The Astros’ penalties, the Dusty hire, and playing with a forever-tarnished reputation

It’s been three weeks since my blog post ripping the Astros over the rule-breaking — the cheating — it was obvious they were guilty of. Little did I know that, three days after I posted on a Friday, MLB would announce the results of its sign-stealing investigation, along with major penalties. Ultimately, the all-consuming quest … More The Astros’ penalties, the Dusty hire, and playing with a forever-tarnished reputation

Much as it pains me to say it, the Astros must pay for their reckless pursuit of glory

Very soon, the Houston Astros will learn the price for their cheating. For deciding — after over 50 years as a franchise that had largely done things the right way, the old-fashioned, hard-working way, the honest way — to break the rules to gain an extra edge. For being so arrogant as to think they … More Much as it pains me to say it, the Astros must pay for their reckless pursuit of glory

How my new car helped me get Sirius about the greatness of the Beatles

When the Beatles were taking over the musical world from 1962 to 1970, with tours (ending in 1966) and marathon recording sessions, putting out over 200 songs and some of the highest-selling albums in history, I was a little boy (born in ’61). Sure, I knew some of their huge hits, and when I got … More How my new car helped me get Sirius about the greatness of the Beatles

On a clear night, you can see a meteor … or dozens … or zero

Last night was perfectly cloudless, albeit chilly (lows dropped well into the 30s). So why not? Our youngest teen and I ventured out after 2 a.m., driving about 25 minutes south of our home in southwest Arlington, to a more rural area away from some of the bright lights. Our plan (hope) was to see … More On a clear night, you can see a meteor … or dozens … or zero

An unexpected connection, and the captivating story of a piano maestro

“Number 23?” “That’s me,” I said to the smiling, older, short-of-stature lady as I stood up from a chair in the waiting area of the radiology department at Medical City Arlington. We chatted while I walked with her through the doors, down the hall and toward a room where I took another seat and she … More An unexpected connection, and the captivating story of a piano maestro

20 years later, Aggies remain one in grief over Bonfire tragedy

In a few short hours, at 2:42 Monday morning as most of us are sleeping, there’ll be a remembrance ceremony on the campus of my beloved alma mater, Texas A&M University​. Hundreds will be there to honor, shed tears over and remember the 12 Aggies who died at that moment 20 years ago when a … More 20 years later, Aggies remain one in grief over Bonfire tragedy

Astros didn’t win it all, but that doesn’t make season a total loss

I’ve had a few days to “get over” (not really) the disappointment of the Astros’ gutting loss to the Nationals in the World Series. That was a kick to the um, yeah, for this lifelong fan and so many others like me. Not to say winning the championship was a given, but when you get … More Astros didn’t win it all, but that doesn’t make season a total loss

In a classic World Series, it should always come down to this

I created this collage last year for a Twitter contest where AT&T SportsNet was looking for the ultimate Astros fan in North Texas. I put out several tweets boasting of my lifelong fandom, with supporting evidence, but never heard a word. Obviously there are other North Texans who were either much more creative than me … More In a classic World Series, it should always come down to this

One day, three glorious victories for the Aggies, Frogs and Astros

When Kay and I left Arlington at 7 Saturday morning for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Kyle Field, we were excited about getting to spend the day together at a Texas A&M football game — something we’d done only twice in the past 20 years (1999, 2017). Even though she’s a Horned Frog and we’d … More One day, three glorious victories for the Aggies, Frogs and Astros

Backs against the wall, which Astros will we see for Game 3 of the World Series?

No one — definitely not this baseball know-better (notice I did not say know-it-all) — said the following: “Start planning that Astros championship parade!” No one said the Houston Astros would take out their lumber and bash the Washington Nationals into submission, winning the World Series without a stiff challenge. No one said the Nats … More Backs against the wall, which Astros will we see for Game 3 of the World Series?