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For current information on this topic, see 2008 Houston Astros season |
| Houston Astros Established 1962 |
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| Retired Numbers | 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 40, 42, 49 | ||
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| Major league titles | |||
| World Series titles (0) | none | ||
| NL Pennants (1) | 2005 | ||
| Central Division titles (4) | 2001 • 1999 • 1998 • 1997 | ||
| West Division titles (2) [1][2] | 1986 • 1980 | ||
| Wild card berths (2) | 2005 • 2004 | ||
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[1] - In 1981, a players' strike in the middle of the season forced the season to be split into two halves. Colt Stadium was a Major League Baseball Stadium that formerly stood in Houston Texas. The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as Champions Major League Baseball World Series: St Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4-3 Bob Gibson, MVP The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2005 National League playoffs matched the Central Division champion and defending Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-2 Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero The 1981 Major League Baseball strike was the fifth work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972 Major League Baseball strike The Astros won the division in the second half, but lost the division playoff to the Dodgers. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA |
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| Owner(s): Drayton McLane, Jr. | |||
| Manager: Cecil Cooper | |||
| General Manager: Ed Wade | |||
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The team is in the Central Division of the National League. The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball
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Franchise history
Beginnings: The 1960s
Subsequent to the Giants and Dodgers leaving for California, an abortive attempt was made to start a third Major League. The following is a history of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It was to be called the Continental League. The Continental League (or formally the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs) was a proposed third major league for Baseball, announced in 1959 and scheduled Though the league never got off the ground, it nonetheless established the demand for Major League baseball in other markets.
The driving force behind the effort to obtain a franchise for Houston was oilman Craig F. Cullinan, Jr. and Marco A. Perez who had been involved with the Continental League and who was chairman of the Houston Sports Association, a syndicate of local businessmen dedicated to bringing a pro baseball team to southeastern Texas. The Continental League (or formally the Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs) was a proposed third major league for Baseball, announced in 1959 and scheduled Cullinan's group consisted of George Kirksey, Judge Roy Hofheinz, Robert E. "Bob" Smith, and Kenneth S. "Bud" Adams. Kenneth Stanley "Bud" Adams Jr (born 1923 in Bartlesville Oklahoma) is a businessman who owns the Tennessee Titans franchise in the National Football On October 17, 1960, Houston was awarded a franchise in the ten-team National League and was to play in the west division. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees (4-3 Bobby Richardson, Professional Sports leagues are organized in numerous The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The team was to be named the Houston Colt . 45s, in honor of The Gun That Won the West [1], with Craig F. Cullinan, Jr. the team's first president.
In addition to the Houston Colt . 45s, the New York Mets would also join the NL in 1962, a year after the 1961 expansion of the American League, which resulted in new AL teams in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Angels) and Washington, D. "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. C. (a new Washington Senators franchise to replace the team that had left D. The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in Arlington Texas, United States, representing the Dallas-Ft C. to become the Minnesota Twins the same year). The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The "Colts" began play on April 10 1962, defeating the Chicago Cubs 11-2, and for the next three years, the team would play in Colt Stadium. Events 879 - Louis III becomes King of the Western Franks. 1407 - the lama The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as Colt Stadium was a Major League Baseball Stadium that formerly stood in Houston Texas. As a condition of their entry in the National League, the Astros committed to building a new domed stadium, designed as a defense against the oppressive heat and humidity of the Houston summer.
As was typical of most expansion teams, the Colts struggled at first, losing 96 games in each of their first three years. However, those years weren't without highlights. On Sunday, September 29, 1963, the final day of the regular season, Colt 45's outfielder John Paciorek would have a career day, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs, 2 walks and 4 runs scored as the team beat the Mets 13-4. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-0 Sandy Koufax, MVP John Francis Paciorek (born February 11, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American Baseball player with three career Because of chronic injuries, the game would mark Paciorek's only Major League appearance. Through 2006, Paciorek still holds the record of having a perfect 1. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success 000 average with the most at-bats. September 29, 1963 would also mark the last Major League game for the winning pitcher of that game, Astros pitcher Jim Umbricht. Events 522 BC - Darius I of Persia kills the Magian usurper Gaumâta securing his hold as king of the Persian Empire. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-0 Sandy Koufax, MVP James Umbricht ( September 17, 1930 — April 8, 1964) was an American Pitcher in Major League Baseball. Stricken with cancer, Umbricht would pass away on April 8, 1964. Cancer (medical term Malignant Neoplasm) is a class of Diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Champions Major League Baseball World Series: St Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4-3 Bob Gibson, MVP His number 32 was the first jersey number retired by the Astros.
The Colts became the first (and, so far, only) team in history to lose a game when their pitcher achieved a nine-inning complete-game no-hitter. In Baseball, a no-hitter (also known as a no-hit game, or colloquially a no-no) refers to a game in which one of the teams prevented the other from getting Ken Johnson gave up no hits to the Cincinnati Reds on April 23, 1964, but lost when Pete Rose reached on an error, moved to second on a groundout, and scored on another error in the top of the 9th. Kenneth Travis Johnson (born June 16 1933 in West Palm Beach Florida) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball for The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. He only surrendered two walks before that fateful inning.
The franchise's first decade displayed some great hitters (for example, Joe Morgan, Jimmy Wynn) and many good pitchers (for example, Bob Bruce, Ken Johnson, Mike Cuellar, Don Wilson, Larry Dierker, Dave Giusti, and Denny LeMaster. Joe Leonard Morgan (born September 19, 1943 in Bonham Texas) is a former Major League Baseball Second baseman who was inducted into James Sherman Wynn (born March 12 1942 in Hamilton Ohio) nicknamed "The Toy Cannon" is a former Center fielder in Major League Robert James Bruce (born May 16, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Kenneth Travis Johnson (born June 16 1933 in West Palm Beach Florida) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball for Miguel Angel Cuellar Santana (born May 8 1937 in Santa Clara Cuba) best known as Mike Cuellar (/ˈkweʎar/ is a former left-handed Starting Donald Edward "Don" Wilson, ( February 12, 1945 - January 5, 1975) was a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22 1946, in Hollywood California) is a former Pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball Dave Giusti (born November 27, 1939, Seneca Falls, New York) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 to 1977 )
New venue, new name
On April 9, 1965, the Houston Colt . Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins (4-3 Sandy Koufax, MVP 45s became the Houston Astros, to show support for the space program based in Houston [1], and inaugurated indoor baseball in the Astrodome with a 2-1 exhibition win over the New York Yankees on April 9 in the Astrodome. For the aeronautical use see Astrodome (aviation Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome
The Sporting News Official Baseball Guide for 1965 had this to say about why the team was renamed: "Late in the year 1964 the Harris County Domed Stadium was officially named the Astrodome after the Houston club changed its nickname, December 1, from Colt . Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican 45s to Astros. The move resulted from objections by the Colt Firearms Company to the club's sales of novelties bearing the old nickname. Colt's Manufacturing Company ( CMC --formerly Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company) is a United States Firearms manufacturer founded in " The old nickname also bore violent overtones, which did not sit well with some people.
Regardless of trademark issues, "Astros" was a good fit for the futuristic ambiance of the revolutionary domed stadium and also since Houston was by then the home of NASA's astronaut program. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program An astronaut or cosmonaut (космона́вт) is a person trained The scoreboard retained subliminal references to the old nickname, as it featured electronically animated cowboys firing pistols, with the "bullets" ricocheting around the scoreboard, when an Astros player would hit a home run. Early on, the groundskeepers also wore astronaut spacesuits to promote that futuristic image.
Loosely based on the old Roman Colosseum, the Astrodome was like no venue that had come before it, and it was dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World. The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre ( Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio As with many stadiums of that era, such as RFK Stadium and Shea Stadium, the Astrodome was a multi-purpose stadium, designed for both football as well as baseball. Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium, better known as RFK Stadium or RFK, is a professional sports Stadium in Washington D William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough However, because it was enclosed, it could also be used for events traditionally held in indoor arenas, such as basketball, concerts and political conventions, allowing outdoor-sized crowds in an indoor venue.
Besides its roof, the Astrodome was revolutionary for a number of other reasons. It was one of the first stadiums to have individual, theatre-type seats for every seat in the venue. Additionally, it was one of the first stadiums to have luxury seats and club seating, at the time a relatively new concept in sports venues. It also had an "exploding scoreboard", which would show various animations after a home run or a win, as well as messages and advertising.
The Astrodome was also one of the first stadiums in the country to use an artificial playing surface. The creation of an artificial surface came across based on necessity. Originally the Astrodome had a grass field and a transparent roof. However, during the 1965 season, players complained about the glare on the field which made tracking fly balls difficult. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins (4-3 Sandy Koufax, MVP As a result, the transparent Lucite roof panels were painted with a translucent white paint. This solved the glare problem but killed off the grass. As a solution the Astros deployed a product from Monsanto Corporation called AstroTurf, a surface that could be used in any condition, and a surface that was, compared to grass, low maintenance. The Monsanto Company ( is a multinational Agricultural biotechnology Corporation. AstroTurf is a brand of Artificial turf. Though the term is a Registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind
The surface did prove resilient to routine game play and was relatively safe, resulting in a number of colleges and pro teams switching to artificial surface fields. Additionally, AstroTurf made possible a number of other domed stadiums, such as the Louisiana Superdome, the Carrier Dome, and the Pontiac Silverdome. The Louisiana Superdome, often informally referred to simply as the The Carrier Dome is a 50000-seat domed sports Stadium located on the campus of Syracuse University in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse The Pontiac Silverdome is a Domed Stadium in Pontiac, Michigan, a Satellite city of Detroit.
The new venue didn't lead to a change in the team's on-field fortunes. They would not finish higher than eighth in the league from 1965 to 1968, and wouldn't get to . The Year of the Pitcher In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance caused by enforcing a larger strike zone (top of armpit 500 until 1969. Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets This was at least in part due to Hofheinz' financial problems. The Astrodome's construction costs, as well as the construction of several nearby hotels and an entertainment complex left the Astros $30 million in debt by 1970. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Late that year, Hofheinz was forced into bankruptcy. His creditors, led by Ford and General Electric, took control of Hofheinz' interests, including the Astros. Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following
1970s
In 1975, former Astros pitcher Don Wilson, who had pitched two no-hitters for the club, had committed suicide. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Pete Rose, MVP Donald Edward "Don" Wilson, ( February 12, 1945 - January 5, 1975) was a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Wilson's jersey, number 40, was retired by the Astros, and a patch with his number would be worn on the team jerseys during 1975.
The Astros in 1975 would also adopt the orange, yellow and navy "Rainbow Guts" uniforms that became a team trademark and would stay with them in some form through 1993. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Pete Rose, MVP The Rainbow Guts uniform (sometimes called the Creamsicle uniform or Tequila Sunrise uniform is a nickname for a series of uniform styles worn by the Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor, These uniforms (nicknamed "the popsicles") bore a black band around the sleeve with the number "40" written in white, honoring Don Wilson. They were originally made by Sand-Knit, were highly popular with fans, increased awareness of the Astros considerably, and kicked off a fashion trend which would spread to Astros' farm teams from the Dubuque Packers to the Charleston Charlies. Eventually, the Rainbow Guts would be worn by many a recreational softball team, as well as high schools and colleges (notably Seton Hall, Tulane, and Louisiana Tech). Tulane University is a private, Nonsectarian, Coeducational Research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech University, located in Ruston Louisiana is a coeducational public institution of higher learning with an enrollment of 10950 students in the 08-09 year Also in 1975, GE and Ford took full control of the team.
At the same time, the Astros also switched from red-orange caps to a pure orange. The team began wearing navy caps on the road in 1980 and went with navy caps in all games beginning in 1983. The Astros would sport a toned-down version of the rainbow pattern from 1987 to 1993. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Minnesota Twins over St Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor,
In 1972, the Astros would have their best showing to date. Labor strife and more moving 1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration Under three different managers - including legendary manager Leo Durocher, (whose last managerial job would be with these Astros), the Astros finished the 1972 season 84-69, and in second place in the NL West. Leo Ernest Durocher ( July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991) nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American Infielder and Labor strife and more moving 1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball 's National League.
It was with the Astros that Bob Watson scored the 1,000,000th run in baseball history on May 4, 1975. Robert Jose Watson (born April 10 1946 in Los Angeles California) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball for Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Pete Rose, MVP Because there were other players in other venues competing simultaneously for the right to be designated with the milestone, Watson had to run around the bases after a home run at full speed so as to ensure that he would be the one credited with scoring the historic run.
Former Pittsburgh Pirates player and manager Bill Virdon arrived in May, 1975 as the team's new manager. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. William Charles Virdon (born June 9, 1931 in Hazel Park Michigan) is a former Outfielder, manager and coach in Major Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Pete Rose, MVP
1979–85: The start of something big; Taste of October
Ford acquired sole control of the Astros in 1978. Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2 Bucky Dent, MVP After only a year, it sold the team to a group headed by shipping magnate John McMullen. John J McMullen PhD (Born 1918 in Jersey City New Jersey - Died September 16, 2005 in Montclair New Jersey) was a Naval
After three seasons hovering around . 500, the Astros would be involved in their first real pennant race in 1979. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles (4-3 Willie Stargell, Though the team was dead last in power (they only hit 49 home runs as a team and nobody hit more than 10 home runs), the 1979 Astros were a team built around pitching and speed. In fact, the Astros led the National League with 190 steals; four of the Astros' regular players had over 30 steals. The team's stars included outfielder José Cruz, Sr., third baseman Enos Cabell and pitcher J.R. Richard. José Cruz (born August 8, 1947 in Arroyo Puerto Rico) is a former Outfielder and currently the first base coach in Major League Enos Milton Cabell Jr (born October 8, 1949 in Fort Riley Kansas) is a former Third baseman and First baseman in Major League James Rodney Richard (born March 7 1950 is a former right-handed All-Star Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career from This formula enabled the Astros to lead the National League West for much of the season, leading the division by 10 games at the All-star break. Yet they were unable to hold off the Cincinnati Reds, who edged the Astros on the last weekend for the National League West title, ultimately winning the division by 1. The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball 's National League. 5 games.
Following the 1979 season, Nolan Ryan signed with the Astros as a free agent, agreeing to MLB's first million-dollar per year salary. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles (4-3 Willie Stargell, Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in They also brought back popular Texas native Joe Morgan (who began his Hall of Fame career with the Astros) to bring leadership to this young team.
Using much the same pitching and speed strategy in 1980 as they had in 1979, the Astros won their first NL West championship. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals (4-2 Mike Schmidt, MVP They entered the final weekend series against the Dodgers with a three-game lead only needing to win one of the final three games to clinch the NL West. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA However, the Astros were swept, forcing a one game postseason playoff game - the first such playoff since the National League switched to two-division format in 1969. Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets In the game in Los Angeles, Joe Niekro won his 20th game as the Astros cruised to an easy 7-1 victory over the Dodgers, clinching the team's first divisional title with a 93-70 record. Dodger Stadium is a large outdoor ballpark in Los Angeles California at Chávez Ravine. Joseph Franklin Niekro ( November 7 1944 &ndash October 27 2006) was an American Starting pitcher in Major League
In the National League Championship Series, the Astros would push the Phillies to five games in what is widely regarded as one of the best postseason series in baseball history. The National League Championship Series was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros from October 7 to The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The last four games all went to extra innings, with the final game decided by one run after many twists and turns in the late innings. In the decisive fifth game the Astros would take a 5-2 lead into the top of the 8th against the Phillies. However, Nolan Ryan would be unable to hold the lead. The Astros would go on to lose to the Phillies in 10 innings, 8-7.
In 1980, J.R. Richard, considered to be a front-runner for the National League's Cy Young Award and one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball, had a 10-4 record and an ERA of 1. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals (4-2 Mike Schmidt, MVP James Rodney Richard (born March 7 1950 is a former right-handed All-Star Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career from In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National In Baseball statistics, earned run average ( ERA) is the Mean of Earned runs given up by a Pitcher per nine Innings pitched 73 on July 30, 1980 when he suffered a stroke before a game. Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals (4-2 Mike Schmidt, MVP A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain In the days and weeks previous, Richard had complained of a "dead arm" and shoulder and neck pains. Additionally, in his last start on July 14, he said he was unable to read the catcher's signs. Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. The stroke nearly killed him and although Richard survived, he never would pitch in the Major Leagues again.
In the strike-shortened 1981 season, the Astros made the playoffs once again as the second half Western Division champions. The 1981 Major League Baseball strike was the fifth work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972 Major League Baseball strike This ballclub succeeded thanks to free agent acquisition Don Sutton. Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball player and current Television Sportscaster. Even if their pitching was excellent, the Astros' "Chinese Water Torture" offense was so slow that it went "drip, drip, drip. Chinese water torture or commonly called in Continental Europe, Spanish Water Torture is the popular name for a method of Water torture in which water is " The Astros got to face the Dodgers in the special pre-LCS playoffs. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1981 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 6, and ended on After winning the first two games, the Dodgers went on to win the final three games, thus making the Astros the first team in baseball history to lose a five game series, after winning the first two games.
After that loss to Los Angeles, the Astros' fortunes began to change for the worse. However, there were some shining moments that stood out - like in 1983 when Nolan Ryan became all-time strikeout leader in a game against the Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1 Rick Dempsey, Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of The Olympic Stadium (Stade olympique is a Multi-purpose stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Ryan and Steve Carlton would battle for the lead until Carlton retired and Ryan earned it for good. Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami Florida) is a former left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball, from to The next season, shortstop Dickie Thon was beaned in the head by Mets pitcher Mike Torrez, derailing what many thought would be an extremely promising career. Richard William "Dickie" Thon (born June 20, 1958 in South Bend Indiana) is a former Shortstop in Major League Baseball "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. Michael Augustine Torrez (born August 28 1946 in Topeka Kansas) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball.
1986 season
After a mediocre 1985 season, the Astros fired general manager Al Rosen and manager Bob Lillis. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Kansas City Royals over St Albert Leonard Rosen (born February 29, 1924, in Spartanburg South Carolina) nicknamed " Al " " Flip " and the Robert Perry Lillis (born June 2, 1930, in Altadena California) is a retired American Infielder, manager, coach The former was supplanted by Dick Wagner, the man whose Reds defeated the Astros to win the 1979 NL West. For the former baseball executive see Dick Wagner (baseball. Dick Wagner is an American Rock music Guitarist and Songwriter. The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles (4-3 Willie Stargell, The latter was replaced by Hal Lanier whose "box-office baseball" took Houston by storm. Harold Clifton Lanier (born July 4 1942 in Denton North Carolina) is a former Infielder, coach and manager in Major Before Lanier took over, fans were accustomed to Houston's occasional slow starts. But with Lanier leading the way, Houston got off to a hot start winning 13 of their first 19 contests.
The Astros had many highlights. After the Astrodome hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the Astros went on a streak with five straight come-from-behind wins (two against the Mets and three against the Montreal Expos). For the aeronautical use see Astrodome (aviation Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of In a game against the Dodgers, pitcher Jim Deshaies (who came from the Yankees in exchange for Joe Niekro) started the game with 8 straight strikeouts. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960 in Massena New York) is a former left-handed Starting pitcher. Joseph Franklin Niekro ( November 7 1944 &ndash October 27 2006) was an American Starting pitcher in Major League On September 25, Mike Scott helped his team clinch the NL West by no-hitting the surprising San Francisco Giants. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Michael Warren Scott (born April 26, 1955 in Santa Monica California) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball for The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. This was the only time in MLB history that any division was clinched via a no-hitter. Scott would finish the season with an 18-10 record and a Cy Young Award with it.
Their opponents in the NLCS were the New York Mets, a team that with 108 wins was considered a team for the ages, destined to win a World Championship. The National League Championship Series pitted the New York Mets against the Houston Astros. "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. To add a hint of flavor to the matchup, both teams were celebrating their 25th season as MLB franchises that season.
The 1986 National League Championship Series was noted for great drama and is considered one of the best postseason series ever. In Game 3, the Astros were ahead at Shea Stadium, 5-4, in the bottom of the 9th when closer Dave Smith gave up a two-run home run to Lenny Dykstra, giving the Mets a dramatic 6-5 win. William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough Leonard Kyle (Lenny Dykstra (ˈdaɪkstɹə born February 10, 1963 in Santa Ana, California, and also known as Nails or The
A historic bet on the series was made on live television between New York's famous talk show host, David Letterman, and former Houston mayor Kathryn J. Whitmire. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American late-night Talk show host and Comedian and the host since 1993 Kathryn Jean "Kathy" Whitmire (born 15 August 1946) was Mayor of the City of Houston Texas, from 1982 to Letterman agreed to pay $2000 if the Astros won, and Whitmire agreed to hang a picture of Mookie Wilson in her office if the Mets won. William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9 1956) is a former Major League Baseball Center fielder who played with the New When the Mets won, Whitemire displayed a 10' x 10' photo of Wilson in her office.
However, the signature game of the series was Game 6. Needing a win to get to Mike Scott (who had been dominant in the series) in Game 7, the Astros jumped off to a 3-0 lead in the first inning but neither team would score again until the 9th inning. In the 9th, starting pitcher Bob Knepper would give two runs, and once again the Astros would look to Dave Smith to close it out. Robert Wesley Knepper (born May 24 1954 in Akron Ohio) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1976 However, Smith would walk Gary Carter and Darryl Strawberry, giving up a sacrifice fly to Ray Knight, tying the game. Gary Edmund Carter (born April 8 1954 nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" was a Major League Baseball Catcher from 1974-1992 Darryl Eugene Strawberry (born March 12, 1962) is a former Baseball player who is well-known both for his play on the baseball field and for his controversial Charles Ray Knight (born December 28 1952, in Albany Georgia) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball player who played in Despite having the go-ahead runs on base, Smith was able to escape the inning without any further damage.
There was no scoring until the 14th inning when the Mets would take the lead on a Wally Backman single and an error by left fielder Billy Hatcher. Walter 'Wally' Wayne Backman (born September 22, 1959 in Hillsboro Oregon) is a former Major League Baseball player William Augustus Hatcher (born October 4 1960 in Williams Arizona) is a former left and Center fielder in Major League Baseball The Astros would get the run back in the bottom of the 14th when Hatcher (in a classic goat-to-hero-conversion-moment) hit one of the most dramatic home runs in NLCS history, off the left field foul pole. In the 16th inning, Darryl Strawberry doubled to lead off the inning and Ray Knight drove him home in the next at-bat. The Mets would score a total of three runs in the inning to take what appeared an insurmountable 7-4 lead. With their season on the line, the Astros would nonetheless rally for two runs to come to within 7-6. Kevin Bass came up with the tying and winning runs on base; however Jesse Orosco would strike him out, ending the game. Jesse Russell Orosco (born April 21, 1957 in) is a former Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career
This 16-inning game held the record for the longest in MLB postseason history until October 9, 2005 when the Astros defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-6 in an 18-inning Division Series game. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series However, the 1986 game still holds the record for longest League Championship Series game. Also, Game 3 of the 2005 World Series would tie the record for longest World Series game at 14 innings, meaning that the Astros, despite having been to only 2 LCS and 1 World Series, have played in the longest game for each of the 3 levels in the modern MLB playoffs.
1987–93: Destroy, fire sale, and rebuild
Following the 1988 season the Astros experienced significant change. See also 1988 Major League Baseball season Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Hal Lanier, unable to build on the Astros' success in 1986, was dismissed following the season, and the team went on a fire sale. Harold Clifton Lanier (born July 4 1942 in Denton North Carolina) is a former Infielder, coach and manager in Major In Professional sports, a fire sale occurs when a team trades many of its veteran players especially expensive star players to other teams for less expensive and Additionally, franchise icon Nolan Ryan left the Astros to join the Texas Rangers in 1989, after being considered "too old" by then-owner McMullen. The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in Arlington Texas, United States, representing the Dallas-Ft Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants (4-0 Dave Stewart, Ryan would go on to pitch two more no-hitters for the Rangers in the early 1990s to achieve a grand total of seven - more than anyone else in Major League history. Ryan would also record his 5,000th strikeout and 300th win with the Rangers, and entered the Hall of Fame as a Ranger.
1989 would mark the rookie season of Craig Biggio, who would set team records in many offensive categories. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants (4-0 Dave Stewart, Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career Biggio started his career as a catcher, but was moved to second base so as to take full advantage of his speed and other offensive talents.
Many people consider the best trade the Astros ever made was their trade for Jeff Bagwell at the trading deadline in 1990. Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Oakland Athletics (4-0 José Rijo, MVP The Boston Red Sox, in a tight race for the American League East title, needed relief pitching help. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. The American League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions The Astros gave the Red Sox journeyman Larry Andersen in exchange for minor-leaguer Jeff Bagwell, who would win the 1990 Eastern League MVP award for the AA New Britain Red Sox. Larry Eugene Andersen (born May 6, 1953 in Portland Oregon) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and current color commentator The Eastern League is a Minor league baseball league which operates primarily in the northeastern United States, although it has had a team in Ohio The New Britain Rock Cats are a Minor league baseball team based in New Britain Connecticut. With Mo Vaughn in their system, the Red Sox figured that Bagwell was expendable, and while Andersen did help the Red Sox to the divisional title, Bagwell would go on to become the Astros all time home run leader and, in most people's minds, the best overall player in Astros history. Maurice Samuel 'Mo' Vaughn (born December 15, 1967 in Norwalk, Connecticut) nicknamed "Hit Dog is a former Major League Baseball The trade was so lopsided, that it appears in virtually any list of Best (Worst) trades in MLB history, and "Larry Anderson" became a popular phrase in Boston to describe the futility of their front office during the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino". However, after the 1991 season the Astros made one of the worst trades in franchise history by sending outfielder Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Eddie Taubensee. Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago Indiana) is a veteran Major League Baseball Outfielder. The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Lofton would prove to be one of the best center fielders of the 1990s, earning 5 AL stolen base titles, 6 All-Star appearances and 4 Gold Gloves.
The early 1990s were marked by the Astros' growing discontent with their home, the Astrodome. For the aeronautical use see Astrodome (aviation Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome After the Astrodome was renovated for the primary benefit of the Houston Oilers, the Astros began to grow increasingly disenchanted with the facility. The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville Tennessee. Faced with declining attendance at the Astrodome and the inability of management to obtain a new stadium, in the 1991 off-season Astros management announced its intention to sell the team and move the franchise to the Washington, D.C. area. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Minnesota Twins over Atlanta Braves (4-3 Jack Morris, MVP Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D However, the move was not approved by other National League owners, thus compelling the Astros to remain in Houston. Shortly thereafter, McMullen (who also owned the NHL's New Jersey Devils), sold the team to Texas businessman Drayton McLane in 1993, who committed to keeping the team in Houston. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The New Jersey Devils are a professional Ice hockey team based in Newark New Jersey. Drayton McLane Jr is an American entrepreneur He is chairman of McLane Group and chairman and CEO of the Major League Baseball 's Houston Astros. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor,
1994-99: A new owner, a new look, a new success
Shortly after McLane's arrival, which coincided with the maturation of Bagwell and Biggio, the Astros began to show signs of consistent success. After finishing second in their division in 1994 (in a strike year), 1995, and 1996, the Astros won consecutive division titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Headline events of the year As a result of a players' strike the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. The 1994 Major League baseball strike was the eighth work stoppage in Baseball history as well as the fourth in-season work stoppage Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians (4-2 Tom Glavine, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, Headline events of the year Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-0 Mariano Rivera, MVP In the 1998 season, the Astros set a team record with 102 victories. However, each of these titles was followed by a first-round playoff elimination, in 1998 by the San Diego Padres and in 1997 and 1999 against the Atlanta Braves. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1998 National League playoffs began on Tuesday September 29, and ended The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego California since their founding in 1969 The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1997 National League playoffs began on Tuesday September 30, and ended The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 1999 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 5, and ended on The manager of these title teams was Larry Dierker, who had previously been a broadcaster and pitcher for the Astros. Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22 1946, in Hollywood California) is a former Pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball
Coinciding with the change in ownership, the team switched uniforms and team colors after the 1993 season in order to go for a new, more serious image. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor, The team's trademark "rainbow stripes" were retired, and the team's colors changed to midnight blue and metallic gold. The "Astros" font was changed to a more aggressive one, and the team's traditional star logo was changed to a stylized, "flying" star with an open left end. It marked the first time since the team's inception that orange was not part of the team's colors. Despite general agreement that the rainbow uniforms identified with the team had become tired (and looked too much like a minor league team according to the new owners), the new uniforms and caps were never especially popular with fans.
Off the field, in 1994, the Astros hired one of the first African American general managers, former franchise player Bob Watson. Headline events of the year As a result of a players' strike the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Robert Jose Watson (born April 10 1946 in Los Angeles California) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball for Watson would leave the Astros after the 1995 season to become general manager of the New York Yankees and helped to lead the Yankees to a World Championship in 1996. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians (4-2 Tom Glavine, MVP The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. The 1996 World Series matched the defending champion Atlanta Braves against the New York Yankees, with the Yankees winning in six games to capture their first Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP He would be replaced by Gerry Hunsicker, who until 2004 would continue to oversee the building of the Astros into one of the better and most consistent organizations in the Major Leagues. Gerald Hunsicker (born June 10, 1950, in Collegeville Pennsylvania) is the senior vice president baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Rays Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino.
However, in 1996, the Astros again nearly left Houston. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP By the mid-1990s, like the team's previous owner, McLane wanted his team out of the Astrodome and was asking Houston to build them a new stadium. When things didn't progress quickly toward that end, he put the team up for sale. He had nearly finalized a deal to sell the team to businessman William Collins, who planned to move them to Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia (colloquially referred to as "NOVA" or "NoVA" consists of several However, Collins was having difficulty finding a site for a stadium himself, so Major League owners stepped in and forced McLane to give Houston another chance to grant his stadium wish. Houston voters responded positively via a stadium referendum and the Astros stayed put.
In the 14 years since Drayton McLane has taken ownership of the Houston Astros, they have had the fourth best record in all of Major League Baseball. Only the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves have done better overall.
The late nineties also saw the formation of the Killer Bs, a notation for great Astros players with last names beginning with the letter B.
2000s: New stadium; First pennant
After years at the outdated Astrodome, the Astros moved into their new stadium in 2000. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Originally called Enron Field, the stadium was one of the first to feature a functional retractable roof, considered a necessity in Houston. Enron Creditors Recovery Corporation (formerly Enron Corporation, former NYSE ticker symbol ENE was an American Energy company based in Additionally the ballpark featured more intimate surroundings than the cavernous Astrodome. It is believed by some that the departure of the NFL's Houston Oilers after Houston refused to build them a new stadium contributed to the construction of Enron Field. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville Tennessee.
The ballpark features a train theme, since the ball park was built on the grounds of the old Union Station. Union station (or depot or terminal are train stations used by more than one railroad company or line The locomotive also pays homage to the history of Houston, where by 1860, 11 different railroad companies had lines running through the city. This is also represented in the city of Houston's official seal. A train whistle sounds, and a locomotive transverses a wall above the outfield after Astros home run. The ballpark also contains quirks such as "Tal's Hill", which is a hill in deep center field on which a flagpole stands, all in fair territory. This was modeled after a similar feature that was located in Crosley Field, former home of the Cincinnati Reds. Crosley Field was a Major League Baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA The terrace at Crosley Field was sloped at 15 degrees in left field, while Tal's Hill is sloped at 30 degrees in straightaway center. Over the years, many highlight reel catches have been made by center fielders running up the hill to make catches.
Perhaps most significantly, with its short left field fence (only slightly longer to left field than Fenway Park), overall shorter dimensions, and exposure to the elements, including the humid Texas air, Enron Field played like a hitters' park. This was a dramatic difference from the Astrodome, which was considered to be an extreme pitchers' park. In a challenge to home run hitters, owner Drayton McLane's office windows, located in the old Union Station above left field, are made of glass and marked as 442' from home plate.
With the change in location also came a change in attire. Gone were the blue and gold uniforms of the 1990s in favor a more "retro" look with pinstripes, a traditional baseball font, and the colors of brick red, sand and black. Retro is a term used to describe denote or classify culturally outdated or aged trends modes or fashions from the overall postmodern past but have since that time become functionally The "shooting star" logo was modified but still retained its definitive look.
2001 season
In 2001, the Astros won another NL Central title, but were again eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Braves. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball 's six divisions The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2001 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 9, and ended on Despite four NL Central division titles in five years, the Astros lost in the first round each year (three times to the Braves) Dierker resigned and was replaced by former Boston Red Sox manager Jimy Williams. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. James Francis "Jimy" Williams (born October 4, 1943 in Santa Maria California) is the current Bench coach for the Philadelphia After the Enron scandal made headlines across the nation, the stadium's naming rights were eventually resold to Coca-Cola, which dubbed the park Minute Maid Park, also known by fans as "The Juice Box" [2]. Enron Creditors Recovery Corporation (formerly Enron Corporation, former NYSE ticker symbol ENE was an American Energy company based in Coca-Cola is a carbonated Soft drink sold in stores restaurants and Vending machines in more than 200 countries Minute Maid Park (formerly The Ballpark at Union Station, Enron Field, and Astros Field) is a ballpark in Houston, Texas The Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field is sometimes referred to as "The Juice Box". The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St Tropicana Field is a Domed stadium in St Petersburg Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball 's Tampa Bay Rays since
2004 season
After two fairly successful seasons without a playoff appearance, at midseason in 2004 the Astros were floundering. Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino. Before the season, the Astros had added star pitchers Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens to a team that already included stars like Lance Berkman and Jeff Kent as well as the nucleus of Bagwell and Biggio. Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball Second baseman for They were quickly anointed one of the favorites to win the National League. However, at the All-Star Break, they were 44-44 largely due to an inability to score runs, and a poor record in 1-run games. After being booed at the 2004 All-Star Game held at Minute Maid Park while serving as a coach for the National League, Williams was fired and replaced by Phil Garner, who had been a star for the Astros' second division winner in 1986. Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949, in Jefferson City, Tennessee) is a former Infielder in Major League Baseball Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Ray Knight, MVP Though many people were highly skeptical of Garner, who had a mediocre track record in his prior managerial stints in Milwaukee and Detroit, with only one winning season at either stop (in 1992), the team responded to Garner, who led the team to a 46-26 record in the second half and the National League's Wild Card. The Milwaukee Brewers are a Major League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which plays in the Central Division of the National League The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves (4-2 Pat Borders, MVP They would go on to win their first playoff series in eight attempts, beating the Braves in five games of the National League Division Series to advance to the National League Championship Series for the third time. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2004 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 5, and ended on The National League Championship Series was a Major League Baseball playoff series played from October 13 to 21 to determine the champion of the National However, they would lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, most dramatically on a walk-off home run by Jim Edmonds in the twelfth inning of Game 6. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St In Baseball, a walk-off home run is a Home run that ends the game James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds (born June 27, 1970 in Fullerton, California) is a left-handed Center fielder for
The Astros' 2004 success had much to do with the postponed retirement of star pitcher Roger Clemens (a Houston resident), who ended 2004 with a record seventh Cy Young Award (his first in the NL). William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National Clemens had previously announced that he was retiring after the 2003 season from the New York Yankees. Headline event of the year The Florida Marlins become World Series champions holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team 4 games to The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. However, after the Astros signed his former Yankee teammate Andy Pettitte and offered Clemens a number of perquisites (including the option to stay home with his family for certain road trips when he wasn't scheduled to pitch), Clemens reconsidered and signed a one-year deal with the Astros. Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the
Additionally, the mid-season addition of Carlos Beltrán in a trade with the Kansas City Royals helped the Astros tremendously in their playoff run. Carlos Ivan Beltrán (ˈkɑrloʊs bɛlˈtrɑːn bel- trahn) born April 24 1977 in Manatí Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. Despite rumblings in July and August that the Astros might flip him to another contender, Beltrán would prove instrumental to the Astros' hopes, hitting eight home runs in the postseason. Following the season, after initially asserting a desire to remain with the Astros, Beltrán signed a long term contract with the New York Mets on January 9, 2005. "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series
The Astros and Nolan Ryan would also re-establish their relationship, thanks to Ryan's longtime friendship with Astros owner Drayton McLane. Ryan's minor league team, the Round Rock Express (who played outside of Austin, Texas) would become an Astros minor league affiliate, first in the AA Texas League and eventually in the AAA Pacific Coast League. The Round Rock Express is a Minor league baseball franchise based in Round Rock Texas. The Texas League is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. The Pacific Coast League (PCL is a Minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. Additionally, Ryan was a frequent special guest of the Astros throughout the 2004 and 2005 playoffs and would also drop by Astros camp as a guest instructor. He also had a personal-services contract with the Astros.
Houston, we have a pennant
In 2005, the Astros got off to a poor start, dropping to 15 games below . 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series 500 (15-30) in late May before becoming nearly unbeatable. From that low point until the end of July, Houston went 42-17 and found themselves in the lead for the NL Wild Card. The hitting, largely absent in April and May, was suddenly there, with even the pitchers contributing.
The Astros had also developed an excellent pitching staff, anchored by Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens (who had a league-low ERA of only 1. Roy Edward Oswalt (ˈoʊzwɑːlt (born August 29, 1977 in Weir Mississippi) is an American Major League Baseball player who debuted Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major 87), and Brandon Backe. Brandon Allen Backe (born April 5, 1978 in Galveston Texas) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Rookie starters Ezequiel Astacio and Wandy Rodríguez were also successful. Ezequiel Franklin Astacio (born November 4, 1979 in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher Wandy E Rodríguez (born January 18, 1979) is a Pitcher for the Houston Astros.
In July alone, the Astros went 22-7, the best single month record in the club's history. The Astros finished the 2005 regular season by winning a wild card berth on the final day of the regular season, just as they did in 2004, becoming only the second team to come from 15 games under . 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series 500 to enter the post season, the other team being the 1914 Boston Braves, now the Atlanta Braves. Champions World Series: Boston Braves over Philadelphia Athletics (4-0 Awards and honors Chalmers (Those Braves would go on and sweep the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series. The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia Athletics in a four-games sweep Coincidentally, the Astros beat out another Philadelphia team, the Phillies, for the Wild Card, to face the Braves in the first round of the playoffs. )
Playoffs
The Astros won their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves in four games. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2005 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 4, and ended on The fourth game set a record for a post-season game with most innings (18), most players used by a single team (T-23), most grand slams (2), and longest game time (5 hours and 50 minutes). Chris Burke hit a home run to win the game by a score of 7-6. Christopher Allen Burke (born March 11, 1980 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Another notable performance was had by Roger Clemens who appeared from the bullpen for only the second time in his career as a reliever with three shutout innings and the win. William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major After winning in the first round, the Astros picked up where they left off in the previous year, facing a rematch against the St. Louis Cardinals. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St
It is also notable that both the grand slam Lance Berkman hit in the 8th inning and the solo shot hit by Chris Burke in the 18th inning to win three hours later were caught by the same fan, Shaun Dean, in the left field Crawford Boxes. William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Chris Burke may refer to Chris Burke (actor (born 1965 an American actor Chris Burke (baseball (born 1980 a Major League Baseball The Crawford Boxes are a special section of seating in Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros. Dean, a 25-year-old comptroller for a construction company, donated the balls to the Hall of Fame and he and his son were rewarded with gifts from the Astros and the Baseball Hall of Fame as well as playoff tickets behind home plate. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) featured a rematch of the 2004 NLCS. The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2005 National League playoffs matched the Central Division champion and defending The National League Championship Series was a Major League Baseball playoff series played from October 13 to 21 to determine the champion of the National The Astros lost the first game in St. Louis, but would win the next three games with one in St. Louis and the next two in Houston. The Astros were poised to close-out the series in Houston, but the Cardinals managed to score three runs in the top of the 9th with a monstrous 3-run home run by Albert Pujols off Brad Lidge with two outs. José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (IPA /puˌˡxols/ (born January 16, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) (nicknamed Prince Albert The stunned crowd was silenced in disbelief. This would take the series back to St. Louis, where the Astros won the final game of the NLCS and the final game played at Busch Stadium. Busch Memorial Stadium, or Busch Stadium was the home of the St
Current honorary National League President William Y. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball Giles presented the Astros the Warren C. Giles Trophy, which is awarded to the National League Champion. It was Warren Giles, father of William and President of the National League from 1951 to 1969, who in October 1960 awarded the city of Houston the Major League franchise that would become the Houston Astros. Warren Crandall Giles ( 28 May, 1896 - 7 February, 1979) was a National League executive in Major League Baseball. Headline Event of the Year Baseball's Shot Heard 'Round the World gives the New York Giants the National League Pennant in the third game of a best-of-three-games Champions Major League Baseball The most notable part of the 1969 season were the Miracle Mets World Series: New York Mets Roy Oswalt, who went 2-0 and had an ERA of 1. Roy Edward Oswalt (ˈoʊzwɑːlt (born August 29, 1977 in Weir Mississippi) is an American Major League Baseball player who debuted 29, won the NLCS MVP.
World Series
The Astros' opponent in their first ever World Series was the Chicago White Sox. The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League The Chicago White Sox are a professional Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. Games 1 and 2 were held at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, while Games 3 and 4 were played at Minute Maid Park. US Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park is a Baseball Stadium in Chicago Illinois. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Minute Maid Park (formerly The Ballpark at Union Station, Enron Field, and Astros Field) is a ballpark in Houston, Texas Game 3 also marked the first Fall Classic game to be played in the state of Texas, and was the longest game in World Series history, lasting 14 innings. Early conventional wisdom held that the White Sox were a slight favorite, but that Houston would be an even match. However, the Astros' situational hitting continued to plague them throughout the World Series. The White Sox swept the Astros in the best-of-seven series with a run differential of only six.
2006 season
After losing the World Series, the Astros prepared for the offseason. They signed Preston Wilson and moved Lance Berkman to first base, ending the long tenure by Jeff Bagwell due to injuries and a degenerative arthritic shoulder. The Astros resigned pitcher Roger Clemens on June 22, 2006. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success For their first pick in the 2006 draft, the Astros drafted high school catcher Maxwell Sapp, who ranked second among all high school catchers. The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball 's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players from high schools On July 12, 2006, Houston traded two minor league prospects to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for left-handed hitter Aubrey Huff and cash. Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St Aubrey Lewis Huff (born December 20, 1976 in Marion Ohio) is a Major League Baseball Designated hitter, Third baseman In August of 2006, Preston Wilson said that he wasn't getting enough playing time since Luke Scott returned from AAA ball with the Round Rock Express. In response to Preston Wilson not getting enough playing time, the Astros released Preston, and the division rival Cardinals signed him for the rest of the season. After a dramatic last two weeks of the season, including a four game sweep of the Cardinals, the Astros did not get to the playoffs losing their last game to the Braves, 3-1. The Astros had managed to win 10 of their last 12 games of the season, and all but erased what had been an 8 1/2 game lead by the front running St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros were within a 1/2 game of the Cardinals on Thursday September 28, but that is as close as the 2005 NL Champions would get. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt.
On October 1, (despite the fact that five out of the 22 teams that failed to reach the postseason in Major League Baseball had a better record than the Astros), the Astros were the last remaining team that still had a chance to reach the 2006 postseason; consequently they were the final MLB team to be officially eliminated from playoff contention. Events 331 BC - Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
On October 31, the Astros declined option on Jeff Bagwell's contract for 2007, subsequently ending his 15-year tenure as an Astro. Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston Bagwell left his name well-known in the Astros history books. On November 11, Bagwell files for free agency. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Finally to end his amazing career, Bagwell announced his retirement on December 15. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of
On November 6, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte filed for free agency on Monday, five days before the Nov. Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the 11 deadline.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, November 10, the Astros made a one-year deal with Craig Biggio worth $5. Events 1444 - Battle of Varna: The crusading forces of King Vladislaus III of Varna (aka Ulaszlo I of Hungary and Wladyslaw Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career 15 million to continue his march into the history books as he eyes 70 more hits to reach 3,000. This will mark Biggio's 20th season as an Astro.
On November 24, the Astros Signed outfielder Carlos Lee to a 6-year contract for $100 million, a franchise record. Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Carlos Noriel Lee (born June 20, 1976 in Aguadulce, Panama) is a Left fielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the They also signed pitcher Woody Williams.
On December 8, Andy Pettitte, who signed with the Astros in 2003, announced that he will be returning to the Yankees accepting a 1 year $16 million contract with player option year also worth $16 million if picked up. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the "It shocked me that [the Astros] would not continue to go up, when the Yankees continued to push and push and pursue and they [the Astros] really didn't do much," Pettitte said. "It was a full-court press by the Yankees. I've talked to the guys, and obviously they wanted me to come back up there. " The Astros reportedly offered 1 year $12 million contract but would not offer a player option for another year.
On December 8, frustrated by the Pettitte negotiations, the Astros were on the verge of acquiring right-hander Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox in return for Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh but the deal was nixed by the White Sox because right-hander Taylor Buchholz reportedly failed a physical that he never took. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Jon Steven Garland (born September 27 1979 in Valencia California) is a right-handed Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles The Chicago White Sox are a professional Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. Willy Taveras (born December 25, 1981 in Tenares, Dominican Republic) is a Center fielder for the Colorado Rockies. Taylor Buchholz (born October 13, 1981 in Lower Merion Township Pennsylvania) is a Pitcher with the Colorado Rockies in Jason Michael Hirsh (born February 20, 1982, in Santa Monica, California) is a Starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies
On December 12, the Astros traded 3 for 2 when they traded Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh to the Colorado Rockies for Rockies pitchers Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Willy Taveras (born December 25, 1981 in Tenares, Dominican Republic) is a Center fielder for the Colorado Rockies. Taylor Buchholz (born October 13, 1981 in Lower Merion Township Pennsylvania) is a Pitcher with the Colorado Rockies in Jason Michael Hirsh (born February 20, 1982, in Santa Monica, California) is a Starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Jason Ryan Jennings (born July 17, 1978 in Dallas Texas) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the Texas Rangers. Miguel DePaula Asencio (born September 29 1980 in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic) is a Baseball Pitcher in the This trade turned out terribly for the Astros by the end of the 2007 season, as Taveras continued to develop, Hirsh had a strong rookie campaign, and Jennings was oft-injured and generally ineffective.
2007 season
Main Article: 2007 Houston Astros season
On April 28, the Astros purchased the contract of Hunter Pence, the organization's top prospect from Triple-A affiliate, and made his debut that night where he got his first career hit and run scored. The Houston Astros ' 2007 season began with the team trying to take the NL Central title back from the World Series winners the St Hunter Andrew Pence (born April 13, 1983, in Arlington Texas) is a Major league Outfielder with the Houston Astros.
By May 2007, the Astros had suffered one of their worst losing streaks since the 1995 season with 10 losses in a row, losing 4-3 to the Cincinnati Reds on May 30. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following The Astros were just one loss shy of tying their worst skid in franchise history, before snapping that streak the next day, also against the Reds.
On June 12, the Astros beat the Oakland Athletics for the first time in team history. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California.
On June 28, second baseman Craig Biggio became the 27th player to accrue 3000 career hits. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career On the same night in the bottom of the 11th inning Carlos Lee hit a towering walk-off grand slam to win the game for the Astros. Carlos Noriel Lee (born June 20, 1976 in Aguadulce, Panama) is a Left fielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the
On July 24, Craig Biggio announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2007 season, his 20th season with the club (and a franchise record). Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. He hit a grand slam in that night's game which broke a 3-3 tie and led to an Astros win.
On July 28, the Astros traded RHP Dan Wheeler to Tampa Bay for right-handed slugger 3B Ty Wigginton and cash considerations. Daniel Michael Wheeler (born December 10, 1977 in Providence Rhode Island) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher currently playing for Ty Allen Wigginton (born October 11, 1977 in San Diego California) is a Third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Houston He is now signed through 2009. On July 29, long time and former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg was designated for assignment to make room for newly acquired Wigginton. Morgan Paul Ensberg (born August 26, 1975 in Hermosa Beach California) is an Infielder in Major League Baseball who is currently
On August 26, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell's number 5 was officially retired after a 15 year career with the Astros. Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston
On August 27, manager Phil Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura were relieved of their duties. Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949, in Jefferson City, Tennessee) is a former Infielder in Major League Baseball Cecil Cooper and Tal Smith were named as interim replacements, respectively. Cecil Celester Cooper (born December 20 1949 in Brenham Texas) nicknamed "Coop" is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball Talbot Smith (born September 27, 1933, in Framingham Massachusetts) is the president/baseball operations of the Houston Astros of American
On September 17, in a 6-0 loss to the Brewers the Astros were officially eliminated from the 2007 playoffs. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec
On September 20, Ed Wade was named as the new General Manager of the Astros. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Ed Wade (born January 31 1956 is the current General Manager of the Major League Baseball team the Houston Astros. General Manager or GM for short is a descriptive term for certain executives in a Business operation He made his first move as GM by trading Jason Lane to the Padres on September 24. Jason Dean Lane (born December 22, 1976 in Santa Rosa, California) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina.
On September 30, Craig Biggio retired, ending a 20-year career with the Astros. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the
On November 7, the Astros traded RHP Brad Lidge,and SS Eric Bruntlett to the Philadelphia Phillies for OF Michael Bourn, RHP Geoff Geary, and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Bradley Thomas Lidge (born December 23, 1976 in Sacramento California) is a Relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Eric Kevin Bruntlett (born March 29, 1978 in Lafayette, Indiana) is a baseball Infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982, in Houston Texas) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Geoffrey Michael Geary (born August 26, 1976, in Buffalo, New York) is a Right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball Also UTIL Mark Loretta accepts Houston's salary arbitration. Mark David Loretta (born August 14 1971 in Santa Monica, California) is a Second baseman and Shortstop in Major League
On November 30, the Astros and 2B Kazuo Matsui finalized a $16. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats 5 million, three-year contract.
On December 12, the Astros trade OF Luke Scott, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Dennis Sarfate, LHP Troy Patton, and minor-league 3B Mike Costanzo, to the Baltimore Orioles for SS Miguel Tejada. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Luke Brandon Scott (born June 25, 1978 in De Leon Springs Florida) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who currently plays Matthew James Albers (born January 20, 1983 in) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles. Dennis Scott Sarfate (born April 9, 1981 in Queens New York) is a Major League Baseball Right-handed Relief pitcher Troy Jamieson Patton (born September 3, 1985 in Spring, Texas) is a professional Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles Miguel Odalis Tejada (born Miguel Odalis Tejeda on May 25 1974
On December 14, the Astros trade INF Chris Burke, RHP Juan Gutierrez, RHP Chad Qualls to the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Jose Valverde. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Chris Burke may refer to Chris Burke (actor (born 1965 an American actor Chris Burke (baseball (born 1980 a Major League Baseball Juan Gutiérrez may refer to the following Juan Gutiérrez Moreno (born 1976 Spanish footballer who currently plays for Real Betis Juan Jesús Chad Michael Qualls (born August 17, 1978 in Lomita California) is a Relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. José Rafael Valverde (born July 24, 1979 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a Pitcher in Major League Baseball for the
On December 27, the Astros came to terms on a deal with All-star, Gold Glove winner Darin Erstad. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4 1974 in Jamestown North Dakota) is an Outfielder / First baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League
2008 Season
On January 11, the Astros started off 2008 by signing Brandon Backe to a one-year deal. The Houston Astros ' 2008 season is the 47th season for the Houston Astros Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Brandon Allen Backe (born April 5, 1978 in Galveston Texas) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston During the rest of the month they also signed Ty Wigginton and Dave Borkowski to one-year deals. Ty Allen Wigginton (born October 11, 1977 in San Diego California) is a Third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Houston David Richard Borkowski (born February 7, 1977 in Detroit Michigan) is a Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently
In February the Astros signed Shawn Chacon to a one-year contract. Sean Carl Anthony Chacón (born on December 23, 1977 in Anchorage, Alaska) is a Major League Pitcher, and is currently
The Astros started off their Spring Training campaign with a loss to Cleveland on the 28th. The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule
Season-by-season results
For the past five seasons. To see entire season results, see Houston Astros Record-by-Year
| World Series Champions (1903–present) |
NL Champions (1901–present)[2] |
Division Champions (1969–present) |
Wild Card Berth (1994–present) |
| Regular season | Attendance | Playoffs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | Division | Finish | Won | Lost | % | GB | Attendance | Average | |
| 2004 | 2004 | NL | Central | 2nd | 92 | 70 | . This is a list of seasons completed by the Houston Astros professional baseball franchise. This is a list of all the World Series matches and the recognized champions of Major League Baseball and its predecessors Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino. The Houston Astros ' 2004 season was a season in which the Astros endured various changes 568 | 13 | 3,087,872 | 38,121. 9 | Won NLDS (3-2) (Braves) |
| 2005 | 2005 | NL | Central | 2nd | 89 | 73 | . The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2004 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 5, and ended on The National League Championship Series was a Major League Baseball playoff series played from October 13 to 21 to determine the champion of the National The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series The Houston Astros ' 2005 season was a season in which the Houston Astros qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season 549 | 11 | 2,804,760 | 34,626. 7 | Won NLDS (3-1) (Braves) Won NLCS (4-2) (Cardinals) |
| 2006 | 2006 | NL | Central | 2nd | 82 | 80 | . The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2005 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 4, and ended on The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2005 National League playoffs matched the Central Division champion and defending The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. The Chicago White Sox are a professional Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success The Houston Astros ' 2006 season was a season in American baseball 506 | 1½ | 3,022,763 | 37,318. 1 | |
| 2007 | 2007 | NL | Central | 4th | 73 | 89 | . The 2007 Major League Baseball season was the 107th since the initial co-existence of the American and National Leagues It began on April 1 The Houston Astros ' 2007 season began with the team trying to take the NL Central title back from the World Series winners the St 451 | 12 | 3,020,405 | 37,288. 9 | |
| 2008 | 2008 | NL | Central | 2nd | 30 | 26 | . The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25 2008 in Tokyo Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating The Houston Astros ' 2008 season is the 47th season for the Houston Astros 536 | 4. 5 | 201,147 | 33,524. 5 | |
| Totals | 366 | 330 | . 518 | 2005 National League Champions | |||||||
Quick facts
- Founded: 1962 (National League expansion)
- Uniform colors: Brick red, black, and sand
- Logo design: Red five-pointed star with the word "Astros" below it in script
- Owner: Drayton McLane, Jr.
- General Manager: Ed Wade
- Manager: Cecil Cooper
- Team motto: The Return of the Good Guys
- Playoff appearances (9): 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005
- World Series appearances(1): 2005
- Television Stations: FSN (Houston), KTXH(My 20)
- Radio Stations: KTRH-AM 740 (flagship); KLAT-AM 1010 (Spanish); KBME-AM 790 (used to broadcast games in emergencies, power knockouts, weekday spring training games, or when KTRH can not broadcast said game). The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40-120 record of the New York Mets, which has been a continuing source of humor among baseball fans as well as comedians such as The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball Drayton McLane Jr is an American entrepreneur He is chairman of McLane Group and chairman and CEO of the Major League Baseball 's Houston Astros. Ed Wade (born January 31 1956 is the current General Manager of the Major League Baseball team the Houston Astros. Cecil Celester Cooper (born December 20 1949 in Brenham Texas) nicknamed "Coop" is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Philadelphia Phillies over Kansas City Royals (4-2 Mike Schmidt, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-2 Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Ray Knight, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, Headline events of the year Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-0 Mariano Rivera, MVP Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino. 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net (FSN are a collection of cable TV Regional sports networks owned and operated by News KTXH, channel 20 is a MyNetworkTV -affiliated television station in Houston Texas. KTRH 740 AM is a news-talk radio station in the Houston Texas metropolitan area flagship is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels a designation given on account of being either the largest fastest newest most heavily armed or for publicity purposes the most well KLAT (1010 AM) branded as "La Tremenda 1010" is a Spanish language news-talk radio station in the Houston Texas, metropolitan area KBME (branded as 790 The Sports Animal) AM is a sports-talk radio station in the Houston Texas metropolitan area In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the Regular season. For the band see Broadcast (band Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or Video signals which transmit
- Announcers (Radio): Milo Hamilton (Home games only), Dave Raymond, Brett Dolan
- Announcers (TV): Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies
- Spring Training Facility: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL
- Rivals: St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves
- Famous Fans: George H. W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Chamillionaire, Paul Wall, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Matthew McConaughey, Tracy McGrady
See also: Lone Star Shootout (Rangers-Astros rivalry)
Traditions
Despite being a relatively young team, the Astros have established many traditions among players and fans. Leland Milo Hamilton (born September 2, 1927 in Fairfield Iowa) has been a Major League Baseball announcer since 1953 announcing for seven James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960 in Massena New York) is a former left-handed Starting pitcher. Osceola County Stadium is a Baseball field located in Kissimmee Florida. Kissimmee (kɪˈsɪmi with the accent on the second syllable is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in Arlington Texas, United States, representing the Dallas-Ft George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12 1924 served as the forty-first President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 Barbara Pierce Bush (born June 8 1925 is the wife of the 41st President of the United States, George H Hakeem Seriki (born November 29 1979 better known by his Stage name Chamillionaire (pronounced Ka-MIL-yin-air kəˌmɪljəˈnεər a Portmanteau of Paul Slayton, better known by his Stage name Paul Wall, was born March 11, 1981. Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28 1987 is an American Actress, pop Singer-songwriter Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10 1980 is an American pop Singer and actress who rose to fame in the late 1990s Matthew David McConaughey (məˈkɑnəˌheɪ born November 4 1969 is an American Actor. Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr (born May 24 1979 in Bartow Florida) is an American professional Basketball player currently positioned at starting The Lone Star Series is an annual Major League Baseball contest featuring Texas ' two major league franchises the Texas Rangers of the American
The Killer Bs
The Killer Bs are a group of players of the Houston Astros. They earned this nickname from all having a last name starting with the letter "B" and all performing commendably. The original Killer Bs were nicknamed in the '90s, and consisted of Craig Biggio, Derek Bell, Jeff Bagwell, and Sean Berry. Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career Derek Nathaniel Bell (born December 11, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball player Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston Sean Berry (born March 22, 1966 in Santa Monica, California) is a former Major League Baseball player who served primarily as Since the formation of the original Bs, newer members have been added to the list during their time with the Astros, including Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltrán, Chris Burke, Brandon Backe, and Michael Bourn. William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Carlos Ivan Beltrán (ˈkɑrloʊs bɛlˈtrɑːn bel- trahn) born April 24 1977 in Manatí Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder Christopher Allen Burke (born March 11, 1980 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brandon Allen Backe (born April 5, 1978 in Galveston Texas) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982, in Houston Texas) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. The ones of unusual note in the Killer B's group is Backe, Burke, and Bourn. Burke, achieved fame as a B when he delievered greatly for the Astros in the playoffs multiple times. Backe has hit home runs as a pitcher, and is good at bunting, as well as driving the ball for singles. Bourn is not a high batting average player, but is one of the fastest members of the Astros, next to Willy Taveras. These three players are unusual to be considered Killer B's, but in many fans eyes have earned the title.
The O's Bros
The O's Bros are a group of fans who attend every Roy Oswalt home game (some road games as well). Roy Edward Oswalt (ˈoʊzwɑːlt (born August 29, 1977 in Weir Mississippi) is an American Major League Baseball player who debuted Created in May of 2002, the O's Bros would hang "O's" instead of the traditional "K" for every strikeout Oswalt would get, along with performing a strikout dance. They originally had two signs they would hang, one saying "Wizard of O's" and the second saying "O's Bros". In 2004, the Bros revealed a new and improved O's Bros sign. Section 337 of the Upper Deck at Minute Maid Park was the home of the O's Bros for 5 plus years, but has recently relocated to section 255 of the Mezzanine due to obstructed viewing in the upper deck. Minute Maid Park (formerly The Ballpark at Union Station, Enron Field, and Astros Field) is a ballpark in Houston, Texas The O's Bros are always looking for new members and joining is simple: just show up.
Los Caballitos
The newest tradition is Los Caballitos, a group of devoted Carlos Lee fans that attend every Astros home game, usually standing in a balcony above the Crawford boxes near the Home Run Pump. Their name in Spanish means "The little horses," a name that pays homage to Carlos Lee's nickname El Caballo, meaning "the horse. " This is due to his speed and large build. They traditionally have wood-stick horses that they hold as they cheer. They are often dressed as Mexican cowboys, complete with sombreros. In English -speaking countries sombrero typically refers to a type of hat originating in Mexico. This is another homage to Lee, as one of his life interests is ranching. A ranch is an area of landscape including various structures given primarily to the practice of ranching the practice of raising grazing livestock such as Cattle [3]
The Little Pumas
The Little Pumas formed following the 2008 offseason when Lance Berkman was given the nickname "Big Puma" by a local sports radio talkshow. William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. They are a group of friends that are devoted Big Puma fans that dress up in puma costumes to cheer on their favorite player. [4] At games they can be found cheering on the "Conoco Home Run Porch".
Former players
Baseball Hall of Famers
- 2 Leo Durocher, MGR, 1972-73
- 2 Nellie Fox, 2B, 1964-65
- 11 Eddie Mathews, 3B, 1967
- 8 Joe Morgan, 2B, 1963-71 & 1980
- 38 Robin Roberts, P, 1965-66
- 34 Nolan Ryan, P, 1980-88
- 20 Don Sutton, P, 1981-82
- Gene Elston, play-by-play announcer, 1962-1986
- Harry Kalas, play-by-play announcer, 1965-1970
- Milo Hamilton, play-by-play announcer, 1986-present
Retired numbers
 Jeff Bagwell 1B |
 Jimmy Wynn OF |
 Jose Cruz OF |
 Jim Umbricht P |
 Mike Scott P |
 Nolan Ryan P |
 Don Wilson P |
 Larry Dierker P,M |
 Jackie Robinson - |
While not officially retired, the Astros have not reissued number 57 since 2002, when former Astros pitcher Darryl Kile died as an active player with the St. Louis Cardinals. Leo Ernest Durocher ( July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991) nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American Infielder and Jacob Nelson Fox ( December 25, 1927 – December 1, 1975) was a Major League Baseball Second baseman for the Chicago Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews ( October 13 1931 – February 18 2001) was a Hall of Fame Third baseman in Major Joe Leonard Morgan (born September 19, 1943 in Bonham Texas) is a former Major League Baseball Second baseman who was inducted into Robin Evan Roberts (born September 30 1926) is an American former Major League Baseball Starting pitcher whose years with the Philadelphia Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in Donald Howard Sutton (born April 2, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball player and current Television Sportscaster. Gene Elston (born 1922 is a former long-time Major League Baseball broadcaster primarily with the Houston Astros. Harold Norbert Kalas (born March 26, 1936) is a Hall of Fame American Sportscaster, best known for his roles as lead Play-by-play Leland Milo Hamilton (born September 2, 1927 in Fairfield Iowa) has been a Major League Baseball announcer since 1953 announcing for seven Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston James Sherman Wynn (born March 12 1942 in Hamilton Ohio) nicknamed "The Toy Cannon" is a former Center fielder in Major League José Cruz (born August 8, 1947 in Arroyo Puerto Rico) is a former Outfielder and currently the first base coach in Major League James Umbricht ( September 17, 1930 — April 8, 1964) was an American Pitcher in Major League Baseball. Michael Scott or Mike Scott may refer to People Novelists Michael Scott (novelist (1789-1835 Scottish Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in Donald (or Don) Wilson might refer to Donald Wilson (writer and producer Don Wilson (actor Lawrence Edward Dierker (born September 22 1946, in Hollywood California) is a former Pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31 1919 – October 24 1972 was a Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Darryl Andrew Kile ( December 2 1968 – June 22 2002) born in Garden Grove California, was an American right-handed The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St
Additional players of note
Current Roster
"The Homegrown Heroes"
The Astros are unique among many major-league teams in the sense that a large portion of their roster is team-area natives. Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu /aˈbreʲu/ (nicknamed El Comedulce) (born March 11 1974 in Turmero Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Moisés Rojas Alou (usually ˈmɔɪ̪zɨs əˈluː in English, and /moiˈses alˈou/ in Spanish; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta Georgia Alan Dean Ashby (born July 8, 1951 in Long Beach California) is a former Catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Robert Thomas Aspromonte - Born June 19 1938 in Brooklyn New York is a former Utility player who had a 13 year career in 1956 and from 1960 to 1971 Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball First baseman, who spent his entire career with the Houston Kevin Charles Bass (born May 12, 1959 in Redwood City California) is a former Outfielder in Major League Baseball who played Derek Nathaniel Bell (born December 11, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball player Craig Alan Biggio (born December 14, 1965 in Smithtown, New York) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career John Eugene (Jack Billingham (born February 21, 1943 in Orlando Florida) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who Robert James Bruce (born May 16, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Enos Milton Cabell Jr (born October 8, 1949 in Fort Riley Kansas) is a former Third baseman and First baseman in Major League Kenneth Gene Caminiti ( April 21, 1963 – October 11, 2004) was an American Third baseman in Major League Baseball César Cedeño Encarnación (ˈsesar seˈd̪eɲo born February 25, 1951 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a former Center fielder William Roger Clemens (born August 4, 1962 in Dayton, Ohio) is an American Right-handed Pitcher in Major Miguel Angel Cuellar Santana (born May 8 1937 in Santa Clara Cuba) best known as Mike Cuellar (/ˈkweʎar/ is a former left-handed Starting Daniel Wayne "Danny" Darwin (born October 25, 1955 in Bonham, Texas) known as the "Bonham Bullet" is a former Pitcher Glenn Earl Davis (born March 28, 1961 in Jacksonville Florida) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball who played with James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960 in Massena New York) is a former left-handed Starting pitcher. Frank Michael DiPino (born October 22, 1956 in Syracuse New York) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the William Donald Doran (born May 28, 1958 in Cincinnati Ohio) is a former Second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1982 Octavio Eduardo Dotel (born November 25, 1973 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Pitcher for the Chicago White Carl Edward Everett III (born June 3, 1971 in Tampa Florida) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder currently playing for the Richard Joseph Farrell ( April 8 1934 - June 10 1977) was an American right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball Steven Allen Finley (born March 12, 1965, in Union City Tennessee) is a former Major League Baseball Outfielder. Kenneth Roth (Ken Forsch (born September 8 1946 in Sacramento California) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball with Dave Giusti (born November 27, 1939, Seneca Falls, New York) was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 to 1977 Fred Earl Gladding (Born June 28, 1936 in Flat Rock Michigan) is a former professional Baseball player. Luis Gonzalez may refer to Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, Major League Baseball player for the Florida Marlins Luis González (infielder Thomas James Griffin ( February 22, 1948 in Los Angeles California) is a former professional baseball player who played Pitcher in the Major Michael William Hampton (born September 9, 1972 in Brooksville Florida) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher who plays Peter Thomas Harnisch (born September 23 1966 in Commack New York) is a former right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball who Arthur Henry Howe Jr (born December 15, 1946 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania) is a former Infielder, coach, scout and Ken Johnson or Kenneth Johnson is a name shared by the following individuals Sports personalities Ken Johnson (left-handed pitcher (1923&ndash2004 For other people named Randy Johnson see Randy Johnson (disambiguation Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963 in Douglas Reid Jones (born June 24 1957 in Lebanon Indiana) is a former Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who had a 16-year career Todd Barton Jones (born April 24, 1968 in Marietta Georgia) is a former Relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Robert Wesley Knepper (born May 24 1954 in Akron Ohio) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1976 Darryl Andrew Kile ( December 2 1968 – June 22 2002) born in Garden Grove California, was an American right-handed Frank Joseph LaCorte ( October 13, 1951 in San Jose California) is a retired professional baseball player who played Pitcher in the Major Leagues Mark Lemongello ( July 21, 1955 in Jersey City New Jersey) is a retired professional baseball player who played Pitcher in the Major Leagues Robert Perry Lillis (born June 2, 1930, in Altadena California) is a retired American Infielder, manager, coach José Desiderio Rodriguez Lima (aka " Lima Time " (born September 30, 1972 in Santiago Dominican Republic) is a right-handed Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago Indiana) is a veteran Major League Baseball Outfielder. Lee Andrew May (born March 23 1943 in Birmingham Alabama) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball. John Claiborn Mayberry (born February 18, 1949, in Detroit Michigan) is a 1967 graduate of Northwestern High School, and former Roman Mejias ( August 9, 1930 in Abreus Cuba) was a former professional baseball player who played Outfielder in the Major Leagues from 1955-1965 Denis John Menke (born July 21, 1940 in Algona Iowa) was a Baseball Infielder who had a 13-year career from 1962 to 1974 Roger Henry Metzger (born October 10 1947 in Fredericksburg Texas) was a Shortstop for the Chicago Cubs (1970 Houston Astros Wade Miller (born September 13, 1976 in Reading Pennsylvania) is a Major League Baseball Starting pitcher who is currently Phillip Joseph Nevin (born January 19, 1971 in Fullerton California) is a former Major League Baseball player Joseph Franklin Niekro ( November 7 1944 &ndash October 27 2006) was an American Starting pitcher in Major League Donald Edward Nottebart ( January 23 1936 &ndash October 4 2007) was an American right-handed Pitcher in Major Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the Mark Steven Portugal (born October 30, 1962 in Los Angeles California) is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from Terry Stephen Puhl (born July 8, 1956 in Melville Saskatchewan, Canada) is a former professional Baseball player Douglas Lee Rader (born July 30, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) nicknamed "The Red Rooster" is a former Third baseman in James Francis Ray ( December 1, 1944 in Rock Hill South Carolina) is a retired professional baseball player who played Pitcher in the Major Gordon Craig Reynolds (born December 27, 1952 in Houston Texas) is a former Shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Richard Shane Reynolds (born March 26, 1968 in Bastrop Louisiana) is a former Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played Karl Derrick "Tuffy" Rhodes (born August 21 1968 in Cincinnati Ohio) is a professional baseball player currently playing his 11th season James Rodney Richard (born March 7 1950 is a former right-handed All-Star Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career from Vernon Gerald Ruhle ( January 25 1951 - January 20 2007) was an American right-handed Pitcher and coach in Joseph Charles (Joe Sambito (born June 28, 1952 in Brooklyn New York) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for For the Dominican -born Major League Baseball player born Johan Santana see Ervin Santana. Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14 1966 in) is an American Major League Baseball Pitcher. Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub (born April 1, 1944 in New Orleans Louisiana) was a Major League Baseball player for 23 seasons (1963–1985 Forest Gregory Swindell (born January 2 1965 in Fort Worth Texas) is a former left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball who had William "Billy" Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Tannersville, Virginia) is an American professional Baseball Dennis Martin Walling (born April 17 1954 in Neptune New Jersey) is a 6′1″ 185 lb Robert Jose Watson (born April 10 1946 in Los Angeles California) is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball for Mitch Williams redirects here For the fictional character please see Mitch Williams (General Hospital. Brandon Allen Backe (born April 5, 1978 in Galveston Texas) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Sean Carl Anthony Chacón (born on December 23, 1977 in Anchorage, Alaska) is a Major League Pitcher, and is currently Brian Merritt Moehler (born December 31, 1971 in Rockingham North Carolina) is a Starting pitcher with the Houston Astros. Roy Edward Oswalt (ˈoʊzwɑːlt (born August 29, 1977 in Weir Mississippi) is an American Major League Baseball player who debuted Wandy E Rodríguez (born January 18, 1979) is a Pitcher for the Houston Astros. Douglas Keith Brocail (born May 16 1967 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania) is an American professional Baseball player who pitched for the Timothy Christopher Byrdak (born October 31, 1973 in Oak Lawn Illinois) is a Major League Baseball Relief pitcher for the Geoffrey Michael Geary (born August 26, 1976, in Buffalo, New York) is a Right-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball Christopher Keith Sampson (born May 23, 1978 in Channelview Texas, United States is a right-handed Major League Pitcher for José Rafael Valverde (born July 24, 1979 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a Pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Óscar Eduardo Villarreal (born November 22, 1981 in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico) is a Major League Baseball Dequam LaWesley Wright (born January 28, 1985 in) is a Major league baseball Relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. Bradley David Ausmus (born April 14 1969) is an American Catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Houston Astros Humberto Quintero kin-TAY-ro (born August 2, 1979 in Maracaibo Zulia State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball Catcher William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Geoffrey Edward Blum (born April 26, 1973 in Redwood City California) is an Infielder for the Houston Astros. Mark David Loretta (born August 14 1971 in Santa Monica, California) is a Second baseman and Shortstop in Major League (born October 23, 1975 in Higashiōsaka Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese Major League Baseball Second baseman for the Miguel Odalis Tejada (born Miguel Odalis Tejeda on May 25 1974 Ty Allen Wigginton (born October 11, 1977 in San Diego California) is a Third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Houston Reginald Damascus Abercrombie (born July 15, 1981 in Columbus Georgia) is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Houston Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982, in Houston Texas) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4 1974 in Jamestown North Dakota) is an Outfielder / First baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League Carlos Noriel Lee (born June 20, 1976 in Aguadulce, Panama) is a Left fielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Hunter Andrew Pence (born April 13, 1983, in Arlington Texas) is a Major league Outfielder with the Houston Astros. Joseph Buren "Jack" Cassel (born August 8, 1980 in Northridge California) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher who is currently Samuel Gervacio (born January 10, 1985 in Sabana de la Mar, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for Ryan Kristopher Houston (born 22 September 1979) is an American baseball Pitcher in the Houston Astros organization Fernando Alexis Nieve (born July 15, 1982 in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela) is a Pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays Felipe A Paulino Del Guidice (born October 5, 1983 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher Chad K Reineke (born April 9, 1982 in) is a Major League Baseball Pitcher for the San Diego Padres. Justin Richard Towles (born February 11, 1984 in Crosby, Texas) is a Major League Baseball Catcher for the Houston Yordany Antonio Ramírez (born July 31, 1984 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic) is an Outfielder in the Houston Astros Cecil Celester Cooper (born December 20 1949 in Brenham Texas) nicknamed "Coop" is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball John Mark Bailey (born November 4, 1961 in Springfield Missouri, United States is a former Catcher in Major League Baseball Sean Berry (born March 22, 1966 in Santa Monica, California) is a former Major League Baseball player who served primarily as José Cruz (born August 8, 1947 in Arroyo Puerto Rico) is a former Outfielder and currently the first base coach in Major League Edgardo Ralph (Rivera Romero (born December 9, 1957 in Santurce Puerto Rico) was an Infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers (1977 1980-85 and Jackie Spencer Moore (born February 19, 1939 in Jay Florida, United States) is a coach for the Houston Astros and a former Dewey Robinson (born April 28, 1955 in Evanston Illinois) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball and current pitching coach 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1099 - The First Crusade: The Siege of Jerusalem begins Even Hall-of-Famer Nolan Ryan, whose number was retired by the Astros, was raised in the Houston suburb of Alvin since he was six-months old. Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr (born January 31, 1947 in Refugio, Texas) is a retired American Right-handed Pitcher in A list of several current Astros that hail from the immediate Houston area includes:
- Brandon Backe (Galveston)
- Michael Bourn (Houston)
- J. R. Towles (Crosby)
- Chris Sampson (Pasadena)
Several other Astros are native to Texas. Brandon Allen Backe (born April 5, 1978 in Galveston Texas) is a Starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston "Galveston" redirects here For the town in the US state of Indiana see Galveston Indiana. Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982, in Houston Texas) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Justin Richard Towles (born February 11, 1984 in Crosby, Texas) is a Major League Baseball Catcher for the Houston Crosby is a Census-designated place (CDP in Harris County, Texas, United States. Christopher Keith Sampson (born May 23, 1978 in Channelview Texas, United States is a right-handed Major League Pitcher for Pasadena ( is a City south of Houston in Harris County Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area These players include:
- Lance Berkman (Waco, Texas; played at Rice University)
- Cecil Cooper (Brenham, Texas)
- Hunter Pence (Fort Worth, Texas)
Minor league affiliations
- AAA: Round Rock Express, Pacific Coast League
- AA: Corpus Christi Hooks, Texas League
- Advanced A: Salem Avalanche, Carolina League
- A: Lexington Legends, South Atlantic League (North)
- Short A: Tri-City ValleyCats, New York - Penn League (Stedler)
- Rookie: Greeneville Astros, Appalachian League (West)
Radio and television
As of 2006, the Astros' flagship radio station is KTRH, 740AM. William Lance "The Big Puma" Berkman (born February 10, 1976 in) is a Major League Baseball player for the Houston Astros. Waco (ˈweɪkoʊ is a city in and the County seat of McLennan County, Texas. William Marsh Rice University (commonly called Rice University and opened in 1912 as The William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Letters Science and Art Cecil Celester Cooper (born December 20 1949 in Brenham Texas) nicknamed "Coop" is a former First baseman in Major League Baseball Brenham is a city in central Texas in Washington County, Texas, United States, with a population of 13507 according to the 2000 census Hunter Andrew Pence (born April 13, 1983, in Arlington Texas) is a Major league Outfielder with the Houston Astros. Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. The Round Rock Express is a Minor league baseball franchise based in Round Rock Texas. The Pacific Coast League (PCL is a Minor league baseball league operating in the West and Midwest of the United States. The Corpus Christi Hooks are a Minor league baseball team that plays in the Texas League as the Class AA affiliate of the Houston Astros The Texas League is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. The Salem Avalanche are a Minor league baseball team in Salem Virginia, USA, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke Virginia. The Carolina League is a Minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic region of the United States. The Lexington Legends, who play in Lexington Kentucky, are a Class A Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros, in the South The South Atlantic League or "Sally League" is a Minor league baseball League which operates mostly in the Southeastern United States, The Tri-City ValleyCats are a Minor league baseball team based in Troy New York. The New York - Penn League is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. The Greeneville Astros are a Minor league Baseball team in Greeneville, Tennessee, USA. The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956 Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. KTRH 740 AM is a news-talk radio station in the Houston Texas metropolitan area Milo Hamilton, a veteran voice who was on the call for Hank Aaron's 715th career home run in 1974, is the current play-by-play announcer for home games. Leland Milo Hamilton (born September 2, 1927 in Fairfield Iowa) has been a Major League Baseball announcer since 1953 announcing for seven Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (born February 5 1934 in Mobile Alabama) nicknamed "Hammer" "Hammerin' Hank” or "Bad Henry” is a retired Champions Major League Baseball 1974 World Series: Oakland Athletics over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-1 Rollie Fingers Play-by-play, in Broadcasting, is a North American term and means the reporting of a Sporting event with a Voiceover describing the details of the action Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond share play-by play duty for road games, while Raymond additionally works as Hamilton's color analyst.
Spanish language radio play-by-play is handled by Francisco Romero, and his play-by-play partner is Alex Treviño, a former backup catcher for the club. Alejandro (Castro Treviño (born August 26 1957 Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) is a former Catcher Trevino played 13
Television coverage is mainly on FSN Houston (a subfeed of FSN Southwest), although some games are on My Network TV affiliate KTXH, with the games produced by FSN Houston. FSN Southwest is a regional cable sports network that operates in all or parts of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas MyNetworkTV (unofficially abbreviated MyNet or MNT) is a Television network in the United States, owned by the Fox Broadcasting Company KTXH, channel 20 is a MyNetworkTV -affiliated television station in Houston Texas. Bill Brown and Jim Deshaies compose the broadcast team on TV. Bill Brown is a baseball announcer who has been with the Houston Astros since 1987 James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960 in Massena New York) is a former left-handed Starting pitcher.
External links
- Houston Astros official web site
- Houston Astros news from the Houston Chronicle
- Astros team page on Baseball-Reference.com
- Astros Point - Your Houston Astros Online Home
- The Daily Astros Update
| Preceded by St. Louis Cardinals 2004 |
National League Champions Houston Astros 2005 |
Succeeded by St. Louis Cardinals 2006 |
References
- ^ American History: A Stitch in Time
- ^ For lists of all National League pennant winners see National League pennant winners 1901-68, and National League Championship Series
- ^ http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070523&content_id=1981054&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou 'Los Caballitos' riding high in Houston]
- ^ The Little Pumas
- Houston Astros Official Website
- A Six-Gun Salute: An Illustrated History of the Houston Colt . The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The National League Championship Series was a Major League Baseball playoff series played from October 13 to 21 to determine the champion of the National The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2005 National League playoffs matched the Central Division champion and defending The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The National League Championship Series ( NLCS) the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs began on October 12 and ended on 45s, by Robert Reed (Rowman-Littlefield Publishing, Boston, 1999)
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|---|---|
| Baseball | MLB: Houston Astros, CBL: Bay Area Toros |
| Basketball | NBA: Houston Rockets, WNBA: Houston Comets, ABA: Houston Takers |
| Football | NFL: Houston Texans, IFL: Katy Ruff Riders, af2: Texas Copperheads, APFL: Conroe Storm, NAFL: Houston Sharks, Montgomery County Bulls, Bay Area Gamblers, IIFA: Harris County Militia, Galveston Tidalwave, WPFL: Houston Energy |
| Australian Rules Football | USAFL: Houston Lonestars |
| Soccer | MLS: Houston Dynamo, PDL: Houston Leones |
| Hockey | AHL: Houston Aeros |
| Tennis | WTT: Houston Wranglers |
| College athletics (NCAA Division I) |
Houston Cougars • Houston Baptist Huskies • Prairie View A&M Panthers • Rice Owls • Texas Southern Tigers |
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