Houston Colts .45s
The Houston Astros joined Major League Baseball in 1962 as the Houston Colt 45's. They were founded during the National League's first expansion of the modern, ten team/two league structure (the New York Mets were the other team). A conglomeration of local business people headed by Judge Roy Hofheinz, won the rights to build a baseball franchise in Houston. The team was originally founded as the Houston Colt 45’s, but in 1965 the name was changed to the Houston Astros.
Houston Astros
Along with the name change, in 1965 the Houston Astros moved to a new stadium called the Harris County Domed Stadium, currently known as the Astrodome. Four years later, the Astros did something they had never done before — they finished at .500. The Astros continued to improve throughout the 1970's, finishing as high as second place in 1978. During this time, the Astros featured star players such as Jimmy "The Toy Cannon" Wynn, a young Joe Morgan, Cesar Cedeno and Bob Watson. The talented pitching staff included Mike Cuellar, Don Wilson, Larry Dierker, Dave Giusti and Nolan Ryan.
In 2000, Houston moved to Enron Field (Minute Maid Park as of 2002), a hitter-friendly ballpark, and attracted nearly 3 million fans despite missing a post-season berth. They came back to win the Central Division in 2001 on the last day of the season. First baseman Jeff Bagwell had 30 home runs, 100 RBI’s, and scored 100 runs for his sixth straight season. However, like every other post-season, the Astros could not get out of the first round of the playoffs.
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball Championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series. After losing the 2005 World Series, the Astros attempted to strengthen their roster for the 2006 season, drafting catcher Maxwell Sapp, and hitter Aubrey Huff. After starting strong, the team went into a losing slump in last two weeks of the season and failed to reach the playoffs.
The Astros made several personnel changes that season, signing Woody Williams and Carlos Lee, and releasing Jeff Bagwell. Ace pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte filed for free agency, with Pettitte later signing with the New York Yankees for an extraordinary $16 million. To the Astros fans pleasure, the Astros renewed Craig Biggio's contract for one more year at a whopping $5.15 million.
Hall of Fame
While there has yet to be an Astros player to go into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an Astros, two Astros announcers have been honored and inducted into Cooperstown. Even though broadcasters are not eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, the following men were honored with the Hall's Ford C. Frick Award, a lifetime achievement award that is baseball broadcasting's highest honor.
· Gene Elston
· Milo Hamilton
Current Active Roster
Pitchers:
Evan Englebrook
Jeff Fulchino
Samuel Gervacio
Matt Lindstrom
Fernando Abad
Alberto Arias
Yorman Bazardo
Tim Byrdak
Wilton Lopez
Brandon Lyon
Felipe Paulino
Wandy Rodriguez
Chris Sampson
Polin Trinidad
Jose G. Valdez
Henry Villar
Wesley Wright
Brain Moehler
Brett Myers
Matt Nevarez
Bud Norris
Roy Oswalt
Catchers:
J.R. Towles
Humberto Quintero
Infielders:
Lance Berkman
Edwin Maysonet
Wladimir Sutil
Chris Johnson
Geoff Blum
Pedro Feliz
Kazuo Matsui
Jeff Keppinger
Tommy Manzella
Jose Vallejo
Outfileders:
Michael Bourn
Hunter Pence
Brian Boguesvic
Yordany Ramirez
Carlos Lee
Jason MIcahaels
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