What happened today in team history?
Today, I am starting a new series where everyday I will talk about what happened in the past in regards to the team or their history. That can be a big game, big signings, major events or anything of the sort.
2011 – Crane cleans house
After purchasing the Houston Astros on the 17th, new Astros owner Jim Crane fires both the GM, Ed Wade, and team president, Tal Smith. This was the first move by Crane that would eventually lead to two rings and a dynasty.
2022 – Houston signs Jose Abreu
Following their loss in the 2021 World Series, the Houston Astros agreed to a 3-year, $58.5 million contract with 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu. This signing came after seven years of long-time Astros’ first baseman Yuli Gurriel, who has been the team’s starter since his rookie season in 2016.
I’m sure I don’t have to explain how that went, but for those who don’t know, this turned out to be one of the worst signings in MLB history. Abreu played 176 games for Houston and hit .217 with a 73 OPS+
Other baseball history on this day
1958
Boston Red Sox sign teenage phenom Carl Yastrzemski to his first professional baseball contract.
1974
Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gets suspended after being found guilty for giving out illegal “bonuses” to companies that were meant to be put towards the re-elect Nixon campaign.
1989
Ricky Henderson and the Oakland A’s agree to a four-year, $12 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in the game of baseball at the time.
2005
The Philadelphia Phillies offer the then 34-year-old New York Mets reliever Billy Wager a four-year contract worth $43 million, making him the highest paid reliever in baseball history.
2014
In a trade between the Oakland Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays, the A’s sent all-star third baseman Josh Donaldson across the border for a major leaguer and three minor leaguers, one of which was a young Kendall Graveman.
Information gathered from https://thisdayinbaseball.com/ , Nationalpastime.com and Astrosdaily.com