Nolan Ryan to throw out first pitch to Craig Biggio for Astros 2014 Season Opener on April 1

HOUSTON, TX - Two Astros legends will assume their original playing positions for the ceremonial first pitch on April 1 during the Astros 2014 Opening Day pregame festivities. Former Astros ace and current Executive Advisor Nolan Ryan will take the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Craig Biggio, who first started in the Astros organization as a catcher, and now serves as a special assistant to the general manager. In Biggio's first year in the Majors, he caught Nolan Ryan's 100th win as an Astro while they were both on the 1988 Astros squad.

Additionally, Astros Hall of Fame radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton will address the crowd to kick off the 2014 Astros season, and Astros primary TV play-by-play announcer Bill Brown will introduce the starting lineups for both teams. On field pregame festivities will begin at approximately 5:30pm, and the 2014 Opening Day game between the Astros and New York Yankees will be broadcast on CSN Houston at 6:10pm CT. Coverage can also be found on the Astros flagship radio station, 790 KBME AM and our Spanish flagship station KLAT 1010 AM.

ASTROS TO HONOR DEREK JETER

On Wednesday, April 2, the Astros will honor the career of Yankees icon Derek Jeter with a pregame ceremony and special gift. The ceremony will include a video highlighting some of Jeter's greatest moments on the field, and former teammates Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens will be in attendance.

Jeter, who received Rookie of the Year honors in 1996, enters his 20th and final season with the New York Yankees. He owns a career .312 batting average, 3,316 hits, 1,876 runs scored, 256 home runs and 1,261 RBI. Jeter is a 13-time All-Star, has taken home Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors five teams each, and led the Yankees to five World Series Championships.

13th ANNUAL OPENING DAY STREET FESTIVAL

Before all of the action starts on the field, the Astros will kick off Opening Day festivities with the 13th Annual Opening Day Street Festival, with special thanks to Budweiser, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Crawford Street. This year's festival once again has no admission charge and will have a fun, upbeat atmosphere that will include live music performed by the Scooter Brown Band on the Budweiser stage, an interactive vendor expo, local food trucks, drinks, prizes and activities for all ages. Fans will also be treated to a rock wall, mechanical bull riding, face painters, caricature artists, bungee runs, a dunk tank and more. Astros mascot Orbit will also be in attendance, getting fans pumped up for the 2014 season. All activities and appearances are subject to change.

OPENING DAY PREGAME FIELD CEREMONIES

The Astros Opening Day Pregame Field Ceremonies are jam-packed with guest appearances, kicking off with a special flag ceremony featuring 150 Astros Season Ticket Holders. The famed Budweiser Clydesdales will also take the field in grand fashion to deliver a ceremonial game ball to Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow, and the NiXg Skydiving and Entertainment team will also make an unconventional entrance to deliver the ceremonial first pitch ball. Country music legend Clay Walker will perform the National Anthem and return to the field for God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch.

TICKETING INFORMATION

For information on a limited number of seat locations still available for Opening Day - including recently released Standing Room Only tickets for just $20 - or to purchase tickets to any Astros home game, please visit 

www.astros.com/tickets or call 1-877-9ASTROS.

2014 SCHEDULE

As they enter their second season in the AL West, the Astros will host several of MLB's toughest competitors, including division rivals Mike Trout and the LA Angels of Anaheim, the reigning two-time AL West Division Champion Oakland Athletics, Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners and Lone Star Series foes the Texas Rangers. Also coming down to Houston are former Astro turned manager Brad Ausmus, Miguel Cabrera and the AL Central Champion Detroit Tigers; former NL rivals the Atlanta Braves and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

OPENING DAY SCHEDULE - TUESDAY, APRIL 1

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: 13th Annual Opening Day Street Festival on Crawford Street

1:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Pep Rally featuring Reid Ryan, emceed by Robert Ford, on the Budweiser Stage

3:00 p.m.: Gates open to the main concourse

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Pep Rally featuring Astros players, emceed by Steve Sparks the Budweiser Stage

4:00 p.m.: Full ballpark access to the public 

5:30 p.m.: Pregame field ceremonies begin

6:10 p.m.: New York Yankees at Houston Astros

Postgame: Special classic rock-themed Opening Day fireworks display, presented by Marathon Oil Corporation