What happened today in team history?
1981 – Dickie Thon is dealt to the Astros
In a 1-for-1 trade with the Angels, the Astros send reliever Ken Forsch to LA in exchange for shortstop Dickie Thon. Over his 11 years in Houston, Forsch compiled a 78-81 record with a 3.18 ERA and 50 saves. Meanwhile, the Astros got Thon after two bad years in LA to start his career, but he turned things around in Houston, playing there for seven years and being named an All-Star and Gold Glover once.
1997 – Larry Dierker managerial debut
After getting hired as the Astros manager with no previous coach experience at any level, the broadcaster tuned manager has his managerial debut against the defending league champs Atlanta Braves and manages to squeak out a win, beating them 2-1.
2003 – Jeff Kent’s welcome to Houston
In a 10-3 win over the Rockies, former MVP and newly acquired Astro Jeff Kent homers in his first at-bat with the team. His was just one of four hit by the Astros in that game, including two from Jeff Bagwell and another from Geoff Blum.
What else happened today in baseball history?
1989
Former president of Yale University and National League, Bart Giamatti, becomes the seventh commissioner of the MLB.
1996
After 26 seasons in the league, 51-year-old umpire John McSherry suddenly dies of a heart attack in the first inning of opening day between the Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos.
2018
Just a few days into his major league season and only being a DH, 23-year-old Shohei Ohtani makes his debut on the mound for the Angels, going six innings and striking out six. He became just the second player in MLB history to start opening day as a position player before taking the mound in a start, the last being Babe Ruth in 1919.