January 26
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
"
There had to be days when the Astros wondered if Wandy Rodriguez would ever get to this point. First, he doesn't have the kind of 97-mph stuff that sends scouts running to phone their bosses. That's a good thing for the Astros. Otherwise, they couldn't have afforded him and he'd be pitching for the Yankees. Actually, the Yankees would've given up on Rodriguez years ago because patience isn't their strength and he has required plenty. During his first three seasons with the Astros, his ERA was 5.17. Because he didn't have a blazing fastball, he had to learn the art of pitching. That is, location and movement are more important than velocity. About the time some of us were ready to give up"