On Thursday, March 15, Minute Maid Park will host the Grand Slam Genetics Angus Sale, the first cattle sale in the history of Houston's downtown ballpark. Many of the finest Angus cattle in the world will be available for public auction in a sale hosted by 44 Farms and Bob McClaren, the former president of business operations for the Astros.

Talent that has been realized through an excellent development system has long been on display at Minute Maid Park, but this event will have a different slant from the Lance Berkmans and Roy Oswalts of the world. Instead of outstanding baseball players that have worked their way through the Astros player development system, this sale will feature 70 lots of the finest registered Angus breeding stock from 31 of the top Angus breeders from California and North Carolina.

The sale preview will be from 12 Noon until 2 p.m., with the public auction beginning at 2 p.m.

"This is an international event featuring the finest Angus cattle and genetics," said McClaren. "Minute Maid Park is an excellent facility for this event, and we look forward to presenting some of the finest Angus cattle and genetics by America's premier Angus breeders."

During the Grand Slam Genetics Angus Sale, the cattle will be displayed on the right field warning track and the auction arena will be in the right field foul territory.

"Minute Maid Park is truly a venue for any event, and we are excited to host something as unique as the Grand Slam Genetics Angus Sale," said Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane. "Many members of our organization, including myself and Carlos Lee, are involved with and enjoy the cattle business. We look forward to hosting Bob McClaren and many others involved in the registered Angus cattle business, and this sale will be a fun and interesting event."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.