Sports Hero Moments

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images By: Jason When the subject of big-game pitchers came up in the 2017 MLB postseason, the discussion often turned to the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish, or the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers, Jr. But the largely unsung hero of Houston’s postseason was Charlie Morton, a pitcher who spent much of last year on the disabled list, and whom the Astros plucked off the free agent scrap heap in November of 2016. Morton was the winning pitcher in both Game 7 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees and Game 7 of… read more

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: David J. Phillip/Associated Press By: Jason The Houston Astros have no shortage of offensive talent as they make their push to win the 2017 World Series. One of them, however, wasn’t necessarily in the team’s plans. Yuli Gurriel holds down first base for the Astros, but in June of 2014, as the core group of Houston players were coming up to the big leagues, the Astros had the position earmarked for another player. Jon Singleton. The Astros were so confident in Singleton, their farm system’s top prospect, that they signed him to a five-year contract the… read more

Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images By: Jason When fans think of the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers, for sure names like Clayton Kershaw and Yasiel Puig come to mind first. Having star players comes with the territory for Los Angeles over the last couple years, but World Series success has not. The difference this year has been the core component of players that make up the Dodgers’ soul, and that core starts with Justin Turner. Game 1 Heroics Turner came up huge in Game 1 of the World Series for Los Angeles. With two outs in the sixth inning, the Houston… read more

Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle By: Jason Reports of Justin Verlander’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. With most of his measurables in decline since 2013, in 2014 it seemed the one-time ace had lost his touch. The perennial All-Star from 2009 to 2013 saw his ERA balloon to 4.54 in 2014, and he became a veritable lightning rod as the Detroit Tigers struggled around him. He struggled with control, and his strikeout numbers, which had been above 200 every season from 2009 to 2013, fell to 159 in 2014. Change of Scenery With the Detroit Tigers facing a full rebuild after… read more

Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images   The night before the NLDS Game 4 between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg didn’t figure he’d be starting Wednesday due to the flu-like symptoms. Instead, he had the cure for the Cubs. Strasburg notched 12 strikeouts over 7 shutout innings en route to Washington forcing a Game 5 in the nation’s capital. Not sure if he would be well enough to take the mound until game day Nats fans had been holding their collective breath all week while Strasburg battled illness. Washington’s ace conceded that even as late as Tuesday… read more

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle   The Houston Astros are heading back to the American League Championship Series, finishing out the American League East champion Boston Red Sox on Monday. They took the series 3-1 over the Red Sox, but had to come from behind to do it. Alex Bregman and Josh Reddick provided the late-game fireworks to power the Astros into the next round. While Reddick’s blast may have plated the winning run, Bregman’s blast was perhaps more important to Houston’s winning effort. Down 4-3 in the eighth inning, the Astros’ third baseman came to the plate mired in… read more

Photo: Wikipedia-Flicker In any World Series, the focus is, of course, on the stars. The 2016 edition of the Fall Classic is no different, with potential MVP candidate Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in the Chicago Cubs’ dugout, and star-on-the-rise Francisco Lindor and Corey Kluber leading the Cleveland Indians. Like many other World Series, however, it often comes down to the bit players and the plays they make when they get a chance to shine. Game 3 provided exactly that, with journeyman Michael Martinez scoring the lone run in a 1-0 Cleveland win. The Long Journey Many fans may not… read more

Photo: Associated Press file   As late as the end of September, the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber wasn’t expecting to have much of an impact until 2017. Between the Cubs’ NLCS victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and the beginning of the World Series, however, that all changed. Sidelined with Early Season Injury with Slim Chance of Returning The 23-year-old’s 2016 season was over even before it had really started this year, as Schwarber tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee in a collision in the outfield with centerfielder Dexter Fowler just two games into the year. Both… read more

Photo: neosportsinsiders.com   Tuesday night, Francisco Lindor became a household name. That’s when he earned everyone in America a free taco when he stole the first base of the 2016 World Series. Once again this year, Taco Bell ran their “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” promotion, which grants everyone in the nation a free taco, provided there’s a stolen base during any game of the World Series. He may be basking in the Taco Hero limelight now, but Lindor’s life wasn’t always free tacos and stolen bases on one of sport’s biggest stages. While he obviously has a lot… read more