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Ground broke on the location that would become the Astrodome over three years later. The one-of-a-kind stadium at its time, the Astrodome was designed with the idea of withstanding all types of weather and blocking rainouts for the then-Colt 45s.
With the introduction of the stadium also came the name change that has stuck to this day and what everyone now knows the team by, changing from the Colt 45s to the Astros. Both the team and stadium got their names from the NASA mission control center located just outside the Houston area.
What else happened on this date?
1920
Announced in the newspapers for the first time is the news of the deal made on December 26th of the previous year to send Red Sox’s standout Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for just over $100,000.
1973
A group of 17 investors, headed by George Steinbrenner, purchased the New York Yankees. He would continue his ownership to this day.
2005
In efforts to reach a wider audience, the Angels announce that they will henceforth be known as the “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim”.
Houston Astros Predicted to Re-Sign Fan Favorite to Mammoth $175 Million Deal
Among those moves was the acquisition of Christian Walker, one of the most coveted free agent first basemen, to a three-year, $60 million deal. Additionally, the Astros offloaded right fielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Chicago Cubs that is looking exceedingly like a win now that Tucker may not re-sign with the Cubs in the offseason.
Couple that with the rumors that Houston could be pursuing Anthony Santander as a potential replacement and the future doesn’t look so bleak.
But could the Astros make a pivot that could shock the rest of the MLB and even its fanbase?
According to NorthJersey.com’s Pete Caldera, he predicts Houston to re-sign two-time All Star and fan favorite Alex Bregman to a mammoth $175 million deal that would likely see the third baseman remain an Astro for the rest of his career.
“Before a March 1 exhibition game against Houston at Steinbrenner Field, word circulates that third baseman Alex Bregman has re-signed with the Astros on a $175 million deal,” Caldera wrote in his prediction.
Now, it does need to be pointed out that this isn’t exactly the type of deal that Bregman is looking for and it seems favorable to Houston, a franchise well known for keeping free agent deals under six years in length and extracting maximum value.
However, Bregman’s market has been weak and after a failed trade pursuit for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, the Astros may just have to turn back to Bregman to solve their problem at the hot corner.
Bregman could also be looking for a home this winter and returning to his roots and to a bonafide contender could be a perfectly suitable situation for him and his family.
While a reunion is still hard to see, if Bregman remains on the market come the beginning of March, all bets are off on what could transpire.
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