In was on this date back in 1965 that was was called the 8th wonder of the world opened. The Houston Astrodome hosted its first baseball game. I was certainly a little boy at the time but I do remember it. What was kind of funny about it was at first they actually attempted to grow real grass in it. Didn't take long before they realized mother nature and domes were not a good fit for natural grass. Thus it was not long afterwards astro turf made it's debut. Of course now as we look around the country and the new stadiums they make the Astrodome look like a dumpster. One of the major part of the allure of Major league baseball is how each city has it's own parks with their own identity. I hope there does not come a day when the Cubs or Red Sox decide to build new stadiums. It just would not be the same. I well recall the first time my own dad took me to my first Cardinals game. Busch stadium has been built in 1966. Dad took me to my first game in 1967. The Cardinals were playing the Braves. I had never set foot in a big league stadium. I was 9 and raised in a small community in mid Missouri. About 150 miles west of St Louis. My eyes about bugged out when we walked into the stadium. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I thought it was about the coolest thing ever. Well, without my dad knowing I plotted to return, as much as possible. I had a paper route, and mowed some lawns and shoveled some snow in the winter. I rat holed my money. The following Christmas when asked what I wanted I stunned my folks by asking for some cash. I mean I had a bike, ball glove, football, basketball and I was fine as far as I was concerned. They gave me some money I added to my secret account. Finally when the next seasons schedule came out I took my money and picked out games to attend with dad. Twelve of them to be exact. I needed a money order and went downtown to City Bank. I know the President of the bank through my dad. Mr Graves. I walked into the bank and announced I needed to see him. He came out of his office and smiled and asked what he could do for me? I told him I had business to discuss. He said okay Steve step into my office. Once in there I explained my plan and my need for a money order so I could order the tickets. He looked at my list of games and laughed. He said, good lord son, you have 12 games here. Does Leon know about this at all? I said no, wasn't he going to be surprised. He chuckled and said yes, no question about that. He then said he would take care of the money order and even mail it for me. I told him when leaving I would let him know what dad said. He laughed and said he was pretty certain he would hear all about it. Well, the day finally arrived and the mail came containing a thick envelope from the Cardinals. I was sitting at the kitchen bar when dad walked in. He asked what I was up to. I said dad do you remember the money from Christmas? He said sure bud. What did you ever do with it? I grinned and said check this out. I then shoved the pile of tickets towards dad. He saw the tickets and smiled and said, oh great, Cardinals tickets. Then he picked them up and started going through the pile. His look changed to one of shock. He said, damn son, you have 12 damn games here. I said yeah Pop, isn't it great? He just looked shell shocked and kind of numb. He walked out of the room muttering some things. Well the bottom line is Dad took me to every single one of those games. He could have explained it was not realistic and gotten out of some of them. But he didn't. 12 trips to St Louis. And most were night games. Many during the week. It was not easy on him as I grew to understand. But he carried on like a trooper. We later called that summer our Cardinals summer. SO many memories of those hours spent with dad on those trips together, just the two of us. But I can assure you it was also the last time I ever, ever got cash for christmas. Years later when dad passed away and I was giving his eulogy at the funeral that was a story I told. That was the kind of dad I was blessed with. Time spend at the ball park with your kids are priceless. And something I took great care to carry on with my own children. Anyway, when I saw today was the anniversary of the Astrodome it brought back that memory for some reason.
Okay, a free release for tonight. I am suggesting a play on the Hawks in the NBA laying the 2 against the Bulls. I also have a featured release in play tonight in the NBA. It has been a strong season in league play to date. The current mark stands at 85-46, 64% on all releases.
New weekend upon us and I wish all of you the best of luck with all your action. Hopefully soon we can start seeing full ball parks once again. The way it should be. Take care. Steve