Ultimate Baseball Road Trip (96 page)

These second-level seats provide a clear view of the action, with the only significant obstruction being the protrusion of the Field Boxes in left that cost fans in Sections 205–209 a sizable chunk of the left-field corner. The food up here may be a cut above the concession offerings in the rest of the park, and the ushers may call you “sir,” but ask yourself: Is it ever worth sitting in the second level when first-level seats are available for less money?

The Mezzanine seats in right-field home run territory are located on the same second deck that houses the Club seats. Extending from the right-field foul pole to deep right-center, not only are these cheaper than the Bullpen Boxes below, but they provide a clearer view of the action. The Mezzanine’s slight underhang effect is far preferable to the overhang that obstructs views from many of the seats below. We recommend Sections 252 or 253 in straightaway right, which are much closer to the plate than the seats farther out in Sections 257 and 258.

Both the 300 Level Terrace Deck seats and 400 Level View Deck seats are on the upper deck. The difference between them is that the Terrace Deck seats hang down below the concourse, like the seats called “upper boxes” in some stadiums, while the View Deck seats are above the concourse. Here it’s definitely worth spending a few extra bucks to sit closer to the field in the Terrace Deck.

The Terrace Deck seats are all the same price, whether they’re located in the outfield or behind the plate, so be smart and shoot for Sections 311–329 for the best view. Avoid Sections 305 to 307 in left field where the underhang blocks a good portion of left field from view.

Beginning about fifteen feet higher than the Terrace Level, the View Deck in Houston still isn’t all that bad. Encompassing only seventeen rows, it is half as expansive and towering as some upper decks in the bigs. Unlike the ungodly heavens in Toronto and Arizona, which seem to keep going and going, Houston’s upper reaches top out at just the right spot.

Sections 413–425 behind the plate are best, while the quality quickly diminishes in the sections leading to the Outfield View Deck sections. The underhang isn’t much of a factor in any of these infield sections. We recommend Rows 3–8, which are high enough to allow a view unobstructed by the grate that runs along the first row over the concourse, and low enough to keep fans in the flow of the game.

In some of the level’s upper reaches a number of seats are situated behind the lighting banks. Thus, it can get rather dark in these back rows. And it can get loud too, as P.A. speakers hover above many of the back rows.

Kevin:
Hmm. Sounds like a great place to see a show.

Josh:
Taylor Swift will be here in November if you’re interested.

Kevin:
Not exactly what I had in mind.

Located in the outfield before the foul poles, these upperlevel seats are to be avoided, unless you’re just trying to get into the park for less than ten bucks a ticket so you can move down to one of the standing areas. The underhang obstructs the view from all of these sections to varying degrees. Here again, the jutting out of the first level’s grandstand in left blocks the view of the left-field corner for those sitting on the third-base side of the Outfield View Deck. This effect is most noticeable in Sections 405–408, which house the worst seats in the ballpark. In right field, Sections 432–438 contend with a less dramatic obstruction of the right-field corner. We do applaud the Astros for charging just $1.00 for these seats for children 14 and under.

The Astros put a limited number of standing-room tickets on sale if all of the seats are sold. In a pinch, these are worth the expense as there is ample standing room on the Home Run Porch that serves as the left-field concourse. During the Astros’ playoff runs, they typically put three thousand standing passes on sale, bringing the park’s total capacity to about 43,800.

Scalping is illegal in Houston but we observed a fellow waving people into one of the parking lots near the ballpark while holding a sign that read, “I have tickets.”

Despite the half-dozen bail-bond businesses within a few blocks of the ballpark—owing to the nearby courthouse—the neighborhood around Minute Maid feels both safe and festive on game days. By constructing Minute Maid in a
once-forgotten corner of Houston, doubtless the city was hoping to use the ballpark as an impetus for the revitalization of the area. And by all accounts, the plan has worked.

From the north, take Interstate 45 south to the Scott Street exit, then take either Pease Street or St. Joseph’s Parkway and follow the signs to the ballpark. From the east or west take Interstate 10 to the US Route 59 South exit, then take the Hamilton Street exit to downtown.

Private parking lots near Minute Maid charge in the $10 range. We saw a lot on the corner of Crawford and Congress Streets charging a bit less, so be sure to shop around. Or better yet, find a spot on the street. Almost all of the streets near the ballpark offer two-hour meters that can be plugged until 6:00 p.m. and then become free for the night. Congress, Fannin, and Carolina Streets are all worth a look. We should mention that we saw two tow trucks patrolling the perimeter of the ballpark, tire-booting cars in front of expired meters. So be smart.

The local Metro Bus is another option for those staying in town. It stops at the ballpark’s main ticket window on Texas Avenue.

A brick courtyard outside the Crawford Street entrance flies pennants to remember Astros teams that were National League Central and previously National League West division winners. And, of course, a pennant flies for the 2005 National League Champion squad. Rest assured, Astros rooters, there is plenty of room too for additional pennants.

Plaques, meanwhile, honor memorable Houston players like Jose Cruz, Mike Scott, Doug Jones, Don Wilson, Jim Umbricht, Nolan Ryan, and Larry Dierker, and pitcher Darryl Kile, who died during the 2002 season of congenital heart failure at age thirty-three. Additionally, plaques acknowledge a team MVP for each of Houston’s seasons. The Colt .45’s logo—a pistol with the word “Colt” written parallel to its shaft—appears on a number of the team’s early plaques. If the NBA had to rename the Washington Bullets to satisfy the new rules of political correctness, we’re guessing the Colt .45’s wouldn’t have lasted for the long term either. Then again, they played deep in the heart of Texas, so maybe the Colt .45’s would have held onto their guns a little longer than the hoopsters did.

The plaza also showcases two slightly larger-than-life-sized statues of former Astros Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Customarily, players aren’t so honored outside ballparks until after their playing days have ended, but these two bronzes were erected while both players were still active. Stretching off first base, the Bagwell reaches to take a throw from the Biggio, which steps across second base as if turning a double play. These are well done. Biggio, a member of baseball’s exclusive three-thousand-hit club, went into the record books as the first Astros player to record a hit at Minute Maid Park, in 2000, and a year later Bagwell, who smacked 449 lifetime homers, became the first Astros player to hit for the cycle at Minute Maid.

Reminiscent of Ebbets Field, a tall clock tower is built into the ballpark facade on the right side of the home plate gate. Unlike the tower in Brooklyn, however, the face of this clock is designed to resemble an orange-colored baseball and comes complete with a green stem at its top. This orange-work turns what could be a classy element of the ballpark’s design into a cheesy marketing device for Minute Maid. We still kind of liked it, though.

As a tribute to the Houston blacksmith shop that was founded on the ballpark site in 1902 and grew into a global corporation known as Stewart and Stevenson, a statue of a steelworker forging a horseshoe resides on the sidewalk not far from the plaza. Dedicated in 2002 on the hundredth anniversary of the company’s founding, the statue is called “Forging the Future.”

On the sidewalks surrounding the park appear large baseball designs done in brick, with each red brick serving as a stitch in the lacing of the ball. There is also faux baseball stitching stamped into concrete to break up the brickwork every ten feet or so. This subtle touch makes the sidewalks around the ballpark unique.

Contributing to the festive ballpark neighborhood is a row of bars located across the street from the main ticket window on Texas Avenue. It ain’t Wrigleyville, but it gets the job done. And for those wanting to score some higher quality eats, we found a few gems not far from the ballpark.

22 North Chenevert St.

If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican meal served with a side of atmosphere, we highly recommend Irma’s. This
Houston institution is famous for attracting visitors from around the world. You may recognize owner Monica Galvan from her appearances on the Food Network, and from her appearances on many other cooking shows. While she is a familiar face nationally, in these parts she is more than that—she is also a respected voice in the community. When the Astros were lobbying to build the new downtown ballpark, Galvan flew to Austin on one of Enron’s private jets to testify before the state legislature on how she believed the project would benefit the local community. Despite Enron’s collapse, Irma’s continues to be a popular hangout among city and state politicians.

Nestled among some old warehouses, the New Orleans–style building offers a porch and outdoor patio overflowing with lush green plants. Inside, Irma’s is no less quirky—a collage of collectibles adorn the walls, and the men’s room urinals brim with crushed ice and fresh-smelling lemon peels. Chances are Irma’s john will be nicer than the hotel room you stay at while in Houston. But the best part of all is the menu, which offers a full range of homemade Mexican entrées, including an award winning enchilada and amazing lemonade.

1314 Texas Ave.

www.irmassouthwest.com/ho.htm

Closer to the ballpark we found another Irma’s—this one owned by Monica Galvan’s son, Louis. We really can’t say enough in the way of praise for Irma’s Southwest Grill. When we reached Houston on our first road trip, it was the seventh city we’d visited in ten days and we were tired. Believe it or not, we were both getting sick of eating hot dogs and bratwurst at the ballparks and fast food along the road. Like finding an oasis in a hot desert, we stumbled into Irma’s.

Everything we tasted was superb, from the homemade fresh fruit lemonade (Kevin had five glasses) that came complete with floating strawberries, grapes, and melon, to the chile con queso and chips and two homemade salsas we tried, to Josh’s beef enchiladas and Kevin’s Chilean sea bass and shrimp.

1800 Texas Ave.

With a wide-open window front on nice days, the B.U.S. is a good spot to grab a quick one before heading into the game. The music is loud, seating is limited, and the crowd is on the younger side.

1800 Texas Ave.

http://homeplatehouston.com/

Home Plate is a convenient place to have a quick burger, hot dog, or chicken sandwich before the game. The appetizer menu is anchored by wings, pretzels, chili, and jalapeño peppers. The upstairs patio, called The Drink, is a nice place to catch a breeze on a warm day. Mind you, it may be a humid breeze that blows through these streets.

2401 Texas Ave.

Though a bit farther away from the park than the other Texas Avenue watering holes, this is a solid choice for those craving saucy meat and fixings before the game. Josh recommends the chopped barbecued beef. Normally they’re more of a lunch spot, but they stay open until 8:00 p.m. on game days.