Houston Astros Merchandise

• They were originally known as the Houston Colts. 45s from 1962-1964 before changing to the Astros, named in honor of Nasa biggest facility in Houston, Texas, in 1965.
• The Astros have never played in a World Series -The team has won their division 7 times in 1980, 1981, 1986, 1998, 1999 and 2001. They only made it to the LCS in 1980 and 1986.
• Their best season was in 1998 when they won 102 games. For their worst season in 1975 they only won 64. -The Houston Franchise has played in three stadiums: Colt Stadium, the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park, since it began in 1962. In 1960 Judge Roy Hofheinz and a ownership group from Houston is awarded an expansion franchise for the National League. The Houston Colt .45s played their first game against the Chicago cubs on April 10, 1962 and beat the cubs 11-2. The team changed its name in 1965 when it began to play in the Astrodome. The team was named the Astros in honor of one of NASA major facilities being located in Houston. The team celebrated major talent during their first decade with Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker, Joe Morgan and Bob Bruce. The Astros won their first division title in 1980 with a 93-70 record and beat Los Angeles in a one game playoff. Nolan Ryan begins to make his mark and in 1981 he threw his fifth no-hitter against the Dodgers and leading the league with a 1.69 ERA and helping the team with the "second season" with a 33-20 record and a playoff appearance. The Astros won their second division title in 1986 with 96 regular season wins and Mike Scott brought Houston its first ever Cy Young award. The Astros dominated the late nineties and won their division four years out of five in 1997, '98, '99, and 2001. In 2004 the Astros won the wild card title and went on to beat the Atlanta Braves in the first round of post-season play. However in the NL championship series the Astros lost the the Cardinals in seven games.