Current honorary NL President William Y. Giles presented the league champion Astros with the Warren C. Giles Trophy. Lee later quipped to the newsmedia that "he had hit a walk-off grand slam and he got second billing", considering Biggio's achievement. In later seasons, the name came to include other Astros, especially Lance Berkman.[52]. [25] In May 1979, New Jersey shipping tycoon John McMullen had agreed to buy the Astros. In 1985, Mike Scott learned a new pitch, the split-finger fastball. Crane also attempted to buy the Chicago Cubs in 2008 and the Texas Rangers during their 2010 bankruptcy auction. This marked three consecutive years that the Astros had lost more than 100 games in a single season. During the summer of 2011, a frustrated Crane hinted that the delays might threaten the deal. Ultimately, the strike would help the Astros get into the playoffs. Given MLB's refusal to consider expansion, Kirksey, Cullinan, Smith, and Hofheinz joined forces with would-be owners from other cities and announced the formation of a new league to compete with the established National and American Leagues. On the other side of the roster, the Astros would start without Kazuo Matsui, who was on a minor league rehab assignment after a spring training injury. 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. Many teams were going away from the traditional uniform and the Astros were no exception. On July 30, the Astros picked up Mike Fiers and Carlos Gómez from the Milwaukee Brewers. Wilson's no-hitter lit the Astros' fire after a miserable month of April, and six days later the team tied a major league record by turning seven double plays in a game. They bounced back to first with a ten-game winning streak, but the Dodgers had regained a two-game lead when they arrived in Houston on September 9. The stadium was to feature a retractable roof, a particularly useful feature with unpredictable Houston weather. Nolan Ryan and Bob Knepper picked up steam in the second half of the season. Houston voters, having already lost the Houston Oilers in a similar situation, responded positively via a stadium referendum and the Astros stayed put. Houston took a 5–2 lead in the seventh, however the Phillies came back with five runs in the inning. 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. Not to be outdone, Menke batted .304 and Jesús Alou batted .306. By May's end, the Astros had put together a ten-game winning streak. Having been defeated by Boston the following year in the 2018 ALCS, the Astros returned to the World Series in 2019, losing to the Washington Nationals in seven games despite putting together a franchise-best regular season. The Astros bought Niekro from the Braves for almost nothing. In the top of the 15th inning, Roger Clemens made only his second career relief appearance, pitching three shutout innings, notably striking out Julio Franco, at the time the oldest player in the MLB at 47 years old; Clemens was himself 43. The Houston Astros have reached a status in baseball that few do: They have become a superteam.. The Houston infield tandem of Menke and Joe Morgan continued to improve, providing power at the plate and great defense. He breaks down tonight's loaded card , @ZachRymer highlights each MLB squad's one reason to hope so far this season , Matt Young, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle. However, they lost the 2019 World Series to the Washington Nationals in seven games, taking three games in Washington but losing all four of their games at home. 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 many Astros fans. [84] On September 22, the Astros clinched their third consecutive AL West division title. They finished 101–61, with a 21-game lead in the division, and faced the Red Sox in the first round of the AL playoffs. Biggio needed three hits to reach 3,000 and on that night he had five hits. The Astros won the ALCS four games to three, and advanced to the World Series to play against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros enjoyed a 46–26 record in the second half of the season under Garner and earned the NL wild card spot. Houston Astros Hats, Astros Caps MLB Shop is fully stocked with officially licensed Astros hats available in a variety of styles from the best brands to fit every fan. Houston Astros -- the dish for Houston's Major League Baseball fans. The Mets would score a total of three runs in the inning to take what appeared an insurmountable 7–4 lead. The colors were inspired by the location of their new ballpark which formerly housed a railroad depot. The Reds won more games than any other team in the National League, but they won neither half of the strike-divided season. Niekro had bounced around the big leagues with minimal success. The Astros lost the first game in St. Louis, but would win the next three games, with Roy Oswalt getting the win. The Astros got off to a slow start and the pitching and hitting averages were down. With the $38 million deficit of the Astrodome, control of the Astrodomain (including the Astros)[30] was passed from Roy Hofheinz to GE Credit and Ford Motor Credit. Screengrab courtesy of Jacob Rascon via KPRC2. Get the latest Houston Astros news, photos, rankings, lists and more on Bleacher Report [78] Verlander won each of his 5 regular season starts with the Astros, yielding only 4 runs over this stretch. This game remained scoreless for the next eight innings. After many years of coming up short in the postseason, the Astros finally made their first World Series appearance in 2005 as an NL team, only to be swept by the Chicago White Sox. The trade left Astros fans and the baseball world scratching their heads as to why General Manager Spec Richardson would give up so much for so little. The team looked good on paper, but could not make it work on the field. [32], Renamed the Astros and moving to the Astrodome in 1965, they took to the field in home uniforms featuring the "shooting star" design. The midnight blue cap featured the flying star logo. He had suffered a stroke after a blood clot in the arm apparently moved to his neck and cut off blood flow to the brain. Second baseman José Altuve remained the star of the Astros' offense. For the 2014 season the team went 70–92, finishing 28 games back of the division winner Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and placing fourth in the AL West over the Texas Rangers. The contributions of the other starters—Brandon Backe (10–8, 4.76) and rookie starters Ezequiel Astacio (3–6, 5.67) and Wandy Rodríguez (10–10, 5.53)—were less remarkable, but enough to push the Astros into position for a playoff run. They had an off year in 1971, but were the National League Pennant winner in 1972. [60] Crane came under scrutiny because of previous allegations of discriminatory hiring practices regarding women and minorities, among other issues. The official website of the Houston Astros with the most up-to-date information on scores, schedule, stats, tickets, and team news. Created by Ed Henderson, Chester Charge was a Texas cavalry soldier on a horse. With Judge Roy Hofheinz now the sole owner of the franchise and the new venue complete, the renamed Astros moved into their new domed stadium, the Astrodome, in 1965. [62], On November 15, 2011, it was announced that Crane had agreed to move the franchise to the American League for the 2013 season. Glenn Davis was traded to Baltimore for Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley in 1990. [71]. In his first move, he traded Jason Lane to the Padres on September 24. Wynn set club records with 37 home runs, and 107 RBIs. Although most players for the major league franchise were obtained through the 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Buffs players J.C. Hartman, Pidge Browne, Jim Campbell, Ron Davis, Dave Giusti, and Dave Roberts were chosen to continue as major league ball players. In that game, he struck out 18 batters, tying what was then the all-time single-game mark. Biggio would become the everyday catcher by 1990. By 1987, this uniform became the Astros' primary look, retiring the original rainbow uniforms. [110], In April 1977, the Houston Astros introduced their first mascot, Chester Charge. The Astros moved to a new stadium called Minute Maid Park in 2000.[6]. [22] As the season came to a close, the Astros found themselves again in ninth place and with a winning percentage below .500. [63] Two days later, the Astros were officially sold to Crane after the other owners unanimously voted in favor of the sale. The first team was formed mostly through an expansion draft after the 1961 season. In the end, Taveras continued to develop and Hirsh had a strong 2007 rookie campaign, while Jennings was often injured and generally ineffective. With new manager Grady Hatton, the Astros started the 1966 season strong. [16] Umbricht was the only Colt .45s pitcher to post a winning record in Houston's first two seasons. 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. Black caps with the updated star in red became the primary cap while a red cap with the sand star was used as an alternate. On July 30, 2011, the Astros traded OF Hunter Pence, the team's 2010 leader in home runs, to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Astros won the 2017 World Series, their first championship, against the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. MLB and Commissioner Bud Selig insisted that the Astros must play with the roof open, which mitigated the intensity and enthusiasm of the cheering Astros fans.[54]. On November 16, 2017, José Altuve was named the American League Most Valuable Player, capping off a season in which he accumulated 200 hits for the fourth consecutive season, led the majors with a .346 BA, and was the unquestioned clubhouse leader of the World Series champions. The two biggest moves the Astros made in the offseason were the acquisitions of Joe Niekro and José Cruz. [33] Cabell would go on to become a big part of the team's success in later years. [32][25], Two awards are presented each year, one to a Houston Astro and one to a St. Louis Cardinal, each of whom exemplifies Kile's virtues of being "a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man." [108] On September 27, 2013 CSN Houston filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and surprising the Astros who own the largest stake. It said Hinch "neither devised the banging scheme nor participated in it," but did not stop it or tell Cora he disapproved of it. The Astros won the first two games of that series and the two teams were tied for the division lead. The scandal rippled through the baseball world as internet sports personality Jomboy published videos that appeared to clearly show the scheme. The one-year deal included unique conditions, such as the option for Clemens to stay home in Houston on select road trips when he wasn't scheduled to pitch. The Astros were out of pennant contention by August and began rebuilding for the near future. In the bottom of the tenth inning, Luke Scott hit a blast to left field that had home run distance, but was inches foul. 1980–1985: More rainbow, and seasons on the brink, 1986–1990: A deep run, and building for the future, 2010–2014: Last years in the NL and move to the AL West, 2015–present: First World Series title and sign stealing scandal, 1975–1986: Tequila sunrise/Orange rainbows, The team's official colors are blue and orange, according to the team's mascot (, 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Houston Astros award winners and league leaders, Houston Astros award winners and league leaders § Darryl Kile Award, List of Major League Baseball retired numbers, List of Houston Astros minor league affiliates, "With new uniforms, Astros go back to the future", "Sale of Astros to Jim Crane, move to American League in 2013 approved", "Astros Headed to American League as New Team Owner Approved", "Houston Astros Team History & Encyclopedia", "Russell Drops Plans to Buy Buff Franchise", "New York-Houston Get National Franchises", "Houston Will Get Emphasis, Paul Declares", "Astros out to make history their history", "April 10, 1962 Chicago Cubs at Houston Colt .45's Play by Play and Box Score", "Jim Umbricht, Colts pitcher, dies of cancer", "Offseason blockbusters: November (Part two: 1966–1981)", "Lee May Baseball Stats, facts, biography, images and video", "McLane era represents Astros' most stable ownership", "Interview – Tal Smith – Pres. [9] The 1964 campaign began on a sad note, as relief pitcher Jim Umbricht died of cancer at the age of 33 on April 8, just before Opening Day. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one year, the team would be fined $5 million (the maximum allowed under MLB rules), and the team would lose its top two draft picks in both the 2020 and 2021 MLB Drafts. The season was marked by the Astros 4–15 record against their in-state division rival (and eventual division winner) Texas Rangers. Washington’s Nationals and the Houston Astros meet up in Grapefruit League action with Stephen Strasburg on the old bump at 1:05 PM ET. Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan shared play-by play duty for road games, while Raymond additionally worked as Hamilton's color analyst (while Hamilton called home games only for the past few seasons before his retirement); they were not retained and instead brought in Robert Ford and Steve Sparks to begin broadcasting for the 2013 season.[107]. 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