It's a Different Atmosphere

When a major league baseball season goes into it's final days with the teams involved not part of the pennant races or post season picture things are almost in a fog. The games go on of course, but they just don't bring out the same enthusiasm. That is what Astro fans are actually lucky in a way. With so many young players still trying to impress and solidify their position for next season there is no lack of effort.

For the Astros that has resulted in a better than normal finish for a club in the position they are in. Not only might it result in a third place finish, but maybe even a .500 record. Neither are really goals. The goal is to have a much better and winning team in 2011. Still, it would be something to leave 2010 on a positive note.

Crowds are way down now, yet the Astros will draw something in the 2.3 million range. And for a non contender from almost April that is pretty darn good. Sure, it means the team has lost over 700,000 tickets sold from just a couple years back, but it will still rank them in the upper half of baseball.

I love baseball, but even those of us who can truly say that won't be unhappy when the final game is played on October 3. It won't take long for us to miss the daily grind again--especially when we think how 2011 could very well turn into something special in Houston once again.