Ballpark to the Uniforms need a makeover!

by Astros7 on Nov 16, 2011 10:18 AM CST

Crane needs to makeover all of Minute Maid Park then. He should move the Crawford Boxes back, Take the train out of the ballpark and replace it with a shuttle on a track, redo the colors in the ballpark, do away with junction jack and bring back orbit, get rid of the brick red unis and bring back the rainbow uniforms or the '65-'70 uniforms, also go ahead and get rid of Carlos Lee, Brett Myers, and Wandy. If he wants to come in and take over the organization he should give it an entire makeover from the ballpark to the uniforms.

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I LOVE all of those features of the ballpark. Removing those things would only make me think more that these aren’t the Astros anymore, and would push more toward the edge of ending my fandom.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 10:31 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

I am a fan of the Astros. If the intent is to sever the connections to the Astros I have rooted for in the past, why should I care anymore?

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

I am just trying to suggest the Astros back to what they should be. What does a train, brick red uniforms and Junction Jack have to do with NASA or the Astros. I am just saying Crane should remake some of the ballpark and the Stros. Moving the Crawford boxes back 10 ft would help because we are moving to the AL I can just see Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and others of the like hitting homers to our short porch in left. Changing the Crawford boxes may be too extreme but I just think we need some makeovers team wise and in the ball park.

by Astros7 on Nov 16, 2011 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

I have the feeling that most games after the AL move will look more NFL scores than baseball scores.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

I agree!

But we have to be on the winning end of those games! Hitters, Hitters, Hitters!

by Astros7 on Nov 16, 2011 1:56 PM CST up reply actions

The uniform—-oh, I could care less. (Though I actually like the red brick uniform, myself.) But the stadium features are part of what the make park unique and form a connection to the Astros’ last World Series, for instance. If all of those things are reformed to start from scratch, it further eviscerates the Astros’ history. I don’t live in Houston anymore; so my loyalty to the team is based on that history—not just because it is a team in Houston.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

I think the Crawford Boxes can become a competitive advantage for the Astros in any context. The team can develop and acquire hitters whose stroke fits the ballpark dimensions. The advantage is the opposite of what the Yankees teams are built for (since Yankee Stadium is deep to LF and shallower to RF). The LF which is most similar to the Crawford Boxes is Fenway Park. And it would be sacrilege in Boston to suggest doing away with the Green Monster.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

I’d like to see Tal’s Hill bulldozed

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by Timothy De Block on Nov 16, 2011 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

The in-play foul pole, too.

by MadMartygan on Nov 16, 2011 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

(you meant flagpole?) I like both Tal’s Hill and the flagpole. The “hill” is a homage to Crosley Field’s terrace in the outfield. Sloping terraces were a historical feature of many early ML ballparks. Flagpoles in play were also frequent features of older ballparks—Yankee Stadium had one until the 70’s and the old Tigers stadium had one.

I would view the Hill and flagpole as a home field advantage that benefits the Astros. The old University of Texas ballpark (Clark Field) featured an even more unusual “billy goat hill” which combined with limestone cliffs to produce strange bounces of the ball. As the referenced article notes:

Clearly, this gave the Longhorns a home field advantage over visiting teams. For example, the Longhorns could easily get an inside-the-park home run when a ball was hit in the direction of the cliff because the opposing outfielders were perplexed by its caroms and how to make plays by using the cliff. Longhorn outfielders could typically hold batters to a double or triple because of their familiarity with the cliff.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

oops. Flag pole. I suppose it’s not a huge deal. It was fun watching Bourn track those fly balls down. I think even Berkman had a memorable catch up there.

by MadMartygan on Nov 16, 2011 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

I did not know about Clark field

Ive always thought a natural land feature would make a cool outfield wall.

by ntn on Nov 16, 2011 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

He should do that before the 2013 season since they wont be the NL Astros anymore

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 10:53 AM CST reply actions

Don’t change the Crawford Boxes. Very endearing feature of MMP.

The shuttle idea and bringing back Orbit might be cool.

I wouldn’t mind new unis.

Lee is immovable until the end of his contract. He might be the only true major league hitter on the roster.

Myers and Wandy may very well be traded, so you might get your wish.

There’s a chance that Crane will build from the ground up, gradually raise payroll, focus on player development, and build a winner by 2013. But there’s also a chance he will be cheap and focus more on the business than the roster and we’re KC.

by Snake Diggity on Nov 16, 2011 12:02 PM CST reply actions

I have to disagree.

I don’t want the AL “Astros” to be even REMOTELY associated with the National League club .

by mike_o on Nov 16, 2011 2:31 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

Union station is a part of the city's history

And I very much like emphasizing the connection the ballpark shares with it. For me, all past attempts to associate Houston sports franchises with NASA have come across as cheesy (and this is coming from guy who grew up obsessed with space travel). The train theme feels more authentic since Union Station was actually on the site, and it’s more aesthetically appealing to me as part of a building.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Nov 16, 2011 3:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

It looks cheesey as hell though.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

I like MMP and I am fine with the uniforms. What I’m not fine with is who’s wearing the uniforms.

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Nov 16, 2011 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

true.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

Those stupid pin stripe unis are tasteless though. The Astros are not the NYY or Cubs.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Now that I think about it, you're right

Even Carlos Lee looks sexy in one of these uniforms:

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.

by BustaPozee on Nov 16, 2011 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

Lee is an abomination in any uniform.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 4:57 PM CST up reply actions

Eh if we are going to do that we should just

go all the way back to being the Colt 45’s…. think we could get Colt to be a sponsor?

by Crzycjunx76 on Nov 16, 2011 3:51 PM CST reply actions

They could have gun night.

Astros pitchers and hitters would be getting all the calls that night. Umps don’t like being booed? Wait until the fans are heavily armed!

by ntn on Nov 16, 2011 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Screw the concealed handgun laws everybody! Take your guns out and take aim! lol

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 5:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

That might persuade Luke Scott to sign a cheap contract with the Astros.

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 9:09 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

LOL

by mike_o on Nov 16, 2011 9:39 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe Bud Selig could be a guest that night!

by blazemule on Nov 17, 2011 9:09 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I can hear it now: READY. AIM. FIRE!!!!

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 17, 2011 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

He just did make us over......

….he sold us out to Selig and gave us a new DH slot to fill.

Oh I’m sorry…I meant screwed us over…sorry wrong story!

by AstrosBill on Nov 16, 2011 3:56 PM CST reply actions

a thorn by any other name

let’s face it, men. these are not the astros. the astros after 2012 are dead and buried.

astros n.l./m.l.b. farewell tour 2012!

let’s get a new name, colors and logo for the al 2013 team! let houston m.l.b. rise phoenix-like from the ashes and let the astros r.i.p.

by mikrobass3 on Nov 16, 2011 5:17 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I just hope the Astros don't leave Houston!

Would that even be a possibility?

by Astros7 on Nov 16, 2011 6:43 PM CST reply actions

Id love to see that happen. They screw the fans over they deserve to relocate after poor

attendance costs them financially.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 6:48 PM CST up reply actions

Um, what?

Did you just say you wanted the Astros to leave Houston? Are you serious?

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by Patrick Harrel on Nov 16, 2011 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

After 2012 I could care less about them. They wont be MY Astros.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

But they will be Others Astros

Just because your view of the team is gone does not mean that those of us who still care about the team should be cast aside due to the mentality of “well they are not NL. So they all need to go to hell and leave.”

by Silentjay on Nov 18, 2011 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

Jay. I never said so enough. Sometimes it might be better for you to stay silent.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 18, 2011 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Go?

Where would they go? There are not that many places that are clamoring for a baseball team, plus the Rays already want to move out of St. Pete.

by LonerATO on Nov 17, 2011 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Anywhere but TX is fine by me.

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 17, 2011 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

They have a long term lease on MMP. I think Harris County probably learned its lesson in writing leases to prevent teams from leaving (as in the Oilers…).

by clack on Nov 16, 2011 9:10 PM CST up reply actions

Well if Crane has to file bankruptcy in a few years that might make it easier get out of it

"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"

by StrosSouth on Nov 16, 2011 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

Why not?

We’ve got nothing left but the park and uniforms, so let’s trash those too.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Nov 19, 2011 8:31 AM CST reply actions

The connection to the Astros I grew up with is probably the only reason I will continue to be a fan. So, I would have to vote “no” to a name change or major changes to the ballpark. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I choose to be a Washington Nationals’ fan? (That seems like the best second choice if I had to change teams.) A new uniform and logo….I don’t care really. Those things change every ten years or so anyway.

by clack on Nov 19, 2011 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

Change is not needed

I wouldn’t a uniform change but there are no changes need to the stadium or anything else. I believe we will see some change like Wandy and Meyers will be gone. I don’t believe Lee will be gone because of his insane dollar figure.

Sometimes change is good…but changing for the sake of change is foolish.

by AstrosBill on Nov 22, 2011 1:36 PM CST reply actions

Sorry....insert "mind" before "a uniform change"

by AstrosBill on Nov 22, 2011 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

How about a name change also!

Needs to be a clean slate across the board. I supported the NL AStros for 50 years. i do not want the name used by an AL team that bears no resemblance to the team I supported,

by huntingbambi on Nov 24, 2011 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

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