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Houston
Astros Baseball Team History |
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The Houston Astros
played their first game as the Houston Colts .45s against the Chicago
Cubs on April 10, 1962, winning with a margin of 11-2. The Houston
Colts .45s changed their name to the Astros when they started playing
in the Houston Astrodome. On October 17th, 1960, Judge Roy Hofheinz
and the ownership group from Houston is awarded a franchise in the
ten-team National League, called the Houston Colt .45s. The franchise's
first decade displayed some great hitters Joe Morgan, Jimmy Wynn and
many great pitchers Bob Bruce, Ken Johnson, Mike Cuellar, Don Wilson,
Larry Dierker, Dave Guisti, Denny LeMaster. Astros finish in second
place in 1972, with their best record ever (84-69)...Jerry Reuss and
Larry Dierker hurl back-to-back one hitters on June 18 against Philadelphia
and June 19 vs. New York, respectively. Cesar Cedeno hits for the
cycle on August 2 vs. the Reds. 1975 was a good year for future Astros
management. Former General Manager Bob Watson leads the Astros with
a .324 average, 157 hits and 85 RBI, while former manager Larry Dierker
leads the staff with 14 wins. In 1980 the Houston Astros claimed it's
first title win, in the National League West Division with a 93-70
record, defeating Los Angeles in a one-game playoff. After struggling
to an 0-9 start in 1983, the Astros rebound with one of their finest
seasons. Houston finishes at 85-77, the third-highest win total in
club history. Jose Cruz battles for National League batting title
to last day and finishes third. Nolan Ryan surpasses Walter Johnson's
all-time strikeout mark. Jeff is a right-handed batsman and thrower
and is taken as one of the more powerful hitters of major leagues.
His career batting average is an even .300, with 419 homers, 1421
RBI, and a slugging percentage of .549. The Houston Astros is a Major
League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. They are among the six
teams in the Central Division of the National League (NL). Houston
Astros wear uniforms of color white, gray, black, and silver. Their
logo design comprises of a red five-pointed star with the word "Astros'
below it in script. Houston Astros have won seven Division titles
in 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001. In 2004 the Astros
took the National League wild card title and subsequently beat the
Atlanta Braves in 5 games in the National League Division Series to
advance to the National League Championship Series for the third time
(they were previously in the NLCS in 1980 & 1986 respectively),
where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games. Houston Astros
baseball Hall of Famers are; Joe Morgan, Robin Roberts, Nolan Ryan,
Don Sutton. The following are retired numbers for Astros players;
#32 worn by Jim Umbricht, #33 belonging to Mike Scott, #34 worn by
Nolan Ryan, #40 belonging to Don Wilson, #42 worn by Jackie Robinson
and retired throughout baseball, #49 worn Larry Dierker and #25 belonging
to Jose Cruz Sr.
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