www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER Page 5 ~ August 24, 2012 Sports Texan’s Arian Foster The Astros Fire Mills as Manager Becomes Vegan By: Terry Davis The Astros did not like the direction the team is heading under leadership of Manager Brad Mills. The Astros relieved Brad Mills of his managerial duties, Gen- eral Manager Jeff Luhnow announced. Hitting coach By: Terry Davis Mike Barnett and first base coach Bobby Meacham @terryd515 have also been relieved of their duties. Earlier this summer The Houston Astros Arian Foster of the Houston have named Tony Texan’s made a conscious DeFrancesco their interim decide to become a vegan. To Arian Foster removes meats and dairy products manager for the remainder of from diet. the average person this deci- the 2012 season. The club sion would not be a difficult found everywhere. A vegan for any potential concerns also named Dan Radison as decision, but to Foster playing can get their daily dose of pro- with other players and their their first base coach and Ty professional football is hard on tein from oatmeal, peanut but- diets. Van Burkleo as their hitting a person’s body. ter, tofu, and whole wheat Foster said, “If you im- coach. The announcement Before this season the bread. prove your health you will was made by Luhnow. Houston Astros relieves Brad Mills of managerial duties. most notable vegan was Tony Foster has always been improve your performance.” “The goal is to find the was with Triple A Sacra- Cardinals minor league hit- Gonzalez of the Atlanta Fal- a person that marches to the This may be one of the rea- best staff we can possibly mento in Oakland’s organi- ting coordinator for three cons. Most football players beat of his own drum. He is sons that he switched diets. assemble to take us to the zation, where he served seasons (2007-09) and was require protein to repair not easily influence by the opin- The news of Foster’s new next level,” said Luhnow. seven seasons (2003-07, also a first and third-base muscle damage that occur dur- ions of others and has not had diet became public knowl- “We want to move forward 2009-10), managing the coach for the Cubs from ing the course of the game. a problem expressing his own edge after he sent a tweet and win as many games as River Cats to six first-place 1995-99 and a first base Protein is most readily found opinion on many topics. For saying that he was now a we can the rest of this year finishes in the Pacific Coast coach for the Padres from in meats, especially red meats. Foster switching his diet is not vegan. and put ourselves in a posi- League Southern Division. 1993-94. Begin a vegan means a big deal. After the first two pre- tion to have a successful DeFrancesco also has Ma- Van Burkleo was serv- person can’t eat any type of The nutritionists for the season games Foster does 2013 and beyond.” jor League coaching experi- ing as the club’s minor league meat, meat by products, fish, Texans do not see a prob- not seem to have lost a beat. DeFrancesco joins the ence, having served as the hitting coordinator, a position milk or milk by products, eggs lem with Foster’s dietary He still has his explosive club from Triple A Oklahoma Athletics’ third base coach in he’s held since last season. and even some breads. Ve- change. They will monitor speed and appears to be the City, where he’s managed 2008. Prior to joining Houston’s gan foods are merely foods him just as closely as they the same type of player as in the RedHawks since 2011. Radison, who joined organization, Van Burkleo from plants, and those can be every member of the team prior years. This season, DeFrancesco the club as a special assis- coached in the Major has led the RedHawks, who tant to the G.M./player de- Leagues for four seasons, Ron Washington Selected to Enter are in contention for a play- velopment prior to this sea- which included the 2007-08 off spot, to a 67-60 record. son, has over 30 years of seasons as Oakland’s hitting Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame The 2012 season was professional experience as a coach and the 2009-10 sea- DeFrancesco’s 17th as a player, Major League coach, sons as Seattle’s bench Rangers’ manager Ron minor league manager and is minor league manager and coach. Prior to his Major Washington for his excel- his 26th season as a player, coordinator. Before joining League stops, Van Burkleo lence in sports. coach or manager in profes- the Astros, he spent the spent six seasons (2001-06) “Pioneers set prece- sional baseball. 2010-11 seasons as the first as the roving hitting instruc- dents, and Ron Washington Prior to joining Okla- base coach for the Washing- tor for the Los Angeles An- certainly has done that as the homa City, DeFrancesco ton Nationals. He was the gels of Anaheim. Texas Rangers’ most suc- cessful manager,” said Tho- The Dallas Cowboys Return mas. “So when the Sports Task Force considered can- didates for its Sam Lacy Pio- to Texas All Banged Up neer Awards, to use a base- regular season and come back ball term, Ron batted lead- in the spring and get ready to off. go again.” He has proven himself The offensive line has had worthy of an award named its share of injuries this season after Lacy, a determined especially at the center position. black sports columnist who Bill Nagy has been released, was instrumental in Jackie because of his history of ankle Robinson integrating Major injuries. Projected starter at cen- League Baseball. It’s an Ron Washington ter Phil Costa has been slowed honor to present Ron’s Pio- down also with an ankle injury. By: Terry Davis pennants and World Series neer Award in front of his The offensive line lack of cohe- The Arizona Fall League appearances in 2010–11. fans, and in front of the team siveness was very evident in the Hall of Fame selected three He boasts the highest that represents Baltimore, opener against the Raiders. new members to its Hall of managerial winning percent- where Lacy’s column ap- Miles Austin and Morris Fame — New York Yankees age in Rangers’ history with peared in the Afro-American Claiborne missed the opener first baseman Mark Teixeira a minimum of two full sea- for 59 years.” against the Raiders. The harsh and pitcher Derek Lowe and sons and remains the only About the Sam Lacy of injuries has made the Cow- Texas Rangers manager Ron manager in Texas/Washing- Award: Named for sports boys limit the plays that starts will Washington. ton franchise annals (1961– writing legend, Sam Lacy, Jason Witten is looking for an opening day return. play in preseason games espe- “Our Fall League Hall of 2011) to win a postseason who was inducted in 1998 By: Terry Davis season with an Achilles injury. cially with Tony Romo. Fame roster swells to 31 mem- series. He also joins Bobby into the broadcasters’ wing The Dallas Cowboys is Head coach on McSurdy in- Austin has a lingering bers as we welcome Mark Cox, Charlie Manuel and of the Baseball Hall of Fame. having a preseason they would jury, “It is a tough injury. One hamstring injury that made his Teixeira, Derek Lowe and Joe Torre as the only man- The award is given annually like to hit the reset button. This of the things that young play- have to miss several games Ron Washington as our 2012 agers in the Division Series to sports figures based on season has been beset by in- ers, and really all players need last season. Claiborne has a honorees. Mark and Derek era to advance their clubs to their contributions to their re- jury after injury. The most no- to understand is all they can knee injury, but it not too seri- have been remarkably consis- consecutive World Series. spected careers, but more table being the latest to tight do is control what they can ous and he has return to prac- tent professionals throughout The Arizona Fall importantly, their direct im- end Jason Witten. control. In his case, go get the tice. Austin did not play in the their standout careers, and League, founded in 1992, pact on the communities they Witten in the first pre- surgery. Do exactly what our second preseason game Ron has become one of the formed its Hall of Fame in served. season game against the Oak- trainers and our medical against the San Diego Charg- most respected managers in 2001 to honor the top ma- Additional 2012 Sam land Raiders suffered an in- people say in terms of his re- ers, but Claiborne saw his first baseball.” jor-league players and man- Lacy Pioneer Award winners jured spleen. The Cowboys hab and understand that you’re action as a Cowboy with the Ron Washington (hitting agers who honed their skills included late Grambling foot- are taking a wait and see atti- going to be back.” start at cornerback. coach, 1992 Sun Cities Solar in the AFL. ball coach Eddie Robinson, tude to see if the Witten will Garrent continued, “And The Cowboys will host Sox, 1993 Tucson Javelinas) Washington was also Brooklyn Nets coach Avery require surgery on the internal you want to be back as good the St. Louis Rams Saturday — Washington, who helped presented with the Sam Lacy Johnson, former University injury.