What happened today in team history?
1964 – Jim Umbricht passes
After just five years in the major leagues, Astros pitcher Jim Umbricht tragically passed away from melanoma cancer at just 33-years-old. Pitching just two seasons with the Colt .45s, Umbricht was the only pitcher at that point in franchise history to have finished both of his first two seasons with a winning record, going 4-0 in 1962 and 4-3 in 1963.
1966 – Introduction of “Astro Turf”
A game between the Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers in the Astrodome is played on synthetic grass for the first time. This playing surface of nylon grass would later popularize around the world thanks to the Astros using it, growing it’s nickname “Astroturf”
1984 – Dickie Thon beamed
In a game against the New York Mets, Astros shortstop Dickie Thon gets beaned by a fastball, breaking a bone in his eye and giving him a massive bruise. As a result, Thon had to sit out the remainder of the 1984 season and would have to deal with vision problems the remainder of his life.
2002 – Biggio’s cycle
During an 8-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, second baseman Craig Biggio, at 36-years-old, became the fourth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. It was capped off by a double in the eighth, helping lead the team to a win.
2005 – Clemens moves up in the record books
Roger Clemens wins his 329th game, helping the team in a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. This win tied him with Steve Carelton at ninth all-time in wins. He added on to this with a two-RBI single to help his team to a 3-2 win.
What else happened on this day?
1933
Schoolboy Rowe becomes the first person to homer to dead center of Polo Grounds, which is around 485 to center field.
1934
The first baseball game is legally played on a Sunday for the first time in front of just 15,000 fans in Philadelphia.
1969
On opening day, Lou Piniella led off the first game in history for the MLB’s new franchise. the Kansas City Royals.
1974
In a game against the Dodgers, Hank Aaron becomes the MLB’s new all-time home run king after smacking his 715th home run.
1975
Future MLB Hall of Famer and Reds legend Frank Robinson becomes the first black manager in MLB history.
2019
The Trump administration pulled back on the deal made between the MLB and the Cuban League that allowed players to join organized baseball through some sort of transfer system. The same in place for places like Japan and Korea.