Cleveland Indians re-sign utility infielder Jamey Carroll Oct 17, 2008
The Indians, before opening the regular season April 6 against Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, will play a two-game exhibition series against Houston at Minute Maid Park on April 3-4. "Mini Plan" spring-training tickets go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m.. (Cleveland.com -- Sports)
Indians' 2009 Spring Training Schedule Oct 17, 2008
The Tribe will break 2009 spring training in Arizona following the April 2 game against the Chicago Cubs in Mesa to play a two-game series in Houston at Minute Maid Park against the Astros before opening the 2009 regular season April 6 in Texas against the Rangers. INDIANS' 2009 SPRING EXHIBITION SCHEDULE. (Cleveland, TheInsiders.com)
First Goodyear schedule released Oct 17, 2008
and two against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston just before the start of the regular season. Pitchers and catchers are tentatively scheduled to report to the $108 million Goodyear complex on Feb. 12, with their first workout taking place on Feb. 14. (MLB.com -- Cleveland Indians)
Obituaries for October 15, 2008 Oct 15, 2008
On his 101st birthday, he celebrated with 17 members of his family by going to see the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park (now Reliant Center) in Houston. But his true love was sharing the gospel to all who would listen. (Rockport Pilot, TX)
5 Questions: Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Greg Brown weighs in on postseason games and growing up in Mechanicsburg (6) Oct 11, 2008
Milwaukee offers hot dogs, bratwursts and Polish sausages to snack on and the Minute Maid park in Houston has cookies and popcorn and peanuts. Philadelphia is known for its ice cream. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Albert ChenINSIDE BASEBALL Oct 11, 2008
It was October 2005, Game 5 of the NLCS between the Cardinals and Astros, and I was standing in the back of the press box at Minute Maid Park in Houston, shoulder-to-shoulder with other sportswriters readying for the postgame stampede to the media-only elevators. The scoreboard read 4-2 Houston, ninth inning, two outs, 0-2 count. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Playoff experience different for ALCS foes Oct 11, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays reliever Dan Wheeler will never forget the feeling he had as he walked out of Houston's Minute Maid Park three years ago, having just been swept out of the 2005 World Series. It was his second postseason run with the Astros, and he wondered if he'd get back. (MLB.com -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays)
Anderson hits 2 homers in Braves' win Oct 3, 2008
He had a ball at the Astros expense Saturday night, when Anderson hit two home runs in the first two innings of the Braves 11-5 victory at Minute Maid Park ... He has played like a star at Minute Maid Park, where Anderson s batted. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Braves lose finale, look to future Oct 3, 2008
Houston The Braves first 90-loss season since 1990 grinded to a conclusion Sunday at Minute Maid Park, where they failed to cap a modest late surge with a win against Houston, but seemed nonetheless encouraged about the future. Or perhaps they were just happy to finally put an excruciating season out of its misery. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Meltdown sparks ID crises for sports arenas Oct 3, 2008
Enron Field became Minute Maid Park, and names like PSINet Stadium and CMGI Field vanished ... It was rechristened Minute Maid Park within months. (MSNBC -- Business)
Ausmus farewell video available online Oct 3, 2008
HOUSTON -- A nearly packed house at Minute Maid Park laughed along with Brad Ausmus during the tribute video prior to the catcher's final game on Sunday, and now, due to popular demand, fans who weren't at the game can join in the fun as well. The Ausmus video, packed with commentary from Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and others that both pays tribute to the longtime Astros favorite while poking fun at everything from his surfing hobby and a career batting average that barely scraped the. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros honor Minor League MVPs Oct 3, 2008
HOUSTON -- Mark Saccomanno would have been at Minute Maid Park on Saturday regardless of whether he had been called up to the big leagues or not, but he couldn't have asked for a better scenario than to be honored as a Minor League MVP while wearing a Major League uniform. Saccomanno, along with seven other Minor League MVPs, were recognized for their contributions to their respective teams during a pregame ceremony prior to Saturday's game between the Astros and Braves. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
At-bat music: Houston Astros Oct 3, 2008
09/29/2008 12:16 PM ET @-bat music: Houston Astros A little bit of everything heard at Minute Maid Park By Doug Miller and Krysten Oliphant / MLB.com ... A recent trip through the Minute Maid Park home clubhouse showed that the hitters aren't exactly jazzed when asked to select personal walk-up music, although a few choice cuts were revealed. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Ausmus goes out with a bang in finale Oct 3, 2008
HOUSTON -- The Astros will look back at 2008 as a disappointment because they didn't make the playoffs, but for one gloriously sunny day at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, everything that could have gone right did ... When Ausmus was replaced by J.R. Towles just as the sixth inning was about to begin, Ausmus left to more fan adoration, which he acknowledged with a tip of his helmet to all parts of Minute Maid Park. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Slumping Berkman eyes strong finish Oct 3, 2008
But the right-hander has always pitched better at home than on the road, and in his previous start at Minute Maid Park he held the Reds to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 28 ... Tidbits In 2009, the city of Houston will honor Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton by renaming Hamilton Street, which borders the east side of Minute Maid Park, as Milo Hamilton Way. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Walk-off win can't extend Astros' season Oct 3, 2008
The Astros won their 85th game under the open roof at Minute Maid Park in walk-off fashion, after Jose Valverde blew his first save opportunity in more than two months. The closer opened the ninth by issuing a leadoff walk to Omar Infante, which Jeff Francoeur followed with a base hit. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Braves break out heavy lumber vs. Astros Oct 3, 2008
But with a surprise, two-homer performance that helped the Braves claim an 11-5 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night, he allowed his bat to do the talking in a language that was previously rare to him. "I wanted to go out and make an impression and show them what I'm capable of doing," Anderson said. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Braves' Diaz returns for season finale Oct 3, 2008
HOUSTON -- As the Braves prepared to close the 2008 season on Sunday afternoon at Minute Maid Park, Matt Diaz found himself with Opening Day-like excitement. Diaz spent the past four months recovering from a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and, as a reward, Braves manager Bobby Cox provided him the chance to start the season finale in left field. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Braves' comeback comes up short Oct 3, 2008
Darin Erstad's ninth-inning walk-off homer off Julian Tavarez provided the Astros a 5-4 win over a Braves team that exited Minute Maid Park knowing that yet another one-run loss could have been avoided had they simply not made so many mistakes -- both mental and physical. "It stinks to give it to them like that," said Kelly Johnson, who went hitless in two at-bats to snap his career-best 22-game hitting streak. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Parr out to make good last impression Oct 3, 2008
But the right-hander has always pitched better at home than on the road, and in his previous start at Minute Maid Park he held the Reds to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 28. Backe is 2-1 with a 5. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Johnson's hit streak snapped at 22 games Oct 3, 2008
Johnson's career-best 22-game hitting streak ended when he went 0-for-2 in a 5-4 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. His final at-bat came in the eighth inning, when he hit a sacrifice fly off LaTroy Hawkins. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Braves end season with 90th loss Oct 3, 2008
But he certainly wasn't the only Braves player feeling a sense of relief when they concluded their season with a 3-1 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday afternoon. With the setback, the Braves experienced their first 90-loss season since 1990 and gained the opportunity to officially begin looking forward to the 2009 season. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Cubs get to wave goodbye to Shea Sep 25, 2008
The top five include Shea, Dodger Stadium (174 homers), Minute Maid Park (102), Coors Field (99) and Miller Park (78). All time, the 235 home runs hit at Shea is the seventh highest number among road parks in Cubs history. (MLB.com -- Chi Cubs Cubs)
Wolf helps Astros hang on to hope Sep 25, 2008
Wolf again proved his value to this team on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park, shutting out the Reds for 6 2/3 innings as the Astros rolled to a 5-0 win. That outing, combined with Lance Berkman's first home run in 37 at-bats, has allowed the Astros to remain in the Wild Card race. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Anderson returning to site of success Sep 25, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- Minute Maid Park hasn't always been kind to the Braves ... Whether or not the fair-skinned Anderson is accommodated with a closed roof at Minute Maid Park this weekend remains to be seen ... The Braves haven't played a postseason game since Oct. 9, 2005, when they lost an 18-inning classic in Game 4 of the NLDS at Minute Maid Park. (MLB.com -- Atlanta Braves)
Who Should Cardinals Fans Root For? Sep 25, 2008
Yet, if Houston can somehow pull at least within a half game of the Wild Card lead to end the weekend, their unplayed third game in the Hurricane Ike series against the Chicago Cubs will be required to be played at Minute Maid Park on Monday, September 29. As Houston fans are painfully aware, the first two games of the series were played at Milwaukees Miller Park on September 14-15. (St. Louis, TheInsiders.com)
Reds 2, Astros 1 Sep 24, 2008
The replay timeout was the secondinstant replay call at Minute Maid Park. The first was when HunterPence's double was confirmed against Pittsburgh Sept. 9. (WKRC.com, OH)
Baseball uses instant replay for fourth time Sep 24, 2008
This was the second replay call at Minute Maid Park. Hunter Pences double was confirmed against Pittsburgh on Sept. 9. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Key game slips away from Astros Sep 24, 2008
HOUSTON -- The game they desperately needed to win slipped away from the Astros on Tuesday night as the Reds and right-hander Edinson Volquez pushed Houston to the brink of elimination from postseason consideration with a 2-1 victory at Minute Maid Park. Volquez (17-6) gave up a leadoff home run to Kazuo Matsui in the first inning, then checked the Astros on four hits over the 6 1/3 frames for his first win since Aug. 29. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
McLane explains Ike decision process Sep 24, 2008
And while a good number of people have complained that the move of two games from Minute Maid Park to Miller Park derailed Houston's playoff drive, McLane said the only certain enemy the ballclub had, like all citizens in the area, was the hurricane itself. "It certainly distracted everyone," McLane said of the much-discussed rescheduled games. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Replay upholds call in Houston Sep 24, 2008
HOUSTON -- For the second time in two weeks, instant replay was involved in a game at Minute Maid Park. And once again the play in question concerned whether a ball cleared the yellow line at the top of the right-field fence. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros face Reds without key reliever Sep 24, 2008
7:05 p.m. CT By Jim Molony / MLB.com. HOUSTON -- The Astros will try to stave off elimination from postseason consideration on Wednesday without one of their key relievers, right-hander Chris Sampson. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Reds involved in replay for first time Sep 24, 2008
It's the second time it's happened at Minute Maid Park. Baker grudgingly accepted the replay-aided ruling on the field. (MLB.com -- Cincinnati Reds)
Injured hand has Reds' Bruce on bench Sep 23, 2008
The Reds begin a road trip on Tuesday vs. the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Bruce was not considered available to pinch-hit during Monday's makeup game against the Marlins. (MLB.com -- Cincinnati Reds)
Votto, Reds look ahead to Houston Sep 23, 2008
Minute Maid Park suffered no damage ... In his one and only outing vs. Houston on July 30 at Minute Maid Park, Volquez was a 9-5 winner. (MLB.com -- Cincinnati Reds)
Saccomanno relishing time with Astros Sep 22, 2008
But when Ty Wigginton suffered a groin pull, the Astros needed a corner infielder, and within hours, Saccomanno was summoned to Minute Maid Park. Saccomanno has been used in pinch-hitting situations and hasn't had a hit since he knocked a crucial home run in his first big league at-bat on Sept. 8, but he's grateful for the experience and is enjoying his time in the big leagues. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros enter final week in thick of hunt Sep 22, 2008
Most recently, they took two of three at Minute Maid Park from Aug. 26-28. Following Sunday's game, manager Cecil Cooper made the final decision to bring back Roy Oswalt on short rest and pitch him in the finale with the Reds Thursday. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Runners left on base prove costly Sep 21, 2008
" The Astros could have amended their three-game sweep at the hands of the Marlins earlier this week by sweeping the Pirates and the Reds, who will visit Minute Maid Park for three beginning on Tuesday. Seeing the positioning and records of the two clubs, that appeared to be entirely possible. Until Saturday. "[The Pirates are] not going to lay down for us and certainly the Reds aren't gong to lay down for us," Berkman said. "And neither are the Braves. It was a tough row to hoe to begin with... (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros pose with their pets for '09 calendar Sep 21, 2008
PITTSBURGH -- The Astros will return to Minute Maid Park on Tuesday hoping to bring some normalcy to Houston after Hurricane Ike, and although some off-the-field events have been cancelled, one activity is still on the calendar -- the pet calendar, that is ... The calendars can also be found at The Astros Team Store in Minute Maid Park during the next homestand, as well as the souvenir stores in Corpus Christi and Round Rock. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
MLB pitches in with Hurricane Ike relief Sep 21, 2008
They also announced several fundraising activities that will take place at Minute Maid Park during the club's last homestand of the regular season. From Tuesday through Sunday, the Astros will hold a food and supplies drive, a silent auction for various pieces of memorabilia and a cash collections drive. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Wolf thwarts Bucs, Astros snap skid Sep 20, 2008
Since beating the Pirates on Sept. 11 to complete a four-game sweep at Minute Maid Park, the Astros had two days off because of Hurricane Ike, were swept in a two-game set with the Cubs in Milwaukee and lost three straight to the Marlins. "It's been a long week, man," manager Cecil Cooper said. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Pirates Notebook: Morgan relishes batting leadoff (Today) Sep 19, 2008
The Houston Astros, who begin a three-game series at PNC Park tonight, aren't quite the same bunch who swept a four-game series from the Pirates at Minute Maid Park a week ago. Since then, they've endured Hurricane Ike, two games against the Chicago Cubs in Milwaukee -- in which they got a total of one hit -- and a dismal offensive showing in their three games in Miami. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Ike blows power from Astros bats Sep 19, 2008
Pre-Ike, life was good at Minute Maid Park. During their four-game sweep of the Pirates -- the last games they played before play was suspended for two days by the hurricane -- the Astros recorded 29 hits and scored 25 runs, while limiting the Pirates to nine runs. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros continue hurricane-relief efforts Sep 19, 2008
On Thursday, they announced several initiatives through a number of activities that will take place at Minute Maid Park during the team's final homestand of the regular season, which begins on Tuesday ... "The Astros are inspired by the strength, courage and cooperation of our fellow Southeast Texans. It is in this one-of-a-kind Texas spirit that we are initiating opportunities for all Astros fans to come together next week at Minute Maid Park and help make a difference in the lives of those in... (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Cubs to open '09 season in Houston Sep 18, 2008
Chicago will begin next season under the roof at Minute Maid Park on April 6-8 to play the Houston Astros, then travels to Milwaukee for a series April 10-12. The April 10 game is the Brewers' home opener. (MLB.com -- Chi Cubs Cubs)
Astros start '09 with 13 vs. Central rivals Sep 18, 2008
The Astros will host the Cubs at Minute Maid Park for a three-game set on April 6-8 before embarking on a six-game road trip to St. Louis (April 10-12) and Pittsburgh (April 13-16) ... The first installment of the Lone Star Series between the Astros and Rangers will begin at Minute Maid Park, with a three-game series scheduled for May 22-24. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Astros need a repeat outing from Arias Sep 18, 2008
Tidbits Once the season is over, Astros owner Drayton McLane would be willing to let the Houston Texans use Minute Maid Park if they needed it, McLane told The Houston Chronicle via phone. Texans owner Bob McNair has not approached McLane on the subject, but Minute Maid Park was relatively unscathed after Hurricane Ike, while the Texans' Reliant Stadium didn't fare so well. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Tourism update: Houston and Galveston Sep 18, 2008
Sports venues Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park will be hosting scheduled events. But while Houston is snapping back, it may be months before Galveston, 50 miles south, recovers from the Category 2 hurricane's 110-mile winds. (USA Today)
'Stros reel from 'home' games shift Sep 17, 2008
Minute Maid Park in Houston had only minimal damage, but McLane said it would have been "inappropriate" to play there last weekend. "Downtown was just devastated, and they closed off downtown after the hurricane hit. Our ballpark came through with no problems whatsoever. We could have played a game there Saturday afternoon," he said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Tales from Ike: Astros tell storm stories Sep 17, 2008
Following the Astros' game on Thursday at Minute Maid Park, four players without families in town decided to ride out the storm together ... No more than five miles separated Ausmus' house and Minute Maid Park. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Texans set to practice for first time since hurricane Sep 16, 2008
Opened in 1965, the Astrodome has hardly been used since the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in 1996, the Houston Astros opened Minute Maid Park in 2000 and Reliant Stadium opened in 2002. "There's a cruel irony in that," Emmett said. (ESPN -- Football News)
Lilly takes no-hitter to seventh, Cubs down Astros again Sep 16, 2008
After playing the Marlins, they visit Pittsburgh, then face Cincinnati and Atlanta, presumably at Minute Maid Park. Lilly pitched no-hit ball until Mark Loretta's seventh-inning single. (USA Today -- Sports)
More > Sep 16, 2008
The series was moved from Minute Maid Park because of Hurricane Ike. The remaining postponed game is scheduled for Sept. 29, the day after the regular season ends, but will only be played if it has playoff implications. (MLB.com -- Chi Cubs Cubs)
Astros detail refund policy for Cubs series Sep 16, 2008
Refund policies were announced Monday for the Friday and Saturday Astros-Cubs games that were not played this past weekend at Minute Maid Park ... Tickets purchased at the Minute Maid Park box office should be returned there for a refund, while tickets purchased at an outlet location should be returned to that specific location. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Cooper voices travel concerns to Selig Sep 16, 2008
The perception is that McLane would not budge with his insistence that the games be played at Minute Maid Park. For his part, Selig said playing in a ballpark without a roof was never an option. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Gordon thrilled to make big leagues Sep 16, 2008
He saw the Astros and Marlins at Minute Maid Park that day. Twelve years later, Gordon is finally dressing in his first Major League clubhouse. (MLB.com -- Texas Rangers)
In Philly, Brewers watch Cubs no-hitter Sep 16, 2008
The teams played in Milwaukee after Hurricane Ike tore through downtown Houston and forced the postponement of a series that was supposed to be held at Minute Maid Park. The Astros chose the visitors' clubhouse at Miller Park because that was where they were accustomed to dressing before games against the Brewers. (MLB.com -- Milwaukee Brewers)
Cooper bothered by 'neutral' game against Cubs Sep 15, 2008
The Astros' own stadium, Minute Maid Park, sustained only minor damage from the storm, which moved through the Houston area Saturday morning ... Wade said Astros reliever and his family actually weathered the storm in the luxury suites at Minute Maid Park, as did several other team employees. (ESPN -- Baseball)
Volstad nearing goal for innings Sep 15, 2008
Oswalt last faced the Marlins on April 11 at Minute Maid Park, with disastrous results. He yielded eight runs on nine hits and lasted just four innings. (MLB.com -- Florida Marlins)
History unfolds for Cubs fans in Milwaukee Sep 15, 2008
Hurricane Ike postponed the Cubs-Astros series originally scheduled to be played at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Major League Baseball didn't decide on a neutral site for two of the games until Saturday, with tickets not going on sale until late that night. (MLB.com -- Chi Cubs Cubs)
Transporting Astros no easy task Sep 15, 2008
They needed two buses to take the traveling party from Minute Maid Park to the airport ... At 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning, four hours before those buses were supposed to leave Minute Maid Park carrying 80 travelers, Waters finally located two ... After taking several routes around the downtown area, the buses found a path to the ballpark, and at approximately 11 a.m, the Astros left Minute Maid Park. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Trying day for Astros ends with no hits Sep 15, 2008
The Astros traveling party met at Minute Maid Park early Sunday morning to head to Milwaukee, many leaving behind families and homes on flooded streets, homes with no electricity, with no clear idea when the power will be turned back on. So don't take the Astros' matter-of-fact approach to their 5-0 no-hit loss to Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs Sunday night at Miller Park as not respecting the history that was made. (MLB.com -- Houston Astros)
Yankees' Wang plays catch Sunday Sep 15, 2008
Leaving Minute Maid Park on a motorized cart, Wang returned to New York that day in June and was diagnosed with a torn Lisfranc ligament and a partial tear of the peroneus longus of the right foot. The club had maintained hope that Wang would be able to return sometime in late September or -- optimistically -- early October, but the recovery process was not as speedy as anticipated. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Hurricane Ike moves Cubs-Astros to Milwaukee Sep 14, 2008
Minute Maid Park suffered only minor water damage, but a move was necessary. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called the situation unfortunate. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Astros say Minute Maid Park survived Ike's wrath Sep 14, 2008
ESPN - Astros say only minor damage found at Minute Maid Park - MLB ... Astros say only minor damage found at Minute Maid Park - MLB ... Astros say only minor damage found at Minute Maid Park. (ESPN -- Baseball)
