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Houston celebrates ‘Domecoming’

Thousands of Houston Astrodome fans celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the nowvacant stadium with a last look inside before a $105 million redevelopment begins.

Monday’s “Domecoming” party included displays of memorabilia and fans wearing jerseys and T-shirts from years past.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett reminisced about being in high school in 1966 and paying $1 to tour the Astrodome, formerly home to baseball’s Astros and the NFL’s Oilers.

The county-owned Astrodome opened in 1965 but has been vacant for 19 years. It closed to all events in 2009.

County commissioners in February approved renovations to include about 1,400 parking spaces and upgrades for festivals, conferences and other commercial use.

2020 torch relay to highlight Japan’s recovery

The torch relay for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will showcase Japan’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, local organizers said Tuesday.

Upon its arrival in Japan, the Olympic flame will be put on display at various locations in the Tohoku region to help underscore Japan’s recovery from the disaster that took more than 18,000 lives and triggered meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The torch relay will spend three days in Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi, the three prefectures hit hardest by the disaster.

While reconstruction from the disaster is making steady progress, more than 70,000 people are still displaced from their communities.

Cubs place Rizzon on disabled list

The Chicago Cubs have placed first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the 10-day disabled list with lower back tightness.

The move was made retroactive to Friday. Infielder/outfielder Efren Navarro was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to take Rizzo’s spot on the roster.

The 28-year-old Rizzo is a key part of Chicago’s lineup, hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs in each of the past two years. He is off to a slow start this season, batting .107 (3 for 28) in his first six games.

The Cubs announced the move before Tuesday’s home opener against Pittsburgh.

Navarro is a .243 hitter with three homers and 22 RBIs in 153 career major league games with the Angels and Tigers.