HOUSTON ASTROS 50TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR’S EDITION is a five-DVD showcase that salutes four classic full television broadcasts plus, an all-new documentary special ASTROS MEMORIES.
From the roof-raising euphoria of the Astrodome to the open-air adoration of Minute Maid Park, the cascade of emotions and joys are relived as four ESSENTIAL GAMES OF THE HOUSTON ASTROS are presented on DVD for the first time!
1981 NOLAN RYAN’S 5TH NO-HITTER vs. LAD, September 26, 1981 – In his second season with the Astros Nolan Ryan became the first pitcher to throw five career no-hitters.
1986 MIKE SCOTT’S NO-HITTER CLINCHES DIVISION vs. SF, September 25, 1986 – The Astros punctuate their 25th season’s celebration with the double delight of clinching the division behind Mike Scott’s no-hit masterpiece.
2005 NLDS CLINCHER–18-INNINGS vs. ATL, October 9, 2005 – Chris Burke’s solo home run in the bottom of the 18th caps the Astros 7-6 victory in the longest game in postseason history.
CRAIG BIGGIO’S 3,000TH HIT vs. COL, June 28, 2007 – Craig Biggio entered three hits shy of the 3,000 hit milestone then promptly collected five hits in the game and sparked the winning rally which ended with Carlos Lee’s walk-off grand slam!
ASTROS MEMORIES saluties Jimmy Wynn, Jose Cruz, Nolan Ryan, Cesar Cedeno, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell. Beyond the individual heroics this DVD celebrates the 1980 and 1986 seasons and playoffs runs, and magical 2004 and National League pennant-winning 2005 seasons. The history makers become the storytellers through exclusive interviews including: Biggio, Ryan, Phil Garner, Art Howe, and Alan Ashby. Celebrated no-hitters, 3,000 hits, historic hits, heroes, and magical moments: 100% Houston baseball.
Astros 50th arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This is a mixed quality image with different sources used with of course up to 50 years vintage. Older footage has an inherent softness but colors were surprisingly strong. The best image came from 2000 and on. Fine detail took a bump and colors were much more bold. The greens of the turf was beautiful. A pleasing overall presentation. 7/10
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 track. A consistently crisp and clean track. The music cues in the documentary section had some decent heft to them. 7/10
* Astros No-hitters Under The Dome
* Dierker's Diary "What Might Have Been"
* Bob Aspromonte's Home Run Story
* Craig Biggio's Biggest Night
* Bob Watson Speech
* Dierker's Diary All-time Astros team
* Houston Midsummer Classics
* Nolan Ryan In The Gym