take me out to the fan fest

Houston Astros Fan Fest leads off 2024 season with star-studded action

Fans can high 5 super slugger Yordan Alvarez and more stars.

Photo courtesy of Houston Astros

The Houston Astros may be in the midst of the offseason, but the team is already making headlines. In a Major League Baseball splash, the team inked a five-year, $95 million deal with left-handed pitcher Josh Hader, considered the top reliever on the market on Friday, January 19.

Fans can also start planning that trip to sunny West Palm Beach, Florida in February for Spring Training; find the game schedule here and projected roster here (via MLB writer Brian McTaggart).

And on Saturday, January 20 from 11 am to 4 pm, the annualAstros FanFest offers a chance for fans to rub elbows (not too hard, though, Spring Training's coming up) with star players, coaches, staff, lovable mascot Orbit, the Shooting Stars, and more.

The bash includes autograph sessions with current and former players, playing catch in the outfield, taking swings in the Astros batting cages, running the bases, bullpen throwing sessions, photo booths, fan forums with front office staff and current players, and photo opportunities in the dugouts.

Astros Fan Fest Hear from Astros favorites at the Q&A sessions. Photo courtesy of Houston Astros

Note that many activities will require a voucher, found here.

A big moment promises to be the Additionally, the 2024 Astros Hall of Fame class announcement ceremony, happening at 1:30 pm on the field in front of sections 106-107.

As for those players, look for appearances by Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Lance McCullers Jr., Jeremy Peña, Ryan Pressly, and Kyle Tucker. Other players stopping by include Hunter Brown, Yainer Diaz, Shawn Dubin, J.P. France, Matt Gage, David Hensley, Corey Julks, Grae Kessinger, Parker Mushinski, and Bennett Sousa.

Catcher Victor Caratini, also newly signed, will also visit the fest.

$Jeremy Pe\u00f1a Astros Fan Fest$ All-heart all star Jeremy Peña will pose with fans. Photo courtesy of Houston Astros

More photo opp moments come with several Astros legends and alumni, including Astros Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell, Larry Dierker and Terry Puhl, as well as Eric Anthony, Jason Castro, Phil Garner, Art Howe,and more.

Team staff appearances include general manager Dana Brown and new manager Joe Espada. For fans who really wanna go inside baseball and talk shop, nine members of Espada's coaching staff will also be on hand: Omar López (bench coach), Alex Cintrón (hitting coach), Troy Snitker (hitting coach), Bill Murphy (pitching coach), Gary Pettis (third base coach), Dave Clark (first base coach), Michael Collins (coach), Jason Bell (quality assurance coach), and Tommy Kawamura (game planning coach).

The always-popular broadcast team will be repped by Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum, Julia Morales, Robert Ford, Steve Sparks, Francisco Romero, Alex Treviño, Brian Bogusevic, Michael Bourn, Kevin Eschenfelder, and Mike Stanton.

Secure a $1 admission voucher here; all activity voucher proceeds benefit the Astros Foundation. Visit the official Fan Fest site for additional schedules, parking information, perks for Astros season ticket holders and members, and more.

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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