The Futuristic Stadium Where the First-Ever Major League Baseball Game Was Played Indoors

The Houston Astrodome

Nobody knew if baseball could work indoors until the Houston Astros proved it on April 9, 1965. The Yankees came to town for the Astrodome’s first game, complete with air conditioning, artificial turf, and thousands of curious fans.

Here’s how that legendary first game played out.

Presidential Attendance

President Lyndon Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird arrived during the second inning. The Texas-born president stopped at the game while traveling to his ranch in Johnson City.

They watched from team owner Judge Roy Hofheinz’s private box high above right field next to the scoreboard.

After seeing the game, Johnson told Hofheinz, “It shows so much imagination” and called the stadium “massive and beautiful.”

Opening Ceremonies

Texas Governor John Connally threw the first pitch while wearing an Astros cap. National League President Warren Giles and Mexican state governor Praxedis Balboa stood beside him during the ceremony.

Houston Mayor Louie Welch joined the other officials for the pregame events. The stadium filled with 47,876 fans who came to see both baseball history and a major social event.

Mantle’s Historic First Hit

Yankees manager Johnny Keane, a Houston resident, put Mickey Mantle in the leadoff spot despite his recent absence from games due to injuries. This decision made sure baseball’s biggest star would make history.

Dick “Turk” Farrell threw the first pitch in Astrodome history. Mantle hit a single to center field, becoming the first player to get a hit indoors.

Roger Maris walked next, but Farrell finished the inning without giving up a run.

Early Game Action

Astros catcher Ron Brand hit a one-out triple in the third inning, but his teammates couldn’t bring him home. Houston had another chance in the fourth when Walt Bond doubled to left field, but again failed to score.

Farrell found his rhythm on the mound, getting eleven Yankees out in a row before Mantle came back to the plate in the sixth inning.

The game remained scoreless as both pitchers controlled the action.

Mantle’s Historic Home Run

In the sixth inning, Mickey Mantle hit the first home run in indoor baseball history. His blast into the center field stands gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead and added another achievement to his legendary career. Houston fans clapped as Mantle limped around the bases on his bad knees.

Houston Ties the Game

The Astros answered in their half of the sixth inning. Pitcher Turk Farrell helped himself by drawing a walk to start things off.

Rookie second baseman Joe Morgan followed with a ground ball that should have been a double play.

Yankees first baseman Joe Pepitone made a bad throw to second base, allowing the Astros to score and tie the game 1-1.

Late Game Drama

The game stayed close in the seventh when Yankees catcher Johnny Blanchard doubled with two outs and pitcher Mel Stottlemyre singled.

Astros center fielder Jim Wynn made a strong throw to home plate to get Blanchard and keep the score tied.

Farrell pitched seven good innings before Hal Woodeshick took over. Both teams had chances to score in the eighth and ninth innings but couldn’t break the tie.

Extra Innings Battle

The game went beyond nine innings with the score still 1-1. Yankees starter Stottlemyre pitched eight strong innings before Hal Reniff replaced him.

Pete Mikkelsen came in for Reniff in the twelfth inning. Meanwhile, Woodeshick dominated for Houston, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five batters.

Despite the extra innings, the game moved quickly, lasting only 2 hours and 34 minutes.

The Winning Sequence

Jim Wynn started the final rally with an infield single in the bottom of the twelfth inning. After Bob Lillis failed to bunt him forward, Wynn stole second base to put himself in scoring position.

Catcher Ron Brand struck out for the second out. The Astros were down to their last chance with the potential winning run at second base.

Manager Luman Harris needed to make a key decision.

Nellie Fox’s Game-Winning Hit

Manager Harris called on 37-year-old player-coach Nellie Fox to pinch hit. Fox had played little that spring and had even said, “I have retired as a player.”

Fox came through with a bloop single over shortstop Tony Kubek’s glove into left-center field. Wynn raced home from second base with the winning run, giving the Astros a 2-1 victory in their indoor debut.

Visiting the Houston Astrodome

Today, you can visit the Astrodome’s exterior at NRG Park, 8400 Kirby Drive in Houston.

While the interior remains closed to regular public access, the Houston Sports Hall of Fame inside GreenStreet downtown displays artifacts from the historic 1965 game, including pieces of the original scoreboard.

During annual Astrodome Conservancy events, you might get limited interior access. Check their website for upcoming tours.

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