Houston Astros Tickets

The professional baseball team, the Houston Astros, is based out of Houston, Texas.  Before the Astros became attached to the Major League Baseball's National League, Houston was the home of the Houston Buffaloes, a minor league team.  Major League arrived in Houston upon the formation of the continental league.  The continental league actually never formed; it was used as a threat until Houston was allowed into the Major League in 1962.

The first Major League Baseball team was not called the Astros, but the Colt 45's, after the popular gun the Colt 45.  The first few years were rough and in 1962 the Colts were ranked 9th.  The team fared better the next year when some new blood was brought in, though their win-lose record remained unchanged.  It was not until 1966 that the team got hot, and the Astrodome and excitement surrounding the Astrodome are most likely responsible as ticket sales were at a high point.  Unfortunately, they cooled off quickly and went back to their mediocre winning record.

In the 1970s, the Astros blazed the way at least fashion wise.  They changed their uniforms, inverting the colors, adding last names to the jerseys, and using polyester, which was unheard of at the time.  Zipper and elastic waistbands were used to replace belts and buttons.

Possibly the most important trade to ever occur in sports took place in 1971 between the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros.  Cincinnati got the better end of the deal, but the trade was as follows, 2nd baseman Joe Morgan, pitcher Jack Billingham, infielder Denis Menke, and outfielder Cesar Geronimo were traded to Cincinnati for infielder Jim Stewart, 2nd baseman Tommy Helms, and 1st baseman Lee May.  This trade helped create The Big Red Machine of the 1970s.

In 1980, the Astros got their first taste of success as they were on the brink of going to the World Series.  Finally, Astros fans could rejoice.  The baseball strike played an important part in getting the Astros to the World Series, as the best of one of the new half seasons was all that was needed to qualify.  It was not until the 21st century when the Astros won their first pennant in 2005.

Houston Stadiums

The Astros played at Colt Stadium from 1962 to 1964.  Its current location is the north parking lot of the Astrodome.  This stadium was dismantled and moved to Mexico where it is the home to a Mexican baseball team.  In 1965, the Houston Astrodome was constructed and a new home for the Astros.  At its opening, the Astrodome was considered the eighth wonder of the world, as it was the first multi-purpose, domed stadium and the largest of its kind.  Originally, the field was natural grass, but in 1966 it was replaced with fake grass, today known as Astroturf.

In 2000, the Houston Astros moved to their new home at Minute Maid Park.  Minute Maid Park has a fully retractable roof and is slightly smaller to give a more intimate sport experience, a common complaint with the Astrodome.  Minute Maid Park holds about 42,000 fans. There are three sections to Minute Maid Park.  The lower level contains the dugout boxes, field boxes, Crawford boxes, and bullpen boxes, tickets priced from $26 to $50.  The second level contains the Club I, Club II, and Mezzanine seats, tickets priced from $20 to $52.  The third level contains the terrace deck, view deck I, view deck II, and outfield deck, tickets priced from $7 to $22.

It is possible to purchase single game tickets, season tickets, mini-plans that consist of games of specific days, group tickets, Astro packs that include gift certificates that can be redeemed for seats, and spring training tickets.  It is also possible to purchase any kind of team souvenir imaginable at their store, from jerseys to baseball cards.