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!