for the hank

2 Houston Astros heavy hitters score big nominations for prestigious MLB award

The Houston Astros are hours away from facing off with the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Conference Series (ALCS; their sixth appearance, by the way).

Adding to a little momentum, two of Houston's heaviest hitters are up top bat for one of the most prestigious awards in Major League Baseball. Astros second baseman José Altuve and outfielder Yordan Alvarez have both been nominated for MLB's 2022 Hank Aaron Award.

As fans know, the award — named for one of the greatest icons in sports — honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league. Altuve and Alvarez join six other finalists for the American League award. A panel of MLB.com writers chose the finalists for each league.

Meanwhile, Houston fans can root-root-root for our two hometown heroes by voting online through Monday, October 24.

In a stroke of good luck, a special panel of Hall of Fame MLB players will also vote on the winners of the award. The legends include Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Pedro Martínez, John Smoltz, Johnny Bench, Eddie Murray, Robin Yount, and one Craig Biggio. Any guesses as to whom he'll vote for on the list?

Altuve is no stranger to the award nomination, as he scored the award — along with his World Series title — in 2017. For those keeping track, he ranks first among AL second basemen in runs, doubles, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS (on-base plus slugging). The perennial hitter and good-guy thief (read on) knocked in 28 home runs and stole 18 bases in a crazy 19 attempts.

Essentially the Astros cannon in the playoffs, Alvarez has blasted 37 home runs and 97 RBIs. By the numbers, he ranks second in the AL in OPS, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. He ranks third in home runs and fourth in runs scored and second in the MLB for hard-hit percentage.

Oh, and Alvarez also ranks first in the world for dramatic, game-winning, walk off home runs.

Created in honor of the barrier-breaking titan who famously wore No. 42, the Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 in honor the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. It was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.

$Jos\u00e9 Altuve Houston Astros$

Houston Astros/Facebook

Altuve won the Hank in 2017.

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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