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Brian Barefield

Stories by Brian

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Jose Altuve, the Heartbeat of Houston, Secures His Future with Astros Through 2029

In a move that cements his legacy as one of Houston's most beloved sports figures, Jose Altuve has inked a five-year contract extension with the Astros, ensuring his electrifying presence on the field will continue to dazzle fans through the 2029 season.

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DeMeco Ryans' Homecoming Spearheads a Season of Triumph for the Houston Texans Under Cal and Hannah McNair’s Leadership

Houston Texans' leadership, under the guidance of Chairman Cal McNair and Vice President Hannah McNair, made a visionary decision one year ago in the team auditorium that set the team on a new, victorious path. The dismissal of then-head coach Lovie Smith, following former coach David Culley's departure, was a clear indication of the franchise's resolve for rejuvenation.

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Rookie Quarterback C.J. Stroud's Pregame Ritual, Breaks for Mom, Sparks Playoff Victory

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has a pregame routine that he dislikes breaking. He walks, stretches, swings a golf club, and takes a couple of pretend jump shots with a basketball before he picks up a football for warmup throws.

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Stroud Stays Cool As He Leads Comeback Victory Over Tampa Bay

Less than a minute in life may seem like a short time to complete any task, but in the NFL, that amount of time feels like an eternity. At least, that's how it felt for Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who took the field trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-33 with just 46 seconds left in regulation. Before heading to the huddle, he had a conversation with one of his closest friends on the team, defensive end Jonathan Greenard.

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Legendary Astros Manager Dusty Baker Retires After Four Remarkable Years

In January 2020, when Houston Astros owner Jim Crane made the tough call to part ways with manager A.J. Hinch due to the team's involvement in the 2017 sign-stealing scandal, he needed a leader who could steer the ship through turbulent waters. That leader was none other than baseball legend Dusty Baker.

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Texans rookie quarterback inspired by former coach in defeat of the New Orleans Saints

When Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud talks about overcoming adversity on the football field, he always mentions the coaches who have helped him along his journey of becoming an NFL quarterback.

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Astros Bring Justin Verlander Back Home

There had been chatter for days amongst the local sports media and fans about a possible return of one of the best pitchers ever to take the mound in a Houston Astros jersey. Many did not want to get their hopes up too high as they did not know what to expect from new general manager Dana Brown when making blockbuster trades like his predecessors had done in the past.

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Rockets Summer League Finish Gives New Life To A Rebuilding Franchise

The Houston Rockets fell short of accomplishing their goal on Monday of winning the NBA Summer League Championship, losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 99-78 and finishing with a 5-1 record.

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Houston Rockets Take Next Step in Rebuilding Process After Successful 2023 Draft

It has been three years since the Houston Rockets have been labeled as "winners" regarding things on and off the court. In order to bring some relevance back to the team, the organization has a three-phase plan in place, and after Thursday night's 2023 NBA Draft, they are already winning the second phase.

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Houston Texans Tytus Howard Named 2023 Black College Football Pro Player of the Year

Houston Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard cherishes the moments he spent on the campus of Alabama State University (ASU) in Montgomery, Alabama. There, he honed his skills on the football field and became a first-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Texans.

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Houston Texans Raise Over $400 Thousand at the 20th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

The Houston Texans held their 20th annual charity golf tournament at River Oaks Country Club on Monday to help benefit the Houston Texans Foundation, which contributes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, the YMCA of Greater Houston, and the Houston Food Bank.

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Houston Rockets Hire Ime Udoka As Their Next Head Coach

The Houston Rockets have hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka as their next head coach, making him the 15th head coach in franchise history, the team announced on Tuesday.

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Astros Use Another Late Game Surge To Sweep The Atlanta Braves

“I was just trying to get my mind right,” said Julks about coming into the game to hit for catcher Martin Maldonado. “I just focused on it and visualized it, and once Dusty called my number, I was ready to go. The team is looking good right now. We came into Atlanta and got a sweep; that was huge. Now we just plan on continuing on that into the next weeks.”

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Postseason Atmosphere Lead Astros To Victory Over Blue Jays

HOUSTON - - On Wednesday, something seemed slightly different at Minute Maid Park. Another type of energy and vibe had the ballpark buzzing with liveliness before the first pitch was thrown in front of the 40,545 people in attendance, which was the fourth home sellout of the season.

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First Home Run at Minute Maid Park Means A Lot to Home Town Rookie Corey Julks

It has been an exhilarating two weeks for Houston Astros rookie reserve outfielder Corey Julks.

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Astros Slugger Yordan Alvarez Reaches The 100 Home Run Club

“I believe that he set the record so fast,” said Alex Bregman. “In his second at-bat he went oppo (opposite field) homer by the gas pump."

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Calm Down, The Astros Will Be Just Fine

The Houston Astros split their four-game season-opening series with the Chicago White Sox after losing on Sunday 6-3 at Minute Maid Park. Ok, everyone. Calm down; they still have 158 more games to play this season. They will be just fine.

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Houston Astros Begin Defense Of World Series Title On Opening Day At Minute Maid Park

“I am not really concentrating or thinking about last year,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker when asked about the emotions on Opening Day after finishing the season as the champions. “You have to go on from there because you have new heights to climb. This is the start of the “Great Race,” and it is a long race.

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Houston Astros Begin Defense Of World Series Title On Opening Day At Minute Maid Park

“I am not really concentrating or thinking about last year,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker when asked about the emotions on Opening Day after finishing the season as the champions. “You have to go on from there because you have new heights to climb. This is the start of the “Great Race,” and it is a long race.

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Texans GM Nick Caserio Needs To Take A Look In The Mirror

On Sunday, the Houston Texans decided to part ways with head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith after the Texans finished the 2022 regular season with a 3-13-1 record.

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Dynasty! The Houston Astros Capture Their Second World Series Title With Game 6 Win

The fans of the Seattle Mariners (American League Division Series), New York Yankees (American League Championship Series), and Philadelphia Phillies (World Series) all had a mantra before facing the Houston Astros this postseason: “WE WANT HOUSTON”.

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Astros Sweep the Yankees to Advance to the World Series

“Houston, you have a problem,” was the mantra of the fans from Seattle before the Mariners played the Houston Astros in the 2022 American League Division Series.

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Rookie Jeremy Peña's Clutch Home Run In The 18th Inning Sends The Astros To Sixth ALCS

“In the backyard, you dream of this type of situation,” Peña said about his game-winning home run in his postgame interview. “Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, and two outs. Every kid comes up with that scenario in their head and you just try to put together good at-bats and try to have fun with the boys.”

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Astros Rookie Jeremy Peña Has "Mamba Mentality" In His Approach To The 2022 Postseason

As the press conference was ending, Peña was asked a question about his outlook on being up 2-0 in the series over the Mariners and headed to play two games in Seattle. He channeled the energy and emotions of one of his favorite athletes of all time in the late NBA Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

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Astros Are Primed and Ready for Another World Series Run

If it is October, you already know what is happening at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Houston Astros is gearing up for another Major League Baseball Postseason run that hopefully will land them in a spot where they feel they have some unfinished business.

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Yordan Alvarez Delivers Crushing Blow To The Mariners With Walk-Off Home Run In ALDS Game 1

“It was a very special moment,” said Alvarez, who finished the game going 3-for-5 at the plate with five RBI. “When I hit the ball and saw the ball go, I could feel all the fans getting super loud and excited. I think it was one of the most special moments in my career.”

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Family Atmosphere Is The Key To The Houston Astros 2022 Success

“Everyone pulls for each other, and that is the one thing I noticed when I showed up here last year,” said Astros reliever Ryne Stanek

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Texans Rookie Jalen Pitre Has Coming Out Party Against The Bears

Houston Texans head coach and defensive coordinator had been telling anyone who would listen that there was just something special about rookie safety Jalen Pitre. From the time he was drafted until he played in his first NFL regular season game, coach Smith has raved about the potential of the second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Baylor University.

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Texans Rookie Jalen Pitre Has Coming Out Party Against the Bears

The Houston Texans head coach and defensive coordinator have been telling anyone who would listen that there was just something special about rookie safety Jalen Pitre. From the time he was drafted until he played in his first NFL regular season game, coach Smith has raved about the potential of the second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Baylor University.

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Prairie View Must Remain Focused For All Four Quarters Against Incarnate Word

“Going into this game I told my guys that we cannot go in there with our heads down and not knowing what we are supposed to be doing," said PV head coach Bubba McDowell "If we do, we are going to get embarrassed in our home stadium."

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The Astros Deserve More National Attention. Why Hasn't It Happened?

Suppose pitching and Player of the Month honors don’t warrant the Astros being seen by their fans outside of Texas. Does winning games move the needle?

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Prairie View Faces Tough Challenge As They Travel To Abilene To Take On The Wildcats

“We know that we are going to go in here and play football with the guys,” said Panthers first-year head coach Bubba McDowell about the Wildcats.

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Panthers Freshman QB C.J. Dumas Was Ready When His Number Was Called

“It just felt great to be able to go out there and prove to everybody that I can play on a collegiate level,” said Dumas. “As a freshman, not many people get to do the stuff that I got to do.

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Panthers Rushing Attack Too Much For Tigers

Sophomore Ja’den Stewart and junior Ahmad Antoine put on a rushing clinic in the Panthers’ 40-23 victory over the Tigers on Saturday. The two running backs combined for 236 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries.

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Prairie View Uses Dominant Ground Game To Win Labor Day Classic Over Texas Southern

After waiting for over an hour due to inclement weather, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern were finally able to open their 2022 season in the annual Labor Day Classic. The Panthers improved their record to 8-0 against the Tigers in their last eight matchups with a 40-23 win, as Prairie View has not lost to Texas Southern since August 31, 2014.

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Texans Rookie Derek Stingley Jr. Believes Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Houston Texans rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is a young man who lets his actions speak louder than his words.

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Astros Increase A.L. West Lead Over Mariners After Winning Weekend Series

“They were hard-fought games,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said about the four-game series against the Mariners that concluded on Sunday.

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The Lovie Smith Era Begins

“I’ll tell you this the Texans won today,” said Smith in his press conference after practice. “A lot of guys have been showing up, showing out and making plays."

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Astros Get Swept By One Of The Worst Team In Baseball

Houston was 5-0 to start the second half of the season, rolling into Oakland (38-63) to play the A’s, who was 30 games of first place in the American League West Division. As they boarded the plane headed back home, they must be scratching their heads, wondering how they were swept for the first time this season by a team who is 25 games under .500.

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Astros Manager Dusty Baker Uses Three Words To Motivate His Team, "Just Go Play"

“I don’t really give them a message; I just tell them to go play,” said Baker after the second game of the day against the New York Yankees last week. “You can give a message all you want, but talk is cheap most of the time. Execution is what it is all about, followed by production."

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Stop The Count: Astros Halt Mariners Winning Streak At 14 Games

With the majority of the 45,290 fans who helped Seattle set a season-high in attendance hurling insults towards the visiting Astros. It had a postseason feel familiar to Houston but probably caused some nervousness for Seattle since they have not made the playoffs since 2001.

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Astros Sweep Yankees In Doubleheader To Start The Second-Half Of The Season

Yet, the Astros have been the more dominant team since 2017 and showed it once again on Thursday at Minute Maid Park as they swept the Yankees in a doubleheader to start the second half of the season.

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Astros Postseason Aspirations Will Be Tested Early With Brutal Post-All-Star Break Schedule

The Astros will be tested early by playing 20 games in 19 days, starting with a doubleheader against the Yankees. The back-to-back games are makeups for a series scheduled to open the season but was postponed due to this year’s lockout

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Walk-Off Home Run By Rookie Jeremy Peña Helps Astros Secure Sweep Of Angels

“It was my first multi-homer game and to end it on a walk-off is unreal,” said Peñawho finished the game by going 4-for-5 at the plate. “It’s always fun walking it off. You get the win, and we get to go home. It was great.”

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Astros Hold Home Run Derby In 9-1 Blowout Of The Angels

“Maldonado made me look bad right there, hitting the ball straight center,” said Altuve, who followed up Maldonado’s home run with one of his own. “Not too many guys can go straight center.”

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Javier Shines In Back-To-Back Performances

“Confidence breeds confidence,” Baker said. “And confidence breeds success. That’s what he’s demonstrating. He has a calmness about him, especially for a young pitcher.”

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Houston Rockets Select Auburn Forward Jabari Smith Jr. Third Overall In The 2022 NBA Draft

The Houston Rockets were in a win-win situation, waiting to select their pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. After Duke forward Paolo Banchero was chosen with the number one overall pick by the Orlando Magic, the Oklahoma City Thunder took Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren second, putting the Rockets on the clock.

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Jabari Smith Jr. Selected Third Overall In The 2022 NBA Draft By The Houston Rockets

“Definitely added a chip, but God makes no mistakes, so I'm happy to be here,” said Smith “I'm happy to be where I'm wanted. I'm happy to get to Houston and just show them, give them what they picked. Just happy to be here.”

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Astros Erupt In The Sixth Inning En Route To A Blowout Victory Over The White Sox

“Hitting is contagious and no one likes to be left out,” said Astros manager Dusty Baker about the dynamic sixth inning.

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Four-Star DE Ashton Porter Commits To Northwestern

“Academics,” was the one-word answer Porter gave me when I asked him why he chose Northwestern over schools such as Texas, Arkansas, Baylor, Arizona, and Grambling. “I am trying to be the best engineer in the world. I also am very interested in sports media, and Northwestern has an excellent communications department.”

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