Three or four years ago my Dad and I were talking about sports and stuff when he mentioned a book about the 1986 NLCS game six between the Astros and the Mets. It was called "The Greatest Game Ever Played" and it was! This is one of those games you will never forget. I still think the 14th inning home run by Billy Hatcher was the single greatest communal orgasm this city has ever had and I was right there with everyone. It ranks higher than the Rockets Championships, higher than the final four Cougar last second buzzer beater loss and higher than Oilers losing to the Steelers on a touchdown that wasn't!
In 1986 the Houston Astros played the New York Mets in the NLCS. We had Mike Scott who threw a split fingered fastball that was ... un-hittable and they had fate on thier side. The umps stole a game from us, the same umps gave it away in the bottom of the 9th in that game 6, and that same umps laughed in the faces of the Mets everytime they cried sandpaper at Mike Scott.
... on to the point for four years or so I have been looking for this "out of print" book. Last week I found myself at Amazon.com, they have this wishlist thing and I had put that book in there years ago. When I logged in I was surprised to see that a used copy was available... $7 on the credit card and 6 days later it arrived.
I read the back and the insert on the cover on the first day. Tonight I picked it up intending on reading a few chapters... I just finished it. I have to tell you reliving this thing pitch by pitch was not at all easy. I was reminded of how I felt when each thing happened, things I had long forgotten about good and bad. My heart beat in my chest just as hard as it had when I was 19. If you are a sports fan this book is a must. I still feel the pangs of defeat as I sit here now, and I write this as a therapy, otherwise there is no way I sleep tonight.
Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Denny Walling, Kevin Bass, Glenn Davis, Bill Doran, Billy Hatcher, Alan Ashby we remember these guys... how about Knepper, Thon, Garner and Cruz and who could forget Dave Smith and Charlie Kerfeld! The list goes on...
If you'd like a copy try Amazon
they now do used books as well. As for my copy, I'm saving that for my son... when he's old enough to understand we will read it together. good night...i.am.sam
