'Get vaccinated': Houston Astros, Methodist Church offer free baseball tickets to those who get COVID-19 vaccination on June 15

The Houston Astros baseball team in partnership with the Methodist Church of Houston are offering two free baseball tickets if you get a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccination on June 15.

The free vaccinations are being given from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 15 at the Minute Maid Park (501 Crawford St.), the home of the Houston Astros. The park for years was formerly called the Ballpark at Union Station Enron Field.  

According to an ABC Eyewitness News 13 report, those getting the shots will be given free tickets to a June 15 game with the Astros taking on the Texas Rangers, or a future scheduled game with the Astros against the Baltimore Orioles.

"This coming Tuesday, get vaccinated at Minute Maid Park, get free Astros tickets," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a tweet. “Just show up on June 15 between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Union Station Lobby."

The Astros have a long-standing rivalry with the Texas Rangers. Both teams compete for possession of the “Silver Boot,” a trophy in the shape of a Texan cowboy boot. The sports website, lonestarball.com, reported on May 23 that the Rangers won continued possession of the silver boot prize with a 3-2 victory over the Astros after 10 innings.

The Houston Daily reported 55% of residents of the City of Houston have received at least one shot to prevent the virus while 44% have received the full (two) vaccinations. The county’s positive rate for COVID-19 has dipped dramatically, down to 55 cases during the week of June 9, a rate of 5%, the lowest in a year.

The county is currently in the yellow tier, which allows government agencies to run at 75% of normal.

The Astros are currently in second place in the American League West behind the Oakland Athletics with 35 wins and 27 losses.