30 Games, 30 Astros

#28: Hector Neris

The homecoming for our sweet king Hector Neris did not pan out how everyone wished it did. Only pitching 11.2 innings last year with a 5.40 ERA, Hector was not here for very long. This isn’t a sad article though! This is a list of my favorite 30 Astros of all-time! It may be a hot take - I don’t really care: Hector Neris is easily a top 30 Astro for me. Reminder: this is not a list of who I think statistically are the best Astros. This is simply who got me beaming with Astro pride when I watched them play.

There is no one like Hector Neris. He was a major part of our 2022 World Series victory and then followed that up in 2023 with what was, statistically, his best season in the major leagues. Hector always played with an edge. I know he didn’t hate everyone he pitched against, but it surely felt like it at times. Most Astros fans feel this, but often it feels like us against the world. In 2022 and 2023, Hector Neris was leading that charge. He did not give an F.

There were many great moments in Hector’s tenure with the Astros, but the one that will stay engrained in my brain forever was late September 2023 in Seattle. The Astros are hot in the middle of a division race with the Rangers and Mariners. 6th inning. Hector Neris strikes out Julio Rodriguez to end the inning and in classic Hector fashion he let them hear it. Only this time he specifically let Julio hear it. Both benches cleared, Mariners fans and players were mad. What about Hector? He said he did it to fire the boys up. Hell yeah Hector.

I’ve talked about it all post long, but the fire Hector brought to the Astros was unlike anyone else. Seeing him consistently play with his heart on his sleeve was a breath of fresh air from the Phil Matons that showed no emotion at all. If you want to see his heart just look up his strikeout of Jean Segura in the 2022 World Series. Granted, it was to help set up the deadliest back end of the bullpen Astros fans have ever seen to clinch the World Series, but my man did a full 360, shouting, pumping his chest. I remember watching that game live and right then and there I knew we had just won the World Series.

Tip of the cap Hector. You may not make the Hall of Fame, but you made my 30 Games, 30 Astros list. Basically the same thing. Long live the king.