Events surrounding the game itself -- FanFest, Home Run Derby, and the five nights of parties downtown -- were spectacular.
The game itself was a big buncha hype that under-exceeded expectations.
I liked the opening, especially when they pulled up at the old Astrodome and the sign flashed 'wrong stadium'.
Poor Muhammad Ali makes me cringe, too, although he certainly seems to have a great sense of humor despite his affliction.
Clemens getting pounded was just a plain old shock.
But the oddest thing to me was the resounding chorus of boos Jimy Williams got when he was introduced. That hasn't happened in any of the regular season games (although I'll be the first to say I wasn't a fan of his when they hired him three years ago).
The Astros start the second half 10 1/2 games behind the Cardinals, in fifth place. They are
looking up at the
Brewers. 
Unless they get real hot real fast, Beltran is going to be moved again (for prospects). And Jeff Kent probably gets traded as well (he's in the last year of his contract, as are Biggio and Bagwell; they won't be moved, but they won't be re-signed either, leaving their options at 'retire' or 'play elsewhere'). Clemens probably won't return either, so the look of this team could be radically different in just a matter of weeks.
A far cry from the optimism of the spring.
