What is the history of the Houston Astros?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas that competes in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Astros are a member of the MLB's American League, having moved from the National League in 2013.
What League are the Astros in?
The Astros are a member of the MLB's American League, having moved from the National League in 2013. The Astros are one of two MLB teams based out of Texas, the other being the Texas Rangers.
How many World Series have the Astros won in Houston?
The team has played in three ballparks in Houston, Colt .45 Stadium (1962–1964), the Astrodome (1965–1999), and, currently, Minute Maid Park (2000–), a stadium with a retractable roof. The Astros hold one World Series title and four pennants (one in the National League and three in the American League ).
How many all-star players have the Astros had in franchise history?
The Astros had six players in the All-Star Game, which was the most in franchise history – second baseman José Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder George Springer and pitchers Chris Devenski, Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr. Altuve was named the AL MVP, joining Jeff Bagwell as the only MVP winners in club history.
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Why did Colt 45s change name to Astros?
Houston colt .45sHouston Astros / Former name
When did the Astros become a major league team?
1962Houston Astros / Founded
How long have the Astros been in Houston?
Between 1962 and 1964, the team was known as the Houston Colt .45s. In 1965, the team changed their name to the Houston Astros.
How much is the Astros franchise worth?
CompositionTeamValueSportHouston Astros$1.98 billion$0.538 billionToronto Blue Jays$1.78 billion$0.782 billionChicago White Sox$1.76 billion$0.720 billionSeattle Mariners$1.7 billion$0.586 billion26 more rows
What is America's oldest baseball team?
The Cincinnati Red Stockings made their mark as the first openly professional baseball club in 1869. Members of the team would go on to form a club that still plays ball today, the Atlanta Braves.
Which MLB team has the oldest stadium?
Fenway Park Boston's professional baseball stadium is home to the infamous Green Monster. That's the nickname for the nearly 40-foot-high left-field wall in Fenway Park, the oldest major league ballpark still in use by a professional team. The Boston Red Sox have called Fenway home since it opened in 1912.
What is the newest MLB team?
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Arizona Diamondbacks are the current youngest MLB teams as they were both established in 1998. While the former plays in the East Division and is based in St.
What is Astros short for?
The history behind the Astros' team name HOUSTON -- A move to the space-age Astrodome meant the local baseball team deserved a space-age nickname, too. Thus the Astros were born, replacing the Colt .
What were the Astros called before 1965?
The team began with the name of the Colt . 45s in 1962 and changed their name to the Astros in 1965 when they began playing in the Astrodome. The team has played in three ballparks in Houston: Colt Stadium (1962–1964), the Astrodome (1965–1999), and Minute Maid Park (2000–), a stadium with a retractable roof.
Who is the richest MLB player?
Go To SectionRankNameNet Worth1Alex Rodriguez$300 Million2Derek Jeter$185 Million3CC Sabathia$155 Million4Albert Pujols$140 Million21 more rows
What is the smallest market MLB team?
The Milwaukee Brewers are the smallest market MLB team with a market size of 1,689,572 people. Despite their size, the Brewers boast a loyal fanbase and a competitive squad that has made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons.
Which MLB team is the most profitable?
Ranking MLB Teams With Highest Revenue Generated#No.TeamsAnnual Revenue1Los Angeles Dodgers$565 million2New York Yankees$482 million3Boston Red Sox$479 million4Atlanta Braves$443 million26 more rows•Jul 26, 2022
Why did the Astros become an American League team?
The move of the Houston Astros from the National League to the American League was long considered by MLB as a way to better balance divisions and scheduling. It allowed MLB to have three divisions in each league of five teams each.
What were the Astros called before 1965?
The team began with the name of the Colt . 45s in 1962 and changed their name to the Astros in 1965 when they began playing in the Astrodome. The team has played in three ballparks in Houston: Colt Stadium (1962–1964), the Astrodome (1965–1999), and Minute Maid Park (2000–), a stadium with a retractable roof.
Why did the Astros move from NL to AL?
The NL had 16 teams to the AL's 14 since 1998, and it was decided in advance that the Astros would switch leagues. According to The New York Times, the move occurred because of an intended desire to see the Astros and Texas Rangers have more of a rivalry.
Who was the first MLB team to integrate?
For nearly 60 years baseball was a segregated sport as the American and National Leagues that formed Major League Baseball unofficially banned African-Americans from their ranks. That all changed when Jackie Robinson stepped onto the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.
When did the Astros change their name?
On December 1, 1964, the team announced the name change from the Colt .45s to the "Astros.".
What division is Houston Astros?
The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after spending their first 51 seasons in the National League (NL).
How many games did the Astros have in the All Star Break?
The Astros entered the All-Star Break with an American League-best 60–29 record, a 16-game lead in the division, and one game shy of the best record in MLB, which had just barely slipped to the Dodgers right before the All-Star Break.
Why is the Astros number 42 retired?
Louis Cardinals. The number 42 is retired by Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson .
Why did the Astros change their colors?
Coinciding with the change in ownership, the team switched uniforms and team colors after the 1993 season in order to go for a new, more serious image. The team's trademark rainbow uniforms were retired, and the team's colors changed to midnight blue and metallic gold. The "Astros" font on the team logo was changed to a more aggressive one, and the team's traditional star logo was changed to a stylized, "flying" star with an open left end.
How many home runs did Wynn have?
Wynn set club records with 37 home runs, and 107 RBIs. It was also in 1967 that Wynn hit his famous home run onto Interstate 75 in Cincinnati. As the season came to a close, the Astros found themselves again in ninth place and with a winning percentage below .500.
When did the Astros move to Minute Maid Park?
The Astros moved to a new stadium called Minute Maid Park in 2000. The Astros played in the NL West division from 1969 to 1993, then the NL Central division from 1994 to 2012, before being moved to the AL West as part of a minor realignment in 2013.
Retired Numbers
View all player numbers on the franchise uniform history page Hold mouse over number to view name.
All-Time Top 24 Players
Please note that players may not be in the uniform of the correct team in these images.
How many seasons have the Houston Astros played?
Overview. The Houston Astros have played a total of 58 seasons. Their first season was in 1962, and their most recent season was in 2020.
When was the last time the Astros made the playoffs?
When was the last time the Astros were in the playoffs? The Houston Astros last made the playoffs in 2020, when they lost the AL Championship Series. They've been in the playoffs a total of 14 times in their 58 seasons.
How many times has the Astros won the World Series?
The Houston Astros won the World Series once, in 2017.
How many games did the Astros improve from 2013?
The Astros took a huge step forward on the field by going 70-92 in their second year in the American League, which was a 19-game improvement from 2013. While the starting rotation showed promise, the Astros improved across the board offensively thanks to big seasons from second baseman Jose Altuve and designated hitter Chris Carter and the arrival of highly touted rookie George Springer.
When did the Astros win the National League Central?
After winning their first ever National League Central crown in 1997, the Astros prepare to take the field against the Braves for their first postseason game in 11 years.
How many games did Mike Scott win?
Mike Scott becomes the fourth Houston pitcher to win 20 games and wins his second Astros MVP award...the Astros win 10 straight on the road from May 7-31 to set a club record...their 10-game winning streak from May 26 to June 4 tied another club mark...Glenn Davis hits a career-high 34 homers.
What was the Astros' average in 1975?
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 RBIs, while former manager Larry Dierker leads the staff with 14 wins.
What was the Astros' record in 2004?
A season that started with so much promise turned into a mediocre effort that resulted in a .500 record at the All-Star break, leading to the dismissal of manager Jimy Williams. Three weeks after Phil Garner took over the managerial duties, the Astros began an unprecedented 36-10 run that leapfrogged them over five teams en route to the National League Wild Card. The Astros won their first postseason series in franchise history when they topped the Atlanta Braves, three games to two, in the Division Series. Despite being decimated by injuries that left them with only two proven starters -- Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens (who won his seventh Cy Young Award) -- the Astros received valiant efforts from a slew of players who helped lead the team to the seventh game of the National League Championship Series. The Astros' historic run ended with a 5-2 Game 7 loss to the Cardinals, one game shy of their first-ever World Series berth.
How many losses did the Astros have in 2011?
The team, which dealt away All-Star outfielders Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn at the Trade Deadline in exchange for prospects, finished with a club-record 106 losses but saw a whopping 20 rookies get playing time at some point. In the second half of the season, many of those youngsters were playing key roles.
How many home runs did Hunter Pence hit for Houston?
Lee, in his first year with the Astros, drove in a career-high 119 runs after signing a six-year contract with the club. Rookie outfielder Hunter Pence hit 17 home runs for Houston, the third highest rookie total in club history.
Who is the Houston Astros?
Nolan Ryan Randy Johnson Roger Clemens Joe Morgan Leo Durocher. ... (Show more) Full Article. Houston Astros, American professional baseball team based in Houston that has won one World Series title (2017). The Astros play in the American League (AL) but were members of the National League (NL) for the first 51 seasons of ...
What league does the Astros play in?
The Astros play in the American League (AL) but were members of the National League (NL) for the first 51 seasons of the team’s existence and won an NL pennant in 2005 in addition to the team’s 2017 and 2019 AL pennants.
How many wins did Houston have in 2019?
Houston set a new team record with 107 wins in 2019, which it followed in the postseason by capturing another AL title and advancing to the third World Series appearance in franchise history. The Astros then lost a dramatic seven-game series to the Washington Nationals. Adam Augustyn.
What was the first multipurpose stadium?
The Astrodome was the world’s first multipurpose domed sports stadium, and it was billed as the ballpark of the future. Its opening was a national media sensation, and the team adopted its current nickname to become more readily identified with the newly famous stadium. Britannica Quiz. Baseball.
How many games did Houston win in 1986?
In 1986 Houston earned another berth in the NLCS, where it was defeated by the New York Mets in six games. The series was notable for its LCS-record 16-inning game six, as well as for the fact that Scott was named Most Valuable Player of the series despite having played for the losing side.
How many games did the Texas Rangers play in 1961?
The 154-game season had been expanded in the American League to 162 in 1961; the National League followed suit in 1962.…. Texas: Sports and recreation. …the Texas sports scene (the Houston Astros, an expansion team first called the Colt .45s, began play in 1962; and the Texas Rangers arrived in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth, ...
When did the Astros get eliminated?
The Astros were eliminated in the opening round of each of their three playoff appearances in 1997–99, and even after the team added a third star “B” in 1999—outfielder (and later first baseman) Lance Berkman —it remained unable to progress any farther until the middle of the next decade.
Who is the second baseman for Houston Atros?
For Houston Atros’ second baseman Jose Altuve, it seems that every season of his career has been the most important season of his career.
What is net of stadium revenues used for?
Net of stadium revenues used for debt payments.
What does 120 mean in baseball?
Playoff wins count twice as much as regular season wins. A score of 120 means that the team achieved 20% moreompared with the league average during the 2020 season.
Is the Houston Astros going to return to Yankee Stadium?
The Houston Astros are returning to Yankee Stadium for the first time since Major League Baseball announced punishments in the sign-stealing scandal.
When did the Astros join the A.L.?
The Astros joined the A.L. in 2013 to balance the leagues with three divisions of five teams each. Since 1998, when Arizona and Tampa Bay joined the league as expansion teams and the Milwaukee Brewers moved to the National League, there had been a four-team division in the A.L. and a six-team division in the N.L. Image.
How many years did the Dodgers and Astros play together?
Not only were the Dodgers and the Astros league-mates for 50 years, from 1962 to 2012, they also played in the same division, the N.L. West, from 1969 to 1993. They played each other about 20 times a season. They battled in a close divisional race in 1980, and met in a divisional playoff in 1981.
Why did the Astros switch teams?
West. Because the National League had, on balance, bigger cities, the move to the A.L. was considered a negative by many fans, so much so that the team’s new owners were compensated $70 million to offset possible reduced television money.
Which team was the first to make the World Series?
The Astros are the first team to make the World Series with each league. The only other team to switch leagues in modern times, the Brewers, has only one playoff series win since joining the N.L. The Astros ’ N.L. high point was a World Series trip in 2005; they wound up being swept by the Chicago White Sox.
When did the National League become a major league?
Fans of the National League, founded in 1876, dismissed the American League, which became a major league in 1901 , as the “junior circuit.”. In recent times, rules have become standardized. The debut of interleague play in 1997 took away the most unusual quirk of the leagues.
Is the designated hitter rule still controversial?
The only significant distinction left is the designated hitter rule, still controversial enough to start a barroom argument. As time moves on, the memories of the Astros as a National League team will fade, and any future trips to the World Series will probably not cause many double takes. Advertisement.
Did baseball teams play in different leagues?
But baseball for many years kept a clean separation of its two leagues, making such a switch more disruptive. Most notably, teams from different leagues did not play one another in the regular season, adding a frisson to the rare times they did, like the All-Star Game and the World Series.
Who was the pitcher for the 1969 Astros?
The six-hour, six-minute contest at the Astrodome began with Hall of Famer Tom Seaver on the mound for the Mets and Don Wilson for the Astros. Both starters were at the top of their game. Wilson went nine scoreless and allowed only five hits. Seaver, who was in his second MLB season and a year away from leading the Miracle Mets to the 1969 World Series title, threw 10 shutout innings and allowed just two hits. Tom Terrific retired 25 straight batters between the bottom of the second and the bottom of the 10th.
How long was the longest MLB game?
Length: 25 innings. This is the longest game in MLB history in terms of time. It took eight hours and six minutes -- and it had to be completed over two days. The game began on May 8.
How many innings did the Mets play in 1968?
April 15, 1968: Houston Astros 1, New York Mets 0. Length: 24 innings. The Mets, it seems, have a penchant for playing in historically long games. Six years before they played 25 innings in Flushing, they played 24 against the Astros in Houston.
How many innings did the Boston Braves play in 1920?
1. May 1, 1920: Brooklyn Robins 1, Boston Braves 1. Length: 26 innings. The longest game by innings in Major League history could have gone even longer -- after 26 innings, the game was called due to darkness. The Robins (the predecessors to the Dodgers) and Braves were tied at 1, and that's how the game ended.
What was the longest game in baseball in 1945?
July 21, 1945: Detroit Tigers 1, Philadelphia Athletics 1. Length: 24 innings. Before the White Sox and Brewers surpassed them four decades later, the Tigers and A's had the AL record for longest game. This game, like the Robins and Braves' 26-inning record-setter, ended in a tie.
Who pitched the first 19 2/3 innings for the Tigers?
For the Tigers, Les Mueller handled the first 19 2/3 innings, allowing only one unearned run. Mueller was one of the many ballplayers just returning from military service in World War II when this game was played. With two runners on and two outs in the 20th inning, manager Steve O'Neill called on Dizzy Trout in relief. Trout had pitched 4 2/3 innings the day before, but he escaped the jam and pitched the final 4 1/3 innings of the game without allowing a run.
Who was the manager of the Mets in 1974?
Other historical footnotes: Yogi Berra, the Mets' manager at the time, was ejected in the 20th inning, at about 1:30 a.m. Lou Brock came into the game with 105 stolen bases, but was caught trying for No. 106. Keith Hernandez appeared in only 14 games for the Cards as a rookie in 1974, and this was one.
Overview
Franchise history
From 1888 until 1961, Houston's professional baseball club was the minor league Houston Buffaloes. Although expansion from the National League eventually brought an MLB team to Texas in 1962, Houston officials had been making efforts to do so for years prior, with a group effort led in 1952 to buy the St. Louis Cardinals for $4.25 million, but local owners were instead chosen. There were four men chiefly responsible for bringing Major League Baseball to Houston: journali…
Uniforms
Houston's MLB franchise debuted as the Colt .45s in 1962, and the original home uniforms featured a navy pistol with orange smoke coming out of the barrel to form the "C" in "Colts". The road uniforms featured the city name written in navy block letters with orange trim, and the flag of Texas patch was placed on the left sleeve. Caps were all-navy featuring ".45s" in orange letters in front.
Spring training
The Astros have held their spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida since 2017. They share the stadium with the Washington Nationals.
From 1985 to 2016, the Astros held spring training at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
Radio and television
Since 2013, the Astros' flagship radio station is KBME, Sportstalk 790 AM (a Fox Sports Radio affiliate). Previously, the team had a partnership with KTRH (740 AM) which went from 1999 to 2012 (both stations are owned by iHeartMedia). This change suddenly made it difficult for listeners outside of Houston itself to hear the Astros, as KTRH runs 50 kilowatts of power day and night, and KBME runs only five kilowatts. As a result, KTRH is audible across much of Central, Ea…
Mascots
Orbit is the name given to MLB's Houston Astros mascot, a lime-green outer-space creature wearing an Astros jersey with antennae extending into baseballs. Orbit was the team's official mascot from the 1990 through the 1999 seasons, where a rabbit named Junction Jack was introduced as the team's mascot with the move from the Astrodome to then Enron Field in 2000. (Junction Jack had two "relatives", Junction Julie and Junction Jesse, who were not official mas…