What happened today in Astros history?
1965 – The Astros first unofficial Spring Training grounds
Started by a group of Astros hopefuls, a group in Cocoa Beach, Florida opened a camp to begin Spring Training workouts. Veterans arrive at the camp a few weeks later to begin their training.
1991 – Nolan Ryan denies ownership
Approached by a group of potential buyers of the Astros, led by Ben Love, Nolan Ryan is asked to be part of the ownership group of the team. Ryan declines though, citing that active players are not allowed to own stakes in any team.
2006 – Reactions to Hamilton’s book
As people are still reacting to the book put out by long-time Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton, people in Chicago are focused on the bit where he talks about the deceased Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, calling him a “miserable human being”. He ends up getting a reaction out of Caray’s wife, Duchie, saying Hamilton hasn’t “shown any class at all”.
2007 – Buddy Hancken passes away
Former Astros coach and front office worker Morris “Buddy” Hancken passed away at 92. A coach for the team for five years (1968-1972), Buddy stayed with the club following that and worked in the front office in various positions.
What else happened on this day?
1910
New rules get adopted by both leagues, including batting orders must be delivered to the umpire at home plate before the game, a batter is out if he crosses the plate from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position to pitch and a base runner is out if he passes another runner before the latter has been put out.
1990
A lockout is held due to salary cap issues as owners refuse to open Spring Training facilities until the owners reach a new agreement with the players. This causes a one-week delay on the season.