'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Astros Minor League Style

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - ASTROS MINOR LEAGUE STYLE

'Twas the night before Christmas, when out on the field

Not a creature was stirring, all the entries were sealed.

The stockings were hung in the clubhouse with care,

In hopes that St. Luhnow soon would be there.

St. Luhnow - photo circa 2011

(before uniform color change from brick red to orange/blue)

Courtesy of our very own Andy aka Houston Sports Counterplot

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,

Dreams of major league call-ups danced in their heads.

As Rodney and Tony D. called it a night,

Bodie and Omar turned out the lights.

When out in the park there arose such a clatter,

The clubby arose to see what was the matter.

Away to the windows the Managers sped,

And looked out to find what had roused them from bed.

The moon hit the crest of the newly raked mound,

Amid glittering dewdrops which shone all around.

When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,

But a rocket-ship sleigh, and eight strapping reindeer.

Once spying this wonderous carriage on high,

They knew in a moment St. Jeff was nearby.

More rapid than fastballs his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Springer! now, Cosart! McCullers and Rio!

On, Houser! On, Carlos! On Folty and Lino!

Over the top deck and over the eye!

All my young rookies are learning to fly!"

Just as quickly as Singleton hits the ball out,

When a fastball meanders along the wrong route,

So up to the nose-bleeds the coursers they flew,

With a sleigh full of Prospects, and St. Luhnow too.

Then I heard high above o'er the upper deck seats

The clicking and clacking of copious cleats.

The Managers stood in awe and dismay

As St. Luhnow slowly arose from his sleigh.

He wore orange and blue and a bright shining star,

And his clothing was smudged with field dirt and pine tar.

Myriad scouting reports bulged from his pack,

With advanced analytics, stack after stack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his smile pearly white!

An affable nod told you all would be right!

His hair was all peppered with silver and gray.

An impression of confidence, he did convey.

A multi-function calculator held tight in his grip,

And a smart phone holstered alongside his hip.

He had a nice face and was fit as a fiddle,

After time in the gym (I'd say more than a little). 

He was calm and collected, in total control,

And all were encouraged, inspired by his goal! 

In the blink of an eye, to the clubhouse he sprang.

He drew towards the lockers where stockings did hang.

Stuffing them quickly with promise and dreams,

Success in the future and victorious teams.

St. Luhnow then suddenly bade us goodbye

As the home run spectacular flashed 'cross the sky.

He leapt in his sleigh, "Oye¡ Vamos! Let's go!"

And away they did fly o'er the field far below. 

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Seven weeks 'til Spring Training! Oh, what a delight!"

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I'd like to wish all my readers a Very Happy Holiday Season,

and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.