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The annual Astros Caravan will visit 18 cities in 12 days, including several stops in the Houston area. Astros players, coaches and front office personnel will make private visits to schools, hospitals, senior centers and youth centers and will also make a number of public stops and sign autographs for fans across Texas and Louisiana. Look for the updated "In My Words" Video Log featured after most stops! Join us in a town near you!
Be sure to check back here often for updates on stops and player participation!
*Dates, times, locations and players participating are subject to change. |
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| Wednesday, January 14 – Galveston |
| 12:30 - 1:30 Saltgrass Steakhouse - 20241 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598 |
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Astros Participating: manager Cecil Cooper, pitchers Chris Sampson and Brandon Backe, outfielder Darin Erstad, broadcaster Brett Dolan and Assistant General Manager of Scouting, Bobby Heck |
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| 4:30 - 5:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 21351 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598 |
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Astros Participating: pitchers Chris Sampson and Brandon Backe, outfielder Darin Erstad, broadcaster Brett Dolan, and Assistant General Manager of Scouting, Bobby Heck |
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| Thursday, January 15 – Katy |
| 3:30 - 4:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 23155 I-10 West, Katy, TX 77449 |
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Astros Participating: manager Cecil Cooper, first baseman Lance Berkman, pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, outfielder Hunter Pence, former player Larry Dierker and broadcaster Bill Brown |
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| Friday, January 16 – The Woodlands |
| 3:00 - 4:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 25010 I-45 North, Spring, TX 77386 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Wesley Wright, broadcasters Jim Deshaies and Dave Raymond |
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| 4:30 - 6:00 - Clinic at Legends Sports Complex - 602 Pruitt Rd., Spring, TX 77380 |
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Registration is required in advance and is limited to the first 150 kids ages 7-18. For more information, please contact the Legends Sports Complex at 281-298-5700 or visit www.thelegendssportscomplex.com. |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Wesley Wright, broadcasters Jim Deshaies and Dave Raymond |
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| Saturday, January 17 – Sugar Land/Pearland |
| 11:30 - 12:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 16610 US Hwy. 59, Sugarland, TX 77479 |
| 4:00 - 5:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 2804 Business Center Dr., Pearland TX 77584 |
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Astros Participating: infielder Geoff Blum, outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Clay Hensley, former player Jimmy Wynn and broadcaster Jim Deshaies |
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| Monday, January 19 – New Orleans/Baton Rouge |
| 1:30 - 3:00 - Louisiana State University - Alex Box Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
| 3:30 - 5:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors (Baton Rouge) - 10808 Industriplex Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 |
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Astros Participating: manager Cecil Cooper, pitchers Geoff Geary and Brandon Backe, former player Craig Reynolds and broadcaster Brett Dolan |
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| Tuesday, January 20 – Temple |
| 4:30 - 6:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 1407 Marlandwood Rd., Temple, TX 76502 |
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Astros Participating: pitchers Brian Moehler and Wesley Wright and broadcaster Milo Hamilton |
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| Wednesday, January 21 – Lake Charles/Beaumont |
| 11:00 - 12:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 3401 Derek Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70607 |
| 5:30 - 7:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 7130 Eastex Fwy., Beaumont, TX 77708 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Geoff Geary, outfielder Jason Michaels, former player Shane Reynolds, and broadcaster Bill Brown |
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| Thursday, January 22 – Temple |
| 1:30 - 3:00 - Temple Mall - 311 South 31st Street, Temple, TX 76504 |
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Astros Participating: pitchers Brian Moehler and Wesley Wright and broadcaster Milo Hamilton |
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| 4:00 - 5:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 8903 N. Navarro, Victoria, TX 77904 |
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Astros Participating: outfielder Hunter Pence, pitcher Roy Oswalt, broadcaster Jim Deshaies and Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett |
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| Friday, January 23 – College Station/Cypress |
| 11:00 - 12:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 2351 Earl Rudder Fwy. South, College Station, TX 77845 |
| 2:00 - 3:15 - Texas A&M University - Rudder Auditorium, College Station, TX 77845 |
| 5:00 - 6:30 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 19720 N.W. Fwy, Houston, TX 77065 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Doug Brocail, outfielder Michael Bourn, broadcaster Dave Raymond and Assistant General Manger of Baseball Operations Dave Gottfried |
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| Monday, January 26 – Waco/Round Rock |
| 11:30 - 12:30 Texas Sports Hall of Fame - 1108 S. University Parks Dr., Waco, TX 76706 |
| 2:00 - 3:00 - Baylor University - McLane Student Life Center, Waco, TX 76798 |
| 5:30 - 7:00 Saltgrass Steakhouse - 2300 IH 35 North, Round Rock, TX 78681 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Mike Hampton, infielder Mark Saccomanno, former player Jeff Bagwell and broadcaster Milo Hamilton |
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| Tuesday, January 27 – Round Rock/Austin |
| 2:30 - 4:00 - University of Texas - Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, North End Zone, 403 23rd St., Austin |
| 4:30 - 6:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 12250 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78759 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Mike Hampton, infielder Mark Saccomanno, former player Jeff Bagwell and broadcaster Milo Hamilton |
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| Wednesday, January 28 – Austin/San Antonio |
| 4:30 - 6:00 - Academy Sports + Outdoors - 714 West Loop 1604 North, San Antonio, TX 78251 |
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Astros Participating: pitcher Mike Hampton, infielder Mark Saccomanno, former player Jeff Bagwell and broadcaster Milo Hamilton |
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| Wednesday, January 28 – Mexico City, Mexico |
| 11 a.m. - Iberoamericana University fields, Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 880, Lomas de Santa Fe |
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Astros Participating: Miguel Tejada, Cecil Cooper, Alex Trevino |
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| Thursday, January 29 – McAllen and Laredo, TX |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - BBVA Compass 3900 North 10th St., McAllen, TX 78501 |
| 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Doctors Hospital of Laredo - 10700 McPherson Rd., Laredo, TX 78045 |
| 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. - BBVA Compass 1311 E. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo, TX 78041 |
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Astros Participating: Miguel Tejada, Cecil Cooper, Alex Trevino |
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Astros 2008 Winter Caravan
CENTRAL TEXAS
JANUARY 14 - Cameron/Temple
Outfielder Hunter Pence, pitcher Chris Sampson, catcher J.R. Towles and broadcasters Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond began the 2008 Astros Winter Caravan with a stop at Yoe High School in Cameron for an assembly with the students, faculty and staff. The day concluded with a free autograph-signing at Academy Sports & Outdoors in Temple.
JANUARY 15 - Belton/Fort Hood/Temple
Tuesday began with an early-morning visit with the student-athletes at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. Pence, Sampson, Towles, Dolan and Raymond then took a trip to Fort Hood to visit with the soldiers in Killeen. The Astros completed their day with a visit to Temple College for an assembly with the student-athletes at the school.
JANUARY 16 - Temple
The Astros finished the Central Texas portion of the 2008 Winter Caravan on January 16. The day started with the group visiting patients at the Scott & White Hospital, followed by a special luncheon at the Temple Lions Club. The last stop of the day was a free autograph session for fans at the Temple Mall.
HOUSTON
JANUARY 16 - Katy
Astros pitchers Dave Borkowski and Brandon Backe, Manager Cecil Cooper, former Astro Jimmy Wynn and broadcaster Bill Brown began the Caravan trip on the West side of Houston with a visit to Texas Children's Hospital. The Astros had free autograph-signings at Saltgrass Steakhouse and Academy Sports & Outdoors. The group made a special trip to visit the Brookwood Community Center, a community that houses individuals with special needs.
JANUARY 17 - The Woodlands/Conroe
Pitcher Roy Oswalt and first-baseman Lance Berkman were joined by Jim Deshaies and Dave Raymond on the Caravan visits across the North side of Houston. The players and announcers began the day with an assembly at Mitchell Intermediate School in The Woodlands. The group talked to the children about making good decisions and the importance of education. After one final stop at the Academy Sports & Outdoors in Conroe for another autograph-signing, the Astros day was complete.
JANUARY 18 - NASA/Kemah/League City
Friday began with a trip to NASA Johnson Space Center with infielder Ty Wigginton, newly acquired second-baseman Kazuo "Kaz" Matsui, pitcher Woody Williams, General Manager Ed Wade and Astros broadcaster Brett Dolan. The group toured one of the first rockets that was sent into space. After the tour, the Astros signed autographs for NASA employees. The Astros then hosted an autograph session at the Aquarium on the Kemah Boardwalk. The Astros made a special stop at Clear Brook High School to visit with the Wolverine baseball teams, as well as athletes from surrounding high school baseball programs. High school athletes had the opportunity to ask Astros player and front-office personnel questions regarding the game of baseball and the personal experiences of being a professional athlete. The day concluded with an autograph signing at the local Academy Sports & Outdoors in Webster, TX.
JANUARY 19 - Sugar Land
Pitcher Brandon Backe was joined by former Houston Astro great Jimmy Wynn and announcer Brett Dolan for the last day of the Houston-area Caravan. The Astros made a stop at the Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land where the trio visited with patients, as well as the hospital staff. The group then moved on to Academy Sports & Outdoors for a free autograph-signing, followed by a trip to Marian Park to promote Grand Slam for Youth Baseball and encourage kids to sign up for Houston Parks and Recreation Department's free T-ball, baseball and softball leagues.
TEXAS, LOUISIANA AND MEXICO
JANUARY 21 - Austin/Round Rock/College Station
Jeff Bagwell, pitcher Chris Sampson, General Manager Ed Wade and announcer Bill Brown started the day with a visit to Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin. The group then attended the annual luncheon with the Astros Triple A affiliate Round Rock Express. The Caravan moved to College Station where the group met with several members of the George Bush Library and Astros fans received autographs while attending the Library session. The day capped off with a free autograph session held at the Academy Sports & Outdoors in College Station.
JANUARY 22 - Corpus Christi/Victoria
The Astros Caravan started the day with a visit to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. Jeff Bagwell, J.R. Towles, Assistant General Manager Ricky Bennett and Jim Deshaies met with Navy pilots. The Astros then joined the Double A Corpus Christi Hooks for the annual luncheon. The 2008 luncheon was held on the U.S.S. Lexington, an aircraft carrier that was retired from the Navy's fleet in 1992. The Caravan moved on to Victoria, Texas for a stop at the University of Houston - Victoria. The group spoke to the Jaguars baseball and softball teams, followed by a Q&A session with the athletes. The day concluded with a free autograph-signing at the Academy Sports & Outdoors in Victoria.
JANUARY 23 - Laredo/McAllen/Brownsville
Astros catcher Humberto Quintero, Jimmy Wynn and Spanish radio broadcaster Alex Trevino began the morning with a visit to Laredo Medical Center, before signing autographs at Texas State Bank in McAllen. The Astros group then traveled to Brownsville for an autograph session at Academy Sports & Outdoors.
JANUARY 24 - New Orleans/Baton Rouge
Catcher Brad Ausmus, Jeff Bagwell, Assistant General Manager Dave Gottfried and radio broadcaster Dave Raymond made the trip to New Orleans. The first stop was a visit to Thurgood Marshall Middle School. Thurgood was one of the first schools to reopen after Katrina struck the city of New Orleans. The quartet then paid a special visit to Astros fans in Baton Rouge, with an autograph-signing at Alex Box Stadium. The Astros visited with LSU's baseball team after the autograph session and the day concluded with an autograph signing at an Academy Sports & Outdoors in Baton Rouge.
JANUARY 25 - Lake Charles/Beaumont/Port Arthur
Pitcher Brandon Backe, special assistant to the general manager and former Astro Enos Cabell and Brett Dolan were Louisiana-bound by 8:00 a.m. the morning of Friday, January 25. The first stop of the day was an autograph-signing at the Academy Sports & Outdoors in Lake Charles, LA. The Caravan then traveled to Beaumont to visit patients at Christus St. Elizabeth. The trio made its last stop of the day at an Academy Sports & Outdoors in Port Arthur.
FEBRUARY 7 - Mexico City/Monterrey, Mexico
The Astros flew to Mexico City early on the morning of February 7. This marked the first-ever Caravan appearance in Mexico City. Newly acquired pitcher Oscar Villarreal, Jose "Cheo" Cruz, Cecil Cooper and Alex Trevino hosted a baseball clinic in Mexico City. The Caravan flew to Monterrey, Mexico, for a media session at the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame and Brewery. Outfielder Carlos Lee joined the Caravan in time for a meet-and-greet at the Sheraton Ambassador Hotel. The Astros met with several members of Continental Airlines and the Greater Houston Convention Visitor's Bureau during the meet-and-greet.
FEBRUARY 8 - Monterrey, Mexico/San Antonio, Texas
Lee, Villarreal, Cooper, Cruz, and Trevino traveled to the "Alamo City." They visited the wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center including the burn and amputee unit. The group also last stopped for a free autograph-signing at Academy Sports & Outdoors in San Antonio.
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