When Major League Baseball’s Houston’s Astros made a managerial change from Bo Porter to AJ Hinch in 2014, it symbolized a turning point. Houston was looking to move to the next phase of its rebuilding plan.
With the benefit of hindsight, it was a change that eventually led to an ongoing baseball dynasty in Houston. During Hinch’s five seasons with the team, the Astros finished with one World Series title, two American League pennants and four postseason berths.
To say the least, it’s a run of success new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka would love to emulate as Houston’s NBA franchise attempts to transition back to winning after three rebuilding seasons.
So, perhaps fittingly, Udoka’s first public appearance in Houston since accepting the job came Thursday at Minute Maid Park, where Udoka threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Angels and the defending World Series champion Astros.
Scroll on for a look at photos, videos, interviews and reaction.
Interviews, ceremonial first pitch
Rockets coach Ime Udoka is throwing out the first pitch at the Astros game tonight. He’s wearing No. 22 in honor of Clyde Drexler, who he says he grew up watching in Portland.
Udoka said he has some coaching staff commitments which he will announce soon, and others are TBD. pic.twitter.com/aCG1xL8XEV
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 1, 2023
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and he’s wearing #22 for a reason: “I grew up in Portland, Oregon watching Clyde Drexler play. That’s the reason I wore it. 22, I wore it in high school and college. I’m paying homage to him tonight.” pic.twitter.com/OaI0bJFxrp
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 1, 2023
Ime Udoka rocking the #22 Astros jersey before his first pitch pic.twitter.com/OcjADswTTk
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) June 1, 2023
Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who is throwing out tonight's ceremonial first pitch, just met Dusty Baker. Looked like he asked Dusty to catch it.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 1, 2023
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka says he’s met with John Lucas who’s running the Rockets predraft workouts. As for Lucas being a member of his staff: “We’re looking at everything. I’m looking at all the guys that were here as well as trying to bring some other guys. We’ll figure it out.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 1, 2023
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka meets Astros manager Dusty Baker. pic.twitter.com/a1srYBpbut
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 1, 2023
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka and Astros manager Dusty Baker. pic.twitter.com/F23R68b0e9
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 1, 2023
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka threw out the first pitch! pic.twitter.com/pSkCN5EMos
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) June 1, 2023
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Astros take on the Angels. pic.twitter.com/X89uXTrkcS
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 1, 2023
Udoka’s first pitch pic.twitter.com/huc4DiwkIn
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 1, 2023
Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka and Astros Manager Dusty Baker 🙌🏼#LightTheFuse #Ready2Reign pic.twitter.com/z6JsTRyfZz
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) June 2, 2023
Houston Rockets HC Ime Udoka is in Minute Maid Park to throw out the first pitch of the game between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/2sCC8XZRej
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) June 2, 2023
More Udoka: "I knew about them, played against them a few times, but really watching the film and getting to know them, and then having some lunches and dinners I'm very impressed with the young group we have." https://t.co/Kj7S2NIqww
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 2, 2023
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 2, 2023
Welcome to H-Town, Coach Udoka 🚀 pic.twitter.com/mcXKZhcAdz
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 2, 2023
Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka throws out the first pitch! pic.twitter.com/3xiNbklnJE
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) June 2, 2023
Houston Rockets HC Ime Udoka got a chance to catch up with Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker before the game against the Angels. Coach Udoka was in attendance to throw out the first pitch. #Rockets #Astros #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/zaERXzpnQ2
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) June 2, 2023
Ime Udoka said he will not have an offensive or defensive coordinator on his staff: "Moreso everybody has a role and scouts and does a little bit of everything, the way I was kind of brought up."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 2, 2023
Houston Rockets HC Ime Udoka took time out to sign autographs for fans. #Rockets #Astros #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/XJGPGDCHFi
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) June 2, 2023
New #Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka threw out the 1st pitch at tonight's #Astros game
He talked about how baseball was the first sport he played growing up and getting to meet Dusty Baker@HoustonRockets @astros pic.twitter.com/17LxAl8WlB
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) June 2, 2023
Dusty Baker on Ime Udoka:
“He’s a lot bigger than I thought. He’s a big ole dude. He has a lot of young talent on the Rockets. He’s the perfect guy to get these guys playing team ball. He exhibited that in Boston. I think the city will be impressed by him.”
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) June 2, 2023
