KVOA

Posted 02/12/2010 10:54 AM by Sean Horejs

Former Hooks slugger Jimmy Van Ostrand has had a memorable week in his native Canada.

The 25-year-old carried the Olympic flame as it made it's way toward Friday's opening ceremonies in Vancouver.

Van Ostrand took his place in the relay just outside his hometown of Richmond, British Columbia.

A member of the Canadian Olympic baseball team in Beijing, he hit .283 for Corpus Christi in 2009, with 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 113 games.

Click to Read More

Posted 02/04/2010 9:45 PM by Tyler Garrett

CORPUS CHRISTI - Houston Astros GM Ed Wade was the keynote speaker this evening at the 6th Annual South Texas Winter Banquet.

Wade became the 11th General Manager of the Houston Astros in September of 2007, and is a veteran of 33 Major League Seasons.

The Astros of course have had a very busy offseason, with the additions of pitcher Brett Myers and infielder Pedro Feliz, both of which Wade believes will be major contributors this season.

But the one player on his mind,… Click to Read More

Posted 01/28/2010 9:50 PM by Sean Horejs

Play Video

CORPUS CHRISTI - Jason Castro is doing what's been expected of him. The Astros first pick in the 2008 draft and former Hooks catcher has a chance to go from single-A to Houston's starting catcher in a year's time.

"It's something I've always looked forward to and dreamt about as a kid," Castro said. Now that I'm on the cusp right now and I'm right on the horizon of that, I'm definitely excited and I'm looking forward to it."

"He's going to get every opportunity to make our Maj… Click to Read More

Posted 02/01/2010 9:51 AM by Sean Horejs

CORPUS CHRISTI- Hunter Pence has returned to Corpus Christi at least once each year since he dazzled Hooks fans during the team's 2006 Texas League championship season.

This time, he appeared to be a much different man. Once again appearing on the annual "Astros Caravan" tour of South Texas, the "aw, shucks" happy-to-be-a-big leaguer vibe fans had gotten used to is gone. The air of a focused professional is what he carries now.

"My offensive goals are very high," he said. "I d… Click to Read More

Posted 01/23/2010 7:48 PM

By STEPHEN HAWKINS

AP Sports Writer

Tom Hicks has agreed to sell the Texas Rangers to a group that includes Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.

The sides announced Saturday night that they had finally reached an agreement, eight days after a 30-day exclusive negotiating window expired. The group is headed by Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg.

The purchase price is expected to be more than $500 million.

The next step is the transaction has to be review… Click to Read More

Posted 01/22/2010 12:20 PM

Javelinas recognized February 4 at Winter Banquet

CORPUS CHRISTI - Travis Earles and Sam Strickland of Texas A&M - Kingsville have been selected 2009 South Texas Collegiate Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. The duo will be recognized at the Sixth Annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in Corpus Christi.

Earles is a Houstonian and entering his senior season. In 2009, he led the… Click to Read More

Posted 01/20/2010 2:10 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - The 2010 South Texas Pre-Season High School All-Star Team features 32 players from 19 area schools. That's because for the first time two divisions have been established - one representing large schools and one for small schools.

The student-athletes will be recognized at the Sixth Annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet on Thursday, February 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in downtown Corpus Christi.

The large-school division (4A and … Click to Read More

Posted 01/15/2010 1:55 PM

Longtime Sinton Baseball Coach Recognized for Service, Success

CORPUS CHRISTI - Sinton baseball coach Gene Kasprzyk is the 2010 recipient of the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet's Lifetime Achievement Award and will be honored at the annual function on Thursday, February 4.

Site is the Omni Bayfront Hotel and doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $75 and available by calling 361-561-HOOK or stopping at the Whataburger Field box office during business hours.
… Click to Read More

Posted 01/12/2010 9:04 PM by Sean Horejs

Play Video

CORPUS CHRISTI - Hooks President Ken Schrom pitched portions of seven seasons in Major League Baseball, earning All-Star status in 1986 before retiring in 1987, the year Mark McGwire won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Schrom feels fortunate not to be a part of the steroid era that followed.

"I think most baseball people realize that, if you saw Mark McGwire come into the game in late 86, 87, he was kind of a tall, lanky, good player. He hit a lot of home runs as a rook… Click to Read More

Posted 01/07/2010 10:54 AM

Tryouts at Whataburger Field on January 23

CORPUS CHRISTI - Oh, say, can you sing... or play?

The Corpus Christi Hooks are conducting open auditions for 2010 National Anthem singers and instrumentalists on Saturday, January 23, at Whataburger Field.

Director of Ballpark Entertainment Steve Richards and other Hooks staff members will review performers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"There are many talented singers and instrumentalists in the C… Click to Read More

Posted 01/07/2010 10:10 PM

Play Video

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Travis Driskill, former Houston Astro and Texas Tech Red Raider, has been named Corpus Christi's pitching coach for the 2010 season. Houston Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett announced Driskill's appointment today.

Driskill succeeds Stan Boroski, who served as Corpus Christi's pitching coach for the last three seasons. Boroski is the new assistant pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Driskill spent last season as the pi… Click to Read More

Posted 01/06/2010 11:26 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI - Travis Driskill, former Houston Astro and Texas Tech Red Raider, has been named Corpus Christi's pitching coach for the 2010 season. Houston Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett announced Driskill's appointment today.

Driskill succeeds Stan Boroski, who served as Corpus Christi's pitching coach for the last three seasons. Boroski is the new assistant pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Driskill spent last season as the pitching coach for the Le… Click to Read More

Posted 01/05/2010 1:26 PM

How's this? Twenty-two Amateur Games before Hooks Open!

CORPUS CHRISTI - In 2009, Whataburger Field hosted 105 baseball events.

The Baseball Capital of South Texas is busy again in '10 with 22 high school and college games before the Hooks begin Texas League play vs. Tulsa April 15.

Calallen, Carroll, Flour Bluff, Gregory-Portland, Mathis, Moody, Sinton and Tuloso-Midway are area high school teams scheduled to meet at Whataburger Field, the best … Click to Read More

Posted 12/09/2009 8:44 PM

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Houston Astros have announced their first eight non-roster invitees for Spring Training 2010. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

The list of invitees includes four righthanded pitchers and four position players, including Corpus Christi alum Drew Meyer. All eight players have agreed to minor league contracts. The first Spring Training workout for Astros pitchers and catchers is February 20th while the first position players workout is scheduled fo… Click to Read More

Posted 12/02/2009 1:07 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - New field manager Wes Clements and his 2010 Corpus Christi Hooks open the home portion of their schedule on Thursday, April 15, with a 7:05 first pitch against the Tulsa Drillers.

The Tulsa tilt is the first of 70 Texas League home games. The Hooks began a home slate deeper in the calendar on one occasion, during the inaugural 2005 campaign when Midland visited on Sunday, April 17.

2010 Opening Night is also Rockport-Fulton's fifth annual community eve… Click to Read More

Posted 11/17/2009 10:51 PM

Play Video

CORPUS CHRISTI - Former Astros farmhand Wes Clements has been selected as Corpus Christi's manager for 2010. That announcement was made today by Ricky Bennett, Houston's assistant general manager.

Clements, 51, made his minor league managerial debut in 2009 with Lancaster of the California League, guiding the JetHawks to a record of 56-84. Clements had the opportunity to manage catcher/outfielder Koby Clemens, who led the minor leagues with 123 RBI's, and outfielder Jon Gaston, who… Click to Read More

Posted 11/12/2009 9:49 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI - In the four-year history of the Whataburger College Classic, fans have been treated to appearances by top-ranked Rice and Arizona and all-tournament performances from players like Ike Davis, Sam Demel, Aaron Luna, Joe Savery, Colt Sedbrook, Eric Sogard and Jon Gaston.

Nationally-ranked and renowned clubs like Arizona State, TCU, Texas Tech, Notre Dame and South Alabama have also spent parts of their spring breaks at 734 East Port Avenue.

How does this … Click to Read More

Posted 11/09/2009 1:36 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - Native Texan Izzy Hinojosa is returning to his home state.

At the same time, he's enjoying a promotion from Rookie Ball to Double-A.

That would be rare for a player, but the award-winning Hinojosa, who hails from Pasadena, is succeeding Garrett Reddehase as field superintendent of the Corpus Christi Hooks.

Hinojosa, 23, has been Director of Field Operations for the Astros-owned Greeneville (Tennessee) Astros the last two seasons. Before mov… Click to Read More

Posted 09/21/2009 8:31 PM

Hooks' Dave Clark has been promoted from third base coach to Astros interim manager for the final 13 games of the season after Astros management fired manager Cecil Cooper.

After leading the Hooks for three seasons, he went on to Round Rock to manage for a year and then got called to be on Cooper's staff this season. Wade said Clark will be a candidate in the search for a permanent replacement.

Clark led the Hooks to the 2006 Texas League Championship. His combined re… Click to Read More

Posted 09/17/2009 8:33 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Hooks are cleverly saying their old hit record will be shattered during their Hall of Fame Fight Night on Oct. 17.

All in all, seven different fights will be housed on the diamond, with Corpus Christi's own Jerry Belmontes helping headline the event. His opponent has yet to be named.

However, Belmontes has an idea of who it might be, but the bigger picture in this one is breaking the important 10-win plateau.

"It's like a different level. I… Click to Read More

Posted 09/08/2009 1:23 PM

Second time for Whataburger Field

CORPUS CHRISTI - Corpus Christi Hooks field superintendent Garrett Reddehase has been named the Texas League's Turf Manager of the Year in voting by league managers and umpires.  The announcement was made today by league president Tom Kayser.

Reddehase, who has been involved with the grounds crew at Whataburger Field since the building of the facility in 2005, has been the club's head groundskeeper since October of 2007.&… Click to Read More

Posted 09/07/2009 8:54 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - Nine games under .500, the second half of the season didn't exactly go as planned for the Hooks, who have lost four of their last five games. The missions will help the team close out the season Monday night.

Last night's 6 to 3 loss hurt the Hooks a bit. It eliminated any hope of the Hooks winning their first series over the Missions and they've been playing those guys for five years.

All time San Antonio is 79 and 60 versus Corpus Chri… Click to Read More

Posted 09/07/2009 10:04 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Hooks have just two games remaining on the year, meaning, sadly, Sunday's game was their final weekend game. The Missions were still in town just preparing for their postseason series with Midland.

The Hooks took Saturday's game 3-1, thanks in large to a Sergio Perez gem.

Plenty of families were on hand for a little Labor Day weekend fun.

The Missions would get the scoring going in the third, as Eric Sogard grounded into a fielder's cho… Click to Read More

Posted 08/10/2009 7:49 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - Astros third baseman Aaron Boone will play in his first professional game Monday night since undergoing open heart surgery back in March.

He is slated for five innings at third base as the Hooks take on the Rockhounds.

The 36-year-old admitted to knowing about his heart condition as far as back as college, but said it was not, at the time, an emergency situation.

Boone is scheduled to be with the team for 10 to 12 days, then will head to Round Rock be… Click to Read More

Posted 08/07/2009 4:04 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - Astros outfielder Mitch Einertson has been suspended 50 games under baseball's minor league drug program after a second violation for a drug of abuse.

The suspension of Einertson, who is with the Astros' Double-A Corpus Christi team, began Friday. The 23-year-old was batting .260 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 88 games this season.

There have been 49 suspensions this year under the minor league drug program, along with four under the major league prog… Click to Read More