Texas Baseball Fans Upset Over Houston Astros Ballpark Name Change

Big changes are coming for Houston Astros fans, and not everyone is happy about it. The iconic Minute Maid Park is getting a new name.

HOW DID THE HOUSTON ASTROS GET THEIR NAME?

The Houston Astros got their name in 1965 when the team moved into the iconic Astrodome, the world’s first domed stadium. The name "Astros" was chosen to reflect Houston's status as a hub for space exploration, with NASA's Johnson Space Center located in the city. It symbolized the city’s forward-thinking spirit and its connection to the "Space Age." Before becoming the Astros, the team was known as the Colt .45s during its early years in Major League Baseball.

Starting January 1, 2025, the ballpark will be called Daikin Park after the team signed a 15-year naming rights deal with the Japanese air conditioning company.

The decision to partner with Daikin surprised many fans, as the company isn’t widely recognized. However, Daikin has a strong presence in the Houston area. It’s the world’s largest air conditioning manufacturer and operates a massive facility in Waller, just outside the city.

The Astros have not shared details about why the deal with Minute Maid ended earlier than expected. Fans are speculating that financial incentives played a big role. Daikin’s 15-year deal is likely worth millions of dollars and will help fund future projects for the team and stadium.

The new name hasn’t been well-received by everyone. Many fans took to social media to express their frustration, saying they’ll miss the iconic Minute Maid name.

"People saying it is now the Ice Box. It's hot as all get out. They are going to have to redo the AC to make it the Ice Box. Hopefully they make it have the best ACs ever." - Shannon Smith Stilwell via Facebook

"Will always be Minute Maid Park tho!" - Khristyn Parker via Facebook

"What’s gonna be in the back of the train now? Ice cubes?" - Taylor Bigham via Facebook