World Series in Houston a homecoming for Nats star Rendon

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Rendon vividly remembers his one visit to the Astrodome as a child to see the Houston Astros and his beloved Killer B's.

"I was really young at that time but that memory still sticks in my head," the Washington Nationals star said.

And along with the excitement of seeing Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell and Derek Bell, something else is seared in his senses. It has to do with the condition of the once-famed stadium that was in disrepair near the end of its run as the home of the Astros.

"It was a very smelly place," he said. "We got a tour, a behind the scenes kind of deal, and that place was really dirty and really stinky."

This week Rendon is back in his hometown, and it's not as a fan. Instead, he's leading the Nationals to their first World Series against the team he rooted for as a child.

The Astrodome has long been closed and he'll get a chance to put on a show for friends and family in the domed (and very pleasant smelling) confines of Minute Maid Park.

The third baseman laughed and shook his head when asked how many tickets he'll have to get for Game 1 on Tuesday night.

"I really don't know," he said. "I can't put a number out there but it's definitely going to be a lot."

And he made a rule for all his Houston people coming to the game: If he gets them a ticket, they have to root for the Nationals.

"Oh yeah," he said. "Definitely."

Rendon is notoriously low-key and rarely shows much emotion on the field. He admitted this week will be a bit different after spending his entire life in Houston before the Nationals drafted him out of Rice with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft.

"As a kid growing up, obviously you want to play for the hometown team," he said. "But I think this will do."

Before Rendon starred at Rice, he was a standout...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/World-Series-in-Houston-a-homecoming-for-Nats-14551620.php