It’s been a long, strange year in Houston sports, but what else is new in Houston? If you are a long time sports fan here (bless you), you recognize that ups and downs come with the territory, certainly from season to season, but also from minute to minute during a game (and even off the field). This year marked progress in some areas, some regression in others and a couple of GOATs getting their due.
Let’s dig in.
The roof fell at NRG Stadium and it will cost taxpayers to fix it.
Hurricanes and derechos have a tendency to put a crimp in sporting events. This year, it created a new problem when a portion of the retractable roof fell into the stadium. It didn’t happen during a storm, but it is likely the wear and tear on the roof over many years and weather events led to the chunk of missing roof. Now, because of the agreement with the team, Harris County will foot the bill for replacing the roof and a number of other renovations to NRG.
Rockets draft Reed Sheppard third in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In what most experts deemed a down year for the annual NBA Draft — no Wemby this year — the Rockets still managed to find their way into the top five this time taking sharpshooting guard Reed Sheppard. In other years, Sheppard may have been a middle-of-the-first-round choice, but the Rockets loved his shooting skills and quick hands on the defensive end. Like most rookies, he’s still going through some growing pains adapting to the NBA, but he does indeed seem like a solid choice.
C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, Jr. win rookie of the year honors.
The first year tenure of both of the Texans top picks in 2023 turned in magnificent rookie performances earning them both awards for Rookie of the Year (offense and defense). It was a pretty incredible feat and one that gave Texans fans real hope (along with the hiring of coach DeMeco Ryans) that the team might finally turn things around.
Simone Biles wins gold at the Olympics.
Was there ever any doubt? The Houston resident and absolute GOAT of gymnastics went to on a tear earning three gold medals and a silver. She was as dominant as ever despite her advancing age (in gymnastics, your late 20s is considered “advanced”) and the mental struggles she suffered at the previous Olympics. Her entire journey was recorded for a two-part Netflix series. What a year!
Astros trade for Yusei Kikuchi.
With so many injuries plaguing the Astros, yet still in contention for another division win, the Astros made a move at the trade deadline to acquire Yusei Kikuchi for prospects including the popular Joey Lopefido and son of Astro great Billy Wagner, Will. Kikuchi, who had struggled in the first half of the season, was absolutely lights out for the Astros helping them to that division win and earning himself a solid raise from the Angels who signed him in the offseason.
Texans trade for Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs.
It’s pretty rare that the Texans make big moves in free agency or via trades, at least not ones we typically think will dramatically impact the team. That changed this past offseason when the team made a pair of deals to bring in Mixon in the backfield and Diggs at wide receiver. Both players had a significant impact on the team until Diggs was lost to an ACL tear during the season. Mixon continues to be one of the better running backs in the AFC.
Astros release Jose Abreu.
Typically, releasing a player doesn’t warrant a mention on any year-end top ten lists, but Abreu’s departure is something different. After signing the veteran first baseman to a three-year deal in 2023 and seeing him struggle for much of his first season here, hope sprung eternal that a quality end to 2023 would lead to a big 2024 from the righty slugger. Not so much. Abreu actually agreed to be sent down to the minors where he worked with former Astro Jeff Bagwell, the guy who pushed to sign him. Eventually, both team and player agreed enough was enough and he was released. The Astros will still be paying his salary in 2025, however.
Rockets go .500 for the season.
A .500 season doesn’t sound like much to cheer about unless you consider how historically bad the Rockets had been the previous three seasons. Prior to the 2023-24 season, they hired Ime Udoka; signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks; and changed the entire culture of the team. Ups and downs, standard with young players, continued but it was clear Udoka’s defensive-minded approach and culture of accountability began to change the team as a whole. As a result, they went 41-41, their first non-losing season since James Harden was here.
Andre Johnson enters the Hall of Fame.
Genuinely one of the great players and people, the soft-spoken Johnson received his well deserved gold jacket over the summer, the first Texan player (though definitely not the last) to make it into the Hall. Considering his best quarterback was Matt Schaub, what he did on the field as a wide receiver was nothing short of miraculous and members of the Hall were smart enough to see that.
Astros trade Kyler Tucker, sign Christian Walker.
We would put Alex Bregman leaving via free agency on this list, but it hasn’t happened as of writing. Before that happens, the most impactful moments of the Astros offseason were the deal that sent Tucker to the Cubs for infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith; as well as the signing of free agent first baseman Christian Walker. The Astros did the calculations and realized they would not be able to afford Tucker after he becomes a free agent in 2026, so they did something they had yet to do prior to this: move a core piece of the team before reaching free agency. It was a bold move that, if things fall into place, could help them down the line if not entirely in 2025.
