Astros’ Visit Conjures Memories of Indians-Giants 51 Years Ago

by Matt Rogers

It’s Astros week.

The men who’ll play at Minute Maid Park in 2009 arrive Thursday afternoon for a 6:05 Whataburger Field start against our Hooks. Gates open at 4. Round Rock’s Triple-A guys hold over in Kissimmee for a split-squad contest with the Braves.

Preparations for Hooks vs. the black & brick red beg the question: Just how often do big league teams come this way?

The last time a Major League club appeared in Corpus Christi, two Major League clubs appeared – the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Indians.

The date: Tuesday, April 8, 1958. Time: 2 p.m. Site: Giants Field, essentially where Agnes and Baldwin meet. Horton Automatics sits there today.

Two o’clock? Yep. A weekday afternoon game. Three-dollar box seats were sold out as of April 1, but $1.50 grandstand and 50-cent general admission remained up for grabs… only at the Corpus Christi Giants ticket office in the White Plaza Hotel lobby.

Later that year, the Double-A Giants went on to capture Corpus Christi’s first Texas League championship. But on April 8, the Sparkling City buzzed before and after 40-year-old Mickey Vernon’s first-inning grand slam, the difference in an 11-7 Cleveland win. Mike Garcia started for the Tribe; Bob Lemon and Roger Maris were teammates.

On their way to San Francisco after 75 seasons in New York, the Giants were thrilled about the emergence of rookies Orlando Cepeda, Jim Davenport and Willie Kirkland. Spring training topics included Willie Mays’ $65,000 contract and the approximately 250 prospects with 10 different affiliates at minor league camp in Sanford, Fla.

In a portent of things to come, the Giants and Indians played the next day in Harlingen… the market Corpus Christi’s Giants relocated to for 1960.

As Caller-Times beat writer Greg Rajan would say, “Indeed, times have changed.”

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If you don’t have a ticket to Thursday’s game, you can still watch history in the making as Voice of the Hooks Matt Hicks and Round Rock Express counterpart Mike Capps call for FSN Houston and FSN Southwest. Skip Baldwin will add his man-about-the-ballpark perspective.

Michael Coffin slides over for Hooks radio play-by-play duties on 1360 KKTX, with long-time Sinton head coach and regular analyst Gene Kasprzyk riding shotgun.

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Do you like to eat?

The West Michigan Whitecaps, Class A Midwest League affiliate of the Tigers, are serving a four-pound, 4,800-calorie burger for $20. Fans can gorge themselves on five beef patties, five slices of cheese, a cup of chili and liberal applications of salsa and corn chips… all on an 8-inch sesame seed bun.

Anyone who consumes the monster in one sitting gets a special t-shirt. Sharing fans ask for a pizza cutter.

Don’t expect this Fifth Third Ballpark treat to be replicated at Whataburger Field.

After all, it is Whataburger Field. From time to time, I’ve been known to treat Hooks press corps members to burgers and fries from the stand at Section 120. They never fail to impress.

Express Hospitality Services general manager Nick Ridge and his crew are ready to serve in 2009. In my book, nothing beats the lemonade at Section 113. I’m also into the stuffed baked potatoes from nearby Nolan Ryan Grill, which also features steak sandwiches, bratwurst and turkey legs.

Just to get you in the mood, in no particular order… beef and chicken tacos and super nachos at Los Ganchos (Section 124)… hot dogs, sausage wraps, Frito pies and corn dogs (Section 115)… Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, grilled chicken breasts and chicken tenders (Section 118)… pizza, sausage wraps and hot dogs (Section 123)… sweets like caramel corn and Dippin’ Dots(Section 121), plus funnel cakes, cotton candy and custom snow cones back at 113 and Blue Bell products at 116. Mouth watering? Head spinning?

And, if you’re so inclined, enjoy a Margarita, lager, amber or ale at Margaritaville, across from Section 118.

See you Thursday!