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TEAM ::: HOUSTON ASTROS
LOCATION ::: HOUSTON, TEXAS
MY FIRST VISIT ::: AUGUST 27, 2008
OPPONENT ::: CINCINNATI REDS
MAJOR
LEAGUE RANK ::: 30 OUT OF 40
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
::: ENRON FIELD
ASTROS FIELD
RATINGS
BALLFIELD ::: A
SCOREBOARD ::: A
FOOD ::: A-
FACILITIES ::: B
 
It seems every time I am going to attend a game in a domed stadium it is either raining,
very cold, or snowing. On my first visit to Houston, it was clear all day but a black cloud was hovering over the city. No
further Dome complaints.
I never thought I would make a comparison of a domed ballpark to Fenway
park but given the exterior I can. Neither Fenway nor Minute Maid look like a ballpark from the street. Sadly, I didn’t
get too many good exterior pictures due to the weather.
Once inside the park you only know you are inside because you are in Houston and not
sweating. A large concourse with everything to eat awaits. Here in Houston, they do a pretty good job at feeding fans. Along
with standard ballpark fare, a sweet shop with cupcakes and a full service Ice Cream stand await. I was particularly happy
with the plate of nachos I had, a huge plate with big scoops of meat and sour cream along with a spicy salsa. A tasty treat
to enjoy with the ball game.
One of the greatest joys about this hobby of mine is seeing at how teams treat their
history. I was very surprised to see how many retired numbers the Astros have. The Astros have retired 9 numbers, 10 if you
include Jackie Robinson. Not being a fan of the Astros, I knew I couldn’t name them all but I also found throughout
the park various stands named for former players. I think that is great and can see why Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio never
left Houston.
I was never at the Astrodome but was aware, I believe from the bad news Bears
movie about the Astrodome’s Home Run Show. When Hunter Pence hit one out in the bottom of the 4th, to my surprise, the
Home Run show began on the scoreboard. It was one of those simple pleasures that I was very happy to see still happening nightly
in Houston.
A trip to Houston may be better if the Astros are in a pennant race, it seemed
on this rainy night with the team out of contention, there was little energy in the park. $ 20 was the price to park right
across the street from the park, given the weather I chose this over the cheaper lots about a block away. The game is handled
well here and in the 7th inning after “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” a few bars of “Deep in the Heart of
Texas” are sung, remind everyone if they forgot that they are in Texas.
THE LINE UPS
Cincinnati Reds Manager :::
12 Dusty Baker
Houston Astros Manager :::
15 Cecil Cooper
CINCINNATI REDS
21 Chris Dickerson lf
27 Jeff Keppinger ss
4 Brandon Phillips 2b
19 Joey Votto 1b
32 Jay Bruce rf
28 Edwin Encarnacion 3b
23 Corey Patterson cf
9 Paul Bako c
33 Josh Fogg p / LP
HOUSTON ASTROS
2 Darin Erstad lf
21 Ty Wigginton 3b
10 Miguel Tejada ss
17 Lance Berkman 1b
27 Geoff Blum 2b
9 Hunter Pence rf
14
Michael Bourn cf
11 Brad Ausmus c
44 Roy Oswalt p
47
Jose Valverde S
REDS 100 000
000 1 6 1
ASTROS 000 200
20x 4 9 0
TIME ::: 2:29
ATTENDANCE ::: 30,741
WEATHER :: Indoors 73
Outdoors - Hot and Raining
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UNCLEBOBSBALLPARKS@GMAIL.COM
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