This Day in Sports History - 1/17/2003

In the highly anticipated first meeting between seven-foot-six Rockets rookie Center Yao Ming and seven-foot-one Lakers Center Shaquille O'Neal, the Rockets prevail 108 - 104 in overtime at the Compaq Center in Houston. Yao blocks Shaq's first three shots and alters Kobe Bryant's shot at the end of regulation. O'Neal finished with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Yao manages 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks. Houston Guard Steve Francis leads all scorers with 44 points, the most he will collect in a single game during his nine-year NBA career.

This Day in Sports History - 1/3/1993

In one of the greatest comebacks in NFL History, the Buffalo Bills rally from a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers, 41 - 38, at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills are down 35 - 3 early in the third period. Buffalo scores five touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters for a 38 - 35 lead. RB Kenneth Davis crosses the goal line on a one-yard run, and QB sub Frank Reich fires four TD tosses; one to WR Don Beebe and three to WR Andre Reed. With 12 seconds left, the Oilers tie the contest, 38 - 38, on a kick from Al Del Greco, but the Bills prevail on Steve Christie's 32-yard field goal 3:06 into OT.

This Day in Sports History - 11/17/1990

University of Houston QB David Klingler sets an NCAA record with 11 touchdown passes during an 84 - 21 rout of Eastern Washington at the Astrodome. By the end of the season, Klingler will throw for 54 touchdowns to establish another college football standard. It will stand until 2006 when University of Hawaii QB Colt Brennan completes 58 TD passes.

Happy Birthday Hakeem Olajuwon

Happy Birthday Craig Biggio

Memorable March-Madness Moments: N.C. State vs. Houston

Andy Pettitte & Trevor Hoffman

The final two players on my 25 Free Agents to watch are Andy Pettitte and Trevor Hoffman. Both players decided to retire instead of returning for another season. Pettitte has a career record of 240 - 138 and 2,251 strikeouts. He also has the most postseason wins with 19. Hoffman, who started as a SS in the Minor-Leagues, had 601 career saves. Included in that were nine seasons of 40 or more saves. Hoffman is known for his change-up like Bruce Sutter is known for his splitter or Mariano Rivera is known for his cutter.

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