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    Astros' New Bash Brothers

    The New Bash Brothers: George Springer suddenly has a new friend to posterize foes with — a $10 million risk

    Chris Baldwin
    Jun 2, 2014 | 4:14 pm

    George Springer's phone-a-friend changes everything for the Houston Astros. Again.

    With the Astros set to call up left-handed hitting first baseman Jon Singleton — the best slugging prospect not named Springer in the organization — for Tuesday night's home game against the Anaheim Angels, Houston's much-maligned baseball franchise suddenly features an abundance of one of the most prized commodities in the game today: Young power.

    In the post steroids (or at least post over-the-top, rampant steroids) era, real power is hard to come by. There's a scarcity of big home run hitters.

    But the Astros suddenly have two young, legitimate 30-plus home run threats in their everyday lineup. In another day and age, Springer and Singleton would be gracing bedroom wall posters, glaring out menacingly while holding oversized bats and sporting cool shades. George Springer and Jon Singleton are not Jose Cancesco and Mark McGwire. But they're the closest thing to a new-age Bash Brothers that Major League Baseball may see for a while.

    In another day and age, Springer and Singleton would be gracing bedroom wall posters, glaring menacingly while holding big bats.

    Springer hit 10 home runs in just May for the Astros. While Singleton isn't on the Springer superstar talent plane, the 6-foot-2 first baseman does have 14 home runs in only 54 games for Oklahoma City this season.

    He's another real threat in a lineup that suddenly has three players any Major League franchise would covet (Springer, Singleton and second baseman Jose Altuve). He's another real reason to go to Minute Maid Park.

    Singleton arrives fresh off signing a $35 million contract that guarantees him $10 million before he ever played a Major League game. It also puts him under the Astros control until he is 30 years old, no small coup for general manager Jeff Luhnow. (Yahoo Sports Jeff Passan first broke the news of the deal.)

    There are risks with Jon Singleton. He's been open about his marijuana addiction, calling himself "a drug addict" at one point. He's already been suspended once (earning a 50-game ban) for violating MLB's drug policy. He's admitted to struggling with alcohol as well.

    But, in the big scheme of baseball money, a $10 million gamble on a potential difference-making left-handed hitter is nothing.

    Major League Baseball is bound to catch up with the rest of America and start looking at marijuana in a less harsher light eventually. Luhnow also clearly carries some belief in Singleton's character.

    There are wild risks. And then are risks you need to take. Jon Singleton is a risk the Astros unquestionably need to jump at.

    The Jon Singleton Risk

    Young power is too precious to turn your back on. It's not hard to imagine Springer and Singleton emerging as one of the most feared duos in the game in a few years. Springer's already winning games for the Astros with one swing (see that seventh inning home run that grounded the Orioles). Now, he has a Bash Buddy.

    In the coming years, it's easy to imagine one of these guys flirting with a 50 home run season. Part of the fun will be seeing which one does it.

    They might not get some corny poster out of the whole thing. But that doesn't mean they can't posterize a few teams.

    Springer only has six weeks of Major League experience on Singleton, but he is undoubtedly the more grounded, mature player. It's on Springer to help shepherd his Bash Brother into this new professional baseball world as well. That may sound unfair. But it's part of being the budding superstar.

    If you've spent any time around the loving-life Springer, you know this 24-year-old is likely up to the task. Jon Singleton will benefit from Springer having come up before him. Springer's star turn has sucked up a lot of the pressure.

    Singleton can just come up and mash.

    Real power is such a scare commodity in baseball today. Now the Astros don't just have one. They've got two.

    George Springer and Jon Singleton. The new Bash Brothers. They might not get some corny poster out of the whole thing. But that doesn't mean they can't posterize a few teams.

    George Springer hit 10 home runs in May alone. Now he has a real Bash Brother on the Astros.

    George Springer still
      
    Photo by Mark Cunningham Getty Images
    George Springer hit 10 home runs in May alone. Now he has a real Bash Brother on the Astros.
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    Get Rodeo ready

    Virtual races and a new rollercoaster debut at RodeoHouston for 2025

    Jef Rouner
    Feb 12, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
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    The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is less than two weeks away. Here are four new things added to the festivities this year that Houstonians won't want to miss.

    AGVENTURE Park
    Bees are an incredibly important part of the environment, and concerns about declining bee populations has led to an explosion in beekeeping as a hobby. In the past five years, America has added a million new bee colonies, mostly through people taking up beekeeping.

    Agventure Park, presented by Oxy, is the Rodeo's new soil and bee exhibit. Both children and adults can interact with education stations to see the essential role of bees in agriculture. Visitors can plant sunflowers, live chat with experts, and learn everything they need to start their own hives at home.

    Virtual Welding and Chuck Wagon
    Virtual reality has come a long way in the last two decades. Even the Houston Museum of Natural Science rarely launches a new exhibit without some kind of VR attraction. The Rodeo is no different.

    This year, visitors can get in the saddle for a virtual chuck wagon race, driving horses around a virtual dirt field in one of the Rodeo's most beloved competitions. Presented by Verizon, the event is completely free to try and a thrilling educational tool for understanding this part of the pioneer era.

    If something more technical is your speed, there is also a VR welding experience that offers the experience of welding with none of the danger. Both exhibits are in Hall C of NRG Center.

    Heidi Rollercoaster
    A new ride at the carnival weds the German heritage of Texas with the thrill of a rollercoaster. Heidi is a high-speeding spinning coaster that rotates riders as they zip through over a thousand feet of track more than four stories in the air. It's an Octoberfest on wheel for those in the mood for a wild ride.

    Nor is it the only new ride at the carnival. Overdrive is a new spinning ride that uses movie-level FX to heighten the experience. There is also a family-friendly Dragon coaster for the kids too small for the bigger rides.

    Decadent Desserts
    The Rodeo is one of the biggest food events of the Houston social calendar, offering chances to try new street cuisine and experimental vittles. This year, be sure to check out two new food stalls centered around desserts.

    Strawberry cups have been a viral TikTok trend that's drawing people to wait hours in line in cities such as London and Dubai. These are strawberries drizzled in a variety of gourmet chocolates and served, obviously, in a cup. Candy Factory will bring the trend to the Rodeo Midway.

    The other go-to sweet spot is Totally Baked Cookie Joint. Despite its name, its actually a refreshing ice cream stand where fresh scoops are topped with oatmeal cookie crumbles. Just another new experience for the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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