Astrodome
Astrodome,,Houston,TX,US Ball Park First Game Date – 04/12/1965 (1) Starting Pitchers – vs. Phillies: 04/12/1965 Final Score 2-0 (PHI) Attendance – 42,652 Starting Pitchers Bob Bruce (HOU); Chris Short (PHI)...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Feb 13, 2018 | Ball Park, Houston Astros | 0 |
2018 – Harris County commissioners agree to spend $105 million to begin renovations for the long-dormant Astrodome. Than plan is to elevate the floor to ground level which will be used for parking spaces then convert the remaining structure to be used for festivals and celebrations.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Oct 3, 1999 | Lasts, Pennant Winners | 0 |
On October 3, 1999 In the final regular-season game ever to be played at the Astrodome, Mike...
Read MorePosted by Tom | May 11, 1999 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1999 – Houston ties a club record for runs scored during a 19-8 demolition of the Pirates at the Astrodome. Seven Astros, including Tim Bogar and Paul Bako , have multi-hit games in the 18-hit assault. Houston breaks open the game with back-to-back five-run frames in the fourth and fifth, making an easy winner of Sean Bergman, who surrenders six runs in five innings of work. Houston’s ten doubles sets another club mark.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 6, 1999 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1999 – The Astros begin their final campaign in the Astrodome by defeating the Cubs, 4-2. Shane Reynolds is the Opening Day winner. Carl Everett and Richard Hidalgo bash solo home runs.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Feb 2, 1996 | Ball Park, Houston Astros | 0 |
1996 – Speculation that Houston would become a member of the Canadian Football League ends when the Baltimore Stallions announce they will relocate to Montreal. Astros owner Drayton McLane toyed with the idea of bringing a CFL team to the Astrodome as a replacement for the departing NFL Houston Oilers.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 4, 1994 | Extra Innings, Houston Astros, Opening Day, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1994 – Mitch Williams walks the bases full then surrenders two 12th-inning runs in the season opener against Montreal. Ken Caminiti’s two-run double ends a dramatic three-run comeback for a 6-5 Houston triumph. Astros debut new navy and gold uniforms with the leaning star.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | May 18, 1990 | Fielding | 0 |
Chicago Cubs Ryne Sandberg’s errorless game streak at second base comes to an end after 123 games and 584 chances. Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds had held the previous record of 91 games.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 9, 1990 | Extra Innings, Hit By Pitch, Opening Day | 0 |
Keeping with the team’s tradition of having a rookie select the music, Reds freshman first baseman Hal Morris picks U Can’t Touch This, following the Opening Day 8-4 extra-inning victory at the Astrodome. The iconic MC Hammer tune will become the team’s mantra and the unofficial theme song for the eventual world champs.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Aug 18, 1989 | 2000 hit | 0 |
Andre Dawson gets his 2,000th career hit in the Cubs’ 6 – 5 loss to Houston. Houston scores twice in the 9th against four Cub relievers. After the game, the Astros trade Billy Hatcher, who has a pinch single in the 9th today, to the Pirates for Glenn Wilson.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 3, 1989 | This Day In Baseball | 0 |
In a 22-inning game played at the Astrodome, Houston beats the Dodgers, 5-4, when Rafael Ramirez’ run-scoring single plates Bill Doran to end the contest at 2:50 a.m., seven hours and 14-minutes after it started. The longest game in National League history features L.A. center fielder John Shelby going 0-for-10 and southpaw Fernando Valenzuela finishing the game at first base.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 14, 1988 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1988 – Glenn Davis drives in five, including three on his fifth home run of the young season, to slam the Reds, 9-3. It makes for an unhappy 47th birthday for Cincinnati skipper Pete Rose.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Sep 20, 1986 | Famous Thefts | 0 |
1986 – Tying the National League record for stolen bases in one game, San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn swipes five bases as the Houston Astros beat San Diego 10 – 6. During his 20-year career, the .338 lifetime hitter will only average 16 stolen bases per season.
Read MorePosted by Baseball | Jul 15, 1986 | All Star Game | 0 |
At the Houston Astrodome, the American League wins the 1986 All-Star Game, 3 – 2, for its second triumph in the last 15 years. AL starter Roger Clemens pitches three perfect innings to win the game’s MVP Award. Fernando Valenzuela pitches two innings for the National League striking out his first five batters, including his fellow countryman, Teddy Higuera; it will be Higuera’s only at-bat in the major leagues.
Read MorePosted by Baseball | Apr 8, 1984 | This Day In Baseball | 0 |
In a 3 – 1 loss to the Mets, Houston Astros shortstop Dickie Thon is hit in the face by a Mike Torrez pitch that breaks the orbital bone around his eye. Thon will be operated on April 11th, but will miss the rest of the season. When he returns, the All-Star SS will be plagued with blurred vision and be relegated to a back-up role for some time.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Aug 18, 1983 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1983 – For nearly twenty years, engineers had debated how well the Astrodome would hold up in a hurricane. With 95-mph winds, Hurricane Alicia passes through Houston and the Dome suffers hardly a scratch. The Astros, on the road in St. Louis, lose as many worry about their families and property back home.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 18, 1982 | Team Streaks | 0 |
Joe Torre’s Braves set a National League record when they win their 11th straight game to start the season, beating Houston at the Astrodome, 6-5. The eventual NL West Division champs, who will finish the campaign with an 89-73 record, will extend the mark to 13-0 when they add two more victories against Cincinnati at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Sep 26, 1981 | No Hitters | 0 |
On September 26, 1981, future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Oct 12, 1980 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1980 – Houston has a 5-2 lead and needs six outs to reach the World Series. Nolan Ryan is on the mound. Philadelphia surges back to win in ten innings, 8-7, and take the National League pennant before a drained Astrodome crowd. Manny Trillo’s triple caps a five-run Phillie rally but the Astros tie it on hits from Rafael Landestoy and Jose Cruz . Garry Maddox’s sinking double breaks the tie then he snares Enos Cabell’s fly to break Houston hearts. The ten-inning game is the fourth consecutive extra-inning game of the series.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Oct 11, 1980 | NLCS | 0 |
On October 11, 1980 In Game 4 of the NLCS, the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Houston Astros, 5-3,...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Jul 30, 1980 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1980 – J.R. Richard collapses from a stroke while working out at the Astrodome. He is rushed to Methodist Hospital where surgery saves his life. His distracted teammates lose in Philadelphia, 6-4. Richard would never regain the coordination needed to resume his career.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 15, 1976 | Ball Park | 0 |
On June 15, 1976, a game is rained out at the Houston Astrodome. The game is postponed when heavy...
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 10, 1974 | Ball Park | 0 |
Mike Schmidt hits what may be the longest single in major league history at Astrodome Are you...
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jan 12, 1972 | This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1972 – Houston Astros at the Astrodome. Cesar Cedeno- Jim Wynn-lee May-Bob Watson-Doug Rader...
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 6, 1971 | Pitching Feats | 0 |
At Houston‚ Claude Osteen allows 4 hits and rookie Bill Buckner’s homer accounts for all the scoring as the Dodgers beat the Astros‚ 2 – 0. Don Wilson takes the loss. Osteen was 6-0 last year against Houston.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Aug 16, 1970 | Ball Park, Homerun History | 0 |
In a 5 – 3 Montreal win over the Astros, Bob Bailey hits one of the longest home runs in Astrodome history.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 3, 1970 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1970 – Doug Rader becomes the first to reach the Dome’s gold (upper reserved) seats with a home run off Stan Bahnsen during a 9-5 exhibition win against the Yankees. The ball lands in section 738D, row 6, seat 1.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 8, 1969 | Extra Innings, Pitching Feats | 0 |
1969 – Private Larry Dierker, on a 24-hour pass from the Army while fulfilling his military commitment in Louisiana, outduels Steve Carlton for a 2-1, eleven-inning triumph over the Cardinals at the Astrodome. Dierker allows just five hits and caps his night by driving in Julio Gotay with the game-winner. Dierker singled off Joe Hoerner to earn his eighth win of the year.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 5, 1969 | Batting Feat, draft | 0 |
1969 – Joe Morgan goes 4-for-4, including a home run and four runs scored, to pace the Astros past St. Louis, 11-6, at the Astrodome. Dooley Womack, the last of six Houston pitchers, gets the victory. Houston wins off the field too, choosing pitcher James Rodney Richard of Ruston, LA with the second overall pick in the draft, behind Jeff Burroughs. Richard has a 21-0 mark in his three years at Ruston High School.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jul 9, 1968 | All Star Game | 0 |
Appropriately, pitching dominates the All-Star Game in the first All-Star Game played indoors. Willie Mays, playing in place of the injured Pete Rose, tallies an unearned run in the 1st inning against American Leaguestarter Luis Tiant to complete the scoring for the day – the first All-Star effort to end 1 – 0. Don Drysdale, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Ron Reed and Jerry Koosman hold the American League to three hits.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 15, 1968 | Extra Innings, Record Setters | 0 |
On April 15, 1968, the New York Mets and Houston Astros play the longest game in National League history at the Astrodome. The game ends in the 24th inning when the Astros score an unearned run on Al Weis’ error. The 1-0 game lasts a total of six hours and six minutes.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 14, 1968 | This Day In Baseball | 0 |
At the Astrodome, New York Mets pitcher Nolan Ryan earns the first of his 324 major league victories. The 21-year-old right-hander hurls six and two-thirds innings of three-hit, shutout baseball to lead the Mets over the Houston Astros, 4 – 0. Danny Frisella takes the save in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Tommie Agee goes 2 for 3 with two runs and Art Shamsky 2 for 3 with two RBI. Larry Dierker is the losing pitcher.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 10, 1968 | Opening Day, walkoffs | 0 |
1968 – Roberto Clemente’s opening day optical illusion goes for naught as Pittsburgh’s newly acquired answer to its pitching problem, Jim Bunning, fresh off his career year with Philadelphia, provides an unwelcome harbinger of what will be a very trying season and, in so doing, marks the beginning of the distinctly mediocre final phase of his Hall of Fame career. But it’s just another day at the office for Clemente, as he provides one of those signature moments when, as Frank Robinson recalls, “You’d watch him and find yourself saying to the guy next to you, ‘Did you see that?'” Unfortunately, Bunning, Juan Pizarro and Ron Kline combine to squander Pittsburgh’s 4 – 2 advantage in the final frame, thus leaving Clemente’s magical moment (and his 3rd-inning, tie-breaking homer) somewhat adrift: “Rookie Hal King couldn’t believe Roberto Clemente caught his long fly down the right field line for the third out in the 2nd inning,” writes Les Biederman in the Pittsburgh Press. “King had just turned second base when he heard the crowd groan and saw the Pirates running off the field. He stopped, gave a bewildered look and kept glancing down the right field line to see how it was possible.”
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 15, 1967 | 3 Home Run Games, Houston Astros | 0 |
1967 – Jim Wynn drills three solo homers at the Dome to trip the Giants, 6-2. He is the only player to belt three homers at an Astrodome game until 1994. Bob Bolin and Bill Henry are his victims. Mike Cuellar strikes out ten to win his eighth of the year.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 15, 1967 | 3 Home Run Games, 3 homerun game | 0 |
Jimmy Wynn becomes the first Astro to hit three homers in one game, becoming the first of only two Houston players to have accomplished the feat in the 34-year history of the Astrodome. In 1994, ‘Toy Cannon’s’ performance will be matched by future Hall of Fame first baseman Jeff Bagwell.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 18, 1966 | Ball Park, Firsts | 0 |
1966 – The first major league game on artificial turf is played in the Astrodome. Two future Hall-of-Famers face off. 21-year-old rookie Don Sutton stymies Robin Roberts and the Astros for a 6-3 Dodger win, the first of his career. The infield was carpeted with the Monsanto product Judge Roy Hofheinz dubbed “Astroturf”. The outfield and foul grounds were still dirt but had the zippered sod installed after the homestand.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Sep 13, 1965 | 500 Homerun | 0 |
1965 – At the Astrodome facing Don Nottebart, Giant outfielder Willie Mays becomes the fifth player in major league history to hit 500 career home runs. The “Say Hey Kid” will hit a league-leading and career-high 52 home runs en route to his second MVP season. Juan Marichal gets his 22nd victory, a 5 – 1 decision over Houston. It is the 11th straight win for San Francisco, which now has a 2 1/2 game lead in the National League pennant race.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Aug 13, 1965 | Classic Broadcast, walkoffs | 0 |
On August 13 , 1965 — At the Astrodome Rusty Staub singles home the game-winner in the ninth...
Read MoreIn the first inning of a 5-2 loss to San Francisco, Jimmy Wynn is unable to catch Jim Ray Hart’s two-out routine fly ball when he loses the ball in the glare of diffused Texas sunlight streaming through plastic panes of the newly-opened Astrodome. The play, now a base-clearing inside-the-park three-run home run instead of an easy third out, results in the painting of the ballpark’s ceiling the next day and will lead to the use of Astroturf next season because the grass will be unable to be grown due to the reduced amount of sunlight.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 29, 1965 | Media | 0 |
On April 29, 1965, colorful New York Mets broadcaster Lindsey Nelson delivers the play-by-play of...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 24, 1965 | Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1965 – Bob Aspromonte is the first to set off the Astrodome scoreboard’s home run display for its intended purpose during a 5-0 shutout of the Pirates. Vern Law is the victim. Jim Wynn adds another blast two innings later to delight the crowd. Dick Farrellscatters seven hits.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Apr 19, 1965 | This Day In Baseball | 0 |
1965 – At a cost of $20,000, the original Astrodome ceiling is painted because the sun’s glare makes fielding fly balls hazardous. This will cause the grass to die and spur the introduction of artificial turf next season.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 12, 1965 | Ball Park, Firsts, Homerun History | 0 |
On April 12, 1965, Richie Allen of the Philadelphia Phillies hits the first regular season home...
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 10, 1965 | Exhibition | 0 |
April 10, 1965. during exhibition games before NL opener. Opponent was Baltimore Orioles; the...
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Apr 9, 1965 | Ball Park, Exhibition, Homerun History | 0 |
Mickey Mantle hits the first home run in the history of the Astrodome Are you interested in owning...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Feb 8, 1965 | Ball Park, Houston Astros | 0 |
1965 – A few Astros take the field for the first practice inside the new Astrodome. Rusty Staub is the only player to swat a ball over the fence as 250 members of the press look on. Pitchers are relieved to discover that breaking pitches still break indoors. Singer Anita Bryant is on hand to deliver a ceremonial first pitch.
Read MorePosted by Bobby | Feb 7, 1965 | Exhibition | 0 |
On February 7, 1965 Some two months before the Astrodome’s grand opening in 1965 (then known...
Read MorePosted by Tom | Jan 4, 1965 | Ball Park, Houston Astros, This Day In Baseball | 0 |
Harris County Commissioners vote to restrict visitors from the construction site of the new domed stadium, fearing the constant traffic of onlookers would delay completion of the ballpark. While Judge Hofheinz calls the stadium “95-percent complete”, commissioners are concerned that the deadline for the April 9th opener will be approaching soon.
Read MorePosted by Tom | Dec 1, 1964 | Franchise News, Houston Astros | 0 |
The Houston Colt .45s officially change their nickname to “Astros.” The change coincides with the team’s impending move from Colt Stadium to the Harris County Domed Stadium, also known as the Astrodome. The change in name for the three-year old franchise is prompted by a dispute with the Colt firearm company and the team’s proximity to NASA headquarters.
Read MorePosted by This Day in Baseball | Jun 9, 1963 | Ball Park, Franchise News | 0 |
On June 9, 1963, the Houston Colt .45s host the first Sunday night game in major league history....
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