Convenience Big Store: Astros' visit to Chicago includes a reunion with an old friend

Today's starting lineup

The Astros begin a three-game series tonight in Chicago against the White Sox, MLB's worst team. But this matchup may be more about the reunion with old friend Martín Maldonado, who was a revered on-field and clubhouse leader during his six seasons in Houston. Don't let the boos on the road fool you: Astros players are apparently popular, with Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker among the leaders at their positions in fan voting for the All-Star Game. On the farm, last year's first-round draft pick, shortstop Brice Matthews of Atascocita, is on his way to Double-A Corpus Christi.

Top NBA draft prospect Zaccharie Risacher has an appealing skill set, but how would he fit in a crowded Rockets wing contingent? The 2023-24 NBA season officially reached its end Monday night, with the Celtics throttling the Mavericks to clinch their league-record 18th championship. Monday also marked a bizarre anniversary for the Rockets: It was 30 years ago that the O.J. Simpson low-speed Bronco chase in Los Angeles overshadowed Game 5 of the NBA Finals between Houston and New York.

Texas A&M is one win away from the College World Series championship round after Monday's win over Kentucky. Mike Brumley, the starting shortstop on Texas' 1983 national championship team who later had two stints with the Astros, was killed in a car crash in Mississippi. He was 61.

With an eye toward boosting their anemic offense, the Dynamo sign striker Ezequiel Ponce on a club-record transfer from AEK Athens.

Stat of the day: 16. Years to the day between NBA championships for the Celtics, whose most recent one before Monday came in 2008.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros Ryan Pressly, left, and Martin Maldonado wave to the fans during the Astros World Series championship parade on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022 in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Gone but not forgotten

Catcher Martín Maldonado, who spent six seasons in Houston, is still revered by his former Astros teammates for what he brought to the locker room as they get set to face him and the White Sox tonight in Chicago.

Astros at White Sox preview: The Astros visit Chicago for a three-game series against the MLB-worst White Sox beginning tonight.
Balloting update: In the first All-Star balloting update released Monday by Major League Baseball, the Astros' Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker are among the leaders in fan voting at their positions.
Moving up: Less than a year after being drafted, Brice Matthews, the Astros' 2023 first-round pick from Atascocita, has been promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi.
Mike Brumley, 1963-2024: A member of Texas' 1983 national championship baseball team who later played for the Astros and five other MLB teams, Mike Brumley was killed in a car crash. He was 61.

Rockets / NBA

Zaccharie Risacher has impressed with his range shooting and defense, but how would he fit among a crowded collection of wings on the Rockets' roster?

Photo by: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Crowded house?

Draft prospect Zaccharie Risacher has impressed with his range shooting and defense, but how would he fit among a crowded collection of wings on the Rockets' roster?

Juice on the loose: Monday marked the 30th anniversary of O.J. Simpson's infamous low-speed Bronco chase in Los Angeles, overshadowing Game 5 of the Rockets/Knicks NBA Finals.
Green day: With a Game 5 rout of the visiting Mavericks, the Celtics claimed the franchise's 18th NBA championship, breaking a tie with the Lakers for the most in league history.