Tal's Hill will soon join list of lost Houston landmarks

Houston's lost landmarks



Tal's Hill The Astros announced plans this June to raze the hump in centerfield at Minute Maid Park. The hill, named after former GM Tal Smith, will be replaced with concession stands and extra seating in a $15 million renovation. less Houston's lost landmarks



Tal's Hill The Astros announced plans this June to raze the hump in centerfield at Minute Maid Park. The hill, named after former GM Tal Smith, will be replaced with concession stands and ... more Photo: Houston Chronicle Photo: Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Tal's Hill will soon join list of lost Houston landmarks 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

Former Astros star Lance Berkman made one of the first highlight reel catches upon the hill back in 2002. Current centerfield Jake Marisnick received his own ovation for his own remarkable grab last month. In between those years, many other ballplayers have made their own astounding snags on Tal’s Hill – and many others have taken tumbles.

READ MORE: Spectacular catches on Tal's Hill through the years

But the quirkiest feature found on a Major League Baseball field will get flattened for the 2016 season. Tal’s Hill will be the latest Houston landmark to disappear from the scene. Already in 2015, artist David Adicke’s popular Beatles statues were removed from their site near Interstate 10 and Taylor. The “Funnel Tunnel,” a Montrose fixture for the past two years, was dismantled in February.

The Astros’ outfield feature will be replaced by concession stands and additional seating in a $15 million renovation for next year. The incline named for the team’s ex-general manager Tal Smith has starred in spectacular SportsCenter catches at Minute Maid Park since the field opened in 2000.

RELATED: David Adickes' famous Beatles statues relocating

The team referred to the change as a move to prevent injuries to players, but since no player has suffered a serious injury – though falls while scaling the incline are not uncommon – the change appears to be a business move and also one designed to make it a little easier for players to smack home runs by shortening the deepest outfield in the league.

See the gallery above for a list of other iconic Houston landmarks that no longer exist.