Houston Astros facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Houston Astros
2025 Houston Astros season
Established in 1962
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League (2013–present) West Division (2013–present) National League (1962–2012) Central Division (1994–2012) West Division (1969–1993)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	5 7 24 25 32 33 34 40 49 42
Colors
Dark blue, orange, white
Name
Houston Astros (1965–present) Houston Colt .45s (1962–1964)
Other nicknames
'Stros Crush City (2015)
Ballpark
Daikin Park (2000–present) Astrodome (1965–1999) Colt Stadium (1962–1964)
Major league titles
World Series titles (2)	2017 2022
AL Pennants (4)	2017 2019 2021 2022
NL Pennants (1)	2005
AL West Division titles (7)	2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024
NL Central Division titles (4)	1997 1998 1999 2001
NL West Division titles (3)	1980 1981 1986
Wild card berths (4)	2004 2005 2015 2020
Front office
Principal owner(s)	Jim Crane
General manager	Dana Brown
Manager	Joe Espada

The Houston Astros are a professional baseball team from Houston, Texas. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) West Division. The Astros joined the AL in 2013. Before that, they spent 51 seasons in the National League (NL). They are one of two MLB teams in Texas. The other is the Texas Rangers, who are in the same division.

The team started as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. They were an expansion team in the National League. Three years later, in 1965, they changed their name to the Astros. This new name honored Houston's role in the space program. The team moved into the Astrodome, the first domed sports stadium. It was even called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Astros later moved to Daikin Park in 2000.

The Astros had their first winning season in 1972. They reached the playoffs for the first time in 1980. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, players like Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell helped them become a strong team. They made their first World Series appearance in 2005. They lost to the Chicago White Sox.

After a tough period, Jim Crane bought the team in 2011. The Astros started using new ways to analyze players and games. By the mid-2010s, they became one of MLB's best teams. Stars like Jose Altuve led the way. Since 2015, the Astros have won over 100 games in four seasons. They have also played in seven straight American League Championship Series. They won four of the last seven American League titles.

The Astros won their first World Series in 2017 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, this win became controversial. The team was involved in a sign-stealing scandal. They later played in the World Series in 2019, 2021, and 2022. They won their second championship in 2022 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Many people consider the Astros one of the best teams in the American League. They are the only team to win a postseason series in seven straight seasons. In 2024, they won their seventh AL West division title in eight years.

The Astros have many loyal fans. They are also known for finding and signing international players. But the sign-stealing scandal caused some people to dislike them. In the National League, they had rivalries with the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. Now in the American League, they have rivalries with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. This Texas rivalry is called the Lone Star Series. They also have a big playoff rivalry with the New York Yankees.

From 1962 through the end of the 2024 season, the Astros have a winning record. They have won more postseason games than any other expansion team. In 2024, they reached 5,000 wins.

Team History: How the Astros Started

Bringing Baseball to Houston

Before the Astros, Houston had a minor league team called the Houston Buffaloes. People in Houston wanted a Major League Baseball team for a long time. In 1952, a group tried to buy the St. Louis Cardinals. But it didn't work out.

Four main people helped bring MLB to Houston. They were George Kirksey, Craig Cullinan Jr., R.E. "Bob" Smith, and Judge Roy Hofheinz. They formed the Houston Sports Association (HSA). They wanted to get a big league team for Houston.

At first, MLB didn't want to add new teams. So, the Houston group joined with others to start a new league. They called it the Continental League. To protect their markets, MLB decided to add two new teams. But the Houston Buffaloes owner didn't want to sell his team to the HSA. The Continental League also ended in 1960.

But on October 17, 1960, the National League finally gave Houston a team. The Houston Sports Association had to buy the Houston Buffaloes first. They did this on January 17, 1961. The Buffaloes played one last season in 1961. Then, Houston's new NL team took over.

The Colt .45s: Early Days (1962–1964)

The new Houston team was named the Colt .45s. This name came from a contest. The Colt .45 was a famous gun. The team's colors were navy and orange. They got their first players from a special draft in 1961. The Colt .45s and the New York Mets picked players from other NL teams.

Many people from the Houston Buffaloes stayed with the new team. Manager Harry Craft and general manager Spec Richardson continued their roles. Some Buffaloes players also joined the major league team.

The Colt .45s played at Colt Stadium. This was a temporary field. It was built next to their future domed stadium. Judge Hofheinz believed a domed stadium was needed. Houston's hot and humid weather made it necessary.

The Colt .45s played their first game on April 10, 1962. They won against the Chicago Cubs. They swept the Cubs in their first three games. But they finished eighth in the National League. Their best pitcher, Turk Farrell, lost 20 games. But he had a good ERA of 3.02. He was chosen for two All-Star Games in 1962.

In 1963, young players like Jimmy Wynn, Rusty Staub, and Joe Morgan joined the team. But the team still finished ninth. The 1964 season started sadly. Pitcher Jim Umbricht died of cancer at age 33. He was the only Colt .45s pitcher with a winning record in their first two years. The team retired his jersey number, 32, in 1965.

On December 1, 1964, the team changed its name. They became the "Astros."

The Astrodome Era Begins (1965–1970)

With Judge Roy Hofheinz as the owner, the Astros moved into the new Astrodome in 1965. The name "Astros" honored Houston's space program. The Astrodome was called the "Eighth Wonder of the World." But it didn't make the team play better right away. People came to see the stadium, not just the team.

In 1966, the Astrodome faced a problem. Grass wouldn't grow inside. So, a new artificial grass was created. It was called "AstroTurf." This changed how baseball was played.

The Astros started strong in 1966 with new manager Grady Hatton. They were in second place in May. Joe Morgan was an All-Star. But injuries hurt the team. Jimmy Wynn and Morgan both got hurt. The 1967 season saw Eddie Mathews join the Astros. He hit his 500th home run while in Houston. Rookie Don Wilson pitched a no-hitter on June 18. Wynn also had a great year. He hit 37 home runs and had 107 RBIs.

On April 15, 1968, Don Wilson and Tom Seaver pitched a very long game. It lasted six hours and 24 innings. The Astros finally won.

In 1969, the Astros changed a lot. They traded Rusty Staub for other players. Don Wilson pitched his second no-hitter on May 1. He struck out 18 batters, tying a record. The team also had a ten-game winning streak. The infielders Denis Menke and Joe Morgan played very well. The Astros finished with an 81–81 record. This was their first season with a .500 winning percentage.

In 1970, the Astros were expected to be strong. Nineteen-year-old César Cedeño joined the team. He batted .310. The team's hitting improved. But their pitching was not as good. The Astros finished fourth.

The Orange Uniforms (1971–1974)

In 1971, the Astros changed their uniforms. They used more orange and a lighter blue. Players' last names were added to the jerseys. In 1972, the uniforms became polyester. Belts were replaced with elastic waistbands. These new uniforms were popular.

The Astros traded Joe Morgan to the Cincinnati Reds in 1971. This trade helped the Reds become a great team. It was called "The Big Red Machine."

In 1972, the Astros had more power hitters. Lee May, Wynn, Rader, and Cedeño all hit over 20 home runs. César Cedeño batted .320 and stole 55 bases. He also hit for the cycle. The Astros finished with an 84–69 record. This was their first winning season.

In 1973, the Astros' hitting was good, but injuries to pitchers hurt the team. They finished fourth. They also finished fourth in 1974.

New Ownership and New Look (1975–1979)

In 1975, the Astros got new owners. They needed to save money. But some good players joined the team. Pitcher Don Wilson died on January 5, 1975. His number 40 was retired.

The Astros introduced new uniforms in 1975. They had bright yellow, orange, and red stripes. There was a big dark blue star. These "rainbow" uniforms were very different. They were worn at home and on the road until 1980.

The Astros traded for Joe Niekro and José Cruz. Niekro learned to throw a knuckleball. Cruz became a star outfielder. His number 25 was later retired.

The 1975 season was tough. The Astros had their worst record at the time. Manager Preston Gómez was fired. Bill Virdon took over. In 1976, the team improved. They finished third. César Cedeño, Bob Watson, and José Cruz played well. Larry Dierker threw a no-hitter.

In 1979, the Astros had a big turnaround. They traded for shortstop Craig Reynolds and catcher Alan Ashby. Pitcher Ken Forsch threw a no-hitter. In May 1979, John McMullen bought the team. This meant the Astros could spend more money on players.

The Astros played great baseball. José Cruz and Enos Cabell stole many bases. Joe Niekro won 21 games. J. R. Richard struck out 313 batters. The Astros battled the Reds for the division title. They finished with their best record yet, 89–73.

With McMullen as owner, the Astros signed Nolan Ryan. He was a famous pitcher from nearby Alvin, Texas. He was the first player to get a million-dollar-a-year deal.

Playoff Runs and New Uniforms (1980–1990)

Joe Morgan returned to the team in 1980. The Astros had a great pitching staff. It included Nolan Ryan, Joe Niekro, and J. R. Richard. Richard started the All-Star game. But he suffered a stroke in July. He never pitched again.

After losing Richard, the Astros struggled. But they bounced back. They won a one-game playoff to reach their first postseason. They faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1980 National League Championship Series. The series was very close. The Phillies won in five games.

A player strike in 1981 changed the season. The Astros made the playoffs as winners of the second half. They beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first two games. But the Dodgers won the next three.

In 1982, the Astros started rebuilding. Bob Lillis became the new manager. Young players like Kevin Bass and Bill Doran joined the team. In 1983, the Astros traded for pitcher Mike Scott. He learned a new pitch, the split-finger fastball. Scott became one of Houston's best pitchers.

After 1985, the Astros hired new manager Hal Lanier. He focused on pitching, defense, and speed. This style worked well in the Astrodome. The Astros started the 1986 season strong.

The Astrodome hosted the 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Several Astros players were chosen. The Astros won their division title in late September. Mike Scott pitched a no-hitter to clinch it. He won the Cy Young Award.

The Astros played the New York Mets in the 1986 National League Championship Series. Game 3 was a tough loss for Houston. The Mets won with a home run in the 9th inning. Game 6 was a very long game, lasting 16 innings. The Mets won, ending the Astros' season.

After 1986, the team struggled. The "rainbow" uniforms changed. Nolan Ryan and José Cruz left the team. New players like Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell joined. Biggio became the everyday catcher. Bagwell was acquired in a big trade.

New Stadium and More Success (1991–2004)

In the early 1990s, the Astros were unhappy with the Astrodome. They wanted a new stadium. In 1991, the owners wanted to sell the team and move it to Washington, D.C. But other team owners didn't approve. So the Astros stayed in Houston.

In 1993, Drayton McLane bought the team. He promised to keep them in Houston. With Bagwell and Biggio playing well, the Astros started winning. They won division titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999. In 1998, they won a team record 102 games. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs each time. Larry Dierker, a former Astros pitcher, was the manager. Players like Bagwell, Biggio, and Lance Berkman were called "The Killer Bs."

The team also changed uniforms and colors in 1994. They stopped using the rainbow uniforms. The new colors were midnight blue and metallic gold. The star logo also changed.

In 1994, the Astros hired Bob Watson as general manager. He was one of the first African American general managers. He later helped the New York Yankees win a World Series. Gerry Hunsicker took over as GM in 1996.

In 1996, the Astros almost left Houston again. McLane wanted a new stadium. Houston voters approved a stadium plan. So the Astros stayed.

The 2000 season brought a new stadium. It was first called Enron Field, then Daikin Park. It had a retractable roof. The stadium was built where an old train station was. A replica train moves and whistles after home runs.

With the new stadium came new uniforms. The colors were brick red, sand, and black. They had pinstripes. The "shooting star" logo was updated.

In 2004, the Astros were expected to be very good. They added star pitchers Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens. But they had a slow start. Manager Jimy Williams was fired. Phil Garner took over. The team played much better. They earned a playoff spot. They beat the Atlanta Braves but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Clemens won his seventh Cy Young Award. Carlos Beltrán also joined the team and played great in the playoffs.

First World Series Appearance (2005)

The 2005 season started badly for the Astros. They had a 15–30 record in May. But they turned it around. They won 42 of their next 59 games. They had a great pitching staff with Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte, and Roger Clemens. The Astros earned a wild card spot on the last day of the season. They were the first team since 1914 to make the playoffs after being 15 games under .500.

The Astros won the 2005 National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Game 4 was very long. It lasted 18 innings and almost six hours. Lance Berkman hit a grand slam. Brad Ausmus hit a game-tying home run. Roger Clemens pitched three shutout innings in relief. Chris Burke hit a home run to win the game.

The Astros then faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2005 National League Championship Series. They lost Game 1 but won the next three. The Cardinals won Game 5 with a home run by Albert Pujols. But the Astros won Game 6 to reach their first World Series. Roy Oswalt was named NLCS MVP.

The Astros played the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 World Series. The White Sox won all four games. Game 3 was the first World Series game in Texas. It was the longest World Series game ever.

Rebuilding and Moving Leagues (2006–2014)

In 2006, the Astros missed the playoffs. Jeff Bagwell retired. Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte left. In 2007, Craig Biggio reached 3,000 career hits. He retired at the end of the season.

Ed Wade became general manager in September 2007. The Astros made several trades. They got Michael Bourn and José Valverde. They also signed Miguel Tejada and Darin Erstad.

The Astros struggled in 2008 and 2009. Manager Cecil Cooper was fired. In 2010, Brad Mills became manager. The team traded away star players like Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.

In 2011, the Astros had their first 100-loss season. They traded Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn. They finished with a 56–106 record. This was the worst in team history.

In November 2010, Drayton McLane announced the team was for sale. Jim Crane bought the team in 2011. As part of the sale, the Astros agreed to move to the American League in 2013. This move was unpopular with many fans. Jeff Luhnow became general manager.

In 2012, the Astros had their worst record ever, 55–107. They played their last NL game on October 3. On November 2, 2012, the Astros showed off their new look. They returned to navy and orange colors. They had a new hat with a white "H" over an orange star.

The Astros played their first AL game on March 31, 2013. They beat the Texas Rangers. But they finished the 2013 season with a 51–111 record. This was their worst record ever. They lost over 100 games for three years in a row.

In 2014, Nolan Ryan rejoined the Astros front office. The team improved to 70–92. A. J. Hinch became the new manager.

Return to Success and World Series Titles (2015–Present)

In 2015, Dallas Keuchel won 20 games. He was 15–0 at home. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve led the offense. The Astros made the playoffs. They beat the New York Yankees in the Wild Card Game. But they lost to the Kansas City Royals in the next round.

The Astros were expected to win their division in 2016. They had a slow start. But they finished with a winning record of 84–78. They did not make the playoffs.

In 2014, Sports Illustrated predicted the Astros would win the 2017 World Series. The Astros had a great start in 2017. They had the best record in the league. Hurricane Harvey caused flooding in Houston. The team wore "Houston Strong" patches. They rallied the city.

The Astros acquired pitcher Justin Verlander. He helped them win their first AL West title. They won 101 games. They beat the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the playoffs. They reached the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Astros won in seven games. This was their first championship. The city celebrated with a huge parade.

Jose Altuve was named the American League Most Valuable Player in 2017. He had 200 hits for the fourth year in a row.

In 2018, the Astros won their second straight AL West title. They won 103 games, a new team record. They swept the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs. But they lost to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.

In 2019, the Astros signed Michael Brantley. They also traded for pitcher Zack Greinke. They won their third straight AL West title. They finished with 107 wins, the best in team history. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in the playoffs. Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run to win the AL title. But they lost the 2019 World Series to the Washington Nationals in seven games.

On January 29, 2020, Dusty Baker became the new manager. The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Astros went 29–31. But they made the playoffs. They beat the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. They became the first team with a losing record to win a playoff series. They lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS.

In 2021, the Astros won their fourth AL West title in five seasons. Yuli Gurriel won the batting title. The Astros beat the Chicago White Sox to reach their fifth straight ALCS. They beat the Boston Red Sox to win their third AL title in five years. But they lost the 2021 World Series to the Atlanta Braves.

The 2022 season started without Carlos Correa. Rookie Jeremy Peña took over at shortstop. The Astros won their division again. Justin Verlander had a great season and won his third Cy Young Award. The Astros swept the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees in the playoffs. They reached their fourth World Series in six seasons.

On November 2, 2022, the Astros made history. They threw a combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was only the second no-hitter in World Series history. The Astros went on to win their second World Series title in six games. Jeremy Peña was named World Series MVP. He was the first rookie position player to win this award.

After the 2022 season, Dana Brown was hired as the new general manager. The 2023 season saw the Astros lose on Opening Day. They reacquired Justin Verlander at the trade deadline. The Astros and Texas Rangers tied for the division title. The Astros won the division because they had a better record against the Rangers. The Astros beat the Minnesota Twins to reach their seventh straight ALCS. But they lost to the Rangers in seven games.

On October 25, 2023, Dusty Baker retired. Joe Espada became the new manager. The Astros started the 2024 season poorly. But Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter in his eighth career start. This was the 17th no-hitter in team history. The Astros became the second expansion team to reach 5,000 wins. They won the AL West division title for the fourth straight year. This was their seventh division title in eight years. They made the playoffs despite a very bad start to the season. But they lost in the Wild Card Series to the Detroit Tigers. This ended their streak of seven straight ALCS appearances.

Team Uniforms: A Look Through Time

The Colt .45s Look (1962–1964)

When the team started as the Colt .45s, their home uniforms had a navy pistol logo. Orange smoke came out of the barrel to form the "C" in "Colts." Road uniforms had "Houston" in navy letters. A Texas flag patch was on the sleeve. Caps were all navy with ".45s" in orange.

Shooting Stars (1965–1974)

When they became the Astros in 1965, they wore "shooting star" uniforms. "Astros" was in navy with orange trim. The cap had an orange star with a white "H." Road uniforms were similar but with the Astros logo.

In 1971, the colors were inverted. Navy became orange, and orange became a lighter blue. Players' names were added to the back. In 1972, uniforms changed to polyester. Belts were replaced with elastic waistbands.

Tequila Sunrise and Rainbows (1975–1986)

The 1975 season brought new, very bright uniforms. From the chest down, they had solid blocks of yellow, orange, and red stripes. A dark blue star was over the middle. These "rainbow" stripes also ran down the pant legs. Numbers were on the pant leg too. These uniforms were worn at home and on the road until 1980.

Rainbow Shoulders (1980–1993)

In 1980, the Astros introduced a cleaner uniform. The rainbows were only on the sleeves. This design was first used for road games. By 1982, it was also worn for some home games. The navy cap returned. By 1987, this became the main uniform. In 1989, the pullover design was changed back to buttons and belts.

Midnight Blue and Gold (1994–1999)

With new ownership in 1994, the team changed colors again. They went for a more serious look. The rainbow uniforms were gone. The new colors were midnight blue and metallic gold. The "Astros" font and star logo were changed. This was the first time orange was not a team color since 1982.

Railroad Design (2000–2012)

When the team moved to Minute Maid Park in 2000, they wore vintage-inspired uniforms. Navy was no longer a color. The new colors were brick red, sand, and black. These colors were inspired by the ballpark's location, which was an old railroad depot.

Home uniforms had black pinstripes. "Astros" was in black script. Road uniforms had "Houston" in red script. There were also black and brick red alternate uniforms. Black caps with a red star were common.

Return to Navy and Orange (2013–Present)

In 2013, the Astros returned to their classic navy and orange look. Both home and road uniforms had block letters. The orange alternate uniform had navy letters. Navy caps with the "H" and orange star returned.

In 2022, the Astros wore special "City Connect" uniforms. These navy uniforms said "Space City." This honored Houston's connection to NASA. They also had elements from the old "Tequila sunrise" uniforms. The left sleeve had a Texas flag design in navy and orange. These uniforms are usually worn on Monday home games. The team will get new "City Connect" uniforms in 2025.

Team Achievements and Honors

Franchise Records and Wins

The Astros have a winning record overall. They have won more postseason games than any other expansion team. In 2024, they reached 5,000 wins.

Team name	Games	Wins	Losses	Ties	W-L%
Colt .45s (1962–1964)	486	196	288	2	.405
NL Astros (1965–2012)	7,652	3,803	3846	3	.497
NL total (1962–2012)	8,138	3,999	4,134	5	.492
AL Astros (2013–present)	1,680	922	758	–	.549
All-time regular season	9,818	4,921	4,892	5	.501
All-time postseason	159	83	76	–	.522
Source:

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Astros have retired several jersey numbers to honor important players. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.

Jeff Bagwell 1B Coach  Retired August 26, 2007 Craig Biggio C, 2B   Retired August 17, 2008 Jimmy Wynn OF   Retired June 25, 2005 José Cruz OF Coach  Retired October 3, 1992 Jim Umbricht P   Retired April 12, 1965 Mike Scott P   Retired October 3, 1992 Nolan Ryan P   Retired September 29, 1996 Don Wilson P   Retired April 13, 1975 Larry Dierker P Manager Retired May 19, 2002 Jackie Robinson All MLB   Honored April 15, 1997

The number 57 has not been used since 2002. This honors former pitcher Darryl Kile, who passed away. Number 42 is retired by all of Major League Baseball for Jackie Robinson.

Baseball Hall of Fame Members

Many players and people connected to the Astros are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Houston Astros Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Houston Colt .45s Nellie Fox Houston Astros Jeff Bagwell * Craig Biggio * Leo Durocher Randy Johnson Eddie Mathews Joe Morgan Robin Roberts Iván Rodríguez Nolan Ryan Don Sutton Players and managers listed in bold are depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Colt .45s or Astros cap insignia. * Houston Astros listed as primary team according to the Hall of Fame

Astros Hall of Fame

The Astros also have their own Hall of Fame. It honors important players and people from the team's history. The Hall of Fame is located at Daikin Park.

Key

Bold	Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
	Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame as an Astro
Bold	Recipient of the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award

Houston Astros Hall of Fame
Year	No.	Player	Position	Tenure
2019	14	Bob Aspromonte	3B	1962–1968
	5	Jeff Bagwell	1B	1991–2005
	4, 7	Craig Biggio	2B / C / OF	1988–2007
	25	José Cruz	OF	1975–1987
	49	Larry Dierker	P Broadcaster Manager	1964–1976 1979–1996 1997–2001
	—	Gene Elston	Broadcaster	1962–1986
	—	Milo Hamilton	Broadcaster	1985–2012
	12, 35, 18, 8	Joe Morgan	2B	1963–1971, 1980
	36	Joe Niekro	P	1975–1985
	38, 37	Shane Reynolds	P	1992–2002
	50	J.R. Richard	P	1971–1980
	34	Nolan Ryan	P	1980–1988
	33	Mike Scott	P	1983–1991
	45, 32	Jim Umbricht	P	1962–1963
	23, 40	Don Wilson	P	1966–1974
	18, 24	Jimmy Wynn	OF	1963–1973
2020	22, 17	Lance Berkman	OF/1B	1999–2010
	28	César Cedeño	CF	1970–1981
	—	Roy Hofheinz	Owner	1960–1975
	44	Roy Oswalt	P	2001–2010
	13	Billy Wagner	P	1995–2003
	38, 11, 26, 27	Bob Watson	1B/LF GM	1966–1979 1993–1995
2022	21	Terry Puhl	OF	1977–1990
	—	Tal Smith	Executive	1960–1973 1975–1980 1994–2011
2023	—	Bill Brown	Broadcaster	1987–2016
	19	Bill Doran	2B	1982–1990
2024	—	René Cárdenas	Broadcaster	1961–1975 2007
	11	Ken Caminiti	3B	1987–1994 1999–2000

Team Rivalries

Texas Showdown: Lone Star Series

The Lone Star Series is a rivalry between the Astros and the Texas Rangers. Both teams are from Texas. Before 2013, they played each other in interleague games. The winner of their season series received the Silver Boot trophy.

In 2013, the Astros joined the same division as the Rangers. This made their rivalry even bigger. In 2023, both teams made the playoffs. They even played each other in the ALCS. The Rangers won that series in seven games.

Pacific Northwest Battle: Seattle Mariners

The Astros also have a growing rivalry with the Seattle Mariners. Both teams often fight for the division title. The Mariners have become a strong playoff team in recent years.

In 2022, the Astros swept the Mariners in the playoffs. Despite this, both teams have had some heated moments. They have hit each other with pitches and even had fights.

East Coast Clash: New York Yankees

The rivalry between the Astros and the New York Yankees started in the mid-2010s. The two teams have met in the playoffs four times. The Astros have won all four of these series.

This rivalry became more intense after the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Many Yankees fans felt angry. Both teams have won 43 games against each other all-time. But the Astros have a 13–5 record against the Yankees in the postseason.

California Confrontation: Los Angeles Dodgers

The rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers began when they were in the same division. After the Astros moved to the American League, the rivalry became even bigger. They played in the 2017 World Series. The Astros won that series.

But the Astros' sign-stealing scandal caused a lot of anger. Many Dodgers fans were upset. This made the rivalry very strong. The Dodgers lead the all-time series. But both teams are tied with 6 wins each in the postseason.

Mascots

The Astros had their first mascot in 1977. His name was Chester Charge. He was a Texas cavalry soldier on a horse.

The Astros' current mascot is Orbit. He is a lime-green outer-space creature. He wears an Astros jersey and has antennae. Orbit was the mascot from 1990 to 1999. Then, a rabbit named Junction Jack took over. Orbit returned in 2012. His name honors Houston's connection to NASA and its nickname, Space City.

Images for kids

• Houston Astrodome scoreboard 1969.jpg

  Houston Astrodome Scoreboard pictured during a June 7, 1969, game between the Astros and Cardinals

• 

  Astros starting pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1983

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  Lance Berkman (1999–2010)

See also

In Spanish: Houston Astros para niños