What happened today in team history?
1961 – Astros move away from superstition
The Astros and Apache Junction, AZ reach an agreement to begin Spring Training in the facilities there, moving away from Geronimo Park. After serving as the home of the Colt .45 for many years, it is remembered best for its desolation and rumored curses.
1965 – Visitors ban from construction site
Nearing its completion of being built, Harris County Commissioners restrict visitors from visiting the construction site, fearing the visitors may get in the way of the work that needs to be done in order to reach their April 9th deadline.
1994 – Astros jerseys move to a new era
After many years of the orange stripe on the jersey and H on the hat, the Astros unveiled new uniforms that feature a new logo with an open star on the hat and front, and white and grey jerseys. These jereyes were changed again a few years later to the pinstripes, but the logo stayed on the team’s hats all the way till 2013.
2007 – Mark Loretta returns
Nearing the end of his career, the Astros signed infielder Mark Loretta to a one-year contract. In his second stint with the team, Loretta stayed in Houston for two years, hitting 38 doubles and eight homers over those two years and carried a .284 average over 234 games.
What else happened on this day?
1956
For the first time, the intentional walk is introduced to the American League during Spring Training. This is something that would not get adopted by the bigs until much later.
MLB establishes a new award, meant to honor the best pitcher in a given season, and name it after all-time great Cy Young. At first, one award was given out to one pitcher, rather than one for each league.
1991
The HOF voters unanimously agree on a proposal that eliminates the chance of enshrinement from any player that has been permanently banned from baseball, like Pete Rose.