By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 23, 2005
GOOD NEWS
Sox third baseman Joe Crede continued his stellar postseason, hitting a fourth-inning home run that put the Sox ahead and making two diving stops that saved runs.
BAD NEWS
Roger Clemens' much-anticipated return to the World Series turned out to not be much of a story as he labored through two ineffective innings and left with a strained left hamstring.
KEY MOMENT
The Astros were clinging to a 4-3 lead when the Astros got two men on in the eighth. But reliever Neal Cotts struck out Lance Berkman and Morgan Ensberg, and closer Bobby Jenks came on to strike out Jeff Bagwell with a fastball that hit 100 mph.
ON SECOND THOUGHT
The Astros had to know Clemens was hurting and was not going to be 100 percent, so starting him in the opener turned out to be a bad idea. Unless the idea of having rookie Wandy Rodriguez pitching four innings in a Series game struck someone as a good idea.
SELECT COMPANY
With the Astros making the World Series for the first time in their 44-season history, there are only five franchises that have never been. In order of futility, they are the Rangers/Senators, since 1961; Nationals/Expos, 1969; Mariners, 1977; Rockies, 1993; and your Devil Rays, 1998.
WELCOME BACK
The 45 seasons the White Sox went between Series appearances was the longest in history.
NICE TO MEET YOU
Ex-Rays reliever Dan Wheeler was rightfully excited to be one of the 41 players making his first appearance in the Series. Wheeler has been a key member of the Astros bullpen all season, but that apparently was news to the people who make the locker nameplates. The one hanging above Wheeler's locker at U.S. Cellular Field read Don Wheeler.
PAY-PER-LISTEN RADIO
Fans are used to getting caps, jerseys and bobblehead dolls when they come to the ballpark. Fans at Saturday's opener got free satellite radios. Actually, they got a coupon that allows them to order a free Delphi XM Roady XT satellite radio, which sells for $79.99, online. They must agree, however, to prepay for three months of XM Radio at $12.95 a month. The commemorative pin that is attached to the coupon, however, is free.
GUEST LIST
Former Sox star Bo Jackson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2. Lou Rawls will sing the national anthem and trumpeter Chris Botti will perform God Bless America.
