Astros fly A’s pitcher on personal jet to All-Star Recreation in LA
Being an All-Star is an efficient feeling, or at the very least I’d suppose so. Clearly, I’ve by no means been named an MLB All-Star, however the affirmation that you’re in truth one of many sport’s greatest gamers, attending to line up alongside a number of legends, and have that star subsequent to your title in your Baseball-Reference web page must be the most effective emotions on this planet. To not point out, you may leverage your All-Star standing throughout your subsequent contract negotiation. Groups will coddle you, let you know you’re fairly, and give you a hefty sum of money to hitch/stick with their staff…apart from the Oakland A’s.
In accordance with the staff’s All-Star, pitcher Paul Blackburn (6-5, 3.62 ERA), the A’s have been planning on flying him to Los Angeles on a industrial flight. In all equity, Paul Blackburn is not any celeb. He might stroll right into a high-end restaurant in Oakland and most of the people there can be none the wiser, so flying industrial wouldn’t get him bombarded with followers on the lookout for the All-Star’s autograph. That stated, he’s nonetheless an All-Star and deserves to be handled as such. The Astros clearly know this, as a result of as quickly as they’d heard of the A’s transgression in opposition to their greatest participant, they provided to fly Blackburn to LA on their personal constitution aircraft.
That’s Houston, one of many A’s division rivals, setting apart their dislike for anybody in Oakland to assist out Blackburn. Clearly, it didn’t price the Astros a lot time or effort. They have been already in Oakland for his or her last sequence previous to the All-Star break. All it price the Astros was the steep worth of being first rate folks and one spot on their personal aircraft, which I’m positive had numerous area given that there have been solely 5 different gamers on that aircraft.
It’s (very) laborious to cheer for the Astros, however this was an A+ transfer. I nonetheless don’t like them, however I can’t assist however transfer them above the Athletics on my record of favourite ball golf equipment. They deserve a gradual clap, mild nod, and a cup of high-quality whiskey raised for this transfer. Possibly I’ll begin letting that 2017 World Collection title slide a bit of bit. All of us make errors typically.
The A’s presently have the second-worst report in MLB, forward of solely the Washington Nationals. Blackburn has been one of many only a few shiny spots for the A’s and their followers. It’s no secret that the A’s have been slicing prices in an effort to depart their cesspool of a stadium. Nonetheless, going full Rachel Phelps in “Main League” and forcing your All-Stars into the worst conditions doable was not one thing I had on my 2022 MLB bingo card.
I do know this would possibly pressure me just a few Hail Marys in confession this weekend, however I’m going to say it anyway. Good on you, Astros! You noticed somebody in want and provided a serving to hand. You’ve earned my respect, and I hope none of your gamers get booed after they take the sector tonight (doubt it, although).