Houston Texans make shocking, necessary front office decision
HIT THE ROAD, JACK!
17 October 2022
It's finally happening! Composite image by Jack Brame.
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Texans and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby are parting ways.
A significant shakeup in Houston: Texans are parting ways with their executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby, sources tell ESPN. Houston hired Easterby in 2019 and he had a major voice in the organization.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2022
We've heard rumors this season that Easterby's relationship with the McNair family isn't what it used to be and that his time could soon be up in Houston. The timing of this decision is interesting, though, coming on Monday morning right after the bye week, and the Texans first win of the season. Clearly this wasn't a Friday news dump, the Texans wanted this out there.
Easterby spent three years in Houston becoming infamous for being Bill O'Brien's right-hand man that destroyed the Texans roster and salary cap. The Laremy Tunsil trade, giving Deshaun Watson a massive contract with a no-trade clause, getting fleeced in the DeAndre Hopkins trade are just a few of the franchise killing moves he and Bill O'Brien signed off on. The Texans are still dealing with a massive amount of dead money, even after Nick Caserio's best efforts to clean up the cap and culture in Houston.
Hopefully, the Texans can put this mess behind them and move forward with Nick Caserio and Lovie Smith continuing to turnaround the organization, put a better product on the field, and leave behind the drama.
Astros deliver perfect answer to Thursday night’s gut punch
May 30, 2025, 9:41 pm
Yainer Diaz homered with two outs in the ninth inning and Framber Valdez pitched a three-hitter to lead the Houston Astros to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
THIS IS EL MATÍN. pic.twitter.com/Ynz9rAtiq8
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 31, 2025
The score was tied 1-1 entering the ninth. Garrett Cleavinger (0-1) struck out Jose Altuve and Christian Walker before Diaz sent a 98 mph sinker into the seats in right field to set off a wild celebration.
Valdez (5-4) gave up a homer to Jose Caballero in the first inning and tied a season high with nine strikeouts in his ninth career complete game and second this season.
Houston trailed 1-0 when Jake Meyers doubled to center field with no outs in the eighth inning and scored on Zach Dezenzo's single on a grounder. Dezenzo moved to second on a throwing error by second baseman Curtis Mead on the play.
Caballero homered on Valdez’s second pitch to give the Rays an early lead. The homer was just his second this season and the first since April 9.
Rays starter Ryan Pepiot allowed two hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his second strong start after he threw seven scoreless innings in his last start.
Valdez retired 12 straight before Jonathan Aranda singled on a chopper to first base to start the fifth. Valdez got right back on track, striking out Danny Jansen before Mead grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Valdez sailed through the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, sitting down nine straight batters with three strikeouts.
Taylor Walls singled with one out in the ninth before Caballero walked. Walls was caught stealing third and Valdez retired Yandy Díaz on a groundout to complete his night.
Walker singled with two outs in the seventh to chase Pepiot. Kevin Kelly took over and was greeted with a single by Diaz. The Astros came away empty when Kelly struck out Cam Smith.
Key moment
The home run by Diaz allowed Houston to rally after losing the series opener 13-3.
Key stat
Valdez needed just 83 pitches to complete the game.
Up next
Rays RHP Zack Littell (4-5, 3.97 ERA) opposes Astros LHP Colton Gordon (0-0, 3.52) on Saturday.
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