Astros 2012 promotions schedule
Astros celebrate 50th Anniversary with Series of Promotions, Events
HOUSTON, TX -- In 2012, the Houston Astros are celebrating the team’s 50th Anniversary and the home schedule is full of giveaway items and events commemorating the occasion. Below are many of the exciting promotions fans can look forward to during this golden anniversary season.
Flashback Fridays
The cornerstone of the 50th Anniversary campaign is the highly anticipated “Flashback Fridays” program. With some of the most recognizable and iconic uniforms in baseball history, the Astros will highlight a different uniform each month with the team wearing that jersey for each Friday night game. The featured jerseys include:
1960’s Colt .45s (April 10 – commemorating the first game in franchise history and April 20)
1960’s Shooting Star (May 4 and May 18)
1970’s Rainbow (June 1 and June 22)
1980’s Shoulder Rainbow (July 6 and July 27)
1990’s Blue and Gold Star (August 10, August 17 and August 31)
“Flashback Fridays” also features special ballpark entertainment and fireworks shows themed to each particular decade. In addition, as part of the celebration, Colt .45s and Astros alumni from the past 50 seasons will be invited back to toss out ceremonial first pitches prior to those Friday games.
Astros “Greatest Moments” Bobblehead Set
The Astros “Greatest Moments” bobblehead set showcases a number of great players, moments and memories from 50 years of baseball in Houston. In addition to the standard bobble figurine, each bobblehead includes a commemorative photo of the featured moment to capture the emotion.
The first bobble features Nolan Ryan (May 19) celebrating his record fifth no-hitter in 1981. Craig Biggio (June 22) portrays his unforgettable 3,000th hit in 2007 followed by Cy Young Award winning pitcher Mike Scott (July 7) clinching the National League West Division with a no-hitter in 1986.
Rounding out this year’s “Greatest Moments” bobblehead lineup is a pair of home run heroes. In what currently stands as the longest playoff game in MLB history, 2005 National League Division Series hero Chris Burke (July 28) joins the set for his 18th inning walk-off homer in a year that saw the Astros in their first World Series. Jeff Kent (September 1) joins in similar fashion for his walk-off home run in Game 5 of the 2004 National League Championship Series.
Fans have the opportunity to attend all six games with the “Greatest Moments” Bobblehead six-game plan, available now at astros.com*.
*Note: this ticket offer does NOT guarantee fans a bobblehead giveaway.
All-Time 25-Man Roster Vote
A panel of 10 experts has voted on the Astros All-Time 25-Man Roster, and throughout the season, Astros fans will have a chance to let their voices be heard as they will cast the eleventh vote. Each month throughout the season, a different position will be featured on astros.com and fans can cast their vote on their all-time favorite players.
Oldies but Goodies
“Retro” is in the air as the 50th Anniversary Celebration weaves its way through multiple giveaways this season. Currently scheduled items include a Colt .45s cap (April 10), Colt .45s replica jersey (April 20), 1970’s rainbow style t-shirt (June 1), retro gym bag (June 2), retro lunch bag (June 3), 1960’s blue Astros cap (June 20), 1990’s blue and gold replica jersey (August 10), and a rainbow umbrella (August 12).
Pink in the Park
Pink in the Park week is back in 2012. The week (May 4-May 9), dedicated to driving awareness for breast cancer research, will kick off with the fourth annual Pink in the Park Brunch and Bazaar, benefiting the Methodist Cancer Center (May 4). The rest of the week will feature pink giveaway items including a Belted Tote Bag (May 4), a Pink Yoga Mat (May 6), and Pink Pashmina Scarf (May 7).
Special Events
The 2012 calendar features many events including fan favorites as well as events specifically geared towards the anniversary celebration. Returning in 2012 is Opening Day Street Fest (April 6), Friday Night Fireworks, Dog Day (May 6 and September 16), Bayou Bash (May 19), Bike to the Ballpark (June 3), Faith and Family Night Concerts (June 23 featuring Third Day and July 28 featuring Mercy Me), and Oktoberfest (September 15).
The Astros are bringing back local members of the 1962 Colt .45s roster for a pregame ceremony and reunion on Tuesday, April 10, 50 years to the day from the first game ever played in franchise history. In addition, the season-long celebration culminates with Legends Weekend (September 21-23) in which all Colt .45 and Astros alumni will be invited to Minute Maid Park to take part in anniversary activities. As a part of the weekend, all available members of the Astros All-Time 25-Man roster will be recognized in a special pregame ceremony.
All promotional items and special events are subject to change and as the season proceeds, new items and events may be added to the schedule. Fans can visit www.astros.com for the most updated schedule.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.astros.com, at the Minute Maid Park box office on Texas Avenue or by phone toll free at 1-877-9ASTROS (1-877-927-8767). Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster retail centers in all Fiesta and select Macy’s, H-E-B, F.Y.E., Wherehouse Music and Ritmo Latino stores during regular store hours.
2012 Astros Promotions and Events
* All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
4/6 Schedule Magnet (United) 20,000 fans
Opening Day Street Fest
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
4/7 50th Anniversary Patch (Insperity) 10,000 fans
4/8 50th Anniversary Poster (Champion Energy Services) 10,000 fans
4/10 Colt .45s Cap (Conn's) 10,000 fans
$1 Hot Dog Night (Classic Foods)
4/20 Colt .45s Replica Jersey (Champion Energy Services) 10,000 fans
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
4/21 Play Green® Cap (Waste Management) 10,000 fans
4/22 Grocery Tote Bag (The Methodist Hospital System) 10,000 fans
5/4 Belted Pink Bag (Methodist Cancer Center) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
5/5 Los Astros Cap (Wells Fargo) 10,000 fans
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
5/6 Pink Yoga Mat (Methodist Cancer Center) 10,000 fans
Dog Day at Minute Maid Park
5/7 Pink Pashmina Scarf (Methodist Cancer Center) 10,000 fans
5/17 Drawstring Bags (MLB Network) 10,000 fans
5/18 Lone Star Series T-Shirt (Champion Energy Services) 10,000 fans
University of Texas Night
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
5/19 Nolan Ryan Bobblehead Fifth No-Hitter (Coca-Cola) 10,000 fans
Bayou Bash
Texas A&M Night
6/1 1970's Rainbow T-Shirt (The Methodist Hospital System) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
6/2 Retro Gym Bag (Kroger) 10,000 fans
6/3 Retro Lunch Bag (Champion Energy Services) 10,000 fans
Bike to the Ballpark
6/20 1960's Retro Cap (Bastion Technologies) 10,000 fans
6/22 Craig Biggio Bobblehead 3,000th Hit (Coca-Cola) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
6/23 Faith and Family Night
7/6 Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
7/7 Mike Scott Bobblehead 1986 No-Hitter (Grand Slam for Youth Baseball) 10,000 fans
7/27 Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
7/28 Chris Burke Bobblehead 18th Inning Walk-Off Home Run (Dahill) 10,000 fans
Faith and Family Night
8/10 1990's Blue and Gold Jersey (Coca-Cola) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
8/12 Umbrella (HEB) 10,000 Fans
8/17 Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
8/18 Jeff Bagwell Bobblehead 400th Home Run (Champion Energy Services) 10,000 fans
8/31 Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
9/1 Jeff Kent Bobblehead NLCS Game 5 Walk-Off Home Run (The Methodist Hospital System) 10,000 fans
9/14 Fleece Blanket (The Methodist Hospital System) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
9/15 Los Astros T-Shirt (Goya) 10,000 fans
Oktoberfest
9/16 Dog Day at Minute Maid Park
9/21 50th Anniversary Legends Weekend
50th Anniversary Canvas Art (The Methodist Hospital System) 10,000 fans
Flashback Fridays (The Methodist Hospital System)
Friday Night Fireworks (Marathon Oil Corporation)
9/22 50th Anniversary Legends Weekend
9/23 50th Anniversary Legends Weekend
9/26 Team Poster (Houston Chronicle) All Fans