I’m listening to sports radio these days and this morning’s talk was about the Home Run contest as a part of the All-Star festivities. The outstanding first round effort of Josh Hamilton gave rise to a discussion of pitching vs. hitting in the round-about way guys discuss stuff <grin>.<\/p>\n
After listening to both sides (I go with pitching, btw), I’d like to focus on what is probably the most important position on the diamond: the pitcher. <\/p>\n
My premise is this: unlike any other sport, the pitcher holds the ATTITUDE of the game (and in Houston, the fans as well) in his hands. <\/p>\n
The pitcher single-handedly has the ability to demoralize the opposing team while embolding his, and vice-versa. A great pitcher will frustrate hitters, the offense of the club. Likewise, the pitcher’s team – 7 innings with 1 run against takes the pressure off the offense to equal a slugfest of an opposing team. Let’s face it – very few hitters, if any, can produce runs on demand. <\/p>\n
The team gets behind their pitcher. Ground balls become outs – the crowd goes crazy for the just-in-time throw to 1st from 3rd. The quality of pitching controls the game.<\/p>\n
And flipped – I’ve seen how things turn when the opposive team hits 6 runs off a starter or releiver in one inning. The wind just completely vanishes out of the team – and when the hitters don’t perform above and beyond… well, we all know where that goes.<\/p>\n
A comment was made this morning – how did the Astros make it to the World Series? Pitching. And it’s something we’re SORELY lacking this season. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I’m listening to sports radio these days and this morning’s talk was about the Home Run contest as a part of the All-Star festivities. The outstanding first round effort of Josh Hamilton gave rise to a discussion of pitching vs. hitting in the round-about way guys discuss stuff <grin>. After listening to both sides (I … <\/p>\n