Houston superstar athlete is in the money now

Houston's greatest athlete isn't dating a Kardashian, has never won a Cy Young Award or been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Heck, he's never even done an H-E-B commercial.

On Jan. 23, this superstar is going for a national title, the biggest prize in his sport. And this time, he's taking Houston pride across the finish line. Experts say he has a leg up on the competition, too.

Make that four legs. He's a dog.

Need My Moneynow is the undisputed fastest, most honored racing greyhound in Gulf Greyhound Park history. He's one of eight heralded greyhounds from across America invited to compete in the 2016 BetAmerica Daytona 550 National Championship at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room.

This race is the Kentucky Derby for greyhounds.

Need My Moneynow was born (whelped) July 1, 2012, in North Texas. He raced 43 times last year at Gulf Greyhound Park on Interstate 45 in La Marque. He had 35 wins, five second-place finishes and three thirds.

There's no sure thing in gambling? This dog finished "in the money" (first, second or third) every race.

Need My Moneynow weighs 68 pounds and, much like Jerry Seinfeld's favorite cookie, is black and white. His father is a racer named No More Loving, his mom is Need a Date. How dominant is this pooch?

"Last September, he set a new Gulf Greyhound track record of 29.35 seconds," said Gulf Greyhound Park's legendary track announcer John Paul Faour, who's called every one of Need My Moneynow's races. "He finished the year by tying the track record of 14 consecutive wins. Gulf Greyhound Park opened in 1992, and no question, Need My Moneynow is the best of all time. The numbers don't lie. We've had greats like P's Raising Cain, Sweet Theme and Seldom Told. But Need My Moneynow tops them. He's a very smart dog and knows how to stay out of trouble during a race."

An inside tip from Faour on Need My Moneynow's chances in the championship race Jan. 23 in Daytona:

"The Daytona track favors early speed, and Need My Moneynow has incredible early speed. I think he'll win it."

He'll have to beat 2014 Greyhound of the Year and defending champ, Husker Magic, representing Derby Park in St. Petersburg, Fla. Husker Magic raced 54 times last year, with 40 wins and nine second-place finishes. He finished fourth or worse (out of the money) five times.

You want more intrigue? Greyhound racing is called the "Sport of Queens," and Husker Magic is a female - which makes the stakes race a battle of the sexes. Plus there are six other dogs who want a say in the outcome.

Need My Moneynow's hometown fans will be able to watch the race, and plunk down a bet, via simulcast at Gulf Greyhound Park. While the largest dog track in America ended live racing on New Year's Eve, the facility still offers wagering on races at other horse and dog tracks. Doors open at 11 a.m., seven days a week, refreshments available.

Sadly, Need My Moneynow will never race in the Houston area again. He will have to resume his career in another state. This is worse than Boston Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees, or the Edmonton Oilers trading Wayne Gretzky to Los Angeles. It hurts.

You'll notice that the name of the dog track in Daytona Beach includes "& Poker Room," with 55 poker tables for money games. That track still has live racing, supports hundreds of jobs for locals and makes money.

Texas doesn't allow dog or horse tracks to offer poker or slot machines. Our tracks are dead and dying.

In related news, parking lots at tracks and casinos in Louisiana and Oklahoma are packed with Texas license plates.

The mighty Quinn

Turning to human sports, former Clements High School and Rice Owls baseball star Mark Quinn has been hired as assistant hitting coach by the Baltimore Orioles.

Quinn played for Rice from 1994-95. In '95, he was the team's Most Valuable Player. Also on that Rice team: future Major Leaguers Jose Cruz Jr., Matt Anderson, Kevin Joseph and a slugger named Lance Berkman.

Quinn won two batting titles in the minors before making his debut with the Kansas City Royals in September, 1999. He did sort of OK his first game - belting two home runs and going 3 for 4. Only two other players in history did that. He's the only player ever to hit five homers in his first seven games.

In 2000, he hit 20 homers and batted .294, earning Rookie of the Year honors by the Sporting News. Injuries ended his career in 2002. He finished with 45 dingers and a lifetime batting average of .282. Until Carlos Quentin came along in 2006, Quinn held the record for most home runs by a player whose last name starts with "Q."

In 2008, Quinn opened the Baseball School on West Alabama in Houston, and began coaching youth select teams called the Houston Royals. He also was an advisor to a Little League team called the Royals.

One of his pitchers on both teams: my kid. I used to sit next to Quinn during Little League games. Think I didn't torture him with questions about baseball?

Times have changed. When I played Little League, my coach was a dad who wore Bermuda shorts and black socks and could barely reach home plate during batting practice.

My kid's coach … hit a home run in Yankee Stadium.