What happened today in team history?
1976 – Art Howe is sent to Houston
In a trade with the Pirates that happened the previous month, Art Howe is now sent to the Astros for Tommy Helms. In his seven years with the team, he not only was a Swiss Army knife for them, playing different positions around the infield, but he helped the team to their first division win in franchise history. Once stepping away from the game, Howe began his managerial career in Houston, coaching the Astros from 1989-1993.
2015 – Biggio makes the HOF
Receiving just over 82% of the votes, former Astro Craig Biggio makes the Hall of Fall in his third year of eligibility. He became the first player in history to be inducted into the hall as an Astro. His teammate Jeff Bagwell will join him just a couple years later in 2017 after getting 55.7% of votes this year.
What else happened on this day?
1958
Ford Frick gets his first taste of the MLB, getting named the public relations director of the National League. Less than a year later he would become the director of the National League before later becoming commissioner of baseball.
1976
The American League announces their new expansion franchise will be in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners began play just a year later.
1995
Despite President Clinton’s dealline being passed, the MLB players strike continues past the February 6th deadline.