Climbing up: The greatest moments on Houston's Tal's Hill
Joni Mitchell once sang that "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." That rule does not appear to apply to Tal's Hill.
Yes, barring a miracle run that vaults the Houston Astros to the playoffs, Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners was the last game ever played with Minute Maid Park's 90-foot, 30-degree incline in dead center field. This winter, the Astros are getting rid of Tal's Hill - named for the executive who proposed building it - as part of a $15-million renovation project, and the center-field fence will be moved in several feet. To celebrate, the Astros used commemorative bases in Wednesday's game.
Originally designed as an oddball tribute to quirks of ballparks past - specifically the natural incline at Cincinnati's Crosley Field - Tal's Hill has since become a source of jokes and derision among players and fans alike, mostly due to the fact that it forces center fielders to climb a 30-degree incline while avoiding a giant flagpole as they try to catch a baseball. Those fielders will certainly be glad to see it go, and hitters will likely love the new, slightly cozier dimensions.
Despite the lack of tears at its demise, though, the hill has undoubtedly left its mark on the game. It should be remembered as a feature that made Minute Maid Park unique and one that led to a number of memorable moments over its 16-year life. So, before it meets the wrecking ball, here's a look back at some of the great plays made on Tal's Hill.
May 26, 2000: Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones' cupboard of Gold Gloves didn't help him on his first try at Tal's Hill, as he turned Jeff Bagwell's deep fly ball into an inside-the-park homer. But he got a second chance one batter later, and came through with a nice grab.
July 7, 2007: Carlos Beltran
Beltran, a former Astro, raced back to the deepest part of the hill to make this game-saving catch in the 14th inning. The Mets ended up winning in 17.
May 18, 2002: Lance Berkman
Berkman was not exactly known as a defensive whiz or a speedster, but he still managed to (barely) conquer the hill during a rare appearance in center field.
June 18, 2013: Carlos Gomez
While still with the Brewers, Gomez made one of the more spectacular catches in the history of Tal's Hill with a Willie Mays-like basket grab.
June 11, 2009: Michael Bourn
It's hard enough to make a catch while falling down, but how about making one while flat on your back and climbing up a hill backwards? Michael Bourn showed us it's not impossible.
May 2, 2015: Jake Marisnick
Don't tell Jake Marisnick about Tal's Hill being demolished. He's used the hill to make several spectacular catches during his time with the Astros, but none were better than this basket-catch-and-dive beauty.
June 30, 2015: Lorenzo Cain
Not everyone could make a great catch on the hill. Last year, Lorenzo Cain got tripped up climbing the hill and missed a spectacular catch, instead slamming head first into the wall and giving Evan Gattis an easy triple.
May 4, 2010: Justin Upton clears the hill
According to the Houston Chronicle, only six players - Manny Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida, Jacque Jones, Corey Patterson, George Springer, and Justin Upton - have cleared the hill - which sits 436 feet from home plate - in the last 11 years. Springer's blast went the longest at 465 feet, but Upton's is arguably more impressive as it was to the deepest part of the park. Another notable hitters' moment came courtesy of Richie Sexson, who got a 500-foot triple when he clanked one off the flagpole.
May 13, 2011: The great escape
This rather adventurous Astros fan pulled off the impossible thanks to Tal's Hill, as he used it to vault over the fence and escape security after he invaded the field. Though police arrested the unnamed man outside the stadium, it remains perhaps the most legendary fan-on-the-field moment of our time.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)