 "Photo: Photo by Ryan Williams")
Last Thursday, the Houston Astros’ Caravan came to an end in Corpus Christi. The annual Caravan that began in Houston will visit 15 cities in nine days and visit over 48 different schools, hospitals and includes participation in various community outreach programs. More than 25 Astros players, alumni, coaches and front office staff will take part in the 2010 Caravan.
Two of Corpus Christi’s favorite Hooks players, turned Astros returned to reach out to the community that reached out to them. Hunter Pence, who joined the Astros in 2007 after being a monumental force behind the 2006 Hooks Championship team. Castro’s time was brief in Corpus. He only played 72 games as a Hook before being called up to the majors.
Pence took a few minutes to talk about himself and his time here in Corpus Christi.
“Tell me something about you, that I can’t Google about you?” “ I don’t think you can Google much about me”, Pence said. “It’s probably all not true anyway.”
“Is there a difference between Houston fans and the fans in Corpus Christi?” “ They are both great. But here (Corpus Christi) it’s a more intimate setting. You get to know the fans. It’s something that I miss” Pence said.
Hunter Pence and Jason Castro of the Astros’ spent the morning at Driscoll Children’s Hospital visiting children and their families. Both Pence and Castro stand over six feet tall, giant height to children that are bed ridden, yet each child seemed totally at ease when the two of them walked into their rooms.
Pence took the time with each child to get to know a little bit about them. He told one of the patients to stay and school and make good grades so he could get into a good college like Stanford like Castro did. Castro chuckled at the ribbing he was taking from his team mate.
After visiting with several children, signing autographs and taking pictures, Pence and Castro were off to the Caravan Luncheon at the Ortiz center.
When Castro and Pence walked into the Ortiz center they were greeted by cheers from about a hundred fans that had been waiting in line for the doors to open. Traveling in the caravan with Pence and Castro were legends Milo Hamilton and Larry Dierker.
Milo Hamilton has been in broadcasting since 1950. He was behind the microphone for Hank Aaron’s historic 715 homerun in April of 1974. He has been the voice of the Astros for over 25 years.
Larry Dierker spent 14 years as a pitcher, 19 years as an announcer and five years as a manager for the Astros. In May on 2002, the Astros retired the number 49 jersey worn by Dierker.
The Caravan served as the “official kickoff” for baseball in South Texas. The money raised will go to the Hooks Field of Dreams program. The program raises money to repair local little league fields so that “ America’s Pass Time” can continue to reach youth.
The Hooks season begins on April 8, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Opening day at Whataburger Field is Thursday, April 15 against the Tulsa Oilers.
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