Seems Like Old Times.
In many ways, the upcoming 2013 baseball season feels a lot like Houston’s early MLB history in either 1962 or 1965. In allegiance to our long-term baseball alliance with this particular number, here is ….
Seems Like Old Time/9 Ways in Which the Early Years of Houston Baseball Compare with 2013:
(1) In 1962, Houston was leaving the minor league American Association to join the major level National League. In 2013, Houston is leaving their association with the major level National League to play ball as a minor level club in the American League.
(2) In 1965, Houston moved into the Astrodome to play baseball in the Eighth Wonder of the World. In 2013, Houston will move into the American League to play baseball as the Eighth Blunder of the World, with the first seven blunders being totally discounted by season’s end.
(3) In 1962, Houston began the season with the best of the worst players available in the baseball pool because that’s all they could get. In 2013, Houston will begin the season with the best of the worst players they could find because that’s all they would spend.
(4) In 1965, Houston fans thought that watching baseball in the new air-conditioned Astrodome was cool. In 2013, Houston fans have cooled their enthusiasm in anticipation of the fear that baseball at Minute Maid Park isn’t going to be so hot this season
(5) In 1962, Houston built a low player payroll by signing only low production older suspects. In 2013, Houston has built a low player payroll by signing only low production younger prospects.
(6) In both 1962 and 1965, you get what you pay for. In 2013, you still get what you pay for, even though nothing but words and promises are still really cheap in the 21st century.
(7) In 1965, fans received free beer called a “foamer” when an Astros batter then homered in a designated pre-announced inning. In 2013, the age of designated hitters and the era of designated drivers, there is no such thing as foamers. The Astros do not care to be held liable for the car accidents and other mayhem caused by “foamer consumers” on their ways home from the ballpark.
(8) In 1962, the first Houston National League manager was an old school guy who probably never even heard of the world “culture.” In 1965, the first Houston American League manager is a young college educated guy who talks a lot about changing the culture on the team.
(9) In 1962, a bad first National League team in Houston proved that you could lose a lot of games with an old school guy at the helm as manager. In 2013, a worse first American League team in Houston may prove that you can lose even more games with a college educated young guy at the helm as manager.
BONUS QUIZ/ONE QUESTION: Do you have to know what a culture is before you can change it?
The Pecan Park Eagle 
February 12, 2013 at 1:53 am |
Clever comparisons and most likely pretty true. Time will tell!