Astros drop rivalry with A's, rescue Paul Blackburn ahead of All-Star Game

The Houston Astros gave a lifeline to Paul Blackburn ahead of the All-Star Game after the stingy Athletics hung him out to dry.

The Oakland Athletics are pretty much an afterthought in MLB this season, owners of the worst record in the American League. Despite the abysmal season, Paul Blackburn has been a rare bright spot for the A's, pitching phenomenally and earning his first-ever All-Star Game appearance. While fans were delighted for Blackburn, it seems that the Athletics' ownership couldn't care less about his accomplishment. The renowned stingy organization had planned to send Blackburn to LA (from Houston) via a commercial flight. That is until the Astros swooped in and offered him a spot on their charter, via Mark Berman.

.@Athletics All-Star pitcher Paul Blackburn was set to fly commercial from Houston to LA. The Astros found out & offered him a ride on their charter: “It shows within Baseball it’s like a brotherhood. Everyone respects each other..I’m greatly appreciative of their organization” pic.twitter.com/uH5ejNLL87

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 19, 2022

This is both an awesome move from the Astros and a downright disgraceful move from the Athletics. Rather than reward their team's lone All-Star with comfortable travel accommodations to represent the franchise at the All-Star Game, the Athletics, who have a $1.18 billion valuation, opted to let Blackburn fly commercially.

When Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros caught wind of this, they offered the left-hander a spot on their charter bus alongside them, something Blackburn said he was grateful for.

“It was fun, they made me feel very welcomed and comfortable. We had some good conversations and laughs, it was a good time,” said Blackburn.

“It just kind of shows that within baseball, it's kind of like a brotherhood. Everyone respects each other and tries to help each other out, so I'm really appreciative of the organization for letting me tag along.”

It's an awesome gesture from the Astros, putting aside their division rivalry in order to help Blackburn get to the All-Star Game.

Still, it's worth wondering why the Athletics couldn't show a lick of support to their lone All-Star and take care of him the way other MLB organizations do their stars.