San Diego Padres

Johnny Manziel Hits Batting Practice Home Run At Petco Park (w/ VIDEO)

In the game of "Bucket List," Johnny Manziel is officially running up the score on all of us. Over the weekend, the Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winning quarterback capped off a round at Pebble Beach with his parents by knocking in a birdie on 18 to break 80. About the only surprising thing about that ... More >>

Johnny Manziel Officially Concocts The Most Creative First Pitch Ever At Padres Game

Cabo spring breaks, courtside NBA seats, luxury boxes at concerts, appearances on Letterman, rounds of golf at Pebble Beach, batting practice in Major League Baseball stadiums... I'm pretty sure that soon it will make more sense to just create a Johnny Manziel specific blog on HoustonPress.com to c ... More >>

The Most Valuable Player At Minute Maid Is....Astro Mascot Orbit?

We all know things have been pretty grim at Minute Maid Park this year. (Well, actually the past six or so seasons, to be honest.) Winning, of any sort, has been thin on the ground. Until now. Today we learned that one member of the Astros organization is willing to put in the time to make himself ... More >>

The Astros' Jim Crane Era Begins: Get Caught Up On The Team With This Quiz

Do you recognize this man?​For the first time in a long time, the Houston Astros will not be led by a hyper, motto-spouting grocery magnate. Drayton McLane has sold the team to Houston businessman Jim Crane. It may be the first piece of Astro news you've bothered with this year. The team was ... More >>

Three Sliders, You're Out at Minute Maid Park

Photos by Katharine ShilcuttThe bowl also makes a cute and handy cat helmet when cleaned. Your cat may feel otherwise, however.​I don't personally understand the appeal of going to the ballpark and getting anything other than a hot dog or a plate of nachos piled high with "cheese" and pickled ... More >>

Dirk Hayhurst's Bullpen Gospels Shows What The Minor Leagues Are All About

This generation's Ball Four​It's easy to become disillusioned about sports when night after night you watch the likes of Carlos Lee loafing around the outfield while making an insanely obscene amount of money. But you watch the guys like Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence going full speed every night, ... More >>

Sean Berry Is Failing The Astros

The blame has to fall someplace​With J.R. Towles gone, the Astros needed a new scapegoat to blame for their rotten season. It kind of appeared that Hunter Pence was turning into the one that Brad Mills was looking at for that role, as it was Pence that Mills has been continuously benching because ... More >>

Morgan Ensberg On Bags, The Rocket And Milton Bradley

Ensberg: from starry-eyed rookie to stat-head blogger​Last week I gave you part one of an interview I did with former Astros's third baseman Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg, now retired, is moving into the broadcasting field, doing college baseball game analysis for such networks as Fox Sports and ESPNU ... More >>

For Opening Day: The Worst Pregame Renditions Of The National Anthem Ever

What so proudly we hailed... Can you pass the earplugs, please?​ You can be forgiven for not realizing Opening Day for baseball season was here already (yesterday, in fact). Maybe you've been too busy cursing the guy in your NCAA tournament pool that filled out his brackets using the coin-flip met ... More >>

Despite Sweep, All's Not Well With Astros

Photo by Aaron M. SprecherCongratulations are in store for the Houston Astros who, this weekend, got their first three-game sweep of the season by beating up the moribund San Diego Padres. Of course, the Astros didn't have to face Padres ace Jake Peavy in this series, and they struggled in all three ... More >>

Hard Economic Times Coming To Sports Franchises

The NHL doesn't have a team in Houston, so I'm pretty confident that most of you don't follow the league, and don't have any idea about some of the severe financial problems facing many of the southern teams.  The NHL has intervened in Phoenix in an attempt to find new ownership for the club.&n ... More >>

This Season's MLB Predictions: The National League

With baseball season due to start next week, I thought I should put myself on the line and make some predictions. I made my American League predictions yesterday. Today I'm going to take a look at the National League, and on Monday, I'll take an in-depth look at the Astros as they prepare to open ... More >>

This Season's MLB Predictions: The National League

With baseball season due to start next week, I thought I should put myself on the line and make some predictions. I made my American League predictions yesterday. Today I'm going to take a look at the National League, and on Monday, I'll take an in-depth look at the Astros as they prepare to open ... More >>

Astros Trade Chad Reineke to San Diego for Randy Wolf

The Top Five Astros-Killers of All Time

Astros-Reds: The Vaunted Offense Keeps Hitting

Astros-Padres: Say Hello to Miguel Tejeda, Who Apparently Hits a Lot Better Than Miguel Tejada

Astros-Padres: Two in Row, Plus Robin Sparkles

Astros-Rockies: Say Hello to Eny Cabreja

Astros-Rockies: It Might Be Houston’s Lucky Day

Astros-Marlins: How Did Roy Oswalt Become Woody Williams?

Astros-Padres: Shawn Chacon, Not So Bad?

Astros-Padres: The Best Offense Is...a Good Offense

Astros-Padres: Michael Bourn Is Looking Good. Everyone Else, Not So Much.

Astros-Padres: It's Going to Be a Long Season

Spring Training: Itching for Pitching

Woody Williams Stats Not So Solid

Spring Training Doesn’t Count, Except for When It Does

Pro Athlete Musicians

Athletes step off the field and into the studio

Paging Jason Lane

MLB Playoffs: Finding Even More Religion on the Baseball Diamond

Going, Going, Gone: Craig Biggio Winds Down, the Playoff Chase Speeds Up

We Would Call This an MLB Playoff Preview, But We Really Don't Know What's Gonna Happen

Mike Winters Suspended. Milton Bradley Stuck at Home Playing Board Games.

Jason Lane Traded to the Padres. Let's Rock.

Only 11 Games of Pain Left for Astros Fans. Until Next Season, Of Course.

Bright Idea: Have Woody Williams Mentor Wandy Rodriguez.

Even a Blind Sportswriter Finds a Fact Every Once in a While

News Flash: We Have a Trade. Well, Kinda.

Is Purpura Going to Make a Trade? We Hope Not. Not.

Just Think of What Would've Happened If Biggio Hadn't Been Playing...

The Line for Taco Bell Jokes Starts Here

Fanboy Deluxe

Our Nightfly surrogate brushes with greatness

Watershed Election?

A new group wants to push an anti-flooding agenda

Musical Chairs

When band members trade places, there isn't always a loser

The Passionate Pilgrim

He owns a baseball team, he's spent millions to wipe out a devastating Third World disease, and now he's out to save pro football for Houston. But what does John Jay Moores really want?

The Gospel According to John

Press Picks

Born to Win ... or Lose?

Can Drayton McLane bring Houston a World Series champion on a budget? Can Houston support major-league baseball to Drayton McLane's satisfaction? It's time to find out.