He couldn't afford to worry about Ankiel. Alou was nervous and longing for his first start, pacing in the dugout prior to the first pitch. He couldn't even sleep the night before. He got in bed at midnight, but he restlessly stayed awake until finally falling asleep at about 2 a.m. By 7 a.m., he was awake, waiting for the first pitch that would come 12 hours later.
Nobody wants to get injured.
You don't want to be on the disabled list. You want to contribute to the team. I was a bit emotional. Alou wanted to contribute immediately, and he did. He got the offense started with a leadoff double to right-center field in the second inning, collecting his first hit of the season and the Astros' first of the game.