Mickey Mantle hits the first home run in the history of the Astrodome

Mickey Mantle in the Astrodome

On April 9, 1965, Houston begins playing in the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson joins 47,878 fans for the opening of Harris County Domed Stadium (the Astrodome). In the opening ceremonies, 24 astronauts throw 24 ceremonial first pitches as the Colt .45’s become the Astros.

The Houston Astros win an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, 2 – 1, in 12 innings. Dick Farrell tosses the first pitch. Ron Brand triples for Houston’s first hit. The legendary Mickey Mantle homers to center field for the game’s first run but the newly-named Astros prevail, 2-1 in twelve innings, on a single by player-coach Nellie Fox

The indoor ballpark was a welcomed break for the Astros and their fans, who spend three grueling years at the open-air Colt Stadium that provided zero shade from the brutal Texas summer sun, nor protection from the numerous mosquitoes that plagued the ballpark.
 
Said Rusty Staub who played two seasons there as a Colt .45, “I don’t care what ballpark they ever talk about as being the hottest place on the face of the Earth, Colt Stadium was it.”.
The Astrodome was originally laid out with natural grass with hopes that the transparent roof would allow enough sun in, unfortunately, the roof emitted a glare that made the ball hard to track for outfielders and despite attempts to fix the problem the roof had to be painted over, thus killing the grass and forcing the Astros to resort to another first – artificial turf, or what be known as AstroTurf.
 

 

 

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HOMERUN HISTORY

3 Homerun Games
4 Homerun Games
Homerun History
Grand Slams
40 Homerun Seasons
50 Homerun Seasons
60 Homerun Seasons
70 Homerun Seasons
Lost Homeruns

 

Milestones Homeruns

300 Homerun
400 Homerun
500 Homerun 
600 Homerun
700 Homerun

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