Tejada hits the game winner

Just when you thought it was going to be "dead" time from the end of the NBA season to the beginning of NFL and College training camps, along come the Astros to make the stretch run very interesting.

Last night at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the Astros found a way to win. With the Astros down a run, 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, with 2 outs versus the division NL Central division leading St. Louis Cardinals, Miguel Tejada delivered a game-winning RBI single to help the Astros win in dramatic fashion and sweep the series.

Catcher Ivan Rodriguez would lead off with an RBI single to score Chris Coste and tie the score at 3. Tejada would single in Jeff Keppinger for the game winner.

Tejada's hit solidified a two-run rally against Cardinal's closer Ryan Franklin. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter handed the ball to Franklin with a one-run lead. Carpenter outlasted Roy Oswalt and the Astros for eight innings before watching his ninth win go up in smoke.

Speaking of smoke, there's no more smoke surrounding second year Astros skipper, Cecil Cooper. There had been some talk of him losing his job early on because his Astros weren't playing like contenders...because most of the season they were playing sub-500 baseball and worst of all, nobody really cared except the season ticket holders and your die-hard baseball fans. Remember, Houston is a football city and for the Astros to get and keep attention, winning is critical.

Not the case anymore! The Astros have regained the attention of the city and are relevant in the NL Central after sweeping the Tony LaRussa managed St. Louis Cardinals for the second time this season. And believe it or not, the Astros sit a game back of the central division leading Cardinals and tied for second place with the Chicago Cubs. In addition, the Astros are now 3 games OVER 500 at 49-46. The Cardinals are 51-46.

Astros 4, Cardinals 3

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
STL (51-46)	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	3	8	0
HOU (49-46)	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	4	12	0

W:	J. Valverde (1-2)
L:	R. Franklin (2-1)

Proud Uncle!

She's a member of the group "Sophia Fresh" and her name is Skye...(third right). If someone had told me that SHE would be the one when she was a kid, really still is, to take on the world of showbiz, I would have bet them my future house. I didn't know she had it in her. She has two other sisters who I would have picked before her...and yes...they are doing well also!!

However, here she is! Skye, Crystal, and Cole Rose are taking the world by storm. Grammy–Nominated, Multi-Platinum Producer / Songwriter / Artist, T-Pain is their executive producer.

Check out the attached video and follow her and the group at www.twitter.com/SkyeTunes.

Yes...this is a sports blog. However, Skye is family! Enjoy!

Yao Ming opts for foot surgery---out for 2009-10?

Houston Rockets Center Yao Ming, with the blessing of the Rockets, has as elected to have extensive surgery on his fractured left foot that was broken during the playoffs in May. There's a good chance that the surgery will eliminate his chances of playing next season. However, he may be able to resume his NBA career.

Yao has decided to undergo a bone graft to heal the existing fracture and have his arch surgically lowered to reduce the stress on his foot.He spoke with several doctors before making his decision.

Yao has broken the foot twice. He last broke it May of 2009 in Game 3 of Houston's second-round playoff battle against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was originally hoped the fracture would heal with rest and Yao would be back for training camp, but a check-up in June revealed the fracture had not improved.

The surgery will be performed next week by Dr. Tom Clanton, one of the Rockets' team physicians. If all goes well, there's a possibility that Yao could begin rehabilitation "a couple weeks" after surgery and could return to basketball activity in six months.

MK Bower will do well at Rice University

Rice University, more specifically, Rice Athletic Director, Chris Del Conte, made a tremendous hire in MK Bower, the very talented former Rice beat writer of the Houston Chronicle.

Bower has been assigned to cover "all things" Rice and beyond. It is cutting edge in that Professional sports teams have in house reporters. The challenge will be a balancing act. However, there's no doubt he will do well with the support of Del Conte, SID Chuck Pool and others in finding that balance.

While I do somewhat consider Bower my competition, (tongue firmly planted in cheek), it's not even close. I had the opportunity to work with MK during our stint at SportsRadio 610. He is dedicated to his craft and he gets nothing but great respect here. MK is well-written and highly skilled in the art of sports writing. I am a broadcaster who just happens to love writing about sports!

We caught up with MK for his thoughts about his wonderful opportunity.

Steve McNair---Dead at 36

Can't believe it...just seemed like yesterday that we were watching McNair and the Titans in the 2000 Superbowl trying to pull it out against the St.Louis Rams. Here we are today and McNair is no longer with us.

I can proudly say that I, along with other fortunate Sportscasters in Houston, had a chance to cover McNair while he was an up and coming quarterback with the Oilers. While it was a short stay for them after McNair was drafted in '95, he was always the consummate pro, never too excited, always handled himself well. Most importantly, McNair seemed to have an understanding of what was most important.

It seems as though this blog is becoming more of a blog for tributes rather than recognition for athletic excellence. However, Steve McNair was athletic excellence.

Regardless what you think of him at this moment, please remember his family and say a prayer for his Wife and their 4 boys.

Steve McNair was one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. Take a look at the video below and remember the moments that he gave you while he performed on the football field.

Our prayers are with the family.




This was also a sad day.

This is my personal tribute to Michael Jackson. As I and family were driving home from a short vacation, my lone Daughter asked, "hey---you know Michael Jackson died---right"? At first, I didn't take her seriously because she is the ultimate prankster.

However, "after further review", researching and combing the internet and satellite radio for answers while driving, sadly but surely, it was true. We, as human beings are not supposed to worship men. We worship God. But, Michael was a product of our generation and we will miss him dearly. He provided so many memories!

His music resonates in my mind like no other artist and for his talents and my being able to really appreciate his music at the highest level, I am grateful.

Rest in peace Michael and may God be with you!

One of your biggest fans!

Celebrating the life of Michael Jackson. Also check out the Michael Jackson mp3 player to the right of this tribute!

Big News abounds--College Baseball--NBA--NFL

LSU wins the NCAA College World Series on Wednesday versus the Texas Longhorns with an 11-4 victory at Rosenblatt Field in Omaha. This is the sixth National Championship for the Tigers.

Tigers rightfielder Jared Mitchell hit a three-run homer in the first inning to help LSU build a 4-0 lead. Texas pulled even in the 5th when Kevin Keyes would lace a 2-run homer over the left centerfield wall tying the game at 4.

Mikie Mahtook's tie-breaking double got the tigers going again as they would add two more, 6-4, Tigers and they would add 3 more to stretch the lead out to 5. The longhorns would not add anymore runs thanks to the efforts of reliever Chad Jones and Louis Coleman.

Anthony Ranaudo (12-3) earned the win. He would allow four runs on eight hits and five walks in 5 1-3 innings. Brandon Workman took the loss and finished at 3 and 5.
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The Spurs made a trade on Tuesday that could help them get back to the winners circle. But, what's it all about. They gave up their defensive stopper, Greg Bowen, to get Richard Jefferson, who is not just a good defender, but a scorer who averages about 18 a game. Could be trouble for the Rockets!

Click on pic for more!
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Rice Owl All-American, Anthony Rendon, says that the ankle injured in the NCAA Super Regional versus LSU, and surgically repaired about a week ago, is feeling better.


Rendon/Rice Sports Information
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From the it's about time list, four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, Julius Peppers signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag on Wednesday with the Carolina Panthers, ending the chance that he could hold out at the start of training camp.
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Could be a good sign for former Rice Owl All-American receiver, Jarrett Dillard. The Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to trade receiver, Dennis Northcutt. According to ESPN, Northcutt's time as a Jaguar maybe coming to an end.


Dillard/Jacksonville Jaguars
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Rice Owl base-ballers continue to receive awards. This time it's Rice junior first baseman Jimmy Comerota. He was one of 12 student-athletes in Conference USA to earn the 2008-2009 C-USA Spirit of Service award.


Comerota/Rice Sports Information