Nolan Ryan, Astros franchise icon and co-owner of two of the team's minor league franchises, today exited his personal services contract a year early to assume the team president position offered by the Texas Rangers. Ryan will oversee the daily operations of the floundering Arlington-based team, working with mercurial owner Tom Hicks. The fate of his owner's stake in the minor league affiliates is up for debate, but the assumption is that they will remain......

In October of 2005, there were many voices to be heard in Houston calling Brad Lidge to be shipped out of town or worse; two years later, those voices were heard. Tonight, the Astros finalized a trade to send Lidge and utility infielder Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for center fielder and University of Houston grad Michael Bourn, relief pitcher Geoff Geary, and third base prospect Mike Costanzo. This marks the Astros' first serious move......

Good morning, Houston. Interested in cheering on the University of St. Thomas sports teams? Now you know what to call them: the Lions, the mascot university officials settled on last week. Actually, the lion isn't the mascot — that would be the Celt — but the lion will represent the Celt. Get it? The lion was chosen over the Irish Wolfhound and the Celtic helmet. Good choice, we'd say — though we'd like to......

Sports in Houston Exhibit Opens at the Hertiage Society Whether fairweather or face-painter: we can't deny the presence of professional sports in Houston (even when we want to). It’s How You Play the Game: Professional Sports in Houston, is a new exhibit that chronicles the highs and lows Houstonians have experienced over the years as they supported their home teams. This city has been a part of many firsts in sports history, from the......

Well hello, Houston! It's the greatest day in America: Opening Day 2007! Spring Training is over, the roster is set and now it's time to play ball. The Astros' main concern last year was hitting. Heck, it was pathetic, but Uncle Drayton broke out the checkbook, signed power hitter Carlos Lee for a cool $100 million and added utility player and 2006 All-Star Mark Loretta. Also new to the team are a pair of native......

Good morning, Houston! There's some good news: If you graduated from high school, you're already ahead of a third of Texas students. Of course, that means there's also some bad news — namely, that a third of Texas students don't finish high school. And according to statistics, the situation is even worse in the state's big cities: There, more students drop out than finish high school. Elleen Coppola, a Rice University researcher, said dropouts......

Good morning, Houston. We assume you're still recovering from last night's State of the Union drinking game and National Pie Day celebrations, so we won't waste any time with introductory nonsense — except to note that today is National Peanut Butter Day (not to be confused with National Peanut Butter Lovers' Day, which comes around March 1, or National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day on April 2). Try not to get too crazy. >>......

You knew it was coming, right? The Chronicle and ESPN are both reporting that Jeff Bagwell will hang up his helmet this week after fifteen seasons, all with the Astros. (We saw him in our first 'Stros game....in 1992.) The 1991 Rookie of the Year, who won both league MVP and a Gold Glove in 1994, Bagwell is the Astros' all-time home run leader, and also has the most RBIs and runs scored. The announcement......

Sure, we live in one of the country's largest cities, but that doesn't mean the Old West isn't just a few miles down the road. We were reminded of that yesterday, when authorities announced they had busted a cattle-rusting operation that involved 289 head of cattle in eight counties. Officials speculate the man would pull up to a pasture with a trailer and load up the cattle — larger thefts would take several trips —......

Need proof that throwing a ball really fast and really well can get you anything you darn well please (even from countries where baseball matters not at all)? The KHOU newsblog is reporting the planned presence in our fair city of Real Live Royalty: the Earl of Sandwich is coming to town at Clemens' request to christen a new sandwich shop. The restaurant, at 1930 Highway 6 South, is the first Houston location of the......