Brushes with Greatnesses

A few days ago I asserted to myself that late Feburary is a pretty nice time of year. You've endured the bulk of winter and accept the cold for what it is, whatever that is. Figure it out yourself or ask Bill Callahan.

Save the NBA All Star Weekend, this period is devoid of interesting sports events, though recent sports blogs have managed to produce non-sports sports stories of feigned interest. Even if Bill Simmons is telling me how great college ball this year, conviently shown exclusivly on ESPN networks, I'm not watching it. Maybe a little Big 12.

Ok, I really just want to talk about my recent run-ins with Houston sports broadcasters. Sorry for the shitty intro.

I went to Ken Lay Memorial, a.k.a. Minute Maid Park, for Astros fan fest and a college baseball tournament a week or two ago. Bought a scalped ticket for cheap. One of the few times a bought something on the streets from a black guy and didn't get swindled. Seriously, I give my money away to black people all the time.

Yeah, so I walk in and Jim DeShaies is signing at a table free to the public. "Yes", I think to myself, "this is indeed awesome". I walk a loop around the stadium to scope the scene and come back to get my ticket signed by the Astros TV colorman and major league record holder for most consecutive strike outs to begin a game. It was a little awkward because he was making small talk with grade school kids when I approached. But yeah, I met and didn't say anything to J.D. other than, "Hey, Jim Deshaies, would you sign this?" I refer to people by their first and last names if it's possible.

I watched Vanderbilt vs. Baylor in a seat next to the coach at U.H.(who looked like an alkie) near the press box. Almost bought a matchbook from 1941 with the yankees schedule for $20 but pass.

So just this Monday I was surprised to see Matt Bullard, the Rockets away game colorman and Steve Novak enthusiast, in the pizza shop I frequent and get stoned in. Dude is fucking skinny like a bitch and doesn't look like a pro baller at all, even though he's like 6'10". I thought really hard about a Clyde Drexler joke to make with him but couldn't produce. Maybe I should have asked him about the Glide's myspace