Drayton McClane sells Astros to Jim Crane for $680 million

Old Astros logo/Courtesy: minorleagueball.com

Boy, it must be nice to be Houston area businessman Jim Crane. Crane just dropped a cool $680 million to buy the Houston Astros from long-time owner Drayton McClane. The announcement will be made at a 2pm central time press conference.

The Astros have struggled in recent years as McClane insisted on hanging on to aging, high priced, unproductive veterans rather than grow their own players. Arguably, the Astros are currently the worst team in baseball.

You can read about the new owner Jim Crane in this Houston Chronicle story RIGHT HERE

Mr. Crane will be trying to rebuild the once proud franchise and we wish him luck. His ownership group consists of several well-known and high falutin' Houston area businessmen.

Don't feel sorry for the selling owner here either. Drayton McClane bought the team for $117 million. That means he's making about $563 million more than he paid for the team.

Is it bad that when we think Astro, we think of this?



Here's the latest from our friends at MyFoxHouston/Fox26
FOSG Mark Berman leads the charge...

McLane Sells Astros to Crane: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Delino DeShields Jr. pulled over for drunk driving

Delino DeShields Jr./Courtesy: julio cortez-chron.com

Mr. DeShields Jr. is also 18-years old. And last years 1st Round draft pick of the Houston Astros. Oh, by the way, his father Delino DeShields Sr., he's a former major league baseball player who is now a manager in the Cincinnati Reds farm system.

DeShields, according to reports, was driving away from a frat party at the University of Georgia in Athens. He was pulled over driving drunk, the wrong way down a one-way street downtown around 11:30 at night.

Read more from OnlineAthens.com RIGHT HERE

Not a good start here young man. It's bad enough that you are 18 and drinking, it's much, much worse that you proceeded to get behind the wheel of a car after doing it.

You may have a long and successful career as a baseball player...or you could be a career minor leaguer or wash out completely. Either way, you are getting paid right now. A lot of money. Don't jeopardize it being being a major league moron and doing stupid stuff like this.

This is how you get a reputation, and not necessarily one that you want to have. Get past it. Get your head together. And if you are going to something like going drinking somewhere, even though you aren't old enough to do it for the next 3-years (we aren't encouraging this, it's just being real--kids do things like this), don't get behind the wheel of a car. God forbid you hit someone, at that point, your baseball career and any other career....is over.

Here is some video of young Mr. DeShields playing baseball:

BREAKING: McLane Puts Astros Up For Sale

((HT: MyFoxHouston.com))

Major League Baseball sources told FOX 26 Sports and FOSG Mark Berman that Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane, Jr. has retained Allen & Co., an investment-banking firm in New York City, to help him sell his franchise.

Allen & Company will attempt to sell the Astros franchise for $800 million.

McLane has owned the Astros since 1992. From 1993 to 2010, the Astros own the fourth-best record in the National League.

The Astros reached the postseason in six of the past 14 seasons which includes National League Central Division titles in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Here's Berman on the front lines...

Oswalt To Philly Okey-Dokeyed

Houston AStros ace Roy Oswalt may be on his way to Philadelphia, but he has to waive his no-trade clause to do it...

So sayeth David Murphy, Phillies beat writer for Philly.com...

It looks like the Astros would get starter J.A. Happ and prospects in return...

Happ is economically feasible, at just under $500-grand for a salary figure...

FOSG and MyFoxHouston Sports Director Mark Berman broke the story last night, and says that both sides have agreed on just how much money the Astros and Phillies will divvy up when it comes to paying the Astros ace. The 2012 option year of Oswalt's contract is still in play.

More when we know more...
In the interim, Ken Rosenthal from FoxSports tells us who isn't getting Oswalt...
((HT: FoxSports))


1830 UPDATE: Mark Berman confirms that Oswalt waived his no-trade...

"It feels pretty good actually to have all of this stuff out of the way and I can concentrate on baseball," Oswalt said.

Oswalt said he will pitch for the Phillies Friday against the Washington Nationals.

"I love the city of Houston and the Astros fans," Oswalt said. "They have been great to me and the Astros are a great organization. I think it's time for us to separate and do something different.

"Philly has a great team with a chance to go to the World Series. I wanted this deal to be good for both the Astros and me and I think it is."

No More Lima Time, Pitcher Dies At 37...

One of the true characters of baseball of the last decade, former All-Star right-hander Jose Lima died Sunday morning at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 37.

The cause of death was ruled a heart attack, according to his wife, Dorca Astacio.

"Jose was complaining while sleeping and I just thought he was having a nightmare," Astacio told ESPNdeportes.com. "I called the paramedics, but they couldn't help him."

Lima was 89-102 in 13 seasons with the Tigers, Astros, Royals, Dodgers and Mets. He was selected to the All-Star Game with Houston in 1999, when he won a career-high 21 games.

Here's one of Lima's lighter moments with the Golden Baseball League's Long Beach Armada, where his singing talents were once again on display...
((HT: LongBeachArmada))

Pirates Startes On DL After Line Drive To Head

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Jakubauskas ((pictured, thanks Bob Levey/Getty)) was hit in the face by Lance Berkman's line drive in the first inning of Saturday's game in Houston and was carted off the field.

Berkman drove a 1-0 pitch back to the mound and hit Jakubauskas in the head. He fell and the ball bounced all the way back to catcher Jason Jaramillo.

Medical staffs from both teams ran to the mound as Jakubauskas stayed down, repeatedly kicking the dirt in obvious pain. Berkman ran to the mound, joining all of the Pirates infielders.

"I just wanted to pray for him," Berkman said. "That's a scary situation. That's probably the most rattling thing I've been a part of in the big leagues. There's really not much I could do. I just wanted to be over there and lend any support that I could."

Jakubauskas was down for almost 5 minutes before he sat up, holding an ice pack and towel against his face. Jakubauskas was taken off the field on a medical cart. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd, who offered a standing ovation.

"It's as good as could be expected. He doesn't seem to have a concussion. He was conscious and was answering questions," said Pirates manager John Russell. "It was very frightening. Now it puts the game in perspective."

Here's the play in question...
((HT: FSAstros))


Sunday Update:
Jakubauskas was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion and head contusion a day after he was struck in the head by a Lance Berkman line drive.

He received a call from Berkman on Saturday night, who was relieved to find out the pitcher will travel with the Pirates for their next series in Milwaukee.

"He was still a little woozy but he was coherent, and I was glad to see he was conscious and was doing good," Berkman told MLB.com. "It's just a scary deal, but hopefully there's no lasting impact from it and he'll just continue with his career."

Virginia Tech, The Baseball Fashion Police Want You

What's the phrase those who don't know their history and bound to repeat it, well whoever supplies the baseball uniforms at Virginia Tech needs a history lesson.

You remember those god awful multi-color uniforms the Houston Astros wore in the late 1970's, well Virginia Tech has brought back a baseball fashion eye sore. (It looks good on Jose Cruz though)

Now Virginia Tech's Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon color scheme isn't the best mix of hue's and it looks down right hideous when you try to recreate baseball's worst fashion statement.

Jose Cruz Photo Courtesy: St. Petersberg Times

Virginia Tech Photos Courtesy: Hokiesports.com

Bees Interrupt Padres Game

((HT: CBS8/KFMB-TV))

Talk about adding a late-inning buzz to a ballgame.

The Houston Astros - who once had the "Killer Bs" - beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Thursday, but only after waiting out a 52-minute delay in the top of the ninth inning caused when a swarm of bees took over part of left field at Petco Park.

Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs. The Astros won three of four against the Padres.

A beekeeper was called to the downtown ballpark and sprayed a chair and a ballgirl's jacket that had attracted the bees. Padres president Tom Garfinkel said a few thousand bees attached themselves to a queen bee.

"The umpires made the right call to stop the game," Garfinkel said. "There's a couple thousand bees there. If they decide to swarm on a person, whether that's a player, an employer or obviously a fan, we could have a real situation."

After Joe Thatcher's first pitch to Miguel Tejada with two outs in the ninth, San Diego's Kyle Blanks began walking in from left field. Second base umpire Mike Reilly walked toward left to see what was going on.

The game was halted at 3:09 p.m. Five minutes later, both teams were cleared from the field.

The beekeeper arrived at 3:56 p.m., quickly did his job to applause from the fans who remained, and the game resumed 5 minutes later.

The swarm first appeared along the warning track. Later, fans were cleared out of several sections down the left-field line.

Houston led 6-1 at the time.

Garfinkel said head groundskeeper Luke Yoder has the beekeeper on his speed dial.

Here's how it looked, thanks to CBS8 and Craig McKee...

Astros' Boone To Have Heart Surgery

Aaron Boone of the Houston Astros will have open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve.
Boone made the announcement Wednesday, saying he has known about his heart condition since college but tests after his routine physical determined he needed surgery. It is not an emergency, but doctors indicated the procedure was needed.

He said doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovers, but he’s not sure whether he will.

An emotional Boone ((pictured, thanks Rob Carr/AP))delivered the news flanked by general manager Ed Wade and manager Cecil Cooper and in front of a somber room filled with teammates and Astros officials.

“It definitely hits home, but I’m doing well with it,” Boone said. “I feel like I’m fairly educated on it now. I have a strong faith and a great family and friends and teammates. I really am doing well and I’m ready to tackle this thing and get it behind me and get on with life.”

Wade said a local doctor who did the team physicals and team physician Dr. Jim Muntz worked together to conduct tests on Boone because they knew of his condition.

“Unfortunately the test results came out indicating there was an acceleration of the condition that Aaron has been dealing with for a number of years,” Wade said.

He has a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital defect where the valve has only two cusps to manage the flow of blood through the heart, as opposed to the normal three. The surgery has not been scheduled, but Boone expects to set a date for the procedure later this week.

Cooper rubbed Boone’s back as he expressed his concern for the player.

“As a baseball family we’re here to support Aaron, as you can see by all the teammates and front office personnel we have here,” Cooper said. “And anything he needs we’re going to be there to help him out.”

Boone said he feels fine, but that he’s never had symptoms of the problem.

The third baseman signed with the Astros in the offseason after spending last season with the Washington Nationals. Now, the 36-year-old isn’t sure if he’ll ever play for Houston, or any other team, again.

“I think about it a little bit, but at the end of the thought or the end of the day it’s about getting this and we’ll see where I am a month from now, two months from now, three months from now,” he said.

He’ll make decisions on his future after he recovers and can research and talk with athletes who have returned to play after heart surgery. He mentioned getting in touch with Golden State’s Ronny Turiaf, who had a similar procedure and currently plays in the NBA.

If he wants to talk to someone closer, he can look across the clubhouse to reliever Doug Brocail. Brocail did not have open heart surgery, but underwent two angioplasties on his heart in 2006 during which four stents were installed.

“You want the guy here, but there’s life after baseball,” Brocail said. “(I told him) Get this done for you and your kids and if you play baseball again, so be it. If you don’t, get it fixed so you can have a normal, healthy life.”

Boone has also played for Cincinnati, the New York Yankees, Cleveland and Florida in his 12-year career.

When It Rains It Pours - Miquel Tejada Charged With Lying To Congress About Steriods

Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada has been charged with lying to Congress about steroids. Tejada is scheduled to appear at 11 am Wednesday morning in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Tejada is expected to plead guilty to the charge.

The charge on Tejada alleges he gave false statements to Congressional staffers regarding his conversations with another player about steroids and human growth hormone back in 2005. The player is believed to have played with the Oakland Athletics with Tejada.

Tejada "unlawfully withheld pertinent information from the committee because defendant Tejada, before and during his interview with the committee staff, then and there well knew that player #1, one of his teammates on the Oakland Athletics, had used steroids and HGH," the papers state.

The court papers filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Durham charge that during spring training in 2003, Tejada had purchased a substance believed to be HGH from the player, giving him payments of $3,100 and $3,200.

In the Mitchell Report, which examined steroid use in baseball, Oakland outfielder Adam Piatt is cited saying he discussed steroid use with Tejada and having provided Tejada with testosterone and human growth hormone.

The Mitchell Report, issued in December 2007, also included copies of checks allegedly written by Tejada to Piatt in March 2003 for $3,100 and $3,200 -- the same payment amounts in Tuesday's court filing.

[HT/AP]

Photo Courtesy: AP

Hurricane Ike Updates/Saturday September 13th

The biggest news today where the rescheduling and juggling has been done on a lot of different levels of sports comes from the National Football League.

The Houston Texans-Baltimore Ravens game scheduled for Sunday and, then Monday, has been shifted to November 9th. Sunday now serves as the bye week for the two teams.

The November 9th game will be held during the Ravens' bye week. The Texans' home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, originally scheduled for November 9th, will be moved to October 26th, which was the bye week for both of those teams.

The Bengals' bye week will be the weekend of November 9th.

Shea Guinn, the President and General Manager of Reliant Park was asked about the status of Reliant Stadium ((pictured, thanks Billy Smith II/Houston Chronicle)) and its retractable elements.

"There is no way this stadium will host a game on Monday night," Guinn said Saturday. "There are parts of the roof that are completely gone."

The retractable roof on the $352 million venue rolls open in nine sections. Guinn said five of the sections were missing and large pieces of debris had fallen into the stadium.

"It's hard to tell what came from where," Guinn said.

Reliant Stadium sits next to the Astrodome. Guinn said Saturday that he had not yet inspected the dome for storm damage. The Texans' air-supported practice "bubble" across the street was deflated on Thursday and was not damaged, Guinn said.

The logistics of bye weeks of all teams involved is in blue, thanks to the National Football League and nfl.com

Minute Maid Park was spared from any major damage from Hurricane Ike, but the Astros may move games to another domed stadium- possibly Miller Park in Milwaukee for their series with the Cubs that is scheduled for Union Station this week.

"We couldn't get to the Rangers," Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane told the Houston Chronicle. "One of the options was to go to Minnesota. We're looking for a domed stadium because of all the rain that is out there. We're trying to deal with all that. Milwaukee is one of the few places that there is a roof.

"(The) Tampa (Bay Rays' Tropicana Field) was one, but they have a game Monday. It's one of the most difficult (scheduling) things I've ever dealt with."

The rest of the interview with McLane from Jose De Jesus Ortiz and the Chronicle is in blue

De Jesus Ortiz' article also talks about the precautions taken at Minute Maid:

Workers tied the stadium's roof to a concrete deck Thursday night and sandbagged the service level, where the home and visiting clubhouses and the Diamond Club seating are located.

They plugged drains below street level, and they tied all the exterior doors so they could not blow open. Those precautions paid off.

The Minute Maid Park roof was tested for 118-mph winds before it opened in 2000. Unisystems, which designed the roof, told the Astros it would be able to withstand 150-mph winds.

KHOU-TV's yeoman coverage, with friend of OSG Chief Meteorolgist Gene Norman, can be found in blue and is encouraged viewing...

Fox 26's coverage is in blue at myfoxhouston.com
KPRC-NBC2 in Houston is in blue at click2houston.com

UPDATE: De Jesus Ortiz has a follow-up article with the Chronicle where it was decided that Miller Park will host the Astros-Cubs games for Sunday at 7:05 and Monday afternoon at 1:05.

“If it all comes tied down at the end of the season we could play the third game in Houston,” Drayton McLane said. “We’re giving up the revenue that we would have had.

“This is costly for us. This is painful for us, but we felt for our fans and our city we needed to move these games. This is the right thing to do for our fans. We have a great chance to win the wild card and we think this will give them something to cheer them up.”

A September 29th scheduled tie-breaker would be played in Houston.