HOUSTON, TX –To commemorate the ninth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Houston Astros will honor area first responders and military personnel with activities on September 10 and 11. The days’ events provide an opportunity for Astros players and fans to thank the community’s public servants for their dedication to protecting others.

Adopt-A-Firehouse Player Visits – Friday, September 10

On Friday, September 10, four players will visit their “adopted” firehouse and present the firefighters with a framed, autographed jersey. They will meet both on-duty and off-duty firefighters and their families. The event is not open to the public. Media are invited to attend.

Firehouse No. 2 – Brad Mills

5880 Woodway, Houston, Texas 77057

10:30 a.m.

Firehouse No. 8 – Jeff Keppinger

1919 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77002

Time TBD

Firehouse No. 20 – Bud Norris

6902 Navigation, Houston, TX 77011

Heroes Night – Saturday, September 11

Pre-Game Ceremony

Prior to the 6:05 p.m. contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Astros will conduct a special ceremony honoring area heroes. Active members of local police, fire, EMS and military may purchase half price tickets to the game at www.astros.com/heroes. Those that attend the game in uniform are invited down to the field for the ceremony. All those wishing to participate should meet at the right field gate by 5:00 p.m.

Included in the ceremonies will be “Heroes Take The Field” – one representative from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Houston Police Department (HPD), Houston Fire Department (HFD) and Houston Emergency Medical Service (EMS) has been selected to take a position on the field with an Astros player for the National Anthem. Local heroes will throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch and present a giant American flag for the singing of the National Anthem.

USO Fundraiser

The Astros In Action Foundation will also host a Mystery Autographed Baseball Grab Bag fundraiser on September 11. For $25 fans will be able to purchase a bag that contains one autographed baseball from the Astros current roster. In addition to the current roster, former Astros players and fan favorites Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, Jose Cruz, Larry Dierker, Roy Oswalt and Jimmy Wynn autographed baseballs will be included.

The Grab Bag fundraiser will be conducted at two locations on the main concourse – the Community Clubhouse located behind section 107 and behind home plate at the Astros timeline. Each location will have a full set of the autographed baseballs. The autographed baseballs will be available from the time gates open until all grab bags have been purchased.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the USO. The mission of the USO is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to service members and their families.

Other Activities

Also on the main concourse at Minute Maid Park will be a uniform display showcasing each military branch, HFD, HPD and EMS.

Jeff Bagwell has purchased 250 tickets in the All-You-Can-Eat section for the September 11 game and with the help of Budweiser these tickets have been donated to active military in Houston, San Antonio and Temple.

Astros players will be wearing special red, white and blue baseball caps for the September 11 game and replicas of these caps will be available for purchase in the Astros Team Store.

Astros in the Community

The Houston Astros consider being a meaningful part of the community just as important as throwing strikes and hitting home runs. Throughout the year, Astros players, broadcasters, alumni and staff partner with a myriad of non-profit and civic groups around the region to help make the community a better place to live.

“We have two missions: to be a champion, and to make a positive difference in the community.”

--Drayton McLane, Jr. Astros Chairman and CEO