The element of speed should never be taken for granted. I never understood why the Astros let that get away from them over the years. They were long known as a team built with speed in mind, and just because they moved into a ballpark with hitters in mind - they essentially stopped running. Those days are over. Personnel decisions partially dictate your ability to steal bases effectively and play outfield defense more effectively. But your willingness to force the issue while on the bases is dictated by desire. Cecil Cooper's and Ed Wade's desire is to run and it is paying off.
Kaz Matsui's steal of 2nd base and subsequent scamper to third base on a wild pitch essentially won the game for the Astros in the 9th inning. They manufactured two runs in the 4th inning on an infield single, a HBP and a single from pitcher Roy Oswalt (on a 1-2 pitch), mainly because of steals by Hunter Pence and Ty Wigginton. Acquiring Bourn and Matsui ensured the Astros would be a faster team, but on top of that these two guys are among the most successful stolen base artists in major league history.
Bourn: 32-35 SB (.914) , best among all major leaguers since 1957 among those with at least 30 steals
Matsui: 69-79 SB all-time.
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Good reads around the net...
-- If you think some Houston Rockets' fans hate the Mavs, well Spurs fan who feel similarly probably enjoyed Buck Harvey's column today in the SA Express News.
-- You think signing Troy Percival was a good idea. The answer is a resounding yes.
-- In Derek Jeter's case, 6-for-100 is a remarkably impressive achievement.
--------------more coming tonight-------------- WEX
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