Astros to honor fallen Houston firemen
Team will wear special patch; moment of silence planned Tuesday
The Astros will wear a special patch on their uniforms during their upcoming homestand to honor the four firefighters whose lives were lost in a hotel fire on Friday.
The team's pregame ceremony on Tuesday will also include a moment of silence, the Houston Fire Department Honor Guard and Houston Pipe and Drum Band, and the flags at Minute Maid Park will be at half-staff this week.
In addition to those killed in the fire, 13 others were hospitalized in what the Houston Fire Department has called the deadliest fire in its 118-year history.
"Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the firefighters who lost their lives or were injured in last week's tragedy," Astros president Reid Ryan said in a statement. "We all owe a debt of gratitude to all of our firefighters, who risk their lives to keep others safe."
The Astros are also offering free tickets for this week's games (Tuesday through Thursday) for local and national firefighters and their immediate family members at the Minute Maid Park Box Office, with a firefighter ID.