"I remember when it only cost a few bucks to go to a ballgame," recalled Texas Republican Rep. Ted Poe. "I remember going to the Houston Buffs' games ... and to Colt Stadium to watch the Colt .45s. When the wind blew, the wooden bleachers at Colt Stadium would sway ...
"I will never forget the first game in the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' - the Astrodome. I was there, as a high school student, on April 9, 1965, to see the Astros beat the Yankees, 2 to 1, in 12 innings. Governor John Connally threw out the first pitch and President Lyndon B. Johnson and first lady Lady Bird joined Astros President Roy Hotheinz in his suite.
"There were so many flashes going off it was blinding," the congressman said. "My kids remember going to the games wearing Nolan Ryan's number 34, and cheering for players like Terry Puhl, Joe Niekro, Craig Reynolds, Alan Ashby, Billy Doran and yelling out Jose Cru-u-u-u-u-u-z."