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Houston Astros Team Page

Team Name: Houston Astros Hometown: Houston, Texas National League » Team History     » Team Schedule

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2008 Houston Astros Schedule

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Houston Astros History

Subsequent to the Giants and Dodgers leaving for California, an abortive attempt was made to start a third Major League. It was to be called the Continental League. 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 executive committee, a syndicate of local businessmen dedicated to bringing a pro baseball team to southeastern Texas. Cullinan's group consisted of George Kirksey, Judge Roy Hofheinz, Robert E. "Bob" Smith, and Kenneth S. "Bud" Adams. On October 17, 1960, Houston was awarded a franchise in the ten-team National Leagueand was to play in the west division. The team was to be named the Houston Colt .45s,in honor of The Gun That Won the West, 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.C. (a new Washington Senators franchise to replace the team that had left D.C. to become the Minnesota Twins the same year). 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.

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. 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 1.000 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. Stricken with cancer, Umbricht would pass away on April 8, 1964. His number 32 was the first jersey number retired by the Astros. Ken Johnson became the first Major Leaguer to lose a nine-inning no-hitter on April 23, 1964 with a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The franchise's first decade displayed some great hitters (for example, Joe Morgan, Jimmy Wynn) and many great pitchers (for example, Bob Bruce, Ken Johnson, Mike Cuellar, Don Wilson, Larry Dierker, Dave Giusti, and Denny LeMaster.)

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. By May of 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. 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. On June 28, second baseman Craig Biggio became the 27th player to accrue 3000 career hits. 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. 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). 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. 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. On August 26, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell's number 5 was officially retired after a 15 year career with the Astros. On August 27, manager Phil Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura were relieved of their duties. Cecil Cooper and Tal Smith were named as interim replacements, respectively. On September 17, in a 6-0 loss to the Brewers the Astros were officially eliminated from the 2007 playoffs.

On September 20, Ed Wade was named as the new General Manager of the Astros. He made his first move as GM by trading Jason Lane to the Padres on September 24. On September 30, Craig Biggio retired, ending a 20-year career with the Astros. 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. Also UTIL Mark Loretta accepts Houston's salary arbitration. On November 30, the Astros and 2B Kazuo Matsui finalized a $16.5 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. On December 14, the Astros trade INF Chris Burke, RHP Juan Gutierrez, RHP Chad Qualls to the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Jose Valverde. On December 27, the Astros came to terms on a deal with All-star, Gold Glove winner Darin Erstad.

Information excerpted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Astros. All Rights Reserved.

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