Delhomme Has His Memories. He Can Watch Others Made Now
In an ideal world newly signed Texans quarterback Jake Delhomme won’t play a down for the team while rookie T.J. Yates guides the club to a Super Bowl victory. Since the world is hardly perfect the chances of both happening are small.
But if and when Delhomme does get into action it won’t be like he has never played in a big spot before. He has played ten years in the NFL. He guided the Carolina Panthers into Super Bowl XXXVIII (38). While approaching 37 years old he has only been out of the league since 2010 when he served as a backup to young Colt McCoy in Cleveland. So, he also has the experience of helping mentor a young quarterback.
Delhomme fits the qualifications for a veteran backup to a “T”. However, besides his heroics during his starting days in Carolina and Super Bowl appearance he has a game on his record even bigger than appearing in a Super Bowl. He once led his college team to a huge upset victory over the 25th ranked Texas A&M Aggies.
The game between the University of Southern Louisiana (USL) and the Aggies was played on September 14, 1996 in Lafayette, Louisiana’s Cajun Field. A record setting crowd of 38,783 was on hand.
The Aggies of coach R.C. Slocum were heavily favored. They were not only ranked and unbeaten, but the Ragin’ Cajuns had lost badly to even higher ranked Florida two weeks earlier 55-21. In that game four Delhomme interceptions led to the rout.
This time, however, things would turn out differently. It would be nice to say it was Jake Delhomme’s passing wizardry the did in the Aggies, but it was really the Aggies that did in the Aggies. They turned the ball over eight times. Three of those turnovers were run in for touchdowns.
USL was coached by Nelson Stokley. His son, Brandon, was the team’s top receiver. That name should ring a bell. He was a long time receiver in the NFL, most of it as one of Peyton Manning’s targets with the Indianapolis Colts.
I did the telecast of the game. At the outset it figured to be a typical non conference early season game for A&M, although playing on the road before a full house was expected to keep the game closer than it might.
Jake Delhomme’s game started miserably as his first pass was picked off by Donovan Greer and returned to the USL 12 yard line. Dante Hawkins carried to the one and D’Andre Hardemann took the ball in for the touchdown.
But the first of the Aggie turnovers led to a 7-7 tie when Mason intercepted a Brandon Stewart pass for a touchdown.
At the end of the first half it was 21-13 USL the Cajuns might have been able to get at least three more, but the clock wound down before a final play from the A&M 18 yard line could be run.
The Aggies got the lead back at 22-21 after three quarters, but were kept off the field by Delhomme and his crew. Jake was only 14-33 passing, but converted four third downs through the air. He threw one short TD pass and had the one interception of his first pass of the day. Stokley caught five passes for 54 yards.
After the final gun sounded Cajun fans stormed the field. The goal posts came down and were last seen being moved out of the stadium. The next morning the Lafayette Sunday Advertiser gave the front and sports pages almost totally over to the USL win—the biggest in school history.
Had Jake Delhomme been on a Super Bowl winner perhaps that game might have gone to number two on his great memories. But I am betting it is still number one right now. It probably will remain that even if he is part of a Texan team that wins a Super Bowl with T.J. Yates playing and Jake watching. But it sure would be fun to find out.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Was Anticipated, but Still Hard
Two Shoes Drop…What is Next with “New” Astros?
Late Sunday when most Houston sports fans were worrying about what the Texans would do at quarterback the Houston Astros made a move not unexpected at all, but still big.
They informed both club President for Baseball Operations Tal Smith and General Manager Ed Wade they were being removed from their jobs.
According to new club CEO George Postolos the new ownership led by Jim Crane feels it is best to start fresh in Baseball Operations while trying to rebuild the club. In a news release Postolos both praised and thanked Smith and Wade for their work for the Astros and baseball and wished them well in the future. He also said that Assistant GM David Gottfried would be the interim GM, but not a candidate for the full time job.
Who that might be is open according to Postolos. The search for a new GM begins immediately. It has been speculated that current Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman might be in the Astros sights. However, some reporters who cover the Rays don’t think Friedman would be ready to make a move at this time. The Rays have been very good for several years. The Astros new GM will face a major build up job..or be very lucky that the young players counted on to anchor the roster in 2012 all develop into All-Stars.
What no one really knows except Crane and Postolos is what planning was afoot during the six months while Crane was waiting for (negotiating) approval as new Astro owner.
Tal Smith’s future was probably a foregone conclusion to include either retirement or other form of departure. With the job description given to Postolos the Astro way of two team Presidents—one for Baseball Operations in Smith and another for Business Operations in Pam Gardner was doomed. Gardner is sticking around at the outset but Postolos is her boss just as he will be that of the GM when a new one is named. There is no need under the new arrangement for separate department presidents.
It is known that the salary dump for prospect moves that Wade made during the season that saw Astro stars Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn traded away were approved by both Drayton McLane and the potential new owners at the time. The plan was to “gut and build” with a much lower salary base to help cover lower revenues.
The Astros attendance in 2011 was deceiving. The club passed two-million tickets sold at home, but many were heavily discounted and many of those sold were not used. That affected everything from concession sales to repeat business. The discounts also irritated a number of season ticket holders who were on the books for full price.
The bottom line was not good. Further cost cuts will be needed. It will no longer be Ed Wade’s headache to try to build a team to compete while scouring the garbage bins of others hoping to find a discarded gem.
The plan is to build from within. That is very admirable and was what Ed Wade started.
Losing one’s job for doing what the owners wanted done is a tough way to go. That is especially so since it was Ed that was savaged by many fans.
In a prior experience Ed Wade built the foundation of the Phillies that won a World Series a few years ago. He had been fired a couple years before. The situation in Houston is more of a long shot. When Wade was fired in Philly is was essentially because the club could not a quite get over that last hill that kept a good team from being great. In Houston he leaves with a team that faces a whole mountain range to cross to achieve greatness. But if some of the players he acquired over the last two years in the deals for Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence and Michal Bourn turn out to be cogs in an Astro resurgence he will again deserve some credit.
Who will be the next GM of the Astros? Let the speculation begin. In the meantime only the best wishes for Ed Wade who will continue to work in baseball for sure. Tal Smith Enterprises continues to operate as he helps clubs in player evaluation. Tal won’t retire from baseball. And he shouldn’t. Both Ed and Tal have a lot left to offer the game. It just won’t be from an Astro perspective any longer.
Late Sunday when most Houston sports fans were worrying about what the Texans would do at quarterback the Houston Astros made a move not unexpected at all, but still big.
They informed both club President for Baseball Operations Tal Smith and General Manager Ed Wade they were being removed from their jobs.
According to new club CEO George Postolos the new ownership led by Jim Crane feels it is best to start fresh in Baseball Operations while trying to rebuild the club. In a news release Postolos both praised and thanked Smith and Wade for their work for the Astros and baseball and wished them well in the future. He also said that Assistant GM David Gottfried would be the interim GM, but not a candidate for the full time job.
Who that might be is open according to Postolos. The search for a new GM begins immediately. It has been speculated that current Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman might be in the Astros sights. However, some reporters who cover the Rays don’t think Friedman would be ready to make a move at this time. The Rays have been very good for several years. The Astros new GM will face a major build up job..or be very lucky that the young players counted on to anchor the roster in 2012 all develop into All-Stars.
What no one really knows except Crane and Postolos is what planning was afoot during the six months while Crane was waiting for (negotiating) approval as new Astro owner.
Tal Smith’s future was probably a foregone conclusion to include either retirement or other form of departure. With the job description given to Postolos the Astro way of two team Presidents—one for Baseball Operations in Smith and another for Business Operations in Pam Gardner was doomed. Gardner is sticking around at the outset but Postolos is her boss just as he will be that of the GM when a new one is named. There is no need under the new arrangement for separate department presidents.
It is known that the salary dump for prospect moves that Wade made during the season that saw Astro stars Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn traded away were approved by both Drayton McLane and the potential new owners at the time. The plan was to “gut and build” with a much lower salary base to help cover lower revenues.
The Astros attendance in 2011 was deceiving. The club passed two-million tickets sold at home, but many were heavily discounted and many of those sold were not used. That affected everything from concession sales to repeat business. The discounts also irritated a number of season ticket holders who were on the books for full price.
The bottom line was not good. Further cost cuts will be needed. It will no longer be Ed Wade’s headache to try to build a team to compete while scouring the garbage bins of others hoping to find a discarded gem.
The plan is to build from within. That is very admirable and was what Ed Wade started.
Losing one’s job for doing what the owners wanted done is a tough way to go. That is especially so since it was Ed that was savaged by many fans.
In a prior experience Ed Wade built the foundation of the Phillies that won a World Series a few years ago. He had been fired a couple years before. The situation in Houston is more of a long shot. When Wade was fired in Philly is was essentially because the club could not a quite get over that last hill that kept a good team from being great. In Houston he leaves with a team that faces a whole mountain range to cross to achieve greatness. But if some of the players he acquired over the last two years in the deals for Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Hunter Pence and Michal Bourn turn out to be cogs in an Astro resurgence he will again deserve some credit.
Who will be the next GM of the Astros? Let the speculation begin. In the meantime only the best wishes for Ed Wade who will continue to work in baseball for sure. Tal Smith Enterprises continues to operate as he helps clubs in player evaluation. Tal won’t retire from baseball. And he shouldn’t. Both Ed and Tal have a lot left to offer the game. It just won’t be from an Astro perspective any longer.
Houston is a Good Name to Carry These Days
Your Team Named Houston? You Are Pretty Good!
Monday will be full of woe from Houston Texans fans after their favorite team lost its second quarterback, Matt Leinert, to injury in Sunday’s 20-13 win at Jacksonville. But before we worry about something in advance of it being a problem, perhaps we should recognize what these Texans have achieved.
They have a record of 8-3 which is one of the best in the NFL. They have essentially a three game edge on second place Tennessee in the AFC South with just five games to play. (They hold the tie-breaker advantage.) So let us wait and see whether Texan coach Gary Kubiak can make rookie T.J. Yates an NFL quarterback in a week. Fortunately the Texans had a lead and a defense perfectly able to protect it on Sunday. Yates didn’t have to do much. And he didn’t.
Still, there are eight wins in the bank and the club certainly should still be able to be a playoff team.
Meanwhile two other schools with “Houston” in their name are doing even better than the Texans.
The Houston Cougars are a division champion in C-USA and still unbeaten after 12 games. They have moved up as high as 6th in one of the national polls (7th in the other) and have a shot at going even higher if they can whip Southern Mississippi next weekend in Houston and finish the season against conference teams at 13-0 and as C-USA champs. Southern Mississippi has only two losses and have been ranked in the top 25. Home field may be huge for the Cougars because Southern Miss will be a potent foe. On the line is the automatic slot in the Liberty Bowl for Southern Miss. Houston will be playing for an even bigger bowl—one of the coveted BCS bowls.
Meanwhile the Sam Houston State University Bearcats are 11-0 and ready to begin play in the NCAA post season on their level. SHSU will take on Stonybrook on December 3rd in Huntsville. A win would make them 12-0 and keep them moving on through the playoffs. Though Stonybrook from New York State is not well known around here they will visit Huntsville with a 9-3 record and the highest scoring team in the division at 39.64 points per game. The Bearcats don’t take a back seat, though. They are the second highest scoring team at 39.58 per outing.
Have you added it all up? Teams with “Houston” in their name are 31-3 this season! Furthermore, all have a lot more in front of them. The Texans are looking to make the playoffs for the first time and while their chances for going deep in the post season have taken a big hit as a result of injuries, their new defensive ferocity will continue to keep them a major threat.
The Cougars have had their opponents upped each of the last two weeks and have had to make adjustments. They have done well as evidenced by their 47-16 win Friday at Tulsa against a team that has only lost to top ten foes. They will be ready for Southern Miss with so much on the line.
Sam Houston State runs under the radar except to their fans due to the lower NCAA division they play in, but take nothing for granted with them. They are very good.
The big question is whether the 31-3 “Houstons” can be 34-3 a week from now. It will be a tough weekend for all three for sure. But don’t count any of them out.
Monday will be full of woe from Houston Texans fans after their favorite team lost its second quarterback, Matt Leinert, to injury in Sunday’s 20-13 win at Jacksonville. But before we worry about something in advance of it being a problem, perhaps we should recognize what these Texans have achieved.
They have a record of 8-3 which is one of the best in the NFL. They have essentially a three game edge on second place Tennessee in the AFC South with just five games to play. (They hold the tie-breaker advantage.) So let us wait and see whether Texan coach Gary Kubiak can make rookie T.J. Yates an NFL quarterback in a week. Fortunately the Texans had a lead and a defense perfectly able to protect it on Sunday. Yates didn’t have to do much. And he didn’t.
Still, there are eight wins in the bank and the club certainly should still be able to be a playoff team.
Meanwhile two other schools with “Houston” in their name are doing even better than the Texans.
The Houston Cougars are a division champion in C-USA and still unbeaten after 12 games. They have moved up as high as 6th in one of the national polls (7th in the other) and have a shot at going even higher if they can whip Southern Mississippi next weekend in Houston and finish the season against conference teams at 13-0 and as C-USA champs. Southern Mississippi has only two losses and have been ranked in the top 25. Home field may be huge for the Cougars because Southern Miss will be a potent foe. On the line is the automatic slot in the Liberty Bowl for Southern Miss. Houston will be playing for an even bigger bowl—one of the coveted BCS bowls.
Meanwhile the Sam Houston State University Bearcats are 11-0 and ready to begin play in the NCAA post season on their level. SHSU will take on Stonybrook on December 3rd in Huntsville. A win would make them 12-0 and keep them moving on through the playoffs. Though Stonybrook from New York State is not well known around here they will visit Huntsville with a 9-3 record and the highest scoring team in the division at 39.64 points per game. The Bearcats don’t take a back seat, though. They are the second highest scoring team at 39.58 per outing.
Have you added it all up? Teams with “Houston” in their name are 31-3 this season! Furthermore, all have a lot more in front of them. The Texans are looking to make the playoffs for the first time and while their chances for going deep in the post season have taken a big hit as a result of injuries, their new defensive ferocity will continue to keep them a major threat.
The Cougars have had their opponents upped each of the last two weeks and have had to make adjustments. They have done well as evidenced by their 47-16 win Friday at Tulsa against a team that has only lost to top ten foes. They will be ready for Southern Miss with so much on the line.
Sam Houston State runs under the radar except to their fans due to the lower NCAA division they play in, but take nothing for granted with them. They are very good.
The big question is whether the 31-3 “Houstons” can be 34-3 a week from now. It will be a tough weekend for all three for sure. But don’t count any of them out.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Horns-Aggies Finish Strong before Hiatus
Aggies and the Horns—The Game that Brought a Whole State Together
The end of the Texas vs Texas A&M football match up after Thursday night’s last second win by the Longhorns gives everyone a reason to reflect on what that annual game really means to residents of this huge state.
It has always been the one game that brings every one together. Other than to alumni and local residents for the other schools in Texas there is no question the big dogs are Texas A&M and Texas. They have been for years. There are about 20 NCAA Division I programs in Texas with ten of them playing on the highest level in football. Houston is unbeaten, Baylor and TCU are very good, but only the Aggies and Horns matter to everyone.
It is not just because they have the largest alumni bases from being the largest schools in the state either. Actually the way things are sorting out neither may actually be the largest schools in Texas for long. In part,due to a need to downsize on the main campuses of both, the enrollment for undergrads from “outsiders” like Houston, Texas State, North Texas, Texas-Arlington and Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) are catching up.
That won’t change anything. The Aggies and the Horns is THE game in Texas. Uh, I guess it WAS the game in Texas since 1894, but it won’t be any longer.
Let’s be honest on this. Two factors brought about it’s demise finally—the formation of the Longhorn Network by Texas—with the guaranteed payment of $15-million annually by ESPN the real back breaker—and the ensuing decision by Texas A&M to get away from it all and join the SEC.
Most feel the formation of the Longhorn Network itself would not have been the problem had the school fielded the costs itself. It was going to be a tough sell to cable and satellite operators who would have to charge more for carrying the network. When ESPN elected to foot the bill that was too much. However, at the same time the college conference scene was changing already. Nebraska and Colorado had bolted the Big 12 earlier. Missouri had wanted out to join the Big 10 and even though Nebraska beat them to it, they were not interested in staying in the league. When the Aggies made the SEC an odd numbered membership league they quickly pushed for the admittance they finally received.
There will be a long time rivalry being lost with Missouri leaving the Big 12 as well. Their battle with Kansas dated back to Civil War memories. Perhaps they can start a new one with neighboring Arkansas—a battle of the Ozarks—in the SEC. Perhaps Texas A&M can start a rivalry with LSU.
An A&M-LSU match up every year to rival the Texas-OU battles had been envisioned before. It never came to fruition because of scheduling problems. Now in the same league it will be a regular game.
While the Longhorns may have been too quick to say they didn’t think they would have room on their schedule to play the Aggies after the Texas A&M move to the SEC there is some validity in that on the face of it.
Both the SEC and Big 12 have 10 or more members (presuming the West Virginia invitation is finalized.) In the Big 12s case that means one league with no divisions. Nine conference games will be played. In the case of the SEC the figure is again nine with six division foes plus at least three from the other division.
It is much harder to schedule non conference games after the first two or three weeks of the season since Conference play has now started. An Aggie-Horns game on September 4th would not be the same. Plus coaches want at least a couple “warm up” games against much more easily beatable foes to start a year.
Had Oklahoma and Texas not finally been united in the Big 12 that long time meeting could have suffered the same “conference squeeze”. For the years of the SWC and Big 8 it was easy. OU had only seven games against conference opponents. Texas had seven or eight. There was plenty of opportunity to meet inside the season in Dallas.
However, if either or both of those old leagues expanded—or either school left to join a different league as OU was once linked with the SEC and Texas with the Big 10 and Pac 10—the series would have likely had to die.
I guess what we have all learned in recent years is that tradition will always lose to money. The Aggie-Longhorn tradition has generated a lot of money itself over the decades, but a new TV network and new league apparently will generate more.
When the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry started in 1894 it was reported the football budget for UT was $100. Things have certainly changed in the last 118 years!
The end of the Texas vs Texas A&M football match up after Thursday night’s last second win by the Longhorns gives everyone a reason to reflect on what that annual game really means to residents of this huge state.
It has always been the one game that brings every one together. Other than to alumni and local residents for the other schools in Texas there is no question the big dogs are Texas A&M and Texas. They have been for years. There are about 20 NCAA Division I programs in Texas with ten of them playing on the highest level in football. Houston is unbeaten, Baylor and TCU are very good, but only the Aggies and Horns matter to everyone.
It is not just because they have the largest alumni bases from being the largest schools in the state either. Actually the way things are sorting out neither may actually be the largest schools in Texas for long. In part,due to a need to downsize on the main campuses of both, the enrollment for undergrads from “outsiders” like Houston, Texas State, North Texas, Texas-Arlington and Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) are catching up.
That won’t change anything. The Aggies and the Horns is THE game in Texas. Uh, I guess it WAS the game in Texas since 1894, but it won’t be any longer.
Let’s be honest on this. Two factors brought about it’s demise finally—the formation of the Longhorn Network by Texas—with the guaranteed payment of $15-million annually by ESPN the real back breaker—and the ensuing decision by Texas A&M to get away from it all and join the SEC.
Most feel the formation of the Longhorn Network itself would not have been the problem had the school fielded the costs itself. It was going to be a tough sell to cable and satellite operators who would have to charge more for carrying the network. When ESPN elected to foot the bill that was too much. However, at the same time the college conference scene was changing already. Nebraska and Colorado had bolted the Big 12 earlier. Missouri had wanted out to join the Big 10 and even though Nebraska beat them to it, they were not interested in staying in the league. When the Aggies made the SEC an odd numbered membership league they quickly pushed for the admittance they finally received.
There will be a long time rivalry being lost with Missouri leaving the Big 12 as well. Their battle with Kansas dated back to Civil War memories. Perhaps they can start a new one with neighboring Arkansas—a battle of the Ozarks—in the SEC. Perhaps Texas A&M can start a rivalry with LSU.
An A&M-LSU match up every year to rival the Texas-OU battles had been envisioned before. It never came to fruition because of scheduling problems. Now in the same league it will be a regular game.
While the Longhorns may have been too quick to say they didn’t think they would have room on their schedule to play the Aggies after the Texas A&M move to the SEC there is some validity in that on the face of it.
Both the SEC and Big 12 have 10 or more members (presuming the West Virginia invitation is finalized.) In the Big 12s case that means one league with no divisions. Nine conference games will be played. In the case of the SEC the figure is again nine with six division foes plus at least three from the other division.
It is much harder to schedule non conference games after the first two or three weeks of the season since Conference play has now started. An Aggie-Horns game on September 4th would not be the same. Plus coaches want at least a couple “warm up” games against much more easily beatable foes to start a year.
Had Oklahoma and Texas not finally been united in the Big 12 that long time meeting could have suffered the same “conference squeeze”. For the years of the SWC and Big 8 it was easy. OU had only seven games against conference opponents. Texas had seven or eight. There was plenty of opportunity to meet inside the season in Dallas.
However, if either or both of those old leagues expanded—or either school left to join a different league as OU was once linked with the SEC and Texas with the Big 10 and Pac 10—the series would have likely had to die.
I guess what we have all learned in recent years is that tradition will always lose to money. The Aggie-Longhorn tradition has generated a lot of money itself over the decades, but a new TV network and new league apparently will generate more.
When the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry started in 1894 it was reported the football budget for UT was $100. Things have certainly changed in the last 118 years!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
DH Makes it Far Worse
Getting Rid of the DH in the AL Would Calm Some Astro Fans
Upon continuing to read the vitriol the Astros forced move to the American League is causing among many of the baseball fans who really follow the game around here, I have come to the conclusion that the existence of the Designated Hitter rule in the American League is the greatest single cause of unrest.
That one factor..the difference in the rules for the two leagues..seems to raise the ire of Astro fans even more than the loss of the Cubs, Cards and other long time National League foes. Could the DH actually be eliminated, or it is even more likely it will be added to all of MLB? You can find debates both ways.
While the owners (of both leagues) would likely vote in the majority to eliminate the DH for financial reasons, the union as a unit of representation would oppose. Ironically, however, with a give back by the owners—perhaps a 26th roster spot—the majority of individual players if divested of their union unity—would likely be in favor of abolishing the DH.
Why? When one thinks it is not that hard to understand. In the game as played with the DH not only do pitchers have to face an extra major league hitter, but because that hitter is a regular in the lineup a large number of “back up” players on rosters rarely see any playing time at all. There are fewer opportunities to pinch hit, pinch run or be part of double switches and get into games. Furthermore, there are a number of pitchers who actually would like the chance to get some at bats.
There IS a compromise rule available that would allow aging hitters to still get some extra at bats but keep much of the strategic moves available in games at the same time.
It is called the DPH…or designated pinch hitter. In recent years I have read similar concepts, but I will allow that the original idea for the DPH may every well have been conceived by yours truly as far back as 1979 in Buffalo, New York.
On a talk show I hosted on WEBR radio I had as a live in studio guest, the late Joe Reichler. Reichler had been a long time New York sportswriter who later fathered the Baseball Encyclopedia and later worked out of the Commissioner of Baseball’s office. One of our topics on the show was the DH controversy. I revealed my idea for the first time then.
In 1979 the DH was only six years old, but most of the same complaints (and praise) were heard as they are now. The two leagues were governed separately with their own Presidents, umpires and rule interpretations. The American League had been falling in attendance for years. In part due to slowness in integration in the AL, the NL had more of the great players. In addition the Yankees were way down. So were the gates.
So the AL decided to go with the Designated Hitter in 1973. Ironically, it was a concept originally proposed by the NL forty years earlier when the AL was winning the attendance battle thanks in large part to the slugging of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx. It was not adopted until the AL resurrected and OKd the rule for 1973.
One wonders why the AL didn’t simply eliminate the nine man batting order and go with an eight man order? Well, the answer was they wanted to be able to keep some “name” player hitters in the game even after their ability to play good defense had passed.
Remember, the attendance was falling. Letting players like Tommy Davis, Orlando Cepeda, Frank Robinson, Hal McRae, Tony Oliva and others stick around to hit when they couldn’t do much else was a plus..or so backers of the rule thought.
OK, so what about this DPH as proposed to Joe Riechler? I still have the follow up letter I sent him in New York in 1979 and his reply. He said he liked the general concept but doubted MLB would undertake any changes at that time. So what was this DPH thing?
In a nutshell is allows for a hitter to be used twice in a nine inning period and a pitcher to be pinch it for once without being removed. It did call for having the pitcher in the batting order.
In essence a manager has to decide whether he used his “free” PH for his starting pitcher early or late. Does he use a DPH in the third inning with a runner on first with one out..or does he hold off in case a more significant scoring opportunity comes later? And if he uses his DPH then he has only one more use of the same bat in the first nine innings. He may have to use someone else later if he wants to save that particular hitter again.
The DPH can only be used in the same spot in the order. He can’t hit for the pitcher out of the 9th slot in the 4th and then for the pitcher in the 6th slot following a double switch earlier. He can only hit in the slot he has his first at bat in.
The use of the DPH is not the same as “real” baseball as played in the NL, but it allows for extra hitters to get some extra at bats and keeps some strategy in the game. It is simply a compromise. It is also not likely ever to see the light of day.
What would I personally prefer? The elimination of the DH is my choice, but I don’t see it coming. I have a way to get it done, though. It would be “grandfathered” out as was the spitball pitcher years ago. Those players whose career was primarily as the DH the season before it is voted out would be allowed to continue in that role until they retired. In any game in which those players were in the lineup the DH would be used by both teams until those Big Papi’s and others careers were finished. It is pretty simple.
Although it took a long time before the last legal spitballer, Burleigh Grimes, retired in 1934,(he played more than a dozen years after the spitball was abolished) the grandfathering worked. It would work with the end of the DH, too. Unfortunately, like the DPH concept, I see no chance of it happening.
Upon continuing to read the vitriol the Astros forced move to the American League is causing among many of the baseball fans who really follow the game around here, I have come to the conclusion that the existence of the Designated Hitter rule in the American League is the greatest single cause of unrest.
That one factor..the difference in the rules for the two leagues..seems to raise the ire of Astro fans even more than the loss of the Cubs, Cards and other long time National League foes. Could the DH actually be eliminated, or it is even more likely it will be added to all of MLB? You can find debates both ways.
While the owners (of both leagues) would likely vote in the majority to eliminate the DH for financial reasons, the union as a unit of representation would oppose. Ironically, however, with a give back by the owners—perhaps a 26th roster spot—the majority of individual players if divested of their union unity—would likely be in favor of abolishing the DH.
Why? When one thinks it is not that hard to understand. In the game as played with the DH not only do pitchers have to face an extra major league hitter, but because that hitter is a regular in the lineup a large number of “back up” players on rosters rarely see any playing time at all. There are fewer opportunities to pinch hit, pinch run or be part of double switches and get into games. Furthermore, there are a number of pitchers who actually would like the chance to get some at bats.
There IS a compromise rule available that would allow aging hitters to still get some extra at bats but keep much of the strategic moves available in games at the same time.
It is called the DPH…or designated pinch hitter. In recent years I have read similar concepts, but I will allow that the original idea for the DPH may every well have been conceived by yours truly as far back as 1979 in Buffalo, New York.
On a talk show I hosted on WEBR radio I had as a live in studio guest, the late Joe Reichler. Reichler had been a long time New York sportswriter who later fathered the Baseball Encyclopedia and later worked out of the Commissioner of Baseball’s office. One of our topics on the show was the DH controversy. I revealed my idea for the first time then.
In 1979 the DH was only six years old, but most of the same complaints (and praise) were heard as they are now. The two leagues were governed separately with their own Presidents, umpires and rule interpretations. The American League had been falling in attendance for years. In part due to slowness in integration in the AL, the NL had more of the great players. In addition the Yankees were way down. So were the gates.
So the AL decided to go with the Designated Hitter in 1973. Ironically, it was a concept originally proposed by the NL forty years earlier when the AL was winning the attendance battle thanks in large part to the slugging of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx. It was not adopted until the AL resurrected and OKd the rule for 1973.
One wonders why the AL didn’t simply eliminate the nine man batting order and go with an eight man order? Well, the answer was they wanted to be able to keep some “name” player hitters in the game even after their ability to play good defense had passed.
Remember, the attendance was falling. Letting players like Tommy Davis, Orlando Cepeda, Frank Robinson, Hal McRae, Tony Oliva and others stick around to hit when they couldn’t do much else was a plus..or so backers of the rule thought.
OK, so what about this DPH as proposed to Joe Riechler? I still have the follow up letter I sent him in New York in 1979 and his reply. He said he liked the general concept but doubted MLB would undertake any changes at that time. So what was this DPH thing?
In a nutshell is allows for a hitter to be used twice in a nine inning period and a pitcher to be pinch it for once without being removed. It did call for having the pitcher in the batting order.
In essence a manager has to decide whether he used his “free” PH for his starting pitcher early or late. Does he use a DPH in the third inning with a runner on first with one out..or does he hold off in case a more significant scoring opportunity comes later? And if he uses his DPH then he has only one more use of the same bat in the first nine innings. He may have to use someone else later if he wants to save that particular hitter again.
The DPH can only be used in the same spot in the order. He can’t hit for the pitcher out of the 9th slot in the 4th and then for the pitcher in the 6th slot following a double switch earlier. He can only hit in the slot he has his first at bat in.
The use of the DPH is not the same as “real” baseball as played in the NL, but it allows for extra hitters to get some extra at bats and keeps some strategy in the game. It is simply a compromise. It is also not likely ever to see the light of day.
What would I personally prefer? The elimination of the DH is my choice, but I don’t see it coming. I have a way to get it done, though. It would be “grandfathered” out as was the spitball pitcher years ago. Those players whose career was primarily as the DH the season before it is voted out would be allowed to continue in that role until they retired. In any game in which those players were in the lineup the DH would be used by both teams until those Big Papi’s and others careers were finished. It is pretty simple.
Although it took a long time before the last legal spitballer, Burleigh Grimes, retired in 1934,(he played more than a dozen years after the spitball was abolished) the grandfathering worked. It would work with the end of the DH, too. Unfortunately, like the DPH concept, I see no chance of it happening.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Cougars Have Chance... Dynamo Miss
Cougars Aren’t There Yet, but Have A Chance
The Houston football Cougars were impressive in handling SMU on Saturday at Robertston Stadium. What you say? Didn’t their offense look almost human for much of the game? Where was the offensive domination they have shown in most games? And didn’t SMU’s quarterback miss on some admittedly low percentage, but open long passes that could have turned things around? Wasn’t SMU playing without its top running back?
The answer to all those questions is, yes. But then look at the final score. It was still 37-7 in favor of the Cougars before a record setting crowd of red. Thirty seven to seven is impressive no matter what almost unreal stats the Cougars normally put up.
Fans should be ready for more of the same or even tougher in the next one (or two…or three) games. The competition is getting much rougher starting Friday night at Tulsa where the Golden Hurricane has disappointed Houston before and where the C-USA division title will be on the line. Then, if the Cougars keep dreams of a “Miracle on Cullen” alive they would have to face their first ranked opponent of the season, Southern Miss in the C-USA championship game. After that? Well, a 13-0 Cougar team finishing strong would be a national factor. We leave it at that for now.
The point is that Houston will have to continue playing well every game. The opposition will be better and things won’t come so easily. SMU turned over the ball including once on the goal line. Houston was strong on defense for the most part although SMU likely should have had at least one or two more TDs. Furthermore the pass rush when not blitzing was giving SMU too much time.
The Cougar offense made some big plays but was not effective making enough little ones. Inside the red zone or when needing short yardage on third down, they were not particularly impressive. They converted some third and even fourth and short situations out on the field, but inside the 20 things were much rougher. Too many Cougar field goals had to be kicked in the first half.
The late Pat Paulsen (google him, young people) would have said I may be being too, “Picky, picky, picky”, but now that the season is going down the stretch Houston must be even better than they have been so far. And they are 11-0 !
Soccer is a Great Sport, Just Not for Me
I have always been willing to respect those who love the sport of soccer. I will not say negative things about the game by comparing it to other games. I have given it a shot many times. I have watched big games where something was on the line. I have seen the camera shots of the crowd and how passionate the fans seem to be. I respect the skill it takes to control a soccer ball using no hands. I have marveled as some of the plays made by the game’s stars.
I just don’t like the game. Maybe the field is too large. Maybe the players are so distant. (I actually enjoyed the indoor version of the sport and called a couple games years ago. Lots of scoring and shots on goal, but real soccer fans hated it.) Maybe it is nothing more than the concept only being allowed to touch the ball with feet, chest and head when two perfectly good hands are part of the human body. Maybe it is just because it is just too hard to score goals. Maybe it is just because I grew up when soccer—as we call it in this country—was played only by Europeans and South Americans. Residents of the U.S. played baseball, football and basketball. It didn’t matter that “our” sports were played little or none at all in other countries. They were our sports. Soccer, rugby and cricket were all “theirs.”
Soccer fans shouldn’t be upset with my feelings. I am sure soccer fans don’t all like American football, baseball or hockey either. In this part of the country I hear from football fans who don’t like baseball at all and are indifferent to basketball.
Having said all that I hope soccer—particularly the MLS—turns into a big success in the United States and Canada. The Houston Dynamo have provided Houston soccer fans with good teams including two champions and a runner up in their short history. Next season they will unveil the newest jewel in Houston’s collection of sports palaces downtown near Minute Maid Park. The club has already developed a solid following which will do nothing but improve playing in their new home.
I will be checking scores and no doubt making it to a game or two next year. If the sport itself does not grab one, the atmosphere may. I hope soccer continues to grow on the youth level. It allows for more participation for more youngsters than any sport. On the beginning youth level it does not require great hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball or size to block and tackle in football. It does not require the ability to shoot or dribble a basketball. It requires the ability to run up and down a field and kick a ball. Nearly every kid of both sexes can do that. Size does not matter. Only in baseball, hockey and soccer is there still room for “normal” sized participants on the highest level.
Over time some youngsters develop more skills in the game and move up. Others may move to other sports or out of sports all together as players. Soccer allows everyone a chance to play something. That is one thing I like about the sport.
Congratulations Dynamo on a strong finish to your season. Maybe if Brad Davis could have played the team could have won a title. But your fans appreciate you. I respect you even if I am unlikely to ever be a season ticket holder.
The Houston football Cougars were impressive in handling SMU on Saturday at Robertston Stadium. What you say? Didn’t their offense look almost human for much of the game? Where was the offensive domination they have shown in most games? And didn’t SMU’s quarterback miss on some admittedly low percentage, but open long passes that could have turned things around? Wasn’t SMU playing without its top running back?
The answer to all those questions is, yes. But then look at the final score. It was still 37-7 in favor of the Cougars before a record setting crowd of red. Thirty seven to seven is impressive no matter what almost unreal stats the Cougars normally put up.
Fans should be ready for more of the same or even tougher in the next one (or two…or three) games. The competition is getting much rougher starting Friday night at Tulsa where the Golden Hurricane has disappointed Houston before and where the C-USA division title will be on the line. Then, if the Cougars keep dreams of a “Miracle on Cullen” alive they would have to face their first ranked opponent of the season, Southern Miss in the C-USA championship game. After that? Well, a 13-0 Cougar team finishing strong would be a national factor. We leave it at that for now.
The point is that Houston will have to continue playing well every game. The opposition will be better and things won’t come so easily. SMU turned over the ball including once on the goal line. Houston was strong on defense for the most part although SMU likely should have had at least one or two more TDs. Furthermore the pass rush when not blitzing was giving SMU too much time.
The Cougar offense made some big plays but was not effective making enough little ones. Inside the red zone or when needing short yardage on third down, they were not particularly impressive. They converted some third and even fourth and short situations out on the field, but inside the 20 things were much rougher. Too many Cougar field goals had to be kicked in the first half.
The late Pat Paulsen (google him, young people) would have said I may be being too, “Picky, picky, picky”, but now that the season is going down the stretch Houston must be even better than they have been so far. And they are 11-0 !
Soccer is a Great Sport, Just Not for Me
I have always been willing to respect those who love the sport of soccer. I will not say negative things about the game by comparing it to other games. I have given it a shot many times. I have watched big games where something was on the line. I have seen the camera shots of the crowd and how passionate the fans seem to be. I respect the skill it takes to control a soccer ball using no hands. I have marveled as some of the plays made by the game’s stars.
I just don’t like the game. Maybe the field is too large. Maybe the players are so distant. (I actually enjoyed the indoor version of the sport and called a couple games years ago. Lots of scoring and shots on goal, but real soccer fans hated it.) Maybe it is nothing more than the concept only being allowed to touch the ball with feet, chest and head when two perfectly good hands are part of the human body. Maybe it is just because it is just too hard to score goals. Maybe it is just because I grew up when soccer—as we call it in this country—was played only by Europeans and South Americans. Residents of the U.S. played baseball, football and basketball. It didn’t matter that “our” sports were played little or none at all in other countries. They were our sports. Soccer, rugby and cricket were all “theirs.”
Soccer fans shouldn’t be upset with my feelings. I am sure soccer fans don’t all like American football, baseball or hockey either. In this part of the country I hear from football fans who don’t like baseball at all and are indifferent to basketball.
Having said all that I hope soccer—particularly the MLS—turns into a big success in the United States and Canada. The Houston Dynamo have provided Houston soccer fans with good teams including two champions and a runner up in their short history. Next season they will unveil the newest jewel in Houston’s collection of sports palaces downtown near Minute Maid Park. The club has already developed a solid following which will do nothing but improve playing in their new home.
I will be checking scores and no doubt making it to a game or two next year. If the sport itself does not grab one, the atmosphere may. I hope soccer continues to grow on the youth level. It allows for more participation for more youngsters than any sport. On the beginning youth level it does not require great hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball or size to block and tackle in football. It does not require the ability to shoot or dribble a basketball. It requires the ability to run up and down a field and kick a ball. Nearly every kid of both sexes can do that. Size does not matter. Only in baseball, hockey and soccer is there still room for “normal” sized participants on the highest level.
Over time some youngsters develop more skills in the game and move up. Others may move to other sports or out of sports all together as players. Soccer allows everyone a chance to play something. That is one thing I like about the sport.
Congratulations Dynamo on a strong finish to your season. Maybe if Brad Davis could have played the team could have won a title. But your fans appreciate you. I respect you even if I am unlikely to ever be a season ticket holder.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Owners and Selig Didn't Use a Gun, but Close
The legal definition of extortion fits pretty close to what Major League Baseball has done with Jim Crane and the Houston Astros. Newspaper leads are flatly stating that Crane's purchase of the Astros would not have been approved had he refused to move the team to the American League in 2013. The fact that he is now reportedly being paid up to $70-million for the move likely softens or erases that legal definition, but to fans it makes little difference.
Overwhelmingly the Astro fan base is opposed to the change. Houston has a total NL history including its minor league affiliations prior to 50 years as a National League member. Most also cite they disdain for the desinated hitter rule. Furthermore moving to the AL West causes start time problems with more road games. The word is circulating, however, that it may not be as bad as orginally felt since a balanced schedule may be in the works starting in 2013. That would provide essentially the same number of games against every team in the league instead of division heavy schedules. That makes sense if baseball is adding two more wild cards. The more similar each club's schedule is, the better is is for legitimate wild card teams. As an example, with the unbalanced schedule this season, the Cardinals took the wild card out of the six team NL Central. They had the very weak Astros to pick on in more games than the Braves from the AL East who narrowly missed out. With a balanced schedule the Cards probably wouldn't have even made the post season, let alone win the World Series. In past years the NL Central supplied several wild cards including the Astros in their NL championship season of 2005. They had the hapless Pirates to rack up extra wins against. A balanced schedule does not offer a chance to teams to pick on their division patsies. Everyone in the whole league (minus interleague foes) would be in a more even state.
Interestingly, MLB will be reducing the number of games between their flagship Yankees and Red Sox with a balanced schedule. So, I guess the Astros weren't the only club to give something up even if totally changing leagues is a bit more than just playing fewer games against a rival. The Astros might not see the Cubs and Cardinals any longer except in occasional interleague games, but the Cards and Cubs wouldn't see each other as much either.
It can be argued that the National League is the superior league and has been for the majority of baseball's long history. Those that point out the AL having more World Series champions are missing the point. The New York Yankees have been the best TEAM in baseball's history and they play in the AL. But the LEAGUE has never had any long period of dominance. For many years in the 30s, 40s, 50s it was the Yankees and the seven dwarfs in the AL. The AL is more balanced now, but the spectre of the Yankees still hovers over everything in that league every year.
AL fans and NL fans can argue that point forever. One thing is indisputatble. They don't play the same game and have not since 1973 when the AL in a desperate move to draw fans introduced the Designated Hitter.
When it was begun the AL was drawing more than 4,000 fewer games per game than the NL. The Yankees were not good which was probably the biggest reason. But offense was down as well so the AL made the move. The NL had more stars. The DH helped the AL bounce back. But it outlived its usefulness years ago. Otherwise why did the NL outdraw the AL by nearly 3000 fans per game in 2011..about 8%..even with the national networks pushing the Yankees and Red Sox on viewers every chance they got all season long?
The game is not the same in the two leagues and National League fans prefer the game as it is played in their loop. So do the players in all of baseball. Other than the players who earn their living as primary DH's a vote of the rank and file in major league baseball would prefer there was no DH. Why? That is pretty simple from one segment. Pitcher's would rather have one less strong hitter to face and many of them actually like to get to the plate. Position players don't like the DH because if they are not regulars in the lineup they rarely play. In the National League backup players are much more important on a daily basis.
Everytime a position player who has performed in the AL and NL joined the Astros I always asked about both leagues. Not a single one ever said they prefered the AL. The reason was always that in the AL bench players could go weeks before seeing any action at all.
You won't ever find a manager who has worked in both leagues who prefers the mostly "push-button" AL.
Over time the Astros and their fans (though reduced early on) will adjust to the AL. Once they become a factor on the field again fans will be back. It may take a few years. Those years could be rough at the gate, on television (with expected less out of market availability starting in 2013) and on the field. Sometime games with the Rangers will mean something in a pennant race. Hopefully by the time the Astros are back the Rangers won't be on a slide down.
It is still baseball even if it is a different form of baseball in the AL.
If the DH were no longer a factor Astro fans would have less problem with switching leagues. The loss of great franchises like the Cubs and Cardinals as divisional foes would be lessened.
During Bud Selig's career in baseball including his time as Commisioner we have seen the dissolution of the American and National Leagues as separate entities with their own presidents and front offices. Selig merged the umpires. He has moved to teams-- the Brewers to the NL from AL and next the Astros from the NL to the AL. His next move should be to figure out a way to eliminate the DH whose time passed in major league baseball years ago. National League fans, most major league players and even most owners would approve--especially those in Houston.
Overwhelmingly the Astro fan base is opposed to the change. Houston has a total NL history including its minor league affiliations prior to 50 years as a National League member. Most also cite they disdain for the desinated hitter rule. Furthermore moving to the AL West causes start time problems with more road games. The word is circulating, however, that it may not be as bad as orginally felt since a balanced schedule may be in the works starting in 2013. That would provide essentially the same number of games against every team in the league instead of division heavy schedules. That makes sense if baseball is adding two more wild cards. The more similar each club's schedule is, the better is is for legitimate wild card teams. As an example, with the unbalanced schedule this season, the Cardinals took the wild card out of the six team NL Central. They had the very weak Astros to pick on in more games than the Braves from the AL East who narrowly missed out. With a balanced schedule the Cards probably wouldn't have even made the post season, let alone win the World Series. In past years the NL Central supplied several wild cards including the Astros in their NL championship season of 2005. They had the hapless Pirates to rack up extra wins against. A balanced schedule does not offer a chance to teams to pick on their division patsies. Everyone in the whole league (minus interleague foes) would be in a more even state.
Interestingly, MLB will be reducing the number of games between their flagship Yankees and Red Sox with a balanced schedule. So, I guess the Astros weren't the only club to give something up even if totally changing leagues is a bit more than just playing fewer games against a rival. The Astros might not see the Cubs and Cardinals any longer except in occasional interleague games, but the Cards and Cubs wouldn't see each other as much either.
It can be argued that the National League is the superior league and has been for the majority of baseball's long history. Those that point out the AL having more World Series champions are missing the point. The New York Yankees have been the best TEAM in baseball's history and they play in the AL. But the LEAGUE has never had any long period of dominance. For many years in the 30s, 40s, 50s it was the Yankees and the seven dwarfs in the AL. The AL is more balanced now, but the spectre of the Yankees still hovers over everything in that league every year.
AL fans and NL fans can argue that point forever. One thing is indisputatble. They don't play the same game and have not since 1973 when the AL in a desperate move to draw fans introduced the Designated Hitter.
When it was begun the AL was drawing more than 4,000 fewer games per game than the NL. The Yankees were not good which was probably the biggest reason. But offense was down as well so the AL made the move. The NL had more stars. The DH helped the AL bounce back. But it outlived its usefulness years ago. Otherwise why did the NL outdraw the AL by nearly 3000 fans per game in 2011..about 8%..even with the national networks pushing the Yankees and Red Sox on viewers every chance they got all season long?
The game is not the same in the two leagues and National League fans prefer the game as it is played in their loop. So do the players in all of baseball. Other than the players who earn their living as primary DH's a vote of the rank and file in major league baseball would prefer there was no DH. Why? That is pretty simple from one segment. Pitcher's would rather have one less strong hitter to face and many of them actually like to get to the plate. Position players don't like the DH because if they are not regulars in the lineup they rarely play. In the National League backup players are much more important on a daily basis.
Everytime a position player who has performed in the AL and NL joined the Astros I always asked about both leagues. Not a single one ever said they prefered the AL. The reason was always that in the AL bench players could go weeks before seeing any action at all.
You won't ever find a manager who has worked in both leagues who prefers the mostly "push-button" AL.
Over time the Astros and their fans (though reduced early on) will adjust to the AL. Once they become a factor on the field again fans will be back. It may take a few years. Those years could be rough at the gate, on television (with expected less out of market availability starting in 2013) and on the field. Sometime games with the Rangers will mean something in a pennant race. Hopefully by the time the Astros are back the Rangers won't be on a slide down.
It is still baseball even if it is a different form of baseball in the AL.
If the DH were no longer a factor Astro fans would have less problem with switching leagues. The loss of great franchises like the Cubs and Cardinals as divisional foes would be lessened.
During Bud Selig's career in baseball including his time as Commisioner we have seen the dissolution of the American and National Leagues as separate entities with their own presidents and front offices. Selig merged the umpires. He has moved to teams-- the Brewers to the NL from AL and next the Astros from the NL to the AL. His next move should be to figure out a way to eliminate the DH whose time passed in major league baseball years ago. National League fans, most major league players and even most owners would approve--especially those in Houston.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
NBA Being Remembered Weekly
If There is No NBA There will Always be Memories
At this point things do not look good for anything even remotely close to a full NBA season being played this year. Actually, things look more likely no season at all may take place as a result of the current labor scene.
This would have been the time when Fox Sports Houston would be in the early weeks of a 2011-2012 new season with Kevin McHale calling the shots on the court for a team filled with hope. How good they would have turned out to be is only conjecture now.
But Rocket fans can remember the best of the good old days each week during this time of no live action by joining recent Emmy winner Bill Worrell and his telecast co-horts Matt Bullard and Clyde Drexler along with special guests as they relive some of the big games in the Rocket past.
Wednesday night they will be sitting around the screen chatting as we see the replay of game one from the 1995 NBA Western Conference Finals from the Alamodome in San Antonio. That was the series which pitted the newly crowned NBA MVP, David Robinson—who received his award prior the the action—against the previous MVP, Hakeem Olajuwon, who felt he was still the better player.
Robinson won the award rightly, though. His Spurs had a far better regular season than the defending NBA Champion Rockets. Houston had finished third in the same division as the Spurs and had only the sixth best record (47-35) in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs. There were few who thought the Rockets had much of a chance in the series with the Spurs. Not only did the Spurs seem to have a better all around team they had not been extended as much as the Rockets had in their previous series when they had to rally from near death to put down the Phoenix Suns.
In game one the Rockets got full advantage from their mid season trade with Portland in which they acquired Clyde Drexler. Drexler not only started the Rocket scoring after they fell behind 6-0 in the opening seconds, but assisted on the second basket on a feed to Pete Chilcutt.
For old times sake remember the Rockets lineup that game? Pete Chilcutt and Robert Horry were the forwards. They were matched against Dennis Rodman and Sean Elliot. The Rocket guards were Kenny Smith and Drexler. San Antonio had Avery Johnson and Vinnie DelNegro. Robinson and Olajuwon were matched up in the middle.
Before a crowd of nearly 46,000 the game was tense. It was the Rockets combo of the former University of Houston duo, Olajuwon and Drexler, that turned the tide. But it was Rocket defense in the third quarter than turned the game. Olajuwon in addition to his game high 27 points blocked five shots and added six assists to go with 8 rebounds. He more than neutralized Robinson who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, but turned ball over 7 times. Meanwhile Drexler popped in 25 points and added 12 rebounds.
Don’t read this next paragraph if you want to watch the game Wednesday night and do not wish to find out what happened till to see it. But the Rockets won 94-93. The Spurs trailed by seven entering the final quarter and closed the gap. But the Rockets took a big game one on the road.
They were not finished. Two days later they won in San Antonio again. This time Olajuwon really was in the forefront. He scored 41 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. While Robinson had a very credible 32 points himself, he had been outscored by Hakeem by 15 points in the first two games and that was too much for the Spurs.
They did ultimately win two games in the six game series, but it was the 6th seeded Rockets that moved on to face the Orlando Magic featuring Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA Finals. Hakeem won that battle as well as the Rockets swept the Magic to win their second straight NBA crown.
It may have really been won in game one of the Western Finals when the Rockets won in San Antonio. . Olajuwon may not have won the regular season league MVP, but he won the NBA Finals honor after averaging 32.8ppg and 11.5 rpg in the post season. See for yourself Wednesday night on Fox Sports Houston at 9pm.
Have fun listening to the comments of those that played and were part of the Rockets in 1995. Check your listings, but most of the “conversational replays” will be aired on Wednesdays. Check http://www.foxsportshouston.com daily to find out all about the Rockets but the other teams of interest in the Houston region including television schedules.
At this point things do not look good for anything even remotely close to a full NBA season being played this year. Actually, things look more likely no season at all may take place as a result of the current labor scene.
This would have been the time when Fox Sports Houston would be in the early weeks of a 2011-2012 new season with Kevin McHale calling the shots on the court for a team filled with hope. How good they would have turned out to be is only conjecture now.
But Rocket fans can remember the best of the good old days each week during this time of no live action by joining recent Emmy winner Bill Worrell and his telecast co-horts Matt Bullard and Clyde Drexler along with special guests as they relive some of the big games in the Rocket past.
Wednesday night they will be sitting around the screen chatting as we see the replay of game one from the 1995 NBA Western Conference Finals from the Alamodome in San Antonio. That was the series which pitted the newly crowned NBA MVP, David Robinson—who received his award prior the the action—against the previous MVP, Hakeem Olajuwon, who felt he was still the better player.
Robinson won the award rightly, though. His Spurs had a far better regular season than the defending NBA Champion Rockets. Houston had finished third in the same division as the Spurs and had only the sixth best record (47-35) in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs. There were few who thought the Rockets had much of a chance in the series with the Spurs. Not only did the Spurs seem to have a better all around team they had not been extended as much as the Rockets had in their previous series when they had to rally from near death to put down the Phoenix Suns.
In game one the Rockets got full advantage from their mid season trade with Portland in which they acquired Clyde Drexler. Drexler not only started the Rocket scoring after they fell behind 6-0 in the opening seconds, but assisted on the second basket on a feed to Pete Chilcutt.
For old times sake remember the Rockets lineup that game? Pete Chilcutt and Robert Horry were the forwards. They were matched against Dennis Rodman and Sean Elliot. The Rocket guards were Kenny Smith and Drexler. San Antonio had Avery Johnson and Vinnie DelNegro. Robinson and Olajuwon were matched up in the middle.
Before a crowd of nearly 46,000 the game was tense. It was the Rockets combo of the former University of Houston duo, Olajuwon and Drexler, that turned the tide. But it was Rocket defense in the third quarter than turned the game. Olajuwon in addition to his game high 27 points blocked five shots and added six assists to go with 8 rebounds. He more than neutralized Robinson who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, but turned ball over 7 times. Meanwhile Drexler popped in 25 points and added 12 rebounds.
Don’t read this next paragraph if you want to watch the game Wednesday night and do not wish to find out what happened till to see it. But the Rockets won 94-93. The Spurs trailed by seven entering the final quarter and closed the gap. But the Rockets took a big game one on the road.
They were not finished. Two days later they won in San Antonio again. This time Olajuwon really was in the forefront. He scored 41 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. While Robinson had a very credible 32 points himself, he had been outscored by Hakeem by 15 points in the first two games and that was too much for the Spurs.
They did ultimately win two games in the six game series, but it was the 6th seeded Rockets that moved on to face the Orlando Magic featuring Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA Finals. Hakeem won that battle as well as the Rockets swept the Magic to win their second straight NBA crown.
It may have really been won in game one of the Western Finals when the Rockets won in San Antonio. . Olajuwon may not have won the regular season league MVP, but he won the NBA Finals honor after averaging 32.8ppg and 11.5 rpg in the post season. See for yourself Wednesday night on Fox Sports Houston at 9pm.
Have fun listening to the comments of those that played and were part of the Rockets in 1995. Check your listings, but most of the “conversational replays” will be aired on Wednesdays. Check http://www.foxsportshouston.com daily to find out all about the Rockets but the other teams of interest in the Houston region including television schedules.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Aggie Hoops Starts Final Big 12 Drive
Aggies Ready To Roll In Big 12 and Later
With the start of the basketball season for Big 12 teams the fact that the end is coming closer for the Texas A&M Aggies participation in that league is brought more to light. After all basketball is the last of the sports that get heavy attention. Sure, track and field, baseball, tennis, golf and the other spring sports still have to be played and football still has a few weeks to go, but when the last game of the Big 12 post season basketball tournament is played many will really feel the end is at hand.
Having just ventured to Aggieland for the first time in awhile to do the play by play for the men’s basketball opener on Wednesday I had a chance to get the feel of some on the campus about the upcoming move to the SEC. No one I talked with—fan or school official had any misgivings. As one Astro fan—also an Aggie—told me. “Hey, they use the same rules in the SEC. It is hardly as bad as what the Astros would face if pushed in the AL.” After a chuckle I pointed out that may be true, but distances between schools are further than in the Big 12 and the depth of strength at the top—particularly in football—will make it rough to succeed. The fan agreed, but added ruefully that the Aggie football team has not exactly been the power of the Big 12 or the SWC before that since the Jackie Sherrill, R.C. Slocum era.
Athletic Director Bill Byrne in a halftime interview pointed out that he has no doubts the Aggies will compete well in the SEC—as they have in the Big 12 in every sport. Last school year A&M won three national titles (women’s basketball and two in track and field) and nine Big 12 conference championships. That kind of success will play anywhere. To think anything else would be giving the Big 12 an undeserved slap in the face. The Big 12 Conference takes a back seat to no one with or without the Aggies. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas certainly more than hold their own in the “big” sports. Baylor is a basketball threat and better than most know in the non revenue sports. Texas Tech is hanging in there and has a bright future in football and basketball. Oh yes, you have heard of Kansas and Kansas State basketball?
Sure, long time rivalries with the nucleus of the old SWC will be lost with the Aggies moving East. In time some of them will be resurrected in non conference battles especially in the non revenue sports. In football fans are upset the Aggie-Longhorn game will take at least a hiatus. As a baseball guy I don’t want to see the match up in baseball pass. Common sense will ultimately prevail (plus the realization that playing games within a geographic region make sense financially and for the fans.)
A.D. Bill Byrne is not the only Aggie of note looking forward to the SEC move. Football coach Mike Sherman finally made some comments on Wednesday. It has been a disappointing season for his team at just 5-4 with as many as three of those losses preventable. The SEC is loaded at the top as usual. Sherman says he is looking to the challenge, but right now more concerned about the here and now.
The same goes with Aggie men’s basketball, but for a different reason. Their new head coach Billy Kennedy is not able to run the team. Only a few days before the season the neck and back pain he had been experiencing since returning from Europe, where he took his team on a late summer tour, was diagnosed as the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a nerve disorder that is incurable and progressive. However, it is treatable and far more controllable that ever before. While the team was run by top assistant Glynn Cyprien on Wednesday the prognosis is for Kennedy to return and coach his first Aggie game sooner rather than later. It all depends on how well he can adjust to the medication and treatment. Kennedy is involved in game prep and practices. He was not on the bench for the season opener.
Parkinson’s does not affect intellectual ability, but does affect the ability to speak and often includes tremors and mobility. Muhammed Ali is the best known example of a long time sufferer who contracted the disease before many of the current controlling medications had been developed. Actor Michael J. Fox who also is under treatment has shown great improvement thanks to modern methods. It is hoped and expected that by catching the development of Parkinsons very early with Billy Kennedy his progression can be held in check and can return to a nearly normal life including coaching the Aggies full time.
Kennedy has a top 20 team ready to be guided. While the opposition on Wednesday, Liberty University, was not a deep or big team and the win for Texas A&M looked easy, it was really a result of a talented team that played every possession.
The Aggies play a very hard and relentless defense that leads to some early offense baskets. This year they have both an inside and outside presence to make it work. They also have great athleticism and depth with players who can be comfortable anywhere on the court.
Elston Turner, Jr.-a transfer from Washington- and freshman guards Jordan Green and Jamal Branch have brought shooting ability and real talent to join returning point Dash Harris and a front court of David Lobeau, Khris Middleton, Ray Turner and Kourtney Roberson. This team is deep.
The Aggies want to depart the Big 12 on a strong note. If basketball is the last sport of major attention they have a very good chance to do just that.
With the start of the basketball season for Big 12 teams the fact that the end is coming closer for the Texas A&M Aggies participation in that league is brought more to light. After all basketball is the last of the sports that get heavy attention. Sure, track and field, baseball, tennis, golf and the other spring sports still have to be played and football still has a few weeks to go, but when the last game of the Big 12 post season basketball tournament is played many will really feel the end is at hand.
Having just ventured to Aggieland for the first time in awhile to do the play by play for the men’s basketball opener on Wednesday I had a chance to get the feel of some on the campus about the upcoming move to the SEC. No one I talked with—fan or school official had any misgivings. As one Astro fan—also an Aggie—told me. “Hey, they use the same rules in the SEC. It is hardly as bad as what the Astros would face if pushed in the AL.” After a chuckle I pointed out that may be true, but distances between schools are further than in the Big 12 and the depth of strength at the top—particularly in football—will make it rough to succeed. The fan agreed, but added ruefully that the Aggie football team has not exactly been the power of the Big 12 or the SWC before that since the Jackie Sherrill, R.C. Slocum era.
Athletic Director Bill Byrne in a halftime interview pointed out that he has no doubts the Aggies will compete well in the SEC—as they have in the Big 12 in every sport. Last school year A&M won three national titles (women’s basketball and two in track and field) and nine Big 12 conference championships. That kind of success will play anywhere. To think anything else would be giving the Big 12 an undeserved slap in the face. The Big 12 Conference takes a back seat to no one with or without the Aggies. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas certainly more than hold their own in the “big” sports. Baylor is a basketball threat and better than most know in the non revenue sports. Texas Tech is hanging in there and has a bright future in football and basketball. Oh yes, you have heard of Kansas and Kansas State basketball?
Sure, long time rivalries with the nucleus of the old SWC will be lost with the Aggies moving East. In time some of them will be resurrected in non conference battles especially in the non revenue sports. In football fans are upset the Aggie-Longhorn game will take at least a hiatus. As a baseball guy I don’t want to see the match up in baseball pass. Common sense will ultimately prevail (plus the realization that playing games within a geographic region make sense financially and for the fans.)
A.D. Bill Byrne is not the only Aggie of note looking forward to the SEC move. Football coach Mike Sherman finally made some comments on Wednesday. It has been a disappointing season for his team at just 5-4 with as many as three of those losses preventable. The SEC is loaded at the top as usual. Sherman says he is looking to the challenge, but right now more concerned about the here and now.
The same goes with Aggie men’s basketball, but for a different reason. Their new head coach Billy Kennedy is not able to run the team. Only a few days before the season the neck and back pain he had been experiencing since returning from Europe, where he took his team on a late summer tour, was diagnosed as the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a nerve disorder that is incurable and progressive. However, it is treatable and far more controllable that ever before. While the team was run by top assistant Glynn Cyprien on Wednesday the prognosis is for Kennedy to return and coach his first Aggie game sooner rather than later. It all depends on how well he can adjust to the medication and treatment. Kennedy is involved in game prep and practices. He was not on the bench for the season opener.
Parkinson’s does not affect intellectual ability, but does affect the ability to speak and often includes tremors and mobility. Muhammed Ali is the best known example of a long time sufferer who contracted the disease before many of the current controlling medications had been developed. Actor Michael J. Fox who also is under treatment has shown great improvement thanks to modern methods. It is hoped and expected that by catching the development of Parkinsons very early with Billy Kennedy his progression can be held in check and can return to a nearly normal life including coaching the Aggies full time.
Kennedy has a top 20 team ready to be guided. While the opposition on Wednesday, Liberty University, was not a deep or big team and the win for Texas A&M looked easy, it was really a result of a talented team that played every possession.
The Aggies play a very hard and relentless defense that leads to some early offense baskets. This year they have both an inside and outside presence to make it work. They also have great athleticism and depth with players who can be comfortable anywhere on the court.
Elston Turner, Jr.-a transfer from Washington- and freshman guards Jordan Green and Jamal Branch have brought shooting ability and real talent to join returning point Dash Harris and a front court of David Lobeau, Khris Middleton, Ray Turner and Kourtney Roberson. This team is deep.
The Aggies want to depart the Big 12 on a strong note. If basketball is the last sport of major attention they have a very good chance to do just that.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Bob Watson Speaks... So Does Lance Berkman
BOB WATSON HAS GREAT MEMORIES
Perhaps no person ever affiliated with the Houston Astros has done more in baseball on and off that field than Bob Watson. He was featured guest at the local Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)meeting on Tuesday night and enthralled those on hand with some of his many stories. Bob was signed by the Astros out of Los Angeles when that city was the hub for amateur baseball. He played on a team that featured future major leaguers at every position. Many would be surprised to know that Bob was the catcher.
In fact, when signed by the Astros he was a catcher. He did play behind the plate for a number of games during his major league career, but mostly he was an outfielder or first baseman. To be totally correct Bob Watson was really a hitter. In nineteen seasons he hit .295 with 184 HR and 989 RBIs. He hit over .300 four times. He drove in more than 100 runs twice.
Perhaps best noted for being the first player to hit for the cycle in both leagues—Houston in the NL and Boston in the AL—and scoring baseball’s 1-millionth run, Bob’s biggest acheievements really came after his playing days.
Hired by Dr. John McMullen to be GM of the Astros he was in the transition between McMullen and Drayton McLane, Jr. Along with his manager Art Howe one of his big jobs was try to teach baseball to McLane. The frustrations were great and neither Howe nor Watson lasted long.
But baseball life was hardly over for Bob. George Steinbrenner hired him to run the New York Yankees. During his stint at Yankee GM the club won the World Series in 1996. Bob proudly wears that 1996 World Series ring on his left hand. He admits working for Steinbrenner was rough, but the man wanted to win and would do what it took to reach that goal.
But he also wears a ring on note on his left hand. He was in charge of the team U.S.A. Olympic team as GM that brought home the gold in the final year of Olympic baseball participation. Watson says that may rank as high or higher to him than the Yankee World Series victory because it was for the whole country.
Watson has served as “dean of discipline” for the Commissioner’s office and has been involved in other areas of baseball administration for years. Houston has been home since his Astro playing days. But his reach has been far greater since leaving the Astros.
BERKMAN JOINS ANTI AL CRUSADE
The most prominent baseball name heard so far calls the possible move of the Astros to the AL a bad idea. Lance Berkman of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals who played 12 years for the Astros made his thoughts known during a short news get together on Tuesday. He was announcing an exclusive memorabilia agreement with Houston based Tri-Star. When asked about the continuing speculation that a move to the AL may essentially be the key for acceptance of Jim Crane as the club’s new owner by MLB, Lance called it a “travesty.” He added that from a personal standpoint when he retires and is living full time back in Houston he does not want to go watch American League baseball.
While the anti-move fans are being heard from more and more, most of them don’t seem to think baseball is listening and that commissioner Bud Selig is determined to move the club to the AL. Just as determined is Jim Crane to own a club and a large number of fans look at any rebate or payoff to him to accommodate the league switch as a sell out.
In a perfect world (for most fans) the Crane deal would be approved with no stipulations. Major League Baseball would table any realignment talk and it would be business in the NL Central as usual. Unfortunately we rarely have a perfect world in any aspect of life.
A few members of the local SABR meeting Tuesday emphasized another point. If the Astros went to the AL the whole National League would disappear from this part of the country. The nearest NL franchise would be in St. Louis. Fans who lived in Central Texas who liked the option of catching AL action in Arlington and NL play in Houston would no longer have an option. The great stars of the National League present and future would be only flickering images on televisions.
By the way, the SABR members in respecting Bob Watson’s continuing connection with Bud Selig and the MLB office did not try to play “reporter” and pry inside info from him or ask for opinions on the Astros future. They kept the conversation to Bob’s career. That was an entertaining evening on its own.
Perhaps no person ever affiliated with the Houston Astros has done more in baseball on and off that field than Bob Watson. He was featured guest at the local Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)meeting on Tuesday night and enthralled those on hand with some of his many stories. Bob was signed by the Astros out of Los Angeles when that city was the hub for amateur baseball. He played on a team that featured future major leaguers at every position. Many would be surprised to know that Bob was the catcher.
In fact, when signed by the Astros he was a catcher. He did play behind the plate for a number of games during his major league career, but mostly he was an outfielder or first baseman. To be totally correct Bob Watson was really a hitter. In nineteen seasons he hit .295 with 184 HR and 989 RBIs. He hit over .300 four times. He drove in more than 100 runs twice.
Perhaps best noted for being the first player to hit for the cycle in both leagues—Houston in the NL and Boston in the AL—and scoring baseball’s 1-millionth run, Bob’s biggest acheievements really came after his playing days.
Hired by Dr. John McMullen to be GM of the Astros he was in the transition between McMullen and Drayton McLane, Jr. Along with his manager Art Howe one of his big jobs was try to teach baseball to McLane. The frustrations were great and neither Howe nor Watson lasted long.
But baseball life was hardly over for Bob. George Steinbrenner hired him to run the New York Yankees. During his stint at Yankee GM the club won the World Series in 1996. Bob proudly wears that 1996 World Series ring on his left hand. He admits working for Steinbrenner was rough, but the man wanted to win and would do what it took to reach that goal.
But he also wears a ring on note on his left hand. He was in charge of the team U.S.A. Olympic team as GM that brought home the gold in the final year of Olympic baseball participation. Watson says that may rank as high or higher to him than the Yankee World Series victory because it was for the whole country.
Watson has served as “dean of discipline” for the Commissioner’s office and has been involved in other areas of baseball administration for years. Houston has been home since his Astro playing days. But his reach has been far greater since leaving the Astros.
BERKMAN JOINS ANTI AL CRUSADE
The most prominent baseball name heard so far calls the possible move of the Astros to the AL a bad idea. Lance Berkman of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals who played 12 years for the Astros made his thoughts known during a short news get together on Tuesday. He was announcing an exclusive memorabilia agreement with Houston based Tri-Star. When asked about the continuing speculation that a move to the AL may essentially be the key for acceptance of Jim Crane as the club’s new owner by MLB, Lance called it a “travesty.” He added that from a personal standpoint when he retires and is living full time back in Houston he does not want to go watch American League baseball.
While the anti-move fans are being heard from more and more, most of them don’t seem to think baseball is listening and that commissioner Bud Selig is determined to move the club to the AL. Just as determined is Jim Crane to own a club and a large number of fans look at any rebate or payoff to him to accommodate the league switch as a sell out.
In a perfect world (for most fans) the Crane deal would be approved with no stipulations. Major League Baseball would table any realignment talk and it would be business in the NL Central as usual. Unfortunately we rarely have a perfect world in any aspect of life.
A few members of the local SABR meeting Tuesday emphasized another point. If the Astros went to the AL the whole National League would disappear from this part of the country. The nearest NL franchise would be in St. Louis. Fans who lived in Central Texas who liked the option of catching AL action in Arlington and NL play in Houston would no longer have an option. The great stars of the National League present and future would be only flickering images on televisions.
By the way, the SABR members in respecting Bob Watson’s continuing connection with Bud Selig and the MLB office did not try to play “reporter” and pry inside info from him or ask for opinions on the Astros future. They kept the conversation to Bob’s career. That was an entertaining evening on its own.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Cougars On a Roll
Can’t Ignore the Cougars Much Longer
It would be incorrect to say that the Houston Cougar football team has been ignored this season. They are solidly in the top 20. In fact they are #11 in the latest BCS poll—the highest ranked team in Texas. They are unbeaten in nine games. And they have a quarterback in Case Keenum who owns practically all of college football’s passing records. They also play to capacity crowds at every home game. Yes, the fact that capacity at Robertson Stadium is only a few more than 30,000 hardly compares to what Michigan or Texas or Texas A&M commands each home game, but it still should be impressive.
Yet, Houston is a pro sports town. Those are 30,000 die hard Cougar fans, but the county has more than 4-million residents and the metro region over 6-million. Interest in the Cougars just doesn’t come close to that of the NFL Texans, NL Astros or NBA Rockets.
There are even more Texas and Texas A&M fans (grads or former students) that live in the Houston area than Cougars—at least the kind that support their alma mater for years after they leave. The biggest reason is simple. The University of Houston for most of its life as a four year school (starting in 1946) has been primarily a commuter school. Students enrolled for a college education and a chance at a better life. They were not going to UH for the parties, social life or to watch sports. The typical UH student had far fewer ties to the campus than those attending UT or A&M.
In recent years this has been changing. New on campus dorms, more extra curricular activities, more amenities including outstanding student athletic facilities are all part of the “new” U of H. It is not just more alums rediscovering their school that are the reason for the sell-outs for football. The students are in greater support than for years.
The administration and athletic department is looking forward rather than just to maintain. After the demise of the Southwest Conference the programs were in almost a “holding” pattern. Gone would be the large football crowds as the Astrodome when UT or A&M came to town. Crowds would be considerably smaller for Conference USA so a move back to campus made a lot of sense. It cost less money.
But it also generated less money and dreams of moving back into a league as least as good as the old SWC was just dream.
Previous athletic regimes got the facilities updated. Years before alum John Moores and his wife donated millions to help build a state of the art baseball field and the all purpose fieldhouse. The current regime has plans underway to update and/or replace the current football and basketball facilities.
On the field and court the Cougars have one of the best overall programs in their current league, C-USA and have upgraded both football and basketball to levels to be national factors.
The Cougars in short are very much ready for an expected move to the Big East even if a move to the closer Big 12 still makes the most sense for both that league and Houston if the loop ever decided to become numerically correct again and actually field 12 schools.
Politics seems to be against the Cougars in the Big 12. The school had to fight that for years before being admitted to the SWC in 1971. Once involved they became for quite a while one of the best if not best team in basketball and often the best team in football, too.
Houston would compete in any league. With the renewed determination being shown on campus now, they very well may do a lot better than just compete.
The sleeping giant may be near awakening with a very big roar. Houston will likely always be a pro sports town first and foremost. But there is room for a big time college program, too. When Phi Slama Jama was soaring in the early 80’s they outdrew the Houston Rockets. Perhaps those days cannot happen again no matter how well James Dickey recruits and coaches. And even if in the Big 12 and playing at Reliant Stadium the Cougars aren’t going to out draw the Texans. But the Cougars cannot and should not be ignored. They have something going on that deserves attention—from the sports fans in these parts and everywhere else, too.
It would be incorrect to say that the Houston Cougar football team has been ignored this season. They are solidly in the top 20. In fact they are #11 in the latest BCS poll—the highest ranked team in Texas. They are unbeaten in nine games. And they have a quarterback in Case Keenum who owns practically all of college football’s passing records. They also play to capacity crowds at every home game. Yes, the fact that capacity at Robertson Stadium is only a few more than 30,000 hardly compares to what Michigan or Texas or Texas A&M commands each home game, but it still should be impressive.
Yet, Houston is a pro sports town. Those are 30,000 die hard Cougar fans, but the county has more than 4-million residents and the metro region over 6-million. Interest in the Cougars just doesn’t come close to that of the NFL Texans, NL Astros or NBA Rockets.
There are even more Texas and Texas A&M fans (grads or former students) that live in the Houston area than Cougars—at least the kind that support their alma mater for years after they leave. The biggest reason is simple. The University of Houston for most of its life as a four year school (starting in 1946) has been primarily a commuter school. Students enrolled for a college education and a chance at a better life. They were not going to UH for the parties, social life or to watch sports. The typical UH student had far fewer ties to the campus than those attending UT or A&M.
In recent years this has been changing. New on campus dorms, more extra curricular activities, more amenities including outstanding student athletic facilities are all part of the “new” U of H. It is not just more alums rediscovering their school that are the reason for the sell-outs for football. The students are in greater support than for years.
The administration and athletic department is looking forward rather than just to maintain. After the demise of the Southwest Conference the programs were in almost a “holding” pattern. Gone would be the large football crowds as the Astrodome when UT or A&M came to town. Crowds would be considerably smaller for Conference USA so a move back to campus made a lot of sense. It cost less money.
But it also generated less money and dreams of moving back into a league as least as good as the old SWC was just dream.
Previous athletic regimes got the facilities updated. Years before alum John Moores and his wife donated millions to help build a state of the art baseball field and the all purpose fieldhouse. The current regime has plans underway to update and/or replace the current football and basketball facilities.
On the field and court the Cougars have one of the best overall programs in their current league, C-USA and have upgraded both football and basketball to levels to be national factors.
The Cougars in short are very much ready for an expected move to the Big East even if a move to the closer Big 12 still makes the most sense for both that league and Houston if the loop ever decided to become numerically correct again and actually field 12 schools.
Politics seems to be against the Cougars in the Big 12. The school had to fight that for years before being admitted to the SWC in 1971. Once involved they became for quite a while one of the best if not best team in basketball and often the best team in football, too.
Houston would compete in any league. With the renewed determination being shown on campus now, they very well may do a lot better than just compete.
The sleeping giant may be near awakening with a very big roar. Houston will likely always be a pro sports town first and foremost. But there is room for a big time college program, too. When Phi Slama Jama was soaring in the early 80’s they outdrew the Houston Rockets. Perhaps those days cannot happen again no matter how well James Dickey recruits and coaches. And even if in the Big 12 and playing at Reliant Stadium the Cougars aren’t going to out draw the Texans. But the Cougars cannot and should not be ignored. They have something going on that deserves attention—from the sports fans in these parts and everywhere else, too.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Niche Sports Can be Big Time, Too!
Plenty of Room for “Niche” Sports to Succeed
The Houston Dynamo qualified for their fourth conference final in the last six seasons with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Thursday night. Unfortunately, due to their status as what is often called a “niche” sport not enough Houston sports fans may have noticed. They should.
The Dynamo play soccer and that has never been nor likely will be more than a
“niche” sport with the majority of people in the United States. Baseball, football (American style) and basketball have had too much of a head start in capturing the hearts of most fans. This is a big country, however, and the sport still has plenty of room to succeed. It will just be on a smaller level. Having said that it is quite impressive that 24,749 fans jammed Robertson Stadium for the finale at that local for the Dynamo who must play the rest of their post season on the road and will move into a new (large enough?) stadium of their own near Minute Maid Park in May 2012. The Dynamo have had solid on field success—including two MLS Cup championships—that have attracted fans who follow winners. The new stadium will give them a chance to expose more Houstonians to their game. That will be a good thing.
Hard core soccer fans love to emphasize that their sport (futbol) is the most popular in the world. That cannot be disputed. American football is only a novelty in other parts. Baseball has a foothold in a number of countries in the Carribean and Far East, but only a niche sport in Europe and elsewhere. Basketball is strong in more countries than either of the other two American “Big Three” but is facing a problem of its own in the United States—at least on the professional level.
In fact, with the continued labor problems with the NBA one has to wonder if the top level of basketball may be putting itself in trouble. Could the NBA itself become a niche sport? It is not really the game of basketball in trouble, but perhaps the NBA form of the game. College basketball is huge in many parts of the country. They are also starting to play games and it won’t be long before college hoops will be available almost every night on television. Already there are parts of the nation without NBA franchises that have never paid all that much attention to the league. The TV ratings have always shown more interest in the East and Los Angeles area than anywhere else. When cities put championship teams on the floor—as was the case in Dallas last season—ratings take a jump. Houston is no exception. The Rockets have their hard core fans, but need to win to capture enough of the other potential fans in the city. With the current labor situation as it is, the word “apathy” is being heard more and more toward the team and league.
Years ago I lived and worked in Buffalo, NY. That was a two sport town—the NFL Bills and the NHL Sabres. The NBA Buffalo Braves had relocated to San Diego the year before I arrived. During the winter the Sabres owned that city. No one cared about or even mentioned the NBA, only one year removed from hosting a team.
The city’s teams were the Bills and Sabres. To me the Bills being popular was no surprise. It was the NFL. The passion for the Sabres was something else. I had not grown up in NHL territory and where I lived the NHL was a niche sport. No one talked about it. No one really followed it. The league itself was putting fannies in seats everywhere it was played, though. Cities with no teams did not care.
Soccer in the U.S. is likely in a similar situation. To succeed it doesn’t need to convert or even add many baseball, football or basketball fans. It just needs to put on a good show under pleasant conditions. Winning is a big help. There is no reason the Dynamo cannot continue to be one of the best on their level of the sport. And there is no reason it cannot be a huge success in this very large region.
Now, how about winning against Kansas City and earning a spot in the MLS Cup final? It would be a nice touch to march the Cup into the new stadium next May wouldn’t it?
The Houston Dynamo qualified for their fourth conference final in the last six seasons with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Thursday night. Unfortunately, due to their status as what is often called a “niche” sport not enough Houston sports fans may have noticed. They should.
The Dynamo play soccer and that has never been nor likely will be more than a
“niche” sport with the majority of people in the United States. Baseball, football (American style) and basketball have had too much of a head start in capturing the hearts of most fans. This is a big country, however, and the sport still has plenty of room to succeed. It will just be on a smaller level. Having said that it is quite impressive that 24,749 fans jammed Robertson Stadium for the finale at that local for the Dynamo who must play the rest of their post season on the road and will move into a new (large enough?) stadium of their own near Minute Maid Park in May 2012. The Dynamo have had solid on field success—including two MLS Cup championships—that have attracted fans who follow winners. The new stadium will give them a chance to expose more Houstonians to their game. That will be a good thing.
Hard core soccer fans love to emphasize that their sport (futbol) is the most popular in the world. That cannot be disputed. American football is only a novelty in other parts. Baseball has a foothold in a number of countries in the Carribean and Far East, but only a niche sport in Europe and elsewhere. Basketball is strong in more countries than either of the other two American “Big Three” but is facing a problem of its own in the United States—at least on the professional level.
In fact, with the continued labor problems with the NBA one has to wonder if the top level of basketball may be putting itself in trouble. Could the NBA itself become a niche sport? It is not really the game of basketball in trouble, but perhaps the NBA form of the game. College basketball is huge in many parts of the country. They are also starting to play games and it won’t be long before college hoops will be available almost every night on television. Already there are parts of the nation without NBA franchises that have never paid all that much attention to the league. The TV ratings have always shown more interest in the East and Los Angeles area than anywhere else. When cities put championship teams on the floor—as was the case in Dallas last season—ratings take a jump. Houston is no exception. The Rockets have their hard core fans, but need to win to capture enough of the other potential fans in the city. With the current labor situation as it is, the word “apathy” is being heard more and more toward the team and league.
Years ago I lived and worked in Buffalo, NY. That was a two sport town—the NFL Bills and the NHL Sabres. The NBA Buffalo Braves had relocated to San Diego the year before I arrived. During the winter the Sabres owned that city. No one cared about or even mentioned the NBA, only one year removed from hosting a team.
The city’s teams were the Bills and Sabres. To me the Bills being popular was no surprise. It was the NFL. The passion for the Sabres was something else. I had not grown up in NHL territory and where I lived the NHL was a niche sport. No one talked about it. No one really followed it. The league itself was putting fannies in seats everywhere it was played, though. Cities with no teams did not care.
Soccer in the U.S. is likely in a similar situation. To succeed it doesn’t need to convert or even add many baseball, football or basketball fans. It just needs to put on a good show under pleasant conditions. Winning is a big help. There is no reason the Dynamo cannot continue to be one of the best on their level of the sport. And there is no reason it cannot be a huge success in this very large region.
Now, how about winning against Kansas City and earning a spot in the MLS Cup final? It would be a nice touch to march the Cup into the new stadium next May wouldn’t it?
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