‘92 Convention Puts the Astros in Limbo

The Houston Astros committed the Astrodome for the 1992 Republican national convention without approval of the National League and intend to leave the stadium for one month, baseball officials said.

Astro chairman John McMullen, who is trying to sell the team, said the Astros are considering playing part of their 1992 home schedule at the Superdome in New Orleans, which lost out to Houston in bidding for the Republicans. The Astros are also thinking of playing on the road during the entire period.

The 1992 convention is scheduled for Aug. 17-20, but GOP officials have reserved the Astrodome from July 27-Aug. 23 to prepare the site, Republican National Committee spokesman Scott Sowry said. McMullen said he did not envision scheduling problems, but objections have been raised by officials of other teams and by the players association.