Astrodome opened 60 years ago
Masters tees off today
60 years ago today, sports fans awakened to the news the Houston Astrodome opened the night before with an exhibition game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees. In the beginning the park was informally known as the Astrodome but was officially called the Harris County Domed Stadium. Talk about a mouthful.
Mickey Mantle slugged the first home run in the dome, but the Yankees lost to the Astros in 12 innings, 2-1.
The dome was packed with numerous dignitaries including President Lyndon B. Johnson and Texas Gov. John Connelly, who 17 months earlier were at the intersection of one of the most consequential moments in history, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The actual broadcast of that first game, including pregame ceremonies, can be heard on You Tube. The quality of the broadcast from WCBS radio in New York is excellent. WCBS was the flagship station on the Yankees radio network. The broadcast, which featured Red Barber, Joe Garagiola, Phil Rizzuto and Jerry Coleman, was itself historic, because it was the first significant broadcast without the longtime “Voice of the Yankees,” Mel Allen, who was unceremoniously dumped by the Yankees after the 1964 season.
The coverage of the game includes the late arrival of LBJ, which the broadcasters mention. However, it was not revealed, until the April 10th newspapers hit the stands, the reason LBJ was late because of a bomb scare at the dome. Someone had threatened to blow up the place, if LBJ attended, and security checked the facility.
LBJ’s attendance also led to a front page picture in the NY Daily News that stirred a lot of conversation. Imagine the news stations today.
The dome’s first weekend featured five games in three days. This would be unheard of today. The Astros played the Yankees on April 9 and then back-to-back, day-night doubleheaders against the Yankees and Orioles on the 10th and 11th, before opening the regular season at home on the 12th against the Phillies. Even more amazing, all three Yankees game went extra innings and all five games were played for keeps, even though they were exhibition games. Times have changed.
The Astros also announced the next day they would install a plastic-type grass in 1966. Real grass had been planted, but the dome’s clear roof, needed for the grass to grow, was making it difficult for outfielders to pick up the flight of fly balls because of the glare. The fake grass had yet to be marketed as Astroturf.
The nation also awakened on the morning of April 10, 1965 to read Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were tied for the lead at The Masters.
The 2025 Masters tees off today. Here is the picture from the champions dinner.
Weather and cool temperatures could be an issue at Augusta with rain in the forecast today and Friday.
Here’s the DAN ON SPORTS TOP 5 for Thursday, April 10, 2025.
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DAN