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Baseball
Ortiz Released, 'Stros Call Up Gervacio
Mark Fagan
Fri Jul 31, 4:50pm
Following a pounding by the Cubs yesterday (nine hits and nine earned runs in 2.1 innings), Russ Ortiz was released by the Houston Astros to much indifference amongst sports fans. To fill his spot on the roster Houston called up Round Rock Express right-hander Samuel "Sammy" Gervacio. This will be Gervacio's MLB debut, following ex-Express stud Bud Norris' introduction to the big leagues earlier in the week. Gervacio threw for a 2-2 record in 46.2 innings with a 5.40 ERA for Round Rock in 35 appearances this season. His numbers may not be that impressive, but he's held hitters to a .244 batting average with 48 strikeouts while allowing only 20 walks. Houston can use a pitcher who can find the strike zone after getting drubbed by the Cubs three out of the last four at Wrigley Field. The Astros begin a three-game series with the Cardinals tonight (7:15pm) in St. Louis where Norris is scheduled to start on Sunday (1:15pm) and Gervacio will finally get an opportunity to pitch in The Show.
Norris Makes MLB Debut
Mark Fagan
Thu Jul 30, 1:02pm
It probably wasn't the circumstances young Bud Norris dreamed of for his Major League Baseball debut – entering the game with the Astros trailing the Cubs 9-0 after four innings – but the setting was splendid, historic Wrigley Field, and his performance lived up to the hype. Norris threw 52 pitches (33 for strikes) in three innings allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts. With Roy Oswalt leaving Tuesday's game in the second inning with a back injury, Norris appears to be in line to take Oswalt's spot in the starting rotation. If the Wizard is still on the mend, Norris should get the nod Sunday in St. Louis vs. the Cardinals.
Norris Named PCL Pitcher of the Week
Mark Fagan
Thu Jun 25, 12:55pm
Astros fans looking for some good news during the struggling 2009 season need look no further than a young arm currently residing in Round Rock. Right-handed starting pitcher Bud Norris was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 15-21, and for good reason. Norris is currently riding the high of 19 consecutive shutout innings with a team low 2.11 ERA posting 82 strikeouts in 81 innings while only allowing 65 hits. He has pitched eight scoreless innings in each of his past two starts.
Rangers Surprise Fans With Good Pitching
Justin Sanders
Mon Jun 1, 5:46pm
Tags: MLB
Shhhhhh, don’t look now but the Texas Rangers are actually in first place in the AL West! It sounds weird doesn’t it? Usually, anyone who follows the Rangers can count on three columns in any given year about the team’s chances. The first is about how the pitching staff still sucks and breaks down and that's why they are off to yet another “slow” start. The second usually comes around the all-star break, when the Rangers somehow manage to get their act together and threaten to make a race of the AL West, while the final column is the obituary for another season of futility. In a nutshell, it sucks cheering for a team that never spends money on pitching and who hasn’t won a pennant in almost 10 years. But even die-hard pessimists have to admit that this years the team looks like the real deal … at least so far.
Backe to Rehab in Round Rock
Mark Fagan
Fri May 22, 3:09pm
Following a rehab outing with the Express on April 27, Brandon Backe is schedule to start for Round Rock this Saturday as they face the Colorado Sky Sox at 7:05pm. The Astros hope this will be his final minor-league appearance before returning to the parent club. The right-handed Galveston native pitched eight scoreless innings in his last appearance with the Corpus Christi Hooks on May 18. Backe suffered a strained intercostal muscle (chest) during spring training, further taxing Houston's already weak pitching staff. For ticket info, click here.
A-Roid
Justin Sanders
Wed Feb 25, 2:24pm
Tags: MLB
I don’t know about you, but when I heard the news that Alex Rodriguez had taken performance enhancing drugs while playing for the Texas Rangers, my reactions was, “Who the #$%@ cares.” Honestly, does it come as a shock to anyone when a professional baseball player is busted for taking steroids? These are professional athletes, who are some of the most competitive people on earth and are getting paid millions of dollars to play a game. The stakes are high and the pressure is intense, so when someone offers them a drug or a cream that will give them an advantage can we really be shocked when they take it?
MLB Network on the Air
Mark Fagan
Fri Jan 2, 3:11pm
Tags: MLB
It's only the second day of the year and 2009 is already looking better than '08. On January 1, 2009, the MLB Network began airing on Time Warner Cable Ch. 423 and DirecTV Ch. 213 – available at no extra charge to TWC digital-cable subscribers, unlike the NFL Network which is only available by subscription through DirecTV. I tuned in a couple hours ago and haven't changed the channel since. Lou Gehrig's courageous speech (baseball's Gettysburg Address), Roberto Clemente's tragic flight, Jackie Robinson's heroic debut as the first African-American player in the league, and Cal Ripken's epic consecutive-games-played streak are just a few of the stories I've seen today on the MLB Network. Happy New Year, baseball fans!
Texans and Astros Games Rescheduled/Postponed
Mark Fagan
Fri Sep 12, 10:54am
, 2008
Ike continues wreaking havoc on sports schedules this weekend with the announcement that the Houston Texans/Baltimore Ravens game set for 3:15pm Sunday at Reliant has been moved to Monday night at 7:30pm. The game will be broadcast locally on the radio at ESPN Austin 1530am but it appears local CBS affiliate KEYE will be airing their usual Monday-night dreck.
Astros Trade Reineke for Wolf
Mark Fagan
Tue Jul 22, 5:54pm
, 2008
Earlier today the Astros bolstered their struggling (and currently Roy Oswalt-less) starting rotation with the acquisition of left-hander Randy Wolf from the San Diego Padres. In return, the Padres received 26-year-old Round Rock Express right-hander Chad Reineke. This is a low-risk, low-reward deal for the Astros but should be useful in eating-up some innings down the homestretch. Reineke is a decent-enough minor-leaguer (5-9 with a 4.41 ERA on the year for RR) while Wolf is also an adequate, if unexceptional, big-leaguer (6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in '08 for the Padres). This is a solid move in acquiring a player Houston can utilize immediately for a player who isn't a major prospect within the organization. Do the Astros have any major prospects in their organization? I'll try and answer that question later in the week as I peruse the Express (and Corpus Christi Hooks) lineup for potential major-league help for my beloved Astros.
Three Cheers for the Alternative Softball League
Kristine Tofte
Tue Jul 15, 10:44am
, 2008
Tags: MLB
Make that two cheers for BookPeople, holding strong to that first place spot, and one for The Austin Chronicle, which is no longer in last place.
Phillies Trade Kendrick for Hot-Dog Champ
Mark Fagan
Tue Feb 19, 2:19pm
, 2008
In breaking news that is shocking Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies have traded starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (10-4, 3.87 ERA in 2007) to Japan for hot-dog-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi. Please see below for Kendrick's reaction to this unusual move.
Reputation. Image. Perception.
Christopher Bond
Thu Feb 7, 4:47pm
, 2008
Tags: MLB
When it comes to the world of sport, these three words are intertwined. An athlete’s reputation dictates an image. That image is based on how an athlete is perceived. This perception determines the reputation. When one is manipulated, all three go out the window.
The business that is Major League Baseball shouldn’t be any different. Or so it would seem.
Reputation.
In recent years, speculation over performance enhancing drugs has been at an all-time high. But how has this affected the reputation of Major League Baseball and its players? I think fans understand that the game makes the player; the player doesn’t make the game.
The business that is Major League Baseball shouldn’t be any different. Or so it would seem.
Reputation.
In recent years, speculation over performance enhancing drugs has been at an all-time high. But how has this affected the reputation of Major League Baseball and its players? I think fans understand that the game makes the player; the player doesn’t make the game.
Reggie Jackson to Speak at the Dell
Mark Fagan
Tue Jan 15, 5:41pm
, 2008
Hall of Famer (aka Mr. October) Reggie Jackson will be making a trip to Central Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 6 to headline the 2008 Round Rock Express Winter Baseball Banquet. Jackson will be speaking at the ceremony honoring the 2008 High School All-Star Team, Collegiate Pitcher and Player of the Year, Express Pitcher and Player of the Year, Professional Player of the Year, the James Keller Award recipient, and the Jackie Moore Lifetime Achievement Award winner. That's a lot of winners in one room. Jackson played in 2,820 regular-season games during his stellar career retiring with 563 home runs; 1,702 RBIs; and 2,584 hits. He swatted 10 homers in 27 World Series games, was a 14-time All-Star, one-time MVP, two-time World Series MVP (hence the Mr. October moniker), and four-time American League home run champ.
Sports Top 10s for 2007
Thu Jan 3, 11:44am
, 2008
In a year that was full of loss and disappointment (the tragic deaths of Mike Coolbaugh and Dennis Johnson, the Mitchell Report), there was never a shortage of sports stories and events to remind us of why we love these childish games so much. The numbers on the scoreboard are meaningful, but the tales and people surrounding them are often of greater importance and have a remarkable impact upon our lives. What follows is a list of 10 notable sports happenings of the last year that may have caught the attention of Austin-area sports lovers. Enjoy, and good luck in ’08.
1) In January the Austin Toros mascot, Da Bull, had his 15 minutes of fame, appearing on ESPN’s Cold Pizza after being suspended for two games and assessed 50 hours of community service for running onto the court with 0.4 seconds remaining in a game against Colorado and hanging from the rim, colliding with a 14ers player in the process. The Toros also inked a deal with the San Antonio Spurs later in the year, becoming their sole minor-league affiliate.
1) In January the Austin Toros mascot, Da Bull, had his 15 minutes of fame, appearing on ESPN’s Cold Pizza after being suspended for two games and assessed 50 hours of community service for running onto the court with 0.4 seconds remaining in a game against Colorado and hanging from the rim, colliding with a 14ers player in the process. The Toros also inked a deal with the San Antonio Spurs later in the year, becoming their sole minor-league affiliate.
Astros Trade Five for Tejada
Mark Fagan
Wed Dec 12, 12:48pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
The Astros may have jumped to Central Division faves overnight with the announcement of the acquisition of four-time All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada. Houston had to give up five players in return but it's worth it, no doubt. They should start printing those World Series tickets right now. Here's the players Baltimore received for their superstar shortstop: outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Michael Costanzo. I'd say the biggest blow to the franchise is losing highly-touted pitching prospect Patton, but still a small price to pay for a player of Tejada's talent. Take a look at some of Tejada's career stats: .287 batting ave., .344 on-base pct., .477 slugging, 258 homers, 1,033 RBIs, 2002 American League MVP, and numerous other awards. I guess that leaves Adam Everett and Chris Burke on the trading block. Time to start taking a look at that bullpen.
World Series: Red Sox in Five
John Hunt
Wed Oct 24, 1:22pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
The National League bores the crap out of me. I really wanted to see the Cubs go to the World Series but with Ted Lilly coming up to bat with the bases loaded I knew it was going to take a lot more luck. Something the Cubs aren’t really known for. I hear the arguments coming from the NL fans all the time how the AL has no panache because it’s all offense and there’s no trick to managing an AL team. My friend Doug calls it “pure baseball.” Just stop. Watching pitchers bat is more painful than watching Paul Byrd backpedal on his pious stance toward performance-enhancing drugs. More painful than realizing Gabe Kaplan playing poker interspersed by ads for Time Life’s Christian Rock series is slightly more entertaining than the Monday Night Football game between the Colts and Jags.
The Boston Red Sox are not going to sweep the World Series because they are going to lose Mike Lowell or Kevin Youkilis to allow Daisuke Matsuzaka to bat for the sake of purity. Yeah, I’m aware they can pinch-hit for him when he runs out of gas in the third inning, very funny. I guess if you like your games extra long, with tons of pitching changes and bench players hitting .158 with runners in scoring position … then this is your game. I also don’t trust the weather in Denver. If they have to plow the base paths it could really go either way for a couple of those games.
The Boston Red Sox are not going to sweep the World Series because they are going to lose Mike Lowell or Kevin Youkilis to allow Daisuke Matsuzaka to bat for the sake of purity. Yeah, I’m aware they can pinch-hit for him when he runs out of gas in the third inning, very funny. I guess if you like your games extra long, with tons of pitching changes and bench players hitting .158 with runners in scoring position … then this is your game. I also don’t trust the weather in Denver. If they have to plow the base paths it could really go either way for a couple of those games.
Red Sox Win It All and More Postseason Prognostication
John Hunt
Wed Oct 3, 1:18pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
Well that didn’t last long. I can’t believe we are already in the postseason. Where has the time gone? It’s been a while since I've checked in. I’ve had to put baseball on a list of to-dos while my wife and I spoil our new son rotten. It wasn’t until I unwrapped the Red Sox mobile that it even occurred to me it was time for the playoffs. Well, maybe that isn’t entirely true. I have watched a couple Red Sox games with my son.
The first game we watched was some forgettable loss to the Devil Rays that was broadcast by the morning zoo deejays Fox Sports Southeast cast as announcers. Dreadful, glad he slept through it. Our second game was a no-hitter thrown by Mr. Clay Buchholz of the East Texas Buchholz’s. Red Sox announcers Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo were phenomenal in their narration and the game was just surreal to watch happen.
If you missed it, the Red Sox September call-up Clay Buchholz no-hit the Orioles for the second start of his major-league career. On to my brackets:
The first game we watched was some forgettable loss to the Devil Rays that was broadcast by the morning zoo deejays Fox Sports Southeast cast as announcers. Dreadful, glad he slept through it. Our second game was a no-hitter thrown by Mr. Clay Buchholz of the East Texas Buchholz’s. Red Sox announcers Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo were phenomenal in their narration and the game was just surreal to watch happen.
If you missed it, the Red Sox September call-up Clay Buchholz no-hit the Orioles for the second start of his major-league career. On to my brackets:
Astros Eject Garner and Purpura
Mark Fagan
Mon Aug 27, 3:12pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
News came in today that the Houston Astros (58-73) fired head coach Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura. Cecil Cooper has been named the new manager with Tal Smith taking over as interim GM for the rest of the year. Purpura's ousting was expected, and if anything, a little late, but the axing of Garner was slightly more surprising (but only slightly). Garner took the Astros to their first-ever World Series and managed with an exciting style; lots of small-ball and runner movement on the base paths via hit-and-runs, base stealing, sacrifice bunts, etc. He didn't sit around and wait for a three-run homer as is the boring style of play popular in the American League.
Backe to Make Rehab Start for the Express
Mark Fagan
Tue Aug 7, 2:59pm
, 2007
Astros fan favorite and Galveston native Brandon Backe is on the road to recovery after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery last year and will make his first appearance with the Round Rock Express tonight as they battle the Salt Lake Bees. Backe gave up three runs on five hits, four strikeouts, and two walks in an Aug. 2 start for the Corpus Christi Hooks and will hopefully be in the Astros' starting rotation as soon as Sept. 1 in Chicago. With off-season acquisitions Jason Jennings and Woody Williams struggling in their first year at Minute Maid the Astros could certainly use another arm to assist ace Roy Oswalt and the recently impressive (at least at home) Wandy Rodriguez.
Like a Moth to the Flame …
John Hunt
Sat Aug 4, 7:13pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
… am I drawn to these Barry Bonds record-tying and -breaking home runs. I can’t take my eyes off of it. I have watched six more Giants games this year than I have in my entire life. The previous record was one, when my brother Sean got married out in San Francisco in 1992. For some reason, I need to see this home run. I don’t want him to succeed because he’s a jerk and I do want him to succeed because it may be the tough love karma slap baseball needs for allowing Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa to plunder Roger Maris’ record.
So far I have not been disappointed in the quality of the games for their sideshow quality. Every night there seems to be a 25% chance he will even get a pitch to hit. Thursday night Brett Tomko bravely went at him in his first at bat. His pitches landed around the strike zone hilariously similar to the way doves land in my cat-patrolled back yard.
So far I have not been disappointed in the quality of the games for their sideshow quality. Every night there seems to be a 25% chance he will even get a pitch to hit. Thursday night Brett Tomko bravely went at him in his first at bat. His pitches landed around the strike zone hilariously similar to the way doves land in my cat-patrolled back yard.
O Silent Night
John Hunt
Mon Jul 30, 12:14pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
It’s 8pm on Saturday night. I am about to turn on ESPN’s nationally broadcast game to watch one of my favorite players play for a team I care nothing about. In my opinion he is a future Hall of Famer. A class act that goes out there every night he has to and gives it his all with what he was born with. He is friendly with the press, signs tons of autographs for kids, helps old ladies cross the street, and despite some legal troubles, remains loved throughout the majors. It is important to remember he is innocent until proven guilty. Tonight he will be trying his best to keep his ass out of the record books. I am referring to none other than Dontrelle Willis.
I don’t know if it was because of his celebrated success on anyone of my, now in shambles, fantasy teams or because he just seems like a nice guy, I always seem to be rooting for him to succeed. He has one of those Rocky-esque rags-to-riches stories that is impossible to root against. His last seven starts have been kind of crappy, though, and he comes into San Francisco ripe for an implosion. The last thing I want to see is for him to land in the history books for giving up a pair of record-setting home runs to that bulbous ass Barry Bonds. I will, at the very least, watch.
I don’t know if it was because of his celebrated success on anyone of my, now in shambles, fantasy teams or because he just seems like a nice guy, I always seem to be rooting for him to succeed. He has one of those Rocky-esque rags-to-riches stories that is impossible to root against. His last seven starts have been kind of crappy, though, and he comes into San Francisco ripe for an implosion. The last thing I want to see is for him to land in the history books for giving up a pair of record-setting home runs to that bulbous ass Barry Bonds. I will, at the very least, watch.
Craig Biggio to Retire Following This Season
Mark Fagan
Tue Jul 24, 4:31pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
Earlier today future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio announced that he'll be retiring following the conclusion of this season. His playing time will also be reduced drastically for the remainder of the season with manager Phil Garner informing fans of the nights he's scheduled to play. He will most likely only start the initial game of each road series. Expect Biggio to play in the first and last game in the series at Chicago's Wrigley Field, the Cardinals' Busch Stadium, and the Mets' Shea Stadium which is located close to the home he grew up in in Long Island. He plans to start most night home games and the final three home games of the season against the Atlanta Braves. Garner plans to put Bidge behind the plate for one inning in his final game. Biggio will be sorely missed at the Juice Box next year, but at least he went out on his own terms, a rarity in sports these days. For Biggio's astonishing career stats click here. For Astros' tickets click here.
Nothing Like a Day at the Park
Mark Fagan
Wed Jun 20, 1:04pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
The Astros lost in extra innings to the visiting Oakland A's. Shortstop extraordinaire Adam Everett broke his leg and will be out four to eight weeks. Jason Jennings was pulled after four innings and 74 pitches with the game tied 3-3. Seemingly every child under the age of 11 in Houston was in attendance at the sold-out game. Did this equal a bad day at the park? Hells no. It was a blast. There really is nothing like an afternoon at the park to cure the workingman blues.
My friend – let's call him Bill since he was playing hooky from work – grew up in the Bay area and is a huge A's fan. He, like the A's, had never been to Minute Maid Park. When Oakland showed up on the Astros home schedule, we knew we had to go. Problem was they were playing a Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday series. Fuck it. We're taking off from work. Day trip! Just the boys.
My friend – let's call him Bill since he was playing hooky from work – grew up in the Bay area and is a huge A's fan. He, like the A's, had never been to Minute Maid Park. When Oakland showed up on the Astros home schedule, we knew we had to go. Problem was they were playing a Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday series. Fuck it. We're taking off from work. Day trip! Just the boys.
Take Your Slacker to Work Day
John Hunt
Tue Jun 12, 2:40pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
I would like to thank Mark Fagan and The Austin Chronicle for hooking me up with a press pass for the Memorial Day Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox game. I would also like to thank all the incredibly nice and helpful people who work at the ballpark in Arlington, without whom I would have been totally lost. Essentially, I went and watched a live baseball game in somebody’s office. The press box is sterile and quiet with an occasional joke. Every now and then an announcer with the tone of a bus driver would call out how the play was scored. “Score that E6, E6. Now arriving in Sioux City; this bus is now arriving in Sioux City. Please be ready to disembark.” I’m not in any way saying he does a bad job. There’s no room for the morning zoo guys here because this is all business.
Juiced: Wayward Astros Still Hold Fans' Attention
Christopher Gray
Mon Jun 4, 10:42pm
, 2007
Tags: MLB
"There's a lot of games left – don't give up on us" – Astros SS Adam Everett after Saturday's 8-3 win over St. Louis
Most years the Houston Astros are only interesting if they're at or near the top of the league. Let's face it, personality and charismawise, we're not exactly talking Johnny Damon or Manny Ramirez here. Even that midnight creeper A-Rod just got a whole lot more interesting in the last week or so. (Come back, Derek Bell, all is forgiven.) This year, however, they may be sucking wind in the standings – 23-33 after Sunday's loss, 8.5 games behind the pacesetting Brewers – but there's all sorts of interesting subplots to hold fans' interest. Lucky us.
Most years the Houston Astros are only interesting if they're at or near the top of the league. Let's face it, personality and charismawise, we're not exactly talking Johnny Damon or Manny Ramirez here. Even that midnight creeper A-Rod just got a whole lot more interesting in the last week or so. (Come back, Derek Bell, all is forgiven.) This year, however, they may be sucking wind in the standings – 23-33 after Sunday's loss, 8.5 games behind the pacesetting Brewers – but there's all sorts of interesting subplots to hold fans' interest. Lucky us.
