The Astros dropped a bombshell this afternoon announcing the team has gotten approval to change centerfield configuration in Minute Maid Park. Houston will remove Tal's Hill and the flagpole in name of more seats, food, and drink.
The hill was first introduced with the opening of Minute Maid Park, at the time named Enron Field. It was the brainchild of former Astros team president Tal Smith. Smith wanted to pay homage to Crosley Field, Yankee and Tiger Stadium with elements from each. Smith's idea became Tal's hill, a hill with a 30 degree incline with a flagpole in play.