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Here's how fans can score the best Houston Astros giveaways this season

Here's how fans can score the best Houston Astros giveaways this season
Alvarez and Altuve rings will be limited. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The Houston Astros, already off to a fast start on the field, have planned more promotional giveaways for fans at Minute Maid Park this season than ever before.

More bobbleheads, more replica jerseys, more Dollar Dogs and more, well, everything. And topping the fan’s wish list … more highly collectible championship rings.

“This is our third ring (one World Series and two American League titles) in five years. Our fans really have rallied behind them. We try to come up with something different with each ring giveaway. This year we’re giving fans an opportunity to create a collection,” said Anita Sehgal, Astros senior vice-president, marketing and communications.

“We will give away eight rings. Seven rings will have players’ names on them and one will have manager Dusty Baker’s name.”

Fans can check the promotional calendar at astros.com for specific ring giveaway dates. The first ring game will be April 19 with 10,000 fans receiving Yordan Alvarez AL Champion Replica Rings. The following night 10,000 fans will get Jose Altuve AL Champion Rings.

Because of supply chain challenges, the first Alvarez and Altuve rings will be limited to the first 10,000 fans through the gates. Doors open two hours before the scheduled game start. The other six ring giveaways will have every fan in attendance getting a ring. An additional Avarez and Altuve ring date will be added with all fans getting the ring.

The first bobblehead giveaway, with Yordan Alvarez hoisting the 2021 American League championship trophy, will be handed out Opening Night, April 18.

Here’s something I didn’t know. I asked Sehgal how much input players have in creating their bobblehead. Do you ask if the player even wants a bobblehead? Do they get a say if their bobblehead is hitting or fielding? Or do they want their bobblehead to commemorate a specific achievement?

Answer: none of the above. “A bobblehead is just as much a surprise to the player as it is to our fans. That’s part of the fun for everybody. We make sure that the player who’s featured gets a bunch of bobbleheads so he can give them to his family and friends,” she said.

Tuesday Dollar Dog nights are back. Same with Friday night fireworks.

“Fireworks are a longstanding tradition and we love it. Every Friday night has a theme and we curate the show to a music playlist. We will have an Elton John and Billy Joel night for the two fabulous concerts we have coming up at Minute Maid Park,” Sehgal said.

The Astros marketing department has a self-imposed challenge each year – come up with something new for the following season. One recent big hit is Princess Day, which will be held July 31.

“Princess Day is one of the things we started doing a few years ago and it’s really taken off. It’s so much fun to see grandparents, parents and daughters at a game. Fans will dress up as princesses. We’ll have princesses here for fans to take photos with. Over the last few years our players' families have brought their children and really turned Princess Day into a fun family event,” Sehgal said.

The Astros have embraced fans who love to follow stats and updates on their phones at Minute Maid Park. As part of a new partnership with Reliant, there will be phone charging stations throughout the ballpark this season. Sehgal promises that there are enough charging stations (“tons of them”) so fans won’t have to hover over them like buzzards waiting for a turn. You know, like you see at the airport.

“This will be the 60th season of Major League Baseball in Houston and we’ll have a robust promotional schedule celebrating our past, present and future,” Sehgal said.

She admitted that the marketing department can give away rings, bobble heads, jerseys, and keychains galore, but nothing keeps fans excited and coming back to the ballpark more than the Astros winning games.

“The best marketing tool we have is for our players to continue doing what they’ve been doing – winning championships. We’re lucky that the team is very talented, but also that the players are great people off the field, too. It’s really fun to market our players. It actually makes our job a little tougher because we want to rise to the level that they’re at on the field,” Sehgal said.

Here is the promotional schedule for the first home stand against the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays.

April 18: Yordan Alvarez bobble head (10,000 fans), and a magnetic schedule for your refrigerator (all fans).

April 19: Yordan Alvarez AL Champion Replica Ring (10,000 fans), Dollar Dog Night, Autism Awareness Night.

April 20: Jose Altuve AL Champion Replica Ring (10,000 fans),

April 22: Flashback Friday (1960s), Throwback Alex Bregman Colt .45s road jersey (10,000 fans), Pre-game happy hour (5-7 p.m.), Friday night Fireworks.

April 23: Faith and Family Night featuring Micah Tyler.

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The injuries keep piling up for Houston.Composite Getty Image.

The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.

After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.

Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.

Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.

 

Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.

Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.

On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.

There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.

Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.

With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.

There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.

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