There is little question the Big 12 is one of the nation's premier basketball leagues this season. Some may even say it is THE premier league this go round. The ACC seems down a bit as does the Big 10 and Pac 10. The SEC has some strong teams led by Kentucky, but no league appears to be as deep in talent as the Big 12.
Of course, that doesn't mean a team from the league will ultimately win the NCAA title, but it does mean the odds are better.
On Saturday the league was at its best for fans. The nation's number two team, Kansas, had to go overtime to finally out point regional rival, 11th ranked Kansas State 81-79. Meanwhile in Austin the #6 Texas Longhorns couldn't hold off the scrappy 24th ranked Baylor Bears who prevailed in OT 80-77. That win quite likely was the biggest for coach Scott Drew and his Bears during his run at Baylor. It might have been the biggest win to date in program history.
Tweety Carter scored 27 points including 10-12 at the foul line. Baylor hit 21 of 27 free throws. That is where the game was won for Baylor and lost for Texas.
The Longhorns hit only 19 of 31 free throws. Star forward Damian James scored 20 points and added 19 rebounds BUT he was only 8-14 at the foul line. That was the difference.
AGGIES HAD BIG WIN TOO
While neither Texas Tech or Texas A&M are currently ranked nationally, both have been in the past and have solid records. Following the Aggies 85-70 win Saturday night in a Fox Sports regional network telecast which also aired world wide on the American Forces Network, the Red Raiders are 14-7 and the Aggies are 15-6.
Fans at Texas A&M are noticing, too. Nearly 5000 students--more than ten percent of the entire student body--were part of the record setting Aggie home crowd. 13,648 fans squeezed into Reed Arena. That is 1,148 fans over the listed seating capacity. They saw a dandy game with the right finish for the home team--a win.
The game was close throughout the first half. Texas Tech had led by as many as eight points, but the Aggies found an inside game led by David Lobeau and Bryan Davis to take over before the half.
In the second half the Aggies clamped down defensively and turned things over to Donald Sloan late. The final 15 point margin was very misleading. Until less than five minutes remained Texas Tech was still very much in contention. Then Sloan got rolling. He scored 20 of his game high 28 points in the second half. Texas A&M set a Big 12 league game record and tied a school record with only four turnovers. It was fundamentals that won it. Hitting free throws and not turning the ball over. Of course, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds didn't hurt either. Other than a lower shooting percentage than desired the Aggies played a nearly perfect game.
The Aggies are at Missouri on Saturday for their next game. Texas Tech hosts Oklahoma the same day.
Meanwhile the next telecast on FS-Houston and FS-SW that Jim Haller and I will be working will be back at Baylor on Wednesday February 3, when Iowa State tangles with those surging Baylor Bears, just off their win at Texas. Game time is set for 6:30. Check local listings. It should be another exciting night.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Texas team to beat in ANOTHER sport
Whether one attended or follows the University of Texas as a die hard fan or not the fact remains the Longhorns are on the strongest run in school history in the three sports that draw the most fan interest in the state.
Not only was the football team contending for a national title in football before the injury to Colt McCoy derailed hopes, but the basketball team has been ranked as high as number one and is still a serious threat to win the national crown.
And, now the perennial powerful baseball team has received the pre-season nod as #1 in the nation in at least two of the multitude of college baseball polls.
It will be about a month before the college baseball season gets underway and when it does the Longhorns who finished runner up at the College World Series last June will start out on top.
Strong and deep pitching which has always been a Longhorn strong point is why they are the team to beat. With the winningest coach in the history of college baseball, Augie Garrido, in charge the 'Horns won't loose too many.
Once again the College Classic being hosted by the Houston Astros in early March will feature some outstanding match ups. The biggest of the games will be the meeting of #1 Texas against #5 Rice. They battle every other year in the featured match and have had some great games. The last one we televised had Texas rallying in the bottom of the final inning to win on a home run.
By the way, one thing unusual about the pre-season baseball rankings in the dearth of other Big 12 teams. In the Collegiate Baseball poll which goes 40 deep Oklahoma is #25, Texas A&M 29th and Kansas #36. In the Baseball America poll only Texas makes the top 20.
That is not to say the region is not well represented in both polls. In addition to Texas and Rice, LSU is either 2nd or 3rd, Texas Christian is ranked. So is Arkansas and even Dallas Baptist which holds down the final spot in the Collegiate Baseball 40 team rankings.
Personally, I suspect several Big 12 teams are being short-changed in the early polls. The league is far stronger than some may suspect this year. Often pre season polls spread things around and give some schools in some regions higher ranking than will be ultimately deserved.
However, at the same time it must be noted that college baseball is stronger nationally than it has ever been. With a ever growing number of schools showing profits from the baseball programs the sport has moved into the #3 spot as a revenue producer for more and more schools. Most are admittedly in the warmer climes of the South, but the success of Oregon State recently state rival Oregon was forced to bring baseball back.
One of the great things about the college schedule--and especially the College Classic--is that it gives even major league baseball fans a chance to get back to watching baseball well before the Astros are ready to open the season. On top of that there is some pretty darn good baseball played.
2010 will begin the 26th straight season I have done play by play for college baseball on the FSN networks and it's predecessors. During that time the game has evolved into real baseball. In the early days there were far too many 17-12 type games with the hitters and their lively aluminum bats dominating the often wild pitchers.
Those days are over. The bats were toned down a few years ago. The pitchers are much better with most teams. They throw harder and have better control. It is real baseball. And with the better teams--like Texas and like Rice it is very good baseball.
Full details on the College Classic can be found on Astros.com. If you have never attended before but love baseball please be sure to give it a shot. It will be worth your time.
Not only was the football team contending for a national title in football before the injury to Colt McCoy derailed hopes, but the basketball team has been ranked as high as number one and is still a serious threat to win the national crown.
And, now the perennial powerful baseball team has received the pre-season nod as #1 in the nation in at least two of the multitude of college baseball polls.
It will be about a month before the college baseball season gets underway and when it does the Longhorns who finished runner up at the College World Series last June will start out on top.
Strong and deep pitching which has always been a Longhorn strong point is why they are the team to beat. With the winningest coach in the history of college baseball, Augie Garrido, in charge the 'Horns won't loose too many.
Once again the College Classic being hosted by the Houston Astros in early March will feature some outstanding match ups. The biggest of the games will be the meeting of #1 Texas against #5 Rice. They battle every other year in the featured match and have had some great games. The last one we televised had Texas rallying in the bottom of the final inning to win on a home run.
By the way, one thing unusual about the pre-season baseball rankings in the dearth of other Big 12 teams. In the Collegiate Baseball poll which goes 40 deep Oklahoma is #25, Texas A&M 29th and Kansas #36. In the Baseball America poll only Texas makes the top 20.
That is not to say the region is not well represented in both polls. In addition to Texas and Rice, LSU is either 2nd or 3rd, Texas Christian is ranked. So is Arkansas and even Dallas Baptist which holds down the final spot in the Collegiate Baseball 40 team rankings.
Personally, I suspect several Big 12 teams are being short-changed in the early polls. The league is far stronger than some may suspect this year. Often pre season polls spread things around and give some schools in some regions higher ranking than will be ultimately deserved.
However, at the same time it must be noted that college baseball is stronger nationally than it has ever been. With a ever growing number of schools showing profits from the baseball programs the sport has moved into the #3 spot as a revenue producer for more and more schools. Most are admittedly in the warmer climes of the South, but the success of Oregon State recently state rival Oregon was forced to bring baseball back.
One of the great things about the college schedule--and especially the College Classic--is that it gives even major league baseball fans a chance to get back to watching baseball well before the Astros are ready to open the season. On top of that there is some pretty darn good baseball played.
2010 will begin the 26th straight season I have done play by play for college baseball on the FSN networks and it's predecessors. During that time the game has evolved into real baseball. In the early days there were far too many 17-12 type games with the hitters and their lively aluminum bats dominating the often wild pitchers.
Those days are over. The bats were toned down a few years ago. The pitchers are much better with most teams. They throw harder and have better control. It is real baseball. And with the better teams--like Texas and like Rice it is very good baseball.
Full details on the College Classic can be found on Astros.com. If you have never attended before but love baseball please be sure to give it a shot. It will be worth your time.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Hall Cracks Down...Dynamo not Downtown?
The Baseball Hall of Fame is clamping down on what caps represent on the plaques for inductees. Will the Houston Dynamo soon be able to clamp down on a plan to build a stadium? I have some thoughts on both from my sports library.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Kansas State holds off Baylor in Hoops
Often when things are over-hyped (see SuperBowl many years) the end result is less than pleasing. That was definitely not the case at Baylor University's Ferrell Center Tuesday night when 11th ranked Kansas State squeezed past 24th ranked Baylor in men's basketball.
The game was the first ever in the 21 years of Ferrell Center between two teams both ranked in the top 25. That doesn't say much for the overall history of Baylor basketball during that period, but it won't be anywhere close to taking another 21 years. Scott Drew has built the Baylor program to the point that being ranked every year is not out of line. He has been able to recruit well and coupled with his actual coaching skills has the most successful of Baylor's revenue sports.
This is Texas and Baylor fans are still more concerned over the fate of the football team than Drew's men or even the women's program that has a National Championship banner hanging in the rafters.
At halftime of the telecast carried on FS Houston and FS Southwest I had a conversation with Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin, who is coming back this fall from major knee surgery. Robert says he will probably take is easy during spring practice but is figuring on being 100 per cent by fall. That is great news but doesn't change the fact that Baylor football will never be consistently among the top teams in the Big 12, let alone ranked nationally.
The men's and women's basketball teams are there now and figure to be for quite some time.
BEARS DID LOSE ON TUESDAY
Now, all of this praise for the program does come after a home loss to Kansas State on Tuesday night. But it was a dandy of a game with the 11th ranked Wildcats winning with the three point shot and not the foul shot. K-State leads the nation in free throw attempts. Baylor took that away from them, but left open the three point line. Jacob Pullen took advantage by hitting six of seven three pointers and the Wildcats hit 11-21 overall. Baylor which is a national leader with a .410 percentage from long range was pushed off its game. They hit only 3 of 14.
Baylor top scorer Lacedarius Dunn was shut down by a very tight Kansas State defense. Normally good for about 19 points per game he was held to just nine on 3-13 shooting.
Even so, the final score of 76-74 was that close thanks to the work of Tweety Carter who scored 23 points to go with four assists and three steals. Baylor also held its own on the boards actually pulling in more offensive rebounds than the Wildcats, one of the nation's leaders in that department.
Kansas State led most of the way, but the largest lead was only six and that was for a brief instance in the second half.
Basketball still has a way to go to capture the fans like it already does more heavily north of the Red River. The game was not a sellout. Attendance was listed at 8833. That is OK, but not what Scott Drew's program needs or deserves.
Take my word for it from a guy who grew up in basketball mad Indiana. This Baylor team and the Big 12 in general is top notch in hoops. It is definitely not just a football league.
The game was the first ever in the 21 years of Ferrell Center between two teams both ranked in the top 25. That doesn't say much for the overall history of Baylor basketball during that period, but it won't be anywhere close to taking another 21 years. Scott Drew has built the Baylor program to the point that being ranked every year is not out of line. He has been able to recruit well and coupled with his actual coaching skills has the most successful of Baylor's revenue sports.
This is Texas and Baylor fans are still more concerned over the fate of the football team than Drew's men or even the women's program that has a National Championship banner hanging in the rafters.
At halftime of the telecast carried on FS Houston and FS Southwest I had a conversation with Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin, who is coming back this fall from major knee surgery. Robert says he will probably take is easy during spring practice but is figuring on being 100 per cent by fall. That is great news but doesn't change the fact that Baylor football will never be consistently among the top teams in the Big 12, let alone ranked nationally.
The men's and women's basketball teams are there now and figure to be for quite some time.
BEARS DID LOSE ON TUESDAY
Now, all of this praise for the program does come after a home loss to Kansas State on Tuesday night. But it was a dandy of a game with the 11th ranked Wildcats winning with the three point shot and not the foul shot. K-State leads the nation in free throw attempts. Baylor took that away from them, but left open the three point line. Jacob Pullen took advantage by hitting six of seven three pointers and the Wildcats hit 11-21 overall. Baylor which is a national leader with a .410 percentage from long range was pushed off its game. They hit only 3 of 14.
Baylor top scorer Lacedarius Dunn was shut down by a very tight Kansas State defense. Normally good for about 19 points per game he was held to just nine on 3-13 shooting.
Even so, the final score of 76-74 was that close thanks to the work of Tweety Carter who scored 23 points to go with four assists and three steals. Baylor also held its own on the boards actually pulling in more offensive rebounds than the Wildcats, one of the nation's leaders in that department.
Kansas State led most of the way, but the largest lead was only six and that was for a brief instance in the second half.
Basketball still has a way to go to capture the fans like it already does more heavily north of the Red River. The game was not a sellout. Attendance was listed at 8833. That is OK, but not what Scott Drew's program needs or deserves.
Take my word for it from a guy who grew up in basketball mad Indiana. This Baylor team and the Big 12 in general is top notch in hoops. It is definitely not just a football league.
Rockets Falling, Wandy Waiting, and More
As dawn broke on Tuesday morning area sports fans were greeted with the news that the Houston Rockets had lost again and Astro pitcher Wandy Rodriguez was going to have to hear the weaknesses in his game as told by representatives of his own team in a salary arbitration hearing.
Neither news item is good news.
For the Rockets who certainly in January have looked like their fuel supply is running out the 102-95 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Houston's home court was very discouraging. To many, including coach Rick Adelman it appeared the club had definitely fallen from orbit.
Still, this should not be a surprise. For most of the season the Rockets had been one of the surprise teams in the NBA. Bereft of a real established "star" player the team had survived on hustle and team work. Now, with the season past the half way point the grind of playing so hard every night is showing.
No longer are the Rockets the aggressive, pesty, all over the ball defensive team. Their lack of real size inside is showing. Teams are shooting for high percentages every night.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are shooting poorly. Their fast break has been cut down. They are not moving the ball with the same quickness and unselfishness as they demonstrated in November and December.
It all adds up to a 4-7 January and falling out of the top eight teams--the playoff teams--in the Western Conference.
There is still plenty of time to turn things around. Will GM Dale Morey have to make a personnel move or two for that to happen? Stay tuned.
WANDY WANTS IT ALL
On the Astro front the club that will report to spring training next month is virtually assembled. Most of the players are under contract. One notable is not. Pitcher Wandy Rodriguez is rolling the dice in arbitration and will be the subject of a hearing in which the arbitrator will be presented a number of facts and statistics from both sides and then decide whether the Astros will pay Wandy $5-million or $7-million for 2010.
Rodriguez doesn't lose no matter what the decision is. He made about $2.6 million in 2010. No wonder an awful lot of baseball owners rue the day they agreed to arbitration to settle contract disputes. The players always win. The owners offer raises-in Wandy's case almost doubling his salary--but may have to pay even more if the arbitrator rules such.
The scoreboard may show the owners "winning" a decent percentage of the actual arbitrator's decisions, but they still pay out more money than they had the year before.
BIG COLLEGE HOOPS TUESDAY
I am off to Waco today for tonight's Baylor-Kansas State men's basketball telecast on the FSN regionals in Texas. This should be a dandy. Both teams are ranked in the top 25 and highly in the Big 12. The game should be a contrast in styles, too. Baylor is a deadly three point shooting team that does not attack the basket that often. Kansas State attacks everything. They foul and are fouled frequently. The game starts at 7:05. Jim Haller will join me for the call.
Neither news item is good news.
For the Rockets who certainly in January have looked like their fuel supply is running out the 102-95 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Houston's home court was very discouraging. To many, including coach Rick Adelman it appeared the club had definitely fallen from orbit.
Still, this should not be a surprise. For most of the season the Rockets had been one of the surprise teams in the NBA. Bereft of a real established "star" player the team had survived on hustle and team work. Now, with the season past the half way point the grind of playing so hard every night is showing.
No longer are the Rockets the aggressive, pesty, all over the ball defensive team. Their lack of real size inside is showing. Teams are shooting for high percentages every night.
The Rockets, on the other hand, are shooting poorly. Their fast break has been cut down. They are not moving the ball with the same quickness and unselfishness as they demonstrated in November and December.
It all adds up to a 4-7 January and falling out of the top eight teams--the playoff teams--in the Western Conference.
There is still plenty of time to turn things around. Will GM Dale Morey have to make a personnel move or two for that to happen? Stay tuned.
WANDY WANTS IT ALL
On the Astro front the club that will report to spring training next month is virtually assembled. Most of the players are under contract. One notable is not. Pitcher Wandy Rodriguez is rolling the dice in arbitration and will be the subject of a hearing in which the arbitrator will be presented a number of facts and statistics from both sides and then decide whether the Astros will pay Wandy $5-million or $7-million for 2010.
Rodriguez doesn't lose no matter what the decision is. He made about $2.6 million in 2010. No wonder an awful lot of baseball owners rue the day they agreed to arbitration to settle contract disputes. The players always win. The owners offer raises-in Wandy's case almost doubling his salary--but may have to pay even more if the arbitrator rules such.
The scoreboard may show the owners "winning" a decent percentage of the actual arbitrator's decisions, but they still pay out more money than they had the year before.
BIG COLLEGE HOOPS TUESDAY
I am off to Waco today for tonight's Baylor-Kansas State men's basketball telecast on the FSN regionals in Texas. This should be a dandy. Both teams are ranked in the top 25 and highly in the Big 12. The game should be a contrast in styles, too. Baylor is a deadly three point shooting team that does not attack the basket that often. Kansas State attacks everything. They foul and are fouled frequently. The game starts at 7:05. Jim Haller will join me for the call.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Just Talking Baseball Early
If one can keep his cynical side in check and truly compare the teams in the NL Central the Astros only have to take a back seat to the Cards--on paper at least. I have some more thoughts from my sports library.
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Great Baseball Man is Gone
When word came down that Bobby Bragan had died on Thursday anyone who knew him and that included this writer knew they had lost a great baseball man and really good guy.
Bragan had been a fixture in North Texas baseball circles since he first came to the area with the old Dodger farm club, the Fort Worth Cats, in late 1948 as manager. Bobby had been a major league player with the Dodgers in a limited role for the four previous seasons after being a regular player for the Phillies for three years.
A native of Alabama, Bragan admitted he was one of the Dodgers who opposed the signing of Jackie Robinson, but soon realized the error of his ways. He and Jackie became good friends.
Even in the tense racial situation of the time it was hard for that barrier to be broken. Bragan was that kind of guy.
In later years Bragan was employed part time by the Texas Rangers in community relations. When you saw Bobby you couldn't help smiling.
Author of the book, "You Can't Hit the Ball with the Bat on your Shoulder" Bobby had friends all over baseball as some of the contributors can attest. In fact, I'm going to re-read his book starting tonight. His stories were great and he had a happy life in baseball.
Bobby was part of the first staff put together for the Houston Colt 45s when major league baseball came to his adopted state. Bobby was to be farm director. Tal Smith, currently President for baseball operations of the Astros was an adminstrative assistant to general manager Gabe Paul.
One of Bragan's jobs was to hire the scouts. Everything was going well for a few months until GM Gabe Paul and Judge Roy Hofheinz had a couple of conflicts. That was enough for Paul, before a team was ever put on the field, to resign to take over in Cleveland.
Native Texan Paul Richards was hired to replace Paul. That would mean changes for Bragan who was asked if he wanted to remain in the front office or return to the field. Bragan chose the field, but it would be as a coach and not as manager which he had hoped. Before he moved into the coaching spot, however, he had a hand in suggesting the Colt 45s select Bob Aspromonte, Bob Lillis and Norm Larker from the Dodgers in the expansion draft. Bobby's Dodger connections were key.
It wasn't long in that 1962 season that Bragan knew there was no long term future for him working on a club headed by Richards who had a hand in everything. However, instead of having to resign after the season luck was on Bragan's side. The Milwaukee Braves came calling to hire him as their manager. It was a post he would hold long enough to be the last Milwaukee Braves manager and the first Atlanta Braves skipper. He also managed the Pirates before leaving the main stage.
There was hardly a baseball man alive that did not know Bobby Bragan. He used his pull to make some of the oldtimer's games staged at Arlington Stadium for the Texas Rangers Hall of Famer filled. He had Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Warren Spahn, Gaylord Perry, Mickey Mantle and even Joe DiMaggio on hand in the early 90s. No one turned down a Bobby Bragan invite.
While looking up some of the details in his career for this piece I referred to Bobby's book that I will soon be re-reading and couldn't miss the inscription he wrote for me. It was September 20, 1992 when I was doing play by play for the Texas Rangers telecasts. As Bobby wrote, "Greg, You do a terrific job in the booth- I hope this brings some sunshine to one of the true pros in the broadcasting business. Keep Swinging, Bobby Bragan."
I treasured that then and even more so now. But I've got to add NO ONE brought more sunshine to the scene than Bobby Bragan every time he made the scene. The greatest compliment I can bestow is that Bobby Bragan was a BASEBALL MAN. That was his life. He lived it to the fullest. Keep Swinging yourself, Bobby.
I've got to start re-reading.
Bragan had been a fixture in North Texas baseball circles since he first came to the area with the old Dodger farm club, the Fort Worth Cats, in late 1948 as manager. Bobby had been a major league player with the Dodgers in a limited role for the four previous seasons after being a regular player for the Phillies for three years.
A native of Alabama, Bragan admitted he was one of the Dodgers who opposed the signing of Jackie Robinson, but soon realized the error of his ways. He and Jackie became good friends.
Even in the tense racial situation of the time it was hard for that barrier to be broken. Bragan was that kind of guy.
In later years Bragan was employed part time by the Texas Rangers in community relations. When you saw Bobby you couldn't help smiling.
Author of the book, "You Can't Hit the Ball with the Bat on your Shoulder" Bobby had friends all over baseball as some of the contributors can attest. In fact, I'm going to re-read his book starting tonight. His stories were great and he had a happy life in baseball.
Bobby was part of the first staff put together for the Houston Colt 45s when major league baseball came to his adopted state. Bobby was to be farm director. Tal Smith, currently President for baseball operations of the Astros was an adminstrative assistant to general manager Gabe Paul.
One of Bragan's jobs was to hire the scouts. Everything was going well for a few months until GM Gabe Paul and Judge Roy Hofheinz had a couple of conflicts. That was enough for Paul, before a team was ever put on the field, to resign to take over in Cleveland.
Native Texan Paul Richards was hired to replace Paul. That would mean changes for Bragan who was asked if he wanted to remain in the front office or return to the field. Bragan chose the field, but it would be as a coach and not as manager which he had hoped. Before he moved into the coaching spot, however, he had a hand in suggesting the Colt 45s select Bob Aspromonte, Bob Lillis and Norm Larker from the Dodgers in the expansion draft. Bobby's Dodger connections were key.
It wasn't long in that 1962 season that Bragan knew there was no long term future for him working on a club headed by Richards who had a hand in everything. However, instead of having to resign after the season luck was on Bragan's side. The Milwaukee Braves came calling to hire him as their manager. It was a post he would hold long enough to be the last Milwaukee Braves manager and the first Atlanta Braves skipper. He also managed the Pirates before leaving the main stage.
There was hardly a baseball man alive that did not know Bobby Bragan. He used his pull to make some of the oldtimer's games staged at Arlington Stadium for the Texas Rangers Hall of Famer filled. He had Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Warren Spahn, Gaylord Perry, Mickey Mantle and even Joe DiMaggio on hand in the early 90s. No one turned down a Bobby Bragan invite.
While looking up some of the details in his career for this piece I referred to Bobby's book that I will soon be re-reading and couldn't miss the inscription he wrote for me. It was September 20, 1992 when I was doing play by play for the Texas Rangers telecasts. As Bobby wrote, "Greg, You do a terrific job in the booth- I hope this brings some sunshine to one of the true pros in the broadcasting business. Keep Swinging, Bobby Bragan."
I treasured that then and even more so now. But I've got to add NO ONE brought more sunshine to the scene than Bobby Bragan every time he made the scene. The greatest compliment I can bestow is that Bobby Bragan was a BASEBALL MAN. That was his life. He lived it to the fullest. Keep Swinging yourself, Bobby.
I've got to start re-reading.
Baseball Dinner Harbinger of Spring
The more you talk Astros baseball the more encouraging one gets for 2010. That is always a product of the annual Houston Baseball Dinner. It was Thursday night and I was on hand.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Baseball Dinner Thursday Night
It is hardly the start of the 2010 baseball season, but to many it is pretty close. It is the annual Houston Baseball Dinner held at the convention center Hilton downtown hotel. And it is set for Thursday night.
Baseball fans from throughout the city and area will be on hand to hear words from owner Drayton McLane, new manager Brad Mills and award winners from 2009. That list includes the recently re-signed Michael Bourn as team MVP, Wandy Rodriguez as pitcher of the year, and Jeff Fulchino as the teams top rookie.
Special awards will go to Lance Berkman with the Allen Russell Distinguished Achievement Award, Brian Moehler receives the Darryl Kile good guy award and New Caney's Adam Dunn, now with the Washington Nationals will be honored as the Greater Houston Area major league player of the year. Dunn hit 38 homers and drove in 105 runs for the Nats in 2009.
Brenham High School coach Jim Long will receive the Ray Knoblauch Award as outstanding high school coach, Anthony Rendon of Rice will receive the area pre season college player of the year.
In addition the 16 members of the Houston area pre season high school all star team will reach the podium.
What the fans may expect in 2010 with the Astros can often be judged by the attendance at the dinner. Last season the total was lower than in the previous few years. The fans were right as the Astros finished 74-88 for their worst finish in about ten years. While the economic crisis that began in late 2008 had something to do with the lack of renewals for banquet tickets that wasn't the only cause. Still, the dinner is one of the largest in the country and has been a Houston fixture on the sports calendar for 25 years.
Milo Hamilton will perform MC duties. He has been at that post for 23 of the 25 years of the dinner. Veteran writer Mickey Herskowitz hosted the first one and I had the honor of filling in for Milo a couple years back while the Frick honoree was recovering from surgery.
It is always a fun evening...Hope to see you there.
Baseball fans from throughout the city and area will be on hand to hear words from owner Drayton McLane, new manager Brad Mills and award winners from 2009. That list includes the recently re-signed Michael Bourn as team MVP, Wandy Rodriguez as pitcher of the year, and Jeff Fulchino as the teams top rookie.
Special awards will go to Lance Berkman with the Allen Russell Distinguished Achievement Award, Brian Moehler receives the Darryl Kile good guy award and New Caney's Adam Dunn, now with the Washington Nationals will be honored as the Greater Houston Area major league player of the year. Dunn hit 38 homers and drove in 105 runs for the Nats in 2009.
Brenham High School coach Jim Long will receive the Ray Knoblauch Award as outstanding high school coach, Anthony Rendon of Rice will receive the area pre season college player of the year.
In addition the 16 members of the Houston area pre season high school all star team will reach the podium.
What the fans may expect in 2010 with the Astros can often be judged by the attendance at the dinner. Last season the total was lower than in the previous few years. The fans were right as the Astros finished 74-88 for their worst finish in about ten years. While the economic crisis that began in late 2008 had something to do with the lack of renewals for banquet tickets that wasn't the only cause. Still, the dinner is one of the largest in the country and has been a Houston fixture on the sports calendar for 25 years.
Milo Hamilton will perform MC duties. He has been at that post for 23 of the 25 years of the dinner. Veteran writer Mickey Herskowitz hosted the first one and I had the honor of filling in for Milo a couple years back while the Frick honoree was recovering from surgery.
It is always a fun evening...Hope to see you there.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Miggy Likely Back to the AL
While there has been some concern that free agent shortstop/third baseman-to-be Miguel Tejada might come back to haunt the Astros in 2010 while wearing the jersey of another team in the National League Central those fears likely can be swept aside.
Latest word is that the Baltimore Orioles want their former shortstop back to play third base. However, the club is also negotiating with Joe Crede to play the position so nothing is set in stone. A fan poll conducted by a local news paper had the fans wanting Miggy by a 60-40 margin. He never lost his popularity in Baltimore despite the way his first stint with the O's ending finally resulting in his trade to the Astros.
Other clubs who reportedly still have some interest in one of my favorite players to work with are the A's--Tejada's original team-- and to a lesser degree the Giants and Twins.
Notice the Cardinals are not on that list. St. Louis has pencilled in David Freese to be the team's third baseman in 2010 and there had been some speculation that with the financial outlay already made to win now that Tony LaRussa might want more veteran leadership on that corner.
Apparently that is not the case as club officials have stated they are not in the market for a third baseman.
Tejada who is a native of the Domincan Republic had a van loaded with food, water and medical supplies sent into neighboring Haiti this week. Miggy, himself, also helicoptered in to offer whatever assistance he could. Despite the millions of dollars he has made from baseball Tejada has never forgotten where he came from. It was great to have him with the Astros for two years and we wish him nothing but the best where ever he plays in 2010.
Latest word is that the Baltimore Orioles want their former shortstop back to play third base. However, the club is also negotiating with Joe Crede to play the position so nothing is set in stone. A fan poll conducted by a local news paper had the fans wanting Miggy by a 60-40 margin. He never lost his popularity in Baltimore despite the way his first stint with the O's ending finally resulting in his trade to the Astros.
Other clubs who reportedly still have some interest in one of my favorite players to work with are the A's--Tejada's original team-- and to a lesser degree the Giants and Twins.
Notice the Cardinals are not on that list. St. Louis has pencilled in David Freese to be the team's third baseman in 2010 and there had been some speculation that with the financial outlay already made to win now that Tony LaRussa might want more veteran leadership on that corner.
Apparently that is not the case as club officials have stated they are not in the market for a third baseman.
Tejada who is a native of the Domincan Republic had a van loaded with food, water and medical supplies sent into neighboring Haiti this week. Miggy, himself, also helicoptered in to offer whatever assistance he could. Despite the millions of dollars he has made from baseball Tejada has never forgotten where he came from. It was great to have him with the Astros for two years and we wish him nothing but the best where ever he plays in 2010.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Rockets Better than Expected Sort Of
The Houston Rockets reached the halfway point of the 2009-2010 NBA season at 23-18. There were virtually no "experts" before the season began than figured on this collection of players being five games over .500 at the midway point.
For one thing the club had no superstar players this season. Tracy McGrady was out and on the decline. Yao Ming was lost for the whole season. That left the team using a 6'6 non scoring center most of the time in Chuck Hayes, a small forward who had great leadership and defensive skills, but little consistent offensive ability in Sean Battier, a new big guard in Trevor Ariza who had yet to prove he was capable of moving into a larger role, a young point guard with great speed, but not much of a track record and questions about whether his small size might hurt in other areas.
In other words who thought that group could even get to .500 let alone be five games over in the tough Western Division at the mid way point?
I make all these points because I now keep hearing some fans complaining about the Rockets. Sure, they haven't played with the same consistency and aggressiveness we all saw in most of the early going. Who really expected they could? This is the NBA--an 82 game grind chock full of games in a short period of time with little time to practice, but perhaps most importantly little time to rest.
So, it is quite possible the Rockets will have a much rougher second half of the season than the first. They won't quit hustling, but sometimes those legs just can keep the pace. This club has great heart and some very good pieces, but it is not a championship team. Its a fun team. So keep watching and have fun.
SUMLIN "LOCKED" IN
The news that the Houston Cougars and football coach Kevin Sumlin had agreed on a new multi million dollar contract for Sumlin to continue as head coach of the Cougars for the next five or six years was good news. Just don't be sure Kevin will be around for the whole length of it. In college coaching contracts are signed to give coaches security, but not the schools. If another school comes around sniffing with an even bigger checkbook and perhaps also offers more prestige than what Conference USA can currently offer Sumlin would have to listen. Schools fire coaches for having bad seasons whether they have a contract or not. Coaches leave sometimes for greener pastures if their teams have good seasons. In the latter case the coaches still get paid. In the former the schools don't have to pay anymore, but have to find a new coach.
Is it even? Of course not, but it is how the game off the field is played. Until the NCAA gets involved in coaches contracts and committments it will continue. Until both sides involved in preparing contracts are ready to honor them we will continue to have the problem.
Right now, though. let us just rejoice that Houston did not lose Kevin Sumlin after the 2009 season and be happy that he will be around for awhile at least. If he builds the program strong enough to wind up on another school's radar that means the Cougars have been doing a lot of winning and that is not bad at all.
For one thing the club had no superstar players this season. Tracy McGrady was out and on the decline. Yao Ming was lost for the whole season. That left the team using a 6'6 non scoring center most of the time in Chuck Hayes, a small forward who had great leadership and defensive skills, but little consistent offensive ability in Sean Battier, a new big guard in Trevor Ariza who had yet to prove he was capable of moving into a larger role, a young point guard with great speed, but not much of a track record and questions about whether his small size might hurt in other areas.
In other words who thought that group could even get to .500 let alone be five games over in the tough Western Division at the mid way point?
I make all these points because I now keep hearing some fans complaining about the Rockets. Sure, they haven't played with the same consistency and aggressiveness we all saw in most of the early going. Who really expected they could? This is the NBA--an 82 game grind chock full of games in a short period of time with little time to practice, but perhaps most importantly little time to rest.
So, it is quite possible the Rockets will have a much rougher second half of the season than the first. They won't quit hustling, but sometimes those legs just can keep the pace. This club has great heart and some very good pieces, but it is not a championship team. Its a fun team. So keep watching and have fun.
SUMLIN "LOCKED" IN
The news that the Houston Cougars and football coach Kevin Sumlin had agreed on a new multi million dollar contract for Sumlin to continue as head coach of the Cougars for the next five or six years was good news. Just don't be sure Kevin will be around for the whole length of it. In college coaching contracts are signed to give coaches security, but not the schools. If another school comes around sniffing with an even bigger checkbook and perhaps also offers more prestige than what Conference USA can currently offer Sumlin would have to listen. Schools fire coaches for having bad seasons whether they have a contract or not. Coaches leave sometimes for greener pastures if their teams have good seasons. In the latter case the coaches still get paid. In the former the schools don't have to pay anymore, but have to find a new coach.
Is it even? Of course not, but it is how the game off the field is played. Until the NCAA gets involved in coaches contracts and committments it will continue. Until both sides involved in preparing contracts are ready to honor them we will continue to have the problem.
Right now, though. let us just rejoice that Houston did not lose Kevin Sumlin after the 2009 season and be happy that he will be around for awhile at least. If he builds the program strong enough to wind up on another school's radar that means the Cougars have been doing a lot of winning and that is not bad at all.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Astros 2010 Early Analysis
The Astros made it official Tuesday and signed Brett Myers to a one year plus options contract for 2010. This sets the top four starters for the next season with Brian Moehler still around to hold down the fifth spot if none of the younger guns show enough in the spring to take that role away from him.
Thanks to the impressive debut by Bud Norris last year there is some youth on the staff even if Felipe Paulino or any of the other younger arms is not ready yet.
With Paulino out of options he has to either make the club or be lost. Because of that don't be surprised if he doesn't get the closest look of all the other hurlers. Moehler may pitch enough to be sharp but Paulino may be in the spring rotation. If he can't get it done Brian simply moves in.
All of this is really not a bad thing for the Astros. It is good to have competition for spots in the rotation and on the staff. It admittedly is rough on the players who know how important every outing is to their future.
There is one very big caveat to the Astro starting staff. Unless Roy Oswalt can be healthy all year and show his best form and Wandy Rodriguez continues to show what he did in 2009 and more the staff is not a "shut down" staff. It is more of a "keep us in the game" staff. There is a big difference and it highlights what many fear could be a problem with the 2010 Astros--lack of enough offense.
The defense on the left side of the infield will be stronger with more range at shortstop, but the offense on that left side is expected to have a significant drop off with Miguel Tejada gone. Pedro Feliz should produce more with the bat than Geoff Blum at third, but not likely enough to off set the loss of Tejada and the addition of light hitting (based on minor league numbers) Tommy Manzella at shortstop.
The key to the offense is Lance Berkman. Final numbers are not important to the team. Consistency with some real hot stretches mixed in are what the Astros have to have from Lance. He can't get out of the gate slowly. If he does he puts the Astros in a hole. This team is not likely strong enough to dig out of deep holes. The pitching isn't "shutdown" and the offense is not overwhelming.
Carlos Lee has been an amazingly consistent hitter all his years with the Astros. His average varies very little month to month. That must continue. Kazuo Matsui when healthy has been a far better player than too many fans seem to know. He is a very good defensive player and along with Michael Bourn provides the only real base stealing threats. Bourn was the team MVP in 2009 and will be so honored at the Winter Baseball Dinner in Houston later this month. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts. If he can cut them by 25% he can be a .300 hitter.
Hunter Pence's work ethic has made him a real leader on the club. In fact when that question was posed to pitcher Chris Sampson by a member of the local Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) at the monthly meeting Tuesday night Chris pointed to Hunter as a team leader. He admitted that most players look up to Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, but Lance's sense of humor sometimes gets in the way of his leadership. Pence is all baseball all the time.
Speaking of Sampson gets us to the Astro bullpen in 2010. Chris says he is fully healthy and has been spending his off season working with his baseball academy in Baytown. He says he has healed from the problems that resulted for his over work in 2009 and that he won't let that happen again. He says he thinks he knows his body a bit better. He is impressed with new manager Brad Mills.
Sampson could be involved in a battle for spots in the bullpen. After his injury last season Alberto Arias, Jeff Fulchino and especially Sammy Gervacio were impressive working essentially in his role. In addition lefties Tim Byrdak who also had a solid season and Wesley Wright who still most likely appears headed back to the pen are in the mix. The back end of the pen is headed toward Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom. Younger than in 2009, yes. Better--especially with the set up and closer, unknown now. Both LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde had much longer records of success.
Who catches for the Astros in 2010 will totally be determined in spring training. J.R. Towles and Humberto Quintero are the only catchers currently on the roster. However, Jason Castro will get a good look and could win the job. If he doesn't he would start the season at Round Rock. At that point if he has a good start and neither of the more veteran players are doing the job with the Astros he could get the call.
Defensively the pitcher's say J.R. does the best job receiving the ball and setting a target. Quintero has the strongest arm. Neither have shown consistent ability to hit major league pitching. Sadly the Astros could be heading back into the "black hole" days offensively of Ausmus, Everett, Pitcher as the bottom three in the order with Catcher, Manzella, Pitcher for 2010. However, there is hope that Towles can figure it out and be a better hitter and with more power than Ausmus had in his latter years. And while Manzella has not been a big hitter in the minors, his 2009 at Round Rock was his best ever. Some players actually hit better in the majors. There is always hope.
And then it is also important to point out that one year the Astros had that "black hole" at the bottom of the order they ended up in the World Series. Pitching was the key in 2005. The Astros hope that improved pitching in 2010 will at least result in a better season than last year.
They have a chance and that is all you can hope for.
Thanks to the impressive debut by Bud Norris last year there is some youth on the staff even if Felipe Paulino or any of the other younger arms is not ready yet.
With Paulino out of options he has to either make the club or be lost. Because of that don't be surprised if he doesn't get the closest look of all the other hurlers. Moehler may pitch enough to be sharp but Paulino may be in the spring rotation. If he can't get it done Brian simply moves in.
All of this is really not a bad thing for the Astros. It is good to have competition for spots in the rotation and on the staff. It admittedly is rough on the players who know how important every outing is to their future.
There is one very big caveat to the Astro starting staff. Unless Roy Oswalt can be healthy all year and show his best form and Wandy Rodriguez continues to show what he did in 2009 and more the staff is not a "shut down" staff. It is more of a "keep us in the game" staff. There is a big difference and it highlights what many fear could be a problem with the 2010 Astros--lack of enough offense.
The defense on the left side of the infield will be stronger with more range at shortstop, but the offense on that left side is expected to have a significant drop off with Miguel Tejada gone. Pedro Feliz should produce more with the bat than Geoff Blum at third, but not likely enough to off set the loss of Tejada and the addition of light hitting (based on minor league numbers) Tommy Manzella at shortstop.
The key to the offense is Lance Berkman. Final numbers are not important to the team. Consistency with some real hot stretches mixed in are what the Astros have to have from Lance. He can't get out of the gate slowly. If he does he puts the Astros in a hole. This team is not likely strong enough to dig out of deep holes. The pitching isn't "shutdown" and the offense is not overwhelming.
Carlos Lee has been an amazingly consistent hitter all his years with the Astros. His average varies very little month to month. That must continue. Kazuo Matsui when healthy has been a far better player than too many fans seem to know. He is a very good defensive player and along with Michael Bourn provides the only real base stealing threats. Bourn was the team MVP in 2009 and will be so honored at the Winter Baseball Dinner in Houston later this month. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts. If he can cut them by 25% he can be a .300 hitter.
Hunter Pence's work ethic has made him a real leader on the club. In fact when that question was posed to pitcher Chris Sampson by a member of the local Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) at the monthly meeting Tuesday night Chris pointed to Hunter as a team leader. He admitted that most players look up to Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, but Lance's sense of humor sometimes gets in the way of his leadership. Pence is all baseball all the time.
Speaking of Sampson gets us to the Astro bullpen in 2010. Chris says he is fully healthy and has been spending his off season working with his baseball academy in Baytown. He says he has healed from the problems that resulted for his over work in 2009 and that he won't let that happen again. He says he thinks he knows his body a bit better. He is impressed with new manager Brad Mills.
Sampson could be involved in a battle for spots in the bullpen. After his injury last season Alberto Arias, Jeff Fulchino and especially Sammy Gervacio were impressive working essentially in his role. In addition lefties Tim Byrdak who also had a solid season and Wesley Wright who still most likely appears headed back to the pen are in the mix. The back end of the pen is headed toward Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom. Younger than in 2009, yes. Better--especially with the set up and closer, unknown now. Both LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde had much longer records of success.
Who catches for the Astros in 2010 will totally be determined in spring training. J.R. Towles and Humberto Quintero are the only catchers currently on the roster. However, Jason Castro will get a good look and could win the job. If he doesn't he would start the season at Round Rock. At that point if he has a good start and neither of the more veteran players are doing the job with the Astros he could get the call.
Defensively the pitcher's say J.R. does the best job receiving the ball and setting a target. Quintero has the strongest arm. Neither have shown consistent ability to hit major league pitching. Sadly the Astros could be heading back into the "black hole" days offensively of Ausmus, Everett, Pitcher as the bottom three in the order with Catcher, Manzella, Pitcher for 2010. However, there is hope that Towles can figure it out and be a better hitter and with more power than Ausmus had in his latter years. And while Manzella has not been a big hitter in the minors, his 2009 at Round Rock was his best ever. Some players actually hit better in the majors. There is always hope.
And then it is also important to point out that one year the Astros had that "black hole" at the bottom of the order they ended up in the World Series. Pitching was the key in 2005. The Astros hope that improved pitching in 2010 will at least result in a better season than last year.
They have a chance and that is all you can hope for.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
On Astro Eventual Astro Sale and Big Mark
I think that the Astros WILL be sold by Drayton McLane. However, anyone who thinks they know WHEN that will happen is doing some deep speculating. No need to speculate anymore about Mark McGwire. He has come clean.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Cougars and Rockets and Owls, Oh My!
It's basketball season in Houston--finally. Only once the pro football season ends to many of the "generalist" sports fans start paying much attention to the guys in the short pants.
Fortunately for the Houston Rockets it is not as bad as it once was. Before the team won it's two championships 15 and 16 years ago (yes, its been that long) the average attendance at home games till the football season was over was less than 10,000. During those two championship runs more fans found that it is possible to pay attention to the NBA and the NFL at the same time. Still, the real interest--probably fueled in large part by how the local media covers sports and assigns importance--starts now.
What is unfortunate is the same carry over doesn't seem to work on the collegiate side. The Houston Cougars and Rice Owls are scrambling to draw 3000 per game. That is very unfortunate for the city's two longest running Division I basketball programs. Ultimately is means changes will have to be made. Coaching, recruiting, marketing, planning?
To be fair there is little doubt that the drop in interest in UH and Rice was originally fueled by they demise of the Southwest Conference in the late 1990s. Even when there was not so much interest in the two schools sports teams themselves they were able to pull in more decent crowds when the Longhorns, Aggies, Raiders and Bears came to town. Sure, many of the folks in the stands were rooting for the visitors, but there WERE fans in the stands.
Houston is not a unique city in that it will support winners. Only a few handful of sports towns like Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago keep going to games whether their teams are good or not. Even New York has a big drop off with some teams when they fail to win. It just isn't noticed as much because that still leaves a lot of folks buying tickets.
Most of the Division I basketball programs in New York, for instance, don't draw much more than UH and Rice unless they are playing in Madison Square Garden or in the Meadowlands. Even such a sports city as Chicago hardly packs the building for the average Loyola or DePaul basketball game.
What Rice and Houston are facing is nothing unusual for a big city university. However, it is something both have to combat if they want their programs to join the elite in the nation. While the size of the school may work against Rice in football that should not be an automatic detriment in basketball. A number of small private schools like Rice--Butler, Davidson and Gonzaga to name three--have been quite successful.
For Houston the comparison is with mostly "commuter schools" without a large on campus resident population. Even that excuse can be a cop out at times. The percentage of students at the University of Texas in Austin with a huge on campus population is quite low for basketball. The city of Austin supports U.T. as the city's "pro" team.
The bottom line is that schools of all sizes and types have and can win in college basketball, both on the court and in the ticket booth. Putting the right plan in place and growing with it is the key.
Here is hoping both Rice and Houston can get it done soon. Now is the time Houston fans may be ready to divert to following basketball in larger numbers. We hope they will have something to hold their interest now and in the future.
Fortunately for the Houston Rockets it is not as bad as it once was. Before the team won it's two championships 15 and 16 years ago (yes, its been that long) the average attendance at home games till the football season was over was less than 10,000. During those two championship runs more fans found that it is possible to pay attention to the NBA and the NFL at the same time. Still, the real interest--probably fueled in large part by how the local media covers sports and assigns importance--starts now.
What is unfortunate is the same carry over doesn't seem to work on the collegiate side. The Houston Cougars and Rice Owls are scrambling to draw 3000 per game. That is very unfortunate for the city's two longest running Division I basketball programs. Ultimately is means changes will have to be made. Coaching, recruiting, marketing, planning?
To be fair there is little doubt that the drop in interest in UH and Rice was originally fueled by they demise of the Southwest Conference in the late 1990s. Even when there was not so much interest in the two schools sports teams themselves they were able to pull in more decent crowds when the Longhorns, Aggies, Raiders and Bears came to town. Sure, many of the folks in the stands were rooting for the visitors, but there WERE fans in the stands.
Houston is not a unique city in that it will support winners. Only a few handful of sports towns like Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago keep going to games whether their teams are good or not. Even New York has a big drop off with some teams when they fail to win. It just isn't noticed as much because that still leaves a lot of folks buying tickets.
Most of the Division I basketball programs in New York, for instance, don't draw much more than UH and Rice unless they are playing in Madison Square Garden or in the Meadowlands. Even such a sports city as Chicago hardly packs the building for the average Loyola or DePaul basketball game.
What Rice and Houston are facing is nothing unusual for a big city university. However, it is something both have to combat if they want their programs to join the elite in the nation. While the size of the school may work against Rice in football that should not be an automatic detriment in basketball. A number of small private schools like Rice--Butler, Davidson and Gonzaga to name three--have been quite successful.
For Houston the comparison is with mostly "commuter schools" without a large on campus resident population. Even that excuse can be a cop out at times. The percentage of students at the University of Texas in Austin with a huge on campus population is quite low for basketball. The city of Austin supports U.T. as the city's "pro" team.
The bottom line is that schools of all sizes and types have and can win in college basketball, both on the court and in the ticket booth. Putting the right plan in place and growing with it is the key.
Here is hoping both Rice and Houston can get it done soon. Now is the time Houston fans may be ready to divert to following basketball in larger numbers. We hope they will have something to hold their interest now and in the future.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
No Surprise Hearing of Myers
Brett Myers needs to pass a physical before the Astros can announce his signing. I think it is not only good gamble, but not surprising either.
The Astros have signed Josh Banks to a contract. Banks spent most of 2009 in Portland of the Pacific Coast League where he was 7-7 as a starter and reliever. He has major league experience with Toronto and San Diego.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Most Felt Alabama Would Win but Not This Way
Once Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was forced to leave the BCS championship game with a shoulder injury Longhorn fans everywhere in their hearts knew there would be no title for the Horns this year.
The reality is that even BEFORE the game most forecasters without burnt orange ties felt Alabama was the stronger team and pick to win.
Things changed, though, when the Crimson Tide shot themselves in the foot early allowing the Longhorns to take an early 6-0 lead. Actually, though, the fact that Texas only got two field goals should have been of concern to Longhorn fans. They needed touchdowns. Had they put two on the board--before McCoy had to leave--the game might have had a different story.
The Texas defense performed above the expectations of most. The Alabama offense performed below what was expected. The 37 points they scored were not all offensively generated.
The differences were two fold. Texas and its almost exclusively quarterback oriented offense had to use a little used freshman. The Alabama defense, already quite stout, gained even more confidence as a result and dominated.
To be fair to the Longhorn's emergency quarterback, Mr. Gilbert, his receivers did not have a good game. Too many catchable balls were not held. Even the ill-fated shovel pass that was intercepted for an Alabama touchdown just before halftime was mishandled, bobbled and popped into the air by the intended recipient.
Alabama's quarterback play was abysmal and the running game while heavily used was not consistently effective against the Texas aggressive defense.
In fact, the Longhorns totally controlled Alabama in the third quarter and got back into the game. The moved to within 24-21 with plenty of time left. That was when the Alabama defense made some big plays...or the Texas offense made some bad one--take your pick.
The game will always be remembered by Longhorn fans as the "what if" BCS title game loss.
Alabama will just look at it as a championship won. Both will be right.
The reality is that even BEFORE the game most forecasters without burnt orange ties felt Alabama was the stronger team and pick to win.
Things changed, though, when the Crimson Tide shot themselves in the foot early allowing the Longhorns to take an early 6-0 lead. Actually, though, the fact that Texas only got two field goals should have been of concern to Longhorn fans. They needed touchdowns. Had they put two on the board--before McCoy had to leave--the game might have had a different story.
The Texas defense performed above the expectations of most. The Alabama offense performed below what was expected. The 37 points they scored were not all offensively generated.
The differences were two fold. Texas and its almost exclusively quarterback oriented offense had to use a little used freshman. The Alabama defense, already quite stout, gained even more confidence as a result and dominated.
To be fair to the Longhorn's emergency quarterback, Mr. Gilbert, his receivers did not have a good game. Too many catchable balls were not held. Even the ill-fated shovel pass that was intercepted for an Alabama touchdown just before halftime was mishandled, bobbled and popped into the air by the intended recipient.
Alabama's quarterback play was abysmal and the running game while heavily used was not consistently effective against the Texas aggressive defense.
In fact, the Longhorns totally controlled Alabama in the third quarter and got back into the game. The moved to within 24-21 with plenty of time left. That was when the Alabama defense made some big plays...or the Texas offense made some bad one--take your pick.
The game will always be remembered by Longhorn fans as the "what if" BCS title game loss.
Alabama will just look at it as a championship won. Both will be right.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
HOF Votes HARD to Get
I congratulate Andre Dawson for gaining acceptance by Hall of Fame Voters. He will join Veteran's Committee selections Whitey Herzog and Doug Harvey. Some of those NOT being inducted in 2010 raise concerns for Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday: Bad Night for Basketball Watching
When some fans saw the TV schedule on FS-Houston Tuesday night they were looking forward for a great night of basketball. Tipping off first were the highly regarded--and 10-3-- Texas A&M Aggies against North Dakota. That was going to be followed by the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles against the Lakers. What night for hoops fans! It sure looked like it.
But then they played the games.
Aggie fans were happy that their team moved to 11-3, but the game with North Dakota was awful. It was no fault of Texas A&M. They played well. The fault was it was a total mismatch. Jim Haller and I who called the game did not expect a good game with North Dakota having only two wins. One was against St. Olaf and the other against Waldorf. We were right. The Aggies won 82-41 but coach Mark Turgeon used his whole bench. Fifteen players saw action and twelve of them scored. It was a mismatch and poor game to watch, but it was played properly by the winning Aggies.
YATES FEELING HEAT FOR WIPE OUT WIN OVER LEE
That was not the case in the Houston high school game Tuesday night in which Yates embarrassed themselves--and Lee-- with a totally distasteful all out crushing 170-35 win. Yates led 100-12 at halftime! Fortunately, that game was not on TV. There is no place for score roll ups like that. Any team--no matter how good and deep it is--has players of less skill who should see plenty of action in games in which the regular rotation has put 100 points on the board by halftime. And no team needs to continue using pressure defense most if not all the time once a game is easily in hand. Pressing constantly against teams without the skill to make it hard to stop does nothing to improve the better team. It just makes a full farce out of the contest.
There was an altercation in the third quarter which resulted in the officials reducing both teams to only five players each for the rest of the game. Who the five were that Yates used the rest of the game certainly had an effect on the final score. It is obvious it wasn't the last five off the bench that finished the game even though they certainly should have.
This Yates team SHOULD be remembered for being defending state champions and for winning the national invitational tournament this season in Hawaii and another tourney in Alabama. Instead it will be remembered in a negative light for running up the score against Lee.
OTHER SPORTS HAVE PROBLEMS TOO
We have all heard of teams running up scores in lopsided games. The Houston Cougars in the John Jenkins days were accused of doing it in football. Some have accused some of the Houston area's top high school baseball teams of doing it. It happens.
Baseball is tougher to stop having one sided scores. Certainly a team should stop stealing bases, but if a pitch is hittable it is hittable. If the other team cannot make defensive plays or hit themselves there is little that can be done. Even substituting is baseball is rougher since there is no unlimited substitution and once a player is out of the game he is out for good. Coaches or managers have to be very careful in those circumstances. Perhaps the answer is starting the backups in games in which easy wins are expected and having the regulars ready if needed would be an answer. Yet, the beauty of baseball is that one good pitcher can elevate a mediocre to poor team into having a chance to beat a better club. So who really knows in a given game who will win?
Football has lots of players and unlimited substitutions. Plus an offense can easily pull back.
We will continue to have unfortunate one sided scores in all sports here and there. The problem today is we just had one HERE.
ROCKETS GAME WAS CLOSER BUT MAYBE THE WORST OF ALL TO MORE
The Houston Rockets played a close game in Los Angeles as the second game of the FS Houston doubleheader. In many ways, however, it was the worst of the two on TV. Certainly it was the most frustrating. The Rockets played hard as usual, but also played poorly.
The Lakers were pretty awful as well which kept the game within range. The Lakers won 88-79. Houston had gotten closer in the final quarter, but just couldn't shoot.
Since more fans in the FS Houston audience were interested in the Rockets than the Aggies game and the high school contest fortunately was not seen by that many there is little doubt the Rockets loss was distressing to more people.
Many of them added their thoughts to various website forums. Since complaining seems to be the major focus in the often worthless forums the Rockets were taking some severe hits. Once a person offers a ridiculous comment all the credibility that earlier thoughts may have had is lost.
That happens a lot on the forums. At least on radio talk shows the hosts have a chance to challenge. On the forums most of the followups are from fellow forum contributors who may have the same lack of inside information as the original writer.
The internet is a wonderful thing. Forums allow sports fans to get frustration off their chests. When reading them, however, all of us--including me-- should take them for that and never confuse the writings with the real facts. If we take Rocket posts as gospel Tracy McGrady should be starting for the home town team. Don't we all know the days of Tracy McGrady as what he once was are over? Apparently some forum stars don't.
But then they played the games.
Aggie fans were happy that their team moved to 11-3, but the game with North Dakota was awful. It was no fault of Texas A&M. They played well. The fault was it was a total mismatch. Jim Haller and I who called the game did not expect a good game with North Dakota having only two wins. One was against St. Olaf and the other against Waldorf. We were right. The Aggies won 82-41 but coach Mark Turgeon used his whole bench. Fifteen players saw action and twelve of them scored. It was a mismatch and poor game to watch, but it was played properly by the winning Aggies.
YATES FEELING HEAT FOR WIPE OUT WIN OVER LEE
That was not the case in the Houston high school game Tuesday night in which Yates embarrassed themselves--and Lee-- with a totally distasteful all out crushing 170-35 win. Yates led 100-12 at halftime! Fortunately, that game was not on TV. There is no place for score roll ups like that. Any team--no matter how good and deep it is--has players of less skill who should see plenty of action in games in which the regular rotation has put 100 points on the board by halftime. And no team needs to continue using pressure defense most if not all the time once a game is easily in hand. Pressing constantly against teams without the skill to make it hard to stop does nothing to improve the better team. It just makes a full farce out of the contest.
There was an altercation in the third quarter which resulted in the officials reducing both teams to only five players each for the rest of the game. Who the five were that Yates used the rest of the game certainly had an effect on the final score. It is obvious it wasn't the last five off the bench that finished the game even though they certainly should have.
This Yates team SHOULD be remembered for being defending state champions and for winning the national invitational tournament this season in Hawaii and another tourney in Alabama. Instead it will be remembered in a negative light for running up the score against Lee.
OTHER SPORTS HAVE PROBLEMS TOO
We have all heard of teams running up scores in lopsided games. The Houston Cougars in the John Jenkins days were accused of doing it in football. Some have accused some of the Houston area's top high school baseball teams of doing it. It happens.
Baseball is tougher to stop having one sided scores. Certainly a team should stop stealing bases, but if a pitch is hittable it is hittable. If the other team cannot make defensive plays or hit themselves there is little that can be done. Even substituting is baseball is rougher since there is no unlimited substitution and once a player is out of the game he is out for good. Coaches or managers have to be very careful in those circumstances. Perhaps the answer is starting the backups in games in which easy wins are expected and having the regulars ready if needed would be an answer. Yet, the beauty of baseball is that one good pitcher can elevate a mediocre to poor team into having a chance to beat a better club. So who really knows in a given game who will win?
Football has lots of players and unlimited substitutions. Plus an offense can easily pull back.
We will continue to have unfortunate one sided scores in all sports here and there. The problem today is we just had one HERE.
ROCKETS GAME WAS CLOSER BUT MAYBE THE WORST OF ALL TO MORE
The Houston Rockets played a close game in Los Angeles as the second game of the FS Houston doubleheader. In many ways, however, it was the worst of the two on TV. Certainly it was the most frustrating. The Rockets played hard as usual, but also played poorly.
The Lakers were pretty awful as well which kept the game within range. The Lakers won 88-79. Houston had gotten closer in the final quarter, but just couldn't shoot.
Since more fans in the FS Houston audience were interested in the Rockets than the Aggies game and the high school contest fortunately was not seen by that many there is little doubt the Rockets loss was distressing to more people.
Many of them added their thoughts to various website forums. Since complaining seems to be the major focus in the often worthless forums the Rockets were taking some severe hits. Once a person offers a ridiculous comment all the credibility that earlier thoughts may have had is lost.
That happens a lot on the forums. At least on radio talk shows the hosts have a chance to challenge. On the forums most of the followups are from fellow forum contributors who may have the same lack of inside information as the original writer.
The internet is a wonderful thing. Forums allow sports fans to get frustration off their chests. When reading them, however, all of us--including me-- should take them for that and never confuse the writings with the real facts. If we take Rocket posts as gospel Tracy McGrady should be starting for the home town team. Don't we all know the days of Tracy McGrady as what he once was are over? Apparently some forum stars don't.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Travel Hassles? Ask teams in the GWC!
Texas A&M's men's basketball team tangles with the University of North Dakota Tuesday night in College Station. The Aggies, although still re-organizing after the loss of Derrick Roland to a broken leg, are heavily favored. (The game can be seen on some FSN affiliates in Texas starting at 7pm. I will have the call along with analyst Jim Haller.)
Actually, the game itself is not the only story regarding North Dakota. The league they play in is the most far flung and spread out conference in the history of college sports.
The Great West Conference is totally misnamed. It includes schools in New Jersey (New Jersey Tech) and Chicago (Chicago State) among its ten basketball members.
Folks at Houston Baptist University know all about the league. They are in it too! Most of the schools are those who only recently jumped to Division I in basketball. Texas Pan American also represents this part of the country. Not only does the league spread from coast to coast, but also from near the Canadian border to the Rio Grande.
North Dakota to Texas Pan American is a pretty long stretch. For the record here is the roster.
Cal Poly, Southern Utah, Utah Valley, Cal Davis, South Dakota, North Dakota, Houston Baptist, Texas Pan American, Chicago State and New Jersey Tech.
And Houston thinks IT plays in Conference USA!
So, while many around here may not know much about North Dakota don't dismiss the Fighting Sioux. They could turn into a major rival for Houston Baptist someday!
ROCKETS GETTING HEALTHY... LAKERS NOT
The game being aired on FS-Houston starting at 9pm with Rockets Live Pregame on Tuesday has the Rockets in Los Angeles to meet the Lakers. Houston has hung tough with everyone this season. Tonight should be no exception. For on thing the Rockets expect to have top rookie Chase Buddinger back. His skills have been missed while he nursed a bad ankle. Meanwhile, the Lakers may have a weakened Lamar Odom due to the flu, Paul Gasol due to a hamstring injury and a less than fully effective Ron Artest. Artest has missed time after suffering cuts and other problems from an alleged fall at his house over the holidays.
WILL BE AT LEAST ONE COACHING CHANGE WITH TEXANS
While the head job remains in Gary Kubiak's hands with the Texans for 2010 it seems he will need a new offensive co-ordinator for his coaching staff. Kyle Shanahan is set to join his father in Washington. Fans should not be concerned. Kubiak himself is the offensive major domo. Whoever gets the gig needs to understand the Kubiak philosophy and work closely with the head man. Some teams turn more over to the OC than others. When your head coach comes from the offensive side of the ball that is not ordinarily the case.
Actually, the game itself is not the only story regarding North Dakota. The league they play in is the most far flung and spread out conference in the history of college sports.
The Great West Conference is totally misnamed. It includes schools in New Jersey (New Jersey Tech) and Chicago (Chicago State) among its ten basketball members.
Folks at Houston Baptist University know all about the league. They are in it too! Most of the schools are those who only recently jumped to Division I in basketball. Texas Pan American also represents this part of the country. Not only does the league spread from coast to coast, but also from near the Canadian border to the Rio Grande.
North Dakota to Texas Pan American is a pretty long stretch. For the record here is the roster.
Cal Poly, Southern Utah, Utah Valley, Cal Davis, South Dakota, North Dakota, Houston Baptist, Texas Pan American, Chicago State and New Jersey Tech.
And Houston thinks IT plays in Conference USA!
So, while many around here may not know much about North Dakota don't dismiss the Fighting Sioux. They could turn into a major rival for Houston Baptist someday!
ROCKETS GETTING HEALTHY... LAKERS NOT
The game being aired on FS-Houston starting at 9pm with Rockets Live Pregame on Tuesday has the Rockets in Los Angeles to meet the Lakers. Houston has hung tough with everyone this season. Tonight should be no exception. For on thing the Rockets expect to have top rookie Chase Buddinger back. His skills have been missed while he nursed a bad ankle. Meanwhile, the Lakers may have a weakened Lamar Odom due to the flu, Paul Gasol due to a hamstring injury and a less than fully effective Ron Artest. Artest has missed time after suffering cuts and other problems from an alleged fall at his house over the holidays.
WILL BE AT LEAST ONE COACHING CHANGE WITH TEXANS
While the head job remains in Gary Kubiak's hands with the Texans for 2010 it seems he will need a new offensive co-ordinator for his coaching staff. Kyle Shanahan is set to join his father in Washington. Fans should not be concerned. Kubiak himself is the offensive major domo. Whoever gets the gig needs to understand the Kubiak philosophy and work closely with the head man. Some teams turn more over to the OC than others. When your head coach comes from the offensive side of the ball that is not ordinarily the case.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Exciting Texans Finish, but NFL Integrity Questioned
I loved the way the Texans scrapped back and were able to knock off the New England Patriots in the final game on Sunday. I also like the way Patriot coach Bill Belichick handled his team. The NFL should have, too, and use it as an example for all playoff bound teams.
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