January 1, 1949: Houston Gets TV

January 3, 2019

KLEE-TV ~ Channel Two ~ Houston, Texas
The Birth Name of KPRC-TV ~ January 1, 1949
Also the Date Our Daily Lives Changed Forever

Saturday, January 1, 1949, was one of those pleasantly comfortable Houston days. We didn’t need a jacket to ride our bikes or dress for the usual Saturday afternoon double feature with ongoing serial and cartoon at the Avalon Theatre over on 75th, just north of Lawndale on the east side of the street and, as always, just south of Mason Park in the city’s east end.

Although I’ve forgotten the exact Avalon play-bill for that developing special Saturday, otherwise, it would no doubt have included a western film starring someone like Johnny Mack Brown, plus a possible Bowery Boys movie starring two kid favorites (Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall), something like a Popeye cartoon, movie previews of things to come, and a new chapter in an ordinarily 12-week series of chapters in something like “The Purple Monster Strikes” or “The Crimson Ghost”.

We were so innocent that morning in Pecan Park. Even the adults. It’s doubtful that any of us realized at the time that something was about to happen during that one 24-hour dose of daylight that was going to change all our lives forever.

The thing that came along that day was the arrival of television in Houston ~ and it was coming to town like the door to tomorrow at light speed. And that door pulled hard at us kids and young folks, but it also pushed strongly on our older people too. And it wasn’t long before “I’m going home to watch some TV” became our united call to cultural passivity.

Watch what?

In 1949, it was whatever they (the broadcasters) put on the screen for us to watch at home in the dark.

“In the dark?”

Yes! ~ In the dark! ~ You see, it took us first generation TV viewers  (or maybe just all of us dumb-bunny viewers in places like Pecan Park) to realize that our seated viewing of the direct light screen of television differed from our movie length viewing of the reflected light theater screen. ~ We didn’t have to darken the other lights in the room to keep the TV picture bright. The TV picture was going to stay as bright as any of the other lamps in the room, even if they were all turned on. TV light simply had the ability to show you any kind of activated story that was always absent in the radiance from table lamps and chandeliers.

Small Screens Helped Make for Darker Viewing Rooms. In all fairness, those early 10″ screens helped viewers keep the other room lights off (or on low intensity) due to the fact that the early small screens made for a high rate of viewer distractibility in a bright room. By 1954, I’m betting, that affordable TV screens in the 14″, 17″ and 21″ size ~ and our improved general understanding of the direct and indirect light factor ~ had jointly lifted Houston home lighting back to its pre-TV era levels.

Houston TV in 1949. As Houstonians got busy training themselves to “watch” TV in that first year, there was no coaxial cable here yet that could transmit live programming from the broadcasting hub east ~ or anyplace else, for that matter. As a result, Channel 2 basically just showed anything decent they could find in the hope that people’s curiosity with the new medium would compel them to watch whatever was on the screen.

The first year fare included live wrestling from the City Auditorium, Houston Buffs Baseball, Kinescope copies of shows done live a week earlier from New York, cartoons, old movies, musical acts, kid show copies of Kukla, Fran and Ollie, live musical performances, local talk shows, and, of course, the daily local news of the world, weather, and sports.

Were we subject as viewers to addictive watching? ~ What do you think? ~ Here’s a reconstructed exchange between my parents that I still recall from one day that Dad got home early and turned on the TV at 4:30 PM, expecting  to watch the local news:

Mom (from the kitchen): “Why did you turn on the TV, William? The news doesn’t come on until 6:00 PM!”

Dad (sitting across the living room from the TV, waiting for the picture to heat and show up on the screen): “Oh! That’s right. I’m home early. Well then ~ what is this ‘Adventures in Sewing’ that’s coming on now?”

Mom: “Just what it says it is. ~ It’s a show that teaches women how to sew new clothes from patterns. ~ And that one is followed by ‘Crusader Rabbit’ ~ a little kids’ show at 5:00 PM ~ and ‘Mr. I. Magination’ ~ an older kids’ storytelling show. ~ Do you want me to just turn off the TV until the news comes on?”

Dad: “No, just leave it on! ~ I’ve already paid for the TV and the electricity it’s using. ~ I may as well watch.”

Baseball on TV in 1949 was both thrilling and painful. ~ We were thrilled to watch the Buffs from Buff Stadium on TV, but it was also painfully hard to follow the game from the view through those two grainy stationary cameras behind home plate. As we’ve written previously, the baseball appeared on-screen as a tiny white blurry orb that disappeared quite quickly when it was struck hard and fast to the outfield. You had to follow the body language of the fielders to have some idea about the ball’s chances for being caught or cut off so far away, so what? Old Man Relativity has a way of kicking into gear: The TV pictures we got at home from Buff Stadium in 1949 were 100% better than the ones we got from the same sacred ground in 1948.

Wrestling Addendum (Thanks to Patrick Callahan, STHS ’56) ~ Thanks, Pat! Even though we’ve always included Paul Boesch and Wrestling in our stories of the early Houston TV era, this time we needed you to remind us. Here’s what my former St. Thomas High School classmate, Pat Callahan, had to say in the comment section below:

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Irish Danny McShane

BILL: — you missed the big one on Houston TV – Paul Boesch and WRESTLING from the Houston Coliseum; Boesch was a WW II veteran (European Theater) and saw combat in the Hurtgen Forest – and became the home town Promoter of wrestling into the big time locally and nationally – I remember Irish Danny McShane and Bull Curry and Duke Keomuka and Rito Romero, all sometimes villains or good guys, dependent upon the opponent – but mostly bad guys. And….. Danny McShane would come by our office in the Melrose Bldg. the following week to solicit truck load transportation of various packaged chemical products…he worked for Herrin Trucking Co.

Those were the days – round screen B&W – and you’re right – lights out!

~ Pat Callahan

Yes! Houston TV belonged to wrestling from the Municipal Auditorium downtown every Friday night. ~ That place was torn down years ago to become the current site of Jones Hall. ~ And, yes! ~ Dirty Don Evans (we thought) was a member of our St. Christopher Parish Church. And I used to wait on Black Guzman years later at Merchant’s Whole Exchange, a men’s clothing store downtown where I worked as a salesman while I was a student at UH.

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Everything on TV in 2019 now has a bad aftertaste blending character about it whenever we have to listen to a dead aim politician trying to do stand up comedy ~ or maybe even worse ~ we have to listen to late night so-called talk show hosts trying to pass themselves off as political pundits by devoting themselves to the ultimately always fatal environs of one-joke comedy.

And they do it. ~ Every. Mother. Jumping. Night. ~ Is that what we need? ~ A constant negative bombardment of all the neurological synapses in our bodies? ~ And right before we go to sleep? ~ Every weekday night, while leaving only Saturday night to SNL ~ and Sunday all day to the NFL?

Today it is even more important than ever to remember that our TV remotes have an “off” button and that books have no “on” or “off” buttons at all. And sometimes ~ meditation ~ and the practice of keeping track of our reasons for so many life blessings is the turnaround for good sleep.

Just never underestimate the far-reaching power of TV as the “One-Eyed Cyclops” monster in our daily lives. With the help of everything that feeds to us through TV in 2019 from the Internet and all of its ideational apps, the Cyclops Monster now circumnavigates our passive minds at light speed, but it only has the power that we surrender to it when we forget that we have a choice about watching at all ~ and when we use passive TV viewing as a drug that blocks remembering anything in our mind, soul, or spirit that has never healed.

To have peace of mind, we must heal from any unresolved resentment or regret that gets in our way. As for TV watching, allow “choice” to be your TV Guide as to what to watch, when to watch, and how much to watch.

Happy New Year, Everybody!

 

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Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

Tags:
Posted in culture, History, Houston | 8 Comments »

Fearless Houston Pro Sports Predictions

January 1, 2019

The Pecan Park Eagle will celebrate its 10th online anniversary on July 21, 2019. Thanks to all of you for making our journey such a fun ride. We’ll make it too ~ as long as the old guy’s heart holds out ~ and the creek don’t (doesn’t) rise.

 

Happy New Year, Everybody! ~ And thanks so much for all the Happy Birthday wishes that so may of you sent my way yesterday by Facebook and personal e-mail. It makes this one old guy out here very happy that so many of you cared enough to drop an electric buzz on me ~ one way or the other. I literally could not answer them all personally today and also have had much time remaining for anything else.

Today’s prognostication column should cover some ground on reducing the message toll next birthday New Years Eve ~ if there is one for me to celebrate again at age 82 ~ but it’s best to take nothing for granted. All of us, at any age, only have one day to start with each 24-hour cycle, and that’s the one our eyes awaken to behold each time.

When that happens, measure it with fragility, treasure it wholly, and use it for all we’ve got to give in the moment at hand. ~ But, as we’ve already said once ~ and also with a nudging, murmuring cry for repetition ~ never take it for granted.

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Our Pecan Park Eagle Houston Pro Sport Outcome Predictions for 2019 by Date

I. February 3, 2019: Behind four Watson-to-Hopkins TD passes, the Houston Texans will defeat the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl by a score of 28-24 to become the 2018 NFL Season Champions of Professional Football.

II. Some Time in March 2019: Houston’s Dynamo and Dash men’s and women’s soccer teams will be named as the 2019 champions in their respective gender fields of competition as the result of a complex formula for evaluating team style points during a double season in which no actual goals were scored by any teams in either the male or female brackets of play.

III. June 11, 2019: Boosted by a 53-point James Harden triple-double Game Four sweep, the Houston Rockets shall roll to a crunching 122-101 win over the Eastern Champion Toronto Raptors in Houston to claim the NBA Championship for 2019. (We had seen this originally as a win over the Golden State Warriors, but as Rick B. so keenly observed in the comment section, that could not be ~ given the fact that they and the Rockets both play in the Western Division. ~ Wait a minute. ~ Now the true story is coming through in a fully corrected telepathically driven imagery. ~ The Rockets will reach the Western Division finals by beating the Golden State Warriors in a record scoring 149-112 rout.)

IV. October 28, 2019: Led by AL Batting Champion Jose Altuve (.368) and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, the Houston Astros sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers of the NL to regain their title as World Series Champions of the Baseball Universe for the year 2019.

That’s it, but that should be enough. Try not to break your necks getting to Vegas and putting some money down on the successful outcome of all these sure-thing calls.

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Bonus Prediction in College Football:

January 7, 2019: Regardless of who wins the 2018 NCAA, Division 1 Season Title ~ Alabama or Clemson ~ ‘Bama Coach Nick Saban’s post-game comments will include the qualifier statement that he “saw some things we could have done better.”

On this totally light note, let’s get this 2019 new year started. ~ In Houston Sports, we could use one that floats a little more fun than frustration this time around the sun.

 

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“Hello There, 2019!”

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

Tags:
Posted in Baseball, basketball, culture, Football, History, Houston, humor | 5 Comments »

Nostradamus and The Crimson Tide

December 30, 2018

“I SEE SOMETHING WE COULD DO BETTER!” ~ Lou Saban.

Shortly before I slipped into something like a weekend coma with flu-like symptoms early Saturday morning, I had been working here and there on a coach-speak article that focused upon what we constantly hear college football coaches say in these fifteen second pre, middle, and end game statements they make to the sideline TV reporters as their teams are running on and off the field.

Thanks, Coma! ~ You caused me to miss out on a pre-event publication of a pretty much literal peg on what Alabama head coach Nick Saban had to say last night about the Crimson Tide’s 42-31 win over Oklahoma last night. It wasn’t anything Nostradamus would have e-mailed home, but even these no-brainers are an act of artful pride out here in the boonies of 21st century blogging.

When asked by ESPN what he thought of Alabama’s performance in their win over Oklahoma, Nick Saban said, “I saw some things we could have done better, but I was pleased with our overall effort.”

What I had written at least sixteen hours earlier in my unfinished draft read as follows: “Win or Lose the 2018 National Championship, Nick Saban of Alabama will humbly express his final post-game view that he saw some things the Tide could have done better.”

As I watched the game bedside in the second half, I recall seeing Saban barking at one of his players that he had just removed from the game for causing the Tide to miss the benefit of a completed pass deep into the Clemson red zone because of an illegal procedure move he made in the ‘Bama backfield on the same play.

The rapidity of Saban’s speaking lips and the lurching motions of his body toward the player suggested that he was trying to be instructive on some level, but the coach’s general demeanor suggested that the subject was along the lines of the player’s need to re-locate his head from some dark nearby crevice and get it refocused on his duties in the game.

Forgive me. I’m going back to bed now.

Since tomorrow is New Year’s Eve ~ and also my friggin’ birthday and a planned reunion with an ancient cousin on my mother’s side ~ I will be quietly busy through New Years Day and not catching up on non-urgent calls until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year, Everybody! ~ Please know that you are both loved and appreciated!

As long as they are making new baseball seasons ~ and as long as we can keep our head clear and our eyes open ~ there will always be a sandlot game going on of some kind here at The Pecan Park Eagle.

Come by anytime.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2019!

Regards,

Bill McCurdy

 

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Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

Tags:
Posted in Baseball, culture, Football, History, humor | 1 Comment »

Accidental Astros in Cooperstown

December 29, 2018

 

Maxwell Kates

 

By Maxwell Kates

 

Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio

The first player to wear an Astros cap on his plaque in Cooperstown was Craig Biggio, enshrined in 2015. The dependable 2nd baseman was joined in the Hall of Fame by his infield neighbour Jeff Bagwell two years later. Despite wearing Rangers and Reds caps on their plaques, respectively, Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan logged more service in Houston than in any other city. The article you are about to read features the other Astros in the Hall of Fame. The players all spent two years or less in Houston. In addition, you will read about an Astros’ coach, a manager, a scout, and an executive who are all in the Hall of Fame. This fraternity is known as ‘the Accidental Astros in Cooperstown.’

Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan

PAT GILLICK

1937-

Position:                        Executive

Years in Houston:            1963 to 1974

Year of Induction:            2010

 

One of several former Orioles to follow Paul Richards from Baltimore to Houston, Pat Gillick joined the Colt .45s as the assistant director of scouting. Both the director of scouting and the director of player personnel were roles handled by Tal Smith:

“An incredible work ethic,” Smith remarked to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle in 2010, “always looking for something somebody may not find or may not notice.” Gillick had been promoted to the role of Director of Scouting by 1974, when he followed Smith from Houston to the New York Yankees. While in Houston, Gillick’s major coup took place in 1967, when he relied on a bird dog scout in the Dominican Republic to sign an outfield prospect. The prospect’s name was Cesar Cedeno; the scout, Epifiano Guerrero. The Astros hired Guerrero as a scout who later worked alongside Gillick both with the Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays, responsible for signing the multitude of Dominican players on both teams.

Gillick served as general manager for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia Phillies as well as the Blue Jays. His teams earned a collective 11 playoff berths, including World Championships with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993 and the Phillies in 2008. He continues to serve as a consultant with the Phillies.

NELLIE FOX

1927-1975

Nellie Fox

Position:                        2nd base

Years in Houston:            1964 to 1965

Year of Induction:            1997

After the 1963 season, Colt .45s general manager Paul Richards acquired Nellie Fox, his 2nd baseman for four years in Chicago, in a trade for pitcher Jim Golden and outfielder Danny Murphy. Long before it became a hit record for the 1970s glam rock band Sweet, “Fox on the Run” became a familiar sight on the South Side of Chicago. Acquired from the Philadelphia Athletics in 1950, the speedy infielder was a 15 time All-Star, earning Most Valuable Player honours for the ‘Go-Go Sox’ in their pennant-winning season of 1959.

Fox played in 133 games for the Colt .45s in 1964, batting .265 and rapping 6 triples in 133 games. Reduced to part-time duty in 1965, Fox remained in Houston for one last season to tutor Joe Morgan how to play 2nd base. The first indoor baseball game was played on April 9, 1965, as the Astros hosted the Yankees to open the Astrodome. Nellie Fox’ pinch hit single in the bottom of the 12th proved to be the margin of victory, sending Jim Wynn home in a 2-1 decision.

Fox remained with the Astros as a coach until 1967 before moving to the Washington Senators’ organization. Sadly, Fox lost his battle with cancer in 1975, age 47.

ROBIN ROBERTS

1926-2010

Robin Roberts with Unknown Astros Pitcher *
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*Unknown only to Canadian tourists.

Position:                        Pitcher

Years in Houston:            1965 to 1966

Year of Induction:            1976

One of the most popular athletes in the history of the city of Philadelphia, Robin Roberts claimed 234 of his 286 victories in a Phillies uniform. He joined the Astros in August 1965 after pitching in parts of four seasons with the Orioles. Roberts enjoyed a renaissance after arriving in Houston. His first two decisions for the Astros were shutouts and was 5-2 with a stunning 1.89 ERA on ten starts in a Houston uniform.

Luck did not continue for Roberts and his newly reconstructed elbow in 1966. The Astros’ opening day starter posted a record of 3-5 through the 4th of July and was released. Roberts caught on briefly with the Chicago Cubs, tried to make a comeback in the Phillies’ farm system in 1967, and then called it a career.

While in Baltimore, Roberts advised a 19 year old righthanded pitcher that the key to his success was to “throw the hell out of the ball and go to sleep.” That young pitcher was Jim Palmer.

EDDIE MATHEWS

1931-2001

Eddie Mathews’ 500th Home Run

Position:                        3rd base

Years in Houston:            1967

Year of Induction:            1978

While Robin Roberts defeated the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta, Eddie Mathews was the only player to have appeared for the team in all three cities. One of the few power hitting 3rd basemen of his era, Mathews was traded to Houston in 1966 with 493 home runs to his credit. He led the National League with 47 round trippers in 1953 and 46 in 1959, earning a World Series championship for ‘Bushville’ in 1957.

Hall of Famers rise to the occasion while facing other Hall of Famers. When the Brookfield Bomber faced the Dominican Dandy on July 14, 1967, he was sitting on 499 home runs. Neither Mathews nor his Astros teammates were wearing flowers in their hair during their visit to San Francisco in the ‘Summer of Love.’ After an errant mouse interrupted a Mathews plate appearance earlier in the game by running onto the field, he once again faced Juan Marichal in the 6th inning. With the Astros trailing 4-3 and two runners on base, he stroked the pitch over the right field fence for his milestone 500th home run.

Mathews’ days in a Houston uniform were numbered, as his contract was assigned to the Detroit Tigers on August 17. He retired after the 1968 season, but not before helping the Tigers to a World Series championship over the St. Louis Cardinals.

LEO DUROCHER

1905-1991

Leo Durocher

Position:                        Manager

Years in Houston:            1972 to 1973

Year of Induction:            1994

Contrary to general belief, Leo Durocher never actually said “nice guys finish last.” The original quotation, while managing the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, was “the nice guys are all over there, in seventh place.” Describing his crosstown rivals at Coogan’s Bluff, Leo the Lip would ultimately manage the Giants two years later, leading them to a World Series championship with his prize pupil, Willie Mays, in centre field.

Nearly two decades later, in 1972, Durocher was hired to manage in Houston after resigning from the Cubs at the All-Star break. After finishing in 2nd place to Cincinnati, the Astros were touting 1973 as ‘the Year of the Leo.’ Despite an early season injury to Larry Dierker, Durocher led his team to a respectable 29-22 record through May 31. That proved to be the high water mark. Durocher clashed with Don Wilson, Cesar Cedeno, and Marvin Miller. Before the season was over, Jerry Reuss had rechristened ‘Leo the Lip’ as ‘the Dummy in the Dugout.’ While the Astros did not finish last, off-years by most of the starters excluding Roger Metzger doomed the team to 4th place with a record of 82-80. Durocher would not be back in 1974.

Leo Durocher was suspended for the entire 1947 season amid allegations of “association with known gamblers.” Consequently, he did not expect to live to see his enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Durocher was right. He died in 1991, three years before his induction day at Cooperstown.

DON SUTTON

1945-

Don Sutton

Position:                        Pitcher

Years in Houston:            1981 to 1982

Year of Induction:            1998

The Astros in 1980 won their first division title and battled the Phillies in a riveting National League Championship Series before losing in Game 5. Compounded with the gargantuan absence of J. R. Richard, the Astros needed a top quality starter to bolster their pitching rotation. They found that pitcher in free agent Don Sutton.

In fifteen seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sutton went 230-175 with 2,652 strikeouts, 156 complete games, 52 shutouts, and an ERA of 3.07. During his first year with the Astros in 1981, Sutton went 11-9 with a 2.60 ERA. Unfortunately, just when the Astros needed him most, he fell prey to the injury bug. During Sutton’s final start of the season at Dodger Stadium, a bunt by former teammate Jerry Reuss fractured his kneecap, sidelining him for the playoffs. Shortly after Sutton underwent successful surgery in Inglewood, the Astros lost Game 3 of the National League Championship Series to the Dodgers. They had a 2-0 lead in the best of 5 series, and would go on to lost the last two games.

The Astros never could get their act together in 1982 and in August, they traded Sutton to the contending Milwaukee Brewers for prospects Kevin Bass, Frank DiPino, and Mike Madden. Sutton earned his 300th win as a Brewer and after stops in Oakland and Anaheim, returned to the Dodgers for one final season in 1988.

HAL NEWHOUSER

1921-1998

Tom Seaver, Rollie Fingers. and Hal Newhouser

Position:                        Pitcher

Years in Houston:            1984 to 1992

Year of Induction:            1992

Newhouser, along with John Smoltz, are the only Hall of Famers born in Detroit. In his 17 year career as a left-handed pitcher, Newhouser went 207-150 with the Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, striking out 1,796 and posting a lifetime ERA of 3.06. After retiring as a player in 1955, Newhouser worked as a bank executive while scouting the Orioles, Indians, Tigers, and from 1984 to 1992, the Astros.

Newhouser scouted Milt Pappas and Dean Chance for the Orioles and Mike Marshall for the Tigers but perhaps was best known for the player his team refused to sign. In 1992, he became impressed by the glove, bat, and work ethic of a young shortstop he watched at Kalamazoo Central High School. His name was Derek Jeter. The Astros had the first overall pick in the June amateur draft and had narrowed their choice between Jeter and Phil Nevin.

“Hal Newhouser was about as firmly as committed on behalf of Derek as a scout could be,” remembers Astros’ scouting director Dan O’Brien Jr. “Ultimately, the Astros decided that Phil [Nevin] would be closer to the big leagues than Derek would be.” The Astros signed Nevin and Newhouser soon resigned.

As it turned out, both Nevin and Jeter broke into the major leagues in 1995. Can you imagine what kind of an infield the Astros would have boasted with Jeff Bagwell at 1st base, Craig Biggio at 2nd base, and Derek Jeter at shortstop?

YOGI BERRA

1925-2015

Dale and Yogi Berra

Position:                        Coach

Years in Houston:            1986 to 1989

Year of Induction:            1972

The Township of Montclair, New Jersey was well represented on the Yankees as they returned to the Bronx in 1976 after two years at Shea Stadium. Serving on George Steinbrenner’s board of directors was John McMullen, while a neighbour of his was added to Billy Martin’s coaching staff. That neighbour’s name was Lawrence Peter Berra. Yogi’s story as an All-Star catcher, three time Most Valuable Player, World Series regular, and Yoo-Hoo pitchman is well documented.

A decade later, both McMullen and Berra had resurfaced in Houston. McMullen had purchased the Astros in 1979 from Roy Hofheinz’ creditors. Berra, meanwhile, was added to new manager Hal Lanier’s coaching staff in time for the 1986 season. Berra had managed the Yankees to a commendable record of 87-75 in 1984, his first year as the skipper, but after losing 10 of their first 16 games in 1985, he was fired by George Steinbrenner.

Casey Stengel once described Berra as someone who could “fall in a sewer and come up with a gold watch.” Berra’s luck was evident in his first season with the Astros. They set a new team record with 96 wins, capturing the National League West division title. Berra was in uniform for the climactic Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, a game that quite literally wasn’t over until it was over. Although the 7-6 final score fell in favour of the Mets after 16 innings, Berra was back in 1987, joined by his son, Dale. Among Berra’s projects with the Astros, to develop a young prospect from Seton Hall into a top calibre catcher. You might have heard of him, Craig Biggio. At the end of the 1989 season, Berra decided to retire. It was finally over.

Yogi Berra and His Astro Protege

RANDY JOHNSON

1963-

Position:                        Pitcher

Years in Houston:            1998

Year of Induction:            2015

Houston Astros pitcher Randy Johnson, right, leaves the field with his teammates after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 Friday, Aug. 7, 1998, in Houston. Johnson gave up only five hits in his Astrodome debut. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP)

The last and tallest member of the Accidental Astros in Cooperstown was left-handed pitcher Randy Johnson. Measuring 6’10”, Johnson broke in with the Montreal Expos in 1988 and was traded a year later to the Seattle Mariners. During his decade in the Emerald City, Johnson went 130-74, striking out 2,162 batters and posting a 3.42 ERA. ‘The Big Unit’ pitched a no-hitter in 1990 and in his Cy Young Award campaign of 1995, he led the junior circuit with 294 strikeouts and a 2.94 ERA, going 18-2 for a team that ‘refused to lose.’

Johnson was an impending free agent in 1998 and made it perfectly clear that he had no plans to resign with Seattle. At the 11th hour before the July 31 trading deadline, he accepted a deal that sent him to Houston for the lion’s share of the Astros’ prospects. Johnson was invincible in August and September. His record in 84 1/3 innings was 10-1 with 116 strikeouts, four shutouts, and a 1.28 ERA. The Astros reached the playoffs in 1997 but were swept by the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. Much like the Don Sutton signing of 1981, the Astros had hoped that a trade for Johnson would augment their playoff bid. Unfortunately for the Astros, they lost to the Padres 3-1, including both of Johnson’s starts. Although he held San Diego to only three runs, that’s still two runs greater than the Astros scored.

Johnson signed his free agent bonanza with the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading them to a World Series championship in 2001. After stints with the Yankees and the Giants, Johnson retired from baseball in 2009. He walked away from the game with 303 victories and 4,875 strikeouts – more K’s than any pitcher not born in Refugio, Texas.

Here’s a question: Who struck out the most hitters of any pitcher never to play for the Astros?

Will Curt Schilling, Jeff Kent, or Miguel Tejada join the other Accidental Astros in Cooperstown in January? What about Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, both local products who each pitched three seasons in a Houston uniform? Stay tuned. For further reading, check out the June 9, 2011 edition of the Pecan Park Eagle for “Houston Buffs of the Hall of Fame.”

Jody Davis (Not in the Hall of Fame)

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… Thanks again for another wonderful article, Maxwell, and Happy New Year to All Our Great Neighbours ~ North and South of the Border Too! Now let’s all go out ~ in gratitude for all the good we do have ~ and try to make 2019 all the even better for things that did not turn out so well in our hands and hearts in 2018 ~ for ourselves, our family and dear friends ~ and all the the other fun and necessary playing fields of life that we take upon ourselves ~ some by choice ~ and so many more by necessity!

One day at a time, let’s just give 2019 all we’ve got ~ without waiting on any public box scores on how well we did. Most worthwhile goals don’t come with box scores anyway. They either register in our hearts or come again later in some other form to see if we are finally ready to get the point.

Love and Peace to One and All ~ Says the Spirit of The Pecan Park Eagle ~ and know this too ~ that if you have taken the time to read and feel all the Maxwellian energy that went into this latest Kates baseball essay, and all the other things we try to do here, that you have allowed our efforts to go even further than they could have gone without you.

We thank you for your support!

Kind regards,

The Pecan Park Eagle

 

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Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

Tags:
Posted in Baseball, culture, History, Houston | 1 Comment »

Start MLB Games at 5:20 PM

December 28, 2018

If the MLB games started at 5:30 PM, some fans would then have the double option of both arriving late ~ and leaving early, but most would now have the chance to be there when everything gets settled ~ and sometimes ~ in most dramatic ways.

 

Check out Curt Smith’s 10/31/18 column on six things MLB could do to help reverse the sharp 22% loss of viewer interest in the World Series since 2017.

https://www.sportsbroadcastjournal.com/historian-and-tv-observer-curt-smith-proposes-a-six-step-program-for-baseballs-renewal/

In imperfect summary form here, Smith is saying that baseball could:

  1. Hire broadcasters who enliven the game;
  2. Develop a TV marketing plan that reaches young and other new fans;
  3. Restore TV camera intimacy (a much more artful subject);
  4. Cure the currently ill time-killer play review process;
  5. Quicken the pace of the game (our anthem of new old saws);
  6. Find a better start time for more attention to dramatic finish games.

Relative to Point Six, Smith referenced “Game Five of the 2017 Fall Classic—a jai alai of seven homers and four half-innings of three or more runs. Covering the Series since 1975, the Washington Post’s Thomas Doswell pronounced the Astros’ 13-12 victory over the Dodgers in Houston the ‘most insanely entertaining game’ he had seen. America might have liked it even more had the game ended before 1:37 a.m. Eastern Time.

“Almost midway through the score was tied at four, millions already in bed, not aware what lay ahead. Ultimately, Alex Bregman singled in the 10th inning, ending a five hour and 17-minute madhouse that mesmerized 23 million viewers. How many more would have marveled had the first pitch arced at 4:20 instead of 8:20 Eastern Time on Sunday night?

The Pecan Park Eagle votes on Point Six as the clearest issue suggested here by Curt Smith. Look! Kids are still the future of the game, even in an era which no longer bonds them to the game by their common life ground on their various neighborhood sandlots. If young people cannot hope to experience the lightning of last inning baseball drama, the game shall hold no hope of retaining any generation as deep fans in the future.

The solution begins with baseball now attempting to make sure that the  kids of today get to have a vicarious ballpark experience that provides the kind of thrill we once found for ourselves as the children of sweet sweat sandlot play. Without such, my fear is that the future of baseball is lost. Here are our initial suggestions for a first start on the road to recovery:

Our Klunky-Level Arguments for the 2-hour earlier start of all games that count:

  1. Start the Games at 5:20 PM ~ not 7:20 PM.
  2. Today’s 7:20 PM start fans are missing the end of games by leaving early due to school, work, or the desire to beat the traffic. ~ Why not miss the start of games and stay for the finish instead?
  3. People who like to leave early may still do so ~ but now they have the option to both arrive late and leave early!
  4. If you have to come late for the 5:20 PM start ~ you can still be there for the games that finish big much earlier!
  5. And the kids get to see a few walk-off finishes and maybe even the blue moon magic of a Game 5 from 2017!
  6. Do all the other things that Smith is suggesting and you won’t even have to miss the start of the game. Your fan group can watch it on their apps while you, the designated driver, take them out to the ballgame with a generous sum of peanut and Cracker Jack money in your wallet.

 

*****************************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

 

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All the Texas-Born MLB Players to Date

December 27, 2018

Former Astros catcher Eddie Taubensee is the youngest of 4 former big leaguers born in Beeville, Texas.

Thank you. Baseball Almanac.com, for all the wonderful things you do for the history of the MLB-level game, and to the air that so many of us dream and breathe about it. This imposing list of every player whoever danced his name into a box score of even a single pitch appearance in a regular season MLB game is contained. Some were players of deep Texas heritage and short or long-time service; others were the children of parents passing through Texas on their ways to faraway places; all were Texas-born.

Note all the Houston-born Texas big leaguers. How many of you were aware that historic-figure, Curt Flood was born in Houston?

How many of you knew that Beeville was the origin of four nice-term careers of Texas-born big leaguers Melvin “Bert” Gallia (1912-1920), Curt Walker (1919-1930), Lloyd “Lefty” Brown (1925, 1928-37, 1940), and former Astro catcher Eddie Taubensee (1991-2001)? ~ I had to ask. Beeville was my birthplace and home too until my family moved to Houston on my fifth birthday in 1942.

At any rate, we simply want to open the door wide to the database and your own hot stove season imaginings. ~ For instance, a Texas Birth League of city teams that used only their own home boys would be interesting. All we’d have to do is assemble the city clubs and convert their numbers to the digital language of one of the several great sim-baseball games now out there ~ and then quickly turn up the heat on winter with our own baseball-wired musings.

At any rate ~ here it is ~ for whatever enjoyment it brings you ~ during a holiday season which keeps trying to convert every dawn into the the next day in a week of Sundays.

Thank you again, Baseball America.com, for helping to make baseball imaginings an every day accessibility.

Happy New Year (the first of several) too,

Bill McCurdy & Company

The Pecan Park Eagle

******************************

The List if All Texas Born Major Leaguers By City of Birth

~ Compliments of Baseball Almanac.com

 

Major League Baseball Players Born in TexasA Historical Analysis / Return To Players by Birthplace
Harry Ables Terrell, Texas 1883-10-04 1905 1911
Johnny Abrego Corpus Christi, Texas 1962-07-04 1985 1985
Jim Acker Freer, Texas 1958-09-24 1983 1992
Jimmy Adair Waxahachie, Texas 1907-01-25 1931 1931
Bert Adams Wharton, Texas 1891-06-21 1910 1919
Mike Adams Corpus Christi, Texas 1978-07-29 2004 Active
Rick Adams Paris, Texas 1878-12-23 1905 1905
Dick Adkins Electra, Texas 1920-03-03 1942 1942
Matt Albers Houston, Texas 1983-01-20 2006 Active
Cory Aldridge San Angelo, Texas 1979-06-13 2001 2010
Jason Alfaro San Antonio, Texas 1977-11-29 2004 2004
Bob Allen Tatum, Texas 1937-10-23 1961 1967
Brandon Allen Conroe, Texas 1986-02-12 2009 2012
Chad Allen Dallas, Texas 1975-02-06 1999 2006
Armando Almanza El Paso, Texas 1972-10-26 1999 2005
Max Alvis Jasper, Texas 1938-02-02 1962 1970
Chip Ambres Beaumont, Texas 1979-12-19 2005 2008
Brett Anderson Midland, Texas 1988-02-01 2009 Active
Chase Anderson Wichita Falls, Texas 1987-11-30 2014 Active
Justin Anderson Houston, Texas 1992-09-28 2018 Active
Mike Anderson Austin, Texas 1966-07-30 1993 1993
Wingo Anderson Lillian, Texas 1886-08-13 1910 1910
Shane Andrews Dallas, Texas 1971-08-28 1995 2002
Bill Andrus Beaumont, Texas 1907-07-25 1931 1937
Pat Ankenman Houston, Texas 1912-12-23 1936 1944
Ed Appleton Arlington, Texas 1892-02-29 1915 1916
Tony Arnold El Paso, Texas 1959-05-03 1986 1987
Jim Asbell Dallas, Texas 1914-06-22 1938 1938
Scott Atchison Denton, Texas 1976-03-29 2004 Active
Doug Ault Beaumont, Texas 1950-03-09 1976 1980
Chick Autry Martindale, Texas 1903-03-05 1924 1930
Bruce Aven Orange, Texas 1972-03-04 1997 2002
Jay Avrea Cleburne, Texas 1920-07-06 1950 1950
Brandon Backe Galveston, Texas 1978-04-05 2002 2009
Mike Bacsik Dallas, Texas 1977-11-11 2001 2007
Mike Bacsik Dallas, Texas 1952-04-01 1975 1980
Gene Bailey Pearsall, Texas 1893-11-25 1917 1924
Homer Bailey La Grange, Texas 1986-05-03 2007 Active
Al Baird Cleburne, Texas 1895-06-02 1917 1919
Neal Baker Harlingen, Texas 1904-04-30 1927 1927
Tom Baker Nursery, Texas 1913-06-11 1935 1938
Anthony Banda Corpus Christi, Texas 1993-08-10 2017 Active
Ernie Banks Dallas, Texas 1931-01-31 1953 1971
Wes Bankston Dallas, Texas 1983-11-23 2008 2008
Brandon Bantz Arlington, Texas 1987-01-07 2013 Active
Daniel Bard Houston, Texas 1985-06-25 2009 Active
Brian Barkley Conroe, Texas 1975-12-08 1998 1998
Red Barkley Childress, Texas 1912-09-19 1937 1943
Frank Barnes Dallas, Texas 1900-01-09 1929 1930
Cliff Bartosh West, Texas 1979-09-05 2004 2005
Phil Barzilla Houston, Texas 1979-01-25 2006 2006
Billy Bates Houston, Texas 1963-12-07 1989 1990
Kevin Batiste Galveston, Texas 1966-10-21 1989 1989
Jim Battle Bailey, Texas 1901-03-26 1927 1927
Matt Batts San Antonio, Texas 1921-10-16 1947 1956
Stan Baumgartner Houston, Texas 1894-12-14 1914 1926
Don Baylor Austin, Texas 1949-06-28 1970 1988
Trey Beamon Dallas, Texas 1974-02-11 1996 1998
Belve Bean Mullin, Texas 1905-04-23 1930 1935
Blaine Beatty Victoria, Texas 1964-04-25 1989 1991
Blake Beavan Irving, Texas 1989-01-17 2011 Active
Chad Beck Jasper, Texas 1985-01-17 2011 2012
Josh Beckett Spring, Texas 1980-05-15 2001 2014
Robbie Beckett Austin, Texas 1972-07-16 1996 1997
Gene Bedford Dallas, Texas 1896-12-02 1925 1925
Jodie Beeler Dallas, Texas 1920-11-26 1944 1944
Andy Beene Freeport, Texas 1956-10-13 1983 1984
Fred Beene Angleton, Texas 1942-11-24 1968 1975
Kevin Beirne Houston, Texas 1974-01-01 2000 2002
Kevin Belcher Waco, Texas 1967-08-08 1990 1990
Matt Belisle Austin, Texas 1980-06-06 2003 Active
Beau Bell Bellville, Texas 1907-08-20 1935 1941
Gary Bell San Antonio, Texas 1936-11-17 1958 1969
Josh Bell Irving, Texas 1992-08-14 2016 Active
Brandon Belt Nacogdoches, Texas 1988-04-20 2011 Active
Freddie Benavides Laredo, Texas 1966-04-07 1991 1994
Ray Benge Jacksonville, Texas 1902-04-22 1925 1938
Lance Berkman Waco, Texas 1976-02-10 1999 2013
Bill Bethea Houston, Texas 1942-01-01 1964 1964
Chad Bettis Lubbock, Texas 1989-04-26 2013 Active
Brian Bevil Houston, Texas 1971-09-05 1996 1998
Red Bird Stephenville, Texas 1890-04-25 1921 1921
Vic Black Amarillo, Texas 1988-05-23 2013 Active
Charlie Blackmon Dallas, Texas 1986-07-01 2011 Active
Carson Blair Carrollton, Texas 1989-10-18 2015 Active
Matt Blank Texarkana, Texas 1976-04-05 2000 2001
Homer Blankenship Bonham, Texas 1902-08-04 1922 1928
Ted Blankenship Bonham, Texas 1901-05-10 1922 1930
Larvell Blanks Del Rio, Texas 1950-01-28 1972 1980
Brian Bohanon Denton, Texas 1968-08-01 1990 2001
Mike Bolsinger McKinney, Texas 1988-01-29 2014 Active
Bobby Bonner Uvalde, Texas 1956-08-12 1980 1983
Ken Boswell Austin, Texas 1946-02-23 1967 1977
Jason Bourgeois Houston, Texas 1982-01-04 2008 Active
Michael Bourn Houston, Texas 1982-12-27 2006 Active
Rob Bowen Bedford, Texas 1981-02-24 2003 2008
Micah Bowie Humble, Texas 1974-11-10 1999 2008
Mark Brandenburg Houston, Texas 1970-07-14 1995 1997
Bucky Brandon Nacogdoches, Texas 1940-07-08 1966 1973
Dud Branom Sulphur Springs, Texas 1897-11-30 1927 1927
Ryan Brasier Wichita Falls, Texas 1987-08-26 2013 Active
Joe Bratcher Grand Saline, Texas 1898-07-22 1924 1924
Jim Breazeale Houston, Texas 1949-10-03 1969 1978
Billy Brewer Fort Worth, Texas 1968-04-15 1993 1999
Colten Brewer Dallas, Texas 1992-10-29 2018 Active
Rocky Bridges Refugio, Texas 1927-08-07 1951 1961
Parker Bridwell Hereford, Texas 1991-08-02 2016 Active
Drake Britton Waco, Texas 1989-05-22 2013 Active
Lance Broadway Bryan, Texas 1983-08-20 2007 2009
Jim Bronstad Fort Worth, Texas 1936-06-22 1959 1964
Terry Bross El Paso, Texas 1966-03-30 1991 1993
Ben Broussard Beaumont, Texas 1976-09-24 2002 2008
Andrew Brown Dallas, Texas 1984-09-10 2011 Active
Bill Brown Coleman, Texas 1893-07-08 1912 1912
Lindsay Brown Mason, Texas 1911-07-22 1937 1937
Lloyd Brown Beeville, Texas 1904-12-25 1925 1940
Jay Bruce Beaumont, Texas 1987-04-03 2008 Active
Will Brunson Irving, Texas 1970-03-20 1998 1999
Jaime Bubela Houston, Texas 1978-06-06 2005 2005
Clay Buchholz Nederland, Texas 1984-08-14 2007 Active
Don Buford Linden, Texas 1937-02-02 1963 1972
Melvin Bunch Texarkana, Texas 1971-11-04 1995 1999
Mack Burk Nacogdoches, Texas 1935-04-21 1956 1958
Bill Burns San Saba, Texas 1880-01-27 1908 1912
Britt Burns Houston, Texas 1959-06-08 1978 1985
Jim Busby Kenedy, Texas 1927-01-08 1950 1962
Earl Caldwell Sparks, Texas 1905-04-09 1928 1948
Lou Camilli El Paso, Texas 1946-09-24 1969 1972
Eric Cammack Nederland, Texas 1975-08-14 2000 2000
Jay Canizaro Beaumont, Texas 1973-07-04 1996 2002
Jorge Cantu McAllen, Texas 1982-01-30 2004 2011
Mike Capel Marshall, Texas 1961-10-13 1988 1991
Pat Caraway Erath County, Texas 1905-09-26 1930 1932
John Carden Killeen, Texas 1921-05-19 1946 1946
Tex Carleton Comanche, Texas 1906-08-19 1932 1940
Bubba Carpenter Dallas, Texas 1968-07-23 2000 2000
David Carpenter Arlington, Texas 1987-09-01 2012 Active
Matt Carpenter Galveston, Texas 1985-11-26 2011 Active
Frank Carswell Palestine, Texas 1919-11-06 1953 1953
Norm Cash Justiceburg, Texas 1934-11-10 1958 1974
Andrew Cashner Conroe, Texas 1986-09-11 2010 Active
Frank Castillo El Paso, Texas 1969-04-01 1991 2005
Danny Cater Austin, Texas 1940-02-25 1964 1975
Andy Cavazos Freeport, Texas 1981-01-05 2007 2007
Pug Cavet McGregor, Texas 1889-12-26 1911 1915
Hunter Cervenka Baytown, Texas 1990-01-03 2016 Active
Dave Chalk Del Rio, Texas 1950-08-30 1973 1981
Jim Chamblee Denton, Texas 1975-05-06 2003 2003
Buster Chatham West, Texas 1901-12-25 1930 1931
Rocky Cherry Dallas, Texas 1979-08-19 2007 2008
Travis Chick Irving, Texas 1984-06-10 2006 2006
Randy Choate San Antonio, Texas 1975-09-05 2000 Active
Michael Choice Fort Worth, Texas 1989-11-10 2013 Active
Preston Claiborne Dallas, Texas 1988-01-21 2013 Active
Glen Clark Austin, Texas 1941-03-07 1967 1967
Jerald Clark Crockett, Texas 1963-08-10 1988 1995
Phil Clark Crockett, Texas 1968-05-06 1992 1996
Ron Clark Fort Worth, Texas 1943-01-14 1966 1975
Chris Clemons Baytown, Texas 1972-10-31 1997 1997
Brent Clevlen Austin, Texas 1983-10-27 2006 2010
Bill Clowers San Marcos, Texas 1898-08-14 1926 1926
Jason Coats Dallas, Texas 1990-02-24 2016 Active
George Cochran Rusk, Texas 1889-02-12 1918 1918
Gene Cocreham Luling, Texas 1884-11-14 1913 1915
Kevin Coffman Austin, Texas 1965-01-19 1987 1990
Rip Collins Weatherford, Texas 1896-02-26 1920 1931
Tyler Collins Lubbock, Texas 1990-06-06 2014 Active
Loyd Colson Wellington, Texas 1947-11-04 1970 1970
Mike Compton Stamford, Texas 1944-08-15 1970 1970
Pete Compton San Marcos, Texas 1889-09-28 1911 1918
Clay Condrey Beaumont, Texas 1975-11-19 2002 2009
Bob Cone Galveston, Texas 1894-02-27 1915 1915
Fritzie Connally Bryan, Texas 1958-05-19 1983 1985
Sarge Connally McGregor, Texas 1898-08-31 1921 1934
Jack Conway Bryan, Texas 1918-07-30 1941 1948
Cliff Cook Dallas, Texas 1936-08-20 1959 1963
Dennis Cook LaMarque, Texas 1962-10-04 1988 2002
Doc Cook Whitt, Texas 1886-06-24 1913 1916
Ron Cook Jefferson, Texas 1947-07-11 1970 1971
Cecil Cooper Brenham, Texas 1949-12-20 1971 1987
Claude Cooper Troup, Texas 1892-04-01 1913 1917
Scott Copeland Longview, Texas 1987-12-15 2015 Active
Rocky Coppinger El Paso, Texas 1974-03-19 1996 2001
Sherman Corbett New Braunfels, Texas 1962-11-03 1988 1990
Archie Corbin Beaumont, Texas 1967-12-30 1991 1999
Brad Cornett Lamesa, Texas 1969-02-04 1994 1995
Jarred Cosart League City, Texas 1990-05-25 2013 Active
George Cox Sherman, Texas 1904-11-15 1928 1928
Les Cox Junction, Texas 1904-08-14 1926 1926
Terry Cox Odessa, Texas 1949-03-30 1970 1970
Carl Crawford Houston, Texas 1981-08-05 2002 Active
Forrest Crawford Rockdale, Texas 1881-05-10 1906 1907
Jack Creel Kyle, Texas 1916-04-23 1945 1945
Keith Creel Dallas, Texas 1959-02-04 1982 1987
Stefan Crichton Houston, Texas 1992-02-29 2017 Active
Kyle Crick Fort Worth, Texas 1992-11-30 2017 Active
Bubba Crosby Houston, Texas 1976-08-11 2003 2006
Frank Croucher San Antonio, Texas 1914-07-23 1939 1942
Dean Crow Garland, Texas 1972-08-21 1998 1998
Bobby Cuellar Alice, Texas 1952-08-20 1977 1977
Ray Culp Elgin, Texas 1941-08-06 1963 1973
Steve Cummings Houston, Texas 1964-07-15 1989 1990
Ray Cunningham Mesquite, Texas 1905-01-17 1931 1932
John Curtiss Dallas, Texas 1993-04-05 2017 Active
Dave Danforth Granger, Texas 1890-03-07 1911 1925
John Danks Austin, Texas 1985-04-15 2007 Active
Jordan Danks Austin, Texas 1986-08-07 2012 Active
Danny Darwin Bonham, Texas 1955-10-25 1978 1998
Jeff Darwin Sherman, Texas 1969-07-06 1994 1997
Wally Dashiell Jewett, Texas 1902-05-09 1924 1924
Claude Davenport Runge, Texas 1898-05-28 1920 1920
Chris Davis Longview, Texas 1986-03-17 2008 Active
Jacke Davis Carthage, Texas 1936-03-05 1962 1962
Odie Davis San Antonio, Texas 1955-08-13 1980 1980
Peaches Davis Glen Rose, Texas 1905-05-31 1936 1939
Ron Davis Houston, Texas 1955-08-06 1978 1988
Steve Davis San Antonio, Texas 1960-08-04 1985 1989
Storm Davis Dallas, Texas 1961-12-26 1982 1994
Austin Dean Spring, Texas 1993-10-14 2018 Active
Sam Demel Channelview, Texas 1985-10-23 2010 2012
Mel Deutsch Caldwell, Texas 1915-07-26 1946 1946
Adrian Devine Galveston, Texas 1951-12-02 1973 1980
Jeff DeWillis Houston, Texas 1965-04-13 1987 1987
George Dickerson Renner, Texas 1892-12-01 1917 1917
Walt Dickson New Summerfield, Texas 1878-12-03 1910 1915
Ona Dodd Springtown, Texas 1886-10-14 1912 1912
Pete Donohue Athens, Texas 1900-11-05 1921 1932
Cal Dorsett Lone Oak, Texas 1913-06-10 1940 1947
Astyanax Douglass Covington, Texas 1897-09-19 1921 1925
Buzz Dozier Waco, Texas 1928-08-31 1947 1949
Hunter Dozier Wichita Falls, Texas 1991-08-22 2016 Active
Doug Drabek Victoria, Texas 1962-07-25 1986 1998
Kyle Drabek Victoria, Texas 1987-12-08 2010 Active
Larry Drake McKinney, Texas 1921-05-04 1945 1948
Kirk Dressendorfer Houston, Texas 1969-04-08 1991 1991
Louis Drucke Waco, Texas 1888-12-03 1909 1912
Hal Dues LaMarque, Texas 1954-09-22 1977 1980
Tyler Duffey Houston, Texas 1990-12-27 2015 Active
Oscar Dugey Palestine, Texas 1887-10-25 1913 1920
Zach Duke Clifton, Texas 1983-04-19 2005 Active
Dave Duncan Dallas, Texas 1945-09-26 1964 1976
Adam Dunn Houston, Texas 1979-11-09 2001 2014
Scott Dunn San Antonio, Texas 1978-05-23 2004 2006
Red Durrett Sherman, Texas 1921-02-03 1944 1945
Cedric Durst Austin, Texas 1896-08-23 1922 1930
Jamie Easterly Houston, Texas 1953-02-17 1974 1987
Roy Easterwood Waxahachie, Texas 1915-01-12 1944 1944
Ox Eckhardt Yorktown, Texas 1901-12-23 1932 1936
Chris Eddy Dallas, Texas 1969-11-27 1995 1995
Butch Edge Houston, Texas 1956-07-18 1979 1979
George Edmondson Waxahachie, Texas 1896-05-18 1922 1924
Dave Eilers Oldenburg, Texas 1936-12-03 1964 1967
Donnie Elliott Pasadena, Texas 1968-09-20 1994 1995
Jack Enright Fort Worth, Texas 1895-11-29 1917 1917
Nathan Eovaldi Houston, Texas 1990-02-13 2011 Active
Tex Erwin Forney, Texas 1885-12-22 1907 1914
Geno Espineli Houston, Texas 1982-09-08 2008 2008
Uel Eubanks Quinlan, Texas 1903-02-14 1922 1922
Bill Evans Quanah, Texas 1919-03-25 1949 1951
Leon Everitt Marshall, Texas 1947-01-12 1969 1969
Homer Ezzell Victoria, Texas 1896-02-28 1923 1925
Brandon Fahey Dallas, Texas 1981-01-18 2006 2008
Ferris Fain San Antonio, Texas 1921-03-29 1947 1955
Bibb Falk Austin, Texas 1899-01-27 1920 1931
Chet Falk Austin, Texas 1905-05-15 1925 1927
Taylor Featherston Houston, Texas 1989-10-08 2015 Active
Tommy Field Austin, Texas 1987-02-22 2011 Active
Jeremy Fikac Shiner, Texas 1975-04-08 2001 2004
Tommy Fine Cleburne, Texas 1914-10-10 1947 1950
Bob Finley Ennis, Texas 1915-11-25 1943 1944
Brandon Finnegan Fort Worth, Texas 1993-04-14 2014 Active
Dan Firova Refugio, Texas 1956-10-16 1981 1988
Gus Fisher Pottsboro, Texas 1885-10-21 1911 1912
Howie Fitzgerald Eagle Lake, Texas 1902-05-16 1922 1926
Les Fleming Singleton, Texas 1915-08-07 1939 1949
Huck Flener Austin, Texas 1969-02-25 1993 1997
Don Flinn Bluff Dale, Texas 1892-11-17 1917 1917
Curt Flood Houston, Texas 1938-01-18 1956 1971
Bubba Floyd Dallas, Texas 1917-06-23 1944 1944
Dee Fondy Slaton, Texas 1924-10-31 1951 1958
Lew Ford Beaumont, Texas 1976-08-12 2003 2007
Eric Fornataro Houston, Texas 1988-01-02 2014 Active
Steve Foster Dallas, Texas 1966-08-16 1991 1993
Boob Fowler Waco, Texas 1900-11-11 1923 1926
Ray Francis Sherman, Texas 1893-03-08 1922 1925
Buck Freeman Mart, Texas 1893-07-05 1921 1922
Sam Freeman Houston, Texas 1987-06-24 2012 Active
David Freese Corpus Christi, Texas 1983-04-28 2009 Active
Cy Fried San Antonio, Texas 1897-07-23 1920 1920
Buck Frierson Chicota, Texas 1917-07-29 1941 1941
Joe Gaines Bryan, Texas 1936-11-22 1960 1966
Bert Gallia Beeville, Texas 1891-10-14 1912 1920
Jim Galloway Iredell, Texas 1887-09-16 1912 1912
Ron Gant Victoria, Texas 1965-03-02 1987 2003
Bob Garbark Houston, Texas 1909-11-13 1934 1945
Mike Garbark Houston, Texas 1916-02-03 1944 1945
Jesse Garcia Corpus Christi, Texas 1973-09-24 1999 2005
Debs Garms Bangs, Texas 1907-06-26 1932 1945
Ned Garvin Navasota, Texas 1874-01-01 1896 1904
Cito Gaston San Antonio, Texas 1944-03-17 1967 1978
Evan Gattis Dallas, Texas 1986-08-18 2013 Active
Dillon Gee Cleburne, Texas 1986-04-28 2010 Active
Josh Geer Dallas, Texas 1983-06-02 2008 2009
Chris George Houston, Texas 1979-09-16 2001 2004
George Gerberman El Campo, Texas 1942-03-08 1962 1962
Steve Gibralter Dallas, Texas 1972-10-09 1995 1996
Brett Gideon Ozona, Texas 1963-08-08 1987 1990
Jim Gideon Taylor, Texas 1953-09-26 1975 1975
Joe Gilbert Jasper, Texas 1952-04-20 1972 1973
Bill Gilbreth Abilene, Texas 1947-09-03 1971 1974
John Glaiser Yoakum, Texas 1894-07-28 1920 1920
Jerry Don Gleaton Brownwood, Texas 1957-09-14 1979 1992
Ryan Goins Temple, Texas 1988-02-13 2013 Active
Lonnie Goldstein Austin, Texas 1918-05-13 1943 1946
Greg Golson Austin, Texas 1985-09-17 2008 2011
Rene Gonzales Austin, Texas 1960-09-03 1984 1997
Michael Gonzalez Corpus Christi, Texas 1978-05-23 2003 Active
Charlie Gorin Waco, Texas 1928-02-06 1954 1955
Billy Grabarkewitz Lockhart, Texas 1946-01-18 1969 1975
Wayne Graham Yoakum, Texas 1936-04-06 1963 1964
Tommy Gramly Dallas, Texas 1945-04-19 1968 1968
Jeff Gray Texas City, Texas 1981-11-19 2008 2012
Sam Gray Van Alstyne, Texas 1897-10-15 1924 1933
Stan Gray Ladonia, Texas 1888-12-10 1912 1912
Bill Greif Fort Stockton, Texas 1950-04-25 1971 1976
Randal Grichuk Rosenberg, Texas 1991-08-13 2014 Active
Tim Griesenbeck San Antonio, Texas 1897-12-10 1920 1920
Ben Grieve Arlington, Texas 1976-05-04 1997 2005
Hank Griffin Whitehouse, Texas 1886-07-11 1911 1912
Jason Grimsley Cleveland, Texas 1967-08-07 1989 2006
Lee Grissom Sherman, Texas 1907-10-23 1934 1941
Buddy Groom Dallas, Texas 1965-07-10 1992 2005
Turkey Gross Mesquite, Texas 1896-02-21 1925 1925
Jerry Grote San Antonio, Texas 1942-10-06 1963 1981
Kelly Gruber Houston, Texas 1962-02-26 1984 1993
Marv Gudat Goliad, Texas 1903-08-27 1929 1932
Javy Guerra Denton, Texas 1985-10-31 2011 Active
Carlos Guevara Uvalde, Texas 1982-03-18 2008 2008
Jason Gurka Houston, Texas 1988-01-10 2015 Active
Doug Gwosdz Houston, Texas 1960-06-20 1981 1984
Eric Hacker Duncanville, Texas 1983-03-26 2009 2012
Scott Hairston Fort Worth, Texas 1980-05-25 2004 Active
Jim Haislip Farmersville, Texas 1891-08-04 1913 1913
Sammy Hale Glen Rose, Texas 1896-09-10 1920 1930
Brad Halsey Houston, Texas 1981-02-14 2004 2006
Todd Haney Galveston, Texas 1965-07-30 1992 1998
Larry Hardy Goose Creek, Texas 1948-01-10 1974 1976
Mike Hargrove Perryton, Texas 1949-10-26 1974 1985
Brandon Harper Odessa, Texas 1976-04-29 2006 2006
Ray Harrell Petrolia, Texas 1912-02-16 1935 1945
Slim Harrell Grandview, Texas 1890-07-31 1912 1912
Bill Harris Wylie, Texas 1900-06-23 1923 1938
Donald Harris Waco, Texas 1967-11-12 1991 1993
Will Harris Houston, Texas 1984-08-28 2012 Active
Chuck Harrison Abilene, Texas 1941-04-25 1965 1971
Slim Harriss Brownwood, Texas 1897-12-11 1920 1928
Donnie Hart Bedford, Texas 1990-09-06 2016 Active
Chuck Hartenstein Seguin, Texas 1942-05-26 1965 1977
Clint Hartung Hondo, Texas 1922-08-10 1947 1952
Andy Hassler Texas City, Texas 1951-10-18 1971 1985
Grady Hatton Beaumont, Texas 1922-10-07 1946 1960
Clem Hausmann Houston, Texas 1919-08-17 1944 1949
Andy Hawkins Waco, Texas 1960-01-21 1982 1991
Brad Hawpe Fort Worth, Texas 1979-06-22 2004 Active
Slade Heathcott Texarkana, Texas 1990-09-28 2015 Active
Mike Hedlund Dallas, Texas 1946-08-11 1965 1972
Danny Heep San Antonio, Texas 1957-07-03 1979 1991
Jack Heidemann Brenham, Texas 1949-07-11 1969 1977
Bob Heise San Antonio, Texas 1947-05-12 1967 1977
Hank Helf Austin, Texas 1913-08-26 1938 1946
Bernie Henderson Douglassville, Texas 1899-04-12 1921 1921
Steve Henderson Houston, Texas 1952-11-18 1977 1988
Sean Henn Fort Worth, Texas 1981-04-23 2005 2009
Phil Hennigan Jasper, Texas 1946-04-10 1969 1973
Bill Henry Alice, Texas 1927-10-15 1952 1969
Butch Henry El Paso, Texas 1968-10-07 1992 1999
Clay Hensley Tomball, Texas 1979-08-31 2005 2012
Xavier Hernandez Port Arthur, Texas 1965-08-16 1989 1998
Daniel Ray Herrera Odessa, Texas 1984-10-21 2008 2011
Chris Herrmann Tomball, Texas 1987-11-24 2012 Active
Brandon Hicks Houston, Texas 1985-09-04 2010 Active
Jordan Hicks Houston, Texas 1996-09-06 2018 Active
Pinky Higgins Red Oak, Texas 1909-05-27 1930 1946
Herbert Hill Hutchins, Texas 1891-08-19 1915 1915
Hunter Hill Austin, Texas 1879-06-21 1903 1905
Jeremy Hill Dallas, Texas 1977-08-08 2002 2003
Red Hill Marshall, Texas 1893-01-20 1917 1917
Steven Hill Houston, Texas 1985-03-14 2010 2012
Dave Hilton Uvalde, Texas 1950-09-15 1972 1975
Bruce Hitt Comanche, Texas 1897-03-14 1917 1917
Kevin Hodges Houston, Texas 1973-06-24 2000 2000
Trey Hodges Houston, Texas 1978-06-29 2002 2003
Frank Hoffman Houston, Texas 0000-00-00 1888 1888
Tex Hoffman San Antonio, Texas 1893-11-30 1915 1915
Micah Hoffpauir Fort Worth, Texas 1980-03-01 2008 2010
Bryan Holaday Dallas, Texas 1987-11-19 2012 Active
Mike Hollimon Dallas, Texas 1982-06-14 2008 2008
Jessie Hollins Conroe, Texas 1970-01-27 1992 1992
Stan Hollmig Fredericksburg, Texas 1926-01-02 1949 1951
Brock Holt Stephenville, Texas 1988-06-11 2012 Active
Chris Holt Dallas, Texas 1971-09-18 1996 2001
Alex Hooks Edgewood, Texas 1906-08-29 1935 1935
Burt Hooton Greenville, Texas 1950-02-07 1971 1985
Marty Hopkins Wolfe City, Texas 1907-02-22 1934 1935
Joe Horlen San Antonio, Texas 1937-08-14 1961 1972
Sam Horn Dallas, Texas 1963-11-02 1987 1995
Rogers Hornsby Winters, Texas 1896-04-27 1915 1937
Clarence Huber Tyler, Texas 1895-10-27 1920 1926
Charles Hudson Ennis, Texas 1959-03-16 1983 1989
Johnny Hudson Bryan, Texas 1912-06-30 1936 1945
Chad Huffman Houston, Texas 1985-04-29 2010 Active
Phil Huffman Freeport, Texas 1958-06-20 1979 1985
Tex Hughson Buda, Texas 1916-02-09 1941 1949
David Hulse San Angelo, Texas 1968-02-25 1992 1996
Philip Humber Nacogdoches, Texas 1982-12-21 2006 2013
Mike Humphreys Dallas, Texas 1967-04-10 1991 1993
Jason Hursh Carrollton, Texas 1991-10-02 2016 Active
Joe Hutcheson Springtown, Texas 1905-02-05 1933 1933
Al Jackson Waco, Texas 1935-12-25 1959 1969
Austin Jackson Denton, Texas 1987-02-01 2010 Active
Conor Jackson Austin, Texas 1982-05-07 2005 2011
Danny Jackson San Antonio, Texas 1962-01-05 1983 1997
Mike Jackson Houston, Texas 1964-12-22 1986 2004
Bernie James Angleton, Texas 1905-09-02 1929 1933
Chris James Rusk, Texas 1962-10-04 1986 1995
Delvin James Nacogdoches, Texas 1978-01-03 2002 2002
Paul Janish Houston, Texas 1982-10-12 2008 Active
Tex Jeanes Maypearl, Texas 1900-12-19 1921 1927
Tyrell Jenkins Henderson, Texas 1992-07-20 2016 Active
Jason Jennings Dallas, Texas 1978-07-17 2001 2009
Bob Johnson Dallas, Texas 1959-07-31 1981 1983
Cliff Johnson San Antonio, Texas 1947-07-22 1972 1986
Dave Johnson Abilene, Texas 1948-10-04 1974 1978
Frank Johnson El Paso, Texas 1942-07-22 1966 1971
Fred Johnson Tolar, Texas 1894-03-10 1922 1939
John Henry Johnson Houston, Texas 1956-08-21 1978 1987
Kelly Johnson Austin, Texas 1982-02-22 2005 Active
Rankin Johnson Burnet, Texas 1888-02-04 1914 1918
Rontrez Johnson Marshall, Texas 1976-12-08 2003 2003
Stan Johnson Dallas, Texas 1937-02-12 1960 1961
Johnny Johnston Longview, Texas 1890-03-28 1913 1913
Jimmy Jones Dallas, Texas 1964-04-20 1986 1993
Percy Jones Harwood, Texas 1899-10-28 1920 1930
Red Jones Timpson, Texas 1911-11-02 1940 1940
Ron Jones Seguin, Texas 1964-06-11 1988 1991
Ruppert Jones Dallas, Texas 1955-03-12 1976 1987
Scott Jordan Waco, Texas 1963-05-27 1988 1988
Donnie Joseph San Marcos, Texas 1987-11-01 2013 Active
Taylor Jungmann Temple, Texas 1989-12-18 2015 Active
Don Kainer Houston, Texas 1955-09-03 1980 1980
Paul Kardow Humble, Texas 1915-09-19 1936 1936
Ed Karger San Angelo, Texas 1883-05-06 1906 1911
Ray Katt New Braunfels, Texas 1927-05-09 1952 1959
Scott Kazmir Houston, Texas 1984-01-24 2004 Active
Bob Kearney San Antonio, Texas 1956-10-03 1979 1987
Randy Keisler Richards, Texas 1976-02-24 2000 2007
Ty Kelly Dallas, Texas 1988-07-20 2016 Active
Steve Kemp San Angelo, Texas 1954-08-07 1977 1988
Kyle Kendrick Houston, Texas 1984-08-26 2007 Active
Logan Kensing San Antonio, Texas 1982-07-03 2004 Active
Clayton Kershaw Dallas, Texas 1988-03-19 2008 Active
Gus Ketchum Royse City, Texas 1897-03-21 1922 1922
Hod Kibbie Fort Worth, Texas 1903-07-18 1925 1925
Brooks Kieschnick Robstown, Texas 1972-06-06 1996 2004
Roger Kieschnick Dallas, Texas 1987-01-21 2013 Active
Nick Kingham Houston, Texas 1991-11-08 2018 Active
Walt Kinney Denison, Texas 1893-09-09 1918 1923
Harry Kinzy Hallsville, Texas 1910-07-19 1934 1934
Hugo Klaerner Fredericksburg, Texas 1908-10-15 1934 1934
Cotton Knaupp San Antonio, Texas 1889-08-13 1910 1911
Corey Knebel Denton, Texas 1991-11-26 2014 Active
Chuck Knoblauch Houston, Texas 1968-07-07 1991 2002
Jack Knott Dallas, Texas 1907-03-02 1933 1946
Michael Kopech Mount Pleasant, Texas 1996-04-30 2018 Active
Fabian Kowalik Falls City, Texas 1908-04-22 1932 1936
Ernie Koy Sealy, Texas 1909-09-17 1938 1942
Jack Kraus San Antonio, Texas 1918-04-26 1943 1946
Art Kruger San Antonio, Texas 1881-03-16 1907 1915
Jeff Kubenka Weimar, Texas 1974-08-24 1998 1999
Kyle Kubitza Arlington, Texas 1990-07-15 2015 Active
Gil Kubski Longview, Texas 1954-10-12 1980 1980
John Lackey Abilene, Texas 1978-10-23 2002 Active
Lee Lacy Longview, Texas 1948-04-10 1972 1987
Les Lancaster Dallas, Texas 1962-04-21 1987 1993
Jesse Landrum Crockett, Texas 1912-07-31 1938 1938
Ryan Langerhans San Antonio, Texas 1980-02-20 2002 Active
Sam Langford Briggs, Texas 1900-05-21 1926 1928
Matt Langwell Bryan, Texas 1986-05-06 2013 2013
Brandon Larson San Angelo, Texas 1976-05-24 2001 2004
Jason LaRue Houston, Texas 1974-03-19 1999 2010
Bill Lattimore Roxton, Texas 1884-05-25 1908 1908
Rudy Law Waco, Texas 1956-10-07 1978 1986
Pete Layden Dallas, Texas 1919-12-30 1948 1948
Zach Lee Plano, Texas 1991-09-13 2015 Active
John Leister San Antonio, Texas 1961-01-03 1987 1990
Roy Leslie Bailey, Texas 1894-08-23 1917 1922
Dixie Leverett Georgetown, Texas 1894-03-29 1922 1929
Brad Lincoln Lake Jackson, Texas 1985-05-25 2010 Active
Doug Lindsey Austin, Texas 1967-09-22 1991 1993
Scott Linebrink Austin, Texas 1976-08-04 2000 2011
Bryan Little Houston, Texas 1959-10-08 1982 1986
Jack Little Mart, Texas 1891-03-12 1912 1912
Carlisle Littlejohn Irene, Texas 1901-10-06 1927 1928
Scott Livingstone Dallas, Texas 1965-07-15 1991 1998
Boone Logan San Antonio, Texas 1984-08-13 2006 Active
Ryan Lollis Houston, Texas 1986-12-16 2015 Active
Phil Lombardi Abilene, Texas 1963-02-20 1986 1989
James Loney Houston, Texas 1984-05-07 2006 Active
Ryan Long Houston, Texas 1973-02-03 1997 1997
Tom Lovelace Wolfe City, Texas 1897-10-19 1922 1922
Mark Lowe Houston, Texas 1983-06-07 2006 Active
Sean Lowe Dallas, Texas 1971-03-29 1997 2003
Johnny Lucadello Thurber, Texas 1919-02-22 1938 1947
Rick Luecken McAllen, Texas 1960-11-15 1989 1990
Lucas Luetge Brenham, Texas 1987-03-24 2012 Active
Trey Lunsford Odessa, Texas 1979-05-25 2002 2003
Danny Lynch Dallas, Texas 1926-02-07 1948 1948
Red Lynn Kenney, Texas 1913-12-27 1939 1944
Tyler Lyons Lubbock, Texas 1988-02-21 2013 Active
Mike Macha Victoria, Texas 1954-02-17 1979 1980
Chuck Machemehl Brenham, Texas 1946-04-20 1971 1971
Greg Maddux San Angelo, Texas 1966-04-14 1986 2008
Sal Madrid El Paso, Texas 1920-06-09 1947 1947
Damien Magnifico Dallas, Texas 1991-05-24 2016 Active
Rick Mahler Austin, Texas 1953-08-05 1979 1991
Pat Mahomes Bryan, Texas 1970-08-09 1992 2003
Gary Majewski Houston, Texas 1980-02-26 2004 2010
Les Mallon Sweetwater, Texas 1905-11-21 1931 1935
Gordon Maltzberger Utopia, Texas 1912-09-04 1943 1947
Frank Mancuso Houston, Texas 1918-05-23 1944 1947
Gus Mancuso Galveston, Texas 1905-12-05 1928 1945
Garth Mann Brandon, Texas 1915-11-16 1944 1944
Jeff Manship San Antonio, Texas 1985-01-16 2009 Active
Robert Manuel Houston, Texas 1983-07-09 2009 2010
Firpo Marberry Streetman, Texas 1898-11-30 1923 1936
Jim Marquis Yoakum, Texas 1900-11-18 1925 1925
Brett Marshall Highlands, Texas 1990-03-22 2013 Active
Chris Martin Arlington, Texas 1986-06-02 2014 Active
Kyle Martin Austin, Texas 1991-01-18 2017 Active
Mike Massey Galveston, Texas 1893-09-28 1917 1917
Eddie Mathews Texarkana, Texas 1931-10-13 1952 1968
Rick Matula Wharton, Texas 1953-11-22 1979 1981
Tim Mauser Fort Worth, Texas 1966-10-04 1991 1995
Ernie McAnally Pittsburg, Texas 1946-08-15 1971 1974
Tom McBride Bonham, Texas 1914-11-02 1943 1948
David McCarty Houston, Texas 1969-11-23 1993 2005
Pete McClanahan Coldspring, Texas 1906-10-24 1931 1931
Mike McClendon Arlington, Texas 1985-04-03 2010 2012
Daniel McCutchen McKinney, Texas 1982-09-26 2009 Active
Joe McDonald Unknown, Texas 1888-04-09 1910 1910
Tex McDonald Farmersville, Texas 1891-01-31 1912 1915
Chuck McElroy Port Arthur, Texas 1967-10-01 1989 2001
Dan McFarlan Gainesville, Texas 1873-11-01 1895 1899
Slim McGrew Yoakum, Texas 1899-08-05 1922 1924
Otto McIvor Greenville, Texas 1884-07-26 1911 1911
Reeve McKay Morgan, Texas 1881-11-16 1915 1915
Billy McKinney Dallas, Texas 1994-08-23 2018 Active
Andrew McKirahan Austin, Texas 1990-02-08 2015 Active
Polly McLarry Leonard, Texas 1891-03-25 1912 1915
Pat McLaughlin Taylor, Texas 1910-08-17 1937 1945
Roy McMillan Bonham, Texas 1929-07-17 1951 1966
Craig McMurtry Troy, Texas 1959-11-05 1983 1995
Jon Meloan Houston, Texas 1984-07-11 2007 2009
Dave Melton Pampa, Texas 1928-10-03 1956 1958
Daniel Mengden Houston, Texas 1993-02-19 2016 Active
Ryan Merritt McKinney, Texas 1992-02-21 2016 Active
Roger Metzger Fredericksburg, Texas 1947-10-10 1970 1980
Dutch Meyer Waco, Texas 1915-10-06 1937 1946
Will Middlebrooks Greenville, Texas 1988-09-09 2012 Active
John Middleton Mount Calm, Texas 1900-04-11 1922 1922
Dick Midkiff Gonzales, Texas 1914-09-28 1938 1938
Hack Miller Celeste, Texas 1913-02-13 1944 1945
Keith Miller Dallas, Texas 1963-03-07 1988 1989
Lemmie Miller Dallas, Texas 1960-06-02 1984 1984
Matt Miller Lubbock, Texas 1974-08-02 2001 2002
Ox Miller Gause, Texas 1915-05-04 1943 1947
Shelby Miller Houston, Texas 1990-10-10 2012 Active
Buster Mills Ranger, Texas 1908-09-16 1934 1946
Brian Milner Fort Worth, Texas 1959-11-17 1978 1978
Hoby Milner Dallas, Texas 1991-01-13 2017 Active
George Milstead Cleburne, Texas 1903-06-26 1924 1926
Nate Minchey Austin, Texas 1969-08-31 1993 1997
A.J. Minter Tyler, Texas 1993-09-02 2017 Active
Greg Minton Lubbock, Texas 1951-07-29 1975 1990
Roy Mitchell Belton, Texas 1885-04-19 1910 1919
Garrett Mock Houston, Texas 1983-04-25 2008 2010
Blas Monaco San Antonio, Texas 1915-11-16 1937 1946
Craig Monroe Texarkana, Texas 1977-02-27 2001 2009
John Monroe Farmersville, Texas 1898-08-24 1921 1921
Adam Moore Longview, Texas 1984-05-08 2009 Active
Balor Moore Smithville, Texas 1951-01-25 1970 1980
Dee Moore Hedley, Texas 1914-04-06 1936 1946
Donnie Moore Lubbock, Texas 1954-02-13 1975 1988
Gene Moore Lancaster, Texas 1885-11-09 1909 1912
Gene Moore Lancaster, Texas 1909-08-26 1931 1945
Jo-Jo Moore Gause, Texas 1908-12-25 1930 1941
Junior Moore Waskom, Texas 1953-01-25 1976 1980
Randy Moore Naples, Texas 1906-06-21 1927 1937
Roy Moore Austin, Texas 1898-10-26 1920 1923
Trey Moore Houston, Texas 1972-10-02 1998 2001
Wilcy Moore Bonita, Texas 1897-05-20 1927 1933
Jake Mooty Mislap, Texas 1913-04-13 1936 1944
Ray Morehart Terrell, Texas 1899-12-02 1924 1927
Seth Morehead Houston, Texas 1934-08-15 1957 1961
Keith Moreland Dallas, Texas 1954-05-02 1978 1989
Joe Morgan Bonham, Texas 1943-09-19 1963 1984
Jeff Moronko Houston, Texas 1959-08-17 1984 1987
A.J. Morris Houston, Texas 1986-12-01 2016 Active
Jim Morris Brownwood, Texas 1964-01-19 1999 2000
Walter Morris Rockwall, Texas 1880-01-31 1908 1908
Dustin Moseley Texarkana, Texas 1981-12-26 2006 2012
Arnie Moser Houston, Texas 1915-08-09 1937 1937
Scott Mullen San Benito, Texas 1975-01-17 2000 2003
Jerry Mumphrey Tyler, Texas 1952-09-09 1974 1988
Max Muncy Midland, Texas 1990-08-25 2015 Active
Red Munger Houston, Texas 1918-10-04 1943 1956
Red Murff Burlington, Texas 1921-04-01 1956 1957
David Murphy Houston, Texas 1981-10-18 2006 2015
Calvin Murray Dallas, Texas 1971-07-30 1999 2004
Dale Murray Cuero, Texas 1950-02-02 1974 1985
Jim Murray Galveston, Texas 1878-01-16 1902 1914
Rod Myers Conroe, Texas 1973-01-14 1996 1997
Brian Myrow Fort Worth, Texas 1976-09-04 2005 2008
Doc Nance Fort Worth, Texas 1876-08-02 1897 1901
Shane Nance Pasadena, Texas 1977-09-07 2002 2004
Tyler Naquin Spring, Texas 1991-04-24 2016 Active
Joe Nathan Houston, Texas 1974-11-22 1999 Active
Rollie Naylor Krum, Texas 1892-02-04 1917 1924
Charlie Neal Longview, Texas 1931-01-30 1956 1963
Troy Neel Freeport, Texas 1965-09-14 1992 1994
John Nelson Denton, Texas 1979-03-03 2006 2006
Tex Nelson Dallas, Texas 1936-08-07 1955 1957
Jeff Newman Fort Worth, Texas 1948-09-11 1976 1984
Pat Newnam Hempstead, Texas 1880-12-10 1910 1911
Fred Nicholson Honey Grove, Texas 1894-09-01 1917 1922
David Nied Dallas, Texas 1968-12-22 1992 1996
Jeff Niemann Houston, Texas 1983-02-28 2008 2012
Otho Nitcholas McKinney, Texas 1908-09-13 1945 1945
Jayson Nix Dallas, Texas 1982-08-26 2008 2014
Laynce Nix Houston, Texas 1980-10-30 2003 Active
Fred Norman San Antonio, Texas 1942-08-20 1962 1980
Hub Northen Atlanta, Texas 1886-08-16 1910 1912
Phil Norton Texarkana, Texas 1976-02-01 2000 2004
Mike O’Connor Dallas, Texas 1980-08-17 2006 2011
Ryan O’Hearn Frisco, Texas 1993-07-26 2018 Active
Heinie Odom Rusk, Texas 1900-10-13 1925 1925
Ross Ohlendorf Austin, Texas 1982-08-08 2007 Active
Logan Ondrusek Hallettsville, Texas 1985-02-13 2010 Active
Bob Osborn San Diego, Texas 1903-04-17 1925 1931
Dave Owen Cleburne, Texas 1958-04-25 1983 1988
Spike Owen Cleburne, Texas 1961-04-19 1983 1995
Eddie Palmer Petty, Texas 1893-06-01 1917 1917
Ken Pape San Antonio, Texas 1951-10-01 1976 1976
Joe Pate Alice, Texas 1892-06-06 1926 1927
Freddie Patek Seguin, Texas 1944-10-09 1968 1981
John Patterson Orange, Texas 1978-01-30 2002 2007
Red Patterson McKinney, Texas 1987-05-11 2014 Active
Troy Patton Spring, Texas 1985-09-03 2007 Active
Roger Pavlik Houston, Texas 1967-10-04 1992 1998
Les Peden Azle, Texas 1923-09-17 1953 1953
Homer Peel Port Sullivan, Texas 1902-10-10 1927 1934
Hunter Pence Fort Worth, Texas 1983-04-13 2007 Active
Lance Pendleton Houston, Texas 1983-09-10 2011 2011
Cliff Pennington Corpus Christi, Texas 1984-06-15 2008 Active
Danny Perez El Paso, Texas 1971-02-26 1996 1996
Jon Perlman Dallas, Texas 1956-12-13 1985 1988
Scott Perry Denison, Texas 1891-04-17 1915 1921
Mark Petkovsek Beaumont, Texas 1965-11-18 1991 2001
Ned Pettigrew Honey Grove, Texas 1881-08-25 1914 1914
Dave Philley Paris, Texas 1920-05-16 1941 1962
Damon Phillips Corsicana, Texas 1919-06-08 1942 1946
Mike Phillips Beaumont, Texas 1950-08-19 1973 1983
Ricky Pickett Fort Worth, Texas 1970-01-19 1998 1998
Cotton Pippen Cisco, Texas 1911-04-02 1936 1940
Joe Pittman Houston, Texas 1954-01-01 1981 1984
Scott Podsednik West, Texas 1976-03-18 2001 2012
Stu Pomeranz Dallas, Texas 1984-12-17 2012 Active
Paul Powell San Angelo, Texas 1948-03-19 1971 1975
Mel Preibisch Sealy, Texas 1914-11-23 1940 1941
Ryan Pressly Dallas, Texas 1988-12-15 2013 Active
Bryan Price Corpus Christi, Texas 1986-11-13 2014 Active
Bob Prichard Paris, Texas 1917-10-21 1939 1939
Austin Pruitt The Woodlands, Texas 1989-08-31 2017 Active
Matt Purke Nacogdoches, Texas 1990-07-17 2016 Active
Omar Quintanilla El Paso, Texas 1981-10-24 2005 Active
Charlie Rabe Boyce, Texas 1932-05-06 1957 1958
Brooks Raley San Antonio, Texas 1988-06-29 2012 Active
Allan Ramirez Victoria, Texas 1957-05-01 1983 1983
AJ Ramos Lubbock, Texas 1986-09-20 2012 Active
Morrie Rath Mobeetie, Texas 1886-12-25 1909 1920
Fred Rath, Jr. Dallas, Texas 1973-01-05 1998 1998
Doug Rau Columbus, Texas 1948-12-15 1972 1981
Robert Ray Lufkin, Texas 1984-01-21 2009 2010
Howie Reed Dallas, Texas 1936-12-21 1958 1971
Bill Reeder Dike, Texas 1922-02-20 1949 1949
Zac Reininger San Antonio, Texas 1993-01-28 2017 Active
Anthony Rendon Houston, Texas 1990-06-06 2013 Active
Bill Reynolds Eastland, Texas 1884-08-14 1913 1914
Carl Reynolds LaRue, Texas 1903-02-01 1927 1939
Craig Reynolds Houston, Texas 1952-12-27 1975 1989
Ross Reynolds Barksdale, Texas 1887-08-20 1914 1915
Arthur Rhodes Waco, Texas 1969-10-24 1991 2011
Will Rhymes Houston, Texas 1983-04-01 2010 2012
Paul Richards Waxahachie, Texas 1908-11-21 1932 1946
Rusty Richards Houston, Texas 1965-01-27 1989 1990
Topper Rigney Groveton, Texas 1897-01-07 1922 1927
Tink Riviere Liberty, Texas 1899-08-02 1921 1925
Johnny Rizzo Houston, Texas 1912-07-30 1938 1942
Curt Roberts Pineland, Texas 1929-08-16 1954 1956
Ryan Roberts Fort Worth, Texas 1980-09-19 2006 Active
Andre Robertson Orange, Texas 1957-10-02 1981 1985
Charlie Robertson Dexter, Texas 1896-01-31 1919 1928
Rich Robertson Nacogdoches, Texas 1968-09-15 1993 1998
Eddie Robinson Paris, Texas 1920-12-15 1942 1957
Frank Robinson Beaumont, Texas 1935-08-31 1956 1976
Pat Rockett San Antonio, Texas 1955-01-09 1976 1978
Brady Rodgers Richmond, Texas 1990-09-17 2016 Active
Dereck Rodriguez Arlington, Texas 1992-06-05 2018 Active
Fernando Rodriguez El Paso, Texas 1984-06-18 2009 Active
Josh Rodriguez Houston, Texas 1984-12-18 2011 2011
Brian Rogers Dallas, Texas 1982-07-17 2006 2007
David Rollins Deberry, Texas 1989-12-21 2015 Active
Mark Ross Galveston, Texas 1957-08-08 1982 1990
Schoolboy Rowe Waco, Texas 1910-01-11 1933 1949
Vic Roznovsky Shiner, Texas 1938-10-19 1964 1969
Scott Ruffcorn Austin, Texas 1969-12-29 1993 1997
Bruce Ruffin Lubbock, Texas 1963-10-04 1986 1997
Chance Ruffin Austin, Texas 1988-09-08 2011 2013
Justin Ruggiano Austin, Texas 1982-04-12 2007 Active
Nick Rumbelow Bullard, Texas 1991-09-06 2015 Active
Pete Runnels Lufkin, Texas 1928-01-28 1951 1964
Ryan Rupe Houston, Texas 1975-03-31 1999 2003
Cameron Rupp Dallas, Texas 1988-09-28 2013 Active
Jack Russell Paris, Texas 1905-10-24 1926 1940
Nolan Ryan Refugio, Texas 1947-01-31 1966 1993
Mark Saccomanno Houston, Texas 1980-04-30 2008 2008
Donnie Sadler Gholson, Texas 1975-06-17 1998 2007
Ray Sadler Clifton, Texas 1980-09-19 2005 2005
Ron Samford Dallas, Texas 1930-02-28 1954 1959
Chris Sampson Channelview, Texas 1978-05-23 2006 2010
Brian Sanches Beaumont, Texas 1978-08-08 2006 2012
Dee Sanders Quitman, Texas 1921-04-08 1945 1945
Chance Sanford Houston, Texas 1972-06-02 1998 1999
Joe Savery Houston, Texas 1985-11-04 2011 Active
Red Schillings Deport, Texas 1900-03-29 1922 1922
Calvin Schiraldi Houston, Texas 1962-06-16 1984 1991
Henry Schmidt Brownsville, Texas 1873-06-26 1903 1903
Pete Schourek Austin, Texas 1969-05-10 1991 2001
Heinie Schuble Houston, Texas 1906-11-01 1927 1936
Bo Schultz Dallas, Texas 1985-09-25 2014 Active
Jim Scoggins Killeen, Texas 1891-07-09 1913 1913
Scott Scudder Paris, Texas 1968-02-14 1989 1993
Bob Seeds Ringgold, Texas 1907-02-24 1930 1940
Chris Seelbach Lufkin, Texas 1972-12-18 2000 2001
Zack Segovia Dallas, Texas 1983-04-11 2007 2009
Kal Segrist Greenville, Texas 1931-04-14 1952 1955
Ricky Seilheimer Brenham, Texas 1960-08-30 1980 1980
Carroll Sembera Shiner, Texas 1941-07-26 1965 1970
Doc Shanley Granbury, Texas 0000-00-00 1912 1912
Steven Shell Longview, Texas 1983-03-10 2008 2009
Hugh Shelley Rogers, Texas 1910-10-26 1935 1935
Ron Shepherd Longview, Texas 1960-10-27 1984 1986
Art Shires Italy, Texas 1906-08-13 1928 1932
Bart Shirley Corpus Christi, Texas 1940-01-04 1964 1968
Tex Shirley Birthright, Texas 1918-04-25 1941 1946
Milt Shoffner Sherman, Texas 1905-11-13 1929 1940
Strick Shofner Crawford, Texas 1919-07-23 1947 1947
Kelly Shoppach Fort Worth, Texas 1980-04-29 2005 Active
Bill Shores Abilene, Texas 1904-05-26 1928 1936
Mike Sirotka Houston, Texas 1971-05-13 1995 2000
Kevin Slowey Conroe, Texas 1984-05-04 2007 Active
Craig Smajstrla Houston, Texas 1962-06-19 1988 1988
J.D. Smart San Saba, Texas 1973-11-12 1999 2001
Billy Smith La Marque, Texas 1954-09-13 1981 1981
Burch Smith San Antonio, Texas 1990-04-12 2013 Active
Caleb Smith Huntsville, Texas 1991-07-28 2017 Active
Carson Smith Dallas, Texas 1989-10-19 2014 Active
Dave Smith Tomball, Texas 1957-08-30 1984 1985
Drew Smith Fort Worth, Texas 1993-09-24 2018 Active
Mike Smith San Antonio, Texas 1963-10-31 1989 1990
Chris Snyder Houston, Texas 1981-02-12 2004 2013
Frank Snyder San Antonio, Texas 1894-05-27 1912 1927
Kyle Snyder Houston, Texas 1977-09-09 2003 2008
Bill Sodd Fort Worth, Texas 1914-09-18 1937 1937
Glenn Sparkman Ganado, Texas 1992-05-11 2017 Active
Jeff Sparks Houston, Texas 1972-04-04 1999 2000
Tris Speaker Hubbard, Texas 1888-04-04 1907 1928
Mike Stanton Houston, Texas 1967-06-02 1989 2007
Nick Stavinoha Houston, Texas 1982-05-03 2008 2010
Bill Stellbauer Bremond, Texas 1894-03-20 1916 1916
Ray Stephens Houston, Texas 1962-09-22 1990 1992
Ed Stevens Galveston, Texas 1925-01-12 1945 1950
Kohl Stewart Houston, Texas 1994-10-07 2018 Active
Zach Stewart Wichita Falls, Texas 1986-09-28 2011 2012
Lil Stoner Bowie, Texas 1899-02-28 1922 1931
Trevor Story Irving, Texas 1992-11-15 2016 Active
Monty Stratton Wagner, Texas 1912-05-21 1934 1938
Huston Street Austin, Texas 1983-08-02 2005 Active
Scott Strickland Houston, Texas 1976-04-26 1999 2010
Drew Stubbs Texarkana, Texas 1984-10-04 2009 Active
Daniel Stumpf Humble, Texas 1991-01-04 2016 Active
Guy Sturdy Sherman, Texas 1899-08-07 1927 1928
Charley Suche Cranes Mill, Texas 1915-08-05 1938 1938
Jackie Sullivan Princeton, Texas 1918-02-22 1944 1944
John Sutton Dallas, Texas 1952-11-13 1977 1978
Blake Swihart Bedford, Texas 1992-04-03 2015 Active
Greg Swindell Fort Worth, Texas 1965-01-02 1986 2002
Jon Switzer Houston, Texas 1979-08-13 2003 2009
Noah Syndergaard Mansfield, Texas 1992-08-29 2015 Active
John Taff Austin, Texas 1890-06-03 1913 1913
Leo Tankersley Terrell, Texas 1901-06-08 1925 1925
Jordan Tata Plano, Texas 1981-09-20 2006 2007
Tommy Tatum Decatur, Texas 1919-07-16 1941 1947
Eddie Taubensee Beeville, Texas 1968-10-31 1991 2001
Chink Taylor Burnet, Texas 1898-02-09 1925 1925
Ed Taylor Palestine, Texas 1877-03-23 1903 1903
Harry Taylor San Angelo, Texas 1935-12-02 1957 1957
Tommy Taylor Mexia, Texas 1892-09-17 1924 1924
Taylor Teagarden Dallas, Texas 1983-12-21 2008 Active
Garry Templeton Lockney, Texas 1956-03-24 1976 1991
Ryan Tepera Lake Jackson, Texas 1987-11-03 2015 Active
Zeb Terry Denison, Texas 1891-06-17 1916 1922
Curtis Thigpen Dallas, Texas 1983-04-19 2007 2008
Jake Thompson Dallas, Texas 1994-01-31 2016 Active
Justin Thompson San Antonio, Texas 1973-03-08 1996 2005
Kevin Thompson Fort Worth, Texas 1979-09-18 2006 2007
Tyler Thornburg Houston, Texas 1988-09-29 2012 Active
Mark Thurmond Houston, Texas 1956-09-12 1983 1990
Mike Timlin Midland, Texas 1966-03-10 1991 2008
Jess Todd Longview, Texas 1986-04-20 2009 2010
Shawn Tolleson Dallas, Texas 1988-01-19 2012 2016
Josh Tomlin Tyler, Texas 1984-10-19 2010 Active
J.R. Towles Crosby, Texas 1984-02-11 2007 2011
Ira Townsend Weimar, Texas 1894-01-09 1920 1921
Chris Tremie Houston, Texas 1969-10-17 1995 2004
Jose Trevino Corpus Christi, Texas 1992-11-28 2018 Active
Ricky Trlicek Houston, Texas 1969-04-26 1992 1997
J.J. Trujillo Corpus Christi, Texas 1975-10-09 2002 2002
Thurman Tucker Gordon, Texas 1917-09-26 1942 1951
Lee Tunnell Tyler, Texas 1960-10-30 1982 1989
Jason Tyner Beaumont, Texas 1977-04-23 2000 2008
Jim Tyrone Alice, Texas 1949-01-29 1972 1977
Wayne Tyrone Alice, Texas 1950-08-01 1976 1976
Willie Underhill Yowell, Texas 1904-09-06 1927 1928
Willie Upshaw Blanco, Texas 1957-04-27 1978 1988
Joe Vance Devine, Texas 1905-09-16 1935 1938
Anthony Vasquez San Antonio, Texas 1986-09-19 2011 2011
Charlie Vaughan Mercedes, Texas 1947-10-06 1966 1969
Hippo Vaughn Weatherford, Texas 1888-04-09 1908 1921
Randy Velarde Midland, Texas 1962-11-24 1987 2002
Drew VerHagen Royse City, Texas 1990-10-22 2014 Active
Logan Verrett The Woodlands, Texas 1990-06-19 2015 Active
Pedro Villarreal Edinburg, Texas 1987-12-09 2012 Active
Bob Vines Waxahachie, Texas 1897-02-25 1924 1925
Jake Volz San Antonio, Texas 1878-04-04 1901 1908
Ryan Wagner Yoakum, Texas 1982-07-15 2003 2007
Jordan Walden Fort Worth, Texas 1987-11-16 2010 Active
Curt Walker Beeville, Texas 1896-07-03 1919 1930
Duane Walker Pasadena, Texas 1957-03-13 1982 1988
Kevin Walker Irving, Texas 1976-09-20 2000 2005
Luke Walker DeKalb, Texas 1943-09-02 1965 1974
Mike Walker Houston, Texas 1965-06-23 1992 1992
Murray Wall Dallas, Texas 1926-09-19 1950 1959
Hooks Warner Del Rio, Texas 1894-05-22 1916 1921
Carl Warwick Dallas, Texas 1937-02-27 1961 1966
George Washington Linden, Texas 1907-06-04 1935 1936
George Watkins Freestone County, Texas 1900-06-04 1930 1936
Steve Watkins Lubbock, Texas 1978-07-19 2004 2004
Roy Weatherly Warren, Texas 1915-02-25 1936 1950
Floyd Weaver Ben Franklin, Texas 1941-05-12 1962 1971
Ben Weber Port Arthur, Texas 1969-11-17 2000 2005
Gary Weiss Brenham, Texas 1955-12-27 1980 1981
Don Welchel Atlanta, Texas 1957-02-03 1982 1983
Jared Wells Freeport, Texas 1981-10-31 2008 2008
Kip Wells Houston, Texas 1977-04-21 1999 2012
Matt West Houston, Texas 1988-11-21 2014 Active
Max West Sunset, Texas 1904-07-14 1928 1929
Sam West Longview, Texas 1904-10-05 1927 1942
Sean West Houston, Texas 1986-06-15 2009 2010
Kevin Whelan Kerrville, Texas 1984-01-08 2011 Active
Barney White Paris, Texas 1923-06-25 1945 1945
John Whitehead Coleman, Texas 1909-04-27 1935 1942
Pinky Whitney San Antonio, Texas 1905-01-02 1928 1939
Brad Wieck Amarillo, Texas 1991-10-14 2018 Active
Ted Wilborn Waco, Texas 1958-12-16 1979 1980
Denney Wilie Mount Calm, Texas 1890-09-22 1911 1915
Aaron Wilkerson Fort Worth, Texas 1989-05-24 2017 Active
Austen Williams Fort Worth, Texas 1992-12-19 2018 Active
Davey Williams Dallas, Texas 1927-11-02 1949 1955
Matt Williams Houston, Texas 1959-07-25 1983 1985
Nick Williams Galveston, Texas 1993-09-08 2017 Active
Randy Williams Harlingen, Texas 1975-09-18 2004 2011
Walt Williams Brownwood, Texas 1943-12-19 1964 1975
Woody Williams Houston, Texas 1966-08-19 1993 2007
Mark Williamson Corpus Christi, Texas 1959-07-21 1987 1994
Hugh Willingham Dalhart, Texas 1906-05-30 1930 1933
Les Willis Nacogdoches, Texas 1908-01-17 1947 1947
Bob Wilson Dallas, Texas 1925-02-22 1958 1958
Chief Wilson Austin, Texas 1883-08-21 1908 1916
Glenn Wilson Baytown, Texas 1958-12-22 1982 1993
Tex Wilson Trenton, Texas 1901-07-08 1924 1924
Jesse Winters Stephenville, Texas 1893-12-22 1919 1923
Archie Wise Waxahachie, Texas 1912-07-31 1932 1932
Chris Withrow Austin, Texas 1989-04-01 2013 Active
Brandon Wood Austin, Texas 1985-03-02 2007 2011
Joe Wood Houston, Texas 1919-10-03 1943 1943
Kerry Wood Irving, Texas 1977-06-16 1998 2012
Brandon Workman Arlington, Texas 1988-08-13 2013 Active
Rich Wortham Odessa, Texas 1953-10-22 1978 1983
Chase Wright Wichita Falls, Texas 1983-02-08 2007 2007
Danny Wright Longview, Texas 1977-12-14 2001 2004
Ricky Wright Paris, Texas 1958-11-22 1982 1986
Kelly Wunsch Houston, Texas 1972-07-12 2000 2005
Tony York Irene, Texas 1912-11-27 1944 1944
Anthony Young Houston, Texas 1966-01-19 1991 1996
Chris Young Houston, Texas 1983-09-05 2006 Active
Chris Young Dallas, Texas 1979-05-25 2004 Active
Cliff Young Willis, Texas 1964-08-02 1990 1993
Don Young Houston, Texas 1945-10-18 1965 1969
Matthew Young Temple, Texas 1982-10-03 2011 2012
Chief Youngblood Hillsboro, Texas 1900-06-13 1922 1922
Joel Youngblood Houston, Texas 1951-08-28 1976 1989
Ross Youngs Shiner, Texas 1897-04-10 1917 1926
Larry Yount Houston, Texas 1950-02-15 1971 1971
Pat Zachry Richmond, Texas 1952-04-24 1976 1985
Gus Zernial Beaumont, Texas 1923-06-27 1949 1959
Alan Zinter El Paso, Texas 1968-05-19 2002 2004
Major League Baseball Players Born in Texas

 

*****************************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

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A Merry Christmas Mystery

December 24, 2018

 

It’s not a big mystery. ~ In fact, it’s not even up there on the charts as a small mystery. ~ It’s just yours truly wondering ~ who was the kind, thoughtful soul who sent this beautiful Astros World Series Year Christmas Tree ornament that came directly to our house from the manufacturer via UPS in this past Saturday’s delivery cycle round?

To whoever did send this special tree gem, we say,

“Thank You So Much for Your Thoughtfulness!”

Besides, it simply sets up one more opportunity to say,

“Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to All of You!”

 

******************************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

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Posted in Baseball, culture | 3 Comments »

A Drive By Stat Look at Brantley for Gonzalez

December 22, 2018

Welcome to Houston, Michael Brantley!

If Marwin Gonzalez signs for better money somewhere away from the Astros, as he’s expected to do, it apparently will not be because GM Jeff Luhnow has failed to come up with the money or not tried to work a deal. In these days of the analytic mindset, a “better deal” isn’t one that you get from a straight player one-for-one trade so much as it is finding someone else who can fill the same needs for what appears to be better deserved money, as the Astros have done with free agent Michael Brantley this past week @ two years for $32 million.

We haven’t thought there was anyone out there who could compare with Marwin Gonzalez for reasonable money until the Brantley deal, but those of us who feel that way don’t always have our fingers on the pulse of the animal that is MLB these days.

Other than the fact that Brantley, age 31, is a straight lefty and two years older than Gonzalez, age 29, he is capable of playing all three outfield spots, plus first base, and his capacity also extends to proven work as a DH in his ten years service with the Indians. Like Gonzalez, he doesn’t have a lot of HR punch, but his general hitting production and average is quite a bit better than the numbers for Marwin Gonzalez. ~ He’s also rated as a positive team player and he sounds like a guy who will fit right in with the Astros.

WIth Yuli Gurriel and others of the new infielders (whomever they turn out to be) filling in as better than average back ups at second, short, and third, we should be OK there too. The only thing that could make it better would be the birth of improbability here ~ and Marwin stays home as an Astro.

These tables are designed from Baseball Reference.com data which produces average production for each player over the course of their career figures to date. Brantley’s average 162-game season results are based upon his 10-year MLB career from 2009 through 2018. ~ Gonzalez’s average 162 game season is based on his 7-year career from 2012 to 2018.

 

Table 1: Marwin Gonzalez vs. Michael Brantley

Player AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB/CS
Gonzalez 503 62 132 28 5 15 60 8/5
Brantley 625 84 184 38 3 13 81 18/5

 

Table 2: Marwin Gonzalez vs. Michael Brantley

Player BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP
Gonzalez 36 110 .264 .318 .419 .737 210 14
Brantley 54 74 .295 .351 .430 .832 267 15

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS …. ONE MORE TIME!

 

******************************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

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Off-The-Wall Time-Framing

December 21, 2018

Bill McCurdy and His Great-Grandmother,
Beeville, Texas 1939.

Eight years ago, I wrote an article on the art of time-framing our lives ~ or history, in general ~ for the sake of finding new levels of appreciation for how we value the spanning of time ~ depending upon when it happened and to whom it happened ~ in relation to our own feel for those same periods of time passage.

For example, 34 years passed from the time Babe Ruth hit a record 60 home runs in 1927 until the time that Roger Maris broke that record by hitting 61* homers in 1961. Since I wasn’t born until December 31,1937, I wasn’t even born when Ruth set the record, but, like many of you, I grew up with the thought of “Ruth’s 60” as something virtually eternal and unbreakable. Then, along comes Roger Maris in 1961, when I’m almost the same 34 years old it took in years time for anybody to become the next HR champion by hitting 61 in 1961 ~ and he does it ~ with the help of the eight extra games that the American League was playing in their 1961 first season of expansion franchise play. That fact alone was said to be the reason that Commissioner Ford Frick attached the infamous apostrophe to 61* for the sake of deference to the Babe’s “greater in fewer” games accomplishment. Unofficially, many added that Frick’s friendship and favoritism to Ruth over Maris may have played a hand in the addition of a qualifier taint to his 61 total in 1961.

Unlike the 34 year Ruth 60 period (1927-61), which had seemed eternal, the 61* year Maris period (1961-98) 37 year period as Greatest Single HR Season seemed to yours truly and others among us like a breath of fresh air. When Mark McGwire of the Cardinals (72 HR) and Sammy Sosa of the Cubs (66 HR) both broke Maris’s mark in 1998, they both made the cover of Time for saving baseball from the the stench of management-labor problems that had destroyed the 1994 season and World Series. Baseball pundits had latched onto their great power run competition as just the kind of tonic the game needed to restore the juices of broad fan support.

How little we knew back then. There apparently was something in that tonic that would threaten the game even worse on the time move into “Y2K” even worse ~ and maybe even destroy the Hall of Fame chances of some then “sure-bet” types. Even though the McGwire/Sosa punch out of the Maris record took three more years than the Maris bust upon the “eternal” Ruth reign, it almost felt like a mere overnight change of clothes when it happened in 1998.

Time-Framing at Home. Of course, we can do time-framing on anything that’s personal to us. The 1939 photo shown here again is me, of course, at age 2 years, in front of my great-grandmother’s farm house near Beeville, Texas. Born in 1857, three years prior to the Civil War, Mrs. Virginia New was “My Gammy” ~ and the sweet lady on my mother’s side who often took care of me ~ while teaching me skills like how to feed the chickens ~ and how to help her search and dig up roots in the woods that she could then clean and use as “toothbrushes” for dipping her “snuff” while we were shelling peas and snapping bean stalks. ~ And we did all this with the help of Polly the Parrot ~ who always had two words for me when Mom or Dad came to pick me up. ~ Polly would say, ~ and with great emotion ~ “Don’t Go!”

Time-Framing with Gammy is easy for me. She was 80 years old when I was born in 1937. Now I’m 80, and about to hit 81 on New Year’s Eve. ~ Geez! ~ I didn’t have this perspective back in 1939, but I do now. I’m actually old enough this deep into the 21st century actually to have been taken care of by someone back in the sweet bye-and-bye who was born prior to the Civil War!

And when you string My Gammy’s life span with mine (so far), the range of years that have passed (1857-2118) with either one, both, or the other of us being contiguously alive is about to hit 161 ~ and that works out to about two-thirds of the time that has passed since the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence.

That’s OK, folks. I may be older than dirt, but I wouldn’t trade away that time I had early with Gammy for anything in the world. She is one of my happiest early, everyday, and holiday smile memories.

Love and Peace to You All.

Here’s the link to the other earlier referenced article:

The Art of Time Framing Our Lives

 

********************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

 

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‘Twas the Week Before Astros Christmas

December 20, 2018

The Pecan Park Eagle All Seasons, Every Day Greeting:
Peace and Love!

 

‘Twas the Week Before Astros Christmas

 

With Apologies to CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

 

 

‘Twas the week before Christmas ~ at Minute Maid Park,

Not a firework was firing ~ not even a spark;

The deal socks were hung ~ by Jeff Luhnow with care,

In hopes that good traders ~ might soon find them there.

 

A few deals lay nestled ~ all snug in new beds;

As visions of sugar-plums ~ waltzed new Astro heads;

And Crane in his ‘kerchief ~ and Ryan in his cap,

Had settled their brains ~ for a long winter’s nap,

 

When out on the turf ~ there arose such a clatter,

All sprang from their beds ~ to see what’s the matter.

Away to their windows ~ they flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters ~ and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast ~ of the low clouds’ soft glow,

Cast a luster of midday ~ to all objects below,

When to wondering eyes ~ soon ~ to all did appear,

But a miniature sleigh ~ and eight tiny reindeer.

 

A.J. Hinch as the driver ~ stepped lively and quick,

All thought for a moment ~ he must be St. Nick!

More rapid than eagles ~ his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted ~ and called them by name:

 

“Now, JOSE! ~ Now, CARLOS! ~ Now ALEX! ~ GEORGE SPRINGER!

On, JUSTIN! ~ On, GERRIT! ~ On, YULI! ~ Please BRING HER!

From the TOP of the FIRST! ~ To the LAST of the NINE!

Now dash away! ~ Dash away! ~ Dash away FINE!”

 

As the rains from old Harvey ~ once incessantly flew,

Please take to the sky again ~ with your remedy brew;

Go up to the rooftop ~ as you first coursers do,

And bring home the Series ~ with your Astros Sleigh Crew!

 

With the sleigh full of Astros ~ and A.J. Hinch too,

There was prancing and pawing ~ of each cleated shoe.

And then ~ in a twinkling ~ they gazed at the roof,

They only saw orange ~ for their full final proof.

 

As they drew in their heads ~ and were turning around,

Down the Jeff Luhnow chimney ~ they came with a bound.

Decked out in orange fur ~ from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished ~ with ashes and soot.

 

Time to leave gifts ~ at the boss’s pavilion;

Hinch would trade them all now ~ for new talent gazillion.

But he knew these were gifts ~ nothing more to discuss;

You can’t buy new players ~ at the store ~ Toys R Us.

 

A bundle of those toys ~ he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler ~ just opening his pack.

His eyes ~ how they twinkled! ~ His dimples ~ how merry!

His cheeks were like roses ~ his nose like a cherry!

 

His broad smiling mouth aimed at life ~ like a bow,

And his shaved lantern chin ~ waved his way in a glow;

The stump of a pipe ~ never dampened his teeth,

He would not abide smoking ~ like an early death wreath.

 

He spoke not a word ~ but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; ~ then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger ~ aside of his nose,

And giving a nod ~ up the chimney he rose;

 

He sprang to his sleigh ~ to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew ~ like the down of a thistle.

But all heard him exclaim ~ ‘ere he drove out of sight ~

“Happy Christmas to all ~ for a GREAT Astro Night!”

 

******************************

Bill McCurdy

Principal Writer, Editor, Publisher

The Pecan Park Eagle

 

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Posted in Baseball, culture, History | 2 Comments »

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