03/01 2002 <a class=player href=/players/Vizcaino_Jose.html target=_top>Jose Vizcaino</a> begins the Astros spring training schedule with a home run off Omar Daal that sparks a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It is the first game for new Astros skipper <a class=player href=/players/Williams_Jimy.html target=_top>Jimy Williams</a>.
03/01 1987 Reliever <a class=player href=/players/Kerfeld_Charley.html target=_top>Charley Kerfeld</a> declares he will buy up 3,000 tickets per game to give away to charity causes. Without a discount, which the Astros didn't discuss, the cost for the seats would total as much as $1.6 million dollars. Unable to afford that on a $110,000 salary, Kerfeld backs down from the offer.
03/02 2011 Jason Castro tears up his knee trying to avoid a tag while running to first base. Expected to be the starting catcher, the former first-rounder later has foot surgery after rehabbing late in the year.
03/02 1992 Astros' broadcaster Milo Hamilton is named the annual Ford C. Frick Award winner for major contributions to baseball. He will be honored in July at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Hamilton becomes the 16th announcer to win the award since it began.
03/02 1985 David S. "Bud" Norris is born in Greenbrae, CA. The righthander compiles a 21-24 record with a 4.33 ERA over his first three seasons with the Astros (2009-2011).
03/03 1995 Astros replacement players lose their spring opener to the Florida Marlins, 3-2. Many players under minor league contracts, including top picks <a class=player href=/players/Wagner_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Wagner</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Elarton_Scott.html target=_top>Scott Elarton</a>, leave camp rather than take part in the game due to threats made by the players union to blacklist them.
03/03 1961 The first tryout camp is held in Houston for the new National League expansion team. It is held at Busch Stadium, the same southeast Houston locale that had been called Buffs Stadium for decades. 
03/04 2010 Brad Mills' managerial debut is a 15-5 Astros victory over a split squad of Washington Nationals. Hunter Pence gives the new skipper a happy send-off with two homers in the fourth inning during a nine-run frame which turned the momentum.
03/04 1978 <a class=player href=/players/Rosario_Rodrigo.html target=_top>Rodrigo Rosario</a> is born in La Romana, DR. The slender Dominican righthander wins his 2003 big league debut in memorable fashion but lands on the DL after injuring himself in his second start.
03/04 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Mota_Andy.html target=_top>Andy Mota</a> is born in Santo Domingo, DR. A September call-up during the 1991 season, the second baseman bats .189 in 27 games. His father Manny Mota was with the Houston franchise in the spring of 1963 but was traded before the regular season began.
03/05 2015 In A.J. Hinch's managerial debut with the club, Houston drops the Phillies, 6-3, at Kissimmee, FL. Three Astros hit home runs while former overall first pick Mark Appel is the winning pitcher.
03/05 1994 Astros owner and HSA president Drayton McLane slams the idea of a new downtown domed stadium, claiming the Astrodome can be refurbished for half the cost. McLane also complains that the $33 millon dollar estimated payroll for the Astros for 1994 is too high.
03/05 1993 The first game in the Florida Marlins' history is a 12-8 pasting of the Astros in the Cocoa, FL park that was the spring home to the Astros for 21 years. Five-run outbursts in the second and fifth innings get the expansion franchise off in style. <a class=player href=/players/Nevin_Phil.html target=_top>Phil Nevin</a> belts two triples in his first game as an Astro.
03/05 1971 <a class=player href=/players/Hunter_Brian.html target=_top>Brian Hunter</a> is born in Portland, OR. A .285 hitter with 61 steals in his first time through Houston (1994-1996), Hunter returns for two more seasons (2002-2003), batting .258 as a reserve.
03/06 2021 As two starting pitchers may join Justin Verlander on the 60-day Injured List, Houston announces they've reached an agreement to sign free agent righthander Jake Odorizzi to a two-year deal with an option for a third. Hurlers Framber Valdez (broken ring finger) and prospect Forrest Whitley (ulnar ligament) await second opinions before season-ending surgeries are performed.
03/06 2004 <a class=player href=/players/Pettitte_Andy.html target=_top>Andy Pettitte</a>, a major off-season addition, makes his Astro debut a successful one, dropping the Braves, 9-3. The next day, <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a>, the other Yankee free agent signee, wins his debut in a 15-8 clubbing of the Pirates.
03/06 1993 Free agent pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Drabek_Doug.html target=_top>Doug Drabek</a> tosses two shutout innings in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers. It is Drabek's first start with Houston after a career in Pittsburgh that included a Cy Young Award and three division crowns.
03/06 1989 After blowing late leads in each of their first three spring games, the Astros score four in the bottom of the ninth to steal a 5-4 victory over Kansas City for the first win in <a class=player href=/players/Howe_Art.html target=_top>Art Howe</a>'s managerial career. Thad Bosley, <a class=player href=/players/Biggio_Craig.html target=_top>Craig Biggio</a> and Karl Allaire drive in the runs after three walks start the inning.
03/06 1979 Clint Barmes is born in Vincennes, IN. An infielder acquired from Colorado for pitcher Felipe Paulino, Barmes bats .244 with 12 homers during the 2011 season.
03/07 1968 <a class=player href=/players/Kent_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Kent</a> is born in Bellflower, CA. The former National League MVP bats .292 and averages 24 homers and 100 RBIs during his two seasons in Houston (2003,2004). He also provides one of the most memorable homers in Astros playoff history to win Game 5 of the 2004 N.L.C.S.
03/07 1962 KPRC-AM introduces Gene Elston and Al Helfer as the Colts' first radio play-by-play team. Loel Passe, a local favorite after his years with the Houston Buffs, is later added to the crew. Although Helfer leaves after the first year, Elston and Passe would be together for the next fourteen seasons. Elston would remain with the club through 1986.
03/07 1961 The Houston Sports Association announces "Colt .45s" as the winner of the "Name That Team" contest. Entries from as far away as Australia came in. Many had suggested "Colts" but the gun, rather than the horse, won out much to the later chagrin of Judge Roy Hofheinz.
03/07 1950 <a class=player href=/players/Richard_JR.html target=_top>James Rodney Richard</a> is born in Vienna, LA. Arguably the most intimidating pitcher in Astros history, Richard compiles a 107-71 record with 19 shutouts and 1,493 strikeouts in his ten seasons in Houston (1971-1980).
03/08 2023 Jose Altuve singles against the Astros. The team icon is dressed in the red-and-gold gear of the Venezuelan National team as they prepare for the World Baseball Classic. The two sides meet in an exhibition game eventually won by Venezuela, 9-8. To make matters more confusing, some Venezuelan players had to dress in Astros uniforms because theirs had not arrived.
03/08 2015 Despite being no-hit over 10 innings, a spring split-squad game with the Braves ends in a 2-2 tie. The Astros took advantage of nine walks and a hit batter in the contest.
03/08 2007 Orlando "Marty" Martinez dies in Santo Domingo, D.R. at age 65. The utility player hit .268 in three seasons with the Astros (1969-1971), playing every position but center and right field including two-thirds of an inning as a pitcher. 
03/08 1969 After Donn Clendenon "retires" and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both <a class=player href=/players/Staub_Rusty.html target=_top>Rusty Staub</a> and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade.
03/08 1963 Reliever <a class=player href=/players/Umbricht_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Umbricht</a> undergoes 6-1/2 hours of surgery at Methodist Hospital to remove malignant cancer tumors from his leg, thigh and groin. Two months later, he is back on the mound pitching for the Colt .45s.
03/08 1939 <a class=player href=/players/Bouton_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Bouton</a> is born in Newark, NJ. The righthander had a blazing fastball when he pitched in the World Series for the Yankees in 1964. By the time he gets to Houston in 1969, all he has left is a knuckleball and a manuscript.
03/09 1992 Democratic presidential contender Bill Clinton stops by the Astros training camp for pictures and autographs prior to an exhibition game with the Boston Red Sox. Florida and Texas both have primaries the next day. Clinton does not stay for the game.
03/09 1987 A sign of things to come. Astros lose their home spring opener to Montreal, 19-3. <a class=player href=/players/Knepper_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Knepper</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Heathcock_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Heathcock</a> are knocked silly before the bullpen comes to the rescue. Five Houston errors worsen the mood. Knepper would slump from a 17-12 1986 season to 8-17 the next year, his ERA climbing by over two runs.
03/09 1973 <a class=player href=/players/Nitkowski_CJ.html target=_top>Christopher John Nitkowski</a> is born in Suffern, NY. The popular lefty goes 3-3 with three saves in his one season with the Astros (1998) and is unable to catch on after a second signing in 2002.
03/09 1934 <a class=player href=/players/Landis_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Landis</a> is born in Fresno, CA. From the lowly 1967 Astros, Landis would spend the rest of his final big league season involved in the American League pennant race with both Detroit and Boston.
03/10 2022 With the season on the verge of collapse over a 99-day lockout, owners and the players union amazingly hammer out a series of compromises to salvage the 162-game schedule and ratify a five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Commissioner Rob Manfred had already cancelled two weeks of the season before the final deal was struck. The season will begin seven days late but lost games will be made up through doubleheaders and playing on off dates.
03/10 2001 Astros drop the first of a two-game exhibition series in Valencias, Venezuela to the Cleveland Indians, 7-6. The following day's game would end in an 8-8 tie after <a class=player href=/players/Everett_Adam.html target=_top>Adam Everett</a>'s two-run homer in the ninth produces the stalemate.
03/10 1962 Houston Colt .45s lose the first exhibition game in their history to the Los Angeles Angels, 7-3, in Palm Springs, CA. <a class=player href=/players/Aspromonte_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Aspromonte</a> scores the first run and <a class=player href=/players/Mejias_Roman.html target=_top>Roman Mejias</a> gets the first Colt hit, a clean single off Eli Grba.
03/11 2000 Major League Baseball comes to the Dominican Republic for the first time as the Astros drop the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo. <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> launches two homers to pace the Houston victory. Dominican pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Lima_Jose.html target=_top>Jose Lima</a> thrills his countrymen with a 3-2 triumph the next day. 
03/11 1985 Righthander <a class=player href=/players/Scott_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Scott</a>, coming off a 5-11 season, tests his new split-fingered fastball for the first time in live action. The two-inning stint against the Toronto Blue Jays is uneventful and Scott likes it that way. He hopes to earn the fourth spot in Houston's pitching rotation.
03/11 1980 <a class=player href=/players/Burke_Chris.html target=_top>Chris Burke</a> is born in Louisville, KY. The outfielder/infielder bats .249 during four seasons in Houston (2004-2007) but makes his mark with a home run that wins the 2005 N.L.D.S. over Atlanta in the 18th inning, the longest game in postseason history.
03/11 1974 <a class=player href=/players/Abreu_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Abreu</a> is born in Aragua, Venezuela. A product of the Astros' baseball camp in his homeland, Abreu would play just 74 games for Houston before being lost in the 1997 expansion draft.
03/11 1948 <a class=player href=/players/Geronimo_Cesar.html target=_top>Cesar Geronimo</a> is born in El Seibo, DR. Used mostly as a defensive replacement in Houston, Geronimo would leave for Cincinnati as part of the infamous Morgan deal and hold down center field for the Reds for the next nine seasons.
03/12 2020 MLB suspends all spring training games due to an outbreak of a deadly virus. Most other sports also cancel their games. The Commissioner's office announces that regular baseball season, scheduled to start in 14 days, will be delayed at least two weeks. In reality, the regular season won't begin for over four months.
03/12 2018 The 2017 Astros are guests at the White House to celebrate their Worlds Championship. President Donald Trump remarked how the ballclub was better than his Yankees and later received an Astros jersey with his name on the back and the number "17" presented by Josh Reddick. 
03/12 2002 Astros deal third baseman <a class=player href=/players/Truby_Chris.html target=_top>Chris Truby</a> to Montreal for infielder <a class=player href=/players/Blum_Geoff.html target=_top>Geoff Blum</a>. Since the Expos were purchased by Major League Baseball during the winter and is technically run by them, this makes the first trade by the sport itself on behalf of one of their clubs. Blum would bat .272 with 20 homers during two seasons in Houston.
03/12 2000 Two armed gunmen rob six Astros minor leaguers in a motel in Kissimmee, FL. One is apprehended at the scene while the other fled after jumping through a second-story window. One player suffers a bite to his neck.
03/12 1949 <a class=player href=/players/Wynn_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Wynn</a> is born in Hamilton, OH. Drafted away from the hometown Reds by the fledgling Colt .45s, the "Toy Cannon" would become the first Astro to reach 40 steals, hit 30 HRs or drive in 100 runs for the team. His tape-measure homers are still described with awe today. Wynn's number 24 is retired in 2005.
03/13 1995 Only 621 attend an Astros-Royals replacement exhibition game and both clubs, in spite of fairly new spring facilities, grumble about declining revenues. The Astros weigh an option to return to Arizona when their contract in Kissimmee is up, looking at Tucson where their AAA team used to play. 
03/13 1990 Houston trades two minor league players to the Yankees for shortstop <a class=player href=/players/Miller_Orlando.html target=_top>Orlando Miller</a>. The infielder would come up to the majors in 1994 and would find himself as part of the nine-player deal with the Tigers after the 1996 season.
03/13 1962 Colt .45s get their first-ever win in a 2-1 exhibition victory over the Cleveland Indians. Jack Waters singles home <a class=player href=/players/Pendleton_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Pendleton</a> with the winning run. <a class=player href=/players/Umbricht_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Umbricht</a> is the winning pitcher.
03/14 2003 Houston signs lefthander <a class=player href=/players/Chen_Bruce.html target=_top>Bruce Chen</a> to a minor league contract but he stays with the parent club. This is his sixth National League team in the past four seasons but the ride doesn't last long. He is cut after 11 appearances with a 0-0 record and a 6.00 ERA.
03/14 2002 <a class=player href=/players/Dierker_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Dierker</a> drops in on the Astros spring camp in Kissimmee, FL to smiles and hugs. After 37 years in various capacities with the franchise, the ex-manager says it felt "weird" to not be at spring training.
03/14 1991 It's March Madness time and the most popular guy at the Astros camp is rookie <a class=player href=/players/Lofton_Kenny.html target=_top>Kenny Lofton</a>. During his years at the University of Arizona, Lofton was known more as a guard for the highly-ranked Wildcat basketball team than as a speedy center fielder. Lofton becomes the resident expert in tournament betting pools. 
03/14 1987 After an 0-for-8 start and three errors in the field, shortstop <a class=player href=/players/Thon_Dickie.html target=_top>Dickie Thon</a> walks out of training camp. Although Thon is able to successfully return to baseball, it's the beginning of the end of his time in Houston. Blurred vision is cited as the reason for his walkout.
03/15 2015 Despite being no-hit over 10 innings, a spring split-squad game with the Braves ends in a 2-2 tie. The Astros took advantage of nine walks and a hit batter in the contest.
03/15 2011 Brett Wallace drives in seven during a 14-8 donnybrook against the Orioles in Sarasota. Wallace has four hits, including a grand slam homer and a pair of doubles. Had he been allowed to bat in the ninth inning, there were two more runners aboard for the first baseman to drive home. 
03/15 1988 It hits the fan when newspapers publish pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Knepper_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Knepper</a>'s reaction to the performance of minor league umpire Pam Postema, attempting to become the first woman ump in the majors. Knepper states his religious beliefs that women should not "have authority" over men. Astros public relations say calls in reaction to the comments are running 70% opposed. Postema's career eventually falls short of the big leagues.
03/16 2018 Jose Altuve and the Astros agree to a five-year extension to his contract, paying him $151 million for the 2020-2024 seasons, ensuring the popular infielder stays in Houston through his peak playing years. On the field, Lance McCullers leads a two-hit shutout of the Yankees with solo homers by J.D. Davis and Tyler White providing the offense.
03/16 2003 As America prepares for a second war with Iraq, opinions are strong on both sides. After the lead singer of the country music group "The Dixie Chicks" causes an uproar by saying on stage that she's embarrassed that President George W. Bush is from Texas, <a class=player href=/players/Berkman_Lance.html target=_top>Lance Berkman</a>, another native Texan, says he's embarrassed for her and suggests she move to Oklahoma.
03/16 1994 A poll conducted for the city of Houston at the request of Astros owner Drayton McLane shows 56 percent disapprove of building a downtown domed stadium primarily for the NFL Oilers and the NBA Rockets. Only 24% approve. Among those who disapprove, 49% say a new park is simply "not needed". Mayor Bob Lanier backs away from supporting the proposed stadium, which sets the scene for the Oilers' later move to Nashville, TN and the creation of a baseball-only downtown facility for the Astros.
03/17 2008 Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL, which was home for 60 years to the Dodgers, bids them farewell. The Astros make Dodger fans bluer in the finale with a 12-10 win, keyed by five home runs including a game-winning two-run shot from Nick Gorneault in the ninth.
03/17 1998 Reliever Bryan Harvey asks for his unconditional release from the Astros training camp, ending a comeback bid for the former two-time All-Star.
03/17 1976 Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ends a labor lockout that threatens to delay the start of the regular season. Training camps are opened and America's Pastime plays as usual during America's bicentennial.
03/18 2009 Infielder Aaron Boone, a free agent signed in December, announces he will have aortic heart surgery and forgo the season. Boone is best known for his home run that decided the 2003 A.L.C.S. for the Yankees over the Red Sox. He was expected to platoon at third base. Successful surgery is performed eight days later. He returns in September but goes hitless in 13 attempts.
03/18 1990 A spring labor lockout is finally settled. The Astros report to spring camp in a rush to be ready in time for the April 9th season opener. The first exhibition game isn't until March 26th.
03/18 1973 <a class=player href=/players/Chavez_Raul.html target=_top>Raul Chavez</a> is born in Valencia, Venezuela. The reserve catcher spends parts of five seasons with the Astros (2000-2005), batting .212 with four homers.
03/18 1962 Construction begins on the Astrodome, a short hike from where Colt Stadium is nearing completion. The excavation pit for the domed stadium floor soon becomes a haven for breeding mosquitoes in land that was once marsh fields.
03/19 2022 Carlos Correa shocks the baseball world by declaring he has agreed to a three-year free agency deal with Minneosta for $105 million. The Twins were not considered in the running for the Astros captain and the years/dollars were far less than what Correa's previous demands were. His former teammates express sadness that he won't be joining them at training camp. Catcher Martin Maldonado tweeted "Sorry. I tried.", regarding his efforts to talk Correa into staying. 
03/19 2019 After he complained about having his pre-arbitration contract renewed, the Astros work out a 5-year, $100 million extension for third baseman Alex Bregman. The Astros also extended set-up reliever Ryan Pressly for two years at a total of $17.5 million. 
03/19 1988 <a class=player href=/players/Andersen_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Andersen</a> closes out a 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. It was number 42 but it didn't look like Andy and, in fact, it wasn't. It's <a class=player href=/players/Smith_Dave.html target=_top>Dave Smith</a>, who forgot to pack his jersey for the short bus trip. Andersen bought an unmarked jersey at a concession stand so as to not be missed in the bullpen. The stunt leads to a fine for both players.
03/19 1966 Players with the Astros and Dodgers are flown from Florida to Houston to test the new artificial surface. Balls bounce too high in the infield and engineers add more sand under the rug to make it behave more like natural grass.
03/19 1962 Mickey Herskowitz of the Houston Post has his first column published as a mythical Houston pitcher named "Lefty" who tells about life with the Colt .45s. He continues the columns for five years and they sell as a book entitled "Letters From Lefty". A few more letters show up through 1971. They remain some of the best stories about the early years of the franchise.
03/20 2009 After winning their first spring game of the year, the Astros fail to win their next 19 Grapefruit League contests until beating the Reds, 4-2, behind six shutout innings from Russ Ortiz. It comes the same day that the Astros sign catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The 37-year-old Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star with 13 Gold Gloves and fills a need as none of the other catchers in camp were hitting above .200 in spring action.
03/20 1996 <a class=player href=/players/Pendleton_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Pendleton</a> dies in Houston, TX at age 72. His 36 RBIs as a Colt in 1962 were the most of his big league career.
03/20 1994 Both teams train in Florida, yet the Astros and Rangers spar in a two-game series at the Astrodome as part of their in-state rivalry. <a class=player href=/players/Eusebio_Tony.html target=_top>Tony Eusebio</a> is the hero in a 6-5 victory, driving in <a class=player href=/players/Gonzalez_Luis.html target=_top>Luis Gonzalez</a> with an eighth-inning double. Astro nemesis Will Clark delivers the game-winner for the Rangers the following day. It's the first Dome visit for new Houston manager <a class=player href=/players/Collins_Terry.html target=_top>Terry Collins</a>. Afterwards, both teams fly back to Florida.
03/20 1936 <a class=player href=/players/Golden_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Golden</a> is born in Eldon, MO. Jim lives up to his name when he shuts out the Cubs in his first start for the Colt .45s in just the third game in franchise history.
03/21 1996 Houston sends lefthander <a class=player href=/players/Wagner_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Wagner</a> to the minors, intent on converting him to a starting pitcher. By year's end, he is in the Astros bullpen, winning two games and saving nine in 37 appearances.
03/21 1989 Astros acquire second baseman <a class=player href=/players/Lombardozzi_Steve.html target=_top>Steve Lombardozzi</a> from the Minnesota Twins for a player-to-be-named later. Lombardozzi bats .211 in 23 games with Houston.
03/21 1939 <a class=player href=/players/Davis_Tommy.html target=_top>Tommy Davis</a> is born in Brooklyn, NY. The former two-time N.L. batting champ hits .271 as an Astro during parts of the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
03/21 1929 <a class=player href=/players/Browne_Pidge.html target=_top>Prentice "Pidge" Browne</a> is born in Peekskill, NY. As a 32-year-old rookie, Browne hits .210 in 65 games for the Colt .45s. It is his only big league action.
03/22 2014 In one of the most regretted releases in team history, the Astros waive outfielder J.D. Martinez after a slow spring. Through 2021, the four-time All-Star has produced a .298 batting average, a .926 OPS, 242 homers and 711 RBIs, mostly with Detroit and Boston.
03/22 2007 After almost 20 years of wearing a pin in his cap to promote the Sunshine Kids charity for cancer-stricken children, Major League Baseball tells 41-year-old Craig Biggio that he can no longer wear the emblem during spring exhibition games. Biggio reacts angrily while the Astros front office refrains from comment. A week later, after a mild media uproar, Major League Baseball rescinds the order.
03/22 1986 Astros lose to the Rangers, 6-2, their ninth loss in the past ten games. They provide as many errors as hits. Pressure is put on rookie manager <a class=player href=/players/Lanier_Hal.html target=_top>Hal Lanier</a> to show some improvement. Pre-season forecasts predict the Astros will do no better than fourth place in the Western Division.
03/22 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Berry_Sean.html target=_top>Sean Berry</a> is born in Santa Monica, CA. The scrappy third baseman bats .283 with 38 homers in three seasons with the Astros (1996-1998), including two as division champions.
03/22 1926 <a class=player href=/players/Goodman_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Goodman</a> is born.in Concord, NC. The infielder bats .255 for the 1962 Colts in the final campaign of a 16-season major league career. 
03/23 2005 The burnt orange Hummer owned by Koby Clemens' father is stolen from the Memorial High School parking lot. It is recovered later in a southwest Houston apartment complex, apparently unharmed. The Hummer was a gift from the New York Yankees to celebrate father Roger's 300th major league win. The elder Clemens returns from the Astros' spring training camp to aid in the investigation. Koby is later drafted and signed by the Astros as an infielder.
03/23 1943 <a class=player href=/players/May_Lee.html target=_top>Lee May</a> is born in Birmingham, AL. The powerful first baseman slugs 81 homers in three seasons with the Astros and represents them in the 1972 All-Star Game.
03/23 1942 <a class=player href=/players/Coombs_Danny.html target=_top>Danny Coombs</a> is born in Lincoln, ME. Coombs' big league debut comes in the "All-Rookie" game in 1963 but he's never able to cement a job with Houston. Still, the lefty reliever compiles an 8-7 record with two saves as an Astro in parts of seven seasons.
03/24 2019 Ace righthander Justin Verlander signs a two-year extension for $66 million. The 36-year-old's contract at $28 million per year is set to end  this season. The $33 million per year extension is the richest contract handed out by the franchise in terms of annual salary.
03/24 2016 Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes tries to convince umpire C.B. Buckner that an A.J. Reed drive to center is unplayable at the outfield fence but Buckner is not fooled. Reed jogs home with an inside-the-park homer to start an 8-5 victory. Dallas Keuchel tosses five shutout innings.
03/24 1979 Jose Valverde is born in San Pedro de Macoris, DR., or is he? The Dominican has had his official birth date listed both in March and July, also in 1978 and 1979. Regardless, "Papa Grande" posts 69 saves while an Astro, including a league-leading 44 in 2008, before leaving in free agency.
03/24 1967 Astros deal utilityman Sandy Alomar to the New York Mets for utilityman Derrell Griffith. Alomar's two sons, Roberto and Sandy, Jr., would one day become All-Stars like their pop.
03/24 1961 Houston holds their first rookie camp in Jacksonville, FL. Farm director Bobby Bragan conducts the camp for young players under contract with the newly-named Colt .45s.
03/25 2006 <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> announces he may undergo "last resort" surgery to remove bone spurs in his aching right shoulder in a final attempt to resume his playing career. Bagwell, the subject of much off-season speculation and a $15.6 million dollar insurance claim, will go on the disabled list. Two days later, the insurance claim is denied but the Astros say litigation is likely.
03/25 2004 Houston acquires utilityman <a class=player href=/players/Lamb_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Lamb</a> from the New York Yankees in return for a minor league pitcher. Lamb bats .281 with 49 homers and 196 RBIs over four campaigns, adding five more homers in postseason play.
03/25 1994 Astros release outfielder Jesse Barfield. The Houston native and former A.L. home run champ had hit just .080 in Kissimmee after playing in Japan the previous season. He stays on to work as a coach.
03/25 1988 Houston trades catcher <a class=player href=/players/Wine_Robbie.html target=_top>Robbie Wine</a> to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Mike Loynd. Selected as the eighth overall pick in the 1983 draft, Wine is never able to produce as he did in college. In 23 games as an Astro, Wine hits .146.
03/25 1984 Astros purchase infielder <a class=player href=/players/Bannister_Alan.html target=_top>Alan Bannister</a> from Cleveland. In nine games that season with Houston, Bannister would bat .200 before a trade to the Rangers.
03/26 2022 The Astros scheduled an early getaway back to Houston but their final game in Florida caught the Cardinals napping. Houston scored eight runs the first two innings and coasted to a 24-1 victory. Yainer Diaz was the batting star with three hits, including a double, grand slam homer and six RBIs. Corey Julks scored three times, homered and drove in a pair.
03/26 2011 X-rays reveal that shortstop Clint Barmes has a broken left hand after it was hit the night before in an exhibition game against the Yankees. The initial diagnosis is 4-to-6 weeks of healing needed, which will cause him to miss the first month of the season.
03/26 1999 <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a> tosses six innings of no-hit ball but the Astros storm back to topple the New York Yankees, 7-5. Clemens had been the subject of intense trade talks during the off-season as the Astros tried to swing a swap with the Toronto Blue Jays to bring the multiple Cy Young Award winner home to Texas. Ultimately, Clemens was sent to New York.
03/26 1991 State Senators pass a bill to rename a part of State Highway 288 the "<a class=player href=/players/Ryan_Nolan.html target=_top>Nolan Ryan</a> Expressway". The highway passes near the Astrodome on its way through Ryan's boyhood hometown of Alvin.
03/26 1977 Astros obtain outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Crawford_Willie.html target=_top>Willie Crawford</a> and infielder <a class=player href=/players/Sperring_Rob.html target=_top>Rob Sperring</a> from San Francisco for infielder <a class=player href=/players/Andrews_Rob.html target=_top>Rob Andrews</a>. After the season, outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Gardner_Art.html target=_top>Art Gardner</a> is sent to the Giants to complete the deal.
03/26 1968 Future Astro teammates <a class=player href=/players/Reynolds_Shane.html target=_top>Shane Reynolds</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Vizcaino_Jose.html target=_top>Jose Vizcaino</a> are born. Reynolds is born in Bastrop, LA. Vizcaino is delivered in San Cristobal, DR. They would play together in Houston for the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
03/27 2004 In a scene that gave Astro veterans flashbacks, shortstop <a class=player href=/players/Everett_Adam.html target=_top>Adam Everett</a> is hit in the face by a fastball from Toronto's Miguel Batista. Fortunately, the throw glances off Everett's shoulder before striking him in the mouth, unlike the blow that another Houston shortstop, <a class=player href=/players/Thon_Dickie.html target=_top>Dickie Thon</a>, took in 1984 that significantly altered his career. Bloodied and sore, Everett leaves the game, a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays, but returns before the regular season began.
03/27 2003 Houston veterans are stunned to learn that pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Reynolds_Shane.html target=_top>Shane Reynolds</a>, who had been with the team since 1992, has been released. Coming off back surgery and having a shaky spring, the Astros pull the plug on an incentive-laden deal that could have been worth as much as $5 million dollars to Reynolds. Penciled in as the third starter, Reynolds comments that he thought he was just sharpening up for the season and didn't need to compete for a job. He soon finds a new home pitching for Atlanta, posting an 11-9 record.
03/27 1997 New manager <a class=player href=/players/Dierker_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Dierker</a> finds out he doesn't get the final say on his own roster. Dierker wants to keep righthander <a class=player href=/players/Wall_Donne.html target=_top>Donne Wall</a> on the pitching staff but Wall is sent to the minors in favor of <a class=player href=/players/Holt_Chris.html target=_top>Chris Holt</a>. Wall returns when <a class=player href=/players/Fernandez_Sid.html target=_top>Sid Fernandez</a> goes on the disabled list after only one start, yet pitches just eight games while Holt and <a class=player href=/players/Garcia_Ramon.html target=_top>Ramon Garcia</a> fill the void in the Astros rotation.
03/27 1985 Shortstop <a class=player href=/players/Thon_Dickie.html target=_top>Dickie Thon</a> impresses as he comes back from the beaning that ended his 1984 season in the opening week. He swats a double off the wall in a 3-1 victory over the Dodgers and turns a thrilling double play behind <a class=player href=/players/Knepper_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Knepper</a>. Thon explains his injured eye socket seems healthy once again.
03/28 2013 Gus Triandos dies of heart failure in San Jose, CA, at age 82. The four-time All-Star catcher batted .181 for Houston in 1965 at the end of a 13-year career. 
03/28 2005 In the first trade of Tim Purpura's tenure as General Manager, the Astros send pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Redding_Tim.html target=_top>Tim Redding</a> to San Diego for catcher <a class=player href=/players/Quintero_Humberto.html target=_top>Humberto Quintero</a>. On the field, Houston outslugs the Tigers, 14-11 as <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a> tosses 106 pitches in his first start since pulling his hamstring.
03/28 2003 Halliburton Plaza opens next to Minute Maid Park, showcasing the team's history and featuring action statues adorned with the uniform numbers of <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Biggio_Craig.html target=_top>Craig Biggio</a> turning a double play.
03/28 1990 Astros Special Assistant Donald Davidson dies in Houston at age 64. Only four-feet-tall after contracting a childhood illness, Davidson spent 50 years in baseball, working his way up from batboy to baseball executive. Davidson came to Houston in 1976 and served a number of front-office roles. His body was donated to science. 
03/28 1961 <a class=player href=/players/Davis_Glenn.html target=_top>Glenn Davis</a> is born in Jacksonville, FL. As a troubled youth, he is taken in by the parents of major league pitcher George "Storm" Davis. Glenn would become Houston's best slugger since <a class=player href=/players/Wynn_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Wynn</a>, smashing 166 homers over seven seasons (1984-1990) while driving in 518 runs.
03/29 2018 Houston opens their first title defense with a 4-1 win over the Rangers in Arlington. George Springer led off the game with a home run, just as he did the year before. Justin Verlander tossed six shutout innings for the victory. Before the game, a moment of silence was held in memory of former Astros All-Star Rusty Staub who passed away that morning at the age of 73.
03/29 2002 <a class=player href=/players/Berkman_Lance.html target=_top>Lance Berkman</a> drills two home runs and <a class=player href=/players/Oswalt_Roy.html target=_top>Roy Oswalt</a> scatters seven hits as Houston tops the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in an exhibition at the newly-renamed Astros Field. Scrubbed are virtually all signs of Enron, whose naming-rights deal for the ballpark fell into bankruptcy court. The win is also a little sweeter for manager <a class=player href=/players/Williams_Jimy.html target=_top>Jimy Williams</a> who was fired by the Sox midway through the 2001 season.
03/29 2000 Houston swaps lefty relievers with Philadelphia, obtaining <a class=player href=/players/Perez_Yorkis.html target=_top>Yorkis Perez</a> for <a class=player href=/players/Miller_Trever.html target=_top>Trever Miller</a>. Perez would see action in 33 games, earning a 2-1 record before being released. Miller was 5-2 with a pair of saves over two seasons as an Astro.
03/29 1978 <a class=player href=/players/Bruntlett_Eric.html target=_top>Eric Bruntlett</a> is born in Lafayette, IN. The utilityman bats .250 with nine homers during his five seasons with Houston (2003-2007). His turn of a double play in Game 4 of the 2005 N.L.C.S. seals a pivotal 2-1 victory. He later would make an unassisted triple play as a member of the Phillies in 2009.
03/30 2000 <a href=http://www.astrosdaily.com/history/20000330/><img src=/images/greatgame.gif border=0></a> Enron Field officially opens with a 6-5 exhibition win over the A.L. Champion New York Yankees, paralleling the feat that occured when the Astrodome opened in 1965. <a class=player href=/players/Ward_Daryle.html target=_top>Daryle Ward</a>'s two-run homer caps a four-run eighth-inning rally to open up the Astros' new home in style. <a href=http://www.astrosdaily.com/audio/00Ward.mp3 target=audio><img src=/images/audio.gif border=0></a> <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> earns the first hit in the new digs with a single off <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a>. <a href=http://www.astrosdaily.com/audio/00Bagwell.mp3 target=audio><img src=/images/audio.gif border=0></a>
03/30 1995 In their only Astrodome appearance, Houston replacement players mop up the ersatz New York Yankees, 10-1, before a crowd of approximately 7,000. Former Astros <a class=player href=/players/Guerrero_Juan.html target=_top>Juan Guerrero</a> and Dave Rhode star for the strike-breaking locals.
03/30 1993 Astros release pitcher Jason Grimsley, whom they acquired for pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Schilling_Curt.html target=_top>Curt Schilling</a> the previous year. Grimsley catches on with the Cleveland Indians. He did not pitch an inning while in Houston. Schilling, meanwhile, becomes a six-time All-Star who is a pivotal member of four pennant-winners. 
03/30 1977 <a class=player href=/players/Robertson_Jeriome.html target=_top>Jeriome Robertson</a> is born in San Jose, CA. The lefty leads the Astros in wins during his rookie season, posting a 15-9 record in 2003, despite a 5.10 ERA. Also on this day, infielder <a class=player href=/players/Milbourne_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Milbourne</a> is dealt to Seattle for pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Thomas_Roy.html target=_top>Roy Thomas</a>.
03/30 1961 Rumors swirl that legendary manager <a class=player href=/players/Durocher_Leo.html target=_top>Leo Durocher</a>, currently a coach with the Dodgers, would be named the first manager of the new Houston franchise. Reports of phone conversations between Durocher and General Manager Gabe Paul are true but nothing materializes beyond that. Durocher would eventally lead the club in 1972 after several years as skipper of the Cubs.
03/31 2023 Astros receive their 2022 World Championship rings then bash the White Sox, 6-3. Yordan Alvarez cracks a bases-loaded double in the seventh for the game-winning runs. Kyle Tucker adds a two-run homer. 
03/31 2013 In their first official game as an American League franchise, the Astros spank the Rangers, 8-2, at Minute Maid Park. A three-run homer by Rick Ankiel breaks the game open. Erik Bedard backs Bud Norris with 3-1/3rd relief innings. The win is also the managerial debut for Bo Porter.
03/31 2004 Lefthander <a class=player href=/players/Robertson_Jeriome.html target=_top>Jeriome Robertson</a> is dealt to the Cleveland Indians for two minor league outfielders, <a class=player href=/players/Taveras_Willy.html target=_top>Willy Taveras</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Scott_Luke.html target=_top>Luke Scott</a>. Taveras had been claimed by Houston in the Rule V draft but had been waived and returned to Cleveland before the trade. Robertson had a 15-9 rookie season in Houston but found himself out of the rotation after the Astros snared <a class=player href=/players/Pettitte_Andy.html target=_top>Andy Pettitte</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a> in free agency.
03/31 1997 Houston acquires infielder <a class=player href=/players/Bogar_Tim.html target=_top>Tim Bogar</a> on waivers from the New York Mets. Bogar hits .219 in four seasons as a utility infielder. He also pitches twice during the 2000 campaign.
03/31 1986 Pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Ross_Mark.html target=_top>Mark Ross</a> is traded for himself. Ross was dealt to St. Louis in December for a player to be named later. After no agreement could be reached, that player to be named became <a class=player href=/players/Ross_Mark.html target=_top>Mark Ross</a>.
03/31 1983 Astros deal catcher <a class=player href=/players/Knicely_Alan.html target=_top>Alan Knicely</a> to Cincinnati for pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Dawley_Bill.html target=_top>Bill Dawley</a> and outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Walker_Tony.html target=_top>Tony Walker</a>. Another in the long line of catching prospects, Knicely bats .197 over parts of four seasons.