Houston Sports: Three New Year’s wishes for Houston teams

As 2018 ends and 2019 begins, Houstonians can look back on this season with some joy and sorrow. But knowing the future looks brighter and great potential for better success than 2018, it’s time to plan out new year’s wishes for our Houston sports teams.

So, 2018 was in some ways a successful year for Houston sports. Maybe not as thrilling or emotional as 2017, but with so much happening right now, one can only smile and take pride in knowing that Houston is truly becoming a great sports city. Something that couldn’t have been said ten years ago in 2008.

What stood out in 2018 on the positive side?

• The Houston Astros won a franchise record 103 games.
• Alex Bregman emerged as a superstar winning All-Star Game MVP and becoming a clutch player.
• Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton had their best seasons to date.
• The Houston Rockets won 65 games, the best in franchise history.
• James Harden won league MVP.
• The Houston Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals.
• After starting 0-3, the Houston Texans have suddenly found themselves in the playoffs with Deshaun Watson at the helm.

But with every positive comes a negative and unfortunately, we had those.

• The Houston Astros lost in five games to the ALCS to the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox.
• Morton and Brian McCann have gone back or have signed with new teams.
• Dallas Keuchel and Marwin Gonzalez could be gone before the 2019 season starts.
• Chris Paul suffered an injury that hurts the Houston Rockets‘ chances in the Western Conference Finals.
• 27 missed three-pointers.
• The Houston Texans started the season 0-3.
• Will Fuller and Demaryius Thomas‘s season-ending injuries.
• Wasted opportunity to beat the Colts and Eagles to help our chances to get the second seed.

A year ago, I wrote about three predictions for Houston sports for the year of 2018. I was right on two of the three. The Rockets got to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals and the Texans are in the playoffs. It’s a shame that the Astros didn’t get the chance to repeat. But I guess sometimes, you have to lose in order to have a bitter taste in your mouth to go back and win.

Of course a few days ago, one of our editors, Brian Patterson, came out with this entry about the worst moments of 2018 for the Houston sports teams. While it made me sick (but intrigued) to read this, I know he expects 2019 to continue to be as great as 2018 and 2017 plus more.

I could sit and write up the best three things about 2018. But I already briefly mentioned them above. So instead, I thought I try to do something different. Rather than make predictions, I’ve decided to come up with three new year’s resolutions and wishes for our Houston sports teams.