The History of the Houston Astros

Early Years as the Colt .45s

The Houston Astros began their journey in 1962, but they weren't always called the Astros. The team started as the Houston Colt .45s. They were one of two teams added to the National League that year. The team played their first three seasons at Colt Stadium, which was very hot and had lots of mosquitoes.

Becoming the Astros

In 1965, the team changed their name to the Houston Astros. This name was chosen because Houston was home to NASA's Mission Control Center. The team also moved into a new stadium called the Astrodome. It was the world's first indoor baseball stadium with a roof. People called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." The Astrodome solved the problems of hot weather and rain delays.

The Rainbow Uniforms

In the 1970s, the Astros became known for their colorful uniforms. These jerseys had bright orange, red, and yellow stripes. Fans either really loved or really disliked these rainbow uniforms. The team wore different versions of these colorful uniforms until the mid-1990s.

Notable Players Through the Decades

Many great players have worn an Astros uniform. In the early years, players like Jimmy Wynn (nicknamed the "Toy Cannon") and José Cruz were fan favorites. Later, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell became the faces of the team in the 1990s and early 2000s. These two players spent their entire careers with the Astros and both made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Moving to the American League

For most of their history, the Astros played in the National League. However, in 2013, they moved to the American League West Division. This was a big change for the team and their fans. The move meant the Astros would now use a designated hitter instead of having pitchers bat.

Modern Success

The Astros have had their ups and downs over the years. After some difficult seasons in the early 2010s, the team rebuilt and became very successful. They won the World Series in 2017 and 2022. They also appeared in the World Series in 2019 and 2021.

Today's Astros

Today, the Astros play at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. The stadium opened in 2000 and has a retractable roof. This means the roof can be open when the weather is nice and closed when it's too hot or raining.

The team has developed many exciting players in recent years like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Alex Bregman. The Astros have built one of the strongest teams in baseball through good drafting and player development.

Team Traditions

The Astros have several traditions that fans enjoy. Their mascot, Orbit, is a green alien who entertains fans at games. After wins at home, the train above the left field moves along its track to celebrate. The team also has a strong connection to the space program, often honoring NASA and astronauts at special games.

The Houston Astros have grown from a brand new team in 1962 to one of baseball's most successful franchises today. Their history shows how a team can change and improve over many decades.