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The Houston Astros have a long tradition of winning baseball dating back to the days of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. The Astros have seen the post season seven times in their history and always seem to be in the mix for the NL Central crown.
This off-season was one of the more memorable for the Astros as they acquired two Yankee pitching legends Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. The two both pitched in high school and junior college in East Texas and wanted to finish out their careers closer to their families. Clemens actually did “retire,” but was coaxed out of retirement by good friend Pettitte, his family and the town. The other big off-season move was the trade of All-Star closer Billy Wagner for Brandon Duckworth and two minor league prospects.
The Houston team looks primed for a post-season push this year in the uber-competitive NL Central. They have the same All-Star core of left fielder Lance Berkman, center fielder Craig Biggio, first baseman Jeff Bagwell and former MVP second baseman Jeff Kent. Fellow sluggers include veteran right fielder Richard Hidalgo and Brad Ausmus. The pitching staff also isn’t anything to sneeze at this year either, with the Astros’ bullpen stocked with flamethrowers like Octavio Dotel.
Minute Maid Park, a.k.a. the “Juice Box,” plays home to the Houston Astros. It’s one of the most architecturally unique parks in the majors. With a retractable roof, a fully working locomotive in left field and a 50,000 square foot glass western wall. The quirks are also put into the field as well as in the stadium around it. Center field showcases Tal’s Hill, a 30 degree incline against the center field wall and on the hill is a flag pole displaying the American flag and making a fly ball to center field very interesting.
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