whole is hitting .220, which is dead last in the National League. Sure I can keep pointing fingers all day but I think you get the point this team is bad right now. However there is still a light shining at the end of the tunnel. Houston's lead off man Michael Bourne is hitting .394 to start the year and is getting on base like a possessed man. Thats incredible production for a leadoff man, and Bourne is doing one heck of a job for the lowly Stros. However the other guys in there lineup such as Lee, Pence, Matsui Towles, Feliz, need to get it going soon otherwise they will be in for along season. Fans of the game including me, start to wonder if the Astros will hop on the bandwagon with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a "rebuilding" stage. So we just might see Houston slugger Carlos Lee or Houston's ace Roy Oswalt in a different uniform by time the season is over if the team doesn't start winning. Don't panic Houston fans thats why we play 162 games in a season! And as Spock would say "Good Luck" the rest of the way!
Another interesting note:
-Marlins 3rd baseman Jorge Cantu is the first player in major league history (through a teams first 10 games of the season) to record a hit and an RBI.
