When the Corpus Christi Hooks take the field this season, they do so with a new coach, a new merchandise promotion and a new sense of pride. The AA minor league farm team of the 2017 World Series-winning Houston Astros have a lot to look forward to this season, which begins on the road April 5 and at home April 12.
New coach Omar Lopez becomes the seventh team leader in the Hooks’ 14 years. He has been with the Astros organization for 20 years, spending the last season with the Advanced A Buies Creek Astros. He replaces Rodney Linares, the winningest manager in Hooks history, who was promoted to AAA Fresno.
"We are excited to welcome Omar to Corpus Christi," Hooks president Ken Schrom said. "The Astros have a lot of confidence in him, and certainly, the track record is there. Hooks fans expect the good guys to win. I trust Omar will put us in a position to do that, while developing the next crop of World Series champions.”
Lopez played minor league seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1996-1997) followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks (1998).
NEW PROMOTIONS
After the success of its Dia de los Hooks merchandise last year, the Corpus Christi team has hooked up this year with the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay for a temporary name change to the Blue Ghosts. Retro illustrations linking the Hooks and the historic aircraft carrier will soon be available on jerseys, hats and other merchandise.
For the weekend of June 21-23, the Hooks will become the Blue Ghosts, with the team donning the new logos for the three days of home games. Blue Ghosts was one of the names considered along with the Hooks at the team’s inception.
The name comes from the USS Lexington. The ship, which is believed by some to be haunted, was known for its ability to sneak up on Japanese ships without being seen until it was too late. The Japanese nicknamed it “The Blue Ghost.”
Blue Ghost merchandise will soon be for sale at Hook, Line and Sinker, the Hooks store in Whataburger Field, and online at the MiLB store.
