A REAL HOMER
George Springer and Astros stars roll out lively bowling bash for local kids
Jul 1, 2019, 12:01 pm
Photo by Kim Padgett
George Springer, his wife, Charlise, and local kids.
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
The 5th George Springer All-Star Bowling Benefit raised more than $250,000 on the evening of June 27, with the proceeds going toward sending economically disadvantaged kids who stutter to the SAY summer camp (SAY stands for the Stuttering Association for the Young). As most Astros fans know, our American League starting All-Star slugger grew up stuttering and now is the SAY national spokesman.
The annual event at Bowlmor on Bunker Hill Road drew an array of local celebrities like Channel 11 anchor Ron Trevino, Channel 2 sports anchor Lainie Fritz, and Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching. After some poignant speeches by remarkable kids (including one with a show-stopping singing voice), Houstonians bowled for a good cause. (I was an honorary lane captain.) Complimentary refreshments included pizza, pigs in a blanket, and fried mozzarella sticks.
Many of the Astros came to lend their support to Springer's effort — think José Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Lance McCullers Jr. — and throw a few bowling balls into the gutter. (Stick to your day and night jobs, guys.)
I pulled pitcher Collin McHugh aside (in between sets) for a few fast, hard-hitting questions:
CultureMap: When I watch the games on TV and they show the dugout, there’s always five landline phones on the dugout wall. I figure one is to call the bullpen, and one is to call the Psychic Hotline. Where do you think the other three phones go?
Collin McHugh: One is to call Aramark to have some food sent down to the dugout. One is to call into the clubhouse to see who's taking a nap. And the other is to call Uber to get me home.
CM: Who controls the music in the Astros clubhouse?
CMcH: Definitely George Springer! He's the team deejay. He has eclectic taste. My personal favorite is Sunday Funday. We get a lot of Earth, Wind & Fire, which is great by me.
CM: How do you kill time in the clubhouse during a rain delay?
CMcH: I like to watch guys play cards. I know it sounds weird, but we've got some really competitive guys, so things get pretty intense. They don't play poker, it's usually something like spades or hearts, old school games. Will Harris and Wade Miley are the most intense, tough duo.
Continue reading on CultureMap to find out if Collin McHugh likes the rule that baseball managers have to wear a uniform.
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Astros let late lead slip as Mariners stun Houston with wild rally
Apr 9, 2025, 8:07 pm
Houston Rockets (52-27) at Los Angeles Clippers (46-32)
Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT | Inglewood, CA
Line: Clippers -6.5 | O/U: 219
The Houston Rockets head west to face the Los Angeles Clippers in a high-stakes Western Conference matchup between two teams hitting their stride at the right time.
What’s at stake:
With both teams locked into the top half of the playoff picture, Wednesday’s showdown could carry big implications for seeding. The Rockets have won eight of their last 10, surging into second place in the West. The Clippers, winners of five straight, are looking to secure home-court advantage in the first round.
Team comparisons:
Houston enters with a 31-18 mark against the Western Conference and has leaned on defense and rebounding, ranking fifth in the league in defensive boards per game (34.0), thanks largely to Alperen Sengun.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are 26-23 within the conference and have outscored opponents by 4.5 points per game on the season. They're averaging 112.6 points this season. And shooting a strong 50.9% from the field over their last 10 games.
Key players to watch:
- Rockets: Jalen Green continues to lead the scoring charge, averaging 23.4 points over his last 10 games. Sengun, who is day-to-day with a back issue, remains central to Houston’s identity with 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
- Clippers: Ivica Zubac has been a steady force inside with 16.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, while Kawhi Leonard (20.4 points over the last 10) remains a game-time decision due to rest.
By the numbers:
- Both teams are red-hot offensively, with the Rockets averaging 119.1 points and the Clippers 119.0 over their past 10 contests.
- The rebounding battle could be key—Houston holds a slight edge (49.5 to 44.8 per game, over the past 10 contests).
- Both defenses are holding opponents under 108 points per game during that span.
Injury watch:
Houston may be without Jabari Smith Jr. (groin), Fred VanVleet (ankle), and Sengun (back), while the Clippers could be without Kawhi Leonard, Amir Coffey, and Patty Mills.
Bottom line:
This could be a playoff preview, and with both teams in form, the game may come down to execution late. If the Rockets can control the boards and match LA’s shot-making, they’ll have a shot to leave Inglewood with a big win.
*ChatGPT assisted.
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