HOUSTON - It is a strange feeling around Minute Maid Park. It is deep into October, and the blaringly loud sound of silence is eerily deafening. The ballpark hasn’t seen significant activity since the Astros’ abrupt ending to the season on Oct 2. Houston hadn’t seen that quick a playoff exit since 2001. “For a minute there, I thought we were back in the NL, and we just played the Braves yet again in the NLDS.” Noted one long-time unnamed Astros staffer.
It is the oddest of feelings for all concerned within the Astros’ organization. For the front office, many heard rumors about a despondent Jim Crane, wandering the halls of Minute Maid, staggering around, tearing his clothes and lamenting “Pressly!