Rooting for Former Hometown Athletes

I don't know how much time I have to type right now, so I may have to come back later and finish this, but here goes. After watching the Phillies and Rays make it to the World Series, I started thinking (dangerous, I know). I came to the realization that, while I was happy to see former Houston Astros Brad Lidge (Phillies), Dan Wheeler (Rays), and Eric Bruntlett (Phillies) get another shot at a World Series title, I certainly wouldn't have felt the same way about a few other former Astros. Digging deeper, I realized that there was a common theme that divided the players I root for and the players I seethe over when seeing their success: the way they left the Astros organization.

Let me explain. I have found myself rooting for players that:

• Were traded
  
• Were released by the team and left gracefully, not burning bridges upon departure


• Were not re-signed, but not because they didn't show a genuine interest in coming back

I have found myself rooting against players that:

• Burned bridges
  
• Speak negatively about their time spent in Houston


• Acted interested in being an Astro going forward, only to jack up their contract offers from other teams
  

Some of you can see where I'm going with this when I say I'll give some examples.

Here are some players I root for:

(pictured are Brad Lidge, Eric Bruntlett, Chris Burke, Taylor Buchholz, Morgan Ensberg, Adam Everett, Mike Lamb, Chad Qualls, Luke Scott, and Dan Wheeler)

Brad Lidge - part of a trade to Philly. I had the pleasure of actually meeting Lidge at spring training in Florida in 2005. Really really nice guy who actually stopped and had a quick conversation with my brother and I. He's had nothing but great things to say about Houston and the Astros.

Eric Bruntlett - part of same trade as Lidge. I've never heard him say a single negative thing about anything.

Chris Burke - part of trade to Arizona. He's a part of Astros lore. Hit the game-winning home run in the 18-inning marathon playoff series clincher against the Braves. Tabaitha and I sat through all 6 hours of that one at Minute Maid Park! Terrific guy who still follows the Astros despite playing elsewhere now.

Taylor Buchholz - part of a trade to Colorado. He is a good young pitcher who showed a lot of promise in Houston. I was shocked when they traded him, and I'm sure he was too. Yet he had only good things to say about the organization upon being dealt.

Morgan Ensberg - released. This guy was an all or everything player when it came to offensive production. When he was hitting, he was one of the best hitting third basemen in the league, but when he struggled, he really struggled. Many people were glad when he and the Astros finally parted ways. Don't count me as one of them. From what I've heard and read about him, he is as professional as they come.

Adam Everett - released. This guy is arguably the greatest defensive shortstop of all-time, but his deficiency with the bat has cost him from achieving stardom, let alone a starting job outside of Houston. He and Ensberg were once seen as the future left side of the Astros infield, and it's still strange not seeing either of them there.

Mike Lamb - released. Great hitter, but a butcher with the glove. Basically the exact opposite of Adam Everett. Great guy who is a class act. Played all over the Astros infield and never complained publicly about it.

Chad Qualls - part of a trade to Arizona. Sometimes looked like a world-beater on the mound, sometimes looked like a team-beater. Still a good young pitcher who should have continued success wherever he pitches. He did give up some big home runs in the postseason, which may have ultimately been his undoing in Houston. Still follows the team (along with Chris Burke) on a regular basis.

I'll get back to what I'm trying to say here tomorrow.