The TCU Band Wagon!

I am officially now on the band wagon for the TCU Horned Frogs to be in the BCS National Championship Game! THey played the number 5 team, Utah, in Salt Lake City and won by 40 points! Then LSU put the second loss on Alabama. Now I am watching Texas A&M whip the Oklahoma Sooners, which would eliminate OU from consideration for the big game. So if Auburn or Oregon losses--and I expect Alabama to beat Auburn--Then TCU would be the team to beat!

Go Frogs!

RESCUE!!!!

As I was sitting in front of the television late in the night watching the rescue efforts that were taking place in Chile, I began to think, "There must be a sermon in all this!" I even began to jot down ideas that came to me as I saw the pictures and witnessed the drama.

It had been 69 days since the miners were trapped in a pit more than 2000 feet below the surface of the earth. There was not a thing they could do to save themselves. And for the first 17days they had no way of knowing all the things that were going on above to affect their rescue. Then contact was made and it was revealed that there was a massive effort underway to bring about their salvation. It was going take time, and there would be an incredible cost.

And when the time was right, someone had to go down into the underworld to make sure the miners were instructed and equipped for the process they would have to undergo to in order to realize the rescue that was available. Each man would have to take the steps if he wanted to ascend to the joyous reunions they wanted deeply. I doubt that there were many of the miners that gave serious thought to rejecting the rescue capsule or the protection necessary to obtain release from their entombment, even though it surely was narrow. There was no other way!

Is there a sermon in there?

New Vantage Point!!!

I have been an Houston baseball fan for a long time. I first watched professional baseball in Buff Stadium, where the Cardinal farm team played through the 1950's. In the early '60's I watched from the grandstands in Colt Stadium. When the Astrodome opened in 1965, I moved indoors with them. I most often sat in the pavilion seats in centerfield, though on several occasions I was in SRO (standing room only).

For the last ten or so years of the Astros tenure in the Dome, I was able to buy a mini-season ticket. That enabled us to sit in the same seat for 27 games a season. My seats were in the Loge (purple) level.

In 2000 the Astros moved to Enron Field, now named Minute Maid Park. That year a group of six of us bought a pair of full season tickets, on the fourth level. Over the 11 seasons in Minute Maid, we have moved till we reached our current seating, fourth level front row, directly behind home plate.

I have seen almost all the important games the Astros have played, all the All Star games, the Jeff Kent homer against the Cardinals, the extra inning loss in game 6 of the 86 playoffs, Mike Scott's no hitter to clinch the pennant in 86, playoffs in each of the series in the 80's and 90's, the first World Series game!


There have been occasions when someone would give me seats in the expensive sections of the various stadia. I have sat in field boxes five rows behind the Astros dugout. I have sat in the Sky Box owned by Gulf Oil. But tonight will be the first time I have sat in the luxury box at field level right behind home plate. It is the section where the owner, Drayton McLane sits. It is the section where President Bush and his wife Barbara sit.

I will try to behave myself in a dignified manner. And I will try not to boo Carlos Lee!

Happ For Oswalt--Same Pattern?

Last night's game between the Astros and the Washington Nationals reminded me of games earlier this season and last season. The Astros new left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ cruised through six innings and left with three to nothing lead. In the seventh inning the Nationals scored one run, but in the eighth they scored seven and got the win.

So Mr. Happ got a no decision last night, despite pitching well. I thought of all those times early this season and in 2009 when Roy Oswalt, for whom Houston acquired Happ, left the game with a lead only to receive a no decision. I hope this does not become a pattern for Happ the way it did for Oswalt.

J. A. Happ!!!!!

What a performance by J.A. Happ last night at Minute Maid Park. The young left-hander, recently acquired in the trade for Roy Oswalt, pitched a two hit shutout against the dreaded divisional rival from St. Louis. In the complete game effort he walked only one batter. There were two double plays executed by the Astros, so Happ only faced 28 batters on the evening, one over the minimum.

I really loved to watch Roy Oswalt pitch when he was here, but I was an Astro fan long before he came and will be one long after he has gone.

A Case of Mistaken Identity?

A couple of days ago, I received a phone call from a man I could hardly understand. I asked that he email his request so I could study it. Here is what I received:

Dear Rev.Bryant ,

Nice to speak to you this morning .
I am working for a Japanese Television called " TV Asahi " .
My name is Hideyuki MIyauchi .
TV Asahi has a weekly informational program called " Shiru Shiru MIshiru "( literally translated " To see is to know ") .

Their next subject is " What is the better ball to fly further by a baseball bat ? "
This is a kind of scientific research .
They like to invite you to Japan to hit various balls at s studio if you can .

They offer the cost of staying in Japan : trip , meeting , shooting , trip back .
The date they will shoot up to you soon as possible .

About your guarantee or donation to your church is up to you .
Please let us know .

I am sorry to bother you by a strange offer .
We have still a lot of your fans in Japan .

If you are willing to accept this offer , please let me know soon as possible .

Thank you so much for your time .

Best ,

HIdeyuki MIyauchi

Upon reading the missive, I realized that this executive thought he was speaking to the former Major League and Japanese League home run hitting star, not some old hotcornerhasbeen. I replied that I would be happy to accept his offer, but I thought he would be disappointed to discover he had found the wrong Ralph Bryant.

A Forgetable Memorial Day!

I really don't like complainers, especially when it is me complaining. But there was lots to complain about or visit to Minute Maid Park this afternoon. First, the advertised holiday version of the Astros caps that were to be given away as promos were not provided. Not even the little American flags that we have received at games on Memorial Day were handed out this year. Can you say, "cost-cutting?"

Then when we got to the kids play area, that the Astros promote in an effort to attract families to the games, most of the activities were not open. We were told that they did not have enough staff to man all them. We had heard that the last three times we had taken to boys to a game, but those were on week nights/school nights. Today was a holiday and there should have been max staff on the job. More budget trimming?

Then the home plate umpire, Bill Hohn, decided he was the center of attention. He had, from our seats right behind the plate, squeezed the strike zone on Astros' pitcher Roy Oswalt. In the third inning Oswalt threw what both he and I thought was strike three to Adam Dunn. Hohn called it a ball, and on the next pitch, Dunn hit a bases loaded double, driving in three runs.

The next batter, Josh Willingham, had a 1-2 count. The next pitch was a fantastic pitch--I saw the replay when I got home and was right about my original opinion--but Hohn called it ball 2. Oswalt turned toward right field and raised his head and shouted. I don't know what word he said, but he was not shouting at the umpire, just expressing frustration.

But Hohn came out from behind the plate and walked toward the mound. He called Roy to attention, and Roy responded by pointing to the umpire. Hohn promptly ejected Oswalt. From there the pitching unraveled and the game got really ugly. The final score was 14-4. Most of the fans had left the building before the last out.

To add to the insanity, twice during the game, idiotic fans jumped the rails and ran across the diamond. Each time security captured the fan and led them away, one in hand cuffs. They will each pay a thousand dollar fine and spend the night in jail. Some fans find the trespassers amusing, but I am not one of those. I enjoy a baseball game, not jerks, whether they are behind the plate or trespassing on the field.

A thoroughly forgettable Memorial Day!

Trading Roy???

Roy Oswalt has requested a trade. I hate the idea of him not being here. He is the best pitcher the Astros have developed in their history, with the possible exception of Larry Dierker. It has been a real joy to watch him perform.

But the Astros are at least a couple of seasons away from real contention for the playoffs, so perhaps trading Oswalt could expedite the return to respectability. That being true, I do not want to see Roy in another National League uniform. I do not want the 'Stros to have to face him on a regular basis.

So when I heard that Nolan Ryan had called to express interest to Drayton McLane about trading for Oswalt, I began to daydream about what Houston might get from the Rangers in the trade. How would it be if one of the components of the trade were Elvis Andrus or Nelson Cruz? I do not know if the Rangers would part with such players, but it would be the starting place of any conversation, if I were GM.

Remembering Robin Roberts

May 31 1957 was a magical night for a young baseball fan from South Texas. My family was visiting my mother's family in Bordentown, New Jersey for a couple of weeks. My dad and my uncle took me to Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia to see my first Major League game in person.

The Phillies' pitcher that night was the awesome right-hander Robin Roberts. He was in the midst of 6 consecutive seasons of 20 wins. And he was facing the Brooklyn Dodger with their awesome line-up, Gilliam, Cimoli, Snider, Furillo, Hodges, Campanella, Neal, Zimmer, and the Don Drysdale as the opposing pitcher.

The game lived up to my imagination. There was excellent pitching and defense. There was a majestic by the great Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella, off the top of the stadium. But Roberts only gave up three hits, pitched a complete game and got the win. For years after that magical night I would want to be a second baseman like Junior Gilliam. And, in my mind, I would pitch, copying Robin Roberts and throwing the perfect pitch in the pressure situation.

Robin Roberts passed away yesterday. But the memory of his mastery will live as long as I do!

Johnny Neun Quote!

I just read a quote by a man who was in his late eighties and still swinging his fungo in spring training at the time. Johnny Neun had played in the 1920's for Ty Cobb and managed the Yankees and Reds. Young players today would do well to listen.

"It is important to remember how careful you have to be about the way you live your life. It's to your advantage not to do too many things off the field that interfere with your life on the field. You turn on the TV and you hear that some committee or other is investigating things out of someone's past and lives get ruined. When you play this game, you're in the public eye. I once heard a great poet say that if you're going to go public with your life, your life belongs to the public. Be careful with our life. In the long run the thing that's going to be the most precious to you, the thing you're going to treasure all your life, is your peace of mind."

Dig in and make sure you get the full benefit of your natural ability. Only a few of you are going to make the Big Club. But for the others, you ought to be able to leave saying. "I gave it my best." Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about things you have no control over. Do it this way and someone may walk up to you and say, 'you're the one."

Perfect Night at Minute Maid

Being at a ball game anytime is a great joy, but Tuesday night at Minute Maid was almost as perfect as one could ever expect. The April temperature was about 70 at game time, and not a cloud in the sky. The roof was open and the breeze was blowing gently.

To make things better, we saw the return of Lance Berkman to the line up for the first time, following his time on the disabled list. He was one for four with a double and two runs batted in, giving hope that the offense will be improving in the days ahead. Even Carlos Lee had a hit, also a double, sparking hope that his slump will end soon. J.R. Towles had a couple of hits! Things are looking better.

After giving up hits to the first four Florida hitters, Brett Myers pitched tough enough to keep the Astros in the game. Matt Lindstrom came in and closed out the come from behind win over the Marlins.

It would be hard to find a better day at the ballpark!

Opening Day At Minute Maid '10!!!

Opening Day has been a huge part of life for my wife and I. We have celebrated 43 anniversaries, 42 of them at Opening Day for the Astros. The only time we missed was when we celebrated our 35th in New York City. We just returned from the 2010 edition.

Roy Oswalt started for the 'Stros against Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants, the reigning back to back Cy Young winner. Oswalt pitched creditably, but not well enough to avoid the loss. He gave up three runs in his six innings of work, while Lincecum did not allow a run in his seven innings of work.

Houston did not hit the ball hard very often tonight. Carlos Lee had a line drive off the wall in left, but the next well struck ball was in the 9th inning when J. R. Towles had a double to left center field to drive in the second run of the evening for Houston.

There were not too many bright spots for the over 43,000 in attendance. I wonder how many fans will be in the stands tomorrow.

Farewell, Mike Cuellar

When I was reading the sports section of the paper this morning I was saddened to read of the passing of Mike Cuellar. He died of stomach cancer at the age of 72. Seeing his name again reminded me of what a great pitcher Cuellar was, and that he was part of the worst trade in the history of the Astros.

Cuellar came to the Astros in 1965, as the team was moving into the Astrodome and became know as the Astros, after their first three seasons as the Colt .45’s. Mike was a left handed pitcher with a truly wicked screwball. I loved to sit in the bleachers in center field next to the tunnel when he pitched, just to watch the ball dance! Cuellar was a 16 game winner for one of the most woeful teams in the league, in those days after the MLB expansion that brought them into the National League.

I the winter of 1968 the Astros traded Mike Cuellar to the Baltimore Orioles for a first baseman named Curt Blefry. I was outraged at the time. And time only confirmed that the trade was worse than any in team history, worse that Joe Morgan going to the Reds, worse than Kenny Lofton for Eddie Taubensee, the absolute worst! By 1970 Blefry proved to be so worthless that he was traded for a washed up Joe Pepitone!

Cuellar went on to help take the Orioles to three World Series appearances and to be a part of a staff that had four 20 game winners in one season. If Mike had been with the Orioles his whole career he would be in the Hall of Fame.

Farewell, Mike Cuellar.

Too Funny!!!!!!!!!

This week over on Facebook there is a movement to have everyone find the song that was Billboard number one on the day of their birth. I did my search and found that the #1 R&B song on the date of my birth was "I Can't Go on Without You" — Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats (8 weeks). But the overall #1 that day was The Woody Woodpecker Song by Kay Kyser, introduced in a cartoon. It went on to be nominated for an Academy Award!

My how the world has changed!

Surprise for Phil!!!!!!!!!!

One day while preparing to close our donut shop for the day, my oldest daughter told me she wanted to send a thank you to Jimmy Wynn for the autographed baseball he had given her. She was only four years old and we wanted to nurture in her a spirit of gratitude, so I told her I would write down what she wanted to say, and we would mail it on the way home. I don’t remember the exact words of the note, but she thanked him for the ball and for calling her beautiful. She told him if he ever came to our little town he should come to our shop and she would give him a free donut.

We did not know the actual address, so we just sent the note to Jimmy Wynn, Astrodome, Houston, Texas. I had my doubts it would ever reach the Astros’ star, but I did not tell my little girl. We dropped it in the mailbox on the way home that night.


A few weeks later we went to another game at the Dome. As was usual for us, after the game we went to the loading docks gate, which is where the home team players exited the building. We were waiting at the base of a long ramp, maybe fifteen or twenty yards from those crowding around the door. I saw a boy from the summer league team I coached among the gathering; he was working hard for autographs. He greeted us and asked what we were doing so far back from the action. I told him we were waiting for Jimmy Wynn, so my girl could say hello to her friend. Phil had his doubts that Jimmy Wynn was her friend, and he went back to the door to obtain more signatures.


A little while later Jimmy came through the door. He had a box under one arm and a couple of bats in his other hand. He was walking fast and obviously was not interested in signing a bunch of autographs that night. Phil was trailing him all the way down the ramp, trying to get him to stop, without any luck. As he approached, my daughter called out, “hi Jimmy.”


Wynn walked directly to where I was holding my little one, switching the bats to his other hand so he had an arm free. He said, “Good Evening, Stacey, I received your card. Thank you very much.” He took her from me, kissed her on the lips and proceeded to visit with her about what kind of donut he should get if he came to the shop.

Phil’s jaw bounced off the sidewalk!

Is Arbitration In Store for Wandy?

THe Houston Astros have three players that remain arbitration eligible; Hunter Pence, Tim Byrdak, and Wandy Rodriguez. The exchanged figures are not too far apart for Pence and Byrdak and the club. But there is a significant hurdle between what Rodriguez wants and the team is offering, a two million dollar hurdle.

Wandy had his best season year, winning 14 with one of the best ERA's in the league in 2008. I think he is on the verge of being a consistent winner and being left handed, hi is very valuable. I don't really care if he makes $5 million or $7 million. My concern is that Wandy has been the most easily distracted and emotional pitcher on the staff for most of his career. I hope that he does not have to go to an arbitration hearing and listen to his weaknesses presented by the team, who is trying to save a few (relatively speaking) dollars.

Here's hoping that a settlement is reached before the hearings start.

One Month To Go!

It is getting closer to baseball season, I can feel it. Every day now there is some baseball related story in the newspaper. Two of the Astros arbitration eligible players signed contracts yesterday--Jeff Keppinger and Chris Sampson. In a month the players will be in training camp and we will see pictures on the evening news of the workouts and then Grapefruit League games. I know the football playoffs are going on right now, but for me that is just a diversion till baseball gets back underway!

'Stros Added Myers!

I was away from home and the media for the first week of the new year, so I was a bit late in hearing that the Houston Astros had made a deal with right handed pitcher Brett Myers. It was a surprised because I did not think the Astros would spend the money for a free agent.

I am pleased that the move was made because I think Myers has a chance to really improve the starting staff this year. And of course that makes there be a chance to have a better season. Myers will likely be the third pitcher in the rotation, behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. That is a lot better than Mike Hampton or Russ Ortiz.

I am feeling a bit of optimism.!