Norfolk Admirals & The AHL

Admirals Puck Drop with Joe Gregory (back left) and myself (back right). (Photo: John Wright)

Admirals Puck Drop with Joe Gregory (back left) and myself (back right). (Photo: John Wright)

What’s It Take For The Admirals To Get Some Press?

Having been based in Houston the past five years and writing my sports column, The Blonde Side, I admit I’ve gotten a bit spoiled when it comes to sporting events.

Perhaps even a bit overzealous, like Heidi Montag and her unprecedented love for plastic surgery. In one city (albeit a large one), we have MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, AHL, we are hosting next year’s NBA All-Star game, we just hosted the Olympic Marathon Time Trials and the list goes on and on. That’s a whole lotta sports, yes? It appears in the midst of my Houston zip code and all its national sports splendor, the Norfolk Admirals have fallen off my hometown radar, but it seems I wasn’t the only sports writer who forgot about the Admirals.

A few weeks ago when I was back visiting my hometown of Chesapeake, I noticed that the sport’s section of Friday’s overflowing Virginian-Pilot failed to make any mention of the Admirals and their home game set to take place later that evening. In a town where there is only one professional team currently in season, the question arises, if you’re not covering that team, what exactly is filling the pages of your illustrious sport’s section?

That was just enough prompting for me to make a call and head to Norfolk Scope to shadow Admirals Vice President and General Manager, Joe Gregory during their game against the Adirondack Phantoms (which they won) just weeks after their sellout crowd of 8,699.

Gregory. (Pic | Rob Twine)

I showed up at the Admirals Administrative Offices at 5pm with Starbucks in hand. Joe and his Director of Media Relations, Keith Phillips, had warned me it’d be a long night with a lot of walking. Their advice to wear comfortable shoes reminded me of one of those overplayed Haynes commercials, but thankfully, I obliged. I sat down for a brief background on Mr. Gregory, who is not only the VP of the Admirals, but as of last October, also the GM of the Norfolk Tides. Needless to say, the Youngstown native is busy. As one of the youngest GMs in history (if not the youngest), Gregory first became a GM at the ripe age of 26 for the Youngstown SteelHounds, but his first gig in sports was much earlier with the LPGA at 15.

But back to his current role with the Admirals, who hold a current record of 39-18-1-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL), good for 81 points and tied for the best record in the entire American Hockey League. They are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference and East Division, and are riding a well-deserved 12-game win streak dating back to February 10th, which marks the longest winning streak in AHL Admirals history and the longest winning streak in the AHL this season.

Those numbers all seem like reputable reasons to write about this pro team in the local paper, yes? Or what about the animated fans that fill out the Scope on a regular basis? Having logged over 6 miles walking around with Gregory (in my comfortable shoes) through every crevice of the concourse, the ice, the locker rooms and more, it was evident a big part of his job was dealing with the fans. The loyal and avid bullhorn kind of fans, no less.

In all fairness, initially I didn’t think it was that big of a deal for the local paper’s omission until fan after fan approached Gregory up in arms about it. These fans mean business. They are proud of their team and they want the recognition. Not only do the Admirals have their hands in a number of worthy community endeavors, the roster boasts some big-time names, which will soon be in the bright lights of the NHL, including the AHL’s top goaltender in wins (Dustin Tokarski, 27) and top rookie scorer (Cory Conacher, 66 points on 31 goals and 35 assists). Not to mention Conacher is tied for second overall in the AHL in goals while ranking fourth overall in points. Mark Barberio leads all AHL defensemen in scoring (51 points on nine goals and 42 assists). It’s by no means a far stretch to say the Admirals are one of the best teams and have some of the best players in the AHL this season. Again, newsworthy, yes?

As the buzzer signaled a 2-0 victory over the Phantoms, Gregory is once again on the move. “Now we go say goodnight to all the fans,” he says, clearly valuing the support the locals put into his team. If he supports his fans, and his fans support his team, and his team is doing phenomenal on the ice heading toward the end of the season, shouldn’t our major print publications be supporting all of the above parties? To me, the answer it a clear yes. And hopefully it’s a clear yes before the Admirals head to the playoffs because there’s nothing worse than bandwagon sports reporting.

For more on the Admirals or to check their upcoming schedule, click here.

This article was featured on AltDaily, Hampton Roads’ source for creative culture, intelligent commentary and pressing news (and thanks to The Blonde Side, even a little bit of sports!).

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Material Video Interview


Sometimes The Blonde Side even does videos (no, not those kind mom). Check out this video with Kellie Lewis of Material during a party at SXSW in Austin. [Remember, if you want your very own custom Material shirt, be sure to mention The Blonde Side when placing your order for $5 off an already ridiculous price.] And big thanks to Brandon Prebynski for shooting and editing the video – even though he considered it something “straight off the O Network.”

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My Cinderella Story

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There comes a time in everyone’s life where bragging rights start to take over societal norms. For me, that was in 2006 and I still hold tight to those fleeting front-page memories probably the same way Britney Spears holds tight to her old Catholic schoolgirl hot bod. Those were the days, right?

And based on the picture to the left, it’s pretty obvious I’m a George Mason fan (and alum) and firmly believe they are one of the greatest Cinderella Stories in NCAA history, if not the greatest. Although, based on definition and parallels of the actual 1950 movie, I’m not sure anyone in NCAA Men’s Basketball has really fit the proverbial glass slipper to a T. Not even my Patriots if we’re being honest.

Most of you reading The Blonde Side should be acutely aware of what a Cinderella or “Cinderella Story” refers to, but since I know my mother is reading this (thanks mom), I’ll elaborate: this concept refers to a team or player who advances much further in a tournament than expected (via Wikipedia). The amount of media attention and bandwagon fans these Cinderellas get is b-a-n-a-n-a-s.

Take George Mason for instance – one of the biggest schools in Virginia, but because we lack a football team, we are either off the sport’s map completely or people assume we’re a small private school. Wrong. Wrong. And wrong’er.

But the thing that really bothers with me with this fairy tale analogy is that in the Disney classic, Cinderella just kind of shows up out of the woodwork and surprises everyone. Coming out of obscurity, much like George Mason did in that 2006 season when they stole the show as an 11 seed. The 2006 brackets were in worse shape than the Titanic marking the first time in 26 years that all four No. 1 seeds didn’t make the Final Four.

In the movie, Cinderella has to work harder and overcome multiple obstacles to get her shot at the prince. George Mason did that as well, but obviously not for their shot at a dude, but rather a bid into the dance and then the chance to keep advancing game after game after game.

George Mason Patriots - The Ultimate Cinderella Story

Here’s where I see the difference. In the movie, it’s all about the ending – Cinderella finding her Prince Charming (who by the way, for a cartoon character is totally my type for those keeping track). Sure, the story of how she got there and all the wicked haters (her stepsisters and stepmother) were part of the storyline, but the gist of the movie is that she made it. The slipper fit. The two lovebirds tie the knot, which is more than I can say for any of the twenty seasons of The Bachelor, but again, I digress.

The difference, as in most cases with the sporty Cinderella is it’s more about their journey. How they got the bid to the Madness that takes over March, all the teams with massive season highlight reels they took down to get there (Wichita State, UCONN, Michigan State and UNC), but then, unlike any Disney fairytale we’ve seen, the George Mason Patriots lost in the Final Four to Florida (just another reason I can’t stand those damn Gators).

While it was a good run, no make that a great run, this particular Cinderella Story, and all the other ones sports blogs and networks hammer on about end more like, well a Lifetime movie. In Lifetime movies, Tori Spelling (or one of their five other actresses they meticulously rotate) typically has a hard time trusting guys and doesn’t think she’ll ever fall in love, and then without warning (yeah right) she meets the love of her life. That’s where a typical Disney story would end – after a few babies of course. But no, she ends up getting brutally murdered by her doting husband while skiing down an Olympic mogul double-black after ACL surgery. Not that Mason got murdered by those damn Gators, but it was kind of hard to watch. I wasn’t left with warm and fuzzies like I am after watching Ariel get her legs for the final time to live as a human rather than an underwater mermaid or Sleeping Beauty wake up to a tongue in her mouth.

Doesn't look like the Cinderella we know from Disney, does it?

And of course it’s clear after watching VCU’s run last year (another Virginia school, mind you), that there may be more than one pair of glass slippers open for the taking. Butler had their shot at the slipper two years ago, but again, where’s that perfect Disney ending?

Who do you think has a chance at claiming this year’s slipper or at least trying to put a fat foot into it? Creighton? Saint Mary’s? Long Beach State?

PS – ever wonder where the term Cinderella came from? Thanks to Bill Murray’s impromptu line in Caddyshack, we can now successfully bridge Disney and Sports and feel OK about it.

For those of you gearing up for the Madness that is March, here is the 2012 NCAA Tournament Schedule:

Selection Sunday – March 11, National Bracket Day – March 12, First Four – March 13 – 14, Second Round – March 15 – 16, Third Round – March 17 – 18, Sweet 16 – March 22 – 23, Elite 8 – March 24 – 25, Final Four – March 31, National Championship – April 2

just another example of an awesome sign. AP Photos/Mark Humphrey

Oh, and contest galore. Two ways:

1. Two lucky readers of The Blonde Side will receive either a $50 Visa gift card or an NCAA team jersey. Simply leave a comment with what your favorite thing about the NCAA tournament and I’ll select two lucky random winners this week. If you win, you can pick either the gift card or an NCAA team jersey which will be mailed to you directly. Note, if your email address isn’t present, I’ll skip over you.

2. Want to see the action in person? AT&T is hosting a sweepstakes right now to go to the Final Four AND the Championship game! That’s right, you get to go to both. I’m jealous because I don’t think I’m eligible. To enter go to http://bit.ly/ATTSweeps  for details. What are you waiting for? Get in the game!

*A big thanks to AT&T who provided me with a gift card for promoting their sweepstakes but all thoughts and opinions on The Blonde Side and in this post are my own.

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FSU vs. Phillies

Photo courtesy of newstimes.com

Before you go assuming that a gal who writes something titled The Blonde Side made some super heinous mistake saying an NCAA baseball team played a pro team, take solace in the fact I know what I’m talking about. At least this once. Especially since I was there.

I should also note, that on a game schedule with 58 games for Florida State, only one of them is denoted with a “!” and that of course is this one.

Yesterday I had the chance to attend the Philadelphia Phillies first Spring Training game of 2012 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, FL against none other than my Florida State Seminoles. It’s not everyday you get to watch your favorite college team play the 2011 National League East champs in beautiful sunny 79 degree weather to kick off the season.

Many MLB teams pit their first game against a local (or in this case semi-local) team which does a lot for both teams and is an exciting atmosphere to take in a game. Yesterday’s game marks the 12th time Florida State has faced a major league team posting a record of 2-10 (including yesterday’s loss). Their only two wins come from beating the NY Yankees (1978) and the Atlanta Braves (1981), but the squad usually fares pretty well against these pro teams.

The experience breakdown for this 2012 Florida State squad has 17 players returning combined with 17 newcomers. The team is comprised of 7 seniors, 7 juniors, 2 redshirt sophomores, 3 sophomores, 1 redshirt freshman, and brand-spanking new 16 freshman. The Seminole baseball team is no stranger to wins and big games with 49 NCAA appearances, 20 CWS appearances and 5 ACC titles under the belt.

The fans appeared pretty evenly split at Bright House, but I can assure you when those garnet and gold pinstriped underdogs did something good, the crowd went wild. Even the crowd dressed in their Phillies garb. Case in point: when senior RHP Adam Simmons struck out big-leaguer Jim Thome (who recently just rejoined the Phillies organization) at the plate, the crowd went bananas. I’m talking Gwen Stefani B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Another notable difference in a game like this? Seeing a collegiate pitcher hit a pro at the plate and then mouthing “sorry”. No where on a Major League mound will you see that sort of conciliatory emotion. It’s kind of refreshing to see, at least at the start of the season. I too have had many a smiles watching guys like Vincente Padilla terrorize batters and conversely, guys like Nyjer Morgan charge the mound or drop an F-bomb in the batter’s box.. Or four.

The Noles pitching and defense held the Phillies scoreless through 5, and then tied it up in the 7th after FSU capitalized and scored a run on a wild pitch. Like clockwork, the fans in the crowds started cheering:

F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E / Florida State, Florida State, Florida State / wooooo!

The game definitely heated up in the 7th when senior RHP Mack Waugh got called for a balk and

FSU Head Coach, Mike Martin (photo courtesy of Zimbio)

Florida State head coach Mike Martin (currently in his 33rd season with a FSU record of 1673-577-4) went out to “talk” to the umpire which got fairly animated to say the least. It was the first standing ovation of the day.

How Martin didn’t get booted from the game was beyond me, but the guy was fearless and genius and I’m now a forever fan. Martin, no stranger to FSU or the game of baseball, graduated from Florida State in 1966 and went on to be drafted in the 25th round by the NY Mets later that year.

The Phillies eventually went on to win the game 6-1, where I’m sure all 4,399 fans at Bright House Field can vouch for the valiant effort put forth by the boys of Florida State.

Side note: something I learned – Spring Training games can end in a tie. Maybe that’s where Donovan McNabb got confused a few years ago?

Follow Florida State Baseball on Twitter @FSU_Baseball

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The Field Of Acting

Isaac Keys, Former NFL Linebacker for the Cardinals

Isaac Keys: a name you may or may not know. Whether it’s from football, acting, or being an all around inspirational guy, his name comes up in many a conversation, not to mention Google searches.

Odds are, he’s been on your TV at least once. The Saint Louis, MO native has had a few stints on the big screen, either as a former NFL linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, a contestant on Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth’s dating reality show The Ultimate Merger (she was the protégé from Donald Trump’s Apprentice and this dating show is a scaled down version of The Bachelor), or as McDonald’s Man of McCafe looking mighty fine. Professional football player-turned-actor, Keys is finally finding his stride, this time in a new arena.

Since The Blonde Side is a sport’s column, my obvious interest in interviewing Keys was about sports. When most people think of professional athletes, they think of guys like LeBron or A-Rod– someone the media and every single notable in the sporting world has been watching since the age of four just foaming at the mouth ready to cut him a check with entirely too many zeroes. But for a lot of the other guys, it’s their hardwork and unprecedented dedication that propels them to that next level.

Take Keys for instance. He was able to walk on to the University of North Alabama’s football team and then later Morehouse College. During his bit at Morehouse, he was a Pre-season All American, 2-time Defensive Lineman of the year and was selected for the 1st team All Conference. Pretty impressive, right? But not enough to make him one of those bigtime SportsCenter names rotating through each hourly broadcast and still not enough to get drafted, but just enough to get signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings in 2001.

After being riddled with injury after injury, Keys finally settled into his role with the Arizona Cardinals in 2004, lasting three seasons. No longer in the game (at least not the one on the field), Keys gave me a little insight into his role back then as a free agent where he frequently refers to himself as a “blue-collar athlete.”

“We weren’t all millionaires,” he explained. At the time of his signing back in 2001, the league minimum was $209k, but Keys notes he didn’t make that much. Instead he made a split salary, which dropped to $120k – which is still good money, but not the kind of money we lay people think of when we think of an NFL player + Bank of America. “The public was used to seeing #1 draft picks, millionaires, endorsement deals and guaranteed salaries – no one sees ‘my kind’. It was hard. I was in the life, but not living the life,” Keys explains. “I was putting forth sacrifice on my body and my career, without any guarantee. The average player lasts about 3 years, but it takes it takes 4 years to get your pension. If you get released, you never know how long it’ll take to get picked up again and there’s always a fear of being cut. My parent’s didn’t understand my life until they first watched HBO’s Hard Knocks – it sounds funny but it finally gave the public an impression of the mental, physical and emotional side of athletes,” he says. Keys was spot on: for a good majority of the time and within most front offices, they are more invested in a 1st or 3rd round pick than they’d be with say your typical run-of-the-mill free agent.

His last year with the Cardinals was a bit of a roller coaster. The team released him, brought him back, then moved him to the practice squad and after a couple more dosey doe moves all the while having kept him under the radar where other teams wouldn’t notice him, his value dropped. Well past $120k and well out of the league. “The phone just stopped ringing,” Keys recalls.

Having been out of the NFL for almost 5 years, Keys explains, “I didn’t stop playing football, football stopped playing me.” But fear not, this is not some sad desolate “poor guy” kind of story. Football “quitting him” opened up new doors as he set out on a soul-searching endeavor in an attempt to find what else he was passionate about. As he started getting comfortable in front of the cameras, Keys realized this was another natural talent of his and ran with it, no pun intended.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Letterlough

Currently his next big goal? Aiming for a feature film or sitcom. As you can see on his website, he’s definitely putting some valuable face time in front of the camera as of late. Turns out, acting and football are a lot more alike than you think.

[The Blonde Side] Compare NFL to acting.

[Keys] Call me crazy, but they are kind of the same, without the physical aspect. Acting is just as unstable as football. Just like football, acting requires you to put yourself out there – for others to critique and judge you. Both professions require me to watch film and both are an extreme balance of learning to handle your emotions.

[The Blonde Side] Which has more competition?

[Keys] They are equally competitive. Somewhere down the line, someone eventually gets their break (like Brady when Bledsoe got hurt back in 2001). LA is an expensive city to live in, people have to throw in the towel at some point and head back home. A lot of people want to do both, that’s why they are both tough industries. Cuba Gooding Jr. got his break after being an extra (in a barber chair) in Coming to America – you’ve got to learn from guys like him and be persistent.

[The Blonde Side] What feels more natural – acting or football?

[Keys] Now, acting. Then of course, football. I felt like I was born to act and it allows me to show more of who I am.

[The Blonde Side] Favorite actor?

[Keys] Will Smith – I like his range and his personality, charm and charisma.

[The Blonde Side] Favorite NFL player?

[Keys] Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary – I’ve played both of these positions and both of these guys are playmakers. Taylor was just a beast on the field and Singletary played with such tenacity.

[The Blonde Side] What are you most proud of you in your career(s)?

[Keys] Not just one thing. It’s the obstacles I’ve overcome. I’m doing things most people dream of – millions of people dream of playing in the NFL and I can say I’ve done that. Millions want to be on TV – I’m doing that. I’m very blessed.

Wise words to leave you with from Mr. Keys: Live life. Don’t let life live you.

Follow @isaackeys on Twitter and check out his website at IsaacKeys.com.

This was also part of The Blonde Side’s 30 Before 30 series.

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Houston Astro Chris Johnson comes clean on his disappointing 2011 season

Photo Courtesy of bridgetds/Wiki

If you’ve ever wondered what a professional baseball player does in his offseason, it’s probably a whole lot more than you think. Especially for someone like Chris Johnson, who struggled a bit last season (hitting .251 after a .308 average in 2010), going in and out of the lineup and even back to the minor leagues at one point.

Before he headed to Kissimmee, Fla. for spring training, I had the chance to sit down and chat with Johnson, the Houston Astros third baseman. Having just finished his five-hour morning strength and conditioning routine at Minute Maid Park with a few other guys (Bud Norris, Brett Wallace, Brian Bogasevic and Wandy Rodriquez to name a few), Johnson had just enough time to grab a shower and meet me for lunch.

In most clubhouses, Johnson would still be barely lurking past his rookie season, but here in Houston things are a bit different. Entering his third full season in the big leagues (with all of 212 career games played), he’s already forced to take more of a veteran role. Probably long before he’s ready.

For most teams, a guy in his third season is nowhere near considered a vet, but here in Houston, with a team this young, Johnson understands he needs to think more in terms of leadership.

“I need to play that veteran role and be one of the guys thinking about the team, not just myself,” he says. “I’m hoping that’ll be my role this year. Last year was hard for me because I felt I had to prove I deserved to be here.

“We don’t have guys like (Lance) Berkman to look up to anymore.”

Johnson recalls his own move up from Triple A Round Rock late in the 2009 season and his prominent and strategic locker placement next to All-Stars like Berkman and Roy Oswalt.

Despite spending part of his childhood around the big leagues (Johnson’s dad Ron has been a coach for more than 20 years, most notably with the Boston Red Sox), Johnson still soaked up all the advice he could manage from guys like Oswalt, Berkman and even Geoff Blum, his favorite guy on Twitter.

Enough With The Small Talk.

After a few minutes of polite small talk about Johnson’s offseason workout regimen (where he’s focusing on speed and power) and in between bites of me shoving chicken fingers in my mouth, I blurted out rather unlady like, “People are taking bets how badly the Astros are going to suck this year. Did you know that?”

There’s no way anyone, especially one of the guys sporting the Astros uniform, can shake this question. Understandably, they hear it everyday since the rotten performance the team turned in last year ranks as the worst record in Astros history (56-106).

Laughing and shaking his head, Johnson gave a very athletically PC answer: “We have to keep it reasonable. We need to take it one game at a time. One season at a time. We have to do better than last season . . .”

He trails off trying to maintain the optimism the Astros PR team has undoubtedly instilled in each of the guys. Picking back up, he admits, “We’re a young team. There’s no denying that. As a team we need to stay away from super lofty goals and keep improving. We’re headed in a really good direction — there’s really only one way to go.

“I’m excited to get to Kissimmee and see what we can do at spring training.”

The Big Game Of Numbers.

If you read anything about Chris Johnson on the Internet or ask any sports reporter, you’re bound to hear about his near All-Star (.308, 11 HR and 52 RBI in just 341 at-bats, getting named Astros Rookie of the Year) stats from 2010 which quickly plummeted to a dismal downward spiral his sophomore season.

“Last year was tough. I came into the season thinking I was the shit. I had to get out of my own way,” Johnson admits. “Pitchers and teams started looking at me and they had a game plan of how to handle me at the plate. As a rookie, you aren’t on their radar as much.

“I hit .160 my first month and it was definitely an adjustment both mentally and physically.”

Along with those declining numbers came talk about Johnson’s patience at the plate, or lack thereof. One article with some glaring stats courtesy of Bryan Curley pointed out that Johnson “struck out more than a quarter of the time (26.7 percent to be exact), walked only 15 times (4.1 percent) and swung at an astronomical 43.1 percent of pitches thrown outside the strike zone.”

What do you have to say for yourself Chris?

“Being patient at the plate is something I have to and am working on,” he says. “I have to learn that if I don’t get my pitch to just lay off and take a walk. The aggressiveness to want that hit . . . to be a playmaker . . . . that hurts me. That’s probably the biggest thing I’m working on right now.

“Laying off pitches is the mental side of hitting — you have to have discipline. Guys like Albert Pujols and Berkman have pretty much perfected it.”

Like a well thought out chess match, Johnson had the first move, then it was the opposing pitchers turn, and now in his third season, will it be Johnson’s turn for a rebuttal? Let’s hope so.

Comparing No. 9 to No. 23.

It’s as much a part of the game as sliding into second is: Comparing players. Whether it’s their batting stances, throwing mechanics, stats, defensive abilities or simply their place in the community, comparisons are made on the regular. It seems logical that when talking about Chris Johnson and his breakout rookie season, that he’s compared to none other than Hunter Pence.

On Sept. 24, 2010, Johnson became the 11th Astros rookie to reach 50 RBI in a season and the first since Pence (back in 2007). The last Astros rookie before Johnson with as many four-hit games in a single rookie season was Pence (who had four in 2007). Both Pence and Johnson posted a 14-game hitting streak in 2010. Both guys seemingly came out of the woodwork, found their spot on the Astros roster and put up alarming good numbers. Numbers so good even SportsCenter caught wind of it.

“He’s a great player,” Johnson says of the now Philadelphia Phillie Pence. “I have no problem being compared to him — he’s a hardworker, you can’t argue that. I don’t look into comparisons too much. I just try to be me and get better everyday. The people of Houston loved Hunter. This is the only team I’ve played for, so being liked by the fans is important to me.”

As sickening as the Pence pillow talk was, thankfully we managed to get on the topic of basketball, undoubtedly rubbing in a Duke loss to my Florida State Seminoles. Johnson professed his love (read obsession) for basketball, but admits he’s terrible at it. He’s a big Blue Devils fan and when it comes to NBA, he’s only got love for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Of course we differ again as I’m a huge Miami Heat fan, which yes, includes LeBron James. Our talk of LeBron and the rest of the NBA world hating on him led Johnson to a little confession.

“I love being booed by opposing fans,” he says. “I love playing where we’re hated. It may sound weird, but playing in Chicago or St. Louis really pumps me up. The louder the fans boo, the harder I play.”

There’s A New Sheriff in Town.

Since Johnson answered those other hot-button questions so well I decided to throw more at him, this time in the form of Jim Crane. I firmly believe it was nothing more than a PR stunt when Crane attempted to get Astros fans rioting about the thought of a name change, and for good reason. That was the first time we’ve seen Astros fans up off their seats in what seems like ages — something Drayton McLane never seemed to do.

While many Houstonians are still undecided about Crane as an owner, Johnson is so far, a big fan.

“I know some folks don’t like some of the things he’s (Crane) doing, but I think he’s genuinely trying to turn things around,” Johnson says. “No matter what anyone says, he’s the boss and I listen.”

Back in November, Crane’s ownership group finally officially purchased the Astros for a whopping $680 million from grocery store maven Drayton McLane, who had owned the team for the last 19 years.

While fans are seeing lots of changes (or at least getting worked up over the possibilities), the guys on the team are still unsure.

“It’s a little too early to tell how things will be different with Crane’s interactions with us in the clubhouse and on the field,” Johnson says. “He’s a very outspoken guy — you’ll never have to worry about what he’s thinking because he’ll say it. I appreciate that kind of direct approach.”

Tweet Tweet.

Johnson is not only ready to excel at spring training and win the starting third base job for Opening Day. He’s ready to take on the Twitterverse as well. I believe he currently has thousands more followers than any other member of the Astros team (though he does have about 90,000 fewer followers than Pence).

Follow him for baseball (and of course basketball) related tweets at @cjastros23.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

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Field of Dreamy Players

I don’t remember the exact age, but somewhere very early in life, I fell in love with baseball. Most definitely the sport itself, but also with the men who play said sport. It’s virtually the same as being an avid Jonas Brother’s trailblazing fan and holding out a little piece of your heart for Joe Jonas, yes?

Playing softball my whole life, being surrounded by baseball players’ day in and day out seemed an incestuous part of the game. When our softball team took a trip, which was sometimes overnight and/or out of state, it was usually in tandem with the baseball team. Softball games average 50 minutes less than baseball games, which meant after a full game of slap bunting and fielding grounders, we found ourselves and our freshly dirt-stained uniforms sitting on the bleachers with a pack of gummy bears cheering our boys on. So it’s shouldn’t come as a surprise that my “high school sweetheart” played third base and was a rock star, and it’s not surprising that soon after graduation he was drafted by Major League Baseball, although it wasn’t until long after we broke up that he made a name for himself on ESPN and various other sport’s frenzied media outlets.

A few years ago, shortly after moving to Houston, I had a torrid, yet closeted fling with a “co-worker” who just so happened to play right field for the professional baseball team in which I was employed which coincidentally would later cost me my job. Apparently it’s one of those seemingly unfair unwritten rules that front office staff cannot, under any circumstance date a player.

If you do the math, that’s two guys in my past that both play Major League Baseball. And I guess if you live by the old adage, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck… it should come as no surprise that in a few small circles I was branded the not-so-flattering and ever-debilitating scarlet letter, “jersey chaser.”

For years, I tried all I could to dispel that myth. Since my parents read this column, I’m not going to say exactly how many guys I’ve been “with”, but I can assure you, two is a long shot from being the majority. And for purposes of stating the obvious, in case you missed it above, the high school boy was just that during our relationship – a high school boy. No Vitamin Water or Nike endorsements, no contracts, no agent; just a high school boy that could swing a bat and play mighty fine defense at the hot corner.

Now, as a freelance sportswriter, for my column, The Blonde Side, I’m very cautious of who I tell my Major League past to, if at all. But as of this posting, it’s clear the cats out of the bag, and I’m A-ok with that. And here’s why – there’s nothing wrong with thinking a baseball player, or any athlete for that matter, is sexy. Even as someone who works in the front office of a professional team, or a blonde sportswriter like myself, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m surrounded by these guys on a regular basis, I follow their stats (which are sometimes sexy in and of itself), and a guy that can wear a baseball uniform correctly (with means having his pants iconically pushed up to his knees) is by definition, in my book, sexy.

That was a seemingly long interlude to say this; as a single girl on this soon-to-be-Hallmark-infested dampening holiday which is upon us in mere hours, I present to you the sexiest guys in baseball with a little commentary on each. I’d love to hear your feedback if you agree or you’re highly concerned that my perfect 20/20 vision has recently been compromised based on these picks.

Ian Kinsler, Second Baseman, Texas Rangers

Ian Kinsler, Second Baseman, Texas Rangers

Guys with out of control hair (or “lettuce” as I’ve recently learned) have never really turned me on. But put said lettuce on top of Ian Kinsler and I’m willing to turn all sorts of vegetarian for the dude. Not only does he rock the uniform of my favorite team, but he definitely possesses a leadership role within the club. Kinsler batted .308 last postseason and has a career batting average of .275 – not the best, but certainly in fairly good company. Not your typical 17th-rounder, Kinsler’s the kind of guy you constantly hear about from sports commentators because he’s known as a five-tool player, simply meaning he hits for power and average, and excels at baserunning, throwing and fielding. Last season he broke his own club record with 28 consecutive steals. The kind of utilitarian player every franchise needs. As a longtime sufferer of asthma, I think it’s kind of cute. Hey Ian, I’m happy to tote around your inhaler in my Louis Vuitton if need be. Call me? And 2012 is the year of the claw and antlers, yes?

Joe Mauer, Catcher, Minnesota Twins

Joe Mauer, Catcher, Minnesota Twins

This time last year, Joe Mauer was rehabbing his knee after arthroscopic surgery battling a difficult recovery, which affected much of his season hitting career lows. Any guy who can look hot rehabbing an appendage is good in my book, especially a guy blessed with those baby blues. And while any guy who’s known for playing the field is usually bad in anyone’s book, not Mauer who can play catcher, left field and first (he also played Quarterback in high school and completed 62% of his passes his senior year). An all around good athlete. Mauer is also one of those guys who has played his entire major league career in the same uniform – no wonder the ladies in Minnesota are always boasting such big smiles. The only negative I see for this hottie is the fact he turned down a football scholarship to FLORIDA STATE (Go Noles!) to enter the Major League Baseball Draft. Alas, I guess it’s worked out well for him…

Chase Utley, Second Baseman, Philadelphia Phillies

Chase Utley, Second Baseman, Philadelphia Phillies

Playing his entire career in the same Phillies uniform, it’s easy to like this guy. Utley had a rough season last year with declining stats and a troublesome head injury after getting beaned in the head with a 90-mph fastball, but there’s something endearing about a guy getting injured playing the game he loves. Something in me that wants to bring him an ice-pack and sit on the couch watching SportsCenter together making fun of his overpaid, goofy-looking right fielder. Utley finished the 2011 regular season having scored 54 runs, hitting safely 103 times (including 21 doubles, 6 triples, and 11 home runs), and with a .259 batting average. If you ever wonder why you get such a warm and fuzzy feeling watching Utley stride up to the plate at Citizens Bank Park, it’s his badass intro song “Kashmir” by one of the all time greats, Led Zeppelin. And one more thing for you animal lovers, Utley and his wife Jennifer are advocates for animals everywhere having founded The Utley Foundation, an organization established to bring awareness to the increasing epidemic of animal cruelty. Animal lovers make my heart swoon, and Chase Utley is no expectation.

Nick Markakis, Outfielder, Baltimore Orioles

Nick Markakis, Outfielder, Baltimore Orioles

Much sexier when his hat is covering that flowbee of a hairdo he sometimes sports, it’s his strong arm in the outfield that really catches my eye. That strong arm is no mystery – originally a pitcher with a fastball clocked at 96, he’s known for throwing out guys trying to score that extra base hit. It’s not only his skill in the field that adds him to my list of sexy baseball players; it’s behind the plate as well. Last season, Markakis claimed his 1,000th career hit against the Cleveland Indians. On his own, Markakis decided to donate $75,000 of his paycheck each year to deserving charities along with starting his very own organization, Right Side Foundation with his wife Christina. A man with a heart and strong arms – really, is there any question here? Talk about the ultimate playmaker.

He also has a random entry in Urban Dictionary I felt worthy to share.

Ryan Braun, Outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun, Outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Anyone who refuses to admit Braun is a rather goofy looking individual is just plain lying. But there’s something about goofy that’s a bit sexy, yes? And being the reigning (although I guess we can’t currently say undisputed) National League MVP, it’s clear his play on the field is stellar compared to hundreds of other guys. Having the chance to watch him (or stare at him really) this past season at Miller Park was definitely one of the high points of my year. Last year alone he led the NL in slugging percentage and extra-base hits, was named a starter for the All-Star game and won the NL Outfielder Silver Slugger Award. Dudes been busy on the field and did I fail to mention he’s got sky-high book smarts? He attended University of Miami on an academic scholarship, which is rather rare for a record-breaking athlete. And I’m pretty sure every Brewers fan loves this guy for the simple fact it was his 450-foot bomb over the fence that clinched the Brewers’ NL-Central victory last season.

The only thing not so hot about this guy? The fact he developed his own signature t-shirt for the douchey clothing line, Affliction. Eek! Oh, and the fact he might have herpes. Eek again. But for now, Braun remains on my list of sexy ball players.

Jake Arrieta, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

Jake Arrieta, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

It’s definitely not all about money (the guy is still making the league minimum) or perfect play each time he steps on the mound (although he was good enough to start the home opener for the Orioles last season), but there’s something about Arrieta that is plain striking. Perhaps it’s a guy who knows how to take charge, and anyone on the mound in Major League Baseball should know how to take charge and be a leader. I’ve always thought well-educated guys were extremely attractive, and Arrieta turned down his initial draft by the Milwaukee Brewers to instead head off to college at TCU. Over the last few years in his career, Arrieta has learned to develop and throw an arsenal of pitches and not rely solely on his fastball as he did early on in his career. Coming off of bone spur surgery, I expect a lot out of Arrieta this season. And without question, so do the Orioles. This is a guy I wish had more TV time. You hear that ESPN? Consider that my request, in writing.

Josh Willingham, Outfielder, Minnesota Twins

Josh Willingham, Outfielder, Minnesota Twins

Recently picked up the Minnesota Twins, Josh Willingham looks good in almost any uniform (and he’s worn quite a few already in his eight year career playing for the Florida Marlins for his longest stint, the Washington Nationals, the Oakland Athletics and now the Minnesota Twins). Willingham joined the Twins less than two months ago and signed a three-year deal valued at $21mil. Last season Willingham hit his career best 29 homeruns and 98 RBIs (although also hitting his career low batting average with .246) with Oakland. A solid characteristic I look for in any man – patience. Patience is most definitely a virtue in the majors and Willingham shows quite a bit of it at the plate with a career .361 OBP due to his ability to draw walks and even take a few hits from wild pitchers. This season should be interesting for Willingham as he’s taking on the challenge of playing right field for the Twins as opposed to his comfort zone in left. The season will prove to be equally as interesting for Twins fans as they have to deal with the loss of one of their favorites, Michael Cuddyer, whose spot was recently taken over by Willingham.

Adam Wainwright, Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

Adam Wainwright, Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals

I like tall guys, so AW is already off to a blazing start at 6-foot-7, not to mention those ridiculously soul-piercing eyes. But like I said, it’s not all about how he looks in his uniform, it’s how he plays the game. And last year, he didn’t play the game. At all. In February 2011, Wainwright underwent Tommy John surgery, which has since been described as “successful”, but we all know what happened to Brandon Backe (Astros) after that exact same procedure. Oh wait, no we don’t. Last I heard he was tending bar in Galveston, TX, but I digress. Some are already professing Wainwright as the comeback player of the year but that prophecy comes with a lot of weight on his shoulders without that very large staple the Cardinals have become so used to in their lineup. You know the one, starts with Albert, ends with Pujols. Wainwright placed in the top 3 for the Cy Young award from 2007-2010, so the guy’s no stranger to pressure and delivering results in the form of W’s. Wainwright also openly expresses his Christian faith, which is something I highly admire in any human.

Before I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day, please know two things:

I never professed to have victorious taste when it comes to spotting sexy men, in particular baseball players. I typically am attracted to one type of guy: the ones that don’t like me. Wah, wah, wah.

While the above little diddy was fun to write and I stand by almost everything I said, I am in no way interested in hooking up with, dating, or starting any type of relationship with any ball players. Been there, done that. Literally.

Now, Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, from The Blonde Side.

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A Day In The Life Of An NBA Mascot

Clutch is more than a furry cheerleader with hilarious non-verbal antics parading around the Toyota Center. Having shadowed the Houston Rockets mascots at a recent game, I’m not sure anyone is more excited to see the NBA back in action than Clutch himself.

With the Rockets riding a seven-game winning streak going into Wednesday night’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks, there’s more reason to be excited than many people probably thought as well.

During those tumultuous NBA Lockout talks, people were concerned about the players. Then came growing concern for the dance teams, the athletic trainers, the customer service staff and the food vendors. Those part-time folks that relied on that extra income to pay bills became another concern.

With sweat dripping down his face, Boudwin (who can now talk because he’s not near any of the fans) huffs and puffs, “Man, I missed this.”

But did anyone stop to think about the mascots who are just as much a part of basketball as David Stern himself?

Clutch (or Robert Boudwin, the excited human inside) is a full-time front office employee with the Houston Rockets, as is his “Mascot Coordinator” Dominic Davila, who wears “Rocketman” on the back of his silver suit — the silver suit that accompanies Clutch almost anywhere inside and outside the Toyota Center.

A day in the life of an NBA mascot:

– Clutch and crew arrive to the Toyota Center at least two hours before the game. (For the sold-out crowd on opening night, they got there four hours early to rehearse the season’s new skits. The skit Clutch was most pumped about was set to the tune of Aerosmith’s “Back in the Saddle.”)

Remember, Clutch is a full-time Rockets employee, so on game days, he walks from his upstairs office down to his personal dressing room on floor level which makes for an extremely long day.

– About an hour before tipoff, Clutch hops on his Segway, zips around the concourse high-fiving vivacious fans and then heads outside to the Budweiser Lift-Off pregame concert for photo-ops and a dance party. After a few minutes of pictures, he hops on stage, grabs a microphone, does a jig or two and then his “handlers” forcefully encourage him to get back on his ride and head up to the Memorial Hermann Sky Court, because they too have a game clock to abide by.

– Clutch heads back into the Toyota Center with his crew guiding him the entire way. “Clutch, duck your head,” they yell as he gets into a private service elevator. “Clutch, turn left and look down,” they call out so he’ll notice the little kid below him trying desperately for a high-five.

Boudwin’s crew serves as his eyes and ears while he’s suited up — not to mention his voice. The most important rule as a mascot — NO TALKING WHILE IN THE SUIT.

Clutch relies on his nonverbals (ferociously waving, shaking his midsection, jumping up and down) to show fans his excitement and feelings. But when it’s needed (and I assure you, it is), Dominic, his coordinator for the past 11 years, speaks for him.

“Sorry kids, Clutch has to keep going,” or “Watch out guys, Clutch is coming through,” he yells to keep Clutch on his already tight schedule. Somehow Clutch still manages to find time to get in the face of an opposing team’s fan while Rockets fans laugh and capture it all on their iPhones.

– Pulling up to the sky court, there is already a line of fans of all ages, eagerly waiting. For the next 15 minutes, Clutch’s big furry hand autographs mini-sized posters and stops long enough for fans to take a photo. (Note: his handlers have to hand the poster to the fans, because Clutch’s hands are too big and clumsy to grab that flimsy piece of glossy paper.)

– Clutch makes his graceful exit (literally oblivious to all the fans trying to pull him from all directions for their own family photo) and heads down to his personal dressing room, which sits directly across from the Rockets team locker room. Finally, he gets to take his head off.

With sweat dripping down his face, Boudwin (who can now talk because he’s not near any of the fans) huffs and puffs, “Man, I missed this.” While in his room, he chugs two bottles of water, and changes the sopping wet Dri-Fit shirt he wears under his costume (he sweats through at least seven each game).

Because of how hot it gets in the suit, Clutch is supposed to take a break (with water and sans bear head) every 15 minutes. Sometimes he gets so into the crowd, he forgets how long he’s been out there and his team has to literally drag him behind the black curtains on the side of the court.

– Behind the curtain, Clutch is once again gasping for air. His arms are tired from holding up the bulky and awkwardly shaped 8’ x 4’ x 4’ box sign, which weighs exactly 40 pounds (the largest in sports) over his head multiple times while simultaneously leading the crowd in chants. Again, he changes his sweat-laden shirt right there in the confines of the hallway.

Meanwhile Mini-Clutch (also sweating and panting) hands a pink Starburst to his coordinator, who instinctively knew to unwrap it for him because his bear hands made it impossible. The pair heads back out to flirt with the Rockets Power Dancers.

– Back in his dressing room, Clutch and crew review their pre-printed schedule of events and appearances. As he gets ready for a seat visit to a fan in section 125, he’s checking his can of Silly String to make sure it’s got plenty of ammo. The whole crew heads over to the seats and for a solid 55 seconds, Clutch douses the diehard Rockets fan in pink and blue Silly String.

Meanwhile Mini-Clutch is on the concourse taking photos. A nearby woman asks Clutch to hold her baby for a photo (surprisingly the tiny baby doesn’t even cry) and Clutch nonchalantly walks away with the baby.

When Clutch finally returns the baby, fans are lined up waiting for their own photos to immediately upload to Facebook.

– During this whole charade, Clutch’s bulky arms accidentally spill a fan’s popcorn. Because of the major lack of peripheral visibility from the costume head, Clutch has no idea. Back in the dressing room one of the coordinators tells Clutch (who at this point has morphed back into Robert) that she looked displeased.

“Please take two hats, two T-shirts and a new box of popcorn to her and give her a big fat I’m sorry,” Boudwin says genuinely.

– A few minutes later, another timeout is called and Clutch is once again snapping his red Rockets uniform over his furry arms, putting his head on, and heading back out on the court. My all-time favorite Clutch move is when he strips off his jersey directly in the line of view of San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker who is trying to sink two free throws.

Clutch is left wearing nothing but his ginormous shoes (size 22 BB for double bear) and then once again scurries behind the curtain (while Dominic literally picks up the pieces).

Just from the play-by-play listed above, you can see Clutch is a busy man. Um, bear.

If you’ve ever wondered why he doesn’t stay in one place too long, it’s because fans will bombard him and he’ll never make it to another section or back on the court for his scheduled skits. Plus, fans will miss out on the improv nonsense.

Mascots have rules too. Here are just a few:

– Signs behind the basket during opposing team free throws cannot be larger than 17” x 11”.

– Mascots may not walk directly adjacent to the court (courtside) during play

– Mascots may not target or ridicule a specific player from an opposing team

– The use of pyrotechnic is prohibited once the game has begun and can only be used pregame with prior written league permission

After following Clutch around for an entire game, I’m not sure who gets more of a run in — the Rockets starting five or the bear and his crew.

Introducing the Clutch Crew:

Robert Boudwin — Clutch, in his 17th season.

Dominic Davila — Full time assistant/sidekick/manager/agent/bodyguard/secretary/translator/right arm (as quoted by Clutch)

Michael Gonzales — Clutch Crew on game nights

Michael Trussel — Clutch Crew on game nights

Brandon (Tuff) Schoenberg — Mini-Clutch

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

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Texans Cheerleaders Have Playoffs Too

Photo courtesy of Mike Oropeza/Picasa

For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Texans are in the playoffs, set to play the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday afternoon at Reliant Stadium. Duh. You’ve disconnected yourself from every Internet-related device, television, radio andhuman being in H-Town if you’ve missed that fun little tidbit of info.

While much of the focus has been on rookie quarterback T.J. Yates‘ banged up shoulder, guard Mike Brisiel’s return to the starting lineup after surgery, defensive coordinator Wade Phillip’s energy levels after his surgery, the tenacity of the Texans defense (which ranks second in the NFL), and what these guys are doing to prepare for the big game, little (or actually no) attention has been paid to the 30-plus women who parade around in sexy Texans gear pumping up the crowds each and every home game.

And since there’s no crowd, or game for that matter, more important in Texans history than this playoff game, I thought I’d swing by practice and see what these ladies are working on. Since Monday, the girls have been diligently learning all new routines.

While the cheerleaders typically do four routines a game and practice three times a week, they too are feeling the playoff pressure practicing every single day this week and learning five brand new routines, including a halftime dance choreographed to the tune of a live performance by Clay Walker.

I spoke with Amanda, the most seasoned girl on the team (in her fifth season) and asked what the contingency plan was if Clay changed the beat or got a little twangy in his lyrics. Is it business as usual?

“If he decides to throw in a ‘HEY HOUSTON’, we have to stay on our counts,” she says. “Our game plan is our game plan no matter what.”

As the girl with the most tenure on the team, Amanda knows all too well how rough past seasons have been.

“It’s a really nice change of pace going out into the community and hearing fans positive feedback with a winning record,” she says. “Everyone has been so supportive this season which makes our job a lot easier.”

Nicole (or Rihanna as some call her), a second-year veteran, explained the cheerleaders’ grueling long hours.

“We’ve been practicing each night from about 6:30-midnight learning all the new dances, but it’s worth it. I’m super excited — not only because it’s a playoff game, but we are making history as the first Texans cheerleading squad to make the playoffs,” she says.

And it isn’t just the cheerleaders that are making history — 39 of the Texan players will be making their first ever playoff appearance. More stuff to cheer for.

Reporters asked Gary Kubiak if he was putting in 10 to 12 hours each day leading up to the game. “At least that,” Kubiak responded. These girls are putting in almost the same kind of hours.

Moe (short for Morgan), another second-year vet, detailed how hectic this week has been. As a physician’s liaison, she works her usual 8 to 5 job and then heads directly to the bubble for at least six hours of practice.

“It makes for a very long day, but with a four-minute pre-game dance and a five-minute halftime show ahead of us, we’ve got our work cut out,” she says.

Moe is not only a proud member of the squad, she’s also the lone Texans cheerleader headed to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii at the end of January to represent as one of 27 cheerleaders voted by their peers to attend.

I asked head cheerleader coach, Alto Gary, who has been coach since day one (“Day one, 2011” as she likes to say), why they were busting their humps to learn all new routines in such a short timespan.

“It’s the playoffs, a new beginning. This is our first time making the playoffs, and I wanted to make it special for the team and the fans,” Gary says. “Since we were going from back-to-back games with a quick turnaround, I did give the girls a head start and sent two of the dances to them online.”

I guess there are more uses for technology than I once thought.

Aside from getting to be part of history, I wondered if the girls got any additional incentives for playoff games like the players did.

“Well, it may not seem like much, but they did get the chance to purchase playoff tickets in advance, which for many teams is rare,” Gary says. “And, they get cool playoff shirts they didn’t have to stand in line for,” she laughs as she showcases the shirts with “Texans Playoffs” written in bedazzled letters in both a red and navy varieties.

Without stating the blatantly obvious, Houston has a lot to celebrate. Since the last playoff game in Houston (which took place on January 16, 1994 when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Oilers in the Astrodome in front of 64,011 fans), a lot has happened in the world of football:

190 playoff games played

20 NFL stadiums built (including Reliant Stadium)

12 different Super Bowl winners

Four new teams joined the NFL (including the Texans)

Three teams moved to a new city

Back then, the number 1 song was “I Will Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meatloaf, President Barack Obama was an associate at a Chicago law firm, gas prices averaged $1 a gallon, and defensive end J.J. Watt was only 4-years-old.

A lot has changed. Here’s hoping for many more playoff games to come, whether or not they are hosted right here in Houston.

I think we’d all be OK with an upcoming game in Indianapolis, yes?

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

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Playoffs, Diamonds and Dogpiles. And Smart Cars Too.

Kids, Playoffs, Diamonds and Dogpiles. Oh, And Smart Cars Too. 

The Duane Brown Almost-Tell-All Interview

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Texans Offensive Tackle Duane Brown a number of times over the course of the year. The first time we met, he confessed he was a pretty “boring and average guy” and that he may not make the best interview subject. After posting a simple question on Twitter and Facebook asking fans what they’d ask if they could ask anything from an NFL OT, I figured the best way to handle this interview was a smorgasbord of unrelated questions resulting in the most unflowing, yet highly informative and comprehensive interview of a pro athlete you’ve ever seen, so here goes…

In the middle of my first question, his phone rings and politely asks if he can take the call. A few minutes later I hear, “thanks coach, that’s awesome, thanks!” and hangs up.

JL: Good news I presume?

D. Brown: (smiling) Yeah. Kubiak just told me I made it as an alternate to the Pro Bowl.

JL: That’s awesome buddy, congrats. Does that mean you get to go to Hawaii?

D. Brown: I guess if someone gets injured, yeah. But I plan to be getting ready for the Super Bowl, so I’m not worried about it.

Diamonds

Around Thanksgiving, Duane got engaged to his beautiful long distance girlfriend, Devon. For a big guy, he sure can be sneaky. They met up in LA for a little R&R and Duane said he had to fly to Dallas a day early. He planned a nice dinner for her, said his goodbye and then headed to a friend’s house to keep the surprise intact. The next day he surprised her at dinner, where many of her friends and family were, and pulled out a stunning diamond ring. Like most women, Devon had hinted around at the perfect ring she wanted to lay claim on her left hand for the rest of her life. Duane took those ideas and showed a handful of rings to her best friends. “They helped me choose the perfect one,” he said. The couple means business too – they’ve already set a date for July 13, 2012. As for kids, “Yeah – we’re taking our time with it. She has a lot going on with her career and I respect that,” Brown says.

JL: Long distance sucks, huh?

D. Brown: Yeah, but we get to see each other pretty often. I just flew up to NY and saw her for Christmas and she comes to almost all my home games.

JL: What was the best gift you got this Christmas? Was it those black and red Jordans you’re wearing?

D. Brown: People are going crazy over those shoes, right? All those fights – that’s crazy man. My girl got me a digital picture frame – that was probably my favorite gift.

The Blind Side

The main (and pretty much only) job of an OT is to protect the quarterback. In just 15 games this season, Brown has already had to protect three different QBs – Schaub who throws right, Leinart who throws left, and now Yates who is also a righty. Just as the movie indicates, there is such thing as a Blind Side, which when a right-handed QB is in, is Brown’s position as he plays left tackle. When a righty drops back in the pocket, he can’t see what’s coming from his left – he’s not as quick to move away from a defensive tackle or defensive end because he can’t see them. A few people asked if the change in QB throwing arms creates a change in play for Duane. “I don’t have to change my technique at all, our offensive scheme changes a bit, but my first priority is always to protect to the QB regardless of his throwing arm,” he says.

Since I write a sport’s column titled, The Blonde Side, I figured I’d ask about the 2009 movie starring Michael Oher.

JL: Do people understand your position better since the movie, The Blind Side came out?

D. Brown: I run across a lot of people that have zero idea about football and say I play left tackle. They always ask what that is and I reference the movie. They seem to get it after that.

JL: What about Michael Oher?

D. Brown: He’s a great player, great guy as well. I got a chance to meet him his rookie year.

Dogpiles and Clothes

Probably one of the best questions someone asked on Facebook was what really goes on in a dogpile? When I asked Duane, he laughed. “A lot of profanity, pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, more punching – anything to get the ball. It’s pretty violent down there,” he confessed. “Really, anything goes, but the refs do a good job to regulate as soon as possible. You gotta always pay attention.”

JL: You do seem to be at the bottom of a number of pile-ups.

D. Brown: I always try to be around the ball carrier to protect him and the ball. My first priority is to get the ball if a defensive guy knocks it out, but secondly, I gotta protect my teammates.

JL: I would assume as the biggest guy on the team, you are the one most of the littler guys look to for protection?

D. Brown: I think I’m the biggest…yeah, as far as weight, for sure. Eric (Winston) is taller than me, but I still weigh more.

JL: Speaking of your size, you’re 6-4, 320lbs, right?

D. Brown: Well I’ve lost a few pounds. I’m about 314 right now.

JL: Is it hard to find clothes?

D. Brown: (laughing) Yeah, it’s very hard to go shopping. I get a few things at Destination XL off Westheimer, but most of my stuff I buy online (like elevee).

Hokie Pride

As I’ve told Duane a number of times, I am not a Hokie fan. I grew up in Virginia, but something about those VT Hokies just drives me crazy. In response to my tweet, another of Duane’s fans asked what it was like coming out to “Enter The Sandman” at Lane Stadium. “It’s the most amazing feeling in the world – I’ve never felt an energy like that. The atmosphere in that stadium, the fans, the music – it’s second to none,” he reminisces. “Everytime I hear that song, I get goosebumps,” he continued.

JL: Do you think Devon will let you rock that song at your wedding?

D. Brown: (laughing) Nah, she won’t have that.

JL: How do you feel about the upcoming Sugar Bowl?

D. Brown: I’m proud of them to still make it to a BCS Bowl Game. It’ll be a pretty good one against Michigan. I think it’ll be a high scoring game; hopefully we can pull it off.

O-Line Success

It’s no secret that every year the Texans offensive line seems to get better and better. Someone wanted to know how much time these guys spend together during the season and the offseason because their cohesion just seems to work. “We all try to improve individually, but as a group, we are the most tight knit unit on the team. For the most part we’ve all been together the past three years. We have a feeling for what the guy next door is going to do so we don’t have to communicate a lot,” Duane explains.

JL: Who’s the hardest Defensive End you’ve had to block?

D. Brown: Dwight Freeney. He’s a sure 1st ballot Hall of Famer. I have to face him twice a year. I haven’t given up any sacks against him this year – I think I’ve finally figured out a game plan against him, but he’s tough.

JL: There’s been a lot of talk about the absence of Mike Brisiel…

D. Brown: It’s tough without him; I’ll give you that. It’s unfortunate that he got hurt (fractured fibula), but Antoine Caldwell has done a good job stepping up. Luckily he’s taken a lot of reps during practice and we really haven’t missed a beat. But Mike should be back for the playoffs.

Speaking of the Playoffs…

“I’m excited, man. This is unchartered territory for our organization and for me personally,” he said.

JL: Are you nervous?

D. Brown: Not too nervous. I’ve heard it’s a different speed in the playoffs. I’m more excited than anything.

JL: Your ideal Super Bowl matchup?

D. Brown: Well Houston obviously. I’ll go with Houston vs. New Orleans. Even though the Packers are doing great, the Saints beat us earlier this year (33-40 in Week 3) and now I’d like to return the favor. They also bring a lot of great fans to the game and that just ups the intensity.

New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time when everyone, even athletes, create a laundry list of things they want to do better in the New Year. Just a few days away from that ominous day on the calendar, I asked Duane what his resolutions were. “I used to be big on New Year’s Resolutions, but why wait until January 1st to change something. There’s no better time than the present,” he says.

JL: That seems to fit you. Anything you’re currently working on at doing better?

D. Brown: Trying to read more. I get bored easily and I’m trying to break out of the video game habit. I’m currently reading Art of War.

Running and Smart Cars

As I’m currently training for the Houston Half Marathon next month, I couldn’t help but wonder how far the big man himself could run.

JL: Could you run a mile without stopping?

D. Brown: I could do a mile, yeah. It wouldn’t be pretty, but I could do it.

JL: What about a 5k?

D. Brown: A what?

JL: A 5k. That’s 3.1 miles.

D. Brown: Nah, not a shot in hell.

JL: I know I keep harping on your size, but you are the largest man I’ve ever see. It’s so fascinating to me. Think you could fit in a smart car?

D. Brown: (laughing) Yeah, I actually have. Danny Clark (former Texans Linebacker) used to have one and I could fit in there. It’s not comfortable though. It was a convertible too so I think that might have made it easier.

JL: I’d give money to see you in a smart car. If I could find a dealership and a photographer to make this happen, you game?

D. Brown: Sure.

Hear that Houston Smart Car dealerships? Call me – let’s make this happen.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

This was also part of The Blonde Side’s 30 Before 30 series.

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