The Houston Astros began as a National League expansion team in 1962. For
their first three years, they were known as the Colt .45’s. During that
time they played in the temporary Colt Stadium while they watched the
Astrodome rise from the parking lot. The Astrodome was a pitcher’s park, and the Astros routinely led the
league in pitching, while lagging in hitting. Since 2000, the team has
played in a new retractable roof ballpark which favors hitters. However,
there are still great pitchers in Houston to go with their big hitters. The Astros have never made it to a World Series, but they have fielded
some mighty teams. During the 1990s, the Astros were a fixture near or at
the top of the National League Central. Unfortunately, they often came up
against the Atlanta Braves in the post season. The Astros promise to give the Cardinals a run for their money. |