Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
December already? Everything is reversed from the summer: back then, the Astros were dead in the water, the upcoming Texans season looked promising because of some new additions, and the Dynamo were gearing up to defend their MLS Cup title. Now, the Texans are DOA, the Astros are looking exciting next year, and the Dynamo, well, at least someone's consistent. Here's what's been going on this week in the Houston sports blogosphere:
- The Dynamo are going to play in the Pan-Pacific Championship against top teams from Japan, Australia, and Korea. The other MLS representatives? The Los Angeles Beckhams, err, Galaxy. Yay marketing!
- Very sad story this week. A MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter from Houston is dead after a bout at Toyota Center last month. This marks the first recorded Ulltimate Fighting-related death since the sport's rise to prominence.
- The Crawfish Boxes has a surprising stat about the Astros pitching last season.
- DGDB&D has moved to a new address (update your bookmarks), but the trademark snark, profanity, and make believe conversations about the Texans are still around. Good to know.
- The Astros had a busy week beyond signing Japanese second baseman Kaz Matsui. They brought back veteran reliever Doug Brocail (who will be a good influence in the very young bullpen), and begain openly shopping Chris Burke and Luke Scott. Here's hoping the two youngsters who failed to meet expectations here can draw a decent #3 starting pitcher on the trade market. Both players made ESPN's All-Trade Rumor Team.
- The Rockets Power Dancers calendar debuts on Wednesday as a free giveaway before the Rockets-Grizzlies game.. We at Houstonist support womens' empowerment, especially when the means of that empowerment includes the words "free calendar." Giggity giggity giggity!
- Because the Astros offered arbitration to Mark Loretta and Trever Miller, if either player signs elsewhere, the Astros will receive draft picks from the other team as compensation. So in addition to retooling the 2008 lineup, Ed Wade is making small moves to rebuild the atrocious minor league system.
That'll do it this week. Tune in again when the rampant Texans draft speculation begins!
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photo: flickr user presson_on
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So Mr. Houstonist sports man, what is your opinion of Gary Kubiak as the future coach of the Texans? I'm kind leaning towards jumping into a possible Bill Cowher derby when he decides to come back to the NFL. I'm hearing that is next season.
My only concern is that if, and that's a big IF, Kub is not the man to take this team into legitimacy, McNair is going to play the same sad game he did with Capers and hold onto until all the great prospects have been signed on with other teams.
P.S. Cowher and our defense would be a do a very angry dance on Vince Young; something I could get used to.
I think the bigger problem is with Smith, the defensive coordinator. With all the speed we have on defense, there's no reason why we shouldn't be blitzing more than we are.
Let Kubes have another draft at least before we start making room for Mr. Angry Chin.
Yeah, but Mr. Angry Chin can bring the rain on Mr. Manning, Gerrard and Young. Me likee that very much. Kub has been outcoached on nearly every halftime this season. Mr. Angry Chin knows how to outcoach even the greatness of the Belicheck.