KATE UPTON WATCH
Kate Upton joins on-field celebration with Justin Verlander after Astros clinch ALCS
Clifford Pugh
Oct 22, 2017, 3:00 am
It wasn't just the Houston Astros players and coaches who were celebrating the big win over the New York Yankees on the field of Minute Park Saturday night. Whitney Crane stood next to her husband, Astros owner Jim Crane, as he officially accepted the ALCS trophy. And model Kate Upton took cell phone photos of fiancé Justin Verlander as he was named Most Valuable Player.
Upton wore a classic rainbow-striped Astros jersey over a black camisole, skinny jeans, and mango-colored stilettos with ballet ribbons as she cheered the Astros on from a skybox during the game and on the field afterwards.
She even snared a World Series cap that the Astro players received after the 4-0 win over the Yankees. And it seemed appropriate that she should be on the field celebrating. Besides adding a touch of glamour to these games, she is credited with encouraging Verlander to come to the Astros.
The Detroit Tigers sent Verlander to the Astros just seconds before the trade deadline on Sept. 1. He agreed to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, with Upton's encouragement.
"Thank goodness my fiancée Kate was there," Verlander told ESPN's Pardon the Interruption. "It made my decision a lot easier. … Finally, I'm still pacing and I just kind of stop and I looked at Kate and I go 'Screw it; We're going to Houston.' And she's like 'Heck yeah.' You know I'm kind of trying to say the right language here. But she says 'Heck yeah, we're going,' and that was it. That was the decision."
We're sure glad they did.
CJ Stroud put a lot of Texans fans at ease when he showed up to mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and participated in throwing drills. Many were concerned that Stroud might have received surgery in the offseason, and that was keeping him from throwing at voluntary OTAs last week. But Stroud put that narrative to bed, denying any offseason surgery.
Stroud told the media that he's been working on getting his body right this offseason, focusing on, among other things, lowering his body fat, improving his hip flexibility, and gaining speed.
CJ implied that the extra training this offseason might have been a factor in the soreness that kept him from throwing last week, but that should be expected. Pushing your body can sometimes lead to soreness, but it's not anything to be worried about.
He also said he had been throwing prior to minicamp on Tuesday, but this is the first time the media has been around to witness it.
Thoughts on the new system
CJ had positive things to say about the Texans' new OC Nick Caley. He pointed out that he cares more about the "person" than the system. He likes the energy from his new OC, even saying Caley calls him frequently, but doesn't always answer because Caley is “always yelling.”
Stroud also confirmed that the new offense allows him to have more control at the line of scrimmage, something we heard he was wanting last season.
Caley and CJ have watched old videos from 2003 and 2004 of Tom Brady working with Josh McDaniels. They believe this will help Stroud learn how to take “ownership” of the protections.
You can watch the full interview in the video below.
So what else happened at mandatory minicamp?
Newly signed running back Nick Chubb participated in drills. Head coach DeMeco Ryans credited GM Nick Caserio with signing the four-time Pro Bowler.
Nick Chubb takes the handoff in first #Texans practice @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/P4X9NGXB4B
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 10, 2025
How did the receivers look?
The big play of the day came from 2nd round receiver Jayden Higgins, who caught this pass from Stroud against Kamari Lassister. This looks like a connection the Texans will count on for years to come.
🎯🎯🎯 pic.twitter.com/4wLhMtduBd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 10, 2025
3rd rounder Jaylin Noel was in attendance but didn't participate.
Nico Collins and Stroud appear to be in midseason form.
Nico Collins showin’ ‘em how it’s done. #MiniCamp #Texans pic.twitter.com/Ir4qrGsL15
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) June 10, 2025
Anything new with the offensive line?
Not really. The Texans lineup up from left to right with Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Tytus Howard, and Blake Fisher. Later on, rookie Aireontae Ersery got some work in at left tackle.
Current #Texans O-Line combination protecting Stroud: LT Airenontae Ersery, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Jake Andrews, RG Tytus Howard, RT Blake Fisher.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) June 10, 2025
The Texans will wrap up minicamp Wednesday, and we'll keep you in the loop with any further developments.