Astros in the Sky
by Darrell Pittman
Last updated: October 8, 2009
Houston's baseball club is, by MLB standards, a very young one: the 2009
season was only its 48th. Still, over the years, the franchise has lost a number of players, including the tragic deaths of Jim
Umbricht in 1963 of cancer, and Don
Wilson in 1975 of carbon monoxide poisoning. Both were active players at the time of their deaths, and their numbers were later retired by the club.
This page is dedicated to the memory of all former Colt .45s and Astros
players who have since passed on. For obituaries on former Astros managers, visit the All-Time Managers page.
You can view the player details in the chronological
order of their passing, or select alphabetically from the following:
A-C
Tommie Agee,
John Anderson,
Rafael Batista,
John Bateman,
Jim Beauchamp,
Bo Belinsky,
Curt Blefary,
Walt Bond,
Pidge Browne,
George Brunet,
Jim Busby,
John Buzhardt,
Ken Caminiti,
Andujar Cedeño,
Al Cicotte,
Willie Crawford,
D-L
Jay Dahl,
Ron Davis,
Dick Drott,
Arnold Earley,
Dick "Turk" Farrell,
Nellie Fox,
Gary Geiger,
Billy Goodman,
Howie Goss,
Julio Gotay,
Al Heist,
Joe Hoerner,
John Hoffman,
Gordon Jones,
Darryl Kile,
Jack Lamabe,
Norm Larker,
Aurelio Lopez
M-R
Marty Martinez,
Eddie Mathews,
Lee Maye,
Don McMahon,
Aurelio Monteagudo,
Ivan Murrell,
Joe Niekro,
Don Nottebart,
Jim Pendleton,
Brian Powell,
Howie Reed,
Dave A. Roberts,
Vern Ruhle,
Pete Runnels
S-Z
Carroll Sembera,
Larry Sherry,
Dave Smith,
Johnny Temple,
Bobby Tiefenauer,
Jim Umbricht,
Cecil Upshaw,
Jose Uribe,
Glenn Vaughan,
Johnny Weekly,
George Williams,
Ron Willis,
Don Wilson,
Hal Woodeshick,
Chris Zachary
(c) Houston Astros |
Jim Umbricht
| Full name: |
James Umbricht |
| Nickname: |
"Big Jim" |
| Born: |
9/17/30, Chicago, IL |
| Died: |
4/8/64, Houston, TX; cancer |
| Career: |
PIT (1959-61), HOU (1962-63) |
| Jersey retired: |
#32, 4/12/65 |
| Notes: |
First jersey number to be retired by Houston
His ashes were spread over the Astrodome construction
site by his brother Ed from a private airplane as his
parents and teammates looked on.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jay
Dahl
| Full name: |
Jay Steven Dahl |
| Born: |
12/6/45, San Bernadino, CA |
| Died: |
6/20/65, Salisbury, NC; auto accident |
| Career: |
HOU (1963) |
| Notes: |
Starting pitcher for Colt .45s "All-Rookie Team" against
the Mets, 9/27/63. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Walt Bond
| Full name: |
Walter Franklin Bond |
| Born: |
10/19/37, Denmark, TN |
| Died: |
9/14/67, Houston, TX; leukemia |
| Career: |
CLE (1960-62), HOU (1964-65), MIN (1967) |
| Notes: |
One of the last alums of the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs.
His 85 RBIs in 1964 were most of any Colt .45 in one season. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Johnny Weekly
| Full name: |
Johnny Weekly |
| Born: |
6/14/37, Waterproof, LA |
| Died: |
11/24/74, Walnut Creek, CA; auto accident |
| Career: |
HOU (1962-64) |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Don Wilson
| Full name: |
Donald Edward Wilson |
| Born: |
2/12/45, Monroe, LA |
| Died: |
1/5/75, Houston, TX; carbon monoxide poisoning |
| Career: |
HOU (1966-74) |
| All-Star: |
1971 |
| Jersey retired: |
#40, 4/13/75 |
| Notes: |
On 6/18/67, pitched a 2-0 no-hitter over the Braves in Houston.
On 5/1/69, pitched a 4-0 no-hitter over the Reds in Cincinnati.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Nellie Fox
| Full name: |
Jacob Nelson Fox |
| Nickname: |
"Mighty Mite", "Little Nel" |
| Born: |
12/25/27, St. Thomas, PA |
| Died: |
12/1/75, Baltimore, MD; skin cancer |
| Career: |
PHI-A (1947-49), CHW (1950-63), HOU (1964-65) |
| All-Star: |
1951-61, 1963 |
| Hall of Fame: |
Inducted 1997, Veterans Committee |
| Notes: |
Brought to Houston to mentor second-baseman Joe Morgan. Stayed on as a coach, 1965-67.
Got the game-winning hit in the first game at the Astrodome, 4/9/65.
1959 World Series MVP for "Go-Go" Chicago White Sox.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Dick Farrell
| Full name: |
Richard Joseph Farrell |
| Nickname: |
"Turk" |
| Born: |
4/8/34, Boston, MA |
| Died: |
6/10/77, Great Yarmouth, England; auto accident |
| Career: |
PHI (1956-61), LAD (1961), HOU (1962-67), PHI (1967-69) |
| All-Star: |
1958, 1962, 1964, 1965 |
| Notes: |
Houston's first All Star.
Famous for his practical jokes. Once sneaked a baby alligator into the whirlpool in the Colt .45s' clubhouse.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Ron Willis
| Full name: |
Ronald Earl Willis |
| Born: |
7/12/43, Willisville, TN |
| Died: |
11/21/77, Memphis, TN; brain tumor |
| Career: |
STL (1966-69), HOU (1969), SD (1970) |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Al Cicotte
| Full name: |
Alva Warren Cicotte |
| Nicknames: |
"Bozo", because of the brand of ice cream he favored.
"Count Dracula", because he favored black suits, often
with a cape. |
| Born: |
12/23/29, Melvindale, MI |
| Died: |
11/29/82, Westland, MI; cause not reported |
| Career: |
NYY (1957), WAS (1958), DET (1958), CLE (1959), STL (1961), HOU
(1962) |
| Notes: |
Great-nephew of Eddie Cicotte, who
was banned from baseball in the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Billy Goodman
| Full name: |
William Dale Goodman |
| Born: |
3/22/26, Concord, NC |
| Died: |
10/1/84, Sarasota, FL; cancer |
| Career: |
BOS (1947-57), BAL (1957), CHW (1958-61), HOU (1962) |
| All-Star: |
1949, 1953 |
| Notes: |
1950 AL batting champion.
Played five games in the World Series for the 1959 Chicago White Sox against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Howie Reed
| Full name: |
Howard Dean Reed |
| Nickname: |
"Diz" |
| Born: |
12/21/36, Dallas, TX |
| Died: |
12/7/84, Corpus Christi, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
KC (1958-60), LA (1964-66), CAL (1966), HOU (1967), MON
(1969-71) |
| Notes: |
Member of 1965 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Dick
Drott
| Full name: |
Richard Fred Drott |
| Nickname: |
"Hummer" |
| Born: |
7/1/36, Cincinnati, OH |
| Died: |
8/16/85, Glendale Heights, IL; stomach cancer |
| Career: |
CHC (1957-61), HOU (1962-63) |
| Notes: |
Lost a 1-0 no-hitter to Juan Marichal on June 15, 1963 despite tossing a three-hitter himself. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Don McMahon
| Full name: |
Donald John McMahon |
| Born: |
1/4/30, Brooklyn, NY |
| Died: |
7/22/87, Los Angeles, CA; heart attack |
| Career: |
MIL-N (1957-62), HOU (1962-64), CLE (1964-66), BOS (1966-67),
CHW (1967-68), DET (1968-69), SF (1969-74) |
| All-Star: |
1958 |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Aurelio Monteagudo
| Full name: |
Aurelio Faustino (Cintra) Monteagudo |
| Nickname: |
"Monty" |
| Born: |
11/19/43, Caribarien, Cuba |
| Died: |
11/10/90, Saltillo, Mexico; auto accident |
| Career: |
KC (1963-66), HOU (1966), CHW (1967), KC (1970), CAL (1973) |
| Notes: |
Son of major-leaguer Rene Monteagudo. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Pete Runnels
| Full name: |
James Edward Runnels (b. James Edward Runnells) |
| Born: |
1/28/28, Lufkin, TX |
| Died: |
5/20/91, Pasadena, TX; stroke |
| Career: |
WAS (1951-57), BOS (1958-62), HOU (1963-64) |
| All-Star: |
1959, 1960, 1962 |
| Notes: |
Texas Sports Hall of Fame, 1982.
Two-time AL Batting Champion: 1960 (.320), and 1962 (.326)
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
George
Brunet
| Full name: |
George Stuart Brunet |
| Nickname: |
"Lefty" |
| Born: |
6/8/35, Houghton, MI |
| Died: |
10/25/91, Poza Rica, Mexico; heart attack |
| Career: |
KC (1956-60), MIL-N (1960-61), HOU (1962-63), BAL (1963), CAL
(1965-69), SEA (1969), WAS (1970), PIT (1970), STL (1971) |
| Notes: |
Played minor league ball in the Mexican League into his
fifties. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Ron Davis
| Full name: |
Ronald Everette Davis |
| Born: |
10/21/41, Roanoke Rapids, NC |
| Died: |
9/5/92, Houston, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1962, 1966-68), STL (1968), PIT (1969) |
| Notes: |
Appeared in two games for Cardinals in 1968 World Series. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Aurelio Lopez
| Full name: |
Aurelio Alejandro (Rios) Lopez |
| Nickname: |
Señor Smoke |
| Born: |
9/21/48, Tecamachalco, Mexico |
| Died: |
9/22/92, Matehuala, Mexico; auto accident |
| Career: |
KC (1974), STL (1978), DET (1979-85), HOU (1986-87) |
| All-Star: |
1974, 1983 |
| Notes: |
Member of 1986 NL West Division champs.
Member of 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Johnny
Temple
| Full name: |
John Ellis Temple |
| Born: |
8/8/27, Lexington, NC |
| Died: |
1/9/94, Anderson, SC; pancreatitis |
| Career: |
CIN (1952-59), CLE (1960-61), BAL (1962), HOU (1962-63),
CIN (1964) |
| All-Star: |
1956, 1957, 1959, 1961 |
| Notes: |
Part of baseball's first inter-league trade (in 1960 from
Cincinnati to Cleveland for Billy Martin and Cal McLish).
Sports anchor for KHOU-TV in Houston after his retirement.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Gordon Jones
| Full name: |
Gordon Bassett Jones |
| Born: | 4/2/30, Portland, OR |
| Died: |
4/25/94, Lodi, CA; cause not reported |
| Career: |
STL (1954-56), NYG/SF (1957-59), BAL (1960-61), KC (1962), HOU
(1964-65) |
| Notes: |
Astros pitching coach, 1966-67. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Cecil Upshaw
| Full name: |
Cecil Lee Upshaw |
| Born: |
10/22/42, Spearnsville, LA |
| Died: |
2/7/95, Lawrenceville, GA; heart attack |
| Career: |
ATL (1966-73), HOU (1973), CLE (1974), NYY (1974), CHW (1975) |
| Notes: |
Pitched three games in 1969 NLCS. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jim Pendleton
| Full name: |
James Edward Pendleton |
| Nickname: |
"The Guv'nor" |
| Born: |
1/7/24, St. Charles, MO |
| Died: |
3/20/96, Houston, TX; heart attack |
| Career: |
MIL-N (1953-56); PIT (1957-58); CIN (1959); HOU (1962) |
| Notes: |
Starting left fielder in Houston franchise's first game, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Gary Geiger
| Full name: |
Gary Merle Geiger |
| Born: |
4/4/37, Sand Ridge, IL |
| Died: |
4/24/96, Murphysboro, IL; liver failure |
| Career: |
CLE (1958), BOS (1959-65), ATL (1966-67), HOU (1969-70) |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jim Busby
| Full name: |
James Franklin Busby |
| Born: |
1/8/27, Kennedy, TX |
| Died: |
7/8/96, Augusta, GA; heart attack |
| Career: |
CHW (1950-52), WAS (1952-55), CHW (1955), CLE (1956-57), BAL
(1957-58), BOS (1959-60), BAL (1960-61), HOU (1962) |
| All-Star: |
1951 |
| Notes: |
Astros coach, 1962-67. Was player/coach in franchise's first season. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Howie Goss
| Full name: |
Howard Wayne Goss |
| Born: |
11/1/34, Wewoka, OK |
| Died: |
7/31/96, Reno, NV; cause not reported |
| Career: |
PIT (1962), HOU (1963) |
| Notes: |
Struck out 128 times in just 442 plate appearances during his only season with the Colts .45s.
First Houston player reported to be a health food enthusiast. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Joe Hoerner
| Full name: |
Joseph Walter Hoerner |
| Born: |
11/12/36, Dubuque, IA |
| Died: |
10/4/96, Hermann, MO; farming accident |
| Career: |
HOU (1963-64), STL (1966-69), PHI (1970-72), ATL (1972-73), KC
(1973-74), PHI (1975), TEX (1976), CIN (1977) |
| All-Star: |
1970 |
| Notes: |
Member of 1967 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
John Bateman
| Full name: |
John Alvin Bateman |
| Born: |
7/21/40, Killeen, TX |
| Died: |
12/3/96, Sand Spring, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1963-68), MON (1969-72), PHI (1972) |
| Notes: |
As a rookie, led Colt .45s in home runs (10) and RBIs (59), 1963.
Caught Don Nottebart's no-hitter, 5/17/63. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Pidge
Browne
| Full name: |
Prentice Almont Browne |
| Nickname: |
"Pidge" |
| Born: |
3/21/29, Peekskill, NY |
| Died: |
6/3/97, Houston, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1962) |
| Notes: |
1955 Texas League MVP for Shreveport Sports.
Member of Houston Buffaloes' back-to-back Dixie Series Champions, 1956-57.
Only player to play for both the Houston Buffs and Colt .45s.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
John
Anderson
| Full name: |
John Charles Anderson |
| Born: | 11/23/32, St. Paul, MN |
| Died: |
12/20/98, Houston, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
PHI (1958), BAL (1960), STL (1962), HOU (1962) |
|
(c) Mike Bartlett |
Arnold
Earley
| Full name: |
Arnold Carl Earley |
| Born: |
6/4/33, Lincoln Park, MI |
| Died: |
9/29/99, Flint, MI; cause not reported |
| Career: |
BOS (1960-65), CHC (1966), HOU (1967) |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Bobby Tiefenauer
| Full name: |
Bobby Gene Tiefenauer |
| Born: |
12/10/29, Desloge, MO |
| Died: |
6/13/00, Desloge, MO; cause not reported |
| Career: |
STL-N (1952, 55), CLE (1960), STL-N (1961), HOU (1962), MIL-N
(1963-65), NYM (1965), CLE (1965, 67), CHC (1968) |
| Notes: |
Knuckleball pitcher. As a Colt .45, his catcher once used the hurler's glove to make a tag at home plate on a throw from the outfield. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Tommie Agee
| Full name: |
Tommie Lee Agee |
| Born: | 8/9/42, Magnolia, AL |
| Died: |
1/22/01, New York, NY; heart attack |
| Career: |
CLE (1962-65), CHW (1965-67), NYM (1968-72), HOU (1973), STL
(1973) |
| All-Star: |
1966, 1967 |
| Honors: |
1966 AL Rookie of the Year |
| Notes: |
Hero of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" for his homer in Game 3 of the World Series off Jim Palmer, and two great catches in the outfield. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Curt Blefary
| Full name: |
Curtis LeRoy Blefary |
| Nickname: |
"Clank", because of his poor fielding. |
| Born: |
7/5/43, Brooklyn, NY |
| Died: |
1/28/01, Pompano Beach, FL; pancreatitis |
| Career: |
BAL (1965-68), HOU (1969), NYY (1970-71), OAK (1971-72), SD (1972) |
| Honors: |
1965 AL Rookie of the Year |
| Notes: |
Member of 1966 World Champion Baltimore Orioles.
Caught Tom Phoebus' 4/27/68 no-hitter for Orioles.
Set record getting putout in seven double plays, 5/4/69.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Eddie Mathews
| Full name: |
Edwin Lee Mathews, Jr. |
| Born: |
10/13/31, Texarkana, TX |
| Died: |
2/18/01, La Jolla, CA; pneumonia |
| Career: |
BOS-N (1952), MIL-N (1953-65), ATL (1966), HOU (1967), DET
(1967-68) |
| All-Star: |
1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 |
| Hall of Fame: |
Inducted 1978 |
| Notes: |
Only player to play for Braves in all three cities: Boston, Milwaukee,
and Atlanta.
Hit 500th career homer while a member of the Astros, 7/14/67.
Member of World Champion 1957 Milwaukee Braves and 1968 Detroit Tigers. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Bo
Belinsky
| Full name: |
Robert Belinsky |
| Nickname: |
"Bo" |
| Born: |
12/7/36, New York, NY |
| Died: |
11/23/01, Las Vegas, NV; heart attack |
| Career: |
LAA (1962-65), PHI (1965-66), HOU (1967), PIT (1969),
CIN (1970) |
| Notes: |
Tossed a no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels against Baltimore, the first no-hitter on the West Coast in MLB history, 5/5/62.
Married and divorced Playboy Playmate of the Year Jo Collins then married paper heiress Jane Weyerhauser.
Astros paired him with Mormon catcher Ron Brand on road trips to try to curtail his nightlife. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
John Hoffman
| Full name: |
John Edward Hoffman |
| Nickname: |
"Pork Chop" |
| Born: |
10/31/43, Aberdeen, SD |
| Died: |
12/27/01, Seattle, WA; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1964-65) |
| Notes: |
Backup catcher appeared in eight games with Houston, going 3-for-21 for his career. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Darryl
Kile
| Full name: |
Darryl Andrew Kile |
| Nickname: |
"DK" |
| Born: |
12/2/68, Garden Grove, CA |
| Died: |
6/22/02, Chicago, IL; coronary artery blockage due to athereosclerosis |
| Career: |
HOU (1991-97), COL (1998-99), STL (2000-02) |
| All-Star: |
1993, 1997, 2000 |
| Notes: |
Pitched no-hitter
against Mets, 9/8/93.
Went 19-7 with 2.57 ERA for 1997 Astros.
Died four days after death of Cardinals' announcer Jack Buck.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Lee Maye
| Full name: |
Arthur Lee Maye |
| Born: |
12/11/34, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Died: |
7/17/02, Riverside, CA; complications from liver cancer |
| Career: |
MIL-N (1959-65), HOU (1965-66), CLE (1967-69), WAS (1969-70), CHW (1970-71) |
| Notes: |
Died on the 43rd anniversary of his MLB debut with the
Milwaukee Braves (7/17/59).
AstrosDaily
interview, 7/16/01.
Had a successful R&B recording/singing career, leading "Arthur Lee Maye and the
Crowns" and used to sing at the "Dome Shadows" nightclub across
the street from the Astrodome.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Chris Zachary
| Full name: |
William Christopher Zachary |
| Born: |
2/19/44, Knoxville, TN |
| Died: |
4/19/03, Knoxville, TN; bone marrow cancer |
| Career: |
HOU (1963-67), KC (1969), STL (1971), DET (1972), PIT (1973) |
| Notes: |
Once described himself as "a pretty decent 10th-man on a 10-man staff."
Inducted into Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Willie Crawford
| Full name: |
Willie Murphy Crawford |
| Born: |
9/7/46, Los Angeles, CA |
| Died: |
8/27/04, Knoxville, TN; kidney disease |
| Career: |
LAD (1964-75), STL (1976), HOU (1977), OAK (1977) |
| Notes: |
Made his major league debut nine days after his 18th birthday, 9/16/64.
Member of 1965 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Ken Caminiti
| Full name: |
Kenneth Gene Caminiti |
| Born: |
4/21/63, Hanford, CA |
| Died: |
10/11/04, Bronx, NY; heart attack |
| Career: |
HOU (1987-94), SD (1995-98), HOU (1999-2000), TEX (2001), ATL (2001) |
| All-Star: |
1994, 1996, 1997 |
| Honors: |
1996 National League Most Valuable Player |
| Notes: |
Slugged three homers in 1999 NLDS.
Struggled with alcohol and drug addiction; admitted to using steroids during his MVP season with the Padres.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Glenn Vaughan
| Full name: |
Glenn Edward Vaughan |
| Nickname: |
"Sparky" |
| Born: |
2/16/44, Compton, CA |
| Died: |
12/18/04, Houston, TX; natural causes |
| Career: |
HOU (1963) |
| Notes: |
Starting third baseman in the All-Rookie Game, 9/27/63.
Nephew of Hall-of-Famer Arky Vaughan.
Ran a successful insurance business in Houston following his retirement from baseball.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Carroll Sembera
| Full name: |
Carroll William Sembera |
| Nicknames: |
"Pencil", "The Hat" |
| Born: |
7/26/41, Shiner, TX |
| Died: |
6/15/05, Shiner, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1965-67), MON (1969-70) |
| Notes: |
Served as a scout for the Seattle Mariners.
Pitched exactly 100 innings as an Astro, with a 3-9 record.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Al Heist
| Full name: |
Alfred Michael Heist |
| Born: |
10/5/27, Brooklyn, NY |
| Died: |
10/2/06, Tahlequah, OK; cause not reported |
| Career: |
CHC (1960-61) HOU (1962) |
| Notes: |
Acquired by Houston in the National League expansion draft after the 1961 season.
Appeared in 27 games for the Colt .45s, batting .222 as an outfielder.
Coached in the Astros organization in 1966 and 1967. Later coached in the Padres organization.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Ivan Murrell
| Full name: |
Ivan Augustus (Peters) Murrell |
| Nicknames: |
"Banana Man", "El Toro", "Bull", "Ivan the Terrible" |
| Born: |
9/28/43, Almirante, Panama |
| Died: |
10/8/06, Stuart, FL; cause not reported |
| Career: |
HOU (1963-64, 1967-68), SD (1969-73), ATL (1974) |
| Notes: |
Played in Mexican League until 1984.
In 1989, played for the St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association, hitting .272 with 5 HR over 47 games.
Astros Daily interview, 2002.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Joe Niekro
| Full name: |
Joseph Franklin Niekro |
| Nickname: |
"Knucksie" |
| Born: |
11/7/44, Martins Ferry, OH |
| Died: |
10/27/06, Tampa, FL; brain aneurysm |
| Career: |
CHC (1967-69), SD (1969), DET (1970-72), ATL (1973-74), HOU (1975-85), NYY (1985-87), MIN (1987-88) |
| All-Star: |
1979 |
| Notes: |
Houston's first back-to-back 20-game winner (1979-80).
Winning pitcher of one-game playoff against the Dodgers to give Astros first division title, 10/06/80.
Younger brother of Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro.
Father of major leaguer Lance Niekro.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jose Uribe
| Full name: |
Jose Altagracia Gonzalez Uribe |
| Born: |
1/21/59, San Cristobal, DR |
| Died: |
12/8/06, Juan Baron, DR; auto accident |
| Career: |
STL (1984), SF (1985-92), HOU (1993) |
| All-Star: |
1987, 1989 |
| Notes: |
Fans would chant "OOH-ree-bay" when he would make a good play.
Second cousin of Juan Uribe. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Larry Sherry
| Full name: |
Lawrence Sherry |
| Born: |
7/25/35, Los Angeles, CA |
| Died: |
12/17/06, Mission Viejo, CA; cancer |
| Career: |
LAD (1958-63), DET (1964-67), HOU (1967), CAL (1968) |
| All-Star: |
1959 |
| Notes: |
MVP of 1959 World Series as member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Led Astros in saves in 1967 despite a mid-season trade.
Brother of catcher Norm Sherry who was his Dodger teammate, 1959-62. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Vern Ruhle
| Full name: |
Vernon Gerald Ruhle |
| Born: |
1/25/51, Coleman, MI |
| Died: |
1/20/07, Houston, TX; complications from stem cell transplant |
| Career: |
DET (1974-77), HOU (1978-84), CLE (1985), CAL (1986) |
| Notes: |
Took the place of J.R. Richard in Astros' rotation after Richard's stroke and was 7-2, helping them to the 1980 NL West Division title.
Astros pitching coach, 1997-2000. |
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Marty Martinez
| Full name: |
Orlando (Oliva) Martinez |
| Nickname: |
"Marty" |
| Born: |
8/23/41, Havana, Cuba |
| Died: |
3/8/07, Santo Domingo, D.R.; cause not reported |
| Career: |
MIN (1962), ATL (1967-68), HOU (1969-71), STL (1972), OAK (1972), TEX (1972) |
| Notes: |
Versatile reserve who played seven different positions while with Houston, including pitcher and catcher. |
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Norm Larker
| Full name: |
Norman Howard John Larker |
| Nickname: |
"Dumbo", due to his large ears. |
| Born: |
12/27/30, Beaver Meadows, PA |
| Died: |
3/12/07, Long Beach, CA; cancer |
| Career: |
LAD (1958-61), HOU (1962), MIL-N (1963), SF (1963) |
| All-Star: |
1960 |
| Notes: |
Starting first baseman in Houston franchise's first game, going 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Member of 1959 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Batted .323 in 1960, second-best in NL.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Don Nottebart
| Full name: |
Donald Edward Nottebart |
| Nickname: |
"Notty" |
| Born: |
1/23/36, West Newton, MA |
| Died: |
10/4/07, Cypress, TX; complications from a stroke |
| Career: |
MIL-N (1960-62), HOU (1963-65), CIN (1966-67), NYY (1969), CHC (1969) |
| Notes: |
Pitched Houston's first major league no-hitter, a 4-1 win over the Phillies, 5/17/63.
Recommended to Houston General Manager Paul Richards by former Milwaukee teammate, Don McMahon.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jack Lamabe
| Full name: |
John Alexander Lamabe |
| Born: |
10/3/36, Farmingdale, NY |
| Died: |
12/21/07, Baton Rouge, LA; cause not reported |
| Career: |
PIT (1962), BOS (1963-1965) HOU (1965), CHW (1966-67), NYM (1967), STL (1967), CHC (1968) |
| Notes: |
Dealt to Houston from the Red Sox 9/65 and traded to the White Sox 12/65.
Appeared in three games for the 1965 Astros, losing two of them.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Jim Beauchamp
| Full name: |
James Edward Beauchamp |
| Born: |
8/21/39, Vinita, OK |
| Died: |
12/25/07, Atlanta, GA; acute myelogenous leukemia |
| Career: |
STL (1963), HOU (1964-65), MIL-N (1965), ATL (1967), CIN (1968-69), HOU (1970), STL (1970-71), NYM (1972-73) |
| Notes: |
Starting left fielder in first National League game at the Astrodome, 4/12/65.
Only player to wear an Atlanta uniform at Ponce de Leon Ballpark (as an Atlanta Cracker), Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, and Turner Field.
Astros Daily interview, 9/7/01.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
John Buzhardt
| Full name: |
John William Buzhardt |
| Born: |
8/17/36, Prosperity, SC |
| Died: |
6/15/08, Prosperity, SC; complications from a stroke |
| Career: |
CHC (1958-59), PHI (1960-61), CHW (1962-67), BAL (1967), HOU (1967-68) |
| Notes: |
Earned 4-4 record with 5 saves with Astros in 1968.
|
|
(c) Topps Baseball |
Julio Gotay
| Full name: |
Julio Enrique (Sanchez) Gotay |
| Born: |
6/9/39, Fajardo, PR |
| Died: |
7/4/08, Ponce, PR; respiratory failure |
| Career: |
STL (1960-62), PIT (1963-64), CAL (1965), HOU (1966-69) |
| Notes: |
Hit .264 with three homers as utility infielder for Astros.
Accused by teammates of practising voodoo.
Roommate of Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente on road trips until Clemente pleaded with the Pirates to switch.
Once broke up a double play when a sandwich he kept in his back pocket fell out as he was sliding, causing the opposing shortstop to slip on it.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Rafael Batista
| Full name: |
Rafael (Sanchez) Batista |
| Nickname: |
"El Gallo" |
| Born: |
10/20/47, San Pedro de Macoris, DR |
| Died:
| 10/25/08, Santo Domingo, DR; thrombosis |
| Career: |
HOU (1973, 1975) |
| Notes: |
As a reserve first baseman, hit .280 in two short stints with Houston.
Also played for Lotte Orions (Japan) and Cafetoros de Cordoba (Mexico).
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Dave Smith
| Full name: |
David Stanley Smith |
| Nickname: |
"Smitty" |
| Born: |
1/21/55, Richmond, CA |
| Died: |
12/17/08, Carmel Valley, CA; heart attack |
| Career: |
HOU (1980-90), CHC (1991-92) |
| All-Star: |
1986, 1990 |
| Notes: |
Held franchise record for saves (199) until broken by Billy Wagner in 2003.
Member of 1980 and 1986 NL West Division Champions.
Allowed walk-off homer in Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Dave A. Roberts
| Full name: |
David Arthur Roberts |
| Born: |
9/11/44, Gallipolis, OH |
| Died: |
1/9/09, Morgantown, WV; lung cancer |
| Career: |
SD (1969-71), HOU (1972-75), DET (1976-77), CHC (1977-78), SF (1979), PIT (1979-80), SEA (1980), NYM (1981) |
| Notes: |
Finished second in NL in ERA in 1971 (2.10).
Tossed 11 shutouts in his four years with the Astros.
Hurled one-hitter over the Phillies in the fastest game in franchise history (1 hr. 26 mins), 8/24/74.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
George Williams
| Full name: |
George Williams |
| Born: |
10/23/39, Detroit, MI |
| Died:
| 5/14/09, unreported; lung cancer |
| Career: |
PHI (1961), HOU (1962), KC-A (1964) |
| Notes: |
As a reserve second baseman, appeared in five games for expansion Colt .45s.
Was acquired in the 1961 expansion draft from Philadelphia.
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Hal Woodeshick
| Full name: |
Harold Joseph Woodeshick |
| Nickname: |
"Woody" |
| Born: |
8/24/32, Wilkes-Barre, PA |
| Died: |
6/14/09, Houston, TX; cause not reported |
| Career: |
DET (1956), CLE (1958), WSH (1959-61), DET (1961), HOU (1962-65), STL (1965-67) |
| All-Star: |
1963 |
| Notes: |
Member of the 1961 expansion Washington Senators and the 1962 expansion Houston Colt .45s.
Led National League in saves in 1964 with 23.
Pitched one inning of 1967 World Series as member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
AstrosDaily.com article: The colorful Hal Woodeshick
|
|
(c) Houston Astros |
Brian Powell
| Full name: |
Brian Powell |
| Born: |
10/13/73, Bainbridge, GA |
| Died: |
10/5/09, Tallahassee, FL; suicide |
| Career: |
DET (1998), HOU (2000-01), DET (2002), SF (2003), PHI (2004) |
| Notes: |
Member of 2001 National League Central Champion Houston Astros.
Sported 7-18 career record but 2-2 while with Houston.
Was quarterback of his high school football team.
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