Houston – The Houston Astros said to put a lid on it. And no, they aren’t talking about loquacious White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Believing noise plays in their favor, the Astros players want the retractable roof closed at Minute Maid Park for their World Series games, beginning tonight. Major League Baseball officials would like to keep the roof open and have discussed their preference with Astros officials.
“I don’t get involved in the day-to- day decision, but it’s always been left up to us. If it was 90 degrees with 25 percent humidity, obviously it would be closed,” Houston general manager Tim Purpura said. “But we have never been in the World Series before. This is the jewel. They have a lot of influence on how things are done, and they should.”
An open roof creates a more aesthetically pleasing product for TV, explained Purpura, which is why MLB wants it open. The lighting is better, making everything from the graphics to the players’ uniforms show up better than they would in a dome.
For obvious reasons, the Astros want the top shut. They are 40-18 with the roof closed this season, compared with 15-11 when it’s open.
“Most us feel like they should keep it closed. It’s been a big home-field advantage. I am not sure why they would want it open,” Astros closer Brad Lidge said. “The noise is a big factor. You feel like it definitely shakes up the opposition.”
The situation won’t be resolved until today, with weather also playing a role in the decision.
High praise
The words “Hall of Fame” have been sprinkled throughout interviews this week, particularly concerning the Astros. Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are considered strong candidates to be enshrined in Cooperstown. But between answering questions regarding umpire Jeff Nelson’s botched foul-ball call, White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye quietly added another name to the list.
“In (Roy) Oswalt, we are facing somebody who’s probably going to enter the Hall of Fame,” Dye said.
Hit and run
Biggio’s wife, Patty, was allegedly struck by a White Sox fan as she left U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday night, prompting Guillen to apologize Monday. Biggio attempted to downplay the incident.
“It was just one guy trying to be funny, and he decided to come up and slap her upside the head and run away like a 12-year-old,” Biggio said. “His misfortune is that she’s a Jersey girl and she chased him down. We are not going to make a big deal out of this. Sox fans are good fans.”
Footnotes
Clemens remains penciled in for Game 5, though it’s more on faith than substance. His strained left hamstring remains sore, leaving it uncertain how long he could play and how effective he could be. The Astros couldn’t talk with confidence about Clemens’ condition, because none of them saw him at the park Monday. …
Since Darryl Kile’s death June 22, 2002, Bagwell has worn cleats with the No. 57 stenciled on the back. “It’s my way of honoring him,” said Bagwell of Kile, who pitched two seasons for the Rockies. …
The list is shrinking. With Houston crashing the party, the Rockies, Rangers, Expos/Nationals, Mariners and Devil Rays are the only teams who have not played in the World Series. …
The Astros blamed their beards, not their gloves and bats, for losing the first two games. So the players ditched the Grizzly Adams look for goatees. “Obviously we would be up 2-0 had we shaven them early,” Bagwell joked. …
With the Series shifting to a National League park, Carl Everett and Bagwell, the primary DHs, will find the bench. Bagwell said: “I can pinch-hit. But I would never put my team in a bad position by going out in the field. I can’t throw yet with my (surgically repaired) shoulder.”
World Series schedule
(Chicago leads series 2-0)
Saturday: Chicago 5, Houston 3
Sunday: Chicago 7, Houston 6
Today: Chicago (Garland 18-10, 1-0 postseason) at Houston (Oswalt 20-12, 3-0), 6:38 p.m.
Wednesday: Chicago (F. Garcia 14-8, 2-0) at Houston (Backe 10-8, 0-0), 6:33 p.m.
*Thursday: Chicago at Houston, 6:28 p.m.
*Saturday: Houston at Chicago, 5:58 p.m.
*Sunday: Houston at Chicago, 6:13 p.m.
* if necessary; all games on KDVR-31
