89R21019 KRT-D
By: Morales of Harris H.R. No. 639
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, March 27, 2025, marks the beginning of the Houston
Astros' 64th season, providing a fitting opportunity to honor the
illustrious history of the franchise as the team takes on the New
York Mets at the newly renamed Daikin Park in Houston; and
WHEREAS, The Astros owe their Lone Star locale to George
Kirksey, a sportswriter and public relations executive who began
the effort to bring Major League Baseball to the area in the 1950s;
he and businessman Craig Cullinan established the Houston Sports
Association, and he was further assisted by R. E. "Bob" Smith and
former Houston Mayor Roy Hofheinz in pursuing a major league team;
the Bayou City was awarded a franchise in 1960, and the squad
originally known as the Colt .45s made its debut on April 10, 1962;
that year, ground broke on an innovative domed stadium designed by
Buckminster Fuller; named in honor of the city's ties to the space
program, the Astrodome introduced artificial turf and luxury boxes
to professional baseball, and it hosted the 1968 and 1986 All-Star
games as well as many other high-profile events; starting in 2025,
Daikin Park has replaced the name of Minute Maid Park; and
WHEREAS, The Astros have marked many important milestones
over the decades; from 1997 to 1999, the club secured consecutive
division championships, and in all, Houston has made 18 playoff and
5 World Series appearances; in 2017, the team closed out a historic
campaign with a victory in the Fall Classic, defeating the Los
Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to collect the franchise's inaugural
World Series title; the Astros won their second championship in
2022, besting Philadelphia in six games to cap a dominant
postseason run; among the legendary players who have worn an Astros
uniform are National Baseball Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Jeff
Bagwell, and Craig Biggio; other franchise fixtures include
All-Stars Jose Cruz, Cesar Cedeno, Jose Altuve, Lance Berkman, Roy
Oswalt, Larry Dierker, Mike Scott, and Bob Watson; and
WHEREAS, The Houston Astros have made significant
contributions to the Lone Star State's proud legacy of athletic
excellence, and it is a pleasure to join in recognizing the
organization as it begins its 2025 campaign; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the Houston Astros' 2025 opening day
game and extend to the franchise sincere best wishes for continued
success during this season and beyond; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.