Everything had to go right for Roger Maris in 1961, the year he eclipsed Babe Ruth's record of 60 homeruns in one season. First , he had the pressure of being a New York Yankee. Second, he was a teamate of probably the most popular ballplayer in the league, Mickey Mantle. Mantle was to also make a run at the Babe that season.  And most fans wanted Mantle to be the one who broke the mark. And we all know of the controversy of it being a 162 game season compared to the 154 game season Ruth participated in...Maris was not the first  hitter to flirt with destiny and challenge Ruth's throne: Both Jimmie Fox and Hank Greenberg belted 58 HRs in the 1930s.

In a 1939 issue of "Collier's", Greenberg told of his attempt to match Ruth's mark the year before..." During August and September, I really tried to hit those four- baggers. With a week to go I only needed two to tie the record. Most people thought I'd make it. I wasn't too sure. I knew the many things that were against it. Here are some of the difficulties the man who eventually breaks it will have to encounter:

To begin with, he will have to hit alot of four-baggers in September and that's  the hardest time of the year to slap the longball. First of all, you are tired. You have already played 140 games and that daily pounding has taken it's toll. Second, the weather is cooler and the ball is less lively than it is in very warm weather. Third, the sun goes down earlier and the shadows are longer. The ball coming from the pitcher has to pass through the shadow and it is harder to follow. In 1927, the year Ruth hit 60, Babe hit 17 HRs in the month of September. Sure, but I have already said there was only one Babe Ruth and normal rules just did not apply to him. I did'nt feel overly tired during that final week of the season, and I didn't feel really tense. But I was tired and the pressure was on me. I finally realized that when it was all over. I didn't hit a single HR that final week."

In 1961 as Greenberg watched Maris' chase of the sacred record, he felt a deep empathy for Maris, for the obvious, excruciating nerves which tormented the Yankee slugger. " What is pressure? It's the tension," Greenberg said. "you feel time is running out. You become impatient. Sometimes you become paralyzed at the plate. You are so fearful that you are going to swing at a bad pitch, you wind up taking a good one. The one you wanted. Then you become so disgusted with yourself, you begin swinging at bad pitches."

The stress of pursuing Ruth's record took a tremendous toll on Maris. "During the final two weeks of the season I was half nuts", Maris recalled. "I had splitting headaches, I was smoking twice as much as normal, and my hair was literally falling out in chunks, and the crowds, the tension, the same questions over and over were driving me out of my mind."

Roger Maris hit 61 HRs in 1961 setting a new MLB record for HRs in a single season, but the mark was tarnished all the way until his death when the acting commissioner of baseball at the time ordered an asterick to be placed beside the mark in the record books due to the 162 game season. 

In 1973 Nolan Ryan may have had the single most dominant season ever for a MLB hurler. All the tall Texan did was go 21-16 [with a losing ballclub], start 39 games, 20 of those were complete games, toss 4 shutouts, throw 2 no-hitters, and set a single season strikeout mark of 383 batters whiffed. A mark which still stands today. Yet in what is probably the biggest snub in professional sports history, Ryan was passed over for the Cy Young Award when Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles was named the recipient of this honor.

Ryan went on to set many league records including, most no-hitters [ 7 ],  and most career strikeouts [ 5714 ]. He also finished with 327 career victories. When asked what moments or achievements in his career were the most special to him Ryan responded.."People bring up the 300th win or the 5000th strkeot, but those were a product of my longevity. So it would have to be the no-hitters. The first , with the Angels in 1973, at Kansas City, because I didn't think I was that kind of pitcher to hold a team hitless. The fourth no-hitter is a big memory because I tied Koufax. But if I had to pick one moment, it would be the seventh no-hitter in 1991, in Arlington, against Toronto. I was 44 years old and this was probably the best game I ever pitched. I had 16 strikeouts, 13 of them in the first 21 batters. I got Roberto Alamor for the final out. His father, Sandy, had been my second baseman in my first two no-hitters. The best part was, I did it at home, in front of thr Rangers fans who had always been so good to me.

"People respond to him. There is a sense of majesty."- Al Rosen, former major leaguer and baseball executive

" Ryan's the best. He's the only guy in baseball today who, every time he takes the mound, he's capable of a no-hitter. He's that dominant. He should have his own building in the Hall of Fame." -  Pete Rose, all-time base hit king

"When he was on, forget it. You talk about a guy being tough! When he was throwing the fastball, the change, the curveball for strikes, it was a victory just to get the bat on the ball."- Tony Gwinn, perennial NL batting champion.

" Those were the best pitches I ever heard."- Mickey Stanley, a former major leaguer

" Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream. But you don't like it when someone is stuffing it into you by the gallon. That's how you feel when Ryan is throwing balls by you. You just hope to get a walk so you only go 0-for-3."- Reggie Jackson, fellow Hall of Famer

" Superman could not have gotten a hit off him today once he started getting the breaking ball over."- Tony Scott, former Astros teamate

" Nolan was the guy you went to bed thinking about."-  Dusty Baker, former big leager, current manager

" It helps if you don't tense up because you might have to run for your life!" -George Brett, Class of '99 Hall of Famer

" You could hear his ball hiss. It didn't sound like anyone else's. Kind of sssssst. I used to tell young hitters, you don't need to run up there and hit it. It will get there plenty quick, and when it does, you better already be swinging.'- Hank Aaron, all-time great

"Strikeouts and no-hitters don't measure up to waht he has meant to the game."- Joe Garagiola, sportscaster and former big leaguer

 " If they had a higher league, he would be in it."=Hal McRae, former major leaguer 

Nolan Ryan still makes his home in Alvin Texas where he was raised. He is still married to his high school sweetheart  Ruth, and is considered a Texas Legend and Hero.

Ty Cobb left  a huge footprint on the landscape of Major League Baseball during the first part of the 20th century. He was simply the first great player. Better than anyone else, until a fellow named Ruth came along. But their games were different. While Ruth went on to establish himself as the greatest slugger the game has ever known, Cobb was a master at reaching base and then making the base paths his personal playground.

Cobb held to the belief that psychology was a powerful tool which if was used correctly could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Below is an example of how he felt this tool helped him defend his batting champion crown during the 1916 season.

"The champion always has a decided advantage, be it baseball, boxing, or anything else. The contender lacks something of the champion's confidence and that is what beats him. I remember, I think it was 1916, that Joe Jackson started out at a tremendous pace. He was going to get me that year for sure. He came into the clubhose and told me he was going to get me. I laughed at him, wherupon, he grew very earnest and offered to bet."Allright Joe" I said. "I will bet you 500 dollars." He thought it over a minute but he did'nt bet. That game I got 3 hits, he got 1. The next day I walked over near where he was. He spoke to me . I did not answer. I knew he would be puzzled. A little later I walked over again. I looked him straight in the eye, until I got very close. He spoke to me again. I did not answer.  I knew he must be thinking."What's he so sore about?" The final game of the series, I walked over to him, slapped him on the back and said in a real friendly way, "Joe ole boy, How are you?" This seemed to astonish him. All the rest of the year I had his goat. I beat him by 30 points that season."  What Ty Cobb neglected to share in this story was that Tris Speaker DID "get him" that season. The Cleveland Indian hit an astounding .386 IN 1916. Cobb finished at a .371 clip. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson came in 3rd in the batting title chase hitting.341.

Dudski-SteveoinHtown-Astro Fans-MLB Fans-I really want to hear your takes on this unbelievable story..I woke up this morning to the news that the Astros had wasted yet another strong pitching performance by Roy Oswalt and had dropped another ballgame to the Texas Rangers. Losing games is nothing new for this ballclub. The thing that IS new is the fact a player went 'Hulk Hogan" on the team's GM in the clubhouse dining room before the game.

Astro pitcher Shawn Chacon was eating a pre-game meal when General manager Ed Wade stepped in and requested quite sternly that Chacon join him and skipper Cecil Cooper in the manager's office to discuss something. Chacon who was recently demoted from the starting rotation to the bullpen, and who had been openly disgruntled with this turn of events told Wade that he did not want to go to the office and whatever Wade had to say could be said there in the dining room.

According to Chacon, at this point Wade began "screaming and cussing" at Chacon. Chacon then stood up and told Wade he better cool it and to stop the tyrade. Wade continued. So as Chacon has said, he finally had enough of the verbal assault and he grabbed Wade around the throat, slung the GM to the ground, pounced on top of him and "more words were exchanged'. Reggie Abercrombie and other Astro players removed Chacon from atop of Wade and now Shawn Chacon has been indefinetly suspended from the club and has most assuredly seen his last day as a Houston Astro.

It is quite obvious that the particulars of this incident clearly show Chacon stepped over the line of any player or employee of a business should know. You do not physically attack a superior, particularly a member of management. It appears to me that Mr. Wade may have crossed a management line by his lack of self-control and verbal attack on Chacon.

I remember Billy Martin, field manager for the Yankees, pulling Reggie Jackson in the middle of an inning and then going after him in the dugout. Other Yankees had to seperate the two. This story had a happy ending when the Yankees won yet another World Championship...In the the NBA, Latrell Sprewell, jumped on his coach, P.J.Carlisimo and began choking him to death until being pulled away by teamates. But these kind of things just aren't supposed to happen in the Astros organization. After all, for years the team's advertising slogan was "Come see the good guys." Iv'e followed this team for 40 years and can't remember anything even remotely similar to to this!Recently an inside source was quoted as saying there was a "toxic presence" in the Astros clubhouse these days. Was it Chacon? I don't know. But I do know that the professional sports team which has always been the closest to my heart is in disarray and seems to be heading to Hell in a handbasket quicker than the "Texas Cyclone" rollercoaster ride at the Six Flags Amusement Park...Sigh. 

Today the New York Yankees play in Pittsburgh for the first time since October 13th 1960.Yes, I said 1960! It was the World Series and the Mighty Yankees led by the great Mickey Mantle were heavy favorites to acuire yet another World Championship. Every game the Yankees won in that series was a slaughter. The poor Pirates from Pittsburgh looked to not even belong in the same league with "The Bronx Bombers." But yet the pirates had found a way to win 3 games and were all knotted up with the Yanks heading into game 7. And then an amazing thing occured. Little Bill Mazeroski, the light-hitting Pirate 2nd baseman cranked a homerun into the left-field stands in the bottom of the 9th inning and the Pirates, NOT the Yankees were World Champions. It was one of Major League Baseball's greatest moments and I'll bet every Saturday night, somewhere in Pittsburgh, someone raises his glass and salutes Bill Mazeroski. Tonight as poetic justice would have it, Mr. Bill Mazeroski will throw out the first pitch...Maz-The Yankee Killer. 

IT SEEMS IT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THE SURPRISING HOUSTON ASTROS WERE ONLY A GAME AND A HALF OUT OF 1ST BEHIND THE CUBS, 7 GAMES OVER .500. LANCE BERKMAN WAS THE HOTTEST HITTER IN BASEBALL, THE STARTING PITCHING WAS DOWNRIGHT IMPRESSIVE WITH ROY O. FINALLY BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE ROY O., AND CECIL COOPER WAS PUSHING ALL THE RIGHT BUTTONS...FAST FORWARD TO TODAY... THE BOYS FROM SPACE CITY FIND THEMSELVES UNDER .5OO A FULL 12 GAMES BEHIND THE CUBBIES. THE PITCHING STAFF LEADS THE MAJORS IN HRs ALLOWED. A WHOPPING 100 GOPHER-BALLS ALREADY HAVE SOARED INTO ORBIT.CECIL COOPER IS GIVING SOME ASTRO FANS DEJAVU NIGHTMARES OF PHIL GARNER,  MR. OSWALT HAS HINTED HE WOULD NOT MIND A TRADE, THE OWNER OF THIS TEAM HAS PUBLICLY STATED IT APPEARS THE PLAYERS HAVE JUST QUIT; AND SIR LANCELOT IS HURT AND HE IS NO LONGER LIVING A FAIRYTALE... SIGH... CAN THIS SEASON WHICH IN MID- MAY SEEMED SO PROMISING BE SALVAGED? THE RECENT INVASION, RAPE, PILLAGE AND DESTRUCTION HEAPED UPON US BY THE "EVIL EMPIRE" FROM "YANKEELAND" HAS LEFT MANY DISTURBING QUESTIONS AND EXPOSED MANY DISTRESSING CONCERNS..COULD CRAIG BIGGIO RETURN FOR JUST 1 HOME-GAME TO GIVE THE HOMETOWN FAITHFUL SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT? IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT BEER SALES AND THEIR CONSUMPTION INCREASDED BY 37% THIS LAST HOMESTAND. THE FANS MUST NUMB THE PAIN OF WATCHING THIS PRODUCT ON THE FIELD RIGHT NOW. AND I NO LONGER DRINK SO I MUST JUST ENDURE. MAYBE I WILL STICK IN "THE NATURAL" INTO MY DVD PLAYER. AT LEAST IT HAS A HAPPY ENDING.

Before the days of ESPN and cable television there were  very limited sports choices on the tube. Of the big 3 networks, ABC was far and away "the leader in sports television", just as they advertised. The man who spoke these words every Saturday for all to hear was Jim McCay. He was the voice, and the face of ABCs WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS. He also was the most recognizable voice of the Olympic coverage every 4 years. I learned about geography, other cultures and how close the drama of athletic competion  parralled my own daily struggles.  He was definitely an influence in my life. There was a time when I was young that I aspired to have his job one day. During the 72 Olympics in Munich when Terrorists kidnapped and murdered Israeli athletes in the Olympic village, it was Jim McCay who gave the world the news with just three, unmistakable, chilling words..."They're all gone." and now 36 years later, so is Mr. McCay. I will forever remember his voice, his presence, his class, his consumate professionalism. We have so many others now who make their living in sports coverage, but there was only one Jim Mccay and we were all just a little bit better humans because he was here.

Tonight the most storied team in the history of American sports, the New York Yankees visit minute Maid Park for the first time to open a 3 game series against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend since I am in the process of moving and we all know of the effort and energy that entails. However, I will be following with great interest and I hope something special and memorable will occur. Afterall, the Yankees do not visit these parts often. In fact, the next time they come to town, A-Rod, and Jeter will probably be retired.

As a boy growing up in Texas in the 60's I loved to read. Reading was my first"escape." I also loved sports, so reading about the sports legends from the past was a natural. I was captivated by the stories of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, and Mickey Mantle. I wanted to grow up and play centerfield for either the Yankees or my hometown team the Astros. Neither of these events came true obviously so this series is about as close as I can get.

Suddenly I am thinking about a comparison of these two teams greatest players so here we go.

New York Yankees

C- Yogi Berra

1B-Lou Gehrig

2B Bobby Richardson

3b-Alex Rodriguez

SS-DerekJeter

OF-Babe Ruth

OF-Joe Dimaggio

OF-Mickey Mantle

Manager-Casey Stengel /Billy Martin/ Joe Torre

Houston Astros

C- Craig Biggio

1B-Jeff Bagwell

2B-Joe Morgan

3B-Ken Caminiti

SS-Dickie Thon

OF-Jose Cruz

OF-Cesar Cedeno

OF-Lance Berkman

Manager-Larry Dierker/ Hal Lanier/ Art Howe

New York Yankees -Pitchers

Whitey Ford

Ron Guidry

Jim "catfish" Hunter

David Cone

Roger Clemens

Andy Pettite

Mariano Riverra

Houston Astros-Pitchers

Larry Dierker

JR Richard

Nolan Ryan

 Mike Scott

Shane Reynolds

Roy Oswalt

Billy Wagner

So there really is no comparison with the every day players...Yankees by a mile. But I will give the edge to the Astros on the mound...Thanks for dropping into Canyon Corner. Have a good one!

The NBA has gotten it's wish as the two winningest franchises in league history square off in the 2008 NBA Finals. Thirty one of the league's sixty championships have been won between these two legendary teams.The names of the hall of famers from these teams read like Dylan's poetry or classic characters from Dickens...Mikan, Russell, West, Cousy, Chamberlain, Havlicek,Jabbar, Bird, Magic, McHale...And now we Koby, Garnett, and Pierce. And how about the coaches! The "Zen Master" and The "Doc". The ratings should be the highest in years and even the casual fan will be interested. if nothing else simply because it is one of the great rivalries in American sports.

I will be pulling for The Boys from Beantown but if Paul Pierce can't produce offensively as usual because of the defensive effort he will be forced to give having to guard the best player in the NBA then Ray Allen BETTER step up and put the rock in the basket often or I see the West Coast Kids winning this thing in 5 or 6 games. Koby DOES have a nice supporting cast around him and everyone on the Lakers seem to understand their roles and they play them well. And of course L.A. has the advantage on the bench with the guy who has coached his team to the World Championship Title 9 times. And they have a better looking fan base as well as star-power in the stands. So here's a toast to the NBA for giving the basketball nation the matchup it has craved since, well, 1987. We had no idea after that one, it would be so long before the next one.

When the 2008 MLB season began I did not give the Houston Astros much chance of being a true contender for the NL Central Division crown. Neither did any of the so called "experts". Yet here it is May 16th and the Astros find themselves perched in 2nd place just a game and a half behind the divsion leading Cubs.

The offseason acquisitions made by GM Ed Wade, most notably Miguel Tejada, and Kaz Matsui were meant to bolster a light-hitting offensive unit which in the past was considered dead if it fell behind by more than just a couple of runs. But this team has consistently shown the ability this year to not only win games but do it in dramatic fashion, coming from behind numerous times to pull out a victory out of what appeared to be the locked jaws of defeat.

Tejada and Matsui have lived up to their promise. Hunter Pence continues to mature and improve. Carlos Lee is a reliable RBI machine. Darren Erstad has provided a much needed spark coming off the bench, and Michael Bourn has contributed speed to a team which has been lacking in that department in the recent past. But the biggest reason the Astros have been able to knock the old horse-hide around the park so well is because of the current MVP of the league, Mr. Lance Berkman. Few have ever witnessed a hitter be so hot for such an extended period of time. Heck, I am having to loosen my tie at this moment just mentioning his name. and is it my imagination or are the keys of this pad starting to singe my fingertips...Berkman is currently on a magical 14 game hitting streak which has resulted in the Astros climbing from 6 games under 500 to 6 games over. He was named Player of the week last week with Ruthian type numbers like a slugging percentage of over 1100 and a .689 batting average. He currently leads the Majors in runs, hits, doubles, total bases, RBIs, HRs, and slugging percentage. He is hitting at a .396 clip and he seems faster on the base paths. He has energized a team many considered to be doormats this year and Astros fans are chomping at the bit to watch an exciting brand of baseball that H-town has been sorely lacking. I fully intend to witness it myself during their next homestand which if things keep going the way they are will find this season's comeback kids on top of the NL Central. 

Championship Sunday is approaching fast and we will be witness to two very entertaining games courtesy of the National Football League. There will be no upsets in this round. The two best teams with the two best quarterbacks will win these matchups, both collectively as a team and individually as QBs.

At this point in the postseason, the two QBs with the highest passer rating are none other than Tom Brady and Brett Favre. Brady-141.5..Favre-137.6..They also have each thrown 3TDs without an intercepion. There is no mistake about the team with the best QB play usually prevails in the realm of big-time post-season football. By the way, the 3 and 4 QBs in passer rating are also still in the playoffs as they  guided their teams to victory this past weekend. Eli Manning who is performing at the highest level in his career has a rating of 123.2 and has 4 TD passes. Phillip Rivers has a post-season rating of 115.7 and also has thrown for 4 TDs. So all four of the remaining quarterbacks have a passer rating of over 115.. Even Billy Volek who played the 4th quarter Sunday managed a higher rating than all of the losing QBs in this year's playoff rounds. Volek-114.6.

The teams with the play at quarterback will win. Of course protection is a must when expecting high production from the field-leader position. Guess who the two quarterbacks were who were sacked the least and for the least amount of yardage over the regular season? Brett Favre was sacked a league low 15 times for only minus 93 yards. Tom Brady was second only being sacked 21 times for minus 128 yards.

Its no coincidence Brady and Favre have led their teams to this level of success. And it will be no coincidence that Brady and Favre will be our feature players in The Super Bowl.

The 2007 NFL season delivered a marvelous product this year. The team of the decade is 1 win away from a perfect regular season, records have fallen, big-time stars have stepped up and made big-time plays; there have been fantastic finishes,pleasant surprises and shocking disappointments. All in all, it has been a very entertaining year thus far and the upcoming playoffs promise to bring more drama and excitement. Here are just a few of my favorite stories from this 2007 seson.

1. The return of the real Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers to the elite level of the league,both individually and collectively

2.The emergence of Tony Romo as a bonafide star

3. The self-control and restraint exhbited by Terell Owens

4.The quest for perfection by the Patriots

5.The Dolphins avoiding infamy

6.The fall of The Monsters Of Midway and the slow demise of  the Ravens

7.The silencing of John Kitna's mouth

8.The Tom Brady/Randy Moss Show

9.The class and leadership of Ladanian Tomlinson

10.The success of Derick Anderson and the Cleveland Browns

11.The development  of Mario Williams as a defensive force

12. The tenacity of the Jaguars and the consistency of the under-rated Fred Taylor

13. 43 year old Vinnie Tesaverde starting for an NFL team

14. The recovery of Donovan McNabb and Campbells Chunky Soup

15. My Fantasy League Championship Squad...Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

There is a new GM in Houston. His name is Ed Wade. He gives Astros fans hope that some serious  positive changes can be made for a team which epitomized the term"major disappointment" last season. Starting pitching is obviously a major concern. Who besides Roy Oswalt can we depend upon to be reliable and consistent? Right now, no one. Apparantly  ace lefty Johan Santana is not an option for the Astros. He's Too expensive. We just can't compete with clubs like Boston or the Yankees for this prized possesion. No, the Astros acquire guys like 40 year old reliever Doug Brocail. Yes Brocail posted some nice numbers last year, and yes the Stros definitely need to upgrade their bullpen, but didn't we recently get burned by a couple of other aging pitchers named Clemens and Jennings? You just never know when the parts are gonna break on an old car.Or when it just won't get you down the road either.

I do however like the fact that Wade has stated that Joe Nathan, the Twins closer who posted 37 saves in 07 is one player the Astros are pursuing.  Lord knows we have needed a closer ever since the night in 05 when Albert Pujols made sure Houston could not celebrate their first trip to the World Series on their homefield when he blasted a Brad Lidge slider into outer space..Thus far the Astros most significant offseason acuisitions have been Kaz Matsui from the Rockies who will fill the void at 2nd base, and Mike Bourn who will inherit centerfield. Both of these guys add speed to the top of the lineup and hopefully will hit well enough to give guys like Berkman and Carlos Lee a chance to drive in runs. 

If the season were to begin today the Astros starting lineup would be as follows.

CF-Mike Bourn

2nd base-Kaz Matsui

1st Base-Lance Berkman

LF-Carlos Lee

3rd Base-Ty Wigginton

RF-Hunter Pence

C-Brad Ausmus

SS-Adam Everett

Wade says we could win with that club...That lineup does'nt salivate my lips any nor do I think strikes fear into the hearts of our opponents. Can't we get rid of slick-fielding, light-hitting Everett? There are too many shortstops in this league who can hit,some with power ,as well as field their position effectively. Without power, there is darkness. and without heat, it is gonna be a cold winter for Houston.