THEN: Prior to the new ownership, this was the kind of western view that was possible from the interior of Minute Maid Park. It was pretty much everything that the designers and architects of this beautiful structure had intended and a quality contribution to the aesthetic ambience of downtown life in Houston.
- NOW: Sadly, this is how things look inside Minute Maid Park today after a single season under the new Astros ownership. In an ironic display of “uglification,” the club has decided to honor the companies contributing to the team’s inner city youth program by turning our beautiful ballpark into an eyesore that is only rivaled by those Houston street corners with all the cardboard business signs that have been hammered into the ground on sticks.
Look, Mr. or Ms. Corporate Advertiser at Minute Maid Park, please allow us/me to ask you something? Do you really want your company to be best remembered as one of those who turned our ballpark into one of the ugliest edifices in major league baseball? If not, then please extend your desire to help the quality of life in Houston to include protecting the architectural integrity of Minute Maid Park by asking the Astros to remove your sign from the blight of advertising garbage that now clouds our once spaciously grand western window,
It’s pretty obvious now that the current ownership mostly sees every inch of wall and ballpark air space as an opportunity for some new revenue stream. And, on one level, who could blame them? Look at the big money they paid for this franchise!
On the other hand, if this is what it’s coming down to, that baseball is only affordable if we turn our parks ugly for the sake of finding some new sources of support for the principal activity, than maybe, just maybe, it’s time for some of us who have loved the core game all our lives, just for itself, to move on.
I personally don’t need to sit in the middle of a commercial for so many other things to enjoy the game for itself alone. If my Astros game attendance now falls off in 2013 to nothing, or just moves down Highway 59 South to Sugar Land, I assure you, it will not be because the team is moving to the American League. It will be because of the way the ballpark and its architectural beauty is being dismantled.
Mr. Crane, in all respect for the financial pressure that rests upon your shoulders alone, we fans still implore you to act for baseball, the history and future of the game in Houston, and for the architectural integrity of our community’s Minute Maid Park – that you lease from us.
In the words and spirit of Ronald Reagan, we must ask: “Mr. Crane, will you please take down that wall!”
The Pecan Park Eagle 
September 27, 2012 at 1:46 pm |
Bill, you’re being far too kind to this guy. At this rate he will sign a punch n judy hitter as the DH and an over the hill lefty as the ace of the staff. Meanwhile, beer will go up to 10 bucks for about 10 ounces, I’m sure. The new mascot will be called VANILLA and stand for political correctness. Keep up the good work! Tom
September 27, 2012 at 2:18 pm |
Here’s my question: Would you rather have this signboard in left field or have the Chick Fil-A “fowl poles”? I’m not trying to argue about gay marriage but I’ve had a problem with Chick Fil-A and their ad campaign because 1) they promote illiteracy and 2) cows should not be hanging from important baseball equipment.
If we’re going to accept that signs are needed as revenue streams (because it certainly isn’t coming from attendance or tv viewership), I’d consider the new signage in left less offensive than the “fowl poles”. If one is swapped out for the other, I could accept that.
September 27, 2012 at 2:46 pm |
I really appreciate this post. I went to Minute Maid for the first time this year on Tuesday (Sept 25) and last night (Sept 26) and sat in the Club Level immediately under Milo one night and Deshaies & Brown the other (BTW, I’ve been to the Skeeters 7 times this year). Although I’ve been depressed over the move to the AL (about which evidence is appearing that Crane could have rejected) I had begun to think that, ok, they’re my team, I grew up with them, so I’ll give it a try. The quality of players on the field didn’t trouble me, I understand the need to rebuild. But the condition of the ballpark the last two evenings really saddened me. The beautiful view of the city skyline from along the first base line that I’ve enjoyed since 2000 is ruined by these trashy billboards that haven’t even been “sold” out. I only know for sure what 3 of the 12 “community leaders” do besides pay a hefty sum for something that I’m sure Crane gets part of. Those embarrasing Chik-Fil-A Fowl poles have been made more obnoxious (what other MLB park has them?). There are rumors of moving in the centerfield fence to make room for another unneeded concession, moving the Crawford Boxes to the Astros bull pen, and getting rid of the steam engine. And now I hear rumors that Brown and Deshaies (and others) may not be back as the ownership group wants a clean start in broadcasting with Comcast (which I’m getting rid of because of incessant technical problems with their Xfinity, whatever that does for me). The wait to pay for food was excessive because cash registers were closed. Souvenir stands are shuttered and merchandise elsewhere limited. The food choice and quality were down. I could go on, but I won’t. I stopped watching Monday Night Foot…er, Monday Night Commercial, because of the incessant ads. That’s why i won’t be back, at least at my expense. If you want to pay my way, well, maybe. It’s obvious that Crane is a bigger huckster than Drayton, and McLane would’ve nailed a sign to his mother’s forehead if he thought he’d get a quarter for it. So long Astros. I could care less. Please change your name since you want a new start. You might consider “Grifters” or “Selig’s Toadies” to start, but whatever, I don’t want you to remind me in any way with the team I loved since 1962. Call me: “50 years and outta here.” Go Cardinals, you’re my team now.
September 28, 2012 at 4:14 am |
I agree!
________________________________