Talk About A Bad Weekend For Houston Sports Teams

My weekend went much better than two sports teams that I care about. Two things to glean from my otherwise-restful weekend, but just read below.

First, the Houston Texans. This was the team's best chance ever to advance to the AFC Championship Game, what with the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens suffering crushing defeats. They go to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and put together a 24-0 lead in the second quarter. Things were looking good.....

And then.....

Head Coach Bill O'Brien ordered a fake punt. It didn't work out for him or the team. You saw Kansas City rally back to win, 51-31, as the momentum drastically changed. Instead of Houston hosting an AFC Championship Game against the old Houston team, the Tennessee Titans, we have the game taking place in Missouri with the Chiefs as the home team.

I guess Houston NFL fans should not have been surprised at a reprise of another choke job which took place with the old team back in 1993. Yes, Buffalo. Against the old Oilers. And nobody wants to remember that.

Second, the Houston Astros. We were talking a potential dynasty, especially if they had actually won the 2019 World Series rather than lose it. Problem was, some people had their hands in the cookie jar behind the scenes. If only this sign-stealing situation hadn't happened....

That's just it. It's happened. Now, two great guys, Manager A.J. Hinch and President of Baseball Operations/General Manager Jeff Luhnow, having just been suspended by Major League Baseball for one year, had suddenly by thrown out by Owner Jim Crane, along with said cookie jar and the bath water. Now, they suddenly have to be forced to move on. And move on the Astros must do now. This will be the biggest test for the players and how they respond. As good as the team still is, it will be interesting to see what becomes of them. The likelihood is that the word interim will be kicked around a lot this year in Astroville, both in the manager's seat and in the front office. Bench coach Joe Espada is already rumored to slide on in to Hinch's spot, but possibly on an interim basis. The latter item might be more difficult to fill. Do you see Pete Putila (current assistant GM) taking on the big bopper role? Don't be surprised if you do see some interest in it on a permanent basis from folks out there.

Now a few words about Hinch and Luhnow. Both were great at what they did, and their success with the Astros cannot be denied. It's too bad, really, for Hinch, who could have been with Houston for many years to come, as he had the right approach to managing. He had a calm demeanor, for the most part, and was a great psychologist for the players. And Luhnow? He was brought in here to find the best way to create not only a winner, but a sustainable winner. His innovations with sabermatrics have been both praised and scorned. The thing is, he got results. Houston's first big success came in 2015. I don't have to tell you the rest. He didn't really deserve to have an ending like what he got today, but this is what happens when you couldn't stop a cheating scandal from brewing. Even though the Astros would have had negative publicity in '17 had this gotten out then, before the championship stuff had even happened, it still would have caused both parties to act and not have things get out of hand.

As it is, Luhnow and Hinch are gone. Both should be thanked for their time in Houston, despite the one big mistake they made. And let's not forget the Boston Red Sox with their latest scandal, also involving sign stealing. Their manager, Alex Cora, was once the Astros' bench coach. He was heavily involved in both teams' scandals. Imagine the punishment MLB could have for Cora.