Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

How can I explain what baseball has meant to me so that it will make sense to other people? My mother told me that my dad started rolling a ball to me when I was less than a year old, so I guess I never had a chance. Playing the game was a major part of my life growing up:  Little League, Pony League, Austin High School, American Legion, the University of Texas. I was a pitcher, and my dad caught several million pitches from me in our back yard. Dad emphasized control, control, control, and I could hit spots when I was eight years old. My dad, who was a good enough player to be offered a contract by the Detroit Tigers, was my first and best coach. My mom was my biggest fan. My brother played from Little League through his freshman year at UT. We spent most spring and summer afternoons and evenings at one ballpark or another, at my games or my brother’s games or watching UT or the Austin Senators/Braves. My dad and I played catch for years and years, until he was too old to see the ball well enough to play, and I treasured those times with him. He is dead now, and I wish I could bring him back merely by building a baseball field.Read More

By Astro Pete
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

It isn’t the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, nor the Colossus of Rhodes. It isn’t in the same class as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon or the Pyramids of Giza. However, it’s greatness is just as monumental as each of the Seven Wonders of the World. It, of course, is the Harris County Domed Stadium, or more commonly known as, the Astrodome. Originally envisioned by Judge Roy Hofheinz, it is still as breathtaking today as it was in it’s inception thirty-five years ago. The general public may not see our ballpark in the exactly the same light, but we feel differently. We know the truth. Fact is, the Astrodome is a marvelous building and a wonderful place to watch the game we recognize as our National Pastime. We know the scent of the Dome. We can smell it even when we are away. The scent is warm to the senses and sensitive to the soul. If fills your lungs as open air would on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Spring. It is the scent of the Astrodome, the smell of baseball.Read More

By Clint B.
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

While some consider 1998 to have been the greatest year in baseball history, the Astros’ season ended in frustration and disappointment. While the Central sluggers, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, caprtured the hearts of millions the world over, the Astros were quietly establishing themselves as one of the best teams in baseball. When the ‘Stros set the record for most wins in their franchise, that not only pumped up many Houstonians, it raised a lot of expectations around the country. After failing to hit the broad side of a barn against Atlanta’s pitching staff in the ’97 NL divisional series, much was expected out of this new and improved offense which saw the additions of Moises Alou and Carl Everett. But it was the same-old, same-old for the Astros, as they once again failed to win their first postseason series, dropping the ’98 divisional series 3 games to 1 to the eventual NL champion San Diego Padres. In the offseason, the ‘Stros welcomed back an old friend in ex-Padres’ third basemen Ken Caminiti.Read More

By Landestoy
Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.

As much foundation rattling as Kevin Brown’s brand spankin’ new contract did Saturday, Roger Clemens and his agents figure to completely annihilate the damage done. Somehow, through a strange handshake deal made two years ago, Clemens has entered baseball’s free agency spending spree despite entering the third year of a four-year contract. How, and more importantly, why, could very well send reverberations throughout the baseball world that could be felt for some time. If only the rest of baseball had the integrity Gerry Hunsicker seems to possess, who turned a deaf ear to Clemens’ demands and stood up to his strong-arming tactics. However we arrived at this bizarre conclusion to the Astros’ race to land the Rocket (a race, by the way, that has seen more hand wringing than any NASA mission), Hunsicker is right in his refusal to ante up to Clemens and crumble at the Houston-product’s demands. But as Brown’s new Dodger salary suggests, someone, somewhere, will be willing to listen to Clemens and most likely hang the moon to get him.Read More