Pettitte tries to even World Series for Astros

Reuters ^ | 10-23-05 | Brad Dorfman

[truthandlife]

The Houston Astros will send their other hometown pitching ace to the mound on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, hoping Andy Pettitte can last longer than Roger Clemens did in Game 1 and help the Astros pull even in the World Series.

Pettitte, 33, will be opposed by White Sox lefthander Mark Buehrle, 26, who was credited with the win in the 2005 All-Star Game that gave the White Sox home-field advantage for the Series.

The White Sox won the first game of the best-of-seven series 5-3 on Saturday, when Clemens could go only two innings before being removed because of a strained hamstring.

Jose Contreras pitched seven-plus solid innings for the win and rookie closer Bobby Jenks got the save as the White sox used their bullpen for the first time in five games.

Pettitte signed with the Astros after the 2003 season and helped lead his erstwhile New York Yankee team-mate, Clemens, out of a short-lived retirement and into the rotation of their hometown team.

Now Pettitte will try to lead the Astros to their first win in their first-ever World Series.

Pettitte, who was 17-9 in the regular season and is 1-1 in the 2005 post-season, pitched for nine seasons in the spotlight of Yankee Stadium.

On Saturday he compared the pressure of trying to bring a World Series to his hometown Astros with pitching under the championship expectations of the Yankees, for whom he had a 3-4 record in 10 World Series starts.

"To tell the truth, for me, personally (there's) a lot of pressure," Pettitte said before Game 1. "I know I was putting pressure on myself for that reason, 44 years, never been here, the opportunity to get here was right in front of us."

Buehrle, 16-8 with a 3.12 earned run average, is known for being a fast worker on the mound.

"I've never been able to work slow," said Buehrle, who is 2-0 in the 2005 post-season. "The faster you work, the better off you are going to be. I just don't see any reason to go out there and waste time."

[truthandlife]

Wondering who to root for in this World Series? The Houston Astros are not a bad choice.

Reasons to cheer for the Astros

http://www.bpsports.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=472

The God Squad With their own chaplain, the Houston Astros might be the most religious clubhouse in the majors

http://www.houston-press.com/issues/2004-09-16/news/news.html

The Major League Faith of Andy Pettitte

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/CWN/072905pettitte.asp

http://www.christiansportsminute.com/lance_berkman.htm

Lance Berkman testimony

http://www.therevealer.org/archives/timeless_002151.php

In "Three Strikes...You're Saved," Houston Astros star third baseman Morgan Ensberg is unabashed in saying, "The entire reason I play baseball is so that I get a chance to speak about Christ." Similarly, Jamey Carroll of the Washington Nationals tells CBN reporter Shawn Brown, "If I can be a light in this field that somebody in the stands can see Christ through me, that's truly the reason I go out and I play for Him." So much for the love of the game.

http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/700club_morganensberg062005.asp

Morgan Ensberg: Three Strikes... You're Saved By Andrew Knox The 700 Club

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/archives/050119.html

Birthday greetings go to ORLANDO PALMEIRO of the Houston Astros. He is one of several dedicated Christians on that NL Central team, including Morgan Ensberg, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett, and Andy Pettitte. Palmeiro is 36 years old today.

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/2412.article

Baseball players minister to teammates with ‘Passion’

http://www.ewitnessnews.com/news/article_1000231.php

Astros' Lance Berkman featured on Christian Sports Minute

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/192004g.asp

Shortstop Fields Life's Challenges with Abundant Faith Adam Everett, Houston Astros Shortstop

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=songs/astros

OF Lance Berkman Songs by Godsmack, P.O.D. and Newsboys Berkman loved his music, but suggested the music people throw in some hits from Christian rock band, The Newsboys.

http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20030313&content_id=219368&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp

Berkman favors family over baseball

http://www.baptiststandard.com/2001/6_4/pages/mclane.html TEAM PLAYER Businessman Drayton McLane Jr.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3132226

Astros have no hard feelings for Beltran

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16732_1.html?rnd=38

Living a Pure Life A major league baseball player discovers God's plan for him comes before his career

http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=3567

Astros' owner insists players serve as role models

http://www.newmanmag.com/a.php?ArticleID=7818

Sanctified Slugger

http://www.businessreform.com/article.php?articleID=10714&ofid=64

Our Top Ten Favorite Christian Entrepreneurs

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20468

WINNING SPIRIT: Astros' Ensberg learns from Piper, MacArthur

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/ SPORTS SPECTRUM INSIDER Getting to the heart of what matters in life TODAY'S FEATURE: ADAM EVERETT

ADAM EVERETT, SHORTSTOP, HOUSTON ASTROS

BIO NOTE: Everett was a member of the 2000 gold medal-winning US Olympic baseball team.

RECENT STAT: Everett went 1-for-3 in the Astros’ pennant-clinching victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

FAITH QUOTE: (On temptations of the baseball life) “Basically I just give everything up to the Lord. The temptations are there, but if you don't put yourself in these situations, it's not going to be a problem. When I'm on the road, I like to stay in my room and order room service. Or go out with some of the Christian guys. But I never go out to go out. I don't enjoy it. I love my wife, and I take my marriage very personally and to heart. Whenever you commit to those vows, they're for life.” —Sports Spectrum magazine

[truthandlife]

Wondering who to root for in this World Series? The Houston Astros are not a bad choice.

Reasons to cheer for the Astros

http://www.bpsports.net/bpcolumn.asp?ID=472

The God Squad With their own chaplain, the Houston Astros might be the most religious clubhouse in the majors

http://www.houston-press.com/issues/2004-09-16/news/news.html

The Major League Faith of Andy Pettitte

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/CWN/072905pettitte.asp

http://www.christiansportsminute.com/lance_berkman.htm

Lance Berkman testimony

http://www.therevealer.org/archives/timeless_002151.php

In "Three Strikes...You're Saved," Houston Astros star third baseman Morgan Ensberg is unabashed in saying, "The entire reason I play baseball is so that I get a chance to speak about Christ." Similarly, Jamey Carroll of the Washington Nationals tells CBN reporter Shawn Brown, "If I can be a light in this field that somebody in the stands can see Christ through me, that's truly the reason I go out and I play for Him." So much for the love of the game.

http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/700club_morganensberg062005.asp

Morgan Ensberg: Three Strikes... You're Saved By Andrew Knox The 700 Club

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/archives/050119.html

Birthday greetings go to ORLANDO PALMEIRO of the Houston Astros. He is one of several dedicated Christians on that NL Central team, including Morgan Ensberg, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett, and Andy Pettitte. Palmeiro is 36 years old today.

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/2412.article

Baseball players minister to teammates with ‘Passion’

http://www.ewitnessnews.com/news/article_1000231.php

Astros' Lance Berkman featured on Christian Sports Minute

http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/192004g.asp

Shortstop Fields Life's Challenges with Abundant Faith Adam Everett, Houston Astros Shortstop

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=songs/astros

OF Lance Berkman Songs by Godsmack, P.O.D. and Newsboys Berkman loved his music, but suggested the music people throw in some hits from Christian rock band, The Newsboys.

http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20030313&content_id=219368&vkey=spt2003news&fext=.jsp

Berkman favors family over baseball

http://www.baptiststandard.com/2001/6_4/pages/mclane.html TEAM PLAYER Businessman Drayton McLane Jr.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3132226

Astros have no hard feelings for Beltran

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/167/story_16732_1.html?rnd=38

Living a Pure Life A major league baseball player discovers God's plan for him comes before his career

http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=3567

Astros' owner insists players serve as role models

http://www.newmanmag.com/a.php?ArticleID=7818

Sanctified Slugger

http://www.businessreform.com/article.php?articleID=10714&ofid=64

Our Top Ten Favorite Christian Entrepreneurs

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20468

WINNING SPIRIT: Astros' Ensberg learns from Piper, MacArthur

http://www.sportsspectrum.com/hotcorner/ SPORTS SPECTRUM INSIDER Getting to the heart of what matters in life TODAY'S FEATURE: ADAM EVERETT

ADAM EVERETT, SHORTSTOP, HOUSTON ASTROS

BIO NOTE: Everett was a member of the 2000 gold medal-winning US Olympic baseball team.

RECENT STAT: Everett went 1-for-3 in the Astros’ pennant-clinching victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

FAITH QUOTE: (On temptations of the baseball life) “Basically I just give everything up to the Lord. The temptations are there, but if you don't put yourself in these situations, it's not going to be a problem. When I'm on the road, I like to stay in my room and order room service. Or go out with some of the Christian guys. But I never go out to go out. I don't enjoy it. I love my wife, and I take my marriage very personally and to heart. Whenever you commit to those vows, they're for life.” —Sports Spectrum magazine

[oolatec]

Not with a name like "Pettitte"! ;)

[Nachum]

Should be a good game. Both pitchers in game two of the World Series have similar ERA's in post season play this year. The teams play a similar style of play too.

Very tough to call. - Statistically, the team that wins the first game in the world series has gone on to win the series. At the moment, the advantage goes to the White Sox.

[Al Simmons]

Worthy.

But it won't matter.

The Sox have at least as good a pitching staff as Houston, and a MUCH better offense.

Plus they have the "destiny" factor.

As you are religious, this will make sense to you: Shoeless Joe Jackson's name was mentioned by Clemens' Mom in September, on the day that she died, as she was drifting to and fro.

Methinks this was a sign from beyond that the Sox rid themselves of the "Black Sox" stigma this year.

World Champion Chicago White Sox

Get used to hearing it. No way this series goes beyond 6 games - if that......

P.S. I'm a Yankee fan, love Houston, Clemens and Pettitte...it would be GREAT if Houston won.

But it ain't gonna happen this year.

I hope that Roger comes back next year. It must suck to retire because of an injury.

[Cyclopean Squid]

The 'Stros defy statistics. They battled back from a 15-30 start. They dropped the first to the Cards, then rallied for 3 games. They almost had Game 5, but Pujols had something to say about that. When everyone in the sports world thought they were finished after that dramatic loss, they dominated Game 6. I wouldn't write them off yet.

That said, I'd rather be up 1 game than down. But can't do anything about that now. Let's hope Staring Andy can even this up before we bring it home.

[truthandlife]

Astros will win it in 7. The Astros play better when they are down and they were saying the same thing after Game 1 in the Cardinals series. They were saying the Cardinals were invincible and the Astros won that series 4-2 and it could have been 4-1.

The Sox bullpen looked great last night but the Sox starting pitching can be beaten with the Astros starting pitching. The Sox were lucky Clements was hurt and gave up 3 runs. The Astros left a lot of runners on base and could have easily won the game.

The Astros will win tonight.

[Verginius Rufus]

The last time the White Sox were in the World Series, they won the first game (which was at home, I believe), then proceeded to lose the series in six.

Their win last night could mean they're replicating their performance in 1959. They're doomed!

[Nachum]

World Champion Chicago White Sox Get used to hearing it. No way this series goes beyond 6 games - if that......

Hey, you're talking to a lifetime White Sox fan here.

I've had my hopes dashed before. I respect the opponant they're playing and would be happy to see my White Sox win in 4, 5, 6, or 7.

There's a lot of baseball yet to be played.

[Nachum]

The last time the White Sox were in the World Series, they won the first game (which was at home, I believe), then proceeded to lose the series in six.

Yeah, but the Astros couldn't hold a candle to Sandy Koufax and the '59 Dogders. I doubt you'll see the same result as '59 no matter who wins.

[John W]

Watching the Bears, looks like it will be a gorgeous Chicago evening weather-wise.

[Verginius Rufus]

Curiously enough, Sandy Koufax was the losing pitcher for one of the two games L.A. lost in 1959.

Winning and losing pitchers in the 1959 WS (from The Information Please Almanac):

Game 1: W-Wynn (CWS), L-Craig (LA)
Game 2: W-Podres (LA); L-Shaw (CWS)
Game 3: W-Drysdale (LA); L-Donovan (CWS)
Game 4: W-Sherry (LA); L-Staley (CWS)
Game 5: W-Shaw (CWS); L-Koufax (LA)
Game 6: W-Sherry (LA); L-Wynn (CWS)

[Malcolm]

I agree, Al. I'm also a Christian, and appreciate the poster's references, but I feel the White Sox will win. If the 'Stros win, I like that too, as I am a southerner, but I like the fact that Boston won last year, and that the Chicago will win this year. Both teams deserved a win after so many years, and so many tickets bought by the fans to support them.

Glad Houston made it this far, as Biggio and Bagwell deserve to be in the WS, but I don't believe Houston has what it takes to win four games. The White Sox steamroller is just too big...

[Nachum]

Actually, Koufax lost twice.

No matter. This series will make its own history, no matter who wins. Tonight's game is pivotal for both teams.

[2dogjoe]

Go 'Stros !!!

[Nachum]

Here are some current stats on Petitt going into tonight's game:

(4.66 ERA). Pettitte is 3-6 with a 6.33 ERA in 10 career starts at U.S. Cellular Field. He went 7-1 in nine starts at Yankee Stadium against Chicago, and overall is 10-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 19 starts against the White Sox.

Buehrle has never faced Houston and has faced only two hitters in the Astros lineup -- Ausmus and Lamb.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview;_ylt=AuxUKEypg5K3Q.eBmqY1DQ4RvLYF?gid=251023104

I think that this game will definately see some scoring, like last night. Pettitt has less rest going into the game and Buehrle is an unknown. If he is like his current stats (6.33 ERA at US Cellular), it will be a long night for the 'Stros.

[dakine]

Reason to root for Astros:

Bet placed in Jan. getting 40-1 odds on Astros being W.S. champs....

[Verginius Rufus]

I just checked the box scores from the 1959 WS (from the Baseball Almanac via Google). Koufax was 0-1 for the series...he pitched in relief in Game 1 but wasn't the pitcher of record for that game. Roger Craig got the loss.

[Al Simmons]

Well, 3 more outs to go, after Konerko's SLAM!

See, I tried explaining it to you earlier - the Sox will win because ALL of the 'miraculous factors' have been rolling their way...

I mean, that hit by pitch call had to be the biggest phantom call of a hit by pitch I have ever seen, it wasn't within 5 inches of his forearm....but...

the Sox got the call and then - *BOOM!!*

Since that stuff happened to them all through the Angels series, Houston, we have a trend here...

[Radix]

Astros may win in 7, or even in five, but they won't win it all by relying on that choke Clemens...Take that to the bank......