11/2/22 Are the Astros becoming the Braves of the ’90s?

It’s 4:46 a.m. as I type. And the Phillies just hit another homer.

Verlander blowing that five-run lead in Game One may prove to be the Astros’ undoing. All I can say about Game Four tonight is, “Let’s go, Christian Javier!”

Are the Astros of the 21^st Century becoming the Braves of the 1990s?

Looks to me like the CFP committee got their first rankings about right. I’m not sure about Clemson, but Tennessee, Ohio State and Georgia line up well.

I’m content to wait patiently for the facts to unfold in the Joshua Primo saga. But at some point the Spurs are going to have to disclose what they knew and when they knew it.

So the Nets made Steve Nash the fall guy? You sure you want that job, Udoka?

Ten final-day NFL deals. We’re seeing a lot more player-for-player trades in the league than we used to. Wow. It’s clear the Dolphins are going for it right now. Getting Bradley Chubb could be a difference-maker. Picking up RB Jeff Wilson from the ‘Niners is a nice “get” as well. Looks like the Broncos are trying to recoup some draft picks after what they gave up to get Russell Wilson.

Savvy move by the Vikings in acquiring TE T.J. Hockenson from the Lions. He’s a good player. I was a little surprised by that trade within the NFC North. Hockenson just went from last place to first.

Ultimately, the deal that may have the most postseason impact is the Ravens prying Roquan Smith out of Chicago.

Claypool to the Bears? Meh.

Is OBJ vectored back to the Giants? Intriguing.

Four more Michigan State football players have been suspended. I call that a good start.

Yeah, I kind of like the name “Brahmas” and the logo for the San Antonio XFL team. And you’d better believe I like Hines Ward.

And I’m very much down with the idea of building a new downtown ballpark for the Missions.

In the wake of the shooting death of rapper Takeoff in Houston, Deion Sanders says he will sequester his Jackson State team in the hotel this weekend when they face Texas Southern in Houston. It’s hard to argue with that decision.

A final salute to former 49er GM/visionary John McVay, who passed Tuesday at the age of 91. Five Super Bowl wins in 14 seasons.

Wanna let you know that my pal Anthony Pittman and I will be hosting The Mike Taylor show this afternoon from 4-7 on the Ticket 760 in San Antonio. Boys just wanna have fun. Join us!

One Response

Ben Campos says:

November 2, 2022 at 12:31 pm

You do one of those “can’t be my friend” things with Brahma? Covering MacArthur HS a number of times, I’ve been repeatedly told “Bray-ma” is correct pronunciation and not “bra-ma.” I’ll hang up and take your answer off the air

Reply

Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.