EVERY-THING SPORTS
Here's an exciting look back at 2022 from a Houston sports perspective
Dec 23, 2022, 3:12 pm
More hardware for Jeremy Peña. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
The sole survivor: Jeremy Peña home run lifts Astros to 6th straight ALCS
Every November/December, we see retrospective pieces. Sports are no different. In fact, sports may have some of the best and worst. This year, I'm throwing my version of a year in review or year-end awards. I'll do some formulaic stuff, but as always, I'll put my spin on things. Let's get started:
Eff'd Around And Found Out Award:Yankees and Phillies fans
These two groups are perhaps the worst in all of sports. They're obnoxious beyond belief, entitled, and carry themselves as if they're God's gifts to sports. So, when they called out the Astros and proceeded to get chopped down, I rejoiced over a cup of their collective tears. “WE WANT HOUSTON!” Well, you got it! Hope you liked it!
Coach of the Year:Kelvin Sampson, UH Men's Basketball
Coach Sampson has turned this program around and returned it to prominence. They went 32-6 last season, losing in the Elite 8. This season, they're 12-1, ranked third in the nation after losing their number one ranking. The future is bright because recruiting is going very well, and the transfer portal has been kind. Honorable mention to Dusty Baker.
Breakout Athlete of the Year:Jeremy Peña, Astros
When they lost Carlos Correa, people thought Peña would never be able to fill those shoes. Correa was one of the leaders in the clubhouse and was a superstar. He'd been through the wars and defended the team fiercely after the sign stealing scandal. All Peña did was win a Gold Glove, ALCS MVP, and World Series MVP…AS A ROOKIE!!! This kid established himself as a star year one on a World Series winner. Hard to top this, but he's on the right path.
Shooting Star:Dameon Pierce, Texans
A shooting star is different from a breakout star. Peña established himself as a major player on a winner. Pierce is a shooting star because he's the bright spot on a team that has potential. The Texans aren't winners now but are poised to be AFC South contenders with some key pieces in place. Pierce is one piece they already have in place. He's a tough runner who reminds me of the old school running backs that played every down and carried the load. Once they cut him loose more in the pass game, look out!
Face Turn of the Year:Cal McNair, Texans
When the story about Cal playing video games in an office with no furniture came out, it added to the “Tommy Boy” persona some had of him. As things got worse with the franchise, he was the face of the fall (outside a few key others). Grilling for fans at training camp went a long way. More importantly, fans are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. They know there's a rebuild going on and are accepting, as long as there's progress being made. What that progress looks like differs from fan to fan. For now, Cal is safe. He's gone from bumbling idiot to goofy uncle with the cool 80s 'stache.
Cosmetology/Barber School Scholarship of the Year:Roof Crew at NRG
To open or to close? That is the question. The roofs at NRG and Minute Maid are always a source of contention. Fans want them opened for the full effect of a game, weather-permitting of course. I guess the old 50-80 rule is no longer in use. Minute Maid does a good job of opening their roof when it's appropriate. NRG is horrible at it. In fact, they were supposed to have it opened against the Chiefs, but they couldn't get it to open! How in the blue hell do you have a retractable roof that you use a handful of times, and it malfunctions?!? Whoever is in charge of this needs to report to cosmetology/barber school immediately! Your new career awaits!
Venue of the Year:Cobos Que
I had a friend come in town with family. His dad and uncle wanted some good Texas BBQ. Took them here, and they loved it. This was Astros party central for the World Series run. In a little over a year, it's become a Houston staple. Not only are the food and drinks top notch, but the location and atmosphere are amazing! Pre- and post-game must for any Astros, Rockets, and Dynamo games since all three teams play within blocks.
MVP of the Year:The Fans
No matter how good things got, how bad they got, or whatever else went down, the fans have showed their passion. From openly booing the Texans for being bad, to undying Astros loyalty, to still showing the baby Rockets love, and all the ranges of emotions. The fans have truly spoken. They've made watching and covering sports enjoyable. Don't believe me? Hop on a Twitter Spaces or jump in a sports group page on Facebook. Fans care and they're letting it be known. The Texans noticed the drop in sales and attendance. The Rockets have too. The Astros know they have to keep the momentum going. The Dynamo are trying to get it figured out. Fans are speaking with more than their voices. Now, their voices are louder than ever!
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.