Opened: 2000
Capacity: 40,950
What the authors say: “The roof, which is similar in its three-panel design to the one in Seattle, allows for the largest open area of any of the sliding-roof parks.”
Learned from the book:
• Minute Maid Park effectively plays up a railroad theme, with restored Union Station now serving as the ballpark’s grand entrance and an actual working locomotive running along a short track above the left- and center-field wall.
• The park was originally called Enron Field, but when the Houston-based energy giant’s image was tarnished by corrupt executives, the team bought back the naming rights for $2.1 million.
• A special hot-climate grass was developed especially for the park called Platinum TE Paspalum.
• A chiming-bells recording is used to play a distinctive version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
• The Astros may have pushed commercialism a bit far in selling foul pole naming rights to a chicken restaurant and renaming them “Fowl Poles.”
• Given the number of birds that flitter around even when the roof is closed, Minute Maid Park can be a birdwatcher’s delight.
• A hair-cutting business has several chairs in an outfield concourse for fans who could use a trim while watching the game.
