The Astros Hall of Fame presented by Houston Methodist is now open to the public following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Minute Maid Park prior to Monday's spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Astros President of Business Operations Reid Ryan was flanked by Jeff Bagwell and Jose Cruz, members of the inaugural hall of fame class as well as former Astros broadcatster Bill Brown and team historian Mike Acosta as he opened the exhibit to the public.
"I think it gives the fans a chance to see the history of this organization, showcase the players that came before the guys you see on the field now," Bagwell said.
The Hall of Fame is located in the Home Run Alley portion of Minute Maid Park, and will be free for fans to visit during Astros home games.
"What these guys have done in the last few years really started to set this organization apart, but as they've done that there's been a lot of guys that have come before that, and for the fans to be able to come out here, get a chance to look at all the guys they've seen in highlights or around the ballpark, to actually look at what they've done in their career to help make this organization the success that is today."
Bagwell and the other 15 members of the inaugural class will be inducted before the Astros game August 3 against the Seattle Mariners. It will include the nine players with their number's retired along with members of the Astros Walk of Fame who include Cruz, Bob Aspromonte, Craig Biggio, Larry Dierker, Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Joe Morgan, Joe Niekro, Shane Reynolds, J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Jim Umbricht, Don Wilson and Jimmy Wynn.
Going forward the Astros Hall of Fame Committee will decide on figure inductees. Those members include Acosta, Biggio, Ryan, Brown, Dierker, VP of Communications Gene Dias, President of the Houston SABR Chapter, Bob Dorrill, Astros VP of Foundation Development Marian Harper, MLB.com writer Alyson Footer, MLB.com Astros Beat Writer Brian McTaggart, and historian Mike Vance.