I have no idea what year it was, but I was in Cub Scouts so it was a long time ago. I was young enough so that the dome just seemed like some impossibly large structure from another world. It was a great time, but the Scout leader made us leave the game early and that pissed me off. So the next day my dad surprised me with tickets to the game and I got to go enjoy it again. That was my first and second experience seeing pro sports in person.
I forgot, I also saw Enrique Iglesias there in 1999. It is a fond memory for me because that was the FIRST ever RODEO Concert I attended, and it was even more special because I took Mrs. SwoLy with me. What are you, 9? A "Memory" is in the past, man. Don't be silly. Stop trolling, man.
So many memories it's ridiculous. But one that stands out was going to a 22 (??) inning game with my dad against the Dodgers. Just a random summer night...dad asks me to go to the game...we sat in the cheap seats and watched baseball together. One of a ton of games that I went to with my dad...but I remember the specific game because of how long it lasted. And no we didn't stay the whole game. It amazes me that my kids never got to see a game in the Dome.
Funny how it's moments with our dads that stand out. Even though we never connected, I always enjoyed going to Astros games with him. When he was lucky enough to get company seats in the Dome, that were right behind the visiting dugout, it felt like Christmas. Being able to make eye contact with the players or look up at the imposing roof while eating a Dome Dog was such a unique thing.
Good thread SwoLy! My fondest memory of the Astrodome is of a game that my Dad took me to in the early 80's. I can't remember who the visiting team was or if we even won the game, that's totally irrelevant. What made this game special was that it was one of those promotional games, and the promotion on this night was to meet a player and have your picture taken with him. It was done through your ticket, it was totally random and you didn't know which player you were going to meet! I remember my Dad, and I being overjoyed when we discovered that the player I was going to meet was Jose "Cheo" Cruz..:grin: We went to the location where he would be at and we talked and took a picture with him! I remember that he was making fun of the black eye that I was sporting at the time, he wanted to know who got the best of the fight, I told him it wasn't from a real fight, but from fighting a bigger/faster guy in karate class, and he laughed....I need to enlarge that picture and show it to my Dad!...Good Memories.. ....... ....... .......
The cannon at the beginning of the game used to scare me a little when I was like four. One time I hid behind the seat when Chester Charge came out; I think my dad was so embarrassed by this that it affected our relationship for all time thereafter.
Nolan Ryan's 5th no-no. Playing spread eagle with a racquetball against the large white wall under the concourse in the outfield during the many games when 'Stros were getting drubbed. "Cold foam in the dome." Baseball card shows in the bowels of the stadium.
I remember the Astros fight song. Here come the Astros, burnin' with desire Here come the Astros, breathing orange fire GOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOO ASSSTROOOOOOS
Seeing Charley Pride with my Papaw at the Rodeo way back when, and Luv Ya Blue Pep Rally. Saw several Astros games, but none that stand out aside from having been glad to go every time I went.
My memories of the dome are from 78-82. Mostly Astros games. Two Oilers games and maybe five rodeos. Oh yea, and thrill shows and destruction derbys. Always went with my Dad. At the time I was 8-12 years old. After becoming a teenager we kinda drifted apart. So I guess my fondest memories of dome are spending time with Dad.
Was it not a simpler time, friends? When you could go to the ballgame with your dad for an affordable price and it was you guys, the game and the crowd. No phonecalls or emails to deal with while you were there. Not even your dad's parole officer could find you. Ah, those bygone days.
Many 'Stros games vs. the Pirates, My Grandfather was a huge Pitt fan. Nolans #? no-no Gonna miss this place!!
Yes, the Astro buddies and Mother's Cookies trading cards. Despising the Dodgers. Jose Cruz knocking his cap off during every running catch in the outfield. Billy Doran splathering himself all over the carpet making plays. Gerald Young, the fastest player in baseball, constantly hitting fly ball outs. Those were the days.
i've always thought of him as the uppercut swinger. oh, dang. you just reminded me that i was at the dome when he hit his first home run in maybe 300 something ABs. he was on a major slump.
Gerald teaches hitting really well. He worked with my older boy back when he was still playing baseball. Really nice guy to top it off.
Gerald Young's wiki says he only had 3 homeruns. I didn't realize he had so little power. I guess he "struggled" to hit the long ball his entire career.
The one I remember the most is going to the first game that Randy Johnson pitched in Houston. The stadium was packed and everyone went crazy for each strike out he got. Definitely gonna miss it.
Watched an Astros game there. But what I'll really remember was a monster truck rally and destruction derby when I was in high school.
