HOUSTON — Ten minutes before the start of a day-night doubleheader at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Houston Astros Manager A. J. Hinch grabbed a microphone and stood in front of home plate.
It is unusual for the manager of a baseball team to address fans before a game, but the last week has been a harrowing one for southeast Texas. The crowd at the park, announced at 30,319, seemed sparse, but the message was heartfelt.
“Hello, Houston,” Hinch said as the Astros prepared to play the Mets in the first game at the Astros’ park since Hurricane Harvey had made its devastating landfall here eight days earlier.