SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Lovable losers no more
It has taken more than 100 years, but suffice to say the Chicago Cubs are a major league baseball powerhouse.
The Cubs have had their moments during the past several generations: The trip to the World Series in 1945, the group that reached the NLCS twice during the 1980s, and the Bartman year of 2003.
The Cubs, thanks to their fan base, have always been adorned “the lovable losers.”
That moniker also could be affixed to several other baseball clubs – including the Cubs’ World Series opponent – the Cleveland Indians.
It could also be given to the Texas Rangers. Sorry, but it’s true.
The Rangers have never won a World Series, and that includes years when the team was known as the Washington Senators.
The same could be said for the Houston Astros, who also have never claimed baseball’s biggest prize. Houston began in the early-1960s as the Colt 45’s.
For whatever reason, the state of Texas has produced top-level baseball talent – yet our state’s pro franchises have never been able to garner the World Series.
Buddy Cody O’Neal and I talked about that on Thursday evening, and we both found it to be a little coincidental, maybe even ironic, the two winning pitchers in the first two Series games are Texans.
Corey Kluber was the winner in Game One. Kluber hails from Coppell, and many St. Louis Cardinals fans remember the deal that sent him to Ohio.
Kluber was drafted by the San Diego Padres, and then dealt as part of a three-team deal involving the Indians and Cardinals.
Jake Westbrook, a pitcher, was the centerpiece of a deal that saw him traded to St. Louis and outfielder Ryan Ludwick was shipped to San Diego.
The Padres also sent Nick Greenwood to St. Louis, and the Indians paid $2.7 million of Westbrook’s remaining salary.
Kluber was seen as a throw-in back then, and he was assigned to the Indians’ Double-A affiliate the Akron (Ohio) Aeros. Well, he’s certainly no throw-in right now.
In game two, Jake Arrieta was the winning pitcher. Arrieta starred in the region for Plano East High School.
The Cincinnati Reds selected Arrieta in the 31st round of the 2004 Major League Baseball entry draft; however, he decided to attend college. Read more in the Oct. 29 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Jake Arrieta won the second game of the World Series. Arrieta is a regional product from Plano who pitched for Weatherford College. (Courtesy photo)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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