HARRIS COUNTY – HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY INSIDER
Astros gear up for what they hope is another magical run
Oct 5, 2018, 7:35 am
Can the Astros do it again? Courtesy photo
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We are just hours away from first pitch in the ALDS and the city is buzzing. Has been since, well, last October.
A World Series title will do that to you.
Think about it. That 2017 trophy has been just about everywhere in the sprawling metro area – at least once. People stood in long lines just for the opportunity to take a selfie with the iconic symbol of best in the game.
And rings? The Astros gave out a quarter of a million replica rings over the last few months and, thanks to social media, we know putting those giant rings on small fingers never gets old. Neither does trying on – or coveting – the one your neighbor just picked up at the final regular-season series at Minute Maid.
Just like their Astros, Houstonians aren’t about to settle. One title for this team? Not happening. They’re thinking at least one more.
The last team to do that? The Yankees, who won three in a row from 1998-2000.
Come this afternoon, Minute Maid will be rocking. And, if Astros president Reid Ryan has his way, the Cleveland Indians will be staring at a sold-out sea of orange. #NeverSettle orange.
When he joined Mayor Sylvester Turner, Astros owner Jim Crane and General Manager Jeff Luhnow at Wednesday’s pep rally in front of City Hall, it was hard to tell who has more excited – the fans or Turner and Ryan.
“It’s neat to see the connection this team has had with the community,’’ Ryan said. “And having all these people out here, it’s got me fired up and ready to go. So lets go play some baseball.
“I’ve seen this Astros fan base over my life. The ‘80s and ‘90s and to be able to revive this and see how much passion for this team there is in the community, it was an easy sell to ask them to wear orange.’’
It was an easier sell to pack the place.
A year ago, the Astros started as a distraction for Harvey-weary Houstonians and became their Northern Star. No matter how tough things were in flooded neighborhoods where people lost everything, the Astros’ electric playoff run gave them hope. And something to cheer about. #HoustonStrong.
Justin Verlander, a last minute addition in 2017, was a question mark in a way. No questioning his talent, but was he a fit for Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, Alex Bregman and the rest of the team? It didn’t take long to realize it was silly to even wonder about that one.
Every series at least one someone stepped up. Every game – ALDS, ALCS and World Series -- was roller-coaster scary, scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs and don’t-dare-fall-asleep crazy. Game 2 and Game 5 of the Series? They’re probably still on your DVR along with Game 7.
Three up. Three down. Storied franchises, that is. The Yankees. The Red Sox. And finally the Dodgers – in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium.
No wonder why the Ryan-Crane-Luhnow brain trust chose #NeverSettle for this year’s motto.
The 2018 regular season wasn’t picture-perfect. There were injuries, batting slumps and bullpen questions. There were also 103 wins, Bregman and those dug-out stares, Verlander’s Cy Young-worthy stats, Altuve, George Springer, Tyler White (aka Great White Shark), Tony Kemp and, well, the whole lineup.
The big difference? Defending a title.
“I won’t lie,’’ Ryan said. “Once you’ve won it all and you realize everyone is gunning for you, the pressure to keep on top is there. It’s real. And this is a great group.
“Jeff’s not going to settle, I’m not going to settle and Jim’s not going to settle. It’s the reason we came up with that as our mantra this year. We wanted people to know we wanted to do more than win a World Series. We want to win multiple World Series.’’
Added Luhnow, “I think our players know what’s in front of them. We have enough that haven’t been there yet, who want to get back there and wanna do this. We’ve got to stay focused.
“We still have the same core, but we’re probably a more talented team than we were last year.’’
With pitching additions of closer Roberto Osuna, right-hander Ryan Pressly and surprise ALDS roster addition rookie Josh James, the Astros have an edge on the mount.
Pressly said they’re ready for the Indians.
“I’m eager,’’ Pressly said. “I’m ready to get this thing going. It’s the anticipation that’s killing me. Yes, there’s been homework. Every night been going over film, scouting reports and making sure we’re mentally prepared to get after these guys.
“Their lineup is mentally tough. They’re in the situation they’re in right now because they’re good. We’re going to go out and we’re going to enjoy it.”
A year ago, everyone took turns with big plays and big moments and Bregman gave us a glimpse of what he’s brought to the table this year – a season that even Altuve touts as an MVP one.
"He never ceases to amaze me with how controlled he is in the big moments, whether it's any part of the game, any situation, any pitcher, any pressure situation," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "He's had a ton of walk-offs, some of the biggest in franchise history."
That’s saying something on a team that was rotating highlight reel last fall.
But the Astros know this isn’t going to be easy. Starting today.
“They’re a good ball club,’’ Kemp said of Cleveland. “They’ve played us tough all season long. It’s going to be a good series. I’m pretty sure everyone is excited for it. It’s going to be a dogfight.’’
And it’s going to be loud. Or, as Kemp said, “energy at high volume.”
“Having the crowd into every single pitch, up on their feet making it loud, making it uncomfortable for the Indians . . .’’ Pressly said pausing. “That helps us. (They’ll) be that 12th man, 11th man, 10th man or whatever you want to call it.’’
But the key? Kemp said it’s playing Astros baseball.
“We’re going to go in with a positive mindset,’’ Kemp said. “At the end of the day, it’s another day at the playground, another day to play baseball.
“But for a bigger meaning this time.”
Like #NeverSettle.
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Astros keep doing this, and it’s getting hard to ignore
Jun 25, 2025, 10:01 pm
While the rolling Astros have a week of possible World Series preview matchups against the Phillies and Cubs, it’s the Rockets who made the biggest local sports headline with their acquisition of Kevin Durant. What a move! Of course there is risk involved in trading for a guy soon to turn 37 years old and who carries an injury history, but balancing risk vs. reward is a part of the game. This is a fabulous move for the Rockets. It’s understood that there are dissenters to this view. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, including people with the wrong opinion! Let’s dig in.
The Rockets had a wonderful season in winning 52 games before their disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Warriors, but like everyone else in the Western Conference, they were nowhere close to Oklahoma City’s caliber. While they finished second in the West, the Rockets only finished four games ahead of the play-in. That letting the stew simmer with further growth among their young players would yield true championship contention was no given for 2025-26 or beyond.
Kevin Durant is one of the 10 greatest offensive players the NBA has ever seen. Among his current contemporaries only Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic make that list. For instance, Durant offensively has clearly been better than the late and legendary Kobe Bryant. To view it from a Houston perspective, Durant has been an indisputably greater offensive force than the amazing Hakeem Olajuwon. But this is not a nostalgia trip in which the Rockets are trading for a guy based on what he used to be. While Durant could hit the wall at any point, living in fear that it’s about to happen is no way to live because KD, approaching his 18th NBA season, is still an elite offensive player.
As to the durability concern, Durant played more games (62) this past season than did Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith, and Tari Eason. The season before he played more games (75) than did VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Sengun. In each of the last two seasons Durant averaged more minutes per game (36.9) than any Rocket. That was stupid and/or desperate of the Suns, the Rockets will be smarter. Not that the workload eroded Durant’s production or efficiency. Over the two seasons he averaged almost 27 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor, 42 percent from behind the three-point line, and 85 percent from the free throw line. Awesomeness. The Rockets made the leap to being a very good team despite a frankly crummy half-court offense. The Rockets ranked 21st among the 30 NBA teams in three-point percentage, and dead last in free throw percentage. Amen Thompson has an array of skills and looks poised to be a unique star. Alas, Thompson has no credible jump shot. VanVleet is not a creator, Smith has limited handle. Adding Durant directly addresses the Rockets’ most glaring weakness.
The price the Rockets paid was in the big picture, minimal, unless you think Jalen Green is going to become a bonafide star. Green is still just 23 years old and spectacular athletically, but nothing he has done over four pro seasons suggests he’s on the cusp of greatness. In no season has Green even shot the league average from the floor or from three. His defense has never been as good as it should be given his athleticism. Compared to some other two-guards who made the NBA move one year removed from high school, four seasons into his career Green is waaaaaay behind where Shae Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker were four seasons in, and now well behind his draft classmate Cade Cunningham. Dillon Brooks was a solid pro in two seasons here and shot a career-best from three in 2024-2025, but he’s being replaced by Kevin Durant! In terms of the draft pick capital sent to Phoenix, five second round picks are essentially meaningless. The Rockets have multiple extra first round picks in the coming years. As for the sole first-rounder dealt away, whichever player the Rockets would have taken 10th Wednesday night would have been rather unlikely to crack the playing rotation.
VanVleet signs extension
Re-signing Fred VanVleet to a two-year, 50 million dollar guarantee is sensible. In a vacuum, VanVleet was substantially overpaid at the over 40 mil he made per season the last two. He’s a middle-of-the-pack starting point guard. But his professionalism and headiness brought major value to the Rockets’ kiddie corps while their payroll was otherwise very low. Ideally, Reed Sheppard makes a leap to look like an NBA lead guard in his second season, after a pretty much zippo of a rookie campaign. Sheppard is supposed to be a lights-out shooter. For the Rockets to max out, they need two sharpshooters on the court to balance Thompson’s presence.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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