Houston Astros: Facts, History, Stats, and Resources

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History of the Houston Astros

The Houston Astros baseball franchise was formed in 1962 due to league expansions that were decided upon in 1960. The team first played in Colt Stadium, but moved to the Astrodome from 1965 until 1999, when the team was eventually awarded their own baseball stadium, called Enron Field (also known as Astros Field). A new stadium was built, and named Minute Maid Park in 2000 when the juice company purchased partial ownership of the team.

The Astros have won two West Division Titles and four Central Division Titles. They also made it to the post season twice via the Wild Card, in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, the team made it the closest that they have thus far in attaining a World Championship, by winning the NLCS in 2005. However, they were beat by the Chicago White Sox for the World Series title.

Fun Facts about the Houston Astros

What are Houston Astros team colors?
Brick Red, Black, Sand Beige

Where did the Houston Astros get their name and why are they called it?
The Houston team was called the Astros when they were established because of Houston’s central role as the US hub for NASA and the astronaut program in the US. Astronaut was shortened to Astros.

What is the Houston Astros’ logo?
The Astros logo was at one time a picture of the Astrodome encircled with flying baseballs that traced an atomic-looking path, perhaps signifying the scientific nature of the team’s name. Today, the Astros logo includes a large red star with a seemingly shooting-star cutting a star-shaped piece out of the red star.

Who is the mascot for the Houston Astros?
The mascot of the Houston Astros is an unlikely rabbit that parades as a railroad engineer. His name is Junction Jack, and he and his family Junction Julie and Junction Jesse are present at all the Astros home games. Although they do not relate to the team’s name, the mascots represent the history of the railways that crossed through Texas in the Old West.

Who owns the Houston Astros?
Drayton McLane, Jr. and Minute Maid

What numbers have been retired by the Houston Astros?
5 Jeff Bagwell
7 Craig Biggio
24 Jimmy Wynn
25 Jose Cruz
32 Jim Umbricht
33 Mike Scott
34 Nolan Ryan
40 Don Wilson
49 Larry Dierker
42 Jackie Robinson (retired by MLB)

What players from the Houston Astros are in the Baseball Hall Of Fame?
No players have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame that were specifically wearing a Colt .45 (team’s original name) or Astros cap logo.

How many World Series have the Houston Astros won?
None. The Houston Astros appeared in the 2005 World Series against the Chicago White Sox, but were defeated.

Fun Facts about Minute Maid Park

What is Houston Astros stadium called?
Minute Maid Park – The park was renamed in 2000 when Minute Maid became a minority owner of the team.

What is the address of Minute Maid Park?
501 Crawford Street
Houston, TX 77002

How many seats are in Minute Maid Park?
40,950

Items NOT allowed in Minute Maid Park
Hard-sided coolers
Bags larger than 16” x 16” x 8”
Weapons
Water bottles larger than one liter
Soda bottles
Sports Drinks
Frozen water bottles
Alcohol

When was Minute Maid Park built?
Ground was broken for the construction of Minute Maid Park on November 1, 1997. The construction was completed for the first regular season game on April, 7, 2000.

How far is it down the right field line in Minute Maid Park?
326 feet

How far is it down the left field line in Minute Maid Park?
315 feet

How far is the center field wall in Minute Maid Park?
436 feet

Travel Information if You’re going to watch the Houston Astros

Best restaurants in the area of Minute Maid Park
1. Home Plate Bar and Grill
1800 Texas Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 222-1993
homeplategrill.com

2. Irma’s Southwest Grill
1314 Texas Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 247-9651
irmassouthwest.com

3. Lucky’s Pub
801 Saint Emanuel Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 522-2010
luckyspub.com

Best hotels near Minute Maid Park
1. Inn at the Ballpark
1520 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1520
innattheballpark.com

2. Magnolia Hotel Houston
1100 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 221-0011
magnoliahotelhouston.com

3. Hotel Icon
220 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 224-4266
hotelicon.com

Top 5 Players of all time for Houston Astros

5. Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan played for the Houston Astros in the middle of his MLB career, from 1980 until 1988. He also played for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers before retiring in 1993. He was an eight-time All-Star selection and was named the 1977 American League Pitcher of the Year. He holds an MLB record for most career strikeouts, at 5,714. He walked 50% more at bats than any other pitcher in the history of the game. He also threw the most career no-hitters, with seven total, four of them thrown in one season. His number is retired by the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 1999, Ryan was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 98.79% of the vote.
Win-Loss Record 324-292
Strikeouts 5,714
ERA: 3.19

4. Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman played for Houston during the majority of his career, from 1999 through 2010. He currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. Although his career is not yet over, Berkman has managed to accumulate 327 home runs, 1099 runs batted in, and his career on-base plus slugging percentage is .954. He is a consistent hitter and an outstanding first baseman and outfielder. He has been selected for the All-Star game five times in his career this far.
Batting Average: .296
Home Runs: 327
Runs Batted In: 1099

3. Jose Cruz
Jose Cruz played for the Houston Astros from 1975 until 1987. He was one of the most famous baseball players during this time in his home country of Puerto Rico. He played in nine of Houston’s postseasons, and held many team records until they were surpassed by Craig Biggio in the years following Cruz’ retirement.
Batting Average: .284
Hits: 2,251
Home Runs: 165
Runs Batted In: 1,077

2. Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio was one of the finest outfielders in the game. He played his entire MLB playing career with the Astros, which lasted from 1988 until 2007. During this time, he was a seven-time All-Star selection, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, five time Silver Slugger winner and recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award. His number, 7, has been retired by the Houston Astros, and it is likely that he will be up for induction into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible, largely due to his 3,060 career hits, putting him in the ranks of one of the highest hitters in the history of the game.
Batting Average: .281
Hits: 3,060
Home Runs: 291
Runs Batted In: 1,175

1. Jeff Bagwell
Jeff Bagwell was another career-long Houston Astro, playing with the team from 1991 until 2005. He was the team’s first baseman. Bagwell was released by the Boston Red Sox in a trade that they might have regretted for a long time afterwards. While in Houston, Bagwell was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He was a four-time All Star selection, and one time Gold Glove Award winner. He won the Silver Slugger Award three times, and in 1994 was named the National League Most Valuable Player. His number, 5, has been retired by the Houston Astros.
Batting Average: .297
Home Runs: 449
Runs Batted In: 1,529

Resources about Houston Astros

The Official Site of the Houston Astros
website

Houston Astros – Astros Baseball Clubhouse – ESPN
website

Houston Astros News, Schedule, Photos, Stats, Players, MLB Baseball
website

Houston Astros MLB at CBSSports.com
website

Resource by A.Moore

I just moved to Michigan from South Carolina. This is my first winter here and so far it's freezing. I enjoy traveling, drawing, camping, writing, and doing community service in my spare time. I work for a education company and help them with their outreach to teachers and students. Hope everyone enjoys my articles.

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