H-Town Hold it Down
Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Block Party gives us a reason to be proud to be Houstonians
Jun 11, 2018, 6:58 am
Jose Partida with his Cactus Jacks. Courtesy photo
I have been part of the sneaker community since I was in middle school. Back then, my hobbies included sitting on my computer on 23isback.com or designing my own pair of Air Maxes on Nike ID. Of course, back then I could not afford to actually buy those sneakers. All I could do was admire them and promise myself: once I started making real money I can buy myself whatever shoes I want. I am still working on that “making real money” thing, but here I stand in 2018 with more sneakers than there are days in a month. We all have our own vices, right?
I remember first hearing about Travis Scott in 2012 when he was all over Cruel Summer, the compilation album by Kanye’s GOOD Music. The following year, he dropped Owl Pharaoh and began seriously leaving his imprint in rap music. Fast forward to 2018, Travis has established himself as one of the top artists in Hip Hop and one of the biggest celebrities in Houston.
Last Wednesday, Travis Scott took to twitter to announce his Cactus Jack Block Party, presented by Jordan Brand. I was fortunate enough to attend the event that converged several of my favorite things: Sneakers, Hip Hop, and, of course, Sports.
The Party took place at Root Memorial Square Park, right outside of Toyota Center. By the time I arrived to the event the line wrapped around the park. Us millennials do not play when it comes to supporting our favorite artist. There was another line at the park, though. This line was for those who lucked out on the Nike SNKRS app and were waiting for their chance to get Travis’ collaboration with Jordan Brand, the Cactus Jack. Travis’ shoe is an Air Jordan Four covered in blue suede, with white, red and black accents. They are a fitting tribute to the long gone Houston Oilers.
Once into the park, fans were given a chance to enjoy a party that was as Houston as it could be. 97.9 The Box played the music. Frenchy’s Chicken fed the fans. Deshaun Watson watched on as the basketball tournament took place. Of course, there cannot be a Houston party without the presence of Bun B, who made his way through the Social Status line and purchased his own pair of Cactus Jack’s. To put a bow on it, fans jumped the rails when Travis arrived and got the party shut down by the Fire Marshal. How’s that for a Houston party?
As I took in the event it dawned on me, this is the first time Houston has done something like this. Collaborations between Nike and artists are not uncommon. They’ve done it with Kanye West, they’ve done it with Drake, and they are doing it right now with Kendrick Lamar. Travis granted the Houstonian sneaker head the chance to feel that special feeling with this release. He grabbed one of the best Jordan silhouettes and created a shoe that resonates with everyone in the city of Houston. When I look at the Cactus Jack Fours I see Paul Wall hanging out in a Warren Moon throwback. I see Johnny Dang giving Lance McCullers his World Series Grill. I see PJ Tucker hustling for a rebound wearing his pair in the NBA playoffs. I see the encapsulation of this unapologetically Hip Hop city.
Travis has taken his music around the world, never letting people forget where he is from. The fact he has released one of the most talked about sneakers of the year gives me as much pride as him rapping about Houston at festivals around the world.
At one point in his life, Travis was much like me. A young sneaker head who could only dream about one day having his own shoe. Now, he has them and, with another color way possibly on the way, the dream collaboration with Jordan is only getting started. If Travis Scott was not already respected by Houstonians for his music, I think he has done himself many favors this year. Whether it was sitting court side throughout the Rockets’ historic season or putting on an exclusive event like this one, Travis shows us why we should be proud to be Houstonians.
From the 713 to the 281, Houston is proud to call Travis Scott their own, and, boy, were they happy to get their hands on the Cactus Jacks’ a day before their official launch.
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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.