#11- Kool and the Gang, Celebrate!

Most mornings, I wake up to the music on Houston's 107.5 The Eagle.  This morning, Dean and Rog played a song that conjured up this Astrodome memory.  The hosts mentioned the song Celebrate by Kool and the Gang.  Apparently, that song was #1 on the charts this week 30 years ago or 32 years ago, or some other significant time frame. 

Hearing Kool and the Gang reminded one of the hosts(I can never tell Dean and Rog apart) of his day's playing music for weddings and other parties.  Apparently, Celebrate was one of his go to songs to get every one dancing at an event. 

For me however, Celebrate brings back memories of Astros victories in the 'Dome.  I don't remember how long the tradition lasted, but I can recall going to numerous Astros games in the late 80s and hearing this song playing if the home team won the game. 

#10- Introducing Dierker, the Manager

I have no recollection of seeing Larry Dierker pitch for the Astros.  However, I did have the opportunity to see him manage his first game at the Astrodome. 

I made the trek in from LaGrange, Texas on April 1, 1997 to witness the beginning of the Astros' Dieker Era.  The club knocked off the Braves that night 2-1 beginning a run of five seasons in which the Astros would win four divsion titles and end their time as residents of the 'Dome.

Dierker is still active in the Houston community.  On February 25, he is hosting The Reader Cup, an annual golf tournament that supports the work of Literacy Advance Houston.

#9- Parking by the Ronald McDonald House

My parents never had any trouble finding their car after attending an event at the Astrodome.  It was always north of the stadium on La Concha, next to the Ronald McDonald House. There was a short walk involved, but parking was free and exiting the area after a game was always easier than trying to get out of the parking lot.  The above picture was taken on La Concha after the Astros' next to last regular season home game at the 'Dome in September 1999.

#8- Memories from Bob Hulsey

Big thanks to Bob Hulsey of Astros Daily who shared his Astrodome memories.  

I had visited the Astrodome many times between 1965 and 1999, from the time I was eight until the time I was 42. I’ve got a lot of stories. I remember “Straight-A Student” nights from my high school days where we traveled to the Dome in my Dad’s1969 dark green Pontiac Firebird. These were outfield seats so my Dad and my friends and I spent our evening heckling George Theodore, the left fielder of the Mets (“Hey Beaver!“) then Ralph Garr, the right fielder for the Braves. Garr was called “The Road Runner” as he was the Michael Bourn of his day. So we yelled down at Garr “Hey Ralph! Beep Beep!” It was a kick to see my no-nonsense father join in with us. Garr looked back at us a couple of times, unsure if we were friends or foes.

I had a press pass from a radio station right after college and got to do locker room interviews during the late 1970s. By then, I had inherited my Dad’s Firebird which was falling apart on the inside but still looked great on the outside. I passed up a chance to cover a game with the Expos in 1976 that became the night Larry Dierker pitched his no-hitter. The next night, I was in the locker room and I asked Larry about the no-no.

“You know, it’s been 24 hours since the no-hitter and all I have done is talk about it ever since,” he said. “The ‘Today Show’ interviewed me this morning and everything. Could we please talk about something else?”

“Okay,” I said like the wise-ass I was at the time, “Let’s talk about your hitting.”

“I first started thinking about the no-hitter in the fifth inning…” Larry deadpanned.

But the interview that will always stand out to me was J.R. Richard. Somehow, after talking baseball, we began a conversation about our Christian faiths. Several Astros at that time were very public with their faiths, like Craig Reynolds and Terry Puhl, but it was surprising to listen to J.R. open up to me about his beliefs. I thanked him and left for my car.

As I was about to pull out of the Astrodome parking lot onto Kirby, a car horn honked while I waited for the light to change. It was J.R. Richard and he was waving at me! That a player would acknowledge my presence was one thing but to actually wave at me was a special moment. I never got that worshipful respect of athletes the way some people do and I always wanted to threat them like people instead of celebrities. But, for a moment, I let my guard down and waved back like I was a 10-year-old kid.

I hope they find something that will allow the Dome to become useful again. It’s an architectural and historic wonder that really was ahead of its time.

- Bob Hulsey

#7- Bob Allen and the 1980 NLCS

Today is the final day that Bob Allen will report the sports on Channel 13 in Houston.  For those who don't know, Allen has been THE sports guy on Houston's ABC affiliate since 1974. 

If this blog was about bizarre television broadcaster memories, I would tell you about the time Bob Allen, sports guy, was standing next to a stretch of I-10 reporting on the flooded freeway that Tropical Storm Allison left behind in June 2001.  However, in keeping with the theme of this blog, Allen's departure tonight reminds me of the first time I can remember seeing him on television.  Not surprisingly, he was at the Astrodome. 

Prior to Game 4 of the 1980 NLCS, Allen was in the Astros' locker room telling viewers that an Astros win that night over the Phillies would cause that room to be a place of wild celebration.  Indeed, the Astros led the best of five series against the Phillies two games to one heading into game four.  Unfortunately, Allen was back in the Astros locker room before Game 5 with the same message, setting the stage for what would be a disappointing Game 5 result.