What happened today in team history?
1962 – Astros sign John Bateman
The Astros signed a 21-year-old catcher by the name of John Bateman to a free-agent deal that ended up working out well. Leading the team in home runs and RBIs in his first year before having a career year in 1966 when he hit .279 with 17 bombs, 24 doubles and 70 RBIs. He ended up playing for the Astros for six years before leaving for the Montreal Expos in 1969.
2002 – Astros get their stadium back
After the failing and subsequent bankruptcy of Houston-based energy company Enron, the Astros purchased the naming rights back from them for $2.1 million. The two sides signed a 30-year contract for the naming rights back in 1999, but after the controversy, the team decided to move in a different direction.
2006 – Clemens battle
While preparing for the World Baseball Classic, although not technically still an Astro, pitcher Roger Clemens faced his 19-year-old son Koby smacked a home run off his dad at the Astros minor league camps.
What else happened on this day?
1901
After making the foul ball rule, the National League Rules Committee agrees that a foul ball on two-strike counts does not count as a strike.
1908
The first adaptation of the sacrifice fly rule is implemented into the game. A batter will not be charged with an at bat if a runner scores after the catch of the fly ball.
1912
The New York Yankees announced that they will be changing their uniforms to now include their iconic pinstripes. While it would not go into effect immediately, once it did, the uniforms became part of the Yankees culture.