Inside The Rangers

Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker Annoyed Roof Open for ALCS Game 4

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said an agreement to keep the roof closed at both ballparks in the American League Championship Series was broken.
Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker Annoyed Roof Open for ALCS Game 4
Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker Annoyed Roof Open for ALCS Game 4

ARLINGTON, Texas – Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker sounded perturbed when informed the roof of Globe Life Field would be open Thursday night for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers came into the game leading the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Andrew Heaney on the mound. 

Baker was asked pregame if having the roof open – temperatures in Arlington were in the 70s – would make a difference to the Astros.

“We really don’t know,” he said. “But we were fortunate enough to work out here prior to this series, which helps some. We were told that there was an agreement that we wouldn’t have the roof open in either place. And so I don’t know what changed.”

Houston won 8-5 in Game 5 on Wednesday with the roof closed. The Astros also have a retractable rook at Minute Maid Park, which was closed for the first two games.

The Rangers last opened the roof on May 21. According to information provided by the Texas media relations department, the decision to close the roof was made by Major League Baseball.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the fresh air circulating through the stadium shouldn’t make a difference, even it the ball supposedly carries a little better with the roof open.

“I don't see it being any different,” Bochy said. “It's going to be a beautiful night. It's a beautiful ballpark with the roof open. I think you'll see that. So, no, I think we've had it open maybe 10, 12 times this year.”

Baker didn’t share any additional details about the supposed roof agreement or when the decision was made open it Thursday.

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “I got word prior to us coming here that there was an agreement that both sides would close their roofs. So that’s above me.”

But the roof wasn’t in Game 4.

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Art Garcia
ART GARCIA

Art Garcia (@ArtGarcia92) has watched, wondered and written about those fortunate few to play games since the 1990s. Award-winning stops at NBA.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and San Antonio Express-News dot a career that includes extensive writing for such outlets as ESPN.com, FOXSports.com, CBSSports.com, The Sporting News, among others. He is a former professor of sports reporting at UT Arlington and continues to work in the communications field. Garcia began covering the Dallas Mavericks right around Mark Cuban purchasing the club in 2000. The Texas A&M grad has also covered the Cowboys, Rangers, TCU, Big 12, Final Fours, countless bowl games, including the National Championship, and just about everything involving a ball in Texas.

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