An Early (Very Early) Look at the 2014 Astros by Ray Kuhn

Yesterday, Harris County residents voted to reject Proposition 2, which called for a $217 Million renovation to the Astrodome. This decision spells almost certain doom for the iconic Houston stadium. Your politics aside, I think we can all agree that Houston is losing something special in the Astrodome.

The Astrodome broke ground in 1962 and opened its one-of-a-kind doors on April 9, 1965. It was the first ever domed sports stadium and was dubbed by Billy Graham as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The Astros played 34 seasons there until John Rocker struck out Ken Caminiti in Game 4 of the 1999 NLDS, which was the last professional pitch thrown inside the Dome.

If you are reading this, I assume that you have as many great memories of the Dome as I do. On twitter, the hashtag “AstrodomeMemories” was started as a public forum to voice your own reflections. I’ve picked out some of my favorites so we can all reminisce together.

my very first Astros game. the 1986 Mike Scott no-hitter. i was 2 months old & wearing a Cabbage Path doll Astros uniform #AstrodomeMemories — Kyle Mays (@KMays10) November 6, 2013

Never forget ear-deafening roar when Olajuwon was introduced in Rockets championship rally in Dome in 1994. #AstrodomeMemories — Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 6, 2013

I remember a game at the Dome where 4 generations of my family sat together for my great grandfather’s birthday. #AstrodomeMemories — CollectinTex (@CollectinTex) November 6, 2013

We saw Brook and Dunn EVERY year at the rodeo when I was little, my sister and I always danced to My Maria in the aisles. #AstrodomeMemories — Randi Nicole (@get_randi) November 6, 2013

I was there Darryl Kile’s first of his two career home runs. #AstrodomeMemories — Alexandra Ellis (@AlexandraInTX) November 6, 2013

Seeing Darryl Strawberry hit a speaker in center field during HR contest in 1986 All-Star weekend #AstrodomeMemories — Danny Isom (@dannyisom) November 6, 2013

There are many, many more great memories and I would encourage you get on Twitter and read them for yourself. I was born in 1992, so my memories are shaped differently than a lot of others who can remember more of the Dome. Don’t let that fool you though, I have a bevy of amazing memories of the Astrodome. I shared a few this morning.

I remember hearing “Alooooouuuu” and getting really nervous because I thought we were booing someone. I didn’t like that. #AstrodomeMemories — Jeff Blogwell (@JeffBlogwell) November 6, 2013

I caught a home run ball hit by some member of the Expos at the Dome. I’ve still never touched a HR, or even a foul ball, anywhere else. — Jeff Blogwell (@JeffBlogwell) November 6, 2013

I have videos of me from “Kids Run The Bases.” It was running to first that I knew this game, and team, were for me. #AstrodomeMemories — Jeff Blogwell (@JeffBlogwell) November 6, 2013

Honestly, the Astrodome hasn’t been that relevant to me or anyone else for the last 10 years. I didn’t expect to feel this much emotion at the news of its impending demise. But thinking back on all of the great things I saw growing up really stirred emotions in me. I remember one of my biggest struggles every year was deciding if I wanted to wear 5 or 7 in Little League. Ultimately, I found a perfect balance by playing First Base and having long pants like Baggy, and kicking my leg up at the plate and wearing 7 like Bidge.

There was 1998, when the Astros Front Office bet the farm on Randy Johnson. There was 1986. So many great players came through Houston under the shadow of the Dome.

I don’t know what the ultimate outcome of the Astrodome will be. Maybe some rich guys will get together to save it. Maybe it gets blown up next week. All I know is how special that place is to Houston. It is the one defining piece of skyline easily recognized by people outside of our town. It was revolutionary.

If this is goodbye, allow me to play you out in the only way that is appropriate.