ASTROS CALL ON CITY HALL TO HELP WITH NEW TV ADS

     The Astros have introduced two more TV spots to their '96
season-ticket ad campaign.  Houston Mayor Bob Lanier and his wife
Elyse are featured in one and Dr. Red Duke of the Univ. of Texas
Health Science Center stars in the other.  The first depicts Mrs.
Lanier studying the MLB rule book, while the Mayor tells how she
called the NBA league office during the playoffs to complain
about officiating against the Rockets.  Lanier:  "If I were an
umpire, I'd think twice before making a close call against the
Astros in Houston."  In the second spot, Dr. Duke informs people
the best way to protect one's self from the Houston summer sun is
to don an Astros cap and attend a game inside the Astrodome.  The
two spots join past ads starring President and Mrs. Bush, Bum
Phillips and Clyde Drexler.  The campaign was written and
produced by Coudal Partners (Astros)....Randalls Food Markets
will sell 5,000 upper deck tickets for $3 each.  The Astros also
announced Dow Chemical has pledged more than 5,000 ticket coupons
to 1,300 students who attend the '96 Science Engineering Fair.
It appears the Astros will miss their goal of 17,200 season-
tickets sold by opening day by around 4,000 (John Williams,
HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/21).