I admit, I'm not a Houston Astros fan in the first place, so I'm a tad biased. But here's why you should be cheering for the opposition on Tuesday evening.
↵Back in 2006, Brad Lincoln had one of the greatest seasons in the history of college baseball for the Houston Cougars. He won 12 games on the mound, earning a 1.69 ERA and 152 Ks in 127.2 innings. If that wasn't good enough, he batted .295 with 14 homers and a team-leading 53 RBI.
↵He was drafted fourth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite criticisms that he didn't throw hard enough, and wasn't big enough. He has since filled out a bit, and is now generously listed at 6'4", 210 lbs.
↵After injuries delayed his development in the minors, Sports Illustrated went so far as to call the Lincoln pick "a miss", before the player in question made his first major league start. Lincoln fought through all of the setbacks, and made his major league debut a month ago. He threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, lowering his ERA to 4.65, and earning his first big-league win. He hasn't lost the hitting touch, either. He's 3-for-8 with an RBI at the plate.
↵It's obvious most Astro fans have been staying away from a lost season for the hometown team, but you should show up tonight - and cheer for the other guy.
↵(The lone bright spot and All-Star for the 'Stros, Michael Bourn, is a Cougar, too. You're welcome, Astro fans.)
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