There was "nothing regular" about last night's Rangers-Astros game at Tropicana Field, as fans who attended the relocated game "crowded behind the plate and the dugouts to get close to the action," according to Bradford Doolittle of ESPN.com. At times, those in attendance could "hear individual conversations" (ESPN.com, 8/29). In N.Y., Billy Witz writes it was quiet enough that when Rangers CF Carlos Gomez called for a pop fly, it could be "heard throughout the ballpark." The same could be said for a "beer vendor announcing last call" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/30). In Houston, Jake Kaplan notes a crowd of 3,485 attended the game (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/30). Kaplan also notes Astros manager A.J. Hinch after the game "went out of his way to thank the fans who attended." It marked MLB's "first regular-season game at a neutral site" since two Cubs-Astros games at Miller Park in '08 "because of Hurricane Ike" (CHRON.com, 8/30). In N.Y., Kristie Ackert reports that as of late last night, the Mets were "still waiting to find out where they would be heading next to face the Astros in a series that starts Friday." An MLB source said that a "decision was not likely to come down" until this afternoon. The "most likely resolution" would see that series also played at Tropicana Field (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/30). ESPN's Mark Schwarz said it was “surreal” in St. Pete before the Rangers-Astros game. Schwarz: "I saw some emotion in the eyes of some of the Astros players” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 8/29).
WEIRD FEELING: YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson wrote it was "pretty clear" yesterday that "nobody wanted to be at a dome in Florida." Adelson: "It's the saddest week in Houston history; it seemed wrong to play any sort of game. .. It's simply not a week for sports" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/29). The AP's Fred Goodall noted Hinch had "mixed emotions about being at Tropicana Field" last night. Hinch said, "It's hard to imagine playing. It's hard to imagine not playing." Players on both teams "talked about the difficulty of boarding flights Monday for the trip while so many people were suffering because of the storm." Rangers LF Delino DeShields "took exception to some of the banter on social media that criticized the Rangers' refusal to play the series in Arlington." He said, "We've got to play baseball. And we've got to play baseball somewhere where both sides agreed upon to play" (AP, 8/29). ESPN.com's Jenna Laine noted Rangers manager Jeff Banister "lived through a lot of hurricanes while growing up in the Houston area" and it is those experiences that "make him not only wish he was back in Texas helping, but bring a hint of guilt and make playing a game feel somewhat trivial." Banister said, "There is a guilt side of it and not being able to help out. Especially in the community that I was really embedded in and grew up and taught me and raised me into who I think I am today; that part of it hurts." But he also "believes in the power of two Texas teams playing one another ... and what it can do for those suffering" (ESPN.com, 8/29).
TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY: In Tampa, Tom Jones writes under the header, "Major League Baseball Strikes Out Forcing Houston To Play." Jones: "Why hasn't Major League Baseball postponed these games? Why isn't Major League Baseball doing the right thing by allowing the Astros players to be home with their loved ones at a time when frightened people want to be surrounded by loved ones?" The Rangers are "taking criticism for refusing to swap home games" with the Astros, and "deservedly so." They could have "earned tremendous respect for putting Houston above their own interests but took the selfish route instead." Jones: "It's a bad look. But it's a worse look for Major League Baseball" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/30). ESPN's Dan Le Batard said the Rangers are being "too selfish." ESPN's Israel Gutierrez said it "just would have looked better" if the Rangers had switched the games ("Highly Questionable," ESPN2, 8/29). In Ft. Worth, Jeff Wilson writes the Rangers and President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels are "baseball's newest villains" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 8/30). Also in Ft. Worth, Mac Engel writes under the header, "Texas Rangers Embarrass Themselves With Astros Schedule." The only play here was to "let it be the Astros’ call." They are the ones with the "competitive disadvantage" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 8/30). NBC Sports Bay Area's Kelli Johnson said of the Rangers, "There is a baseball decision in there, but in times like this, forget that" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 8/29).
TRYING TO BE FAIR: In Dallas, Evan Grant wrote of the decision to move the games to Tropicana Field, "I don't know if it was the best answer, but I think from the baseball perspective, it was probably the fairest answer." He added, "There wasn't any precedent for teams swapping home-and-home dates. That was just not really a practical solution in terms of the baseball and, for lack of a better term, business end of this" (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/29). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said, "The Rangers have an obligation to the Rangers first. This is a competitive situation." He added the Rangers are "not trying to give you the stiff arm," but rather "trying to come up with a solution here and the Astros wanted no part of it" ("PTI," ESPN, 8/29). ESPN’s Will Cain said of the Rangers, “They didn't necessarily do something wrong, but it is about doing something right. I'm a Texas Rangers fan and have been since I was a kid, but the name on the front is Texas and I would love to see them represent the entire state of Texas. ... The nature of sacrifice is giving up something and taking a loss for greater benefit" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 8/30).
COME TOGETHER: SI.com's Gabriel Baumgaertner wrote the atmosphere in Arlington would have "likely been one of togetherness instead of hostility, fundraising opportunities could have sprouted with the goal of Texas unity, and the two teams could have shared a field before first pitch to reminding the nation that baseball could help communities come together in the most trying circumstances." The spectacle will still be one of "help and togetherness, but it’s hard to envision who will be showing up from the greater Tampa region" (SI.com, 8/29).
