Sports Collectibles of Houston

HISTORY WAS MADE

ASTRO TURF

The Astrodome became the first major sports venue to install "Artificial Turf", which became known as Astro Turf around the world.

Animated Scoreboard

In another technological first, the Astrodome featured the "Astrolite", which was the first animated scoreboard in the world.

First game/event

On Opening Day, April 9, 1965, a sold-out crowd of 47,879 watched an exhibition game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees.

1 st. hit in the dome - Mickey Mantle

1 st. homerun in the dome - Mickey Mantle

Rained Out - pt1

The Astrodome suffered the one and only rainout on June 15, 1976

The Astros' scheduled game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was called when massive flooding in the Houston area prevented all but a few fans from reaching the stadium.

Both teams had arrived early for practice, but the umpires were several hours late. At 5pm that day, with only a handful of fans on hand and already several hours behind, the umpires and teams agreed to call the game off.

Tables were brought onto the field and the teams ate dinner together.

Rained In - pt2

History once again had been made at the Houston Astrodome. A game had been cancelled on account of rain.

“It wasn’t exactly a rain-out"…it was a "rain-in"

The “rain-in” game of 1976 was the only time an Astrodome game had been called due to fans and players being "rained in"

The Love

For all the great teams the Houston Astrodome has hosted, A championship was never achieved.

Between the Houston Oilers & Houston Astros this wonder of the world never really got its moment in the sun. A city wide party thanking it, from fans, players and the city for all it has brought to us over the years.

From Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel to The Houston Livestock show and Rodeo. From Elvis, to the Beatles, to the Battle of the sexes. From presidential conventions, to the largest indoor NCAA basket ball game. UCLA vs. Houston Cougars ( we win) to the shelter for the Hurricane Irene LA. Survivors.

These are a few of the things that make this wonder worth saving. It was the FISRT of its kind, and now stands alone amoung the beast that followed, with all other domes of its time gone forever.

Stay strong Astrodome, together we stand.