NBA Grueling Schedule to be Real Rocket Test While Baylor Does its NBA Best
The Houston Rockets beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-85 before 18,267 at Toyota Center Thursday night. Meanwhile the Baylor Bears and Washington Huskies played a football game with a basketball score at the Alamodome in San Antonio and won it 67-58. Sixty five thousand two hundred fifty six fans witnessed that game in person.
The Baylor game showed why they are one of the best offensive teams in the nation, but also why ranking them much, if any, higher than 15th is hard to justify. The won their tenth game of the year which is only the second time a Baylor team has even achieved that mark. Their offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, takes second place to no one in the country.
But, oh, that defense! They really don’t have any. Imagine a team winning ten games and yet allowing an average of 40 points a game. That is very, very hard to do. Baylor did it, though.
I will take issue however with some sports mouths who contend winning 67-58 is every bit as much bad football as the LSU 9-6 win over Alabama earlier this season. All it really does is show how defense is valued since those two teams will meet again for the mythical national championship early next month. Which game style do the fans prefer?
Unless one is a hard core fan of specific teams there is no question the Baylor-Washington game would be most enjoyed. The worst sort of football, however, is not 9-6 if its a result of good defense and not inept offense. The worst would be 67-0 in which one team did both things well and the other none.
In Baylor’s win, the Washington Huskies were every bit as good on offense. Quarterback Keith Price out-statted Griffin. He threw for 438 yards on 23-27 completions for four touchdowns. He also ran for three more. In fact Baylor’s individual offensive standout was running back Terrance Granaway who rushed for 200 yards and scored five touchdowns. His 43 yard scamper to the end zone with 2:28 left in the game put things away for Baylor.
Were all those numbers a result soley from bad defense? Of course not. Poor defense helped greatly, but if one watched the game one saw great offensive line play, pin point passes and nifty running. The game was ENTERTAINING. Will the LSU-Alabama rematch, regardless of implications, be able to match it?
ROCKETS GET EARLY TEST OF SCHEDULE
The Rockets win over the Spurs will give fans a chance to follow the effects of the NBA’s new condensed schedule very clearly. The game was the first of three in a row. In this one the club was very effective and impressive. Everyone contributed, but starters Martin, Lowry and Scola stood out. Will they still be playing that well into game three?
Kevin Martin scored 25 points. Kyle Lowry had sixteen points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists. Luis Scola poured in 18 points. After that triumvirate the rest of the players on Kevin McHale’s team shared the wealth. All but one Rocket scored.
Perhaps the best thing was that no player was on the court for as long as 30 minutes in the 48 minute contest. Martin scored his 25 points in just over 23 minutes of playing time. That rest could come in very handy starting Friday night in Memphis.
How well with the club be playing…or will they be dragging a big when they return home for their game against the Hawks on Saturday will be something to monitor. The schedule will be extra grueling this season.
If there is a positive in all this it will be that virtually all NBA teams are facing the same thing. What fans want to know is how often can they expect to see outstanding performances like that shown by the Rockets on Thursday night?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
NCAA Rules ARE the School President's Call
Don’t the University Presidents Represent the Schools in the NCAA?
I am frankly quite confused about a story circulating that says schools are objecting to a reform measure sough by university presidents and endorsed by NCAA president Mark Emmert. It involves scholarships and monetary stipends for athletes.
Isn’t the NCAA a governing body that gets all its power FROM the schools? And are not the presidents of those schools the people that vote on whatever guidelines the NCAA must follow?
The only governing body that is separate from the NCAA is the College Bowl Alliance. The NCAA has nothing to do with running it or deciding who plays where.
But if the NCAA presidents are in favor of multi year athletic scholarships as well as a $2000 per year stipend for varsity athletes on top of their scholarship how can the stories say the schools are objecting?
Well, the proof is in the fine print. You see, while it is true university presidents did approve those changes not all of them did. It was a Board of Directors consisting of SOME university presidents that voted for the changes. The rank and file appeared to be fine with them until they started taking a closer look and realized how they would affect their budgets.
Most of the larger conference schools are OK with the changes. They can afford them. But the smaller conference and less financially strong schools are not. Some have gone or record why. According to a story by Alan Zagier of the Associated Press schools ranging from Boise State to Indiana State, Marquette, Rutgers, Utah and Wyoming are among those opposed to the multi year scholarship plan. The biggest reason is the size and cost of football. Locking in players to multi year scholarships can be a financial drain, they say, if a coaching change occurs. The new coach may not want the player, but be forced to use him. (I can’t keep from smiling over this one.) The colleges would have the same situation professional sports have now. Long term contracts for players no longer able to compete on the level desired. College sports probably deserve to have that problem. The top programs are hardly what was envisioned when Harvard and Yale started buckling on the chin straps in the 1890s.
The $2000 annual stipend is also a problem. It shouldn’t be for any college that pays head coaches in the millions, but most schools in the NCAA do not. They also don’t play before 50,000 or more fans and are part of lucrative TV packages. Having the cash to take care of the football team is one thing, but including it across the board for every sport sponsored by the school is something else.
It is simply instructive to note that when one complains about anything the NCAA does one is actually complaining about what the representatives of the member schools have voted upon. Those representatives are not people sitting behind desks at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. They are the presidents of the universities who make up the membership of the NCAA.
If there is a problem with the makeup of the NCAA membership it is that there is too great a disparity in income. The revenue gap is often astounding. College football, and in many cases basketball, have gotten far too large and far too different from what was envisioned when the Ivy League and the old Western Conference (Big 10) started fielding teams before the start of the 20th century. It is too late to turn back the clock now. Getting everyone on the same page is the problem.
I am frankly quite confused about a story circulating that says schools are objecting to a reform measure sough by university presidents and endorsed by NCAA president Mark Emmert. It involves scholarships and monetary stipends for athletes.
Isn’t the NCAA a governing body that gets all its power FROM the schools? And are not the presidents of those schools the people that vote on whatever guidelines the NCAA must follow?
The only governing body that is separate from the NCAA is the College Bowl Alliance. The NCAA has nothing to do with running it or deciding who plays where.
But if the NCAA presidents are in favor of multi year athletic scholarships as well as a $2000 per year stipend for varsity athletes on top of their scholarship how can the stories say the schools are objecting?
Well, the proof is in the fine print. You see, while it is true university presidents did approve those changes not all of them did. It was a Board of Directors consisting of SOME university presidents that voted for the changes. The rank and file appeared to be fine with them until they started taking a closer look and realized how they would affect their budgets.
Most of the larger conference schools are OK with the changes. They can afford them. But the smaller conference and less financially strong schools are not. Some have gone or record why. According to a story by Alan Zagier of the Associated Press schools ranging from Boise State to Indiana State, Marquette, Rutgers, Utah and Wyoming are among those opposed to the multi year scholarship plan. The biggest reason is the size and cost of football. Locking in players to multi year scholarships can be a financial drain, they say, if a coaching change occurs. The new coach may not want the player, but be forced to use him. (I can’t keep from smiling over this one.) The colleges would have the same situation professional sports have now. Long term contracts for players no longer able to compete on the level desired. College sports probably deserve to have that problem. The top programs are hardly what was envisioned when Harvard and Yale started buckling on the chin straps in the 1890s.
The $2000 annual stipend is also a problem. It shouldn’t be for any college that pays head coaches in the millions, but most schools in the NCAA do not. They also don’t play before 50,000 or more fans and are part of lucrative TV packages. Having the cash to take care of the football team is one thing, but including it across the board for every sport sponsored by the school is something else.
It is simply instructive to note that when one complains about anything the NCAA does one is actually complaining about what the representatives of the member schools have voted upon. Those representatives are not people sitting behind desks at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. They are the presidents of the universities who make up the membership of the NCAA.
If there is a problem with the makeup of the NCAA membership it is that there is too great a disparity in income. The revenue gap is often astounding. College football, and in many cases basketball, have gotten far too large and far too different from what was envisioned when the Ivy League and the old Western Conference (Big 10) started fielding teams before the start of the 20th century. It is too late to turn back the clock now. Getting everyone on the same page is the problem.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Keep Fingers Crossed for Astro Improvement in 2012
With Rest of Division in Transition Astros Could Have Better Results than 2011
A few days ago I wrote a column with a projected Astro lineup and basic roster for 2012 based on the personnel currently available. I was quick to point out the educated “guesses” were no more than that since it was unlikely the players to choose from will all be available by the end of spring training. The Astros are in a remodeling mode. Anyone who had done any home remodeling knows that sometimes paint colors or furniture choice changes need to be made during the process.
While the same applies to all teams, taking a quick look at the clubs the Astros will have to compete against in their final season in the National League Central can be encouraging. The Astros can be considerably better than they were in 2011 even if they don’t become a full season contender.
For one thing, the 56-106 record of 2011 was the worst case scenario. The club was not good, but it really wasn’t that bad. Perhaps as many as ten to 15 losses didn’t have to turn out that way for various reasons from fluke plays, to bloop hits, to blown leads to maybe even a few questionable decisions.
There is no question with the number of young first or second year players the Astros will likely field in 2012 and few established successful major leaguers it is possible the club will wind up with a legitimate 100 loss team. On the other hand, it is also possible that those young players are the real deal and their talent will blossom taking the club on an upward spiral.
While fans want J.D. Martinez to hit a solid .280 or better with power and Jose Altuve to prove to be a real .300+ hitter no one can realistically expect those numbers. They can hope for them and perhaps in time will be both of their norms. Can the norm be reached in 2012? I am not going into a player by player exam here, only to make the point that for improvement in the club all the youngsters must peform and there is no track record for them yet.
The same applies to a number of the live arms the Astros will have competing for spots in the rotation and on the staff. In nearly every case consistency of command is what takes time to develop. It is the difference between the potential shown in the minor leagues and major league success. Remember the definition of potential in sports? Potential means you haven’t done it yet.
The Astros are not going through this process alone in 2012. The Chicago Cubs admit they are going through a “complete and total rebuild.” The Pirates are in year two of their rebuild under Clint Hurdle which got off to a good start last year then faded. The Reds seem determined to make it back to the top in 2012 with the addition of pitchers Mat Latos and Sean Marshall at the expense of several of their top minor league prospects. The Brewers are in real limbo with the loss of Prince Fielder (to someone, someday) and the possible suspension of left fielder Ryan Braun for a PED test that detected abnormally high testosterone. They have acquired an older third baseman in Aramis Ramirez and a potential Japanese import in high average, but low power hitting outfielder Norichiko Aoki. The pitching staff is good, but not one to knock your socks off with hard throwing power stuff.
Then there is the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright will be back to pitch. Chris Carpenter is still one of the best around. Jaime Garcia returns. That is pretty good start. Then they have signed Carlos Beltran to play the outfield for a couple seasons and still have Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday. You will note those names have some ages that add up to some higher numbers. The club has very little team speed. They do not have Albert Pujols..or manager Tony LaRussa.
Early forecast for the NLC: Cards, Reds, Brewers at the top with the Cubs, Astros and Pirates in the next group. Any of the top three could win. Any of the next group could finish 4th…or 6th.
So, on this day after Christmas that is how it looks to me. I will check back with you more than once before the start of the season. There are still a number of moves to be made that could change the face of the division.
As for the Astros debut in the AL West in 2013? Let’s hold on that. The Rangers and Angels are both getting big TV dollars from Fox and have been spending it. The A’s are apparently going into a better financial situation moving to San Jose in a year or so and the Mariners are one of the last teams in the hunt for Prince Fielder. These Astro young players had better turn out to have some stars among their number. The 2012 season will give them a chance to show what they have. Keep your fingers crossed.
A few days ago I wrote a column with a projected Astro lineup and basic roster for 2012 based on the personnel currently available. I was quick to point out the educated “guesses” were no more than that since it was unlikely the players to choose from will all be available by the end of spring training. The Astros are in a remodeling mode. Anyone who had done any home remodeling knows that sometimes paint colors or furniture choice changes need to be made during the process.
While the same applies to all teams, taking a quick look at the clubs the Astros will have to compete against in their final season in the National League Central can be encouraging. The Astros can be considerably better than they were in 2011 even if they don’t become a full season contender.
For one thing, the 56-106 record of 2011 was the worst case scenario. The club was not good, but it really wasn’t that bad. Perhaps as many as ten to 15 losses didn’t have to turn out that way for various reasons from fluke plays, to bloop hits, to blown leads to maybe even a few questionable decisions.
There is no question with the number of young first or second year players the Astros will likely field in 2012 and few established successful major leaguers it is possible the club will wind up with a legitimate 100 loss team. On the other hand, it is also possible that those young players are the real deal and their talent will blossom taking the club on an upward spiral.
While fans want J.D. Martinez to hit a solid .280 or better with power and Jose Altuve to prove to be a real .300+ hitter no one can realistically expect those numbers. They can hope for them and perhaps in time will be both of their norms. Can the norm be reached in 2012? I am not going into a player by player exam here, only to make the point that for improvement in the club all the youngsters must peform and there is no track record for them yet.
The same applies to a number of the live arms the Astros will have competing for spots in the rotation and on the staff. In nearly every case consistency of command is what takes time to develop. It is the difference between the potential shown in the minor leagues and major league success. Remember the definition of potential in sports? Potential means you haven’t done it yet.
The Astros are not going through this process alone in 2012. The Chicago Cubs admit they are going through a “complete and total rebuild.” The Pirates are in year two of their rebuild under Clint Hurdle which got off to a good start last year then faded. The Reds seem determined to make it back to the top in 2012 with the addition of pitchers Mat Latos and Sean Marshall at the expense of several of their top minor league prospects. The Brewers are in real limbo with the loss of Prince Fielder (to someone, someday) and the possible suspension of left fielder Ryan Braun for a PED test that detected abnormally high testosterone. They have acquired an older third baseman in Aramis Ramirez and a potential Japanese import in high average, but low power hitting outfielder Norichiko Aoki. The pitching staff is good, but not one to knock your socks off with hard throwing power stuff.
Then there is the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright will be back to pitch. Chris Carpenter is still one of the best around. Jaime Garcia returns. That is pretty good start. Then they have signed Carlos Beltran to play the outfield for a couple seasons and still have Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday. You will note those names have some ages that add up to some higher numbers. The club has very little team speed. They do not have Albert Pujols..or manager Tony LaRussa.
Early forecast for the NLC: Cards, Reds, Brewers at the top with the Cubs, Astros and Pirates in the next group. Any of the top three could win. Any of the next group could finish 4th…or 6th.
So, on this day after Christmas that is how it looks to me. I will check back with you more than once before the start of the season. There are still a number of moves to be made that could change the face of the division.
As for the Astros debut in the AL West in 2013? Let’s hold on that. The Rangers and Angels are both getting big TV dollars from Fox and have been spending it. The A’s are apparently going into a better financial situation moving to San Jose in a year or so and the Mariners are one of the last teams in the hunt for Prince Fielder. These Astro young players had better turn out to have some stars among their number. The 2012 season will give them a chance to show what they have. Keep your fingers crossed.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Officials Too Signifant in NFL Games
NFL Officials Have No Leeway for Common Sense Calls
While the Texans loss to the Colts Tuesday night was not caused by the officials they contributed. Yet they did nothing wrong. They made calls that they have to make or they could lose their jobs.
That is the problem with officiating in the NFL which sets it considerably behind other pro sports like the NBA, NHL and MLB. NFL officials are part-timers with no union to protect them. There is no room for common sense like there is in the NBA and NHL.
In the NBA officials do not always follow the letter of the rule book if infractions that could be called do not affect a play and might interfere with the flow of the show. They try to be accurate on fouls that affect shots or possession, but generally let the players use their physicality against each other on the boards or when battling for possession. This year they are trying to determine if an offensive player initiated the contact in making charge-block calls. In other words much of the officiating is common sense.
The same is true with the NHL. The last thing an NHL official wants to do is determine the outcome of the game. As in the NBA, when the game is close and goes down the line the whistles won’t blow as much.
In Major League Baseball the goal is to make every call correctly. There are fewer of the old “neighborhood” plays in which runners were often called out on the bases if the throw got to the base before the runner even if an actual tag or base was missed. Yet the home plate umpire will often be questioned. Major league players quickly learn what the strike zone is that night and if it doesn’t exactly fit the rule book definition, they have long learned to adjust. They just don’t want to be surprised with a different call for the same pitch late in the game.
In the NFL the league and the officiating supervisors require all the officials follow the book exactly. If there is helmet to helmet contact the penalty is automatic no matter how it happened. Intentional, incidental or minor—the officials are not allowed to judge. They have to throw the flag. Quaterbacks, kickers, punters and even receivers are given automatic protection even if the contact was simply made by a clean play.
Officials are far too evident in the average NFL game. Yet they are so because they have to follow the rules with no exception. If NFL officials were organized and more importantly full time employees the game would be a lot better for it.
This is in no way a plea to make the game rougher and result in more injuries. It is simply a request that the officials be given the right to interpret what they see. They can do it somewhat on contact between the kickers and defenders. But even so, we see too many flags for contact that was instigated by the kicker himself—in many cases as a result of a great acting job.
In no way should dirty play by accepted. Players who use the helmet as a weapon should certainly be penalized. Incidental contact as a result of hard play should not be. This is football which is a contact sport. Protecting quarterbacks sounds like a good idea. Yet, the two quarterbacks the Houston Texans lost this year went out as a result of a fluke broken bone in the foot (Matt Schaub) and a normal tackle (Matt Leinert). Neither were hurt as a result of excessive contact.
If the NFL is so concerned about helmet to helmet contact it is time to go back to helmets that are used to protect the head only. Hmm, that sounds like leather to me—instead of hard plastic. In the leather helmet days players didn’t even think of using their heads as weapons. They didn’t even wear face masks. They still had injuries, but I’d like to compare the number of concussions from the 1940s and 50s to now. Maybe let quarterbacks wear plastic and everyone else leather. I’m grasping for answers here. The officials just have too much to do with too many games.
Still, I would rather the officials be given the leeway to determine whether a player uses his head as a weapon or simply has incidental contact. There would be some “no-calls” that would make fans unhappy. But the game would be better because the calls that are made would have legitimacy.
While the Texans loss to the Colts Tuesday night was not caused by the officials they contributed. Yet they did nothing wrong. They made calls that they have to make or they could lose their jobs.
That is the problem with officiating in the NFL which sets it considerably behind other pro sports like the NBA, NHL and MLB. NFL officials are part-timers with no union to protect them. There is no room for common sense like there is in the NBA and NHL.
In the NBA officials do not always follow the letter of the rule book if infractions that could be called do not affect a play and might interfere with the flow of the show. They try to be accurate on fouls that affect shots or possession, but generally let the players use their physicality against each other on the boards or when battling for possession. This year they are trying to determine if an offensive player initiated the contact in making charge-block calls. In other words much of the officiating is common sense.
The same is true with the NHL. The last thing an NHL official wants to do is determine the outcome of the game. As in the NBA, when the game is close and goes down the line the whistles won’t blow as much.
In Major League Baseball the goal is to make every call correctly. There are fewer of the old “neighborhood” plays in which runners were often called out on the bases if the throw got to the base before the runner even if an actual tag or base was missed. Yet the home plate umpire will often be questioned. Major league players quickly learn what the strike zone is that night and if it doesn’t exactly fit the rule book definition, they have long learned to adjust. They just don’t want to be surprised with a different call for the same pitch late in the game.
In the NFL the league and the officiating supervisors require all the officials follow the book exactly. If there is helmet to helmet contact the penalty is automatic no matter how it happened. Intentional, incidental or minor—the officials are not allowed to judge. They have to throw the flag. Quaterbacks, kickers, punters and even receivers are given automatic protection even if the contact was simply made by a clean play.
Officials are far too evident in the average NFL game. Yet they are so because they have to follow the rules with no exception. If NFL officials were organized and more importantly full time employees the game would be a lot better for it.
This is in no way a plea to make the game rougher and result in more injuries. It is simply a request that the officials be given the right to interpret what they see. They can do it somewhat on contact between the kickers and defenders. But even so, we see too many flags for contact that was instigated by the kicker himself—in many cases as a result of a great acting job.
In no way should dirty play by accepted. Players who use the helmet as a weapon should certainly be penalized. Incidental contact as a result of hard play should not be. This is football which is a contact sport. Protecting quarterbacks sounds like a good idea. Yet, the two quarterbacks the Houston Texans lost this year went out as a result of a fluke broken bone in the foot (Matt Schaub) and a normal tackle (Matt Leinert). Neither were hurt as a result of excessive contact.
If the NFL is so concerned about helmet to helmet contact it is time to go back to helmets that are used to protect the head only. Hmm, that sounds like leather to me—instead of hard plastic. In the leather helmet days players didn’t even think of using their heads as weapons. They didn’t even wear face masks. They still had injuries, but I’d like to compare the number of concussions from the 1940s and 50s to now. Maybe let quarterbacks wear plastic and everyone else leather. I’m grasping for answers here. The officials just have too much to do with too many games.
Still, I would rather the officials be given the leeway to determine whether a player uses his head as a weapon or simply has incidental contact. There would be some “no-calls” that would make fans unhappy. But the game would be better because the calls that are made would have legitimacy.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Today's Lineup in Houston to Yu know who!
Astro Lineup? Wade Goes Home…Rangers Must be Rich!
Today I am going to play one of those little “games” that have no real meaning except to get us all thinking baseball. If the season started tomorrow what would the Astro lineup and roster look like?
Using the word “tomorrow” actually makes this an easy exercise. Because of the amount of time several young players got on the field in 2011 and the lack of much roster shuffling so far this off season an Astro lineup could easily look like this:
Carlos Lee would be at first base…Jose Altuve at second… Jed Lowrie at shortstop… Jimmy Paredes at third and Humberto Quintero behind the plate. The outfield would consist of J.D. Martinez in left, Jordan Schafer in center and a right field platoon of Brian Bogusevic and Jason Bourgeois.
Key reserves would be Matt Downs, Angel Sanchez and J.B. Shuck. Jason Castro would be the other catcher presuming he is healthy. He could be the opening day catcher if healthy, but may not be.
The pitching rotation would feature Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers, Bud Norris, J.A. Happ and Jordan Lyles. The bullpen would include David Carpenter, Wilton Lopez, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodriguez and Wesley Wright plus two others. Sosa? Cruz? Abad? Abreu? Escalona? Weiland?
See that wasn’t hard even if I really didn’t stick with just 25 candidates. However, it won’t be so easy by the time spring training begins. There is a chance the club will do some more “addition by subtraction” if deals for Wandy Rodriguez and/or Brett Myers can be configured. And, if so, some of those players listed above might become part.
There is also always a chance other names like Brett Wallace or Chris Johnson can force their way back to the active roster by having strong springs while others struggle. Spring Training is now only two months away.
Ed Wade Goes Home
The former Astro GM has signed on to return to the Philadelphia Phillie family as a consultant and scout. Ed and his family never fully moved from the Philadelphia area during his time with the Astros so the opportunity to go back with the Phillies works well. The Astros will still be providing the bulk of his income the next two years since he had that much left on his Houston pact. It is fashionable to make wise cracks about why Ed made so many deals with the Phillies during his Houston years. The reality is that all GMs make a number of deals with teams they once worked for. Gerry Hunsicker made a number of them with the Mets—his previous employer—when he took over the Astros. It would not be surprising at all if Jeff Luhnow doesn’t make some trades with the Cardinals—especially since beginning in 2013 the Astros won’t be in the same division (or even league) with St. Louis any longer. The reasons are simple. Hunsicker with the Mets, Wade with the Phillies and Luhnow with the Cards know more about those systems than any other. They feel they are dealing with more knowledge when discussing minor leaguers than with other teams. There is nothing sinister about it despite what wise-cracking would be comedians thing in on line discussion forums.
How Come the Rangers are Rich All of a Sudden?
Two years ago the Texas Rangers were bankrupt. They went on the auction block. The club was still paying part of Alex Rodriguez’ contract. Their attendance had been dropping. Then a group headed by Chuck Greenberg was awarded the franchise after a “controlled” bidding process. Greenberg was not an uber rich man and didn’t really have much of his own money invested. But he was the front man and tried to run the show. Others in the ownership group didn’t like that and he was bought out.
In the meantime the baseball people kept working to build a winner. They succeeded. The Rangers won back to back American League championships. While attendance rose it still was unable to top 3-million.
This off season if there was high dollar free agent on the market the Rangers name was linked to him at one time or another. How did the Rangers get so rich all of a sudden? Most say it is the new (as much as $3-billion) television contract with Fox Sports SW that has allowed the team to spend. No doubt that is a factor, but the new contract doesn’t even kick in with the large increase for at least another year or so. In short, the Rangers are willing to go all the way to justify the money Fox has committed to spend in advance. They also found out they like being a “team to beat” instead of just another club. While they did not sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder (at least not yet) and they did lose pitcher C.J. Wilson to the rival Angels, they still had another target.
Enter Yu Darvish. The Rangers put in the highest bid just to try to sign the Japanese star pitcher. They are paying the Nippon Ham Fighters of Tokyo a reported $51.7 million just for the rights to negotiate with Darvish’s agents. How much they will have to pay the pitcher himself is only a guess. Since Darvish is only 25 and possibly the greatest pitching prospect ever to come from Japan to MLB, the numbers could be staggering. Can the Rangers and Yu’s agents come to an arrangement and will he be worth it? Time will tell that, but the Iranian-Japanese hurler has been dominant in Japan. In 2011 he was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA and 276 strikeouts. The 6’5 25 year old has essentially proved all he needs to in Japan. If he has a good head on his shoulders and fully understands what he will be facing there is no reason he cannot be a big success in MLB. He will have all the top notch coaching he needs with Mike and Greg Maddux in the Ranger family that is led by Nolan Ryan.
For the past 25 years the Rangers have been noted for two things: hitting and heat. Pitching has never been the strongest suit for the Arlington boys. It has been good enough to win two straight AL titles. If the Darvish investment pays off it may be good enough to win the Big One.
Today I am going to play one of those little “games” that have no real meaning except to get us all thinking baseball. If the season started tomorrow what would the Astro lineup and roster look like?
Using the word “tomorrow” actually makes this an easy exercise. Because of the amount of time several young players got on the field in 2011 and the lack of much roster shuffling so far this off season an Astro lineup could easily look like this:
Carlos Lee would be at first base…Jose Altuve at second… Jed Lowrie at shortstop… Jimmy Paredes at third and Humberto Quintero behind the plate. The outfield would consist of J.D. Martinez in left, Jordan Schafer in center and a right field platoon of Brian Bogusevic and Jason Bourgeois.
Key reserves would be Matt Downs, Angel Sanchez and J.B. Shuck. Jason Castro would be the other catcher presuming he is healthy. He could be the opening day catcher if healthy, but may not be.
The pitching rotation would feature Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers, Bud Norris, J.A. Happ and Jordan Lyles. The bullpen would include David Carpenter, Wilton Lopez, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodriguez and Wesley Wright plus two others. Sosa? Cruz? Abad? Abreu? Escalona? Weiland?
See that wasn’t hard even if I really didn’t stick with just 25 candidates. However, it won’t be so easy by the time spring training begins. There is a chance the club will do some more “addition by subtraction” if deals for Wandy Rodriguez and/or Brett Myers can be configured. And, if so, some of those players listed above might become part.
There is also always a chance other names like Brett Wallace or Chris Johnson can force their way back to the active roster by having strong springs while others struggle. Spring Training is now only two months away.
Ed Wade Goes Home
The former Astro GM has signed on to return to the Philadelphia Phillie family as a consultant and scout. Ed and his family never fully moved from the Philadelphia area during his time with the Astros so the opportunity to go back with the Phillies works well. The Astros will still be providing the bulk of his income the next two years since he had that much left on his Houston pact. It is fashionable to make wise cracks about why Ed made so many deals with the Phillies during his Houston years. The reality is that all GMs make a number of deals with teams they once worked for. Gerry Hunsicker made a number of them with the Mets—his previous employer—when he took over the Astros. It would not be surprising at all if Jeff Luhnow doesn’t make some trades with the Cardinals—especially since beginning in 2013 the Astros won’t be in the same division (or even league) with St. Louis any longer. The reasons are simple. Hunsicker with the Mets, Wade with the Phillies and Luhnow with the Cards know more about those systems than any other. They feel they are dealing with more knowledge when discussing minor leaguers than with other teams. There is nothing sinister about it despite what wise-cracking would be comedians thing in on line discussion forums.
How Come the Rangers are Rich All of a Sudden?
Two years ago the Texas Rangers were bankrupt. They went on the auction block. The club was still paying part of Alex Rodriguez’ contract. Their attendance had been dropping. Then a group headed by Chuck Greenberg was awarded the franchise after a “controlled” bidding process. Greenberg was not an uber rich man and didn’t really have much of his own money invested. But he was the front man and tried to run the show. Others in the ownership group didn’t like that and he was bought out.
In the meantime the baseball people kept working to build a winner. They succeeded. The Rangers won back to back American League championships. While attendance rose it still was unable to top 3-million.
This off season if there was high dollar free agent on the market the Rangers name was linked to him at one time or another. How did the Rangers get so rich all of a sudden? Most say it is the new (as much as $3-billion) television contract with Fox Sports SW that has allowed the team to spend. No doubt that is a factor, but the new contract doesn’t even kick in with the large increase for at least another year or so. In short, the Rangers are willing to go all the way to justify the money Fox has committed to spend in advance. They also found out they like being a “team to beat” instead of just another club. While they did not sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder (at least not yet) and they did lose pitcher C.J. Wilson to the rival Angels, they still had another target.
Enter Yu Darvish. The Rangers put in the highest bid just to try to sign the Japanese star pitcher. They are paying the Nippon Ham Fighters of Tokyo a reported $51.7 million just for the rights to negotiate with Darvish’s agents. How much they will have to pay the pitcher himself is only a guess. Since Darvish is only 25 and possibly the greatest pitching prospect ever to come from Japan to MLB, the numbers could be staggering. Can the Rangers and Yu’s agents come to an arrangement and will he be worth it? Time will tell that, but the Iranian-Japanese hurler has been dominant in Japan. In 2011 he was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA and 276 strikeouts. The 6’5 25 year old has essentially proved all he needs to in Japan. If he has a good head on his shoulders and fully understands what he will be facing there is no reason he cannot be a big success in MLB. He will have all the top notch coaching he needs with Mike and Greg Maddux in the Ranger family that is led by Nolan Ryan.
For the past 25 years the Rangers have been noted for two things: hitting and heat. Pitching has never been the strongest suit for the Arlington boys. It has been good enough to win two straight AL titles. If the Darvish investment pays off it may be good enough to win the Big One.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Overlooked by Football, but UH Hoops Has Bright Future
Cougar Hoops on Spot with Move to Big East, But Future Looks Good
For much of the life in Conference USA the basketball story was essentially Memphis and all the other guys. Oh sure, every so often Houston or someone else made some noise, but Memphis was the big dog and usually the only conference rep making the NCAA field.
Things are about to change for the Houston Cougars. They won’t have to worry just one team to overcome. The Cougars will have to beat a number of schools to reach the top. They are joining the Big East. Defending national champion, Connecticut, plays there. So does Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Depaul, Villanova and others schools perhaps not so basketball famous.
All the attention about the school’s move to the Big East revolves around getting the football program into a BCS automatic qualifying league. With the future defections of West Virginia to the Big 12 and both Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC there could be some question whether the Big East can hold onto its automatic football spot.
There is no question the league will continue to be one of the top loops in basketball. But while that may put added pressure on coach James Dickey, his staff and team it is not all bad. It is not really bad at all.
For one thing the Big East will get multiple post season basketball bids. Unlike C-USA where winning the post season was the only guarantee for the NCAA tourney, in the Big East the only question will be how many schools go to the tourney.
The Cougars are in a good spot. Under Dickey they have have recruited well the past two seasons. The incoming class is ranked as one of the best in the country and best at UH in years. The school has committed to find a way to upgrade basketball facilities including giving Hofheinz Pavilion an upgrade. While that won’t happen until funds can be found and the football upgrades paid for and perhaps underway, Dickey still has to continuing to build the program.
He inherited a team coming off an NCAA bid in Tom Penders final season a couple years back. Pender’s clubs were built heavily with junior college transfers and others from out of state. Dickey’s team this season has only one player not from Texas or an adjoining state. He also has ten freshmen or sophomores on his 15 player full roster. He has four junior college or college transfers and only one senior.
The Cougars off their narrow five point loss at Oklahoma on Saturday are only 4-5. However in the five losses the margin is only 12 points. They won a big game at Arkansas earlier, but have lost by two points at home to Oakland, one point at home to TCU and one point at home to LSU. Their other loss was by three points at Texas State.
Losing to teams like Texas State and Oakland (that is a school from Michigan, by the way) is not impressive, but perhaps only because they don’t have established big names.
It won’t be long, however, that Houston won’t be losing to the Oaklands of the world. James Dickey has recruited some strong players who only need experience. And with success and the cover of being a member of the prestigious Big East Conference the recruits and fans will come. Two of his younger players to know on the current team who should be around for the conference change are leading scorer Alandise Harris and top rebounder TaShawn Thomas. Harris is a 6’6” sophomore from Little Rock. 6’8” freshman TaShawn Thomas from Kileen. Harris averages just under 15 points and six rebounds per game. Thomas averages ten points and a team leading 8.7 rebounds per contest. Jonathan Simmons and Kirk VanSlyke are double figure scorers. The Cougars average 78.9 points per game while allowing 70.3.
Attendance at Hofheinz Pavilion has not been consistently good since the days of Phi Slama Jama when the Cougars routinely out drew the Rockets. Folks, that was more than 25 years ago! Winning will make it better. Houston is averaging 3456 a game for the first six. The average will rise as C-USA play begins. It will be better yet in the Big East.
So, while the Big East—and facilities upgrades at UH in both football and basketball are still in the future—the future looks good on Cullen Boulevard.
For much of the life in Conference USA the basketball story was essentially Memphis and all the other guys. Oh sure, every so often Houston or someone else made some noise, but Memphis was the big dog and usually the only conference rep making the NCAA field.
Things are about to change for the Houston Cougars. They won’t have to worry just one team to overcome. The Cougars will have to beat a number of schools to reach the top. They are joining the Big East. Defending national champion, Connecticut, plays there. So does Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Depaul, Villanova and others schools perhaps not so basketball famous.
All the attention about the school’s move to the Big East revolves around getting the football program into a BCS automatic qualifying league. With the future defections of West Virginia to the Big 12 and both Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC there could be some question whether the Big East can hold onto its automatic football spot.
There is no question the league will continue to be one of the top loops in basketball. But while that may put added pressure on coach James Dickey, his staff and team it is not all bad. It is not really bad at all.
For one thing the Big East will get multiple post season basketball bids. Unlike C-USA where winning the post season was the only guarantee for the NCAA tourney, in the Big East the only question will be how many schools go to the tourney.
The Cougars are in a good spot. Under Dickey they have have recruited well the past two seasons. The incoming class is ranked as one of the best in the country and best at UH in years. The school has committed to find a way to upgrade basketball facilities including giving Hofheinz Pavilion an upgrade. While that won’t happen until funds can be found and the football upgrades paid for and perhaps underway, Dickey still has to continuing to build the program.
He inherited a team coming off an NCAA bid in Tom Penders final season a couple years back. Pender’s clubs were built heavily with junior college transfers and others from out of state. Dickey’s team this season has only one player not from Texas or an adjoining state. He also has ten freshmen or sophomores on his 15 player full roster. He has four junior college or college transfers and only one senior.
The Cougars off their narrow five point loss at Oklahoma on Saturday are only 4-5. However in the five losses the margin is only 12 points. They won a big game at Arkansas earlier, but have lost by two points at home to Oakland, one point at home to TCU and one point at home to LSU. Their other loss was by three points at Texas State.
Losing to teams like Texas State and Oakland (that is a school from Michigan, by the way) is not impressive, but perhaps only because they don’t have established big names.
It won’t be long, however, that Houston won’t be losing to the Oaklands of the world. James Dickey has recruited some strong players who only need experience. And with success and the cover of being a member of the prestigious Big East Conference the recruits and fans will come. Two of his younger players to know on the current team who should be around for the conference change are leading scorer Alandise Harris and top rebounder TaShawn Thomas. Harris is a 6’6” sophomore from Little Rock. 6’8” freshman TaShawn Thomas from Kileen. Harris averages just under 15 points and six rebounds per game. Thomas averages ten points and a team leading 8.7 rebounds per contest. Jonathan Simmons and Kirk VanSlyke are double figure scorers. The Cougars average 78.9 points per game while allowing 70.3.
Attendance at Hofheinz Pavilion has not been consistently good since the days of Phi Slama Jama when the Cougars routinely out drew the Rockets. Folks, that was more than 25 years ago! Winning will make it better. Houston is averaging 3456 a game for the first six. The average will rise as C-USA play begins. It will be better yet in the Big East.
So, while the Big East—and facilities upgrades at UH in both football and basketball are still in the future—the future looks good on Cullen Boulevard.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Robert Griffin III Joins Two other Memorable Baylor Greats
Heisman for Griffin Not Biggest Honor for Baylor Athletes
When Robert Griffin III was announced as the recipient of this year’s Heisman Trophy signifying being the top college football player in the land Baylor University had reached a level never reached before. The football program gained more recognition than it had in years and Griffin became the first Bear ever so honored.
But two athletes who proceeded Griffin at Baylor hold honors even greater than the Heisman. Jack Lummus and John Kane who each played two sports at Baylor were honored by their country with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Both were heroes on the fields at Baylor in the late 1920’s and ‘30s and on the battlefield for the United States in World War II.
Jack Lummus was the best athlete of the pair at Baylor. He was an all Southwest Conference outfielder in baseball and a starting end on the football team. He was so good that he played both professional football for the New York Giants and minor league baseball. In fact, his last football game was in the 1941 NFL championship game. Then he joined the Marines.
On March 8, 1945, Lt. Lummus led his troops onto the beach at Iwo Jima in the first wave. Though wounded by grenade shrapnel and having both legs taken from him after stepping on a land mine he continued to direct his men until he had to be rushed to a field hospital. Lummus never recovered from his wounds and died shortly there after. For his heroism he was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
John Riley Kane was a football and basketball player at Baylor about a decade earlier than Lummus. He was a surviving member of the basketball team that lost ten players “The Immortal Ten” in the tragic bus-train crash of 1927. After he graduated he joined the Army and had risen to Colonel by August 1, 1943.
That was when he was in command of the 98th Bombardment Group on a mission to take out Nazi controlled oil fields in Romania. When the lead group got lost and actually dropped their bombs on the 98th’s planned targets he took his unit to the main objective even though now the Nazi’s were aware an attack was imminent.
Continuing to circle the target and directing the attack Kane’s B-52 lost an engine and was struck more than twenty times by shrapnel and countless more bullets. During the attack Kane directed his planes in strategic maneuvers that were so inventive and successful they are used to this day.
Unlike Lummus, John Kane was able to survive the War. Although his plane had to crash land on Cypress after the raid he and his crew survived. However, fifty four of the 178 planes on the mission did not make it back.
John “Killer” Kane lived until he was 89, passing away in 1996. But like his fellow former Baylor athlete was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts during World War II.
There is no question that the Heisman Trophy is the greatest single award given in any collegiate sport. Robert Griffin III needs to be remembered for all time by Baylor fans. Just don’t forget Jack Lummus or John Kane either.
When Robert Griffin III was announced as the recipient of this year’s Heisman Trophy signifying being the top college football player in the land Baylor University had reached a level never reached before. The football program gained more recognition than it had in years and Griffin became the first Bear ever so honored.
But two athletes who proceeded Griffin at Baylor hold honors even greater than the Heisman. Jack Lummus and John Kane who each played two sports at Baylor were honored by their country with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Both were heroes on the fields at Baylor in the late 1920’s and ‘30s and on the battlefield for the United States in World War II.
Jack Lummus was the best athlete of the pair at Baylor. He was an all Southwest Conference outfielder in baseball and a starting end on the football team. He was so good that he played both professional football for the New York Giants and minor league baseball. In fact, his last football game was in the 1941 NFL championship game. Then he joined the Marines.
On March 8, 1945, Lt. Lummus led his troops onto the beach at Iwo Jima in the first wave. Though wounded by grenade shrapnel and having both legs taken from him after stepping on a land mine he continued to direct his men until he had to be rushed to a field hospital. Lummus never recovered from his wounds and died shortly there after. For his heroism he was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
John Riley Kane was a football and basketball player at Baylor about a decade earlier than Lummus. He was a surviving member of the basketball team that lost ten players “The Immortal Ten” in the tragic bus-train crash of 1927. After he graduated he joined the Army and had risen to Colonel by August 1, 1943.
That was when he was in command of the 98th Bombardment Group on a mission to take out Nazi controlled oil fields in Romania. When the lead group got lost and actually dropped their bombs on the 98th’s planned targets he took his unit to the main objective even though now the Nazi’s were aware an attack was imminent.
Continuing to circle the target and directing the attack Kane’s B-52 lost an engine and was struck more than twenty times by shrapnel and countless more bullets. During the attack Kane directed his planes in strategic maneuvers that were so inventive and successful they are used to this day.
Unlike Lummus, John Kane was able to survive the War. Although his plane had to crash land on Cypress after the raid he and his crew survived. However, fifty four of the 178 planes on the mission did not make it back.
John “Killer” Kane lived until he was 89, passing away in 1996. But like his fellow former Baylor athlete was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts during World War II.
There is no question that the Heisman Trophy is the greatest single award given in any collegiate sport. Robert Griffin III needs to be remembered for all time by Baylor fans. Just don’t forget Jack Lummus or John Kane either.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Jeff Luhnow's First Trade a Winner!
Melancon for a SS
and a potential Starting P? Good
Initial Deal for Luhnow
The Houston Astros made
their first deal under the Jeff Luhnow regime as GM and it appears to be a good
one. While no trade can be fully
evaluated until time passes the acquisition of shortstop Jed Lowrie and 25 year
old pitcher Kyle Weiland from the Red Sox for pitcher Mark Melancon could be a
winner for both teams.
Melancon was pressed into
duty as the Astros closer in 2011 and acquitted himself well. He saved 20 of 25 chances and recorded
a solid 2.78 ERA. On a team
destined to compete for a pennant in 2012 he would not be a player that might
be vulnerable in a trade.
But the Astros don’t figure
to be quite ready in 2012. They
already have a closer in Brandon Lyon they are committed to pay $5-million and
they needed more competition at short stop and in the starting pitching
rotation. They got what they
needed at the expense of Melancon.
If one only looks at numbers
the deal seems favorable to Boston.
Lowrie is only a career .254 hitter and has had several injuries (wrist,
shoulder) and an illness (mononucleosis) that have kept him on the sidelines. He
is not young. The former Stanford
star will turn 28 shortly after the 2012 season begins. At the same time
scouting reports on the former first round pick and switch-hitter are very
favorable. Analysts around
baseball are saying this was a good move for both clubs. The Red Sox have a current and future
shortstop in the system. Lowrie
was expandable if the club could get a proven relief pitcher capable of working
as a set up man or closer.
Lowrie’s addition means the
Astros do not have to turn the shortstop spot over to a player who showed he
could play in the major leagues, Angel Sanchez, but with holes in his overall
game. Sanchez showed with regular
at bats he could hit well enough, but with no power. On defense he has good hands, but poor range and arm. On the bases he is very slow. Lowrie is not considered a gold glove
candidate, but has much more power, a better arm and foot speed. The deal fits within the mantra of
“doing the best you can for the least you can” in the building of the 2012
Astros. Just at the shortstop
position this is a step up.
If the Astros can pull off
deals shedding the large contracts of Wandy Rodriguez and/or Brett Myers the
acquisition of Weiland to compete for the starting rotation could turn out to
be huge as well.
Mark Melancon is one of the
classiest guys in baseball. From
that stand point he will be sorely missed in the Astro club house. Everyone wishes him well in Boston. Everyone also hopes to see big things
from Lowrie and Weiland.
Hold Off on Braun and the Astros Rotation
List of Banned Substances is a Long One
Inside every major league clubhouse—in both English and Spanish—is a list of all the supplements and/or other products that are banned from baseball. The list includes just about all the body builder or weight lifter supplements used commonly by those athletes. None of them are steroids or human growth hormone directly, but may alter the body’s chemical composition and thus alter a drug test.
It would appear Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers may have run afoul of ingesting something felt to be harmless that may or may not have been on the list, but produced a positive result for elevated testosterone levels. Or maybe he didn’t do anything.
That is where the leaking of the results of his October test is so wrong. About 2.5% of all males have what are called significantly above normal testosterone levels naturally. One test proves nothing was done wrong by the NL MVP.
Testosterone levels are also usually elevated by athletes who lift weights. The body produces more testosterone on its own. Athletes lift weights. When was Braun’s sample taken?
Could Braun have taken a supplement he should not have, like the frequently advertised on sports radio stations, “Ageless Male” which claims to raise testosterone levels up to 61%? Could he have taken something else? Could he have taken nothing?
All of those are possibilities, but until it is known for sure, it is wrong to be assuming Braun will be suspended for the first 50 games in 2012 until all the facts are in.
Astros have Plenty of Players to Compete, but Which Ones Will Succeed?
News that Astro catcher Jason Castro has been sidelined with a broken bone in his foot and won’t be ready to play at the outset of spring training is not good news for the club—or for Castro. The former first round draftee had a taste of the major leagues in 2010, but showed he was not quite ready. He showed a good eye at the plate, but had little success in actually collecting many hits. Yet, his defensive skills showed promise and there was hope he would take the starting job in 2011 and never look back. Of course, he went down with a knee injury last spring and missed the whole season.
He would not have been able to help too much in keeping the Astros from the on field disaster that was 2011, but he would have gained needed experience. Depending on how well he heals this time he will have that chance again. The Astros, though, in making a wise signing by bringing back Humberto Quintero at least have the position covered by a veteran.
In fact, it could be expected that Quintero and Castro would share the job with Castro getting most of the starts in part due to his left handed bat anyway. In the rebuilding of the Astros the club has to learn if Castro is the man just as they have to learn if J.D. Martinez, Jose Altuve, Jimmy Paredes, Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace can be significant major leaguers.
Next spring will be most focused on the pitching staff. There are enough candidates to fill regular lineup slots. Sure, some of them won’t make it ultimately, but the team is going to give the “kids” a long look as part of “the plan.” Fans should expect the Astros to used addition by subtraction as the immediate goal.
The subtractions will be the contracts of Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee. The latter is most unlikely since the usual ploy for getting a player to waive a no trade clause or 10-5 rights is the promise of a new contract extension with his new team. In Carlos’ case he has shown no indication he plans on playing after his current contract expires after 2012.
Of course, Roy Oswalt said that a few years ago, too. He has apparently changed his mind and may be seeking a new contract as a free agent.
If one or two of the “Big Money Three” can be sent elsewhere with potential major league talent returning the 2012 Astros could free some cash to find a shortstop if they wished, but right now it would appear that is not the plan. Angel Sanchez likely will be listed as #1 on the shortstop depth chart into the spring.
It may not even be Christmas yet and even the Winter Baseball Dinner is more than a month away, but it is never to early to be talking baseball. Remember, it is the GAME that is the thing. We can only hope the on field results will show improvement in 2012 and that hope for better times can reasonably be expected.
Inside every major league clubhouse—in both English and Spanish—is a list of all the supplements and/or other products that are banned from baseball. The list includes just about all the body builder or weight lifter supplements used commonly by those athletes. None of them are steroids or human growth hormone directly, but may alter the body’s chemical composition and thus alter a drug test.
It would appear Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers may have run afoul of ingesting something felt to be harmless that may or may not have been on the list, but produced a positive result for elevated testosterone levels. Or maybe he didn’t do anything.
That is where the leaking of the results of his October test is so wrong. About 2.5% of all males have what are called significantly above normal testosterone levels naturally. One test proves nothing was done wrong by the NL MVP.
Testosterone levels are also usually elevated by athletes who lift weights. The body produces more testosterone on its own. Athletes lift weights. When was Braun’s sample taken?
Could Braun have taken a supplement he should not have, like the frequently advertised on sports radio stations, “Ageless Male” which claims to raise testosterone levels up to 61%? Could he have taken something else? Could he have taken nothing?
All of those are possibilities, but until it is known for sure, it is wrong to be assuming Braun will be suspended for the first 50 games in 2012 until all the facts are in.
Astros have Plenty of Players to Compete, but Which Ones Will Succeed?
News that Astro catcher Jason Castro has been sidelined with a broken bone in his foot and won’t be ready to play at the outset of spring training is not good news for the club—or for Castro. The former first round draftee had a taste of the major leagues in 2010, but showed he was not quite ready. He showed a good eye at the plate, but had little success in actually collecting many hits. Yet, his defensive skills showed promise and there was hope he would take the starting job in 2011 and never look back. Of course, he went down with a knee injury last spring and missed the whole season.
He would not have been able to help too much in keeping the Astros from the on field disaster that was 2011, but he would have gained needed experience. Depending on how well he heals this time he will have that chance again. The Astros, though, in making a wise signing by bringing back Humberto Quintero at least have the position covered by a veteran.
In fact, it could be expected that Quintero and Castro would share the job with Castro getting most of the starts in part due to his left handed bat anyway. In the rebuilding of the Astros the club has to learn if Castro is the man just as they have to learn if J.D. Martinez, Jose Altuve, Jimmy Paredes, Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace can be significant major leaguers.
Next spring will be most focused on the pitching staff. There are enough candidates to fill regular lineup slots. Sure, some of them won’t make it ultimately, but the team is going to give the “kids” a long look as part of “the plan.” Fans should expect the Astros to used addition by subtraction as the immediate goal.
The subtractions will be the contracts of Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Carlos Lee. The latter is most unlikely since the usual ploy for getting a player to waive a no trade clause or 10-5 rights is the promise of a new contract extension with his new team. In Carlos’ case he has shown no indication he plans on playing after his current contract expires after 2012.
Of course, Roy Oswalt said that a few years ago, too. He has apparently changed his mind and may be seeking a new contract as a free agent.
If one or two of the “Big Money Three” can be sent elsewhere with potential major league talent returning the 2012 Astros could free some cash to find a shortstop if they wished, but right now it would appear that is not the plan. Angel Sanchez likely will be listed as #1 on the shortstop depth chart into the spring.
It may not even be Christmas yet and even the Winter Baseball Dinner is more than a month away, but it is never to early to be talking baseball. Remember, it is the GAME that is the thing. We can only hope the on field results will show improvement in 2012 and that hope for better times can reasonably be expected.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
So Astros Have Problems at C and SS...Nothing New!
When will Jason Castro be able to show what he can really do in the major leagues? Who will be the Astros regular shortstop in 2012? Among many other questions those are two signficant queries in the minds of fans.
Castro has a broken bone in his foot that has been surgically repaired. Similar to the injury that started Jeff Keppinger's season late in 2011 Castro hopes to be cleared to play before spring training is over. In the meantime the club has re-signed Humberto Quintero. The latter was a good move. "Q" proved his worth in 2011. Whether he starts four games a week or fewer once Castro can play, Quintero works well with pitchers and is not an automatic out at the plate.
Castro has the biggest upside if he ever gets a chance to prove it. Playing in the Arizona Instructional League--where he suffered his foot injury-- he had a good mini-season at the plate by hitting in the .280s with a .400+ on base percentage.
As for shortstop put your money on Angel Sanchez taking the starting job into spring training unless the Astros so something their current "plan" does not call for--signing a moderately priced free agent. Obviously some payroll flexibility would arise if the club can deal all/any of the "Big Dollar Three"-- Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers or Carlos Lee.
Of that trio Lee would be the toughest to deal due to his contract and ability to decline any deals. Myers might be the most desireable for the Astros to trade for reasons not only financial, but Rodriguez would be the most desireable by others to acquire.
All three of those players are fully capable of helping the Astros win games now and would leave some shoes to fill. Yet, if GM Jeff Luhnow can engineer moves to clear salary and acquire potential major league players in return those empty shoes would be worth it. Fans have to remember the Astros want to be better than in 2011, but they don't want to mortgage long term success just to win ten or 15 more games.
The process of building a long term successful club simply takes time. It takes numbers. It takes many minor league prospects fighting for playing time. It takes competition on both the major league and minor league level to find the players who can handle the job and succeed in the major leagues.
There is a decent chance that a number of players will come and go in the next few years. At some point--if the depth in the system is strong enough--real major league players, some of them potential stars-- will surface.
Sticking with "the plan" is the key. Not being bothered by what the Cubs or Cards or Brewers are doing (or starting in 2013 the Rangers, Angels or Mariners) but sticking with the building process is the key.
No one knows how long it will take for the Astros to be a contender again. No one knows how soon or which crop of young players will be the one to do it. Astros management and fans just have to have faith in "the plan."
Castro has a broken bone in his foot that has been surgically repaired. Similar to the injury that started Jeff Keppinger's season late in 2011 Castro hopes to be cleared to play before spring training is over. In the meantime the club has re-signed Humberto Quintero. The latter was a good move. "Q" proved his worth in 2011. Whether he starts four games a week or fewer once Castro can play, Quintero works well with pitchers and is not an automatic out at the plate.
Castro has the biggest upside if he ever gets a chance to prove it. Playing in the Arizona Instructional League--where he suffered his foot injury-- he had a good mini-season at the plate by hitting in the .280s with a .400+ on base percentage.
As for shortstop put your money on Angel Sanchez taking the starting job into spring training unless the Astros so something their current "plan" does not call for--signing a moderately priced free agent. Obviously some payroll flexibility would arise if the club can deal all/any of the "Big Dollar Three"-- Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers or Carlos Lee.
Of that trio Lee would be the toughest to deal due to his contract and ability to decline any deals. Myers might be the most desireable for the Astros to trade for reasons not only financial, but Rodriguez would be the most desireable by others to acquire.
All three of those players are fully capable of helping the Astros win games now and would leave some shoes to fill. Yet, if GM Jeff Luhnow can engineer moves to clear salary and acquire potential major league players in return those empty shoes would be worth it. Fans have to remember the Astros want to be better than in 2011, but they don't want to mortgage long term success just to win ten or 15 more games.
The process of building a long term successful club simply takes time. It takes numbers. It takes many minor league prospects fighting for playing time. It takes competition on both the major league and minor league level to find the players who can handle the job and succeed in the major leagues.
There is a decent chance that a number of players will come and go in the next few years. At some point--if the depth in the system is strong enough--real major league players, some of them potential stars-- will surface.
Sticking with "the plan" is the key. Not being bothered by what the Cubs or Cards or Brewers are doing (or starting in 2013 the Rangers, Angels or Mariners) but sticking with the building process is the key.
No one knows how long it will take for the Astros to be a contender again. No one knows how soon or which crop of young players will be the one to do it. Astros management and fans just have to have faith in "the plan."
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Texans Comeback
Ousts Sumlin Move as Biggest Weekend Story
There was a lot of sports
news over the past weekend. But in
this corner one story stands out.
Sure Robert Griffin winning the Heisman or the Texans AFC South clinching
at Cincinnati or Sam Houston State moving on were big. And how about Ryan Braun of the Brewers
who may be facing an MLB suspension?
To most t he number one
story is the Texans, but everyone will have an opinion on the comeback in Cincinnati so I will leave that
story to others.
Personally, I think the move of Kevin Sumlin from
Houston to Texas A&M has the longest
shelf life. It can’t
compare to what the Texans did Sunday at the top news, but is very important to
two college football programs.
Sumlin moving on may be disappointing to Cougar fans, but they must admit
the days of Bill Yeoman or Guy V. Lewis making a long career exclusively on
Cullen Boulevard is over.
Until the Cougars are truly
one of the “big dogs” in college sports they will be in that middle level, where success brings other schools to
their doorstep seeking to “steal” their head coaches. That is the way things are now with no end in sight.
Yes, Cougar fans, it is
disgusting that contracts are broken and that fans have to recognize the
reality the school is not on the football level of Texas A&M or teams in
the Big 12. Until Houston can
build their new stadium and fill it every game, that will be the case.
The move to a BCS qualifying
conference, the mis-named and geographically imperfect Big East is a positive
for Houston. Even without Sumlin
the football team should be competitive from the start. Any prayers should be reserved for
basketball coach James Dickey who has to take his team into one of the
strongest leagues in all of college basketball.
If the loss to Southern Miss
did anything it may have delayed the announcement of Sumlin being the new head
man with the Aggies. Had Houston
won that game the school might have had more money to toss in his direction,
but Sumlin would have certainly had to pass. Texas A&M continues to be one of the sleeping giants in
college sports. Sumlin knew all
about the place, having served on R. C. Slocum’s staff earlier in his
career.
Consider that job openings
in college football can be tricky to apply for and trickier to accept if
offered. The job needs to be the
right fit. Texas A&M is almost
a perfect fit for Sumlin. He isn’t
moving far. He already knows a lot about the program. And he already has contacts and a
recruiting feel for his primary area.
On top of that the immediate
future at Houston has to be at least a little in question. Yes, they will be moving to a BCS
conference and a plan to construct a new stadium is being formulated, but Case
Keenum is finally out of eligibility.
If Sumlin had anything to
do with making Keenum the star he was, the reverse must at least be considered.
Now was the time for Sumlin
to make the move.
Cougar Athletic Director
Mack Rhodes says a national search will be conducted for Sumlin’s
replacement. A national search may
result in another coach who would use Houston as a stepping stone, but as
Rhodes said, he wants a coach that will leave the program in better shape than
he left it. Art Briles did
that. Kevin Sumlin did that.
Hopefully, the next guy will
be able to do the same and with the Cougars in a new BSC conference and with a
new stadium the itch to move on won’t be quite so strong.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Jeff Luhnow Good Choice, but He will Still have to Face Pujols!
Astros New GM Ready to Keep with the Plan…Pujols Will Continue to be Astro Nemesis
While the Astros did not make much news of national interest at the recently concluded winter meetings that was expected. However, they did come out of the week with a new general manager and news that even the forced move to the AL won’t keep Albert Pujols from torturing local fans for years to come.
The good news is that the GM job has been filled by Jeff Luhnow who is exactly the type of GM Astros ownership wants to conduct the restructuring of the team. Luhnow will be in his first GM job, but his background over his eight years in baseball working exclusively in scouting and player development is exactly the club’s primary focus. It didn’t hurt that he was with the Cardinals who won a couple of World Series and were competitive for the division title every year. The bottom line is still winning. The Cardinals did and many of the young players from their system were key cogs.
It should also be encouraging that the new Astro regime is convinced they can build a winner from within and recapture the hearts of Astro fans. Changing plans in mid stream is not in the forecast. To a man, the new Astro ownership acknowledges things may still take a year or more before extensive improvement is seen. They will not panic if revenue does not take a big jump immediately.
What the Astros did in the Rule V draft is instructive. They acquired another hard throwing pitcher in reliever Rhiner Cruz. Starting last season the team has started to focus on pitchers of high potential thanks to their live arms. Cruz has not pitched higher than in double A so far, but has been strong in winter ball against mostly higher level competition. He has to earn a spot on the club in the spring or be offered back, but he is coming to a camp that will be wide open.
The other draftee was a Cub farm system shortstop who was blocked by young Starlin Castro on the big club and acquired by the Red Sox in the Rule V, then traded to the Astros. Marwin Gonzalez also has to make the club or be offered back to Boston, but like Cruz he has a chance. The Astro shortstop position is currently—on paper at least—in the hands of Angel Sanchez. Sanchez did a great job starting last season while Clint Barmes was waiting for an injury to heal, but faded after he started to see less action. His shortcomings in defense range, arm strength, foot speed and power were evident. If Gonzalez can show enough in the spring he would have a change to stick and win the job. He has experience as high as triple A and his .284 combined in AA and AAA in 2011.
Naturally neither of the Astro Rule V acquisitions were of any focus nationally but there is no reason to worry. Some guy named Pujols signed a 10 year $254-million contract. That took center stage. While Cardinal fans were dismayed it may turn out to be the best thing for both the Cards and Pujols. For the Cards the price and length was too great. Actually, the offer they made for Albert was hefty and that should be noted by Cardinal fans. But it was about $50-million less than the Angels laid out. So the Cards don’t have to pay—or play Albert for ten years that are unlikely to be a happy full ten years. Since the crackdown on PEDs doing big things after the age of 35 is becoming less common.
Meanwhile, Pujols moves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League. Oh, and here is a future trivia question. When Pujols career ends what opponent will he have faced the most in his career? You got it. The Astros—ding ding ding! Certainly one of his most famous home runs was hit off the Astros and Brad Lidge in 2005 and starting in 2013 he will be facing them again in the same division, but different league.
Moving to the AL makes the most sense for Pujols with a contract that will take him past his 40th birthday. Already slowing down in the field, in large part due to injuries in recent years, he can serve as a DH in the latter stages of that ten year pact. The Cardinals, had they re-signed him, would have been face with putting a below par defender on the field.
As for the Cardinals the franchise is strong. They have a veteran to play first base for a year or two in Lance Berkman. They have some of those youngsters who were scouted and or developed during Jeff Luhnow’s years with St. Louis ready to gain more playing time. The pitching staff will again be strong enough. And they won’t be spending more than $20-million in 2012 on one player. The Cards will miss Pujols and all he has done for them, but they will be far from destitute.
Meanwhile, the Astro plan is being followed. They won’t be making any big free agent deals like the Cards or Angels offered. Impatient fans and those still upset about the move to the American League in 2013 will take some convincing that this is the way to go. But if the “plan” starts to bear fruit, those same fans will be ready to take a taste for sure. No matter which direction a team takes it is a risk. The direction the Astros are going is less of one. Baseball is a game of percentages. The Astros are playing them.
While the Astros did not make much news of national interest at the recently concluded winter meetings that was expected. However, they did come out of the week with a new general manager and news that even the forced move to the AL won’t keep Albert Pujols from torturing local fans for years to come.
The good news is that the GM job has been filled by Jeff Luhnow who is exactly the type of GM Astros ownership wants to conduct the restructuring of the team. Luhnow will be in his first GM job, but his background over his eight years in baseball working exclusively in scouting and player development is exactly the club’s primary focus. It didn’t hurt that he was with the Cardinals who won a couple of World Series and were competitive for the division title every year. The bottom line is still winning. The Cardinals did and many of the young players from their system were key cogs.
It should also be encouraging that the new Astro regime is convinced they can build a winner from within and recapture the hearts of Astro fans. Changing plans in mid stream is not in the forecast. To a man, the new Astro ownership acknowledges things may still take a year or more before extensive improvement is seen. They will not panic if revenue does not take a big jump immediately.
What the Astros did in the Rule V draft is instructive. They acquired another hard throwing pitcher in reliever Rhiner Cruz. Starting last season the team has started to focus on pitchers of high potential thanks to their live arms. Cruz has not pitched higher than in double A so far, but has been strong in winter ball against mostly higher level competition. He has to earn a spot on the club in the spring or be offered back, but he is coming to a camp that will be wide open.
The other draftee was a Cub farm system shortstop who was blocked by young Starlin Castro on the big club and acquired by the Red Sox in the Rule V, then traded to the Astros. Marwin Gonzalez also has to make the club or be offered back to Boston, but like Cruz he has a chance. The Astro shortstop position is currently—on paper at least—in the hands of Angel Sanchez. Sanchez did a great job starting last season while Clint Barmes was waiting for an injury to heal, but faded after he started to see less action. His shortcomings in defense range, arm strength, foot speed and power were evident. If Gonzalez can show enough in the spring he would have a change to stick and win the job. He has experience as high as triple A and his .284 combined in AA and AAA in 2011.
Naturally neither of the Astro Rule V acquisitions were of any focus nationally but there is no reason to worry. Some guy named Pujols signed a 10 year $254-million contract. That took center stage. While Cardinal fans were dismayed it may turn out to be the best thing for both the Cards and Pujols. For the Cards the price and length was too great. Actually, the offer they made for Albert was hefty and that should be noted by Cardinal fans. But it was about $50-million less than the Angels laid out. So the Cards don’t have to pay—or play Albert for ten years that are unlikely to be a happy full ten years. Since the crackdown on PEDs doing big things after the age of 35 is becoming less common.
Meanwhile, Pujols moves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League. Oh, and here is a future trivia question. When Pujols career ends what opponent will he have faced the most in his career? You got it. The Astros—ding ding ding! Certainly one of his most famous home runs was hit off the Astros and Brad Lidge in 2005 and starting in 2013 he will be facing them again in the same division, but different league.
Moving to the AL makes the most sense for Pujols with a contract that will take him past his 40th birthday. Already slowing down in the field, in large part due to injuries in recent years, he can serve as a DH in the latter stages of that ten year pact. The Cardinals, had they re-signed him, would have been face with putting a below par defender on the field.
As for the Cardinals the franchise is strong. They have a veteran to play first base for a year or two in Lance Berkman. They have some of those youngsters who were scouted and or developed during Jeff Luhnow’s years with St. Louis ready to gain more playing time. The pitching staff will again be strong enough. And they won’t be spending more than $20-million in 2012 on one player. The Cards will miss Pujols and all he has done for them, but they will be far from destitute.
Meanwhile, the Astro plan is being followed. They won’t be making any big free agent deals like the Cards or Angels offered. Impatient fans and those still upset about the move to the American League in 2013 will take some convincing that this is the way to go. But if the “plan” starts to bear fruit, those same fans will be ready to take a taste for sure. No matter which direction a team takes it is a risk. The direction the Astros are going is less of one. Baseball is a game of percentages. The Astros are playing them.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Astro GM Candidates Not Big Names but Qualified
Maybe You Haven’t Heard of Them, but Astros Have Solid GM Candidates
Sports fans are often suckers for big names. Big name players, big name managers, big name coaches and even GMs. Some owners are suckers for them, too. But history has shown the so-called big names don’t always add up to the best hires.
Had anyone heard of Jon Daniels, Brian Cashman, Theo Esptein or Andrew Friedman before they were hired by the Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox or Rays respectively? You can be sure fans in those cities were not happy that more established big names were by passed.
Yet none of the franchises that hired those “unknowns” has ever regretted doing so. The Astros may be about to do the same thing.
When Ed Wade was let go, many fans and some sports writers started tossing out big names. Mostly it was candidates that had either already been a GM or had been rumored so often about being in the next wave of hires their names were recognized.
That would not have automatically made any of them the right hire. The Astros are heavily interviewing candidates with major league experience who have the deepest grasp on scouting and building solid farm systems. They are not looking for GM candidates who have negotiated a number of big dollar free agent contracts or even who have been involved in making major league trades. They no doubt have had some contact with candidates of that level and if the right person were available would not likely automatically rule them out. But their goal is to build. The big time free agents and blockbuster major league deals will come later.
They want someone who can follow the plan to build the entire baseball organization into something that can get back to a level competitive with the top teams in their league and sustain that level for years. A chance to win a pennant now and then is also the goal.
Of the names that have leaked out and who have been interviewed shows the Astro direction. J.J. Picollo is the assistant GM of Scouting and Player Development with the Royals. Jeff Luhnow holds a similar dual role with the World Champion Cardinals. Bill Geivett is a senior vice-president for scouting and player development with the Rockies. Logan White is the head of scouting for the Dodgers.
Notice that three of the four come from a scouting and development background. White has been only in scouting, but the Dodgers have been very successful in that area. Scouting and development is what the Astros want to emphasize.
Geivett has the most extensive background. He has been with the Rockies eleven seasons and before that worked for the Dodgers and Tampa Bay in development or scouting roles after starting in pro ball as a scout for the Yankees.
Luhnow has the least experience, not getting into baseball till 2003. He has also only worked for one organization, but the Cardinals obviously have had great success with a heavily home grown contingent of players.
If Picollo has a problem it may be that the Royals have not been one of baseball’s more successful franchises in recent years. However, his resume includes working for the Braves as director of minor league operations.
While White’s background does not include working directly in the development area he comes highly regarded.
This is where the personal interviews make the difference. Geivett, on paper, would seem to have the most extensive background and experience. Luhnow has been working as a key cog in a winning organization. Picollo’s Royals had five of baseball’s top 25 prospects heading into 2011.
All of the candidates in interviews published by Baseball America in recent years are advocates of the “new” job description of GM. They know it is important in incorporate traditional scouting methods with computerized analysis in everything involving players
While Jim Crane and/or George Postolos have had interaction with more than just these four candidates I have chosen to highlight here, it is not a stretch to think these four represent the type of back grounded person that is being targeted. Could a so-call “big name” still be part of the mix? Maybe, but the goal will be the same with whoever gets the job. Build the Astros back from within.
A major league baseball general manager is the front office face of the club. The interview process should be able to tell which of the Astro candidates would be best suited for that role. It is not as important as drafting and developing the right players. But it is an important part of the job. Being able to communicate with the media and thus the fans to let everyone know the Astros are determined to make the team winners again as quickly as possible is the goal. It’s all part of the plan.
Sports fans are often suckers for big names. Big name players, big name managers, big name coaches and even GMs. Some owners are suckers for them, too. But history has shown the so-called big names don’t always add up to the best hires.
Had anyone heard of Jon Daniels, Brian Cashman, Theo Esptein or Andrew Friedman before they were hired by the Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox or Rays respectively? You can be sure fans in those cities were not happy that more established big names were by passed.
Yet none of the franchises that hired those “unknowns” has ever regretted doing so. The Astros may be about to do the same thing.
When Ed Wade was let go, many fans and some sports writers started tossing out big names. Mostly it was candidates that had either already been a GM or had been rumored so often about being in the next wave of hires their names were recognized.
That would not have automatically made any of them the right hire. The Astros are heavily interviewing candidates with major league experience who have the deepest grasp on scouting and building solid farm systems. They are not looking for GM candidates who have negotiated a number of big dollar free agent contracts or even who have been involved in making major league trades. They no doubt have had some contact with candidates of that level and if the right person were available would not likely automatically rule them out. But their goal is to build. The big time free agents and blockbuster major league deals will come later.
They want someone who can follow the plan to build the entire baseball organization into something that can get back to a level competitive with the top teams in their league and sustain that level for years. A chance to win a pennant now and then is also the goal.
Of the names that have leaked out and who have been interviewed shows the Astro direction. J.J. Picollo is the assistant GM of Scouting and Player Development with the Royals. Jeff Luhnow holds a similar dual role with the World Champion Cardinals. Bill Geivett is a senior vice-president for scouting and player development with the Rockies. Logan White is the head of scouting for the Dodgers.
Notice that three of the four come from a scouting and development background. White has been only in scouting, but the Dodgers have been very successful in that area. Scouting and development is what the Astros want to emphasize.
Geivett has the most extensive background. He has been with the Rockies eleven seasons and before that worked for the Dodgers and Tampa Bay in development or scouting roles after starting in pro ball as a scout for the Yankees.
Luhnow has the least experience, not getting into baseball till 2003. He has also only worked for one organization, but the Cardinals obviously have had great success with a heavily home grown contingent of players.
If Picollo has a problem it may be that the Royals have not been one of baseball’s more successful franchises in recent years. However, his resume includes working for the Braves as director of minor league operations.
While White’s background does not include working directly in the development area he comes highly regarded.
This is where the personal interviews make the difference. Geivett, on paper, would seem to have the most extensive background and experience. Luhnow has been working as a key cog in a winning organization. Picollo’s Royals had five of baseball’s top 25 prospects heading into 2011.
All of the candidates in interviews published by Baseball America in recent years are advocates of the “new” job description of GM. They know it is important in incorporate traditional scouting methods with computerized analysis in everything involving players
While Jim Crane and/or George Postolos have had interaction with more than just these four candidates I have chosen to highlight here, it is not a stretch to think these four represent the type of back grounded person that is being targeted. Could a so-call “big name” still be part of the mix? Maybe, but the goal will be the same with whoever gets the job. Build the Astros back from within.
A major league baseball general manager is the front office face of the club. The interview process should be able to tell which of the Astro candidates would be best suited for that role. It is not as important as drafting and developing the right players. But it is an important part of the job. Being able to communicate with the media and thus the fans to let everyone know the Astros are determined to make the team winners again as quickly as possible is the goal. It’s all part of the plan.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Big Game Sat for Sumlin, but Will that End It?
Timing is Everything for Coaches on the Move
If the University of Houston is about to lose another head football coach to a higher level the timing is perfect for Kevin Sumlin. The opening of the Texas A&M Aggie job may be the job that makes his departure for U-H more certain.
The Aggies let Mike Sherman go after a 6-6 season that included at least four games that should not have been lost. The clincher to the end of the 25-25 four year Sherman run likely was the 27-25 loss to Texas in a game the Aggies lost another lead and had been the better team for most of the game.
That it was the last game, for a few years at least, between the two massive schools located less than 100 miles apart made it worse. It was a wrenching loss for Aggie fans most notably those who were so incensed at Texas for starting their own TV network that they pushed for departure from the Big 12 and membership in the SEC.
Had A&M finished 7-5, BUT had won the Texas game—even with the other blown leads—Sherman would likely have been safe.
Maybe that one loss will be a big one—in a positive sense—for the Aggies long term. It may work out well for UH’s Sumlin, too.
Sumlin immediately becomes a candidate to replace Sherman just 90 miles up the road in College Station. His Cougars are 12-0 and set to battle Southern Mississippi for the C-USA crown on Saturday. Also in the balance—besides the Aggie job perhaps—is a slot in a big dollar BCS bowl game for the Cougars with a win.
Southern Miss won’t go to a BCS bowl if they upset the Cougars and kill their chances. They would be the league rep at the Liberty Bowl, but their coach, Larry Fedora, may be able to capitalize on a victory into a newer and bigger job himself. Some have reported he is a viable A&M candidate.
If the Aggies elect to pursue Kevin Sumlin it would not put a hurting on their in-state recruiting. Sumlin spent time on the Oklahoma staff for years recruiting Texas before winning the Houston job. Recruiting Texas is crucial for the Ags. Yet, there are questions.
The biggest question about Sumlin is his greatest player. When Case Keenum, a recruit of current Baylor and former UH coach Art Briles, missed last season with injury the Cougars fell under .500. Back for a final season, Keenum has not only wiped out all Cougar and national passing records but has led Houston to unprecedented heights.
How good is Sumlin’s coaching without Keenum? Until midway through this season his defenses have not been strong. Certainly the head coach doesn’t handle the details of either offense or defense. But he hires the assistants that do and has over sight over both.
If I sound like I am playing a devil’s advocate a bit I am. Sherman’s team failings are right there on the scoreboard. Sumlin’s successes are a bit harder to fully judge when one looks very closely.
There is no question Sumlin is a “hot” coach. The record shows that and what has been achieved at U-H under is leadership is on the record. It just takes further inspection than just 12-0 to make the call.
Arizona State and North Carolina have been reported as other schools interested in Sumlin. They would pay more and be in BCS conferences. But the higher paycheck would be their only real advantages. Neither has been a power in their leagues in football. The Aggies are a sleeping giant (who have really been in more of a coma in football) waiting to show they deserve the support and loyalty their fans and alums have given them for years.
As much as any job can be, Texas A&M would be a perfect fit for Kevin Sumlin and the school if he is determined to make a move up.
Cougar fans will say, “What about us?”, but they must realize their position in the college football world. They continue to be in a building mode until they secure a newly renovated and enlarged stadium and a home in a BCS league. (The Big East is coming, but can it hold onto its BCS status is a question.) Until then when they have success their coaches will always be sought by established programs.
For Kevin Sumlin the biggest gamble for him is not choosing between Texas A&M and Arizona State or whomever. It would be to stay at U-H. He would have to win with a club that will be rebuilding in a number of positions and without Case Keenum. If he failed his chances of going “big time” may be gone or at best delayed.
This happens in sports all the time. But don’t fret for those who pass on the brass ring either. Most don’t make the move for very human reasons. They like or even love the job where they are. Families don’t want to relocate. The jump in salary does not rule their lives. We have many examples of that in sports, too. So if Sumlin for some reason does not leave Houston don’t be critical. Maybe he likes it here. From this corner Texas A&M is the only job he should consider for the right reasons. It is still a sleeping giant no matter what conference it calls home.
If the University of Houston is about to lose another head football coach to a higher level the timing is perfect for Kevin Sumlin. The opening of the Texas A&M Aggie job may be the job that makes his departure for U-H more certain.
The Aggies let Mike Sherman go after a 6-6 season that included at least four games that should not have been lost. The clincher to the end of the 25-25 four year Sherman run likely was the 27-25 loss to Texas in a game the Aggies lost another lead and had been the better team for most of the game.
That it was the last game, for a few years at least, between the two massive schools located less than 100 miles apart made it worse. It was a wrenching loss for Aggie fans most notably those who were so incensed at Texas for starting their own TV network that they pushed for departure from the Big 12 and membership in the SEC.
Had A&M finished 7-5, BUT had won the Texas game—even with the other blown leads—Sherman would likely have been safe.
Maybe that one loss will be a big one—in a positive sense—for the Aggies long term. It may work out well for UH’s Sumlin, too.
Sumlin immediately becomes a candidate to replace Sherman just 90 miles up the road in College Station. His Cougars are 12-0 and set to battle Southern Mississippi for the C-USA crown on Saturday. Also in the balance—besides the Aggie job perhaps—is a slot in a big dollar BCS bowl game for the Cougars with a win.
Southern Miss won’t go to a BCS bowl if they upset the Cougars and kill their chances. They would be the league rep at the Liberty Bowl, but their coach, Larry Fedora, may be able to capitalize on a victory into a newer and bigger job himself. Some have reported he is a viable A&M candidate.
If the Aggies elect to pursue Kevin Sumlin it would not put a hurting on their in-state recruiting. Sumlin spent time on the Oklahoma staff for years recruiting Texas before winning the Houston job. Recruiting Texas is crucial for the Ags. Yet, there are questions.
The biggest question about Sumlin is his greatest player. When Case Keenum, a recruit of current Baylor and former UH coach Art Briles, missed last season with injury the Cougars fell under .500. Back for a final season, Keenum has not only wiped out all Cougar and national passing records but has led Houston to unprecedented heights.
How good is Sumlin’s coaching without Keenum? Until midway through this season his defenses have not been strong. Certainly the head coach doesn’t handle the details of either offense or defense. But he hires the assistants that do and has over sight over both.
If I sound like I am playing a devil’s advocate a bit I am. Sherman’s team failings are right there on the scoreboard. Sumlin’s successes are a bit harder to fully judge when one looks very closely.
There is no question Sumlin is a “hot” coach. The record shows that and what has been achieved at U-H under is leadership is on the record. It just takes further inspection than just 12-0 to make the call.
Arizona State and North Carolina have been reported as other schools interested in Sumlin. They would pay more and be in BCS conferences. But the higher paycheck would be their only real advantages. Neither has been a power in their leagues in football. The Aggies are a sleeping giant (who have really been in more of a coma in football) waiting to show they deserve the support and loyalty their fans and alums have given them for years.
As much as any job can be, Texas A&M would be a perfect fit for Kevin Sumlin and the school if he is determined to make a move up.
Cougar fans will say, “What about us?”, but they must realize their position in the college football world. They continue to be in a building mode until they secure a newly renovated and enlarged stadium and a home in a BCS league. (The Big East is coming, but can it hold onto its BCS status is a question.) Until then when they have success their coaches will always be sought by established programs.
For Kevin Sumlin the biggest gamble for him is not choosing between Texas A&M and Arizona State or whomever. It would be to stay at U-H. He would have to win with a club that will be rebuilding in a number of positions and without Case Keenum. If he failed his chances of going “big time” may be gone or at best delayed.
This happens in sports all the time. But don’t fret for those who pass on the brass ring either. Most don’t make the move for very human reasons. They like or even love the job where they are. Families don’t want to relocate. The jump in salary does not rule their lives. We have many examples of that in sports, too. So if Sumlin for some reason does not leave Houston don’t be critical. Maybe he likes it here. From this corner Texas A&M is the only job he should consider for the right reasons. It is still a sleeping giant no matter what conference it calls home.
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