The Houston Astros open up their season Monday against the Seattle Mariners, and they’ll do so in a newly revamped Minute Maid Park.
The Astros spent $18 million for center-field renovations and other projects.
The iconic Tal’s Hill is gone, which means what was the longest center field in Major League Baseball is now the sixth-farthest, going from 436 feet to 409 feet.
The renovations include new bars and restaurants, including Torchy’s Tacos and Shake Shack. There are also new souvenir shops, seating areas and a mural painted by local artist Frank Cardona.
“I wanted to act like the wall had been here years, and all I did was paint portraits of these players,” Cardona said. “We wanted to incorporate past, present and future, and I think we did with these great players.”
Another big draw is a new luxury suite where fans can stand on the warning track behind the outfield grass and shag balls during practice.