Astros take pregame tour of historic Fenway

BOSTON -- Several Astros players got to Fenway Park early on Thursday to soak up as much as they could. Third-base coach Dave Trembley, who's familiar with Fenway from his time as manager of the Orioles, took a handful of players, including Hector Ambriz, Wesley Wright, Bud Norris and Jose Altuve, on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Trembley took the players to the seats atop the Green Monster and inside the scoreboard, where they could sign their name alongside the greats of the game. He also took them to see the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

"It's a pretty special place," said Wright, the team's longest-tenured player. "I've seen Wrigley and now to see Fenway, the baseball tour is kind of complete. There's a lot of good stadiums out there, and this place is right up there with the history and the tradition and the great players who have played here. Hopefully I can go out and have some good games while I'm here and really enjoy this place."

Rookie outfielder Brandon Barnes, who hit his first career home at Wrigley Field last year, knows what a privilege it is to play at Fenway, too.

"You just kind of look around, and when you get the Monster and see all the names that are there from different guys over the years, it's a true baseball field," he said. "When you're playing baseball in your backyard, you envision yourself at Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley. To be here and to play here is unreal."