HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 20: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Chicago White Sox delivers in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 20, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Houston Astros fans had to get used to watching longtime pitcher Dallas Keuchel in a Chicago White Sox uniform.
Keuchel’s return to Houston has been overwhelmingly positive from the Astros perspective. He’s remained loyal to the organization throughout, even when some former Astros have turned the other cheek.
The 33-year-old largely received cheers when he made his way to the mound on Sunday afternoon. All things considered, that’s the way it should be.
Once the game started, however, Astros fans want to see their team win. That’s why this call from home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus wasn’t ideal from the home crowd’s perspective.
Wow, indeed.
Houston Astros: Yordan Alvarez screwed over with runners on in the first
Alvarez had a chance to make Keuchel’s Houston reunion a sour one early, but instead was called out on a sketchy strike call.
Instead of a 1-0 lead for Houston at that point, there were two outs in the first. Keuchel was able to get out of the inning relatively unscathed, giving up just one run to a dangerous Astros lineup. Houston will have plenty of chances to make him pay for that mistake, of course.
Keuchel called Houston home from 2012-18. He made two All-Star teams, won an AL Cy Young award and four Gold Gloves. That kind of hardware won’t be forgotten anytime soon.