The professional baseball team from Houston Texas, the Houston Astros have won four Central Division Titles and two West Division Titles and are determined to become a dominant force in the league again. Owned by Jim Crane and managed by Bo Porter, Houston Astros have a devoted fan following and are all ready for glory this coming season.
Houston Astros is a member of Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. After spending the first 51 seasons in National League, the team moved to American League in 2013. Founded in 1962, the team has won four National League Central Division Titles, one National League Pennant and it also appeared in 2005's World Series.
Team's History:
The team started playing as colt .45s in 1962 and continued to play under the same name till 1964. After their home ground was changed to new domed Stadium Astrodome in 1965, the team was renamed Astros. The 1966 season improved the team's standing placing them second in the National League. By 1970, they became a serious threat in the National League West.
In 1971, the Astros and the Cincinnati Reds made one of the most shocking trades in sports history with Reds having the better end of the deal. Houston's second baseman Joe Morgan, infielder Denis Menke, outfielder César Gerónimo were traded to Cincinnati for first baseman Lee May, second baseman Tommy Helms and infielder Jimmy Stewart.
1908s saw one of the best pitching line-ups the team ever had. Astros finished at second place in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and then went on to win consecutive division titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 with a team record of 102 victories in 1998. They appeared in 2005's World Series against the Chicago White Sox.
Ballpark:
From 1962 to 1964, the team's home ground was the Colt Stadium. The team moved to their new domed stadium, Astrodome in 1965. Regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, the new park increased the team's popularity with high attendance of the visitors and spectators in the stadium. In the season of 1966, a new artificial turf was created known as “Astroturf” that changed the way the game was played. The team continued to play in the Astrodome till 2000 and has been playing in Minute Maid Park since then.
Famous Players of the team:
Young talented players like Jimmy Wynn, Joe Morgan and Rusty Staub all made their debuts in the 1963 season. Wynn was famous for hitting most home runs. He set the club record with 37 home runs. César Cedeño, who joined in 1970, made spectacular plays on the field. He was the first one in team history to hit for the cycle versus Cincinnati Reds. Hal Lanier's baseball playing style was widely liked by fans taking city of Houston by storm. Drayton McLane in 1993 led the team to consistent success.
Two players Scott (1986) and Roger Clemens (2004) have been awarded with National League Cy Young Award. Michael Borun and Brad Ausmus have received the Gold Glove Awards while five players Jeff Bagwell, Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge, Brad Ausmus and Brian Moehler have been honored with the Darryl Kile Award.
Interesting facts about Houston Astros:
Jeff Bagwell won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1994.
Astros introduced their new uniform in 1975 with multi-shade stripes of orange, yellow and red on front and back and down the pant legs. The uniform was quite popular among fans.
The team's Mascot is a trio of rabbits named Jack, Jessie and Julie.
Until 2012, Astros games were broadcasted by Fox Sports Houston and they moved to Comcast Sports Net Houston in 2013.
The Television team of Houston Astros consists of Bill Brown and Alan Ashby.