What happened today in team history?
1951 – Cesar Cedeno born
Known as the Astros first superstar, Cesar Cedeno was born today in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Spending 12 of his 17 year career in Houston, Cedeno was a four-time All-Star, hitting .289 in those 12 years with 163 bombs and 343 doubles. He was later named to the Astros 35th Anniversary All-Astros team.
1988 – Jose Cruz leaves Houston
After a disappointing season in 1987, a 40-year-old Jose Cruz left Houston for the first time since the 1974 season and signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees. While Houston received a draft pick for the signing, Cruz went on to only appear in 38 games in the 1988 season before retiring following the end of the season.
1994 – Leo Durocher elected to the Hall
After passing away just three years prior in 1991, former Astros manager Leo Durocher gets elected by the Veterans Committee into the MLB Hall of Fame. Durocher managed the Astros between 1972-1973 after Harry Walker and had GM Spec Richardson under the impression that he would lead the team to a pennant.
2018 – Game is stopped for truck
During a Grapefruit League game between the Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals, a delay is caused after a promotional truck that was driving around the field was unable to get out as planned through the gate. The driver ends up taking the exit on the other side of the field to get out.
What else happened on this day?
1973
MLB players and owners come to terms on a three-year collective bargaining agreement, allowing teams to open their Spring Training facilities on March 1st. The new deal also agrees to raising the minimum on a contract and implements the “ten and five” rule, meaning a player with at least 10 years of major league experience under their belt can veto a trade involving them if their last five years were with the current team.