HOUSTON – The pitch was a perfect strike, and nobody would have cared if it wasn't. Nine-year-old Viviana Espada's ceremonial first pitch to her father, Astros manager Joe Espada, prior to Tuesday's game against the Giants at Daikin Park was a thing of beauty, and not only because it was directly over the plate. Viviana, the youngest daughter of Joe and Pamela Espada, was diagnosed with autism in 2017 and has made remarkable strides in the last few years with the help of her family, her school and her community. Tuesday marked the second year in a row Viviana has thrown out the ceremonial first pitch on Autism Awareness Night. "The first thing she said [Tuesday] morning is 'Daddy, we get to do it again today,'" Joe said. "I said, 'Yes,' but I also reminded of her what it means. It's more than just throwing out the first pitch. It's awareness. At her school, when I go and visit kids who struggle with some of the learning challenges, I always remind her how important it is for us to come together as a community to help families and teachers who spent a lot of time with them. She had therapy today, and I'm always grateful for the people she has around her to help her throughout a lot of challenges that she has overcome." The Astros set up a sensory room at the ballpark on Tuesday and removed the home run fireworks and other lighting effects that could be uncomfortable for those with autism. They also lowered the volume of the public address system. In 2020, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. April is autism awareness month. |
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The Espadas noticed some behavioral differences from other kids in their youngest daughter, who the family calls Vivi, when she was just two. Viviana was too young to be formally diagnosed with autism, but that would come the following summer. In the years since her diagnosis, she's made progress both in social circles in terms of communicating with others and also with her schoolwork. Like her dad, Viviana has also developed a love for the game of baseball and understands it more each year. "She actually writes about it more where she likes to keep a journal about her baseball experiences, which is wonderful," Joe Espada said. "We can always go back and revisit those. She's controlling her emotions. I remember last year, there was a little bit of anxiousness and her being antsy about it. This year, she's [calmer]. Hopefully, it stays that way. "Those are all things that people who are on the spectrum struggle with and as a dad I try to help her cope with all those things and remind her that she is my baby girl and despite all these people being here, it's just a moment between father and daughter, and I will always cherish that." |
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Viviana jumped into her father's arms and they embraced near home plate after the pitch, which Joe later watched on video. She even handed him the baseball and asked him to sign it for her. He signed his name and inscribed "I love you" before getting a Major League authenticator to put an authentication sticker on it. Didn't matter. This moment was as real as it gets. "She did really good," Joe Espada said. "I'm so proud of her. We'll be talking about that for weeks. It was a special day for our family." |
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THIS WEEK IN ASTROS HISTORY |
April 2, 2001 After tearing ligaments in his left knee when Preston Wilson of the Marlins caught his leg on a slide at second base on Aug. 1, 2000, forcing him on the injured list for the only time in his career, Craig Biggio made a triumphant return on Opening Day 2001. Biggio had the first of his two career five-hit games by going 5-for-5 with five singles in an 11-3 win over the Brewers in Houston. Biggio's only other five-hit game was on June 28, 2007, against Colorado – the day he reached 3,000 career hits. |
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Daikin Park offers Go-Ahead Entry technology, which uses a camera that will authenticate fans and automatically scans tickets once they have been identified. The ballpark offers Go-Ahead Entry gates in center field, left field, right field, home plate and south home plate. Fans can register for free here or by using the MLB Ballpark app. |
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ALTUVE JERSEY AMONG MOST POPULAR |
Astros star Jose Altuve changed his primary position to left field this year, but his status as one of the league's most popular players hasn't changed. Altuve's No. 27 Astros jersey remains one of the most popular jerseys purchased by fans. Altuve's jersey is No. 8 on the best-seller list, which accounts for sales of Nike jerseys from the Fanatics network of sites, including MLBShop.com, since the culmination of the 2024 World Series. Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers is No. 1, followed by Dodgers teammate Freddie Freeman (No. 2), Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 3), Dodgers teammate Mookie Betts (No. 4) and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (No. 5). Francisco Lindor (No. 6) of the Mets and Bryce Harper of the Phillies (No. 7) are immediately ahead of Altuve, who's the only Astros player in the top 20. |
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