Astronauts Gene Cernan and Mark Kelly traveled among the stars of another solar system Wednesday night when they joined headliners at Houston Childen's Charity's annual "A Gathering of Champions" that featured three dozen blasts from the past of Houston sports history and a few current heroes.

Let's start with the great — Nolan Ryan, always the gentleman — and the infamous — Roger Clemens, surrounded by film crews and eager reporters.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, accompanied by his wife Laurie (they're expecting twins in September), mingled with the towering Elvin Hayes and Clyde Drexler of Houston Rockets fame. Representing the Astros were Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Larry Dierker and Joe Sambito while Bobby Boswell and Brian Ching were among those carrying the Dynamo banner. Even former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a color analyst for ESPN and ABC, made the testosterone-laced scene.

It was a goldie-oldie sports junkie's wet dream with the likes of Robert Reid, Chester Pitts, Robert Horry, John Lucas, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, DeMeco Ryans, Spencer Tillman and Dan Pastorini among the stars. The Olympic medal-winning taekwondo Lopez family — Diana, Mark, Steve and Jean — posed for photos like all the rest of the atheltic greats.

The lavish pool and patio area of Paige and Tilman Fertitta's River Oaks home on the banks of Buffalo Bayou was setting for the evening that raised $140,000 for HCC programs. When not jostling for face time with the star athletes, guests could feast on grilled shrimp and beef tenderloin, ease the tension of the day with shots of Patron or fill their bellies with suds at the Budweiser bar.

Among guests taking home the fab swag — Stella Artois picnic baskets and coolers compliments of Silver Eagle Distributors — were Laura and Dave Ward, Tissy and Rusty Hardin, John Nau, Laura and John Johnson, Edna Meyer Nelson, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Perri and Dan D'Armond, Carol and Mike Linn, Paul Somerville, Diane Lokey Farb,Gary Becker and DeeDee and Wallis Marsh.