Off the top of my bald head

Barry Warner: On the Astros, NCAA, Tiger Woods and more

Barry Warner: On the Astros, NCAA, Tiger Woods and more
It was a banner day for the Astros. Bob Levey/Getty Images

Last night’s home opener was incredible.  From the moment you entered Minute Maid, there was an electric feeling. Even with the roof open, the ovation for MVP Jose Altuve was thunderous.

After a 60 second snafu, the World Series banner was finally unfurled, a historical moment in our city.

On yesterday’s Reality Check owner Jim Crane shared with our listeners a few interesting facts.  GM Jeff Luhnow is not going anywhere for a “long time,”as the man behind the computers has been signed to a multi-year extension. He spent close to $5 million for 1,100 World Series Rings.  There are four levels, starting with the players and coaches, whose rings are close to $12,000 a piece. There are front office staff members, groundskeepers and support staff. The lowest level are the ushers and several game day employees.

My crystal ball has the Astros and the Cubs in the World Series.

Fixes for college basketball

Now that March Madness is over, with Villanova winning for the second time in three years, there must be some changes.

The One and Done rule has to be re-visited.  Calling freshman “student-athletes” is a joke. Most of these uber talented kids don’t go to class during the second semester.

The core strategy of the shoe companies is to identify the next Michael Jordan when he is still in middle school, have him play on a AAU sponsored team, steer him to a sponsored university, and ultimately sign him when he becomes an NBA star.  The NCAA suits are among the most pompous hypocrites in sports. They generate millions while the players are just pawns.

Another draft bust

One of the biggest mistakes made jointly by former GM Rick Smith Mc Nair and Bill O’Brien has come to an end.  Free agent guard Xavier Su’a Filo signed with the Titans. Four years ago, the Texans held the all-important first pick in the second round.  Many teams wanted to trade up to fill a specific need. But the rookie head coach and his boss held firm and took the out of shape, poor pass protector. Who did they pass up? A couple of potential Pro Bowl quarterbacks named Derek Carr and Jimmy Garrapolo.  Brilliant decision that wasted four years of progress.

The signing of QB Brandon Weeden is nothing more than a band aid.  The veteran was not good enough to beat out Tom Savage while here. The Texans need a mobile quarterback in case anything happens to DeShaun Watson.  It’s either draft a kid in rounds 4-7 or sign an experienced vet.

Bob Mc Nair, aka Mr. Goody Goody Two Shoes, would never touch Johnny Manziel.  But one team that has shown interest at the Aggies Pro Day is the Patriots.

R.I.P. Rusty

In the early sixties, I started following a high school phenom from New Orleans named Rusty Staub.  Little did I know then he would become one of my most cherished friends.

We met in 1965, then over his 23-year career, went to visits in Montreal, New York (where he became an icon) Texas and Detroit.  There is not enough space to list all the accomplishments of the first bonus baby of the Astros, getting a $100,000 check from Judge Roy Hofeinz.

When notified of his death, I cried like a baby. Upon opening both the New York tabloids, the Daily News and the post, the front- page article in color was his death.

Rusty was as iconic in the Big Apple as J.J. Watt for his philanthropy.

Rusty set up a charity in the 1980s to help the widows and orphans of police and firefighters who lost their lives protecting the citizens of New York City: the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. The charity has raised tens of millions of dollars and provided additional support to families of first responders killed in the line of duty.

Following the 9-11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Mets players and coaches donated their entire salaries from their first game back, about $450,000, to Staub's foundation.

Staub also has helped serve up meals to thousands of hungry and homeless people at food pantries all over New York City through Catholic Charities, with funds from his annual golf tournament and wine auction dinner. Close to ten million meals were served at the time of his death at, three days short of his 74th birthday.

Over the years he owned two successful restaurants in Manhattan and made annual trips to France to acquire wines for his collection.

His loyalty to those close to him was legendary.  If you were Rusty’s friend, your back was always covered.

Whenever he visited Houston I was part of a select group of friends to have dinner.

My life has been blessed because of Le Grande Orange.  There will be a series of mass services in New York, Montreal, New Orleans and Houston later this month.

Tiger's back

The quasi spring religious golfing tournament, the Masters, has four-time winner Tiger Woods listed as the favorite. Here is the latest Vegas line: Tiger 9-1, Dustin Johnson 23/2, Jordan Spieth 11-1 Justin Thomas 11-1, Rory McIlroy 12-1, Bubba Watson 15-1 and Phil Mickelson 16-1.

Jim Nantz and his boss Sean Mc Manus, Chairman of CBS Sports, have an annual luncheon at Augusta with one of the clubs most prestigious members, Roger Goodell. At last year’s lunch Jim told them Sergio Garcia would be the winner.

A big blowhard

Mike Francessa, the out of work New York talk show host, joined his former partner Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on the MLB Network; When the topic turned to the Astros, the controversial Francessa claimed Jose Altuve is nothing special, “just a singles hitter”.  And Michelangelo was just a house painter.

The Astros MVP has better stats than the ultimate “singles hitter” Pete Rose, in career batting average, home runs, RBI and OPS.

  Chirp!

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Joe Esapda is hoping Framber Valdez can secure a series win for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros (37-30) aim to close out their series against the Chicago White Sox (23-45) on a high note Thursday night at Daikin Park. The three-game set is currently tied 1-1, and with a chance to secure their 11th series win at home, the Astros will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) has quietly been one of the most consistent arms in the American League. Known for his heavy sinker and ground-ball inducing style, he enters the night with a stellar 1.06 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. With the Astros bullpen having absorbed some heavy usage earlier this week, Valdez will be counted on to give Houston quality length.

Opposing him will be right-hander Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62 ERA), who has pitched better than his win-loss record suggests. Martin has maintained a 1.21 WHIP and will try to quiet an Astros lineup that broke out for 10 runs in Wednesday’s win.

Houston’s offense has been led lately by Jeremy Peña, who is batting .439 over his last 10 games with five doubles, two homers, and six RBIs. Isaac Paredes continues to be a steady power threat, leading the team with 14 home runs and a .468 slugging percentage. José Altuve, fresh off his 2,300th career hit, adds veteran stability to the top of the order.

The Astros are 23-13 at home this season and have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. When they avoid giving up home runs, they win — as shown by their 20-4 record in games where they keep the ball in the yard. That will be a key Thursday against a White Sox team that’s light on power but capable of grinding out runs when they out-hit opponents (16-9 when doing so).

Chicago, meanwhile, has struggled mightily on the road, going just 7-27 away from Guaranteed Rate Field. Still, they’ve had unexpected success against the Astros this season, winning three of the first five matchups. Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman have been among the few bright spots in a lineup that’s hit just .227 over its last 10 games and been outscored by six runs.

With the series on the line and the division-leading Astros looking to stay hot, Thursday night offers a chance to assert their edge with a trusted ace on the hill and momentum building in the lineup.

Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for the finale!

Christian Walker remains in the five spot after his big night in Game 2. Victor Caratini will be the DH hitting seventh behind Jake Meyers. Jose Altuve is shifting back to left field, with Jacob Melton getting the night off. And Brendan Rodgers will hit last and play second base.


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