Houston, you have an idiot problem

It's no secret I think Astros fans are the worst Sports fans on the planet. That's right ... not worst the baseball fans. THE worst Sports fans ever to exist.

Now, it's obvious their owner is one of them. I'll go back to their fans later.

My question is has Astros owner Drayton McClane ever been through a hurricane before? Has he ever been within 50 miles of an eye wall? How bout 100 miles? I am assuming he has since he was born in Cameron, Texas, and has lived in the state nearly all of his life, according to Wikipedia. In case he's forgotten, those things do just a little damage.

The reason I ask is his team seems to be doing everything they can to make the Cubs fly in there at some point this weekend to play baseball. While he postponed Friday's and Saturday's games, there have been no plans to reschedule. And Sunday's game is in limbo.

Maybe he missed it on the news, but less than 50 miles to his south, there is a mandatory evacuation for Galveston, and Houston is sure to be next. Even if Ike decides to take a southerly turn, Houston will be severely affected (as we were with Gooostav last week). Also, one glance at CNN -- and I am certain his local channels -- suggests that people already are leaving the city in droves.

Does the guy really think anyone will show up either Sunday or Monday (a scheduled off day for both teams)? Does he even consider there's a good chance that even if Minute Maid Park does not sustain structural damage, the power might be off? Does he consider the Cubs probably wouldn't be able to fly into town, because in all likelihood both airports will be closed? Does he realize he is putting his own staff in danger?

The Astros have one of the worst fan bases in the game anyway. Sure, they show up when the team is winning, which is why I guess McClane is so hell-bent on staying, because as of this post, the Junction Jacks have somehow, miraculously, pulled out 13 of their past 14. People are excited again with false hope of making the playoffs.

I understand why they want to play. I can't understand, though, why the decision isn't made to have an alternate plan in place.

There are many other options, while McClane sits on his ass waiting to decide what to do. Take one of those options NOW. The team plays the Pirates tonight (which should have been postponed, as well). Leave the city immediately after it's over. It doesn't have to be in Chicago; tell the Cubs to stay in St. Louis and play it there. See if Atlanta is available. Play at some minor-league park in Alaska. Just forget about staying in Houston. It's not going to happen.

What this could end up causing is both teams being screwed later. IF -- and that's a big IF -- they can play Sunday night and maybe a doubleheader Monday, that causes a world of hurt to a pitching staff. It won't hurt the Cubs, whose magic number to clinch a playoff berth at this moment is 9, nearly as bad as his own team, assuming they really do have a chance to get back in the race.

And the fans? No clue. Absolutely no clue.

Yes, these same fans who think there is a "halftime" in baseball (I heard a 50-year-old man say this during my trip in July) and that each team's fans have their own side at each team's ballpark.

Here are a few comments on the Houston Chronicle's site from the geniuses following the story which said it was unsure what the team would do:

"jdloyman wrote: as hot as the astros are right now please dont cancel the games to be made up later we can whip chicago and move even closer to winning the division (they're 8 1/2 games out with 17 to play) or the wildcard. move the games to college station (where Ike will hit after it leaves Houston) or dell diamond in round rock (ditto) but play we are too hot right now."

"Lmgarvin wrote: A 1:05 game will be at least 12 hours before landfall, and they should be able to play. Astros staffers and players, as well as fans, should have finished their storm preparations by now if they've been paying attention."

"LonghornJ wrote: Close the roof and play ball!"

The intelligence level has just shot through that glass ceiling they have there.

There was one interesting comment, though. And I assume it was written by a Cubs fan:

"PaulTanner wrote: Seriously: If a blizzard dumped 18 inches on Chicago in time for opening day, they'd move that series to Houston in a heartbeat. You Astros fans are crazy. If you want the division that badly, you all deserve to drown in floodwaters."

Amen, brother.