ASTROS HISTORY

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.