Troubling Times in Texas
September 18, 1972, Houston, Texas - As one of the worst seasons in Texas baseball history draws to a close, it is time to take a hard look at the Timewarp, and where the team is headed. In case you haven't noticed, this team stinks! Actually, you probably haven't noticed. No one has. The stands this season at New Houston Park have been a ghosttown. It has been so bad, the team was forced to lay off half of the hotdog vendors because they were eating more hotdogs than were being sold to fans. The season definitely hit a low point, one of many, a week from Friday, when 18,000 fans turned out to see the much anticipated debut of young pitcher Philip Lewis. Lewis is expected to be a cornerstone of a completely overhauled rotation next year. If his first start is any indication, the "cornerstone" provides for a very weak foundation. Lewis gave up eleven hits and six runs in a mere three innings to fellow cellar-dweller St. Louis, as the Timewarp sulked their way to a 10-2 loss. Perhaps so many fans turned out for the game because of the unusual promotion that night - it was Texas Lasso Night. We have unconfirmed reports that after the game, several of the remaining diehard fans tried to use their lassos to hang themselves. Fortunately for them, the ropes broke, just like everything else associated with the Timewarp!
It would be unfair not to mention that Lewis looked brilliant in his second start, outdueling legendary David Toon and powerhouse Falls Church, the second best team in the majors, for a 7-3 win. This provided one of the rare memberable moments of the 72 season, as Texas took 2 out of 3 games in the series with Falls Church.
This year's crop of free agent signings have provided mixed results. The team signed an aging Larry Archer in hopes that it could get one good year out of him to stabilize the starting rotation some. All they got out of Archer really was a consistent batting practice pitcher, both for warmups and during the games he pitched in. Texas brought in Japanese import Ki-su Hisayuki, expecting to get solid production from the bat that was such a force in the Japanese Central League. Yuki has struggled to adjust to the North American game though, especially in making contact with pitches to the outside of the plate, and was eventually sent down to the minors to work on his swing. Sporting a .228 average and managing more strikeouts than hits will do that for you. There were a couple positives though, as starter Irving Canizales, who is just entering the prime of his career, has been a real find. While making the league minimum, he has consistently been the best Texas starter since his call up from the Freedom early in the season. And reliever Hector Colon has definitely earned his contract, providing some solid innings first as a setup man and then as the primary closer. He has made the sting of trading away popular shutdown man Thomas Correa for prospects somewhat bearable.
Speaking of trades, how did Texas fare in the Great Purge of 72? The team jettisoned most of its talent, along with any hopes of being competitive for the next season or two, for prospects and picks. While it is too early to tell, the aforementioned Lewis looks like he could be the real deal and become an integral part of a young rotation with his wicked curveball and slider. Both prospects obtained in the Arispe/Caley trade with Falls Church, 2B Norman Cruz and CL Jeremiah Siddiqui, have done very well in AAA ball. Siddiqui struggled with Falls Church earlier in the year, but may still play for the Timewarp next season. Other prospects, including "Broadway" Weaver, Joey McHone, Andres Vina, and Henry Gerson, are still probably a season or two away, but have shown promise.
This year's first round draft pick, strangely nicknamed "Shrimp" Rodriguez -- the kid is 6"6, for Pete's sake!! -- has not looked overmatched playing regularly for AAA Freedom, and soon could begin leading the Texas offense for years to come. Young outfielders Ervin Stallcup and Patrick Brown have done well at the top of the order, and should play key roles going forward. Beloved catcher Ronald Bakken continues to carry the team with his bat. And if 1B Randall Wiersma could learn not to swing at every pitch thrown in his general direction, he could provide some protection for Bakken in the lineup. With presumably a top two pick in the upcoming 1973 draft, and several picks in the second round, the team's young talent pool should only get better.
The rest of the season is going to be pretty ugly, no doubt about it. Surging beer sales are the only thing keeping the team's bottom line close to breaking even. That makes sense though, as one has to wonder why anyone would want to watch a Texas ballgame sober these days. The record will not be the worst in history, with the 1958 debacle almost untouchable in its ineptitude, but it certainly feels like it. The future does look bright though. If only we could "Timewarp" to get there soon, and not suffer through all of this miserable baseball we're seeing now.
By Staff Writer Billy Bush