the press box Blog

Your local nine is on a tear lately with some late inning heroics.   Lance Berkman is playing like an MVP and the rest of the offense is scoring just enough runs to make you forget about the team's still shaky starting rotation and bullpen.

Most importantly, they're back above .500 and within reach of first place.

Question is: Are the Astros really that good(beating the Nats and Brewers at home should be expected) or is this team building up false hope?

At least they're peeking our interests.

Former UH RB Anthony Alridge (Fox26 blogger) wasn't drafted but he did sign as a free agent with the Denver Broncos.

All the best Quick!

One things for sure, Texans fans are hungry for a winner!   I was at Draft Day at Reliant Stadium and there was an impressive showing of fans and friends.   Heck, folks were even tailgating!

However the good times were dampened a bit for a few Texans when Team 32 drafted offensive tackle Duane Brown of Virginia Tech.  The reaction we got was mixed.  Some didn't know who Brown was, others were looking for more of an impact player and some a few with sports knowledge put their trust in Gary and Rick.

I happen to think it's a solid choice with potential, although I was a big fan of RB Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois. 

The Texans made up in the RB category when they picked West Virginia's Steve Slaton on day two.  Jury's still out on this kid labeled by many scouts as a "one dimensional"  outside rusher.

It will be interesting to see if the two db's picked (molden and barber) on day two will help the team sooner than later.

And of course I'm a huge fan of Washington State QB Alex Brink.  He's no Drew Bledsoe and he's not Ryan Leaf, but he did end up as Wazzu's leading passer in yards and TD's.  The kid is tough and his guts will make him a fan favorite...if he makes the team.

Grade C+ 

There's a big showdown Saturday night and I'm not talking about Game One between the Rockets and Jazz.

It's in the ring between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe.   Both of these guys mean business and i expect this to be the fight of the year (so far).

Calzaghe is from Great Britain and promises to prove himself the best boxer pound for pound.   The super middleweight champ says, "I'm going to kick his butt in front of all his fans.  I'll smash him to pieces and show everyone just how good I really am."

Dems fighting words!

The 41yr old Hopkins is a legend and future HOFer.  "The Executioner"  always brings his Philly flavor to the squared circle.  He's won his last two fights, beating Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver for the light heavyweight title.

I watched a preview to this bout and let me tell ya, it's gonna be a donny brook in Sin City!

It's not TV.  It's HBO.

Shout out to all boxing aficionado's,  who ya got?

The other night the Astros got a tremendous performance from  starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez.

After the game,  manager Cecil Cooper said Wa-Rod had great "mound presence."

Meaning he had great command on the hill, he was in control of his game and he knew what to throw in certain situations to certain hitters.

That night in my sports minute I joked my date said I had great "mound presence"  as a wink and a nod to Cooper's analysis.

The story was made up.  It was a joke!  It got a good laugh from the studio, and yet I caught some grief for it.  Some folks have dirty minds.   

Which got me to thinking.....some people need to Lighten UP!

(Actually I'm more offended that I haven't had a date in months!)

Yours truly,
Lenny Bruce

Seems like Astros SS Miguel Tijada is two years older than we all thought he was! He admitted to lying about his age when he first came up to the majors.   Now this is a common practice among Latino ballplayers.  For Tejada it was a quicker way out of his poverty stricken home in the DR. The actual age of many Latin American players is an inside joke around many major league clubhouses.

At least he's not this dude,

Danny Almonte lied about his age and was busted during the Little League World Series.  He said he was 12 and had false documentation to back it up.  Come to find out later that he was actually 14.  His team had to forfeit their wins and a third place finish.  His performance, including a perfect game, was erased from the record books.

No such punishment for Tejada, but he let this coast for how many years?  C'mon Miguel, you coulda let this cat out of the bag a long time ago.  Shaddy, but nothing to be ashamed of.

Besides he's off to a youthful start this season.

When's the last time you lied about your age and why?

Houston honored another sports legend the other night.  Hakeem Olajuwon forever immortalized in front of Toyota Center.

The Dream joins Biggio and Bagwell in front of Minute Maid.....

and the Texans have the Bull guarding Reliant Stadium...

Who else deserves a statue in Htown?

Big Ups and congrats to Crystle Stewart of Fort Bend County. After winning Miss Texas USA, she came on FOX Sports Xtra and got some FOX 26 karma for the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas.

Well, the karma worked (and she doesn't look shabby in a swimsuit or evening gown) and she won the title!

Here she is....Miss USA!

Forget about the Big Dance, here's my final four in sports couples.

Who are your winners?

Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian.

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo.

Tom Brady and Gisselle.

Tiger and Elin.

Posh and Becks.

You Make the Call.

When I stepped into Reliant Stadium I could hardly recognize the joint.   The transformation team did a great job in turning a football stadium into a basketball arena.

The media seats were awesome!  I have never been so close to the team's bench.  I had to dodge some of Tom Izzo's spit as he chewed out his players.  It was almost uncomfortable being so close, I felt I was eavesdropping on private conversations.

The atmosphere outside was missing the "buzz" of a big event,  but the scene inside made up for that.  Tracy McGrady, Magic Johnson, Sage Rosenfels, Amobi Okoye and Steve Mariuchi  were the celebs I sighted.  How did "Mooch" get better seats than Magic?

Longhorns fans dominated the crowd, but it was cool to see the smattering of Memphis Blue in the ocean of Burnt Orange Friday night.

Aside from some crazy NCAA rules (you had to drink your beverage in the "official cup" of the Tournament)  it was a cool experience.   And that's not even counting Sunday's game.

If you were able to attend the game, let me know your impressions of the action, arena and atmosphere.

Spring is in the air and so is Mr. Spaulding.

My bold picks for October:

AL East: Red Sox.

AL Central: Cleveland.

AL West: Angels.

WC: Mariners.

American League Pennant: Mariners over Red Sox.

NL East: Atlanta.

NL Central: Cubs.

NL West: Dodgers.

WC: Mets.

National League Pennant: Dodgers over Braves.

World Series: Mariners over Dodgers.

Play Ball!

As of this writng (before the Dallas game) your hometown Rockets have strung together 16 straight wins.  That's a franchise record and the longest winning streak in the NBA.   You know the Rockets are playing well when you see the rich folks in the floor seats start standing up and cheering.   The faithful are always cheering.

There is a special "something" going on with this team.  They are a true "team" that's coming together even without Yao.  Heck, under Adelman's system they may even be more efficient offensively without having to set up plays in the post.

The buzz is back and the Rockets are getting the attention they deserve on the National scene.

Nothing lasts forever, but the streak is a great mental boost that could be a factor come playoff time. 

Remember, in the playoffs the first team to 16 wins the NBA title.

How bout those Rockets now?!

Some nice trades before the deadline and it appears they're not done tweaking the roster just yet.

How do you think the team will do with the additions of Bobby Jackson & Gerald Green?

The Rockets are one of the hottest team's going right now with Yao and Tracy getting some great support from Rafer Alston, Luis Scola and Carl Landry.

From March 6th on the team will play some top competition in Dallas, New Orleans, Lakers, Celtics and Suns.

Can they keep the good times rolling?

The noose appears to be getting tighter and tighter around the necks of Roger Clemens and Bill Belichick.

Roger said he was never at the Canseco party and yet reports claim that there are pictures floating around that show Clemens at the party.  If that's the case, Roger lied under oath in front of Congress.

Meanwhile, Belichick says he never authorized any walk thru videos shot and yet the "Specter" of disgruntled former Patriots employee Matt Walsh still hangs over the 21st Century's model franchise.

Who do you believe?

And if you don't, who falls first?

The Patriots failure to finish a 19-0 season is one of the epic shortcomings of all time.

I mean, this is like landing on the moon and no one getting out!

It's like George Lucas not doing the prequel.

Abbott and Costello stopping at 2nd base.

The Chappelle Show.

The Sopranos ending.

Barry Sanders retiring.

Prince Charles and Diana's marraige.

Arrested Development.(the group and the series)

The 2004 NY Yankees.

At least that put a smile on my face. :-)