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.

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!

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.

For the second straight night the bullpen blew a late inning lead for the Astros. This time it was Dan Wheeler's turn. Game one was  a Brad Lidge boo-boo and these are two guys this team absolutely needs if they are to compete for a postseason appearance. The Astros pen is supposed to be a strength for this ballclub. Hell, I was concerned about the starting staff with the losses of Andy Pettite, Brian Backe and the Uncertainty of a Clemens return. But Roy Oswalt was magnificent in the opener and the newly acqired veteran Jason Jennings was solid last night pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and just one run. I believe that things will straighten out for the pen, but it needs to happen quickly since the Astro bats are quiet. The middle of the batting order, Lance Berkman, 100 million dollar man Carlos Lee and a supposed healthy Morgan Ensberg are a combined 3 for 22 with no homers and just one RBI. Through the first two games the Astros as a team are hitting just .239 and have stranded 17 baserunners. This team ranked almost dead last in offense last year. The addition of Lee and the emergence og guys like Luke Scott were supposed to beef things up. But for the moment it appears to be the same old song and dance in Houston.

The Houston Astros had just recieved another masterful pitching performance from their ace, Roy Oswalt. Future hall of famer Craig Biggio had collected another hit on his way to reaching the magical plateau of 3000. Luke Scott had continued where he left off last season with a smoking bat and closer Brad Lidge was looking good on the mound in the 9th, whiffing the lead-off man on three pitches and then the sawing off the bat of another hitter for out number two. The fans rose to their feet and the cheering was deafening. We had them right where we wanted them. An opening day victory would be ours... And then with one mighty swing the ball was rocketed out of the yard and the game was tied. Brad lidge had just blown another save. A disturbing trend which began with the Albert Pujols bomb in the 2005 NL Championship series which cost a home-field celebration on what would become the franchises first trip to the World Series. Lidge struggled last season closing out games for the Astros and actually lost his closing job twice during the year. The Astros lost in the 10th inning on a Jason Bay homer off of Dan Wheeler and there was no joy in Mudville on this night.

I had a bad feeling last night when Lidge came in. I sensed disaster. The feeling was realized and I cursed and booed with my fellow fans. Is it just in his head? It's still a scary proposition. We just missed the playoffs last season and Lidge blew 7 opportunities to save games. Phil Garner is sticking with Lidge and defending him. And to be honest, it appeared the batter hit a good pitch. Yet There is still an uneasy feeling inside. Houston, We still have a problem.

The 2007 Houston Astros are an aging team who have a tough road ahead to once again return to the postseason. The Stros have achieved a nice run of 5 consecutive second place finishes in the NL Central since winning the division over their rival St Louis Cardinals in 2001. They have reached  the NL championship round 3 times and of course made the franchise's only World Series appearance in 2005.

This year's team has alot of question marks. The loss of Andy Pettite and probably Roger Clemens also immediately minimizes the strength of this once formidable starting rotation. The acquisition of Rockies ace Jason Jennings to fill the void may backfire into a nightmare of Minute Maid homers by the opposition if Jennings{a highball-flyball pitcher} gets rocked ala Jose Lima. Woody Williams the 40 year old migrant brought over from the Rangers represents nothong more than a piece of bubblegum stuck into the hole of a leaky dike. Thank Goodness we still have Roy Oswalt who has the highest career winning percentage in the second half of the season among all pitchers who pitched in the Majors since 1957. The bulldoggish righthander is 51-16[.761] after the all-star break. A rturn to the starting staff by a young and enthusiastic Brandon Backe and a talented arm in Wandy Rodriguez rounds out the Astros first line of defense.

The relief corp must have a return of confidence and effectiveness by Brad Lidge who has been anything but " lights out". Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler who had 159 innings pitched last season between them will be used as right-handed middle relief.

The official  retirement of future hall of famer Jeff Bagwell signals a beginning of a new era for the Astros. This surely will be the final season for for the steady Craig Biggio who needs just 70 more hits to reach the coveted 3000 hit plateau.Biggio 9th all-time in doubles and should surpass such names as Honus Wagner, Carl Yastremski and George Brett in the record books. The clutch and sweet-swinging switch-hitter Lance Berkman who had a marvelous 2006 campaign[.315-45HR-136RBI] will once again anchor the first-base position and the acquisition of slugger Carlos Lee who inked  a lavishing six-year 100 million dollar contract should make the Astros strong in the middle of the batting order as finally Berkman has someone batting behind him who may force pitchers to pitch to Berkman instead of around him in game situations. The Astros ranked dead last in team batting average last year hitting just .255 and were second to last in runs scored. Morgan Ensberg who set club records at 3rd base in 2005 must rebound from his disappointing year at the plate[.235-23HR-58RBI] to help elevate this lineup. Look for Luke Scott who impressed everyone with his numbers after being called up from triple A Round Rock [.336-10HR-37RBI] in just 65 games and 214 at bats to challenge for the starting role in right as he will alternate with the powerful Jason Lane who never got untracked last year and was an under-achieving disappointment. The loss of the speedy Willie Tavaras in center and on the basepaths will hurt. The reliable and flexible Chris Burke will roam centerfield and battle the dreaded flagole and accompaning hill it is planted on. He will also spell Biggio at second. Adam Everett who still must improve his production at the plate but who is an outstanding gloveman and defensive star will serve once again at shortstop. Gold-Glover Brad Ausmus will add one more season to his resume behind the plate.

The Astros must have excellent seasons from both Lee and Jennings who they have invested heavily in if they are to contend in the very competive NL Central Division. Astro fans must brace themselves for what could be a very long and frustrating season. But do not dismiss this team too early for they are a resiliant bunch with great team chemistry and have continually proven they never quit and are winners.

I am one of those who feel that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of  Fame...But not now. He committed the ultimate "sin" of the game and he has to pay. An example must be shown. Yes Pete loves the game and yes he is a great ambassador for the game itself.{He is also a great ambassador for Pete Rose himself}. But he must wait. Joe Jackson was also a great player,probably the best all-around player of his day and we have a soft spot in our heart for him also. But one cannot accept a payoff in the biggest sports fix of all-time and expect not to be punished. Please do not quote Kevin Costner in " Field of Dreams"to me because of that statement. I know the story.

Now we have the discussion about the merit of guys like Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmero, Sammy Sosa and others. McGwire was denied in his first year of elgibility and I agree.What did Big Mac think would happen after his guilt-ridden performance at the senate hearings? How do you think voters will respond to the outright lie  and self-righteous posturing of Palmero? I too am simply undecided on how to judge the numbers of star players from the seroid era who have been connected to the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs. 500 HR used to be an automatic ticket. Not any more. I know there are many who disagree with me. But here is the bottom line..If you cheat to excel, to be great, to put up "hall-type" numbers then you do not deserve to be in the hall. Do not compare this to "womanizing",[Babe Ruth], having "racist"viewpoints,[Ty Cobb],being a" jerk"[Joe Dimaggio],or working for a casino[Willie Mays]. And do not compare this to scuffing a baseball or stealing signs from second base. It is like comparing apples to oranges.The integrity of the game itself MUST be preserved and the cheaters received enough and adulation during their playing days. That was their reward, their glory. And it is the shame of the game itself.

The Houston Astros are finally making their move in the NL central. A 4-2 victory last night against San Diego was their 4th in a row and has moved them to within 1.5 games of the wildcard leader, Cincinatti...Andy Pettite struck out 10 and retired the last 14 batters he faced in an impressive performance. Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 26th save of the year.

Luke Scott, named after Luke Sywalker from Star Wars fame went 2 for 4 at the plate to keep his batting average over .4oo since being called up to the big league club. It is good that a hot young prospect can make such an immediate positive impact for a team who is battling for a playoff spot.

Lance Berkman, our perrenial All-Star went 3 for 4 with a homer to continue his gift of getting the big hit at the right time for this club. And Craig Biggio smacked another double and scored a run. Biggio continues to climb up the all-time charts and now needs only 96 hits to reach the 3ooo hit plateau. Hello Cooperstown.

With the addition of Aubrey Huff, the return of a healthy Morgan Ensberg, and the fresh arm of Brian Backe rejoining the big 3 of Oswalt, Clemens, and Pettite, I see another playoff season for Houston and am confident with our outstanding starting rotation, we can beat anyone in a short series. After all, THE FORCE IS WITH US!
 

I tuned into the Astros/ Cubs game last night in Wrigley, a game featuring two 300 game winners in Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux. I was watching Clemens on the mound and I was feeling like something was different about him and I could not quite put my finger on it and then it struck me. His Long socks. Normally Clemens wears his pants long to the top of the shoes. Last night he had the pants which fall just below the knee and had the long socks showing ala like his friend and teamate Andy Pettite. We all know that "The Rocket" has been sorely lacking in run support from is team the last couple of seasons and since his return it has been no different. The last time Pettite pitched, he benefitted from a 12 run outburst by the Astros against Florida. I believe Roger tried the new look to change his fortunes. Well the Astros only managed a total of 4 runs but they won the game 4-2 and Clemens was the winning pitcher.. So I am now curious to see if Clemens continues with this new-found weapon after over 20 years in a hall of fame career.
I know that Craig Biggio always wears a batting helmet which is never cleaned and is old and well-worn. He has done this for many years.The only time he wears a new helmet is when the Astros have changed uniform styles or at his all-star appearances.... Do you have any superstitions you know of for ahletes or maybe you had yourselves that you would like to share? Drop them into Canyon Corner. Ya'll have a great day!

The Espys awrds show was entertaining and the highlight of my television viewing experience yesterday, especially since I saw Houston blow a 3-run lead and succumb to a a team they should always win a series from... To relive the inspirational Jason Macelwain story was the best. It truly was the best sports moment of the year.. However the story of the teenage girl being allowed to participate in the LPGA tourney to fulfill the dream of her dying mother was also beautiful. It is reassuring to know that even in today's jaded society, at times the world of sports can still provide us with some magical, poignant moments which validate the spirit of competition and even to a greater extreme, humanity itself. God Bless America. God Bless You All Today!