Which is Houston's biggest sports story for 2011?
It’s that time of year for incomplete, but arguable lists. Here’s my Top Ten List of the Biggest Sports Stories in Houston for 2011:
(1) Drayton McLane sells Astros to Jim Crane group as Commissioner Bud Selig forces the latter to accept movement of the club to the American League in 2013 as a condition for the deal’s MLB approval.
(2) Texans win the NFL’s AFC South, making playoffs for first time.
(3) Astros lose 100 plus games (106) for the first time in their 50-year history.
(4) UH Cougars go 12-0 before losing C-USA football championship game to Southern Miss, 49-28.
(5) Texans hire Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator.
(6) Rockets hire Kevin McHale as their new head NBA basketball coach.
(7) Dynamo’s new soccer stadium is under construction east of downtown for next season.
(8) New Astros ownership fires administrative icon Tal Smith as Baseball President of the club.
(9) UH joins the Big East Conference.
(10) Yao Ming retires from the Houston Rockets.
Let us hear from you. The Pecan Park Eagle would like to know what your choices are for the top stories in Houston Sports in 2011. Do we need to recognize Houstonian and former Astro Lance Berkman for his accomplishments in delivering the Cardinals from a one-more-strike-and-you’re-dead defeat in the World Series. All you have to do is post your opinions below as comments on this article.
Then have a happy final preparation week on our way to Christmas weekend!
The Pecan Park Eagle 
December 19, 2011 at 2:47 pm |
Texans win the division, the worst division in NFL history.
December 19, 2011 at 4:04 pm |
I don’t know Randy, the NFC West has a pretty strong
SMELL to it………GEAUX TIGERS……
December 19, 2011 at 4:54 pm |
Unless you tucked it in as “1A”, the news that the Astros were forced to switch leagues is big news for baseball fans.
December 19, 2011 at 8:22 pm |
Thanks, Bob, I knew I should have spelled out the whole reason that the Astros Sale is the Number One story for Houston Baseball fans. Thanks to you, my Houston Sports Story Number One is now expanded into in a more fully explicated sentence to begin the column list.
December 19, 2011 at 7:07 pm |
Randy, the Seahawks made the playoffs last year with a losing record, the only time that has ever happened except for the strike/replacement year. And eight teams have made it at 8-8. So the AFC South this year ain’t great, but it’s not even close to being the worst ever.
But for amount of buzz and interest from the populace at large, I’m afraid the Texans to the playoffs is story number one easily. Even if the Stros moving to the AL is more of a sea change.
December 19, 2011 at 9:52 pm |
I vote Astros ownership change and all that’s gone with that.
December 21, 2011 at 2:20 am |
NO. 8 ——–THE FIRING OF TAL SMITH AFTER 40 YEARS OF LOYALTY TO THE ASTROS!