Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Central Division of the National League.

Beginnings: The 1960s
It was back in mid 60s when Houston Astros was emerged out of Houston Colt .45s and inaugurated indoor baseball in the Astrodome. It was a result increasing demand for third major league baseball when the Giants and Dodgers left for California. The third league was to be called the Continental League but the league could not be raised on ground. Resultantly, on April 9, 1965, the Houston Colt .45s became the Houston Astros.

Ups and Downs: 1970s
After glorious five years of the team, they met a tragic event as the former Astros pitcher Don Wilson suicided this year. He had pitched two no-hitters for the club. Wilson's jersey, number 40, was also retired by the Astros. In 1975, the orange, yellow and navy "Rainbow Guts" uniforms were adopted by Astros. These uniforms became a team trademark and would stay with them in some form through 1993.

In 1979, the Astros would be successful in joining their first real emblem race after three season. The 1979 Astros were a team built around pitching and speed.

Mediocre 1980s and Revival
Throughout the 80s, the team was not able to mark their presence in the arena and a mediocre 1985 season led to the firing of general manager Al Rosen and manager Bob Lillis by the Astros. Al Rosen was superseded by Dick Wagner; the man who's Reds defeated the Astros to win the 1979 NL West. Bob Lillis was replaced by Hal Lanier whose "box-office baseball" took Houston by storm.

Lanier brought a revolution and speed and techniques. He injected life and infused new blood in the team. As a result, Houston were successful in winning 13 of their first 19 contests.

Destroy, Fire Sale, and Rebuild: 1987-93
The success of late 80s was short lived for Astros. Following the 1988 season, Manager Hal Lanier failed to build on the Astros' success in 1986. He was dismissed following the season, and the team went on a fire sale. Additionally, after being considered "too old" by then-owner John McMullen, franchise icon Nolan Ryan left the Astros to join the Texas Rangers in 1989.

In the early 1990s, Ryan would go on to pitch two more no-hitters for the Rangers to achieve a grand total of seven. These were more than anyone else in major league history. Ryan has the honor of recording his 5,000th strikeout and 300th win with the Rangers, and entered the Hall of Fame as a Ranger.

The start of 2005 Season was very poor. They dropped to 15 games below .500 (15-30) in late May before becoming nearly unbeatable. From that low point until the end of July, Houston went 42-17 and found themselves in the lead for the NL Wild Card.

On December 8, the Astros were on the verge of acquiring right hander Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox in return for Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh but the deal was nixed by the White Sox .On December 12, the Astros were successful in trading 3 for 2 when they traded Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz, and Jason Hirsh to the Colorado Rockies for Rockies pitchers Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio.

The Astros signed veteran outfielder Richard Hidalgo to a Minor League Contract on January 12. Hidalgo spent his first 8 seasons with the Astros. He was released on March 24 after a subpar Spring Training.

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