Astros, Hooks fans line up hours before gates open for 2017 Astros World Series ring

Rene Davalos was not going to let a South Texas wind and rain storm deter him from his piece of Astros history.

Davalos, 49 and a resident of Jacinto City east of Houston, made the trek to Corpus Christi and Whataburger Field on Friday in anticipation of the Hooks giving away a replica Astros World Series ring.

Davalos arrived around 7 p.m. and was able to watch Friday’s game and then set up his “camp” between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. to get in line for the rings. At about that time, Davalos and some of his family members experienced a storm that came through in the early morning hours.

“Last year was such an amazing year for us and it’s worth it for a championship ring,” Davalos said.

Davalos, 49, said his daughter had waited in line in Houston for a ring at Minute Maid Park but by the time she had reached a gate the 10,000 available had already been given away. Then he began to see on social media that the Hooks were giving away the same ring and made plans to make the trip to Corpus Christi.

“I told my son, ‘Get your stuff, we’re getting on the road’,” Davalos said as he was wearing his Astros jersey.

By Noon on Saturday, Davalos was joined by more than what one Hooks official estimated was 1,000 fans waiting to get into the gates at Whataburger Field for the 2,000 rings that were available on Saturday. Gates were scheduled to open around 6 p.m.

The ring giveaway has been part of a six-game homestand that has celebrated the Astros’ first World Series title. Fans will have a chance to take a picture with the World Series trophy on Monday.

The crowd was a mixture of Corpus Christi-area residents and some like Davalos, who came from other cities for a chance at the ring.

Port Lavaca residents Dustin Roe and Brandon King were pitching washers with some new friends in the line early Saturday afternoon.

“I’m going to wear it every day at work,” Roe joked.

“You could tell it’s family friendly,” King said. “We are playing washers with people’s kids we are meeting and showing them how to play washers and having fun.”