Colt Stadium historical marker dedication ceremony takes place in Houston
From left, Mason Hunt III, Mike Acosta, Dinn Mann, Mike Vance, and Tal Smith at the dedication ceremony for the Colt Stadium historical marker on October 20, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
SABR’s Larry Dierker Houston Chapter celebrated a dedication ceremony on October 20, 2026, for a new historical marker recognizing Colt Stadium, the first home of the Houston Astros. Partial funding for this project came from the SABR Local Grants program.
The historical marker is located at the west end of Reliant Center, just north of the Astrodome.
Featured speakers included former Houston Astros star pitcher, manager, and broadcaster Larry Dierker; former Astros executive Tal Smith; Dinn Mann, grandson of Astros executive Judge Roy Hofheinz; Mason Hunt III, great-grandson of Astros executive Robert Everett “R.E. Bob” Smith; Debra Sloan of the Harris County Historical Commission; James Dixon, board chair of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation; Karl Pendleton, grandson of former Negro Leagues and Houston Colt .45s player Jim Pendleton; Gene Dias, Vice President of Communications for the Houston Astros; and SABR member Mike Vance, who researched and wrote the marker narrative and inscription.
Colt Stadium was home of the Houston Colt .45s expansion team from 1962 to 1964 while the Astrodome was being built, and the site of the first National League game played in the state of Texas.
Photos courtesy of Mike Acosta.
A view of the new Colt Stadium historical marker on October 20, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Photo: Mike Acosta)
From left, Debra Sloan, Mike Vance, Tal Smith, Mason Hunt III, Bishop James Dixon, Karl Pendleton, Larry Dierker, Dinn Mann, and Gene Dias.
Originally published: October 23, 2026. Last Updated: October 23, 2026.