What happened today in team history?
1975 – Joe Niekro joins the Astros
For $35,000, the Astros buy Joe Niekro contract from the Atlanta Braves. Niekro would go on to pitch 11 years in Houston, winning 144 games and becoming the first 20-win pitcher in Astros history. His time with the Astros would be highlighted by a 1979 season that saw him win 21 games and place 2nd in AL Cy Young voting.
1999 – Goodbye begins for the Dome
In their last home opener in the Astrodome, the Astros beat the Cubs, 4-2. Shane Reynolds is awarded the win for the Astros. Carl Everett and Richard Hidalgo were responsible for two of the runs for the Astros, both hitting solo homers.
What else happened on this day?
1970
Morganna Roberts, an exotic dancer, shocked everyone at a game when she ran from her box seats onto the field and gave the batter a big kiss during the first inning of their game.
1972
The first strike begins in MLB history with the cancellation of Opening Day for both leagues. The strike would be settled after just seven days after an agreed upon pension fund payments.
1973
Richard Nixon becomes the first president to throw a ceremonial first pitch at a game outside of Washington D.C. when he tosses a pitch out at a game between the Angels and Kansas City Royals at Anaheim Stadium.
1973
Tony Oliva becomes the first player in MLB history to hit a home run as a designated hitter. The round-tripper came off of Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter.
1977
The Seattle Mariners open up their franchise’s inaugural season with a 7-0 loss to the Angels in Seattle.
1992
The Baltimore Orioles begin their time at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.
2009
Switch-hitter Felipe Lopez becomes the first player in MLB history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate on Opening Day.
2015
The Tampa Bay Rays start off their season by retiring No. 66 in honor of Don Zimmer, their senior baseball adviser who passed away in June at age 83.
2017
In a minor league game for the Columbia Fireflies, former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow blasted his first home run of the minor league season before finishing the game with three strikeouts to go along with it.