Tag Archives: Astros

Astros win the World Series

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I think you can find some stories about this particular news item on your own. On behalf of every sleep-deprived Houstonian, congratulations to the Astros! A great achievement, and a huge burden relieved. Now go get ready for a parade.

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Saturday video break: The Altuve Polka

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

We interrupt the procession of cover/same name songs to bring you this, the most important video of 2017: If the Astros don’t adopt that as their official team song, they are badly mistaken. This is easily the best Houston-centric sports … Continue reading →

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The Rangers and the Astros

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, come on. The historic flooding in Houston caused by Tropical Storm Harvey will displace the Astros for at least three games and most likely the entire six-game homestand they had scheduled for this week. For at least their three-game … Continue reading →

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Who still misses the National League?

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Brian Smith makes the case for acceptance of the Astros’ league change. Admit it: You don’t think about the old National League that much anymore. I devote a lot of my daily brain space to the Astros, and … Continue reading →

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More about the hack of the Astros

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Fascinating stuff. A federal judge has unsealed details about former St. Louis Cardinals executive Chris Correa’s hacking of the Astros’ email and player evaluation databases, clearing the way for Major League Baseball to impose sanctions against the Cardinals as soon … Continue reading →

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Bagwell, Raines, Pudge elected to Hall of Fame

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations! The most exclusive team in sports has five new members. Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez join John Schuerholz and Bud Selig as the Class of 2017. Today’s Game Era candidates, John Schuerholz and Allan H. “Bud” Selig … Continue reading →

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Astros hacker sentenced to 46 months

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Away he goes. Former St. Louis Cardinals executive Christopher Correa was sentenced Monday to 46 months in prison for illegal incursions into the Astros’ computer database, wrapping up a case of sports-related cybercrime that a federal judge and prosecutors summed … Continue reading →

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Take transit to the game

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

If you can, you should. The transformation of downtown from a work place that empties after dark to a true community is finally underway in earnest, with residents, retail shops, and restaurants that remain open long after the lunch rush. … Continue reading →

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Astros-hacker pleads out

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

One chapter closes in of one of the stranger sagas I’ve seen in sports. The former scouting director of the St. Louis Cardinals pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to hacking into the player database and email system of the … Continue reading →

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Cardinals identify a fall guy

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The latest Hacked-Stros news. The St. Louis Cardinals have terminated the contract of their scouting director, Chris Correa, as investigations continue into alleged hacking of a Houston Astros database. A Cardinals’ lawyer, James G. Martin, confirmed the move Thursday, saying … Continue reading →

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“Roguish behavior”

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Saint Louis Cardinals admit they hacked the Astros’ proprietary database. Thursday’s tacit admission by St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. that someone in his organization was involved in hacking the Astros continued a saga that holds the potential … Continue reading →

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The Hacked-Stros

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

WTF? The F.B.I. and Justice Department prosecutors are investigating whether front-office officials for the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most successful teams in baseball over the past two decades, hacked into internal networks of a rival team to steal … Continue reading →

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RIP, Tal’s Hill

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

One of the more distinctive features of Minute Maid Park is going away. In the relatively short, rapidly changing history of Major League Baseball in Houston, nothing in recent years has represented the Astros’ brand of baseball more distinctively than … Continue reading →

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Losing our sports history

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

This is sad. The original championship banners for the Rockets and the WNBA’s defunct Comets remain on display at Toyota Center, as do banners saluting both teams’ representatives in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After that, Houston’s legacy … Continue reading →

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Hall calls for Biggio

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Third time’s the charm. Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio were elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, the first time since 1955 writers selected four players in one year. Johnson, Martinez and Smoltz earned induction … Continue reading →

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Somebody doesn’t like something about the Astros

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

I’m still not sure what we’re supposed to conclude from this long but mostly unsourced screed about how the Astros are running their team. The Astros have become one of baseball’s most progressive franchises as they try to rebuild and … Continue reading →

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Lance Berkman

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Former Astro and Rice Owl Lance Berkman hung up his spikes this week. Lance Berkman, who starred at Rice before becoming one of the most clutch hitters in Astros history, is retiring after a 15-year career in the major leagues. … Continue reading →

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No BGO for HOF

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Missed it by one vote. One of the most majestic induction classes in the history of the National Baseball Hall of Fame was set on Wednesday with the announcement that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas were elected by … Continue reading →

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Crane sues McLane

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be fun. Jim Crane’s Astros ownership group filed a state court lawsuit Thursday against former Astros owner Drayton McLane, Comcast and NBC Universal, accusing them of fraud and civil conspiracy and accusing McLane’s corporation that owned the … Continue reading →

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On the Astros’ Wives Gala

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

What Nonsequiteuse says: I’m really upset that the Houston Astros have left the Houston Area Women’s Center in the lurch as far as the gala this year. I know the people and the programs that will suffer without those funds, … Continue reading →

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You have a strange definition of “only”, Bud

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Or maybe it’s your definition of “logical”, I’m not sure. But while first-year manager Bo Porter continues to fire up his players and general manager Jeff Luhnow oversees year one of a complete organizational overhaul, many longtime Astros fans continue … Continue reading →

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How cursed is Houston as a sports city?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So another Super Bowl is history, and as you might have noticed the Houston Texans were not be playing in the game. This continues an unbroken streak of Houston football teams not making it to the Super Bowl, some in … Continue reading →

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The Hall of Fame and guilt by association

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

John Royal hits on one of the least admirable traits of Hall of Fame voters. There are some voters out there once again claiming that Jeff Bagwell used ‘roids, and these same folks are claiming that Craig Biggio used them … Continue reading →

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Biggio on the ballot

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Former Astros great Craig Biggio will make his debut on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. Ballots for the 2013 Hall of Fame class will be issued this week to media members; candidates will officially be announced Wednesday. Results … Continue reading →

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Mills and Clemens

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Enjoy your paid time off, Brad Mills. General manager Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane see no reason to wait until the season ends to begin the search for the next Astros manager after Brad Mills was fired and replaced … Continue reading →

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Retire #50!

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I was enjoying this story about JR Richard, was was inducted into the Astros Walk of Fame at Minute Maid on Friday night, until I got to these paragraphs: The Astros have been more liberal than most teams in retiring … Continue reading →

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No more Not-Stros

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Glad we got that settled. New owner Jim Crane ended a week of speculation and rare attention on a national level and anticipated backlash among Houstonians, saying he would not change the name of the club – a possibility he … Continue reading →

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The Houston Not-Stros

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, hell no. Even more drastic changes could come next year, when the [Astros move] to the American League. Possible transformations include new uniforms and logos, changes to the playing field and “Tal’s Hill” in center field, and even a … Continue reading →

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Sports Authority will not impede Astros move to AL

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

One of the odd side stories that came out after MLB officially approved the sale of the Astros to Jim Crane was this contention by attorney Kevin W. Yankowsky of Fulbright & Jaworski that the Astros’ lease at Minute Maid … Continue reading →

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MLB approves Astros sale

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Jim Crane’s $610 million purchase of the Astros from Drayton McLane was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball’s owners this morning. All that remains is a formal closing of the transaction, which likely will take place early next … Continue reading →

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Astros almost to the AL

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s happening. Prospective Astros owner Jim Crane and his group of investors have reached an agreement with Major League Baseball that would shift the franchise to the American League, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday. One person … Continue reading →

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Astros to the AL update

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

I remain puzzled by this. Major League Baseball is discussing with prospective Astros owner Jim Crane possible compensation for agreeing to move the team to the American League. Three people familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday that MLB has … Continue reading →

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MLB realignment?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is interesting. A simple form of realignment being seriously considered has been raised in the labor talks between Major League Baseball and the players’ association, according to four sources: two leagues of 15 teams, rather than the current … Continue reading →

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Start ’em young

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Jordan Lyles, whom the Astros hope will be a big piece of their future, has arrived. The Astros took an injury to lefthander Wandy Rodriguez as a cue to summon Lyles to make his first major league start tonight against … Continue reading →

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