HAPPY DOME DAY!
Astrodome fans, you're invited to this historical unveiling for Eighth Wonder of the World
Steven Devadanam
May 29, 2018, 10:18 am
Fans are invited to a major historical unveiling today at 3 p.m. Courtesy of City of Houston
This story originally appeared on CultureMap/Houston. Steven Devadanam is the editor of that site.
The Houston Rockets season may be over, but sports fans can still celebrate this month. Supporters of all things H-Town sports and the Astrodome are encouraged to don their sports apparel (or anything “Astrodome related,” according to the invitation) and attend the unveiling and dedication for a new Texas State Historical Marker for the Eighth Wonder of the World.
The event will take place at 3 pm Tuesday, May 29 on the west side of the Astrodome at NRG Park. Parking can be accessed through Gate 9 at Westridge and Kirby. The lot will open at 2 pm. Guests can expect brief remarks from multiple speakers including Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who has been a tireless advocate of repurposing the building, and Dene Hofheinz (daughter of Roy Hofheinz), who is most associated with the creation of the Astrodome. There will also will be followed by the marker unveiling.
It’s been a banner year for Astrodome supporters. In February, the Harris County Commissioners court approved a $105 million project that would reconfigure the Astrodome into an event center. The plan involves raising the ground level up two floors, which would create a parking garage with 1,400 more parking spots.
And in March, diehard Dome fans were treated to a Domecoming, where locals were allowed to tour the facility one last time before construction began, creating an opportunity for priceless selfies.
This month’s dedication is the result of efforts of Harris County Historical Commission member and Heritage Society program director Mike Vance, and Mike Acosta, a team historian for the Houston Astros. The two longtime researchers of Houston sports history have worked for years on efforts to preserve and reimagine the iconic Astrodome.
The marker designation makes the building a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, judged by the state to be both historically and architecturally significant. This is in addition to the Astrodome's status as a State Antiquities Landmark and the title of being on the National Register of Historic Places. The marker is sponsored by the World Champion Houston Astros, and is also supported by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation and NRG Park.
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First baseman Jon Singleton was released Tuesday by the Houston Astros.
Singleton had hit .171 with a .239 on-base percentage, no homers and two RBIs in 17 spring training games. The 33-year-old batted .234 with a .321 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 42 RBIs while playing 119 games last season.
The Astros signed Singleton to a $10 million, five-year contract in 2014 just before he made his major league debut, and after he had served two suspensions in the minor leagues for positive marijuana tests.
He batted below .200 in 2014 and 2015 before getting sent to the minors. He spent the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons in the minors and then tested positive for marijuana a third time.
Singleton requested his release from the Astros after receiving a 100-game suspension for that third positive test. He left the game before returning to organized baseball in the Mexican League.
He got back into the majors in 2023, first with the Milwaukee Brewers and later with the Astros.
Singleton agreed on March 8 to a contract paying $850,000 while in the major leagues and $425,000 while in the minors.
Jon Singleton cleared waivers and will be released by the Astros, source tells @TheAthletic. There is still a chance he re-signs with the Astros, but Singleton will explore his options.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 25, 2025