What happened today in team history?
1964 – “Astrodome” is introduced
While the construction of the Astrodome was still going on, the stadium went by the name “Harris County Domed Stadium.” That was until former Mayor Roy Hefheinz introduced the name “Astrodome” to the city along with a new logo designed for the Astros. These new logo featured baseball floating in air around a likeness of the stadium.
2006 – First attempt to replace Pettitte
With the team losing out on the Pettitte sweepstakes in the offseason, with him opting with the Yankees instead, the Astros instead acquired Texas native Jason Jennings to a trade with the Rockies. They got him and one other pitcher in exchange for two pitchers and an outfielder.
Expected to be a big help, Jennings ended up pitching less than 100 innings in his Astros career and left the team the next year after ending the 2007 season with an ERA nearing 6.50.
2007 – Tejada lands in Houston
In a deal that cost the Astros five players, former-MVP and four-time All-Star Miguel Tejada got sent to Houston from Baltimore. Despite joining the team at 34-years-old, Tejada immediately made an impact with the club, earning two All-Star nods in his two years in Houston and earning MVP votes in one of those years.
2015 – Astros get their closer
Needing a closer on the team, the Astros dealt their former first overall pick Mark Appel, along with four other players, to the Phillies for closer Ken Giles and another prospect. While Giles wasn’t the best closer in the league, he was a piece the Astros needed to go to the next step. His final year in Houston would end up being 2017, after he won his first and only World Series ring.
What else happened on this day?
1930
Baseball’s rules committee issues a list of new rules, one of which changes a ball that bounces over the fence in the outfield from a home run to a double, introducing the world the “ground-rule double”.
1998
In a massive contract move, RHP Kevin Brown became the first player to sign a $100+ million contract in baseball, signing with the Dodgers for 7-years, $105 million.
2018
Following two successful years in Houston, pitcher Charlie Morton decided to leave and opt for Florida, signing a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.