backing mack

Houston Astros announce Mattress Mack will throw first pitch in World Series Game 6 at Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros rally nuns Matrress Mac Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale Minute Maid Park

Mack will throw out the first pitch on Saturday.

Photo by Sister Marie Therese OP/courtesy of Catholic News Service

UPDATE: Minutes after this story originally published, the Houston Astros announced that McIngvale will throw out the first pitch on Game 6 of the World Series.

-----

Ever since Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale blasted a smack-talking Philadelphia Phillies fan with a profanity-littered comeback on Tuesday, November 1 after Game 3 of the World Series, fans across Houston have rallied to his defense if his beloved Houston Astros.

That zealous support has sparked a petition on popular social justice platform Change.org. User Dean Lankford created the call to action, titled "Have Mattress Mack throw out the first pitch at Game 6 World Series," on Thursday, November 3. Since then, more than 102,000 have signed, with a goal of 150,000.

"Send this to everyone, and maybe the people that can make it happen will make it happen," Lankford writes. "With how divided we can be at times...this is a great way to come together and realize that we have so much more in common!"

Representatives for the Astros, when contacted, remind us that the decision involves more than just the team and includes input from Major League Baseball.

All this stems from a heated moment after World Series Game 3, where the Phillies trounced the Astros 7-0. As he told CultureMap, a drunk fan accosted McIngvale with "cheater" taunts. But it wasn't until the fan name checked José Altuve that Mack erupted.

“Then it was, ‘José Altuve will never make the Hall of Fame — he’s the biggest f*cking cheater ever.' I had enough of him,” Mack told us.

The city responded with a surge of support, offers to provide free security, and a host of "Gangsta Mack" memes, including a popular one that references his Gallery Furniture location.

This Gangsta Mack meme is everything. Know Your Meme

We couldn't reach Mack by phone as of publication time, but the benefactor/marketing guru/gangsta offered a sincere thank you to fans for their support — and even to the City of Brotherly Love for his time there.

pic.twitter.com/8ZZxsD3tWt
— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) November 4, 2022

Will he toss the ceremonial first Game 6 pitch on Saturday, November 5 at Minute Maid Park? We'll see, but clearly, Mack has earned some mad street cred. Here's hoping for a collab between Mack and our rap icon Bun B.

This headline has been adjusted to reflect breaking news.

This Week's Hot Headlines

Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot expands and more popular stories

Courtesy of Taste Kitchen + Bar

undefined

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, beginning with new locations of hot brunch and burger spots. Plus, a Houston enclave is named the richest small town in Texas. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then plan your weekend via this guide.

1. Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location. One of Houston’s most successful brunch spots has come to Sugar Land. Taste Bar + Kitchen opened its second location on December 10, in the former Veritas Steak & Seafood space.

2. Third location of Bun B's smash hit smash burger joint sets opening date. One of Houston’s most celebrated burger joints has arrived in Fort Bend County. Trill Burgers opened its new Missouri City location this week.

3. Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston. A staple of the Galleria-area dining scene will soon serve its last meal. Grand Lux Cafe will close January 24, 2026.

Grand Lux Cafe beignets Grand Lux Cafe is known for its baked-to-order desserts. Grand Lux Cafe/Facebook

4. Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston.

5. This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas. Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study.