#2 Lance Berkman is the starting first baseman in the All-Star Game being played in Yankee Stadium. Sir Lance is absolutely amazing. He continues to blister the baseball and has such a good time playing the game he loves.

#3 Miguel Tejada somehow takes over the voting to start at shortstop for the Mid Summer Classic but that is a longshot. The Marlins Hanley Ramirez is a good one but Miggy has given the Astros an All Star caliber player who can hit and one who is solid patrolling up the middle defensively for the hometown team.

#4 As the Texans get ready to begin their seventh season, they need to get all of those young drafted players signed. Their top pick Duane Brown needs to be starting at the left tackle position when they report on July 24th. Make a deal Rick Smith and let's go.

#5 Texans quarterback Matt Schaub needs to keep working to build strength in his injured left shoulder. He will be the key if this franchise is ever going to be a top contender. Sage Rosenfeldts is the best backup quarterback in pro football and could start for many teams but Schaub is the leader of this club and needs to stay healthy now.

#6 Yao Ming needs to continue his rehab and show great patience with his injured foot. We don't need to see him doing crazy things even though the Olympics are played in his home country of China.

#7 Rockets General Manager Dary Morey needs to make some kind of incredible deal like he has done in the past to strengthen the team. Somehow the Rockets need to find the right combination to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Now is the time to do it. They are close.

If all of these things come to pass, the rest of the summer and into the fall could be pretty exciting around here. So right now, I'm putting out the sign GONE FISHIN' until July 14th... "Catch you" when I get back!

Earlier this week, there was a huge news conference announcing the WWE was coming to town. Some of the top wrestlers in the world were here promoting the upcoming event but someone forgot to announce THE HEADLINER. Are you readdddddddddddy to rummmmmmmble? In this corner weighing in 185, five feet 9 ¼ inches Astros General Manager Ed Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaade. And in this corner, tipping the scales at 220, 6 foot 3 inch FORMER Astros pitcher Shawn Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacon.
Yes folks, Astros baseball has come to this!

To set up the incident, Chacon has pitched like he belonged in the minor leagues and has acted in an unprofessional way ultimately being taken out of the starting line-up. He has been disrespectful to his coach and his manager while being paid 2 million dollars to throw a baseball. It was under that scenario, that Wade wanted to talk to him about his behavior prior to Wednesday night's game with the Rangers. As Wade approached
Chacon in the Astros clubhouse to invite him into manager Cecil Cooper's office to discuss the situation, tempers flared, ugly things were said and then it got physical as Chacon pushed Wade to the floor and the two had to be separated by Astros players. Chacon was suspended immediately and now is being released without pay. That is not owner Drayton McLane's way of trying to be a champion.. So for the last 24 hours, it's been damage control.

When everything should be concentrated on trying to win the series against the Rangers, the Astros organization is tip toeing around "off the field" bad behavior. It's really the kind of atmosphere that follows teams that are losing. Coop's troops are in a free fall and when that happens, line-ups change and players come and go.

I've been around pro sports enough to know, it's really hard to win unless there is great chemistry throughout the entire organization. All the players are saying the right things right now but let's face it, if you are 13 games out of first place and in fifth place in your division, no one can be happy and that creates tension.

Some are wondering in Shawn Chacon will ever pitch again after what he did. There are other athletes who have done worse things and lived to play another day so the chances are good he'll get another chance. One player told me, if you can pitch and chew gum at the same time in this league, your services are needed. Everybody needs pitching. The Astros certainly understand that with the way they have performed on the mound.

If things don't work out for Shawn Chacon in baseball, he may get a shot at "Triple H". The WWE would love that.

Also, you never know if you are going to make a selection or make a trade. If someone presents a solid veteran player, it's tough to keep those draft choices. There are so many different scenarios and I guess that's what makes it so interesting.

I love the way Morey does things. Last year in his first draft, he certainly found a diamond in the rough in Carl Landry. Landry became quite a force with his quick jumping ability and toughness inside. I was talking to Tracy McGrady one day and he told me when Landry grabbed a rebound and stuffed it back in the basket over Spurs superstar Tim Duncan, he knew the kid was going to be something special.

Aaron Brooks was also added. He might be the quickest kid in the NBA and should be more of a contributor this season. Neither of those players are short on talent. I don't see them not making the team.

The Rockets have the 25th pick in the first round and the 54th overall. If Morey can find another Landry,, he could be labeled a genius for evaluating talent. With the current cast of characters, adding another kid with young legs and a big heart could get them past the first round. How refreshing would that be?

What do you think the Rockets need to do? Post your comments below.

The PGA tour without Tiger is like having the Celtics without Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Things become mediocre in a hurry and that is what we will be seeing in the golf world. How excited are you going to be to see the British Open or the PGA Championship without the "Swoosh" master. You're going to check out the final rounds but you won't be glued to the TV waiting to see if he wins major #15. The interest just won't be there and everyone knows it.

Tiger's recovery time will be six to eight months. He won't be able to swing but to all those who think he will just be sitting around doing nothing, think again. As he was putting on his shoes after the doctor told him not to play the Open, he looked at Haney and said, "Come on Hank. We'll just putt today."

In the game of golf, you drive for show and putt for dough. As great as he is on the greens right now, you know he will devise some way to roll the ball during his long recovery. So a message to all the players on tour, you better win while he is gone because when he gets back, if you think you have seen a dominant figure up to this point, think again. He could be growling at a higher level than he is right now.

It was certainly one of those days I will never forget in the history of sports. I play golf. I love golf. I know how hard golf is and to watch those two players, with so much pressure to win, perform at such a high level on a challenging track, was amazing to me. The crowds were huge and they were into what was happening. It would have been hard for me to even take the club back away from the ball because the setting was so overwhelming. When Rocco made his third straight birdie on 15 to take the lead, Torrey Pines went nuts and most of those fans love Tiger to death. But when Tiger knocked in his birdie on 18 to put it into sudden death, it was like a touchdown in the Super Bowl. You talk about loud? I'm still trying to figure out who wanted who to win.

We are watching history being made right before our very eyes. Tiger is professional golf. When he plays, most golfers and many casual fans are interested and like I saw today, non golfers can get wrapped up in the action. When he isn't in a tournament, most golfers want to know how he did, non golf fans don't care about the event. He, quite simply, is bigger than life. When he won only the third U.S. Open sudden death playoff over Rocco, it was his 14th major championship and 3rd Open Championship. That's just four away from Jack Nicklaus' 18 major titles. Many thought no one would ever come close to that but barring injury, Tiger will pass that in the next couple of years. He called this victory, the greatest win of them all.

In golf, the goal is to try to beat par. This tournament experience definitely finished in the red numbers.

It's hard not to get emotionally involved in all that is going on right now in the Houston sports scene. It should be an incredible weekend of baseball. For the first time in the history of Minute Maid Park, the New York Yankees will visit in the regular season to begin a three game series with the Astros. It's sold out and many are thinking the series will set attendance records. One interesting note, the last time the Astros and the Yankees played in the regular season was in New York in 2003 and six Astros pitchers combined to no hit the Bronx Bombers 8-nothing. It was the fist time in 44 years, the Yankees were no-hit at home.

Rice is opening their College World Series experience on Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska. They will face Fresno State and this is beginning to be a habit for Owls head coach Wayne Graham. He's been to the World Series seven times in the last 12 years.

Add to all of this the two time defending MLS Champion Houston Dynamo hosting the first place New England Revolution Thursday night at Robertson. That'll be a kick.

The Comets are in action Saturday night so plenty of things on the plate and a multitude of things to watch and cover. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it.

So we saw a team refocused against the Brewers. They were sound in the field and got some big hits. The 35,000 fans loved it! Roy O was his dominating self once again in a divisional win. If the Astros can stay focused, winning will follow.

Team meetings are always a reminder of how small things can create a big outcomes or somebody is going to be shown the door.

Our first stop produced a nice trout as John nailed one early. Of course, part of fishing is to tell everyone what a great fisherman you are and John didn't hesitate. I hadn't caught one so what could I say? NOTHING is the answer but I knew my time would come. Even though, we boated one trout, it didn't take Michael long to make a call to head to another area looking for redfish. After a 20 minute boat ride, we started to drift in a protected area in about 2 feet of water when the fun began. Michael had put us on some 25 inch reds and they battle you all the way to the boat.

One, then two, how about three and on and on. Even George, after shooting some video, dropped a line in the water and caught some fish. The sun coming up, fishing in a protected cove, catching redfish in two feet of water, with a bunch a good guys, taking pictures of what was happening, with a top notch guide, WOW that was good for the soul. Yes, I did do some talking about the ones I caught but it was all in fun.

We got our limit of redfish, bagged a couple of trout and before we knew it, it was time to head back to shore. Michael cleaned the fish, bagged them for us and I was back in Houston by 2:30. I'll be eating fresh redfish tonight with the family but I will never forget the setting early this morning. I think we all need to get out into nature more and enjoy what our area, here in Texas, has to offer.
Watch the video here

John, thank you. You are a fishing nut! We'll go again. George, nice video and great fishing. Michael, you are one heck of a guide. I'll drop your website because I was so pleased: www.matagordabay.com/rolf

This is a fish story that's really the truth!

I told him Boston would win it in seven. I'm a Danny Ainge fan as he has been a close friend for many years. In fact, I was in Phoenix staying in his home when the Celtics came to visit him to offer the position of General Manager. It was in interesting time because former Celtic great Kevin McHale, who is currently the GM for the Minnesota Timberwolves, was also there and we all thought he might be the one taking over in Boston but Red Auerbach wanted Ainge. When Red wanted something, he got it and Ainge agreed to leave the easy life in the Valley of the Sun to take the job.

I was at a golf tournament last year with Danny. He had just made the deal to get Kevin Garnett from the T-wolves. Before that trade, Ainge had struggled with his roster, salary cap problems and a number of other issues. As the mcee of the gathering, I jokingly introduced him as the former worst GM in the league but now a brilliant basketball mind. With Garnett came sharp shooting Ray Allen. Those two along with scoring machine Paul Pierce quickly became the talk of the league adding players like former Rockets James Posey and later Sam Cassell.

So here we are with Boston having home court advantage. The Lakers have reloaded. Kobe Bryant is trying to become the greatest player ever to put on a uniform. He only needs three more championships to catch Michael Jordan's epic accomplishment of six. But he has help with center Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

The Lakers clearly have the advantage in the coaching department with Phil Jackson leading the gold and blue. He has won nine titles which ties him with the legendary Auerbach with the most. That is a sub plot in itself but I'm going with Boston. It's just a feeling and I'm sticking with. If it doesn't happen, Ainge will pay!

Jones has not been cleared by the league to play in games yet but he can practice and play in the pre-season. I love the way new commissioner Roger Goodell is handling this situation. He called him into his offices in New York and although we don't know exactly what was said, you better believe the Commish laid down the law. It appears Jones is on some kind of probation, with Goodell probably saying to him, any missteps son and you are out of the league forever but if you can make it through the next few months doing the right things, you'll get another chance or something like that.

The Cowboys are hoping Adam Jones will keep his life free of embarrassing situations and will get another nickname. He has the skills to be tagged "dominator" or "big play" or even "bowler" as in Pro Bowl. If he does, Jerry Jones hits the jackpot and the player with the same last name he has could be just what the Cowboys need to be in the Super Bowl. Ultimately, putting Jones on the back of a Cowboys jersey next year is a gamble worth taking and you know the owner would love it.

I ran into Rick Yarosh today. I hadn't seen him since our church honored him last year during a Fourth of July celebration. At the time he was trying to put his life back together after being injured in Iraq. It was September of 2006, in a town northwest of Baghdad, when the Bradley Fighting vehicle he was riding in ran over an improvised explosive device. He was burned over 60% of his body including burns to the face, hands, legs, arms and torso. His right leg was amputated below the knee and he has ringing in his ears 24/7. Rick has endured over 20 surgeries and will face more but in his own words he says, "I am a very proud individual with no regrets."

At the time we first met, Rick wanted to be a public speaker. His first address was to our congregation and I was moved to tears along with everyone attending to hear his story. I couldn't believe his growth in the last year. Today he stood confidently and spoke to all the golfers participating in the event. There was no "poor me" message, no, not with him. He understands was he was asked to do and went and did it with every fiber of his being. Now he lives with the consequences of what happened and doesn't want sympathy.

As I emceed the program today, I also was helped by Marine Corporal Casey Owens and Marine Sergeant James Eddie Wright. I hugged them for you and for me because of what they have done for us. They are missing arms and legs but they would go do it again if it meant all of us could be free. It's their mentality; it's what they are all about. They are part of the finest military on the planet and carry out the assignments 100%.

So a big thanks to Impact Player Partners for raising these funds. In 2007, 500 wounded heroes and their families were given assistance with over a half million dollars. After seeing what I saw this weekend in Houston, that many if not more will be helped. Jim Hoelker always says to me when talking about supporting these courageous souls, "If not us, then who!"

God Bless the men and women who serve The United States of America!

Oh maybe he blew a few forecasts but nobody's perfect. He had a way of comforting all of us when things got serious in the weather department. When listening to him, no matter how bad it was, you felt everything was going to be okay. I was pondering today, what are we going to do without the flattop guy?

Greg Hurst did a masterful job leading us through the program which included a proclamation from Mayor Bill White signifying it was "Dr. Neil Frank Day in Houston." As Dr. Neil took the podium to give us his final private forecast, he delivered a powerful message about "been there, done that, now what?" He is a learned man but he let us all in on the most important part of his life. As a scientist, it is hard to prove there is a God. It takes study, prayer and faith but he found the source of his happiness, his joy and his inner peace and it centers on deity. He is so well grounded with so much experience, I just thought, there is one wise man. He knows the "now what" and that will sustain him and his family in the future even into the eternities.

As I looked around the room, I noticed that Doc and I have been around the station longer than almost everyone there. Doc's tenure is 21 years, I just past my 24th year. We have seen together a great change in the viewing habits of our friends in the great city of Houston. Over the years, Channel 11 has become an unbelievable television station respected not only in Texas but across the country and a lot of that centers on him.

I will miss him as we have done so many newscasts together but I am so excited for him to be able to spent time with those he loves more than us. To his television family, he is a Texas Legend but to his real family, he's hubby, dad and grandpa and that's the way he wants it.

Giff has worked with two legendary "flat tops," Doc and Bum Phillips

Click to watch the Marv Levy interview

I knew it was only a matter of time before he got his break but I didn't know it was going to come so quickly. He was so driven to play the game and had all the tools to be successful. The thing I admired the most, however, was how good a kid he was. In fact, that was always the Phil Cross way. He cared about a players athletic ability but Phil wanted more than that. He looked for kids with a commitment to do the right things and make the right choices.

Now to see Bruce in centerfield wearing a Reds uniform is special. In fact, Cincinnati moved Ken Griffey Jr. to right so Jay could patrol centerfield. Some are saying he is the future of the franchise as he is joined by another Houston area star Adam Dunn, who is currently playing left.

I'm anxious to see how he holds up. It's a quite a jump through the minors for him in a short time but he has the personality and drive to handle it. For the Reds, they know they have something special in Jay Bruce. He is "Mighty" on and off the field in every sense of the word.

When we started, the goal was to raise $100,000.00 dollars but we knew the competition was going to be intense because of all the charity tournaments starting to pop up everywhere. So the push was to make this one extra special. The philosophy was a bold one. Ask a higher price and we would treat you and your clients like royalty. Obviously, there were more little secrets to our success but it worked and we built a model that has exceeded my expectations as we have now raised around five million dollars over the last twenty years.

I think about all the good people who have helped along the way. The key to any success is to build relationships of trust and we have done that. The board we first put together, helped keep us focused and each successive board has done the same thing. I don't want to mention individual names because I will leave someone out but I treasure the efforts of all those who have made a huge impact and you know who you are!

We all get so busy doing so many things with family, work and church but it's so nice to brighten the lives of others through working with charitable organizations. We have now started the WON Heart Foundation. It is our family's foundation as my wife Wendy and I are trying to teach our children the importance of giving back.

Today the YMCA received a check for $75,000.00 dollars. In March, the First Tee Program at Redstone, run by the Houston Golf Association, gathered in the same amount. Both organizations make a concerted effort to reach out and serve those in need.

Now with the help from my friends at Administaff, our Title Sponsor, and friends with Redstone Charities, the future looks even brighter to keep this thing going reaching even greater heights and making a more significant difference in Houston.

Good People coming together to do Good Things. It doesn't get any better than that!

Take a look at today's check presentation.

Joining me today, from left to right Kim Phillips from Redstone Charities, Clark Baker, President of YMCA Houston and Richard Rawson, President of Administaff.