HOUSTON - JUNE 18: Carlos Gomez #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a catch in the seventh inning on Tal's Hill on a fly ball by Jason Castro #15 of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 18, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)





With Tal’s Hill going away, we’ve decided to look back at the best catches that happened on the oddly placed mound that lingered deep in center field for the last 16 years at Minute Maid Park.

Whether you are in favor of the change the Astros are making (and you can see concept drawings here) or you wish the stadium’s iconic feature would stay in play we can all admit that someone chasing a fly ball traveling 420-plus feet from home plate up a hill and usually over the shoulder is absolutely amazing to watch. So remember Tal’s Hill fondly, but remember, you will enjoy a few more home runs now with the center field wall coming in from 436 feet to 409 feet away.

This list could change as the Astros will still finish out the 2015 season with the Tal’s Hill intact.

Lance Berkman:

Those Astros Uniforms were uglier than any hill ever will be on the field of play. But Lance Berkman made them look good as he traced up the hill and somehow kept his eye on the ball. Maybe the best catch by an Astro on the hill.

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Sam Fuld:

“Super Sam” (as A’s fans call him) made an amazing catch early this year to rob George Springer of extra bases. Jerk.

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Jake Marisnick:

Talk about going all out, Jake went full out and ended up having to half-dive to make this catch and save Collin McHugh from getting in trouble. McHugh’s reaction says it all.

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Dexter Fowler:

The 2014 opening day center fielder Dexter Fowler ran up Tal’s Hill like he’d been patrolling center field for years. The over the shoulder grab is one that would make the best second baseman jealous. It always helps to when the play ends an inning.

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Denard Span:

Willie Mays Hayes can’t get away with making basket catches on easy fly balls, but Span is totally warranted to make one as he gets turned around as he heads up the hill. The ball just magically fell into his glove. I guess that is the magic of Tal’s Hill

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Brandon Barnes:

Brandon didn’t really catch the ball on the hill. But he was really close. And the hill did kind of make the catch more difficult as he falls down after making the catch. He barely makes this list. We’ll allow it.

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Carlos Gomez:

This catch is absolutely ridiculous. Falling over, over the shoulder dead sprint catch by Gomez is on top of the list. It is amazing.

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Andruw Jones:

This is absolutely amazing as far as statistics go. Bagwell belts one to center. Andruw Jones drops it on his way up Tal’s Hill. Bagwell scores after some bad throws. Next batter, Ken Caminetti, does the same thing as Bagwell, this time Jones tracked it and made the catch. Which we feel isn’t fair. He got a practice try.

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Rest In Peace Tal’s Hill