I'm Not Crying...It's Just Raining...On My Face...

Dick justice says the Astros cannot blame Bud as it turns out it was Houston Owner, Drayton McLane who screwed the team's schedule:

Selig is an easy target for Astros fans, but the problem began with their own team owner, Drayton McLane.

As MLB peppered him with questions before the storm, McLane maintained until the last minute that some games still could be played at Minute Maid Park.

He appeared to be so obsessed with getting the revenues from three large crowds that he allowed his judgment to be clouded. Until Saturday morning, as Ike began to move out, McLane still held out hope of playing a game or two of the series in Houston.

By the time the matter was dumped in Selig's lap, his options were limited. Arlington was the first choice, Atlanta the second.

In the end, baseball settled on Milwaukee because there were scheduling conflicts or rain in the forecast at every other place.

"Was it perfect? No," Selig said. "I went through every option. I finally looked at it and realized I didn't have another option. I'm always sensitive about the Brewers (as an ex-owner of the franchise), but I feel in my heart this was the best option."

I'm guessing if Selig had it to do over, he would risk the rain in Atlanta rather than send the Astros into the Cubs' backyard.

The Astros lost again Monday afternoon, but before they flew to South Florida, Cooper called a team meeting.

"It's over and done with," he said. "We've got to move on."

Except the Astros couldn't move on. Or didn't. Whatever. They lost three more lopsided games in Florida. They didn't pitch, hit or field.

They had a great alibi for one game, maybe two. By the time they got to Florida, they should have been back in a normal routine.

A lot of Texans were inconvenienced by Ike. But the Astros had some advantages others didn't. Chartered jets. Great hotels. Selig even offered to send a plane for their families. If they were still focused on Selig or the unfairness of playing in Milwaukee, shame on them.

They continued to say the right things, but they weren't the same team. Sloppy. Lifeless. Deflated.

In the end, it couldn't have been all about Selig. Maybe after weeks of putting retreads and kids in critical situations, the clock finally struck midnight for this team...