JIM CRANE

Dusty Baker, owner Jim Crane and General Manger James Click spoke about some different wide-ranging Astros topics on Friday during their end-of-the-season press conference.

Dusty Baker will return as manager of the Houston Astros for a third season after agreeing to a one-year contract with the AL champions.

With season over, has Carlos Correa played his final game in Houston?

Atlanta’s 7-0 win over Houston in Game 6 to win the World Series could mark the end of an era for the Astros.

Atlanta’s 7-0 victory over Houston in Game 6 to win the World Series could mark the end of an era for the Astros.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker will make his second trip to the World Series as a manager and first since leading the San Francisco Giants to the NL pennant in 2002.

Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are the dynamic duo leading the Houston Astros in another long playoff run.

Carlos Correa is preparing for what could be his final run with the Houston Astros.

Carlos Correa is preparing for what could be his final run with the Houston Astros.

Mayor Sylvester Turner hosted the Houston Astros for a post-season rally on Tuesday to celebrate the AL West Division champions.

The competition for Carlos Correa this coming offseason should be fierce, but navigable.

It's been a largely successful decade of ownership for Jim Crane and the Astros, but it hasn't been without some warts.

A Georgia woman pleaded guilty today to preparing false tax returns for clients. According to court documents, between 2012 and 2017, Candace Roberts worked as a return preparer and manager at Rogers Tax Service, a tax preparation business located in Albany, Georgia. Over a five year period, Roberts inflated her clients’ tax refunds by fraudulently claiming American Opportunity Credits, education credits, and business income. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement. Trial Attorneys William Montague and Brian Flanagan of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Crane of the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.

Tad Brown's departing the Rockets leaves Houston with complete turnover in management roles in the last two years.

Despite a tough 2020, many billionaires, pushed to the limit to remain on Forbes’ prestigious list.

Rookie Casey Mize tossed seven scoreless innings for his first career win and fellow rookie Akil Baddoo homered again as the Detroit Tigers got a 6-2 win over the Houston Astros on Monday night in manager A.

Detroit Tigers manager A.

Detroit Tigers manager A.

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Lance McCullers' inking a five-year contract extension on Wednesday finally gave us a bit of good news, and made us feel a little better about our city. Now, let's hope that, since McCullers' deal is done....Hopefully, Carlos Correa is nextReportedly, the two sides are talking. Also, like McCullers, Correa has expressed a sincere desire to remain an Astros for his career. Also, like McCullers, Correa has spent large chunks of his career, thus far, on the injured list with various maladies.

The Astros announced they will allow limited fans January 29-31 as they host the annual Winter Invitational. The tournament features six NCAA Division II schools including Central Missouri, the alma mater of Astros owner Jim Crane. The Astros press release indicated fans will need to adhere to guidelines, stating:“Per State and Local health authorities and ballpark and event regulations, all fans, staff and vendors must wear masks at all times while on property, except when actively eating and drinking in their seats. All fans will be subject to a health screening that may include temperature checks upon arrival.”The last time fans were allowed in the stands at Minute Maid Park was during the 2020 College Classic, held Feb 28-March 1, 2020. So far, MLB hasn’t announced if fans can attend Spring Training or given details on the 2021 season, but this could possibly be an indication that limited fans will be allowed at Minute Maid Park.

In the case of the Astros, the widely reported sign stealing scandal revealed a culture of winning run amok under the guiding hand of former GM Jeff Luhnow. ESPN reported this week that the Rockets team structure could be summed up by the words of a former member of the Rockets staff: "Whatever James wants." James Harden has wielded unimaginable power with the Rockets. Given his low energy, uninformative press conference he gave on Wednesday, Harden appears to be more than willing. And let's hope the owners learn something about who to trust with that power in the future.

Former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the team, seeking more than $22 million in salary owed under his deal when he was fired in January. Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were suspended for the season last Jan. 13 by Manfred and fired by the Astros later that day. The team was fined $5 million and stripped of its first- and second-round draft picks in both 2020 and 2021. The contract called for disputes to go to an arbitration with Manfred or his designee, but Luhnow asked that to be set aside because of Manfred’s involvement. The lawyers say Hinch later told Manfred he failed to disclose to Luhnow the use of electronic equipment.

HOUSTON – Ex-Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow has sued his former employer, claiming he was the scapegoat in the sign-stealing investigation. The Astros fired Luhnow even though he had no knowledge of—or involvement in—the sign-stealing schemes. Yet everyone above and below Luhnow in the Astros' organization came away unscathed (with the lone exception of Manager A.J. Luhnow told KPRC 2 that most of those who were involved with the scandal are still with the Astros. “These thousands of messages documented the Astros' sign-stealing schemes in real-time and detail how coaches, video room staffers, and other employees openly discussed their sign-stealing activities.

In addition to losing multiple draft picks and getting hit with a multimillion dollar fine, MLB decided to suspend Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for one year. Luhnow didn't really do that. ‘Luhnow’s the mastermind,’ ‘Luhnow was behind this,’ ‘this is Luhnow’s culture.’ It’s not. Man, for a really good baseball team, the Astros have been a mess P.R.-wise the last few years.

HOUSTON The Houston Astros and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott teamed up to announce the opening of a new free testing site at Minute Maid Park. Thanks to the help of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the testing site will be able to provide up to 2,000 tests per day. The State of Texas continues to work diligently to increase access to testing in communities that need it most, Abbott said. We are happy to continue to assist our community as we collectively fight this pandemic.The testing site will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

HOUSTON The Houston Astros spent the offseason reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. The change didnt stop the Astros from being the villains of baseball this spring. The Astros are preparing for the possibility of being without designated hitter Yordan Alvarez for the start of the season and potentially longer. The Astros are counting on McCullers to have a big season in his return after missing last season following Tommy John surgery. Tucker, who can play outfield and first base, has appeared in just 50 MLB games over the past two seasons.

HOUSTON The first round of spring training was dominated by fallout from the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scam. New manager Dusty Baker, a respected MLB veteran, helped the team navigate reaction to the scandal during the first spring training, which was stopped on March 12 because of the virus. None of us have been through this before in spring training, the emotions that were out there." Several Houston players were dinged in spring training games before the pause. Some opponents had called for retaliation against the Astros, irritated that no Houston players were disciplined for their roles in the scandal.

As baseball scrambles to start an abbreviated season, the prevailing mood is one of nervous excitement. All of these issues could become moot if there's a major outbreak of the virus within baseball. "Ive seen the reports in Houston how COVIDs going up so Im going to have to really be careful. It will be unusual following new safety protocols that are at times incompatible with human nature on the baseball field. Theyre very focused on that and the staff thats going to be associated with the games once we fire up, Crane said.

HOUSTON Minor league players in the Astros farm system will be paid at least through August 31, officials said Friday. With the uncertainty that our minor league players are facing currently, this decision provides our players with the assurance that they will receive a paycheck through August, said Astros owner Jim Crane. We believe that this is the right thing to do.Having a farm system of talented minor league players is a key aspect of the success of the Astros franchise, said Astros General Manager James Click. We hope that continuing the stipend for our players will provide them support in these challenging times.However, many other MLB teams announced this week that they were cutting minor league players amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So did the Chicago Cubs, who announced they were cutting 30 minor league players, according to NBC Sports Chicago.

HOUSTON – At least 3,000 COVID-19 patients have been treated in the Texas Medical Center. "We saw the devastation it was causing," said Texas Medical Center president and CEO William McKeon. The PPE supply chain was vital in making sure the Texas Medical Center, where the hospitals provide 70% of healthcare in a nine-county area, had what is needed. The medical center has an ample supply of all these items. McKeon said all the different institutions in the Medical Center worked together as one entity when it came to purchasing PPE.

The Astros opened spring training with a rather bizarre display of canned apologies from star players and team owner Jim Crane. Related Stories Four Thoughts On the Houston Astros' Apology FiascoIt's tough to be completely honest in anything, particularly in a competitive sport where every team is looking for an advantage. Highlight the things you do right and let fans know who you are...truly are. Fans who saw the Astros winning a title as divine intervention now see it as a deal with the devil. If they want us to stick by them going forward, they better wear Houston on their sleeves and treat fans here like the most important people they have ever known.

Back on January 13, shortly after the Astros' owner got done terminating the Astro careers of manager A.J. Not exactly a great day in Astros history. The starters are chosen by the fans, and the reserves are chosen by MLB players and the commissioner's office. Keep in mind that the Astros have had six players make each of the last three American League All Star teams. The Astros are the most hated team in sports right now, and they will be big box office, especially if they keep winning.

Kurt Suzuki #28 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the New York Mets at Nationals Park on September 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki said this week there's "no question" the Astros cheated in the 2019 World Series, despite claims that the team stopped its sign-stealing scheme after the 2018 season, The Washington Post reported on Thursday. The Astros held a news conference on Thursday to address the illegal sign-stealing scheme, but Houston Astros owner Jim Crane claimed that his team's cheating "didn't impact the game," the Post reported. Suzuki told Washington Post's Thomas Boswell. "I kept thinking 'We have to go to the field and work early on our signs in the World Series just to stop their cheating.'

Houston Astros players Alex Bregman and Jos Altuve say the team is sorry for its sign-stealing scheme that was investigated and punished by Major League Baseball. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Avoiding any specifics about their teams sign-stealing during its 2017 World Series championship season, Houston Astros players Alex Bregman and Jos Altuve apologized Thursday for the scheme that was investigated and punished by Major League Baseball. We won the World Series. The Astros were fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under major league rules, and forfeited their next two first- and second-round amateur draft picks. The investigation found the Astros used the video feed from a center field camera to view and decode opposing catchers signs.

The questions will rain down on the Astros players and management like a monsoon. We also know that perhaps their most irreplaceable player from 2019, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, is gone. Even worse, he left to go to the Astros' main competitor in the AL, the New York Yankees. Tucker was decidedly better in his second go round in the big leagues in 2019 than his first in 2018. Lance McCullers spent the entire 2019 season rehabbing his pitching elbow coming off of Tommy John surgery.

There has been an undercurrent of anger among diehard Rockets fans about owner Tilman Fertitta. The narrative goes something like, "He is too cheap to be willing to pay the luxury tax and, as a result, the team is suffering." If a team spends three of four years over the luxury tax limit, they fall into repeater tax territory, which increases those percentages significantly. As a result, fans view the team's owner as cheap when he wants to save his team from paying luxury tax dollars. Something tells us the same will be true of the Rockets owner.

As expected, the Astros on Wednesday evening named veteran manager Dusty Baker as the successor to A.J. Baker, 70, will be the winningest active manager in baseball when he opens spring training in a couple weeks. Baker, a three time manager of the year, would seem to be the right calming presence on a veteran team with aspirations of another World Series. Baker praised the Astros owner and the players he inherits in a statement released by the team. The Astros will formally announce Baker's signing at a press conference on Thursday.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)HOUSTON, Texas – Dusty Baker has been hired to replace AJ Hinch as the manager of the Houston Astros. The team announced the hiring on Wednesday and said Baker will be introduced in Houston on Thursday. “Throughout his successful career, Dusty has embodied the qualities that we were looking for in a manager,” Astros owner Jim Crane said in a statement. A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker last managed the Washington Nationals, who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017. He was selected MVP of the 1977 NL Championship Series and won a Gold Glove in 1981, when he helped the Dodgers to a World Series title.

The number of candidates interviewed for both top managerial positions vacated when Astros owner Jim Crane fired A.J. But given the importance of this decision, and despite the fact that spring training is mere weeks away, Crane cannot afford to rush this decision. It seems rather likely the GM list will be much shorter than the one for manager. The GM will need to be someone who can plug directly into the team's existing system. The team's success hangs in the balance.

HOUSTON – The off-season is often when Houston Astros players get engaged or hitched to their significant others. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman continued the tradition, getting engaged to now-fiancee, Reagan Howard on a family trip to Colorado. Instagram posts from Howard and Jessie Bregman, sister of the Astros star, show the smiling couple along with family members during a trip to Aspen. Reagan Howard shares her engagement with Astros player Alex Bregman via Instagram. Crane said Bregman was busy with personal stuff in Colorado that we’d all be reading about soon.

Houston might not like to hear it, but despite the fact that a ton of teams are probably cheating in some fashion, YES, the Astros are the face of cheating now in MLB, and here are four reasons why:4. The sign stealing was a chronological adjunct to the Brandon Taubman incident. In other words, the sign stealing thing is part of string of behavior that has painted the Astros as a villainous franchise. The Astros have one title, and they were proven to be cheating during that postseason. The actual sign stealing scheme was beyond absurd.

HOUSTON – Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said he has interviewed seven people so far as he rushes to find a new manager in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the team and Major League Baseball. “We’re going through everybody we think... would be a good match for the team next year. We got a good team,” Crane said in an interview with KPRC 2. “The players have been beaten up a little bit and I think they’ve been all spread out,” Crane said. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/6t0g6fP8vx — Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) January 22, 2020He said the Astros players were “holding back a little bit.”“We need to give them a little more time to get together in Spring Training.

Were now into the second week of fallout from the biggest scandal to ever rock Houston sports, the shame that is the Houston Astros sign stealing fiasco. A detailed report outlined how cameras and trash cans were used to telegraph the stolen signs to Astros batters during games. Some Astros fans have been dismayed and disappointed by these revelations. "The Sign," Ace of BaseI saw the sign and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign. Thats the main lyric to this Ace of Base track, also from the early 90s. For Astros fans, thats as heart-wrenching as Hank Williams caterwauling on this country music classic.

HOUSTON – According to Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, the team will address the open field manager job before they move on to hiring a general manager. Currently, Crane is working with the remaining front-office leadership group to fill the duties of fired GM Jeff Luhnow. During interviews Friday night at the Astros Diamond Dreams Gala, Crane said he would start interviewing candidates for the general manager position next week. It’s very late in the game for a GM hire, and Crane has mentioned internal candidates will get interviews. Here’s a look at some possibilities for the Astros GM opening:THE INTERNAL CANDIDATEPete Putila - Astros Assistant GM/Director of Player DevelopmentPutila, 30, has worked for the Astros since 2011, starting out as an intern.

Friday night, the Astros foundation held its fifth annual Diamond Dreams gala at Minute Maid Park. Over 1400 people attended the event, which featured a live performance by R&B legend Lionel Richie. All proceeds benefit the Astros foundation as well as New Hope Housing, an organization that fights homelessness by providing resources and housing for the area’s most vulnerable citizens who live on limited incomes. “We‘re extremely proud of what this event has grown into,“ said Astros owner Jim Crane. “It was a fun night, but more importantly, we were able to raise significant dollars to give back to the Houston community.“

Normally, we would do four winners and four losers, but there don't appear to be many winners in this situation. LosersHouston TexansNo one expected that the two heads on the chopping block Monday would be from the Astros. Jim CraneThe Astros owner did the right thing no matter how dirty his own hands might be from his own previous business dealings. That was the beginning of the end for the Astros "culture," and given just that incident alone, good riddance. He was already fired and baseball said, "Oh, yeah, by the way, you're fired again."

Hinch both received one year suspensions that began now and end at the conclusion of the 2020 World Series. Team owner Jim Crane took it one step further by firing both in the aftermath. In addition, the team loses all first and second round draft picks in 2020 and 2021, and will be fined $5 million, the maximum allowed in baseball. Hinch did not condone the sign stealing but didn't act to stop it. It was clear from the report that MLB found his behavior particularly intolerable and rightfully so.

The Houston Astros on Monday fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch after Major League Baseball found that the club used technology to steal signs during the 2017 and 2018 season. The Astros will also pay a $5 million penalty and forfeit their first and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021. Astros fire GM and manager over sign stealing scandalLast month, The Athletic reported that the team stole signs from a centerfield camera trained on the opposing team's catcher. Investigators interviewed 68 witnesses, including current and former Astros players, and reviewed tens of thousands of emails, text messages and videos.

The Houston Astros on Monday fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch after Major League Baseball found that the club used technology to steal signs during the 2017 and 2018 season. The Astros will also pay a $5 million penalty and forfeit their first and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021. Astros fire GM and manager over sign stealing scandalLast month, The Athletic reported that the team stole signs from a centerfield camera trained on the opposing team's catcher. Investigators interviewed 68 witnesses, including current and former Astros players, and reviewed tens of thousands of emails, text messages and videos.

The team will also lose its draft picks and pay a $5 million fine for cheating in 2017. Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has fired manager A.J. The Astros are also losing their first and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021 and must pay $5 million, the highest-possible fine. Taubman was consequently fired by the team. He will not be able to work for any teams for the entire 2020 season.

EMBED >More News Videos Confrontation caught on camera during baby's first birthday photo shootHOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Franci Neely's $18 million Broadacres home is for sale.Neely is a Houston socialite most known for being Houston Astros owner Jim Crane's ex-wife.The 16,454 square foot house is listed on HAR.com. The listing describes the lavish 2011 home, featuring "Moroccan-inspired patios and a summer kitchen convey a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle anchored by a courtyard swimming pool. Apparently, it was not the first time such an encounter occurred.FULL VIDEO: Baby photo shoot confrontation in HoustonThe incident happened in mid-February 2019. Isaiah and Kelyn Allen were having a photo shoot for their soon-to-be 1-year-old.During the shoot, Neely approached the family and a photographer, who were on the sidewalk of the Broadacres esplanade in Houston.An argument ensued, which the Allens captured on camera, as Neely told the family to leave.During the confrontation, Neely swiped at Isaiah Allen on two occasions, striking his phone.The Allens contacted police. Harris County and Houston prosecutors investigated the incident.Prosecutors determined they wouldn't charge the Houston socialite.Video from 2018 has also surfaced showing Neely confronting high school students for taking their prom photos in the picturesque neighborhood.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Harris County - Houston Sports Authority announced finalists for their awards and their Legacy award winners.Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus wins the Sportsmanship award, while Astros owner Jim Crane wins the Executive of the Year award.Mercilus' Withme Foundation serves children with disabilities in underprivileged families and has raised more than $500,000 since 2016.Jim Crane once again led the Astros to the World Series and brought back the Houston Open on the PGA tour.Here are the nominees for the other awardsA.J. Hinch - Houston AstrosTina Langley - Rice OwlsBill O'Brien - Houston TexansKelvin Sampson - University of HoustonSimone BilesAlex BregmanJames HardenJustin VerlanderDeshaun WatsonCorey Davis - University of HoustonJalen Hurts - University of OklahomaNicole Lennon - Rice UniversityErica Ogwumike - Rice UniversityDevon Achane - Fort Bend Marshall High School Matthew Boling - Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Zach Evans - North Shore High SchoolLibby Overmyer - Kingwood Park High SchoolJose Altuve's walk-off home run in Game 6 to clinch the American League ChampionshipJames Harden's 61-point game in 114-100 win at New York KnicksKaycee Feild wins 5th Bareback Riding title at RodeoHouston Texans beat Patriots for the first time since January 3, 2010The third annual Houston Sports Awards will celebrate 'A Golden Era' and will honor Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton and Rudy Tomjanovich as its third Hall of Fame Class. The Legacy winners are chosen by the Sports Awards Executive Committee with input from the Selection Committee.The committees are comprised of sportswriters and electronic sports media members who live and work in the Greater Houston area.

HOUSTON – The Harris County Houston Sports Authority announced that Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus will be honored with the 2020 Sportsmanship Award at the Houston Sports Awards on January 21, 2020 at the Hilton Americas. Mercilus is committed to helping those in need and he does just that with his WithMerci Foundation. His mission is to serve children with disabilities in underprivileged families through WithMerci has raised $500,000 since its inception in 2016. Fellow teammate Texans defensive end J.J. Watt won the award the previous two years. Mercilus and Crane join Lifetime Achievement Award Bob McNair, the late Houston Texans owner, as the 2020 Legacy Award winners.

HOUSTON - A front office shakeup at the Houston Astros on Thursday saw the owners son hired and the son of legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan moved to a new role. Jared Crane, the son of Astros owner Jim Crane, joined the team leadership to help his father oversee the executive team. Reid Ryan, the son of Nolan Ryan, had been serving as the teams president and was moved to an executive adviser of business relations role. According to the same press release, Reid Ryan thanked the team, fans and partners that have supported the Astros. However, Jim Crane told KPRC 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy in a text that the former Astros pitcher is welcome to stay.

Now, free agency in baseball isn't like the NFL and NBA, where there is a land rush for players at the first minute the gates open. ODDS OF RETURNING: 2 percentJOE SMITH, RP (1-0, 1.80 ERA, 28 G, 25.0 IP, 22 K, 0.960 WHIP, 0.7 WAR)AGE: 36Smith is an interesting case. ODDS OF RETURNING: 40 percentCOLLIN McHUGH, RP (4-5, 4.70 ERA, 35 G, 8 GS, 74.2 IP, 82 K, 1.232 WHIP, 0.4 WAR)AGE: 32Man, McHugh is hitting free agency one season too late. If the Astros bring him back, then I'm confident that they know what happened with him, and that it's fixable. I could see him coming back as a cheap component of a shuffled situational/long relief portion of the Astros bullpen.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Some Houston-area residents are rejoicing after learning the Memorial Park Golf Course is back open. Everybody really pitched in," said Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. "The city moved quickly, the city council approved it and the mayor jumped on it. "The $18.5 million renovation was funded by the Astros Golf Foundation, which is headed by Crane's wife.The project was scheduled to take 18 months, but the first phase of the golf course was completed in 10 months. The new additions include a newly designed 18-hole golf course and a two tier driving range.The remodeled golf course is now the second PGA-certified, municipally owned golf course in the country.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Some Houston-area residents are rejoicing after learning the Memorial Park Golf Course is back open. Everybody really pitched in," said Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. "The city moved quickly, the city council approved it and the mayor jumped on it. "The $18.5 million renovation was funded by the Astros Golf Foundation, which is headed by Crane's wife.The project was scheduled to take 18 months, but the first phase of the golf course was completed in 10 months. The new additions include a newly designed 18-hole golf course and a two tier driving range.The remodeled golf course is now the second PGA-certified, municipally owned golf course in the country.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole waves to the crowd as he leaves the mound after striking out Texas Rangers designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo for his 300th season strikeout during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept.HOUSTON - The Houston Astros extended a "qualifying offer" Monday to star right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole. At an event at Memorial Park Golf Club on Monday, Astros owner Jim Crane told a small group of the media that losing Cole is not a done deal yet. Crane said that he, general manager Jeff Luhnow and the team will "make a run at it," when referencing attempting to re-sign ColeHere is what Crane said:By Monday afternoon, the team confirmed an offer had been extended to Cole. Multiple reports said the offer was for $17.8 million. Cole will be the most sought after free agent pitcher this offseason and is in line to command a new deal that will surpass $250 million.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Some Houston-area residents are rejoicing after learning the Memorial Park Golf Course is back open. Everybody really pitched in," said Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. "The city moved quickly, the city council approved it and the mayor jumped on it. "The $18.5 million renovation was funded by the Astros Golf Foundation, which is headed by Crane's wife.The project was scheduled to take 18 months, but the first phase of the golf course was completed in 10 months. The new additions include a newly designed 18-hole golf course and a two tier driving range.The remodeled golf course is now the second PGA-certified, municipally owned golf course in the country.

Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros, hits a ball at the Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston on Nov. 4, 2019. HOUSTON - Monday was a big day on the green as officials held a ribbon-cutting for the first phase of the remodel at the Memorial Park Golf Course. The Houston Astros have poured about $18.5 million into the transformation of the historic course into the world-class home of the Houston Open. "It's a little different, but they will get used to it," said Astros owner Jim Crane. "The tees are set up where the pros can play way back.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane apologized to Sports Illustrated journalist Stephanie Apstein after the team trashed a story she wrote criticizing former Astros Assistant General Manager Brandon Taubman, Apstein said. HOUSTON (CNN) - Houston Astros owner Jim Crane apologized to Sports Illustrated journalist Stephanie Apstein after the team trashed a story she wrote criticizing former Astros Assistant General Manager Brandon Taubman, Apstein said. "We were wrong and I am sorry that we initially questioned your professionalism," Crane said in a letter to Apstein that the journalist shared on Twitter. "On behalf of the entire Astros organization, I want to personally apologize for the statement we issued on Monday October 21st," the letter said. One of the women was wearing a domestic violence awareness bracelet, Sports Illustrated reported.

Astros owner Jim Crane sent me a letter on Saturday retracting the teams original statement about my story. Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 24, 2019#Astros GM Jeff Luhnow says Brandon Taubmans inappropriate actions do not represent a larger issue in the Astros organization. Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 24, 2019News conference with #Astros GM Jeff Luhnow included very tense moments. Luhnow was asked about smearing the reporter who was present for inappropriate comments from Brandon Taubman. Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) October 24, 2019Jeff Luhnow embarrassed by what has transpired this week.

#Astros enjoying their fam as they celebrate the upcoming ALCS pic.twitter.com/5vJtllzHe2 David Nuo (@DavidNunoABC13) October 11, 2019Welcome to the world Noah pic.twitter.com/I7LXZScxR0 Josh James (@josh_james63) November 19, 2018EMBED >More News Videos Carlos Correa and Daniella Rodriguez both left Dodger Stadium with rings. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Astros' ALDS win Thursday night over the Tampa Bay Rays was special for the team as they move on to the next round, but we can't forget about their families, who were also on the field celebrating.Jose Altuve's daughter, Melanie, ran to her daddy's arms. Altuve was among the players who had a great Game 5.Pitcher Gerrit Cole, who was cool on the mound, obviously had a lot to smile about as his strong performance helped the team lock up the series.Cole embraced his wife Amy, a former UCLA softball player, after the huge win.Josh James was also on the field with his family, including baby son Noah, who was born last November.Carlos Correa and his fiance, Daniella Rodriguez, were on the field along with just about everyone from the Astros organization.You'll remember Correa proposed to Rodriguez , who is a former Miss Texas USA, after the team won the World Series in 2017.Team owner Jim Crane says they're all one big family. "Family is what it is about, the team is a family and the family is the family, and we love seeing them out here and the kids running around and it can't be any more fun than that," Crane said.Though the Astros are inching closer to returning to the World Series, there is still work to do.They'll have just a day of rest before they take on the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series here in Houston.

Astros owner Jim Crane talks about the team's ALDS win and looking ahead to the Yankees. Copyright 2019 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

EMBED >More News Videos The Houston Astros' manager said if it were up to him, there'd be less days in between games. Because the Astros are hosting the ALCS David Nuo (@DavidNunoABC13) October 11, 2019GAME 1 : Astros 6, Rays 2 RECAP: Astros 6, Rays 2 GAME 2 : Astros 3, Rays 1 RECAP: Astros 3, Rays 1 GAME 3 : Rays 10, Astros 3 RECAP: Rays 10, Astros 3 GAME 4: Rays 4, Astros 1 RECAPEMBED >More News Videos Gerrit Cole is an overpowering force for the Houston Astros, using more than just his baseball skill to help his team. The Rays had a miscommunication on the pop-up.Kyle Tucker entered as a pinch-hitter for Martin Maldonado after the Reddick single. It extended the Astros' lead to 5-1.Altuve proceeded to follow Brantley's lead and hit another home run, which sent Minute Maid Park into a frenzy. Cole finished the night with eight innings pitched, two hits, one earned run and 10 strikeouts.

This afternoon, the Houston Astros begin in earnest their pursuit of a second World Series title in three years. Home, Blue OctoberThe Astros won a franchise record 107 games in the regular season and earned home field advantage for every round of 2019 playoff baseball. Guess it'll take another Astros title for baseball pundits to heed Bun B and Pimp C and quit hatin the South. In our opinion, this unstoppable force of femme-powerment has also cornered the market on the best songs to power up the Astros playoff run. Only one team has the swagger to say its Good As Hell and prove in between the foul lines and that team is your Houston Astros.

Pitcher Zach Greinke of the Houston Astros talks with the media at Minute Maid Park on August 02, 2019, in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON - Zack Greinke has admired the Houston Astros from afar. "And he joins a couple of guys, really a handful of guys that are really good. The Astros got Greinke along with starter Aaron Sanchez, reliever Joe Biagini and catcher Martin Maldonado just before the trade deadline. Verlander is fifth with a 2.73 ERA, Cole is 10th at 2.87, Greinke ranks 11th and Miley is 14th at 3.06.

EMBED >More News Videos Jennifer Lopez performs Selena hit at Houston showEMBED >More News Videos Astros head to the Drake concert. EMBED >More News Videos Ludacris lit up the stage as the Houston Astros celebrated big for team owner Jim Crane's wife's birthday over the weekend. Video credit: Daniella Rodriguez/YouTubeEMBED >More News Videos Justin Verlander and Kate Upton take in Beyonce and Jay-Z concert at NRG StadiumHOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- These are squad goals, for real.The wives of some of the Houston Astros players appeared to add a new member to their tight-knit group of friends: Jennifer Lopez. Daniella Rodriguez , fiancee of shortstop Carlos Correa, and Kara McCullers, wife of pitcher Lance McCullers, were also featured in the epic snapshot.And Kemp was well-dressed for the occasion. She wore a white button down shirt and belted, denim knee-high boots.The outfit emulates the same style that Lopez was captured wearing last August as she stepped out in denim Versace boots.