Manzella Gloves

In opening: The Houston Astros open the 2010 season tonight at 6:05 pm against the San Francisco Giants ... tonight's game is the first of a series of three games against the Giants at home ... After an off-day Thursday, the host defense Astros NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series over the weekend.

HOUSTON HISTORY Opening Day
* Tonight marks the opening day of the 49th in franchise history in Houston.
* 23-25, Houston is all the opening day, with a 18-17 mark at home.
* The Astros were 3-5 in the season opener at Minute Maid Park.
* In 2010 is the 9th time in the last 11 seasons the Astros have opened at home.
* Tonight is the 8th time the Astros opened the season vs. SF ... they are just 1-6 so far on OD vs SF.
* On April 5, 2004 was the last time Houston opened the season vs. SF, also MMP (lost 5-4).
* Tonight marks the beginning of Roy Oswalt's eighth consecutive Opening Day for Houston.

45th Anniversary: 2010 marks the 45th anniversary of the Houston Astros ... after his debut as the Colt 45 in 1962, the Houston franchise changed their name to the Astros in 1965, playing his first game this season April 12 in the Astrodome opened again.
Roy Wonder: his debut tonight, Roy Oswalt will extend its franchise-record of the opening ceremony begins at eight (all consecutive) ... him and Roy Halladay entered the season tied with the longest active streak in the majors ... Oswalt is 2-3 with a 3.35 ERA (18ER/48.1IP) in his last seven starts on the opening day, pitch-sleeved or 7.0-plus in five of those seven outings ... Taming the West: Oswalt was a perfect 7-0 vs. Western Division in 2009 with a 1.98 ERA ... his seven wins against NL West were tops in the NL and 0755 (37-12) career winning the PCT. vs. NL West clubs are highest in the majors among active pitchers (min. 50 app.).

More ROY: Roy Oswalt of 137 victories since joining the majors in 2001 are tops in baseball ... Moreover, Oswalt is T-2nd in wins in franchise history with Larry Dierker, only seven victories shy of Chief Joe Niekro (144).

The opening day LINEUP: LF Carlos Lee starts for Houston for the fourth consecutive season ... Michael Bourn CF, and Hunter Pence RF are each making their third consecutive opening day start ... 1B Geoff Blum made his early career Opening Day 3, all coming as an Astro, while 2B Kazuo Matsui made his 2nd with Houston.

The opening day ROOKIES: Tommy Manzella become the first rookie to start shorstop Astros on opening day since Adam Everett April 2, 2002 (2x4 to 03/09 loss) ... Before this season, CF and LF Willy Taveraz Luke Scott were the latest recruits to start opening day, both to five years ago today (04/05/2005).

National anthem: will be done by country music artist Jack Ingram ... Ingram, who grew up in Houston, won the 2008 Academy of Country Music Award for "Best New Singer."

Under New Management: 53-years, Brad Mills, who has over 30 years of experience in pro baseball, was officially appointed Director Astros coach Brad Arnsberg 10/27/09...pitching on the coach Bobby Meacham and first base coach Jamie Quirk bullpen are also new additions to the coaching team, which returns the third base coach Dave Clark and hitting coach Sean Berry ... Al Pedrique, who has spent the last months of '09 as third base coach after Clark Cecil Cooper replaced by interim manager, is an instructor at Mills' bench in 2010.

FILE recent initiatives: After Saturday's game, the Astros purchased the contract of OF Cory Sullivan and Jason Bourgeois reassigned to Triple A Round Rock ... the 40-man roster is now 40.

In spring training Recap: Houston finished the season 13-15-1 Johnson Spring 2010 ... Chris led the majors with eight HR while hitting .323 with 22 RBIs Feliz ... Pedro (0356), Carlos Lee (333.) And Hunter Pence (.373) were also solid at the plate Springs ... RHP.