Eric
08-04-2006, 09:41 PM
Colt .45s exhibit sure to stir memories
08/02/2006 3:50 PM ET
By Kevin Yanik / MLB.com
THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The blue western outfit looks more befitting of a champion bull rider than a Hall-of-Fame broadcaster.
The ensemble includes black cowboy boots gilded in orange and a belt buckle complete with a chrome-plated revolver. The red baseball stitching inscribed on the white shirt is a dead giveaway, though, that this blue suit does indeed belong to Gene Elston.
Elston's outfit, which he wore while traveling with the Houston Colt .45s, will be on display along with several other rare items on Aug. 5 during an open reception at 6:30 p.m. CT on behalf of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame at Cranks Rooters & Fans.
"Thanks to Gene Elston, this iconic symbol of Houston baseball history once again comes to life as part of our '.45' exhibit," said George Scroggins, director of operations for the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Elston wasn't the only blue-suited traveling man with the Colt .45s. The entire team actually wore the uniforms on the road and carried replica pistols for show.
"Imagine a team of ballplayers trying to board a plane today dressed in those outfits and carrying Colt .45 pistols," Scroggins said.
Well, that would never happen, but this exhibit in The Woodlands, Texas, includes memorabilia that explains the history behind those circus-act trips. A photograph on display shows Colt .45s players proudly waving their replica pistols in full garb before they board a charter flight.
So no wonder the club heard so many funny remarks throughout America's airports.
"When we were in the airport people would ask, 'Where's the circus?'" Bob Aspromonte once said.
A few game-worn jerseys are on display as well, including one of Aspromonte's. These jerseys weren't made of the lightweight materials like today's. These were wool flannel home jerseys best designed for cool nights at Fenway Park or Wrigley Field -- not Colt Stadium.
But the Colt .45s wore thick, scratchy uniforms in their home ballpark anyway, despite the city's sweltering heat and rather uncomfortable playing conditions.
This exhibit also includes memorabilia of the Houston Buffs, the first professional club in the area, which played in the Texas League. Perhaps the rarest Buffs item on display is home plate from Buff Stadium during the 1952 season.
Former first baseman Jerry Witte received the top portion of home plate from the grounds crew as a token of its appreciation for his slugging contributions. The plate has actually decayed and lost its naturally white appearance over the years, but it's one of Houston's oldest baseball artifacts.
So is a buffalo medallion hanging from the exhibit's ceiling. Eighty buffalo medallions lined the exterior of Buff Stadium from its opening in 1928, and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame has one included in its display.
Among the many other items include Elston's microphone, documentation of the original Colt .45s franchise agreement, photographs, vintage baseball cards and artifacts of the Continental League, which Houston's baseball club was originally expected to join in the 1960s.
Yet that league quickly folded, and the Colt .45s joined the National League in 1962.
For more information about the exhibit and more events sponsored by the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, visit its Web site at www.TBHOF.org. Those interested in attending the Colt .45s exhibit in The Woodlands are asked to RSVP at www.cranksrootersfans.com.
08/02/2006 3:50 PM ET
By Kevin Yanik / MLB.com
THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The blue western outfit looks more befitting of a champion bull rider than a Hall-of-Fame broadcaster.
The ensemble includes black cowboy boots gilded in orange and a belt buckle complete with a chrome-plated revolver. The red baseball stitching inscribed on the white shirt is a dead giveaway, though, that this blue suit does indeed belong to Gene Elston.
Elston's outfit, which he wore while traveling with the Houston Colt .45s, will be on display along with several other rare items on Aug. 5 during an open reception at 6:30 p.m. CT on behalf of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame at Cranks Rooters & Fans.
"Thanks to Gene Elston, this iconic symbol of Houston baseball history once again comes to life as part of our '.45' exhibit," said George Scroggins, director of operations for the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Elston wasn't the only blue-suited traveling man with the Colt .45s. The entire team actually wore the uniforms on the road and carried replica pistols for show.
"Imagine a team of ballplayers trying to board a plane today dressed in those outfits and carrying Colt .45 pistols," Scroggins said.
Well, that would never happen, but this exhibit in The Woodlands, Texas, includes memorabilia that explains the history behind those circus-act trips. A photograph on display shows Colt .45s players proudly waving their replica pistols in full garb before they board a charter flight.
So no wonder the club heard so many funny remarks throughout America's airports.
"When we were in the airport people would ask, 'Where's the circus?'" Bob Aspromonte once said.
A few game-worn jerseys are on display as well, including one of Aspromonte's. These jerseys weren't made of the lightweight materials like today's. These were wool flannel home jerseys best designed for cool nights at Fenway Park or Wrigley Field -- not Colt Stadium.
But the Colt .45s wore thick, scratchy uniforms in their home ballpark anyway, despite the city's sweltering heat and rather uncomfortable playing conditions.
This exhibit also includes memorabilia of the Houston Buffs, the first professional club in the area, which played in the Texas League. Perhaps the rarest Buffs item on display is home plate from Buff Stadium during the 1952 season.
Former first baseman Jerry Witte received the top portion of home plate from the grounds crew as a token of its appreciation for his slugging contributions. The plate has actually decayed and lost its naturally white appearance over the years, but it's one of Houston's oldest baseball artifacts.
So is a buffalo medallion hanging from the exhibit's ceiling. Eighty buffalo medallions lined the exterior of Buff Stadium from its opening in 1928, and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame has one included in its display.
Among the many other items include Elston's microphone, documentation of the original Colt .45s franchise agreement, photographs, vintage baseball cards and artifacts of the Continental League, which Houston's baseball club was originally expected to join in the 1960s.
Yet that league quickly folded, and the Colt .45s joined the National League in 1962.
For more information about the exhibit and more events sponsored by the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, visit its Web site at www.TBHOF.org. Those interested in attending the Colt .45s exhibit in The Woodlands are asked to RSVP at www.cranksrootersfans.com.