Comments on: The Astros may get rid of Tal’s Hill and that train

By: avietar

avietar — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:26:38 +0000

It’s a suppressed and little-known fact that when the Astros built the ballpark and installed Tal’s Hill, they petitioned the Commissioner’s office to allow the hill to serve as the pitchers’ mound for visiting pitchers, since that would be the only way the Astros could remain competitive. Naturally, the other owners balked at the suggestion…

By: Del Pittman

Del Pittman — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:05:16 +0000

Smart move backed by common sense and good judgment.

By: cackalackyank

cackalackyank — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:45:03 +0000

A catastrophic injury can happen anywhere on the field. There is no “Tal’s hill” at Kaufmann Stadium in KC…and Mariano River got pretty well messed up there…and that was just BP.

By: gloccamorra

gloccamorra — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:06:25 +0000

The Crawford boxes are pop-fly home run seats, and it seems they make visiting-team 5′-7″ second basemen into sluggers. But, they’re popular, they’re high priced seats, and there are all kinds of promotions associated with them. In a choice between marketing vs. more realistic playing dimensions, guess which one wins?

By: tubbman27

tubbman27 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:44:50 +0000

I thought it was cool when I was a kid but now I understand how stupid it is.

By: jumbro10

jumbro10 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:05:16 +0000

I have heard a lot of reports of people being afraid of i juries on the hill. Serious question…how many injuries have actually happened on that hill? Last time my reds were down there i saw the houston outfielder make an INCREDIBLE play on the hill. Home field advantage right there, and i like that

By: jumbro10

jumbro10 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:59:18 +0000

Personally LOVE the hill and would hate to see it go.

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:45:23 +0000

Maybe the motivation is that Tal’s Hill is a reminder of Tal Smith and Jim Crane and Tal Smwith aren’t exactly best buddies as per http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/28/tal-smith-upset-with-how-astros-fired-him-after-35-years/. Crane’s idea of rebranding might be getting rid of visible reminders of Tal Smith.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:27:06 +0000

To clarify, I meant to stick cows on the hill, not on the wall.

By: gostros19

gostros19 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:09:39 +0000

I guess Milwaukee should remove that slide too then huh?

By: jillianefletcher

jillianefletcher — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:07:55 +0000

When I am at Minute Maid Park I look at the hill and flag pole and think it was designed by someone who has never played baseball. It might be dangerous, but the reason I don’t respect the hill is because it looks like it doesn’t belong. Same thing if there was a grassy pit in its place, it would look odd, like an obstacle. I hope part of their re-branding does not include additional obstacles to the field.

By: thefalcon123

thefalcon123 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:48:31 +0000

Fenway is Fenway because it is old and historic. If someone built a new stadium Pesky’s pole and the Green Monster, it would be mocked mercilessly.

By: jwbiii

jwbiii — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:47:20 +0000

It would also be unique to set up carnival rides behind second base. It would also be a bad idea to do so.

By: randygnyc

randygnyc — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:18:33 +0000

I’ve seen lots of players fall when trying to make a catch on bullpen mounds in foul territory. These “in play” bullpens always seemed a bad idea because the players are looking up when running onto those hills. Those are injuries waiting to happen, when completely unnecessary. I feel the same way about the hill at minute maid park. It may be good for the home team, but visiting players? As a quirk goes, it’s cool. But someone will get hurt there. And that will be one too many players.

By: ezthinking

ezthinking — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:14:59 +0000

I suppose they should take down the Monster and move the fence back and Fenway would be a real stadium too.

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:06:25 +0000

Taze an Ump would be way better

By: wlschneider09

wlschneider09 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:58:33 +0000

Dunk an Ump?

By: IdahoMariner

IdahoMariner — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:48:01 +0000

yes!

By: IdahoMariner

IdahoMariner — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:46:54 +0000

ice hockey would definitely be the best. I would love that.
but, that would definitely be more injuries.
the puck sailing off the crest of a hill, like when we were kids jumping pur bikes off ramps? awesome.
but, injuries.
sigh.

also, I dig the hill. yeah it’s flair for the sake of flair. i will take it over that thing in marlins-land. and it doesn’t appear to be injuring anyone….unlike what all that astro-turf did to all those outfielders’ careers….

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:40:49 +0000

What kind of fan-centered things would you like to see on the playing field?

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:38:52 +0000

I’m with you Bryz. To those saying how dangerous the hill is, I ask. Where is the evidence that that hill is any more dangerous than the rest of the outfield? I’d even venture to say that there are less injuries on that hill. I like the added flair. I mean it isn’t like some Carni-val parade float like some teams have in the OF. Or giant apples popping out the batters eye. The train can go straight to hell though imo.

By: kopy

kopy — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:34:36 +0000

Let the bears pay the bear tax. I pay the Homer tax!

By: brewcrewfan54

brewcrewfan54 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:27:12 +0000

We’re here, we’re clear, we don’t want anymore bears!

By: stex52

stex52 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:19:39 +0000

The hill and the flagpole need to go. Some player is going to wreck a knee or wrap himself around the pole. If you need more excitement, I kind of go with the bears idea. But you need to let them roam the stands, too, to enhance the experience. I am open to moving the center field wall in may 15-20 feet. 436 feet is a long way. But that’s a different discussion. I am concerned about player safety.

As to the train, the park is located where Union Station used to be. It’s a history thing. No problem if they keep it. But not a driving issue either way. Maybe they can build Tommy’s littlle brother for home run celebrations.

By: Bryz

Bryz — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:18:44 +0000

There’s a warning track in front of it for a reason. Not to mention that a high fly ball hit deep enough that the center fielder needs to track it all the way to the hill is rather uncommon.

By: jarathen

jarathen — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:57:54 +0000

The Hill is going to cause a catastrophic injury that turns Mike Trout into a shadow of his former self. DESTROY THE HILL.

By: natstowngreg

natstowngreg — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:48:56 +0000

With that context, the locomotive makes sense. But then, I like trains as a matter of principle.

I happened to be in Houston late in the 1999 season and took in one of the last games played at the Astrodome. I was quite underwhelmed though in fairness, the Astros had been playing there 35 years, and didn’t have an incentive to keep up the place. Ken Caminiti hit a tie-breaking, steroid-fueled grand slam off Turk Wendell of the Mets in the 8th, so I was treated to indoor fireworks. Never was a good idea.

By: The Dangerous Mabry

The Dangerous Mabry — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:41:43 +0000

You could just replace them both with a gun circle and call it a day. Now that’s excitement.

By: ndnut

ndnut — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:18:23 +0000

Also, I just love the train for almost no reason.

By: allisonhagen

allisonhagen — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:17:35 +0000

I hope you’re not TOO upset that by blowing off a quick trip to Houston, I may be keeping you from seeing said hill and train BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.