1986 National League Championship Series

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1986 National League Championship Series

Team (Wins) Manager Season New York Mets (4) Davey Johnson 108-54, .667, GA: 21½ Houston Astros (2) Hal Lanier 96-66, .593, GA: 10
Dates:	October 8–October 15
MVP:	Mike Scott (Houston)
Television:	ABC
TV announcers:	Keith Jackson and Tim McCarver
Radio:	CBS Radio
Radio announcers:	Brent Musburger and Johnny Bench
Umpires:	Doug Harvey, Lee Weyer, Frank Pulli, Dutch Rennert, Joe West, Fred Brocklander
< 1985 NLCS 1987 >
1986 World Series

The 1986 National League Championship Series was a best-of-7 Major League Baseball postseason series between the NL East champion New York Mets and NL West champion Houston Astros. It is the lone MLB playoff series in which the opponents were two "expansion" teams that had begun play in in the same season (1962) and was won by the Mets, 4 games to 2, culminating with their thrilling 7-6, 16-inning triumph at Houston in Game 6. New York then defeated the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series, 4 games to 3.

Contents 1 Background 2 Summary 2.1 New York Mets vs. Houston Astros 3 Game summaries 3.1 Game 1 3.2 Game 2 3.3 Game 3 3.4 Game 4 3.5 Game 5 3.6 Game 6 4 Composite Box 5 Quotes of the Series 6 Aftermath 7 Notes

[edit] Background

After falling short of the NL East title in 1984 and 1985, the Mets, managed by Davey Johnson, cruised to first place in 1986 by posting a 108-54 record, a whopping 21-and-a-half games ahead of the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. The title was the third in Mets' history and first since 1973.

Meanwhile, Houston recorded a mark of 96-66 to capture the NL West title, clinching the crown when staff ace Mike Scott threw a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants, marking the first time any team had nailed down a division championship with a no-hitter. It was also the first time the Astros had won a division in six seasons. Houston was managed by Hal Lanier.

The Mets won seven of their 12 regular-season contests against the Astros, taking five of six at home and losing four of six in Houston, including a three-game sweep in July during which New York's Bob Ojeda, Ron Darling, Tim Teufel, and Rick Aguilera were arrested for a scuffle with off-duty cops working as bouncers.

[edit] Summary

[edit] New York Mets vs. Houston Astros

New York 4, Houston 2

Game	Score	Date	Location	Attendance
1	New York Mets - 0, Houston Astros - 1	October 8	Astrodome	44,131[1]
2	New York Mets - 5, Houston Astros - 1	October 9	Astrodome	44,391[2]
3	Houston Astros - 5, New York Mets - 6	October 11	Shea Stadium	55,052[3]
4	Houston Astros - 3, New York Mets - 1	October 12	Shea Stadium	55,038[4]
5	Houston Astros - 1, New York Mets - 2 (12 innings)	October 14	Shea Stadium	54,986[5]
6	New York Mets - 7, Houston Astros - 6 (16 innings)	October 15	Astrodome	45,718[6]

[edit] Game summaries

[edit] Game 1

Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, Texas

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Houston	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	1	7	1

WP: Mike Scott (1-0)  LP: Dwight Gooden (0-1)  
HRs:  HOU – Glenn Davis (1)

Game 1 was a nail-biter which featured an excellent pitching duel between eventual NLCS Most Valuable Player Mike Scott and Dwight Gooden. Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the Astros prevailed 1-0. Gooden allowed one run in his seven innings.

Houston first baseman Glenn Davis hit a long home run leading off the second inning, producing the game's lone run. Darryl Strawberry singled with one out in the top of the ninth and eventually reached third base, but Scott struck out Ray Knight to end it as the Astros took a 1-0 series lead.

[edit] Game 2

Thursday, October 9, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, Texas

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	2	3	0	0	0	0	5	10	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	10	2

WP: Bob Ojeda (1-0)  LP: Nolan Ryan (0-1)  

Game 2 saw the Mets knot the series at one game apiece as New York scored two runs in the fourth inning and then got three more in the fifth against Astros' starter Nolan Ryan en route to a 5-1 victory.

Lefty Bob Ojeda went the distance on a 10-hitter for the Mets, who were aided by a two-run triple from Keith Hernandez in the big fifth inning. Gary Carter added an RBI double and Wally Backman an RBI single for New York.

[edit] Game 3

Saturday, October 11, 1986 at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	8	1
New York	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	2	6	10	1

WP: Jesse Orosco (1-0)  LP: Dave Smith (0-1)  
HRs:  HOU – Bill Doran (1)  NYM – Darryl Strawberry (1), Lenny Dykstra (1)

Game 3 was an exciting, back-and-forth contest that was won by the Mets when Lenny Dykstra hit a two-run, walk-off homer against Astros' reliever Dave Smith in the bottom of the 9th inning, giving New York a 6-5 victory and 2-1 series lead on a Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

Houston broke through with four runs in the first two innings against Mets' starter Ron Darling, highlighted by Bill Doran's two-run home run in the second.

Darling then settled in by throwing three scoreless frames to give the Mets a chance to come back, which they did by scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth as Darryl Strawberry's three-run homer off Houston starter Bob Knepper tied the game 4-4.

However, the Astros struck back against reliever Rick Aguilera in the top of the seventh as a throwing error by Ray Knight led to an unearned run that came home when Denny Walling's fielder's choice plated Doran for a 5-4 lead. It was the only error committed by the Mets in the series.

With the Astros still leading in the bottom of the ninth, closer Smith allowed a lead-off bunt single to Wally Backman, who appeared to have run out of the first-base line to avoid the tag of first baseman Glenn Davis, but was called safe by umpire Dutch Rennert despite an argument from Houston manager Hal Lanier. The next batter was Dykstra, who won it for New York by lacing a Smith pitch over the right-field fence for a two-run homer as the Mets prevailed 6-5.

Jesse Orosco won the game in relief for New York by working two scoreless innings.

[edit] Game 4

Sunday, October 12, 1986 at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	4	1
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	0

WP: Mike Scott (2-0)  LP: Sid Fernandez (0-1)  
HRs:  HOU – Alan Ashby (1), Dickie Thon (1)

Astros' ace Mike Scott was dominant once again in Game 4 as the right-hander went the distance on a three-hitter to earn his second victory of the series in Houston's 3-1 triumph.

Mets' starter Sid Fernandez allowed just three runs in six innings, but surrendered a two-run home run to Alan Ashby and a solo shot to Dickie Thon to account for all the offense the Astros needed as they tied the series 2-2.

[edit] Game 5

Tuesday, October 14, 1986 at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	9	1
New York	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	4	0

WP: Jesse Orosco (2-0)  LP: Charlie Kerfeld (0-1)  
HRs:  NYM – Darryl Strawberry (2)

Houston pitchers Dave Smith and Charlie Kerfeld received death threats prior to Game 5.^{[citation needed]} Game 5 was scheduled to be played on Monday, October 13, but was postponed a day due to rain. This meant that the teams would have to play on Tuesday, a scheduled off day, and then immediately board a flight to Houston for Game 6 the very next day. The last thing either club wanted was a long extra-inning affair, but that was exactly what took place. Though it would be overshadowed a day later by Game 6, Game 5 was still one of the best games in the history of the playoffs, a tense 12-inning pitcher's duel that ended with a game-winning RBI single by slumping Gary Carter in the bottom of the 12th. The Mets won the game 2-1 and took the series lead 3–2.

"It's not a comfortable feeling," said Mets manager Davey Johnson, talking about a return to Houston. "The Astros don't give up. They fight tooth and nail. They'll have two fine pitchers going against us, who are each able to beat us. We'll have to play real well to beat them."^{[citation needed]}

Dwight Gooden continued his outstanding pitching in the LCS for the Mets, allowing only one run in 10 innings, the longest outing of his career. Once again, however, his efforts would not earn him a victory, as Astros starter Nolan Ryan matched him pitch for pitch, allowing only a single run himself. Both teams scored a lone run in the fifth inning. Bill Doran drove in Alan Ashby with an RBI fielder's choice to put the Astros up 1-0, but the Mets evened the score in the bottom of the inning on Darryl Strawberry's second home run of the series. Neither team would score again for seven more innings.

In the 11th inning, Gooden was relieved by Jesse Orosco, who came in and shut down the Astros for two innings. Then in the bottom of the 12th, the Mets finally broke through. Wally Backman opened things with an infield single to third, then went to second on an errant pickoff throw by Charlie Kerfeld. The Astros elected to walk Keith Hernandez intentionally to face Gary Carter, who was batting .048 (1-21) in the series so far. Carter ended the game with a single to center, sending the series back to Houston with the Mets one win away from earning a trip to the World Series.

Dwight Gooden's 10-inning start in Game 5 was the only time in his career he pitched more than nine innings in a game. Davey Johnson was criticized for removing Gooden after nine innings during a 0–0 game against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985 at a pivotal moment in a close pennant race.^{[citation needed]} Cardinals ace John Tudor remained in the game and ended up pitching a complete game 10-inning shutout, and the Cardinals went on to defeat the Mets in the division race that season.

[edit] Game 6

Wednesday, October 15, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, Texas

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	7	11	0
Houston	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	6	11	1

WP: Jesse Orosco (3-0)  LP: Aurelio Lopez (0-1)  
HRs:  HOU – Billy Hatcher (1)

Game 6 was one for the ages, in more ways than one. The game went 16 innings with the Mets coming out on top 7-6. It was the highest scoring game of the series; in fact, the 16th inning alone featured more runs than three of the previous five games had in their entirety.

(On July 20, 1986, the Mets and Astros had played a preview of their NLCS 16-inning marathon, but that game went 15 innings in 5 hours and 29 minutes as the Astros beat the Mets 9–8.)

The Astros broke through first, and for a low scoring series like this, they broke through big, scoring three runs off Bob Ojeda in the bottom of the first. He settled down after that, however, and the Astros wouldn't score again for the next 12 innings. Meanwhile, Astros starter Bob Knepper was brilliant from the very first pitch, and the game headed to the 9th still 3–0.

Just when it looked like the Mets would have to face Scott in a Game 7, their bats suddenly came to life. After pitching almost perfectly for the first eight innings, Knepper clearly tired in the 9th. He allowed three hits and recorded only one out, and left with the Astros clinging to a 3-2 lead. The decision by Lanier not to bring in Smith to start the inning was talked about for years to come.^{[citation needed]} Smith was their closer, but had blown a save earlier in the series. When Smith finally did appear, he was ineffective, walking two batters to load the bases and then allowing the tying run to score on a sacrifice fly by Ray Knight. In a matter of minutes, the previously raucous crowd of 45,718 had been almost completely silenced and extra innings had soon begun.

In the 14th, the Mets made their first bid to win. After Gary Carter opened with a single, a walk to Darryl Strawberry put two runners on with nobody out. After Knight forced Carter at third, Wally Backman drove a single to right. When Kevin Bass' throw to the plate sailed high over Alan Ashby's head to the screen, Strawberry scored.

With one out in the bottom of the 14th and the Houston fans with their heads in their hands, Billy Hatcher shocked everyone with a line drive home run off the left field foul pole. It was the first earned run allowed by the Mets bullpen in the entire series. Hatcher went 3 for 7 in the game, and his homer meant the Astros would be kept alive for at least one more inning. Both teams failed to score in the 15th, and the game went to the 16th inning, the most innings in playoff history at that time.

The 16th inning would be the deciding factor, and it was not an easy 16th for either pitching staff. The Mets appeared to take control of the game once again, this time coming up with 3 runs in the top half of the inning. The rally began with Strawberry receiving a gift double when Billy Hatcher and Bill Doran misplayed his towering fly ball with one out. When Knight followed with a single to right, a poor throw to the plate by Kevin Bass allowed the tiebreaking run to score, just as it had in the 14th. Jeff Calhoun then relieved Aurelio Lopez and uncorkerd a walk, two wild pitches, and a single by Lenny Dykstra to bring in two more runs, putting the Mets up 7-4.

Orosco struck out Craig Reynolds to open the inning, but a walk and two singles later, Houston had a run in and the tying run on base. Orosco induced Denny Walling to hit into a force play at second for the second out, but Glenn Davis singled home another run, bringing the Astros within a run. Orosco then struck out right fielder Kevin Bass with two outs and the tying run on second, and the winning run on first. Orosco was awarded the victory, marking the first time in postseason history a reliever won three games in a series.

The Mets had won the series with a .189 batting average, the lowest average ever recorded by a winning team in a postseason series.

"What we got was the big hit and that's what Houston could never get off our relievers", said Dykstra.^{[citation needed]}

"What can you say?" said Keith Hernandez of the Mets.^{[citation needed]}

And then, raising a bottle of champagne, he said it all: "I just don't ever want to go through another playoff series like this."^{[citation needed]} The series finale had been the longest postseason game, in terms of innings, of all time, a record it would hold until the 2005 National League Division Series when the Astros beat the Atlanta Braves in 18 innings, also to clinch the series. The game still holds the record for longest League Championship Series game. Baseball historians and fans often regard the series as the greatest series to not reach a deciding game.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Composite Box

1986 NLCS (4–2): New York Mets over Houston Astros

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	R	H	E
New York Mets	0	0	0	2	4	4	0	1	5	0	0	1	0	1	0	3	21	43	1
Houston Astros	5	5	0	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	17	49	7
Total attendance: 299,316   Average attendance: 49,886

[edit] Quotes of the Series

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3-2 to Bass....struck him out!!!...and the New York Mets have won the 1986 National League Pennant!

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) calling the final out of the 1986 NLCS.

And a high fly ball into right field it's fairly deep..Gone!! A HOME RUN!!, A HOME RUN!!! Len Dykstra hits a home run!! this ball game is over!!

—Bob Murphy (WHN Mets Radio) calling Lenny Dykstra's game winning 2-run homer in game 3.

High in the air towards the corner, curviing, it iiiiis HOME RUN!!.....watch it closely as it goes hooking towards the foul pole it is so close he knows he put enough wood on it but it some how stayed fair, does that remind you of Carlton Fisk a little?

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) calling Astros' Billy Hatcher's game tying home run in the bottom of the 14th inning of Game 6.

SWING AND A MISS!!, SWING AND A MISS!!, STRUCK HIM OUT!!, STRUCK HIM OUT!!, the Mets have won it, they're in the World Series, and mobbing all over Jesse Orosco, the Mets have won the Pennant!

—Bob Murphy calling the final out of Game 6. (WHN Mets Radio)

Dykstra, lifts one to deep center, drifting, drifting, Bass on the mooove can't get it..Dykstra thumping to third, he will stand at third with a triple!!

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) calling Lenny Dykstra's lead-off triple in the top of the ninth inning of Game 6.

Bottom of the 12th 1-1 tie, Gary Carter and Charlie Kerfeld dueling here..up the middle base hit!! Backman turns third, Hatcher the throooow no play! easy for Backman, and Carter with his second hit of the series wins it and the Mets win it in the 12th 2-1!

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) calling Mets' catcher Gary Carter's game winning RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 5.

BRING ON MIKE SCUFF!!

—an Astros fan holding a sign to the TV cameras at the Astrodome before the top of the 9th inning of Game 6.

2-1 to Hernandez, the ball is hit to the gap Hatcher is on his horse going, going going, cant get it it's against the wall, here comes Mookie Wilson around third he will score, Hernandez at second with a double, its a 3-2 ball game.

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) calling the Mets' Keith Hernandez's RBI double in the top of the ninth of Game 6.

2 and 2..high fly ball gap right center, Hatcher goes over makes the....no!! It's Bass cutting off, here comes Hernandez from third, he scores the game is tied on a sacrifice fly to right center by Ray Knight

—Keith Jackson (ABC Sports) play by play of the Mets' Ray Knight's game tying sac RBI fly in the ninth inning of Game 6.

He is a tough guy!

—Keith Jackson's comment to Astros' Bob Knepper's brilliant performance in Game 6.

[edit] Aftermath

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The series is notable for containing one of the most outstanding pitching performances in any postseason, by Houston right-hander Mike Scott, a former Met. Scott won both his starts and allowed just one run over 18 innings to post a 0.50 earned-run average and earn NLCS MVP honors, marking the first time in NLCS history that a player won the award in a losing effort. Scott, who would have faced Ron Darling in Game 7, went on to win the NL Cy Young Award with an 18-10 record and a 2.22 ERA.

Until 1999, Game 6 was the longest Major League Baseball playoff game by "innings" (16), although this game only lasted 4 hours and 42 minutes. In Game 5 of the 1999 National League Championship Series, the Mets played a similar game against the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium in New York. That game lasted 5 hours and 46 minutes. Mets thirdbaseman Robin Ventura ended the game in the Bottom of the 15th inning with his famous "Grand Slam Single", making this game the longest Major League Playoff game by "time" until Game 5 of the 2004 American League Championship Series. That game was played between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and ended in the 14th inning at 5 hours and 49 minutes. A year later (2005), the Astros and the Atlanta Braves would break that record when game 4 of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park lasted 5 hours and 50 minutes. Astros' Chris Burke hit a series-clinching walk-off home run off Braves' Joey Devine in the bottom of the 18th inning to end that one.

After beating the Astros in the 16 inning marathon, the Mets players partied so hard that they damaged the plane that flew them back to New York. The airline charged the Mets organization an unknown amount for the plane damage. Manager Davey Johnson tore up the bill in front of his players and paid for the damages himself as a gift to the players for their hard work in winning the National League pennant.

Astros' manager Hal Lanier earned NL Manager of the Year honors in 1986.

Houston Astros' pitcher Aurelio Lopez was killed in a car crash in 1992 in his native country Mexico. He was killed on the day after his 44th Birthday. His son, Albie Lopez, would pitch in the 2001 World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks against the New York Yankees.

Astro Kevin Bass later played 46 games for the New York Mets in 1992.

Veteran Astros' player Davey Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-2002.

Houston Astros' third baseman Phil Garner managed the Astros and guided the team to the 2005 National League pennant, the first pennant in team history.

[edit] Notes

Links to related articles v • d • e National League Championship Series 1960s-1970s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s-1990s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 Broadcasters v • d • e New York Mets 1986 World Series Champions 1 Mookie Wilson | 2 Kevin Elster | 3 Rafael Santana | 4 Lenny Dykstra | 6 Wally Backman | 7 Kevin Mitchell | 8 Gary Carter | 11 Tim Teufel | 12 Ron Darling | 13 Lee Mazzilli | 16 Dwight Gooden | 17 Keith Hernandez | 18 Darryl Strawberry | 19 Bob Ojeda | 20 Howard Johnson | 22 Ray Knight (World Series MVP) | 25 Danny Heep | 33 Barry Lyons | 38 Rick Aguilera | 39 Doug Sisk | 40 Randy Niemann | 42 Roger McDowell | 47 Jesse Orosco | 49 Ed Hearn | 50 Sid Fernandez Manager 5 Davey Johnson Coaches 23 Bud Harrelson | 28 Bill Robinson | 30 Mel Stottlemyre | 51 Vern Hoscheit | 52 Greg Pavlick Regular season • National League Championship Series v • d • e New York Mets Based in Queens, New York City, New York The Franchise History • Expansion Draft • Seasons • Records • Players • New York Mets Hall of Fame • Managers • Broadcasters • Opening Day starting pitchers • SportsNet New York Ballparks Polo Grounds • Shea Stadium • Citi Field • Spring Training: Al Lang Stadium • Tradition Field Culture Continental League • Mr. Met • Kiner's Korner • The Miracle Mets • Game 6 • Generation K • Grand Slam Single • The Catch • Home Run Apple • Sign Man • Cowbell Man • Curse of Ryan • 9/21/01 • "Meet the Mets" • George Kalinsky Key Personnel Owner: Fred Wilpon • COO: Jeff Wilpon • General Manager: Omar Minaya • Manager: Jerry Manuel Rivalries Philadelphia Phillies • New York Yankees • Subway Series • Atlanta Braves Important Figures William Shea • Joan Payson • Casey Stengel • Bob Murphy • Lindsey Nelson • Ralph Kiner • Gil Hodges • Ed Kranepool • Tug McGraw • Bud Harrelson • Tom Seaver • Jerry Koosman • Tommie Agee • Yogi Berra • Rusty Staub • Nelson Doubleday, Jr. • Frank Cashen • Davey Johnson • Dwight Gooden • Gary Carter • Ray Knight • Ron Darling • Mookie Wilson • Lenny Dykstra • Jesse Orosco • Keith Hernandez • Darryl Strawberry • David Cone • Gary Cohen • John Franco • Howie Rose • Bobby Valentine • Al Leiter • Edgardo Alfonzo • Mike Piazza • Robin Ventura • José Reyes • David Wright • Willie Randolph • Pedro Martínez • Carlos Beltrán • Carlos Delgado • Johan Santana • Francisco Rodríguez Retired Numbers 14 • 37 • 41 • 42 • Shea Championships 1969 • 1986 Pennants National League: 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 2000 Other titles Eastern: 1969 • 1973 • 1986 • 1988 • 2006 • Wild Card: 1999 • 2000 Minors Player overview • AAA: Buffalo Bisons • AA: Binghamton Mets • A: St. Lucie Mets • Savannah Sand Gnats • Brooklyn Cyclones • Rookie: Kingsport Mets • Gulf Coast League Mets • DSL Mets • VSL Mets   Seasons (48) 1960s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 1970s 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 1990s 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 v • d • e Houston Astros Formerly the Houston Colt .45s • Based in Houston, Texas The Franchise Expansion Draft • History • Seasons • Records • Awards • Players • Managers • General managers and Owners • Broadcasters • Fox Sports Houston • Opening Day starting pitchers • All articles Ballparks Colt Stadium • Astrodome • Minute Maid Park Spring Training: Cocoa Expo Stadium • Osceola County Stadium Culture AstroTurf • Junction Jack • Orbit • Lone Star Series • Crawford Boxes • Rainbow Guts • Continental League Important Figures Jeff Bagwell • Craig Biggio • Nolan Ryan • Jimmy Wynn • Brad Ausmus • Bob Watson • Larry Dierker • César Cedeño • José Cruz • Joe Niekro • Billy Wagner • Roy Oswalt • Lance Berkman • Roger Clemens • Mike Scott Retired Numbers 5 • 7 • 24 • 25 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 40 • 42 • 49 Key Personnel Owner: Drayton McLane, Jr. • General Manager: Ed Wade • Manager: Cecil Cooper National League Pennants (1) 2005 Division Titles Western: 1980 • 1986 • Central: 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2001 • Wild Card: 2004 • 2005 Minors AAA: Round Rock Express • AA: Corpus Christi Hooks • A: Lancaster JetHawks • Lexington Legends • Tri-City Valley Cats • Rookie: Greeneville Astros • Gulf Coast League Astros   Seasons (48) 1960s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 1970s 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 1990s 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 v • d • e Major League Baseball on ABC Related programs Major League Baseball Game of the Week · Monday Night Baseball · Thursday Night Baseball · Baseball Night in America · ESPN Major League Baseball Related articles The Baseball Network · Ratings for ABC broadcasts · World Series television ratings · Television contracts Commentators List of ABC commentators · The Baseball Network · All-Star Game · ALCS · ALDS · NLCS · NLDS · One-game playoffs · World Series Key figures Gary Bender · Buddy Blattner · Jack Buck · Howard Cosell · Dizzy Dean · Don Drysdale · Carl Erskine · Curt Gowdy · Merle Harmon · Keith Jackson · Reggie Jackson · Jim Kaat · Tim McCarver · Corey McPherrin · Al Michaels · Joe Morgan · Brent Musburger · Jim Palmer · Ross Porter · Bob Prince · Jackie Robinson · Chris Schenkel · Gary Thorne · Bob Uecker · Lesley Visser · Earl Weaver · Bill White · Warner Wolf Lore 1978 American League East tie-breaker game · 1980 National League West tie-breaker game · The Call · 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