query: when was the last time houston won world series

pos: Houston Astros the U.S. crewed space program—was adopted three years later, when they moved into the Astrodome, the first domed sports stadium. The Astros played in the NL from 1962 to 2012, first in the West Division from 1969 to 1993, followed by the Central Division from 1994 to 2012. The team was reclassified to the American League West from 2013 onward. While a member of the NL, the Astros played in one World Series in 2005, losing in four games to the Chicago White Sox. In 2017, they became the first franchise in MLB history to have won a pennant in

pos: Culture of Houston have two World Series appearances 2005 and 2017 - the 2017 World Series was the first time the Houston Astros won the World Series - a first for a Major League Baseball team based in Texas. The following professional sports venues are located in Houston. Greater Houston metropolitan area is served by a public television station and one public radio station. KUHT ("HoustonPBS") is a PBS member station and the first public television station in the United States. Houston Public Radio is listener-supported radio with one NPR member station, KUHF ("KUHF News"). The University of Houston System owns and holds

pos: 2018 World Series team since the 1992 Atlanta Braves, to lose consecutive Fall Classics. The Boston Red Sox' most recent World Series appearance was their 2013 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who last won a World Series in 1988 over the Oakland Athletics, made their second consecutive appearance, after losing to the Houston Astros in 2017. The two franchises faced each other in the 1916 World Series; the Red Sox won the series in five games against the then-Brooklyn Robins. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts were teammates on the Dodgers in 2002, 2003,

pos: Houston Astros both the NL and the AL, when they defeated the New York Yankees in the ALCS. They won the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning four games to three, earning the team, and the state of Texas, its first World Series title. From 1888 until 1961, Houston's professional baseball club was the minor league Houston Buffaloes. Although expansion from the National League eventually brought an MLB team to Texas in 1962, Houston officials had been making efforts to do so for years prior. There were four men chiefly responsible for bringing Major League Baseball to Houston: George

pos: 2017 American League Championship Series 2017 American League Championship Series The 2017 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the Houston Astros against the New York Yankees for the American League pennant and the right to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. The Astros defeated the Yankees in 7 games after falling behind 3 games to 2. The home team won every game in the series. This was the first time in history that the ALCS and NLCS teams were from the four most populous U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. For the first time, Major

pos: Brent Strom 46–30 with a 3.65 ERA. Since 1992, Strom has moved around a lot, serving as the pitching coach for the Tucson Toros, Houston Astros, the Kansas City Royals, and back to the Houston Astros. He has also served as the minor league pitching coordinator in the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals organization. He also served as the St. Louis Cardinals minor league pitching instructor. He became the Houston Astros pitching coach before the 2014 season. He served as the pitching coach for the Astros in 2017, when they won the World Series for the first time ever. As of June 2018, Strom

pos: Drayton McLane the National League in winning percentage (.543), but never won a World Series. The Astros, originally the Colt 45's, were founded in 1962. They won their first World Series in 2017 (2017 World Series). Up until 2017, the Astros 2005 season was the most successful season on the field for the Houston franchise. Winning the "National League Pennant" to advance to the World Series, Houston hosted the first World Series game ever played in the State of Texas. However, the Astros, who had rallied from a losing record earlier in the season, were swept by the Chicago White Sox in

pos: Sports in Houston (MLS), Houston Dash (NWSL), and Houston SaberCats (MLR) . Houston does not have an NHL team. The Astros won the 2017 World Series for the first World Series win in franchise history. In 2006, the Dynamo won the MLS Cup in their first year after moving from San Jose, California, and in 2007 became the first MLS franchise since 1997 to repeat a championship. The Rockets won back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. Minute Maid Park (home of the Astros) and Toyota Center (home of the Rockets) are located in Downtown Houston—contributing to an urban renaissance that has transformed

pos: 1988 World Series 2017, where they would lose in seven games against the Houston Astros, who won their very first World Series title. The Dodgers would make another World Series appearance the following year in 2018, but lost to the Boston Red Sox in five games, marking the first time the Dodgers lost back-to-back World Series since 1977 and 1978, where they lost both World Series to the New York Yankees. 1988 World Series The 1988 World Series was the 85th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, and the conclusion of the 1988 Major League Baseball season. It was a best-of-seven playoff

pos: 2018 American League Championship Series teams with 100 wins, though the third since the 2017 World Series. The 211 combined regular season wins for both teams was the second-most of any postseason series ever, just behind the 1998 World Series. It was also the first ALCS to feature two 100-win teams since 1977, when the New York Yankees (100–62) defeated the Kansas City Royals (102–60). Boston and Houston had met once before in the postseason, with the Astros winning the 2017 ALDS, 3–1. Houston was 4–3 in their seven games against Boston during the 2018 regular season. For the 2018 regular season. Three time All-Star

pos: 2018 Houston Astros season 2018 Houston Astros season The 2018 Houston Astros season was the 57th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, their 54th as the Astros, sixth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 19th at Minute Maid Park. The Astros were the defending World Series champions, having won the 2017 World Series four games to three over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Houston began the season March 29 against the Texas Rangers and finished the season on September 30 against the Baltimore Orioles. They repeated as American League West champions and swept the Cleveland Indians

pos: 1982 World Series That has happened three times before, taking the 19th Century contests into account: The Brooklyn Dodgers of 1889 and 1890, the Cardinals, who won the 1886 Series when they were in the American Association, and the Houston Astros, who played in both the 2005 World Series against the Chicago White Sox as a National League team, and the 2017 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers as an American League team. This also makes this one of two World Series in the modern era (1903–present) that it is not possible to have a rematch, the other being the Astros and

pos: Salary cap to defray team's funding obligations from player benefits. Measuring the success of the luxury tax in bringing the benefits of parity has brought mixed results. A team with a $100 million plus payroll has won the World Series 11 times (the 2009 Yankees, the 2004, 2007 and 2013 Red Sox, the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, the 2010, 2012 and 2014 San Francisco Giants, the 2015 Kansas City Royals, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, and the 2017 Houston Astros). However, while $100 million plus payrolls have only existed since 2001, the last team to win the World Series with a payroll less

neg: 1972 World Series franchise since the days of Connie Mack when the team was in Philadelphia and had won in 1930. The victory ensured manager Dick Williams' return for another year. It was the Athletics' sixth World Series title, and the first of three consecutive titles. This was the last time to date that an American League team had won a World Series Game 7 on the road until , when the Houston Astros did so in Los Angeles. 1972 World Series (4–3): Oakland A's (A.L.) over Cincinnati Reds (N.L.) 1972 World Series The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland

neg: 2005 World Series American League Wild Card Game. The last two Series games technically ended on the same day, Game 3 having concluded after midnight, Houston time. The 1–0 shutout was the first game with a total of one run scored to end a World Series since the 1995 World Series, in which Game 6 was won by the Atlanta Braves over the Cleveland Indians, and the first 1–0 game in any Series game since Game 5 of the 1996 World Series when the New York Yankees shut-out the Braves in the last game ever played at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. The 2005 White

neg: 1986 Houston Astros season run on first. It was all up to Bass to drive in a run and tie the game. Orosco threw Bass six straight sliders; when Bass swung and missed the last of them, the epic series was over. Orosco was awarded the victory, marking the first time in postseason history a reliever won three games in a series. It would be a long winter for the Astros, but for the Mets, an even bigger trial awaited them. After taking two days off to recover from the exhausting series against Houston, the Mets began a legendary World Series against the Boston

neg: 1986 World Series Super Bowl XX and the Boston Celtics won the 1986 NBA Finals over the Houston Rockets. This was the last Red Sox loss in a World Series game until Game 2 of the 2013 World Series, when the Red Sox lost 4-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals after 9 consecutive wins in World Series play. Their intervening World Series appearances included their sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals, ending the Curse of the Bambino, their sweep against the Colorado Rockies, and their victory over the Cardinals in six games. The 2013 series marked the first time that the Red Sox

neg: History of the Chicago White Sox a championship series was in the 1956 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees, and the 1928 Yankees were the last team to win four consecutive complete games in a championship series. In fact, the last time any major league pitching staff had hurled four straight complete game victories was near the end of the 1983 regular season, when the Texas Rangers accomplished the feat. The White Sox now advanced to the World Series, where they would take on the National League champion Houston Astros. The White Sox' appearance in the World Series was bittersweet for longtime

neg: 1977 World Series having been denied access to the Yankees' clubhouse during the series, asserting that her 14th Amendment right was violated. Ludtke won her case. The 1977 television movie "Murder at the World Series" centered around a fictionalized version of this year's Fall Classic, in which the Houston Astros were playing the Oakland Athletics. At the time, it had been three years since the A's last appeared in a World Series, and would be eleven years until their next appearance; the Astros did not make the playoffs until 1980, win their first pennant until , or their first championship until . 1977

neg: 2011 Houston Cougars football team another UCLA touchdown. Freshman kicker Kip Smith's kick was blocked by Houston, thus halting the PAT. Houston won the game with a 38–34 score. Houston traveled to Denton, Texas, to face North Texas of the Sun Belt Conference for the thirteenth time in program history. A former conference-mate of Houston in the Lone Star Conference, Gulf Coast Conference, and Missouri Valley Conference, the Mean Green led the all-time series against the Cougars 7–5. However, Houston had won their last three games against North Texas. The game marked the opening of a new home for the Mean Green at Apogee Stadium.

neg: 2017 National League Championship Series to win the NL pennant for the first time in 29 years, their last one in 1988. This was the first time in history that the NLCS and ALCS teams were from the four most populous U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. For the first time, Major League Baseball sold presenting sponsorships to all of its postseason series; this NLCS was sponsored by Camping World and was officially known as the "National League Championship Series presented by Camping World". The Dodgers would go on to lose to the Houston Astros in the World Series in seven games.

neg: 2005 Houston Astros season and the first 1-0 game in any Series game since Game 5 of the 1996 World Series when the New York Yankees shut out the Braves in the last game ever played at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. 2005 World Series (4-0): Chicago White Sox (A.L.) over Houston Astros (N.L.) 2005 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 2005 season was a season in which the Houston Astros qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Astros overcame a sluggish 15–30 start to claim the wild card playoff spot, and would go on to win the National League pennant to advance

neg: Jesse Orosco extra-inning walk-off wins. Orosco pitched the last four innings of the first game and the final inning of the second game, and both times was the pitcher of record when the Mets rallied to win. Orosco's clutch relief pitching in the postseason was one of the key reasons the Mets won the World Series. He was on the mound for the final pitch of the final game of both the NLCS against the Houston Astros, and the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Orosco ended both series by striking out the final batter. Orosco also provided one of the

neg: 1985–86 Houston Rockets season Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 1981 NBA Finals, where the Celtics won in six games. Just like in their previous NBA Finals meeting, the Rockets would lose in six games against the Celtics. (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Sacramento Kings:"Rockets win series 3–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4–1; Kings were in Kansas City, Missouri) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Denver Nuggets: "Rockets win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Rockets and Nuggets. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting:

neg: 1997 National League Division Series at home. In their next 7 appearances, including the wildcard tiebreaker in 1998, they either lost the series on the road or won the World Series until finally losing at home in the 2016 NLDS. As of the 2016 season, this series is the last time the Giants were swept in the postseason. 1997 NLDS (3–0): Florida Marlins over San Francisco Giants The Houston Astros finally made it back to the postseason for the first time since the 1986 National League Championship Series. The Atlanta Braves were hosting their first postseason series at Turner Field. Turner Field in Atlanta Game

neg: Jeff Bagwell played 4,714 games and their entire major league careers together in Houston, Bagwell and Biggio appeared in their first World Series in 2005. Bagwell was the Astros' designated hitter in the first two games against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, and a pinch hitter in the two games played in Houston at Minute Maid Park. His last official major league plate appearance was in the seventh inning of Game 4, when he pinch hit for pitcher Brandon Backe and grounded out. The White Sox won this contest to sweep the Astros and secure the championship. With contributions of

neg: 1954 World Series the Mets did not reach the postseason until after they moved to Shea Stadium. Game 4 was the last World Series and playoff game at Cleveland Stadium; the Indians did not return to the World Series or playoffs until , a year after Jacobs Field opened. The Indians, by winning the American League pennant, kept the Yankees from having a chance to win their sixth straight series. The last time the Yankees had not won the series or pennant beforehand was 1948, when, again, the Indians kept them out (although that year, they won the Series). It was also the

neg: 1996–97 Houston Rockets season with the Houston Rockets, Charles Barkley would get thirty three rebounds, a career high. (3) Houston Rockets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series) (2) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (3) Houston Rockets Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals (Seattle won 4-0) (1) Utah Jazz vs. (3) Houston Rockets Last Playoff Meeting: 1995 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3-2) 1996–97 Houston Rockets season The 1996–97 NBA season was the Rockets' 30th season in the National Basketball Association, and 26th season in Houston. During the offseason, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Charles Barkley from the Phoenix

neg: 1993–94 Houston Rockets season and 1986. Olajuwon was the only player of the 1985–86 Rockets to still be on the 1993–94 team. The Rockets also became the first team from the Midwest Division since the Milwaukee Bucks 23 years ago to win the NBA title. (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers: "Rockets win series 3–1" Last playoff meeting: 1987 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3–1) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Phoenix Suns: "Rockets win series 4–3" Last playoff meeting: This was the first meeting between the Rockets and Suns. (2) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Utah Jazz: "Rockets win series 4–1" Last

neg: 1994–95 Houston Rockets season Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4-3) (1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4-2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4-3) Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich <br> Hakeem Olajuwon | Clyde Drexler | Kenny Smith | Robert Horry | Sam Cassell | Mario Elie | Carl Herrera | Vernon Maxwell | Chucky Brown | Pete Chilcutt | Tracy Murray | Tim Breaux | Žan Tabak | Charles Jones | Adrian Caldwell | Although both centers played well, Olajuwon is generally

neg: Marty Smith series. Though he didn’t win a title in 1976, he again won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross and placed fourth in the 125cc World Championship, the highest finish for an American in the world championships at the time. Smith was runner-up to Bob Hannah in the 1976 125cc national championship. In 1977, Smith recorded his final AMA title, defeating his long-time rival Bob Hannah in the last race of the season to win the 500cc AMA National Motocross Championship. A serious crash at the Houston Supercross in 1978 left Smith with a broken hip. He finished third in

neg: 1980–81 Houston Rockets season of 60 set in 1976, and achieving a free-throw percentage of .958, breaking Barry's record set with the Rockets in 1979. Notes (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 2-1" Last playoff meeting: This the first playoff meeting between the Lakers and the Rockets (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4-3" Last playoff meeting: 1980 Eastern conference first round (Houston won 2-1) (5) Kansas City Kings vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4-1" Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Kings and the Rockets 1980–81 Houston Rockets

neg: 1977 NBA Playoffs series 2–1" Last playoff meeting: 1976 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Cleveland won 4-3) (4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) San Antonio Spurs: "Celtics win series 2–0" Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Celtics and the Spurs. (1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (4) Boston Celtics: "76ers win series 4–3" Last playoff meeting: 1969 Eastern Division Semifinals (Boston won 4-1) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Washington Bullets: "Rockets win series 4–2" Last playoff meeting: This is the first meeting between the Rockets and the Bullets. (1) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Houston Rockets: "76ers win series 4–2" Last playoff meeting: This is

neg: Russ Springer Russ Springer Russell Paul Springer (born November 7, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds. He was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks when they won the 2001 World Series, and was a member of the Houston Astros when they went to the World Series in 2005. Springer attended Louisiana State University. Springer was drafted by the New York Yankees

neg: 1980 Philadelphia Phillies season ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts" "Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts" October 7: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia October 8: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia October 10: Astrodome, Houston, Texas October 11: Astrodome, Houston, Texas October 12: Astrodome, Houston, Texas When the modern-day World Series began in 1903, the National and American Leagues each had eight teams. With their victory in the 1980 World Series, the Phillies became the last of the "Original Sixteen" franchises to win

neg: 1986 World Series the 1986 World Series as the greatest World Series of all time. The New York Mets finished the regular season with a franchise-best record of 108–54, winning the National League East division by games over the division rival Philadelphia Phillies. They then won a tightly contested 1986 National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, 4 games to 2, clinching the series with a 7-6, 16-inning win in Game 6. On July 19, Mets' infielder Tim Teufel and pitchers Rick Aguilera, Bobby Ojeda, and Ron Darling were arrested after fighting with policemen outside a bar in Houston. Just three days

neg: 1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season lose games to receive the number one pick. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 3–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 Western Conference Finals (Los Angeles won 4–2) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4–1) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 2–1) "Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS =

neg: 1993–94 Utah Jazz season Houston Rockets. Following the season, Tyrone Corbin was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. (4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Utah Jazz: "Jazz win series 3-1" Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Spurs and Jazz. (5) Utah Jazz vs. (8) Denver Nuggets: "Jazz win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference Semifinals (Denver won 4-1) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Utah Jazz: "Rockets win series 4-1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3-2) 1993–94 Utah Jazz season The 1993–94 NBA season was the Jazz's 20th season in the National Basketball Association, and

neg: 1990–91 Los Angeles Lakers season return to the Lakers midway through the 1995–96 NBA season. After losing to the Houston Rockets in that year's playoffs, Magic retired again for good. (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Lakers win series 3–0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1990 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3–1) (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Golden State Warriors: "Lakers win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1987 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4–1) (1) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (3) Los Angeles Lakers: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3–0) "Sunday, June

neg: Jazz–Rockets rivalry that upset first-seeded Seattle in the first round) when a 3–0 series lead for the Jazz evaporated into a 3–3 series tie. The Jazz advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years to face Houston. The Rockets won the first two games in Houston, then the teams split two games in the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, the Jazz won the first of the two. Game 5 was held in Houston on May 31, 1994. The Rockets hit eight three-pointers in the first three quarters to build a 24-point lead, but the Jazz came

neg: 1992–93 Houston Rockets season their record with Seattle, and losing home court advantage due to their match-up tie-breaker against the Sonics, and ended up losing the decisive Game 7 in overtime at Seattle. Following the season, Sleepy Floyd signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs. (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Los Angeles Clippers: "Rockets win series 3-2" Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics: "Sonics win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference First Round (Seattle won 3-0) 1992–93 Houston Rockets season The 1992–93 NBA season was the Rockets' 26th season in

neg: 1980 National League Championship Series 1980 National League Championship Series The 1980 National League Championship Series was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros from October 7 to 12. Philadelphia won the series three games to two to advance to the World Series, eventually defeating the Kansas City Royals for their first World Championship. The 1980 NLCS is widely regarded as one of the most exciting postseason series in baseball history. The last four games went into extra innings; Game 1, the only one that went 9 innings, ended in a 3–1 Philadelphia victory. Ramón Avilés, Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Warren Brusstar, Marty

neg: 1996–97 Utah Jazz season Angeles Clippers Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3–2) (1) Utah Jazz vs. (4) Los Angeles Lakers Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4-3) (1) Utah Jazz vs. (3) Houston Rockets Last Playoff Meeting: 1995 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3-2) In the finals, the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls losing the first two games on the road. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the Delta Center continued their home court advantage by taking Game 3, and Game 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead

neg: 2018 American League Championship Series for Houston, their World Series reign was over. Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr., who had nine RBIs in the series on three hits (a double and two home runs), was named ALCS MVP. 2018 ALCS (4–1): Boston Red Sox beat Houston Astros. 2018 American League Championship Series The 2018 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven series pitting the Houston Astros against the Boston Red Sox, for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2018 World Series. The series was played in a 2-3-2 format, with the first two and last two (if necessary) games played

neg: 1980 National League Championship Series Maddox, and the Phillies had won their first pennant since 1950, while the Astros had to wait 25 years before they would make a World Series appearance. Philadelphia went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals four games to two in the World Series. 1980 NLCS (3–2): Philadelphia Phillies over Houston Astros 1980 National League Championship Series The 1980 National League Championship Series was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros from October 7 to 12. Philadelphia won the series three games to two to advance to the World Series, eventually defeating the Kansas City Royals for their

neg: Scott Servais opted to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and played college baseball for the Creighton Bluejays. After his junior season, Servais was taken in the third round of the 1988 amateur draft by the Houston Astros. Servais was a member of the United States national baseball team while the team competed in the last Amateur World Series before it was renamed the Baseball World Cup in 1986. Following the Amateur World Series, he played in the 1987 Pan American Games, where they won the silver medal and the 1987 Intercontinental Cup. Servais was also the back-up catcher for Doug Robbins

neg: Johnny Chan Johnny Chan Johnny Chan (; born in Guangzhou, China in 1957) is a Chinese-American professional poker player. He has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets, including the 1987 and 1988 World Series of Poker main events consecutively. Chan moved with his family in 1962 from Guangzhou to Hong Kong, then in 1968 to Phoenix, Arizona, and later in 1973 to Houston, Texas, where his family owned restaurants. When he was 21, Chan dropped out of the University of Houston, where he was majoring in hotel and restaurant management, and moved to Las Vegas to become a professional gambler. Chan

neg: 1948 World Series the only World Series from to not to feature a New York team, and also the last World Series until not won by a New York team (which the Braves won over the Yankees, after they had relocated to Milwaukee). The teams would meet again in the 1995 World Series won by the Braves—by then relocated to Atlanta. This was the first World Series and the last until 2016 where the series score was even. Braves pitcher Johnny Sain and Indians pitcher Bob Feller were engaged in a scoreless pitchers' duel when the Braves came to bat in the bottom

neg: 2005 Houston Astros season Uribe. It was a bang-bang play as Paul Konerko caught the ball from Uribe at 11:01 p.m. CDT to begin the biggest celebration in Chicago since the sixth NBA championship by the Bulls in 1998, and end the second-longest period without a World Series title (the cross-town Chicago Cubs owned the longest such streak at the time, as they had not won since 1908, until winning in 2016). The 1-0 shutout was the first 1-run game to end a World Series since the 1995 World Series, in which Game 6 was won by the Atlanta Braves over the Cleveland Indians,

neg: 2006 Grand Prix of Houston 2006 Grand Prix of Houston The 2006 Grand Prix of Houston was the second round of the 2006 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season, held on May 13, 2006 on the streets around Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. It was the first event in Houston since a race on a downtown circuit in 2001. Mario Domínguez won the pole, his first and only of his career, but Sébastien Bourdais came from fifth on the grid to win his second consecutive race of the season. The first round qualifying time for Sébastien Bourdais was disallowed after

neg: Nellie Fox scored the only run when Sherm Lollar hit into a double play in the fourth inning (this was only the second time that a World Series game did not have an RBI). It was Fox's only postseason experience, and the White Sox did not make it back to the World Series until they swept the 2005 World Series from the Houston Astros. Fox played his final two seasons (1964–65) with the Houston Colt .45s and Astros. Joe Morgan later said that he looked up to Fox's example as a rookie with the Astros; Fox and Morgan were both diminutive second

neg: 2006 Grand Prix of Houston his car failed technical inspection. 2006 Grand Prix of Houston The 2006 Grand Prix of Houston was the second round of the 2006 Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford season, held on May 13, 2006 on the streets around Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. It was the first event in Houston since a race on a downtown circuit in 2001. Mario Domínguez won the pole, his first and only of his career, but Sébastien Bourdais came from fifth on the grid to win his second consecutive race of the season. The first round qualifying time for

neg: 1980 Houston Astros season the Phillies had won their first pennant since 1950. They went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals four games to two in the World Series. 1980 Houston Astros season The 1980 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in a tie for first place in the National League West with a record of 92-70 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The teams played a one-game playoff to determine the division champion, which the Astros won, marking the first time in franchise history that the team qualified for the postseason. They went on to face the

neg: Rocky Colavito back was as bad as the one that sent him away. When the Indians finally won their first pennant in 41 years in , Pluto wrote a sequel, "Burying the Curse". The Indians also won the pennant in , but lost the World Series both times, the second time after needing just two more outs in Game 7 to win. Insisting that the curse was still in effect, Pluto wrote "Our Tribe", a history of the team, in 1999. The Indians' next American League Pennant came 19 years later, in 2016. Their last World Series title was in 1948, when

neg: 2004 World Series Boston-area teams, following the Patriots wins in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. With the Patriots having won Super Bowl XXXVIII the previous February, the Red Sox winning the World Series marked the first time since 1979 that the same city had a Super Bowl and World Series winner in the same year – the last city to accomplish the feat had been Pittsburgh, when the Steelers and Pirates had won Super Bowl XIII and the World Series respectively. The city would go on to record a decade of sports success from 2001 to 2011 with seven championships in the four

neg: 2015 Kansas City Royals season Strikeouts" 2015 Kansas City Royals season The 2015 Kansas City Royals season was the 47th for the franchise, and their 43rd at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals made their second consecutive World Series appearance in 2015, after winning the American League in 2014. They won the series for the first time since 1985. The team won their first AL Central title on September 24, 2015, the first time the Royals won their division since 1985. They opened the playoffs by defeating the Houston Astros in five games in the Division Series and then defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in six games

neg: 2015 Kansas City Royals season 2015 Kansas City Royals season The 2015 Kansas City Royals season was the 47th for the franchise, and their 43rd at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals made their second consecutive World Series appearance in 2015, after winning the American League in 2014. They won the series for the first time since 1985. The team won their first AL Central title on September 24, 2015, the first time the Royals won their division since 1985. They opened the playoffs by defeating the Houston Astros in five games in the Division Series and then defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in six games in

neg: Houston Ballet Academy of Dance. Upon his return, he invited two Chinese students, Li Cunxin and Zhang Weiqiang, for summer classes at Houston Ballet Academy. Li’s strong technique won him an extended stay, but his sudden marriage to a fellow Academy student and his refusal to return to China when his visa expired briefly causing an international incident. When the issue was resolved in Li’s favor, he was permitted to join Houston Ballet and quickly rose to become the company’s most popular Principal male dancer of his time. The incident is recounted both in Li’s 2003 autobiography, "Mao’s Last Dancer", and feature

neg: 2005 World Series Angeles Dodgers in seven games, resulting in Houston's first professional sports championship since the 2006–07 Houston Dynamo won their back-to-back MLS Championships. 2005 World Series The 2005 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2005 season. The 101st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Chicago White Sox and the National League (NL) champion Houston Astros; the White Sox swept the Astros in four games, winning their third World Series championship and their first in 88 seasons. Although the series was a sweep, all four games were

neg: Houston Cougars baseball season, the team had already been through three. Houston's fourth head baseball coach, Lovette Hill broke this trend when taking over for the 1950 season. A year after Hill became coach, the Houston Cougars appeared in their first NCAA Regional. The 1953 season was one of the team's most historic and winningest years as they made their first College World Series appearance. Continuing with Lovette Hill, the Cougars appeared in several more NCAA Regionals throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Appearing in the 1967 College World Series against the Arizona State Sun Devils, the Cougars won runner-up and finished with a

neg: Egon Müller also a four-time winner of the Continental Final which was the last World Final qualifying round for European-based riders. Müller won the Continental Final in 1976, 1981, 1984 and 1985. As of the 2015 Speedway Grand Prix series, Egon Müller is the only German rider to have won the Speedway World Championship when he took out the title with a 15-point maximum at the Motodrom Halbemond in Norden in 1983 from Australian Billy Sanders and 1980 champion Michael Lee. At a time when the Speedway World Championship Final was a single meeting that could throw up a surprise winner on

neg: Tim Teufel arrested after a bar fight with off-duty police officers in Houston, Texas. Tim was sentenced to a year of probation and fined $200 for his part and none of the four missed any playing time, though this incident did help fuel some rivalry between the Mets and their impending 1986 National League Championship Series competitors, the Houston Astros. Teufel managed just one hit and no RBI against the Astros in the Championship Series won by the Mets in six games. In game one of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Mets suffered a fate eerily similar

neg: History of the Houston Rockets built a 3-1 lead over the Rockets, before the Rockets won the last three games in the series to return to the Conference Finals for the first time in 18 years, this time against the Golden State Warriors. With their win over the Clippers, the Rockets became just the ninth team in NBA history to win a playoff series in which they faced a 3-1 deficit. In the Conference Finals, the Warriors won the first three games before Harden scored 45 points to win Game 4 at the Toyota Center. The Warriors then finished the series in Game 5, winning

neg: Matt Graham (poker player) tournament winnings exceed $1,700,000. Matt Graham (poker player) Matthew Graham (born in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American professional poker player from Houston, Texas, who is a two time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, He won his first bracelet at the 2008 World Series of Poker in the $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout event. During the next year at the 2009 World Series of Poker, he won his second bracelet in the $10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha event. Graham in a member of Team UB as a sponsored professional poker player at the online cardroom Ultimate Bet. As of

neg: Matt Graham (poker player) Matt Graham (poker player) Matthew Graham (born in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American professional poker player from Houston, Texas, who is a two time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, He won his first bracelet at the 2008 World Series of Poker in the $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout event. During the next year at the 2009 World Series of Poker, he won his second bracelet in the $10,000 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha event. Graham in a member of Team UB as a sponsored professional poker player at the online cardroom Ultimate Bet. As of 2010, his total live

neg: Willie Mays Game 1. Considered the iconic image of Mays' playing career and one of baseball's most memorable fielding plays, the catch prevented two Indian runners from scoring, preserving a tie game. The Giants won the game in the 10th inning on a three-run home run by Dusty Rhodes, with Mays scoring the winning run. The 1954 World Series was the team's last championship while based in New York. The next time the franchise won was 56 years later when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in 2010. Mays went on to perform at a high level each of the

neg: Nicknames of Houston be "Choke City". It was revived in 2005, as the Houston Astros had a late-season rally to win the pennant and clinch their first-ever World Series appearance, and again in 2006, when the Houston Dynamo won the MLS Cup in their inaugural season. The Rockets' mascot, "Clutch the Bear", was named the 5th-most recognizable mascot in sports by "USA Today" in February 2005, and was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006. Crush City is a nickname that derived from the 2015 Houston Astros season. "Crush" is a reference to the high amount of home runs delivered by

neg: 1992–93 Seattle SuperSonics season series. Following the season, Derrick McKey was traded to the Indiana Pacers, and Eddie Johnson and Dana Barros were both dealt to the Charlotte Hornets, who then sent Barros to the Philadelphia 76ers two days later. (3) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (6) Utah Jazz: "Sonics win series 3-2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference Semifinals (Utah won 4-1) (2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics: "Sonics win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference First Round (Seattle won 3-0) (1) Phoenix Suns vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics: "Suns win series 4-3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1979 Western Conference Finals (Seattle won 4-3)

neg: 2012 Marshall Thundering Herd football team 59-14. Marshall is 6-1 all time against UAB. Marshall and Houston last met in 2011 at Houston in a game won by Houston 63-28. Marshall is 2-2 all time against Houston Marshall and East Carolina last met in 2011 at Huntington in a game won by Marshall 34–27 in overtime. Marshall is 4–9 all time against ECU. This year's game will be on a Friday. 2012 Marshall Thundering Herd football team The 2012 Marshall Thundering Herd football team represented Marshall University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Doc Holliday and

neg: 1987 World Series games played in an indoor stadium (the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome) and, to date, the last World Series game to start earlier than prime time in the eastern United States (Game 6 would start at 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT), and it was the first World Series in which all games were won by the home team. (Four previous series had the home team winning the first six games, including the 1965 World Series, when the Twins dropped Game 7 to the Dodgers.) The bottom half of the ninth inning was never played in any game of this Series, and

neg: 2002 NBA Finals nearby Anaheim Angels would later claim their first World Series championship four months later. It marked the second occurrence that a city/metropolitan area won both NBA and Major League Baseball championships in the same calendar year. The last time this occurred was in 1988, when the Lakers won that year's NBA Finals in June; the Dodgers followed suit with a World Series victory four months later. In relation to sports of smaller leagues, the Los Angeles Sparks won the WNBA Finals two months after the Lakers' 2002 Finals victory; the Los Angeles Galaxy won the MLS Cup exactly one week

neg: 2013 Marshall Thundering Herd football team two teams faced each other was in 2011 in the Beef 'O'Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg (Fla.) at Tropicana Field, a 20–10 Thundering Herd win. This will be the fifteenth time these two teams have faced each other. East Carolina leads the overall win-loss record 10–4. The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2012. This will be the fifth time these two teams have faced each other. Marshall lead the overall series 3–1. The last time these two teams faced each other was in 2012 at Houston. Marshall won that game 54–51 in double overtime. This will

neg: 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team conference championship. 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team The 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team represented the University of Houston during the 1953 NCAA baseball season. The team won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship, and advanced to participate in the College World Series. It was Houston's first appearance in the College World Series. The team was coached by fourth-year head coach Lovette Hill, and played its home games at Cougar Field. Showing a sluggish start to the season, Houston lost six out of their first seven games, but then went on a seven-game winning streak that eventually propelled the team

neg: 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team The 1953 Houston Cougars baseball team represented the University of Houston during the 1953 NCAA baseball season. The team won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship, and advanced to participate in the College World Series. It was Houston's first appearance in the College World Series. The team was coached by fourth-year head coach Lovette Hill, and played its home games at Cougar Field. Showing a sluggish start to the season, Houston lost six out of their first seven games, but then went on a seven-game winning streak that eventually propelled the team to a

neg: Ed Reulbach second one-hitter in Series history, only to be surpassed by Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. His best year was 1908, when he won 24 games for the National League and World Series champion Cubs, their last Series championship until they won it again in 2016. He pitched two shutouts in one day against the Brooklyn Dodgers on September 26, 1908. No other pitcher has ever accomplished this feat in the major leagues. In a 1976 "Esquire" magazine article, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter", consisting of five ethnic baseball

neg: 1994–95 Houston Rockets season they faced the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Both teams lacked home court advantage in the series, only winning on the road until the Rockets won Game 6 at The Summit and advanced to the NBA Finals. In the Finals, they swept the Orlando Magic in four straight games, and won their second consecutive championship. Following the season, Vernon Maxwell signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Tracy Murray left in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft. (3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Houston Rockets: "Rockets win series 3-2 Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4-1) (2)

neg: Super Bowl XLVII The last time a metropolitan area won the World Series and Super Bowl in the same season was when the Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series followed by the Patriots winning Super Bowl XXXIX (and the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII earlier in 2004). As the 49ers – who were attempting to join the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers as the only teams to win a Super Bowl in three different decades – were the designated home team in the annual rotation between AFC and NFC teams, San Francisco elected to wear their red jerseys, which

neg: 1991 World Series winning run was scored). The 1991 World Series was the second in five seasons in which the home team won all seven games in the Series. The other time this happened was in 1987, which was also won by the Twins who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals. Game 7 of this series was the last World Series game played at the Metrodome before the Twins moved out at the end of the 2009 season, and would be the last postseason baseball game played at the venue until 2002. The pattern of the home team winning each game did not occur

neg: 1912 World Series be decided in the last inning of the final game. It was also the first Series where a team within one inning of losing came back to win. The next time a team that close to elimination recovered to win was the 1985 World Series, when the Kansas City Royals rallied in the bottom of the ninth to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6, then won Game 7 and the championship. Other World Series that have ended with a Game 7 (or in this case Game 8, due to the tie) going to extra innings include the Series

neg: 1980–81 Boston Celtics season Points; AVG = Average" The Celtics have a first-round bye. Boston defeats the Chicago Bulls four games to none (4-0) in a best of seven series. (1) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Chicago Bulls: "Celtics win series 4–0" Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff series) Boston defeats the Philadelphia 76ers four games to three (4-3) in a best of seven series after making a comeback when they were losing 3-1. (1) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Philadelphia 76ers: "Celtics win series 4–3" Last Playoff Meeting: 1980 Eastern Conference Finals (Philadelphia won 4-1) (E1) Boston Celtics vs. (W6) Houston Rockets: "Celtics win

neg: David Price (baseball) Game 2 of the Championship Series against the Houston Astros, which the Red Sox won, 7–5, with Price allowing four runs, five hits, and four walks in innings; he received a no decision as he did not complete the fifth inning. When Chris Sale became unavailable to start Game 5 of that series for health reasons, Price was called on to start again on only three days' rest, and earned the win, holding Houston scoreless through six innings while allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Winning 4–1, the Red Sox clinched their first trip to the World Series

neg: 2004 World Series hit in 39 at bats in the series. It also marked the last time that Busch Memorial Stadium would host a World Series. The Cardinals moved to the new Busch Stadium in their championship season of , which was their first since . Both the Red Sox and Cardinals made the playoffs the following season. The Red Sox lost to the eventual champions the Chicago White Sox, in the American League Division Series. The Cardinals, in a repeat meeting of the previous season's National League Championship Series, lost to the Houston Astros. However, the city of Boston would see more

neg: 1987 National League Championship Series enough, this was the second consecutive year that the NLCS MVP came from the losing team, as Mike Scott had won the award with the Houston Astros the previous year. However, to date, Leonard is the last MVP of any postseason series (League Championship Series or World Series) to have played for the losing team. There is no MVP awarded for the wildcard round or division series. Tuesday, October 6, 1987, at Busch Stadium (II) in St. Louis, Missouri The Giants struck first on an RBI groundout by Candy Maldonado, but the Cardinals tied it in the third on Vince

neg: 2004 National League Championship Series 2004 National League Championship Series The 2004 National League Championship Series (NLCS) was a Major League Baseball playoff series played from October 13 to 21 to determine the champion of the National League, between the Central Division champion St. Louis Cardinals and the wild-card qualifying Houston Astros. This marked the first time in either Major League that two teams from the Central Division met in a Championship Series. In a series in which all seven games were won by the home team, the Cardinals won 4–3 to advance to the World Series against the American League champion Boston Red Sox.

neg: Bettina Bunge series of injuries throughout her career (injuries of ear and knee, among others). Bunge was a professional player from 1978 to 1989, appearing for the first time at number 150 in July 1978. Her highest ranking was achieved in 1983 when she reached number 6. In 1982, she registered her all-time best achievement in Grand Slam singles competition when she reached the semifinals of Wimbledon. She won four singles tournaments, including the tournaments at the German Open, Houston, and Tokyo in 1982, and Oakland in 1983. She was finalist in Sydney in 1979, Stockholm in 1980, Houston, Tampa, Cincinnati (indoor)

neg: Mike Lamb game for the Yankees, the Houston Astros acquired Lamb from the Yankees for minor leaguer Juan DeLeon on March 25, 2004. In , he saw more playing time due to regular first baseman Jeff Bagwell's injury. In 2005, he batted .233 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI, with 1 stolen base. He participated in the 2005 World Series where he hit the first World Series home run in Astros history, becoming only the second player whose last name is a type of animal to homer in the World Series (the first was Tim Salmon in 2002). On December 14,

neg: 2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season 2004 NBA All-Star Game, which was hosted in Los Angeles; O'Neal was named the game's MVP. The team's season roster is featured in NBA 2K18. (2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Houston Rockets: "Lakers win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-1) (2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) San Antonio Spurs: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference Semifinals (San Antonio won 4-2) (1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers: "Lakers win series 4–2" Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 4-2) The Finals were

neg: 2005 World Series Radio was the nationwide radio broadcaster, as it had been since 1998. Jon Miller and Joe Morgan provided the play-by-play and analysis. Locally, KTRH-AM and WMVP were the primary carriers for the World Series in the Houston and Chicago markets. For KTRH long time Astros voice Milo Hamilton provided play-by-play while John Rooney called the games for the White Sox. Game 4 was Rooney's last call after seventeen years as the radio voice of the White Sox, as he left to take the same position with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals proceeded to win the 2006 World Series, making

neg: 2017 World Series first team from Texas to do so. It was the first time since 2001-2002 when two consecutive World Series went to seven games. Both teams set a World Series record with a combined total of 25 home runs throughout the entire series, including a team record 15 home runs by the Astros, and hit a combined total of eight home runs in Game 2 to set the single game World Series mark. Houston outfielder George Springer was named as the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) after hitting five home runs in the series to tie a World Series record

neg: Piotr Żyła the Continental Cup at St. Moritz. The first points in this series were won on January 14, 2005 in Sapporo, when he was 19th. At the World Junior Championships he was 14th, while the team won the silver medal. On January 21 in Sapporo, he got a chance to debut in the World Cup. In his first start, he scored points (19th place). A day later, again, the last time in the season, he was in the top 30. On February 4 he won the Continental Cup in Villach. In the 2006/2007 season he scored points in the World Cup

neg: Mark Lemke World Series with the Braves in 1995, and he led all Braves players with a .417 batting average in the 1991 World Series. He also was the last out in the 1996 World Series, when the New York Yankees won their first World Series in 18 years. Lemke is also known to many fans as one of the best utility infielders to ever wear Rec-Specs in Major League Baseball History. Lemke is the all-time record holder for most career plate appearances without being hit by a pitch (3664). The sharp fielding Lemke left the Braves after the season. On March

neg: 1998–99 Portland Trail Blazers season were traded to the Houston Rockets. The Blazers owned no picks in the 1998 NBA draft. (2) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns: "Blazers win series 3-0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1995 Western Conference First Round (Phoenix won 3-0) (2) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (3) Utah Jazz: "Blazers win series 4-2" Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3-2) (1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Portland Trail Blazers: "Spurs win series 4-0" Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Western Conference First Round (San Antonio won 3-1) 1998–99 Portland Trail Blazers season The 1998–99 NBA season was the 29th season

neg: Shriners College Classic #14 Arizona State Sun Devils, #21 Baylor Bears, and #33 Houston Cougars. The Texas Longhorns and Rice Owls participated in the Classic when they won the College World Series championship in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have appeared in the Houston College Classic seven times: in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012. For the 2018 classic, three SEC teams, Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt will be matched against three local universities: Houston, Sam Houston State and Louisiana. The three SEC teams will play each of the three local teams once. Shriners College Classic The

neg: Ernie Manouse of Houston 8, a weekly current events discussion series. He also hosted the 2009 HoustonPBS Spelling Bee, the largest regional qualifying spelling bee for the national Scripps Spelling Bee. After seven nominations for the Lone Star (Texas) regional chapter of the Emmy Awards, Manouse won three Emmys in 2009. He won for Best Information Series and Best On-Air Talent. He also won an Emmy for his work on the Houston Spelling Bee in the category of Best Event Coverage. He has won an additional two awards over the last few years, bringing his Emmy total to five. Manouse is also

neg: Ned Yost his interim replacement and served until the end of the season, leading the Brewers to clinch the wild card spot on the last day of the season for their first trip to the postseason since 1982 when they made it to the World Series. They were eliminated by the Phillies, the eventual World Series champions, in the 2008 National League Division Series, 3 games to 1. Following the 2009 season, Yost was a candidate to be the next manager of the Houston Astros, however the position was filled by Brad Mills. On May 13, 2010, Yost was named manager of

neg: 1986 Houston Astros season Red Sox, a series in which they would pull off one of the greatest comebacks of all time. The Mets had won the series with a .189 batting average, the lowest average ever recorded by a winning team in a postseason series. Their pitching had been the key. All-Star Game 1986 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros' 1986 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West, which they did for their third time in seven seasons. Scott was the first pitcher in the National League and the second overall

neg: 1989–90 Los Angeles Lakers season a controversial voting over Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers. Johnson received fewer first-place votes (27 of the 92 cast) than Barkley (38), but totaled 636 points in the ballot compared to Barkley's 614. Three members of the team, Johnson, James Worthy and A.C. Green were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Houston Rockets: "Lakers win series 3–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4–1) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns: "Suns win series 4–1" Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference Finals (Los Angeles won 4–0) 1989–90

neg: 2006 World Series by St. Louis and an eight-game winning streak by the Astros (highlighted by a four-game sweep of the Cardinals in Houston) caused the Cardinals' lead to shrink to -game with only a few games left. However, the Cardinals held on to clinch the division after an Astros' loss to the Atlanta Braves on the last day of the season. Thus, both the Tigers and Cardinals were clear underdogs in their matches, against the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres, respectively. The Tigers' pitching took care of the vaunted Yankees lineup, and won their series 3–1. The Cardinals also won

neg: 1970 Houston Women's Invitation an iconic photograph of the eight women holding dollar bills. With Gladys's daughter Julie Heldman as a late entrant, they were known as the "Houston 9." The Houston Women's invitation received sponsorship from Virginia Slims (Philip Morris), making the total prize purse $7,500 and took place at the same time as the Pacific Southwest Championships. The tournament was won by Rosie Casals when she beat Judy Dalton of Australia in the final. Until the Houston event, all women's tournaments were held alongside men's tennis events. These events were part of the Grand Prix series for women, but unlike the men's

neg: 1954 New York Giants (MLB) season only highlight for the Indians was that they kept the Yankees from winning their sixth straight series. The last time the Yankees had not won the series or pennant beforehand was 1948, when, again, the Indians kept them out (although that year, they won the Series). It was also the only World Series from to which did not feature the Yankees. September 29, 1954, at the Polo Grounds in New York City September 30, 1954, at the Polo Grounds in New York City October 1, 1954, at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio October 2, 1954, at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland,

neg: Roger Clemens and strikeouts. Prior to the 1999 season, Clemens was traded to the New York Yankees where he won his two World Series titles. In 2003, he reached his 300th win and 4,000th strikeout in the same game. Clemens left for the Houston Astros in 2004, where he spent three seasons and won his seventh Cy Young Award. He rejoined the Yankees in 2007 for one last season before retiring. He is the only pitcher in major league history to record over 350 wins and strikeout over 4,500 batters. Clemens was alleged by the Mitchell Report to have used anabolic steroids