HOUSTON — The Houston Astros pitched a change-up on Monday, catching fans by surprise. The team announced that Minute Maid Park would be renamed "Daikin Park."
Daikin Comfort Technologies purchased the naming rights for 15 seasons and the name change will become official in January 2025 through the 2039 season.
The Astros were working on updating the stadium signage and branding, including a new logo shaped like a baseball diamond.
KHOU 11 asked what the train will now hold when the name officially changes. It's known for carrying oranges, a nod to Minute Maid, as it chugs across the track above left field after every home run. Owners said the new cargo would be unveiled on Opening Day. The Astros home opener is set for March 27, 2025.
Fans will also have to come up with a new nickname to replace "Juice Box."
"Always the 'Juice Box,' man! Don't ever forget that," one fan told us.
"Oh, man. Broke my heart," another man said. "I'm in shock. I do not want this name."
Daikin is the HVAC and "comfort technologies" company behind the brands Goodman, Amana, and Quietflex.
“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” said Jim Crane, Owner and Chairman of the Houston Astros, in an emailed news release. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”
What is Daikin?
Daikin is an air conditioning company that's based in Japan and has its North American base in the Houston area.
Daikin Industries, Ltd. was founded in Japan in 1924. It has a large HVAC manufacturing plant in Waller.
According to the Daikin.com website, they’re “the only manufacturer involved in all facets of manufacture, sale, and servicing of wide range air conditioning products, systems and also refrigerants.”
Daikin has net sales of more than $29 billion and its products are sold in more than 170 countries.
You can learn more about Daikin at Daikin.com.
History of the Astros ballpark
According to Astros.com, the facility was initially called Enron Field on April 7, 1999, then renamed Astros Field on Feb. 27, 2002, after the collapse of Enron.
On June 5, 2002, the facility was renamed Minute Maid Park through a naming rights agreement with the Minute Maid company, which is operated by the Coca Cola Company.
The first concept for the ballpark came out in 1996 with a design that was inspired by Houston’s industrial and railroad history. The downtown park came to be thanks to a $250 million public funding project approved by voters in November of 1996 and a $35 million interest-free loan from the Houston Sports Facility Partnership to be paid back after 10 years of operation.
Some of the unique features of the park are the replica 19th-century locomotive, a symbol of Union Station’s history. As Astros fans know, the train moves along the track when a Houston player goes deep. It’s currently driven on the tracks by 'Bobby Dynamite.'
The park's main entrance also includes pieces from the original Union Station lobby.
The park also features a retractable roof. According to the Astros website, the facility has the largest open area of any retractable roof stadium. It opens and closes in 12 to 20 minutes. Also making the park unique are the Crawford Boxes in left field.
The ballpark currently has a seating capacity of more than 41,000.