Seems that baseball did head into the direction that Angell predicted, but I'm not about to blame the Astrodome, myself. Just thought it was interesting & wondered what some of you thought about his comments?

Well, in 1972 - baseball was about at its LOWEST popularity. That was when football was becoming king. That was but 4 years away from 1968 when a 2-1 game was a scoring EXPLOSION. That was when the AL brought in the DH to "make the game better" so people would actually come out to see it.

Whatever direction baseball took - it has never been more popular. It recovered well from the 1994 strike. If the Astrodome had any part in that renaissance, then I am proud that is was part of it. I know Angell couldn't give a rat's butt about Houston fans - but it would have been next to impossible to endure a baseball season in Houston without a domed stadium. Unfortunately, it was designed in an era where some fiscal responsibilty was expected and the "multi-purpose" arena seemed to fit the bill as a playpen for both baseball and football. As it turned out, it was suboptimal for both. In its original configuration with the scoreboard, it was satisfactory as a baseball field. I also like the dramatic "edge" of the yellow seats up where Jimmy Wynn hit the HR. It ceratinly is as suitable a baseball venue as Shea Stadium which is of nearly identical design.

The Astrodome was completely ruined when they "completed the circle". It was a crappy football venue. The playing surface was deplorable and the prime seats close to the field were horrible to take in a game. My son played in a football playoff game in the Dome - we sat in the field boxes and it was really a crappy view. ANY 5A high school stadium was a beter venue for football than the Dome. Hell, I attended Oilers games at Jeppenson Stadium in 1960 that were more enjoyable to watch.

Interesting that the Astrodome is being explored as a venue for a Mexican soccer team. Soccer simply cannot be played on Astroturf - the ball bounces too high and destroys whatever flow that miserable game has.

~Crash