11/01 2017 WORLD CHAMPIONS!! The Houston Astros take the World Series for the first time in their history with a crushing 5-1 Game Seven triumph in Los Angeles. Series MVP George Springer doubles and homers off Yu Darvish to spark a five-run rally in the first two frames. Free agent pickup Charlie Morton tosses the final four innings in relief for the win after Lance McCullers and Brad Peacock split the first five. Star shortstop Carlos Correa caps the celebration with an on-field marriage proposal.
11/01 2004 Gerry Hunsicker resigns as General Manager after nine seasons. Assistant GM Tim Purpura is promoted to replace him. Hunsicker oversaw five teams that reached the National League playoffs. Purpura's first priority will be attempting to re-sign free agent outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Beltran_Carlos.html target=_top>Carlos Beltran</a> who starred in the postseason.
11/01 2001 <a class=player href=/players/Williams_Jimy.html target=_top>Jimy Williams</a> is introduced as the new Astros manager. A former infielder, Williams proclaims his love for developing young players and compares it to tending a garden.
11/01 1963 Judge Roy Hofheinz leads a ceremony marking the topping point of construction on the new domed stadium <a href=http://www.astrosdaily.com/audio/63domeroy.mp3 target=audio><img src=/images/audio.gif border=0></a>. Hofheinz remarks that builders are running ahead of schedule. There is optimism that the stadium will be ready before the 1964 season ends but the new park sees only September fungo practice as completion nears. 
11/01 1962 Colt .45s sign 19-year-old infielder <a class=player href=/players/Morgan_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Morgan</a> as a free agent. Morgan relates in later years how few ballclubs were willing to give the 5-7 player a chance, deeming him too small to be a big-leaguer.
11/02 2022 Cristian Javier, with help from Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly, NO-HIT the Phillies, 5-0, just the second no-no in World Series history. The win ties the Fall Classic at two apiece. Houston pitchers fan 14 Phils. Alex Bregman drills a two-run double to key a five-run fifth.
11/02 2021 Houston's World Series hopes are again denied as Atlanta blanks the Astros, 7-0, to win the World's Championship. A three-run homer by Series MVP Jorge Soler was all the offense Atlanta would need in winning Game 6. The Astros were held to six hits in the finale. Three teams have celebrated a Series title at Minute Maid Park but none of them have been the Astros.
11/02 2012 It's back to the future as Astros reveal a return to the orange and navy blue colors of their earlier decades and a wardrobe look designed off their uniforms of the 1960s. The change is met with great approval.
11/02 1993 Astros announce plans for $1 early-bird parking at the Dome, a popular move that continues for the next six seasons.
11/02 1976 Amazingly, it takes 15 years for Houston to garner a vote in the Cy Young Award balloting. The vote goes to <a class=player href=/players/Richard_JR.html target=_top>J.R. Richard</a>, who has a 20-win season, but he is well behind San Diego's Randy Jones in the returns. 
11/02 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Merced_Orlando.html target=_top>Orlando Merced</a> is born in Hato Rey, PR. The outfielder-first baseman had been a thorn in Houston's side during several seasons with the Pirates. Merced spends three seasons in Houston (2001-2003) as a reserve, batting .262 with 15 home runs.
11/03 2022 Justin Verlander, 0-for-6 in Worlds Series play for his career, finally wins his first - taking a 3-2 victory over Phildelphia in Game 5 of the World Series to grab a 3-2 edge in the Fall Classic. Verlander pitched around four hits, four walks and a homer over five innings while Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly worked the final four frames. Jeremy Pena was the star on offense with three hits, including a home run and two RBIs.
11/03 2006 Brad Ausmus wins the National League Gold Glove Award for catchers. It is the third time he has won the honor as an Astro, having won also in 2001 and 2002.
11/03 2003 In an anticipated salary move, Houston trades closer <a class=player href=/players/Wagner_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Wagner</a> to the Philadelphia Phillies for righthanded pitchers <a class=player href=/players/Duckworth_Brandon.html target=_top>Brandon Duckworth</a>, Taylor Buchholz and <a class=player href=/players/Astacio_Ezequiel.html target=_top>Ezequiel Astacio</a>. Wagner had opened the door to be traded after criticizing the ownership for not making the moves he thought would bring a pennant to Houston.
11/03 1992 <a class=player href=/players/Ryan_Nolan.html target=_top>Nolan Ryan</a> adorns the City Hall of his hometown Alvin, TX. The pitching legend is shown wearing the uniform of the Texas Rangers where he finishes his career rather than the uniform of nearby Houston where he toiled for nine seasons.
11/03 1971 Astros deal utilityman <a class=player href=/players/Martinez_Marty.html target=_top>Orlando "Marty" Martinez</a> to St. Louis for catcher <a class=player href=/players/Stinson_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Stinson</a>. Martinez had hit .268 in three years of service in Houston. Stinson would bat .171 in 27 games before being sold to the Expos.
11/04 1999 Astros hold a fashion show. <a class=player href=/players/Dierker_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Dierker</a>, <a class=player href=/players/Ruhle_Vern.html target=_top>Vern Ruhle</a>, <a class=player href=/players/Reynolds_Shane.html target=_top>Shane Reynolds</a>, <a class=player href=/players/Wagner_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Wagner</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> debut the new uniforms that will be worn at Enron Field. Gone are blue and gold in favor of black, brick and sand. The logo has also been modified, eliminating the slant to the star and making it thicker. 
11/04 1979 <a class=player href=/players/Astacio_Ezequiel.html target=_top>Ezequiel Astacio</a> born is born in Hato Mayor, DR. In two partial seasons (2005,2006), the righthander registers a 5-6 record and a 6.02 ERA.
11/04 1961 <a class=player href=/players/Bailey_Mark.html target=_top>Mark Bailey</a> is born in Springfield, MO. The switch-hitting catcher bats .223 with 23 homers during parts of five seasons with the Astros (1984-1988) before a mid-season deal sends him to Montreal for utilityman <a class=player href=/players/Candaele_Casey.html target=_top>Casey Candaele</a>. Bailey is back with the organization as a coach. 
11/05 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Behind solid pitching from Framber Valdez and a three-run bomb over the batter's eye by Yordan Alvarez, Houston defeats Philadelphia, 4-1, in Game 6 of the World Series, winning the trophy, 4-2. It's the second Worlds title in franchise history. Rookie Jeremy Pena is voted the World Series MVP for his .400 batting average, slick defense and 1.023 OPS.
11/05 2014 Astros deal pitcher Nick Tropeano and catcher Carlos Perez to the Angels for catcher Hyun Choi "Hank" Conger. The switch-hitting backstop batted .229 with 11 homers in his one season with Houston.
11/05 2013 Harris County voters reject a bond issue to renovate and repurpose the long-vacant Astrodome by a vote of 53% to 47%.
11/05 2004 Off-seasons can be hazardous to your health, part two. <a class=player href=/players/Berkman_Lance.html target=_top>Lance Berkman</a> tears the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing flag football at a church outing. He misses the first six weeks of the 2005 season but rebounds with 24 homers and 82 RBIs to anchor the Astros lineup.
11/05 1996 Houston voters approve a new baseball-only stadium to be built downtown, with a slim 51% of the vote. Astros ownership had threatened to leave Houston as the NFL Oilers are doing, if the stadium was not okayed.
11/05 1986 <a class=player href=/players/Lanier_Hal.html target=_top>Hal Lanier</a> is named National League Manager of the Year in his rookie season which saw the Astros the surprise winners of the Western Division. New York Mets skipper Davey Johnson finishes second. 
11/06 2014 ROOT Sports Houston, jointly owned by AT&T and DirecTV, is given the green light by a local judge to take over programming from failing Comcast SportsNet Houston which had countersued the Astros and the Houston Rockets.
11/06 2001 <a class=player href=/players/Ausmus_Brad.html target=_top>Brad Ausmus</a> wins the Gold Glove for National League catchers, given annually in recognition of defensive skills. He becomes the first Houston catcher so honored and the first Astro to be selected since <a class=player href=/players/Biggio_Craig.html target=_top>Craig Biggio</a> in 1997. Ausmus would win the award again in 2002.
11/06 1991 <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> is named N.L. Rookie of the Year, capturing 23 of 24 first place votes. His .294 average, 15 homers and 82 RBIs are just the first sign of things to come. The other vote goes to Pittsburgh's <a class=player href=/players/Merced_Orlando.html target=_top>Orlando Merced</a>.
11/07 2021 Astros infielders Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa win Gold Gloves as the best defensive players at their position in the American League. It's the first time for both honorees. Gurriel also won the American League batting title that year while Correa had his best season as a pro.
11/07 2007 Ed Wade strikes a deal with Philadelphia, his former employer. Houston deals closer Brad Lidge and utilityman Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for outfielder Michael Bourn, reliever Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo. Bourn spent three years at the University of Houston before signing with the Phils. Costanzo is dealt to Baltimore later that winter.
11/07 1988 Former player <a class=player href=/players/Howe_Art.html target=_top>Art Howe</a> is named as manager of the Astros. He's the third Astro skipper in a row to make Houston their first big league managerial spot. Howe indicates he'll be able to lead in spite of players on the roster who were his teammates in days gone by.
11/07 1979 Cubs reliever Bruce Sutter narrowly edges <a class=player href=/players/Niekro_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Niekro</a> for the N.L. Cy Young Award. Joe ties with his brother Phil for the league lead in victories with 21. <a class=player href=/players/Richard_JR.html target=_top>J.R. Richard</a> finishes third in the voting despite leading the league in ERA (2.71) and strikeouts (313).
11/07 1972 <a class=player href=/players/Cedeno_Cesar.html target=_top>Cesar Cedeno</a> and <a class=player href=/players/May_Lee.html target=_top>Lee May</a> are the first Astros to crack the top ten in N.L. Most Valuable Player voting. Cedeno finishes sixth and May finishes ninth. Cincinnati's Johnny Bench takes the prize.
11/07 1944 <a class=player href=/players/Niekro_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Niekro</a> is born in Martin's Ferry, OH. Much of his career is spent in the shadow of his Hall-of-Fame older brother but the younger sibling leaves Houston as the winningest pitcher in franchise history (144). The two combine to win 539 major league games in their careers, most of any brother duo in baseball history.
11/08 1967 <a class=player href=/players/Anthony_Eric.html target=_top>Eric Anthony</a> is born in San Diego, CA. Expected to be a power threat for many years, strikeouts and a low batting average keep him from fulfilling his potential. He bats .224 over five seasons in Houston (1989-1993), and hits 19 homers with 80 RBIs in his best year as an Astro.
11/09 2004 <a class=player href=/players/Clemens_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Clemens</a> wins a record seventh Cy Young Award, his first as a National Leaguer, making him the oldest pitcher to win that honor. Clemens sported an 18-4 record with a 2.90 ERA in Houston. He recieves 23 of 32 first place votes. Former Astro <a class=player href=/players/Johnson_Randy.html target=_top>Randy Johnson</a> of Arizona finishes second. Clemens' teammate <a class=player href=/players/Oswalt_Roy.html target=_top>Roy Oswalt</a>, the league's only 20-game winner, finishes third.
11/09 1996 <a class=player href=/players/Reynolds_Shane.html target=_top>Shane Reynolds</a>, pitching for a group of Major League All-Stars against stars from Japan, gives up a grand slam homer to Hideki Matsui in Yokohama then retires 20 of the next 21 batters. The Japanese All-Stars still win, 6-4. 
11/09 1978 <a class=player href=/players/Self_Todd.html target=_top>Todd Self</a> is born in Shreveport, LA. The outfielder appears in 21 games during 2005 before being released, batting .200 with one homer.
11/10 2015 Pitcher Dallas Keuchel and second baseman Jose Altuve are voted American League Gold Glove winners for their defensive efforts. For Keuchel, it is his second such honor.
11/10 2006 Craig Biggio agrees to a one-year deal with Houston for $5.15 million dollars, avoiding free agency. The 40-year-old is 70 hits shy of 3,000 as he approaches his 20th season with the Astros.
11/10 1995 Gerry Hunsicker is named as General Manager. Drayton McLane also announces that the team will continue to play in the Astrodome in 1996 but will be sold to out-of-town interests if attendance does not increase.
11/10 1965 <a class=player href=/players/Morgan_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Morgan</a> receives the first vote of any Houston player for the National League MVP Award. But it is just one vote. Willie Mays of San Francisco gets the award over Dodgers Sandy Koufax and Maury Wills.
11/11 2022 James Click refuses an extension offer as General Manager, ending his employment with the team. A rift had formed between Click and Owner Jim Crane which, it was revealed, that Crane had sided with Manager Dusty Baker over Click in some propsed trade deadline deals. Crane says he will not fill the position until after the new year and will, himself, run the front office in the meantime.
11/11 2019 Yordan Alvarez wins the AL Rookie of the Year Award despite a June start to his big league career. The 22-year-old Cuban bashed 27 homers and drove in 78 runs to become a unanimous winner. He is the third Astro to become Rookie of the Year, following Jeff Bagwell (1991) and Carlos Correa (2015).
11/11 2009 Michael Bourn wins the Gold Glove Award for National League outfielders. The Houston-born speedster is the first Houston outfielder to win the award since Cesar Cedeno in 1976.
11/11 1998 <a class=player href=/players/Dierker_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Dierker</a> is named National League Manager of the Year, outpacing San Diego's <a class=player href=/players/Bochy_Bruce.html target=_top>Bruce Bochy</a>, whose team eliminated Houston in the playoffs. He's the second Astro skipper to claim the award.
11/11 1997 Outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Alou_Moises.html target=_top>Moises Alou</a> is acquired for pitchers <a class=player href=/players/Henriquez_Oscar.html target=_top>Oscar Henriquez</a>, Manny Barrios and Mark Johnson. Alou's four seasons in Houston are marked with superb play and controversy. In three of those years, he averages 31 homers, 115 RBIs and a .331 batting average. In the other year, he misses the entire season with a knee injury that leaves others questioning his commitment to the team.
11/11 1986 <a class=player href=/players/Scott_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Scott</a> wins the N.L. Cy Young Award. Scott wins 18 games and leads the league in ERA (2.22) and strikeouts (306). Fernando Valenzuela of Los Angeles finishes second with the other nine of the 24 first-place votes.
11/12 2015 Outfielder Colby Rasmus surprises the front office by agreeing to a qualifying offer for the 2016 season. Since the collective bargaining feature began, no MLB player had opted for the offer rather than become a full free agent. The Astros offered in anticipation that Rasmus would decline and cost his new team a draft pick to sign him. Instead, the Astros are on the hook for a $16.9 million one-year deal. The Georgia native hit .206 with 15 homers in his final full season before retirement.
11/12 1936 <a class=player href=/players/Hoerner_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Hoerner</a> is born in Dubuque, IA. The lefthander makes his major league debut at the end of the 1963 season with the Colt .45s and gets into seven more games the next year. He resurfaces in St. Louis in 1966 and pitches in the bigs for another 12 seasons. He died on October 4th, 1996 at age 59 in Hermann, MO after a farming accident.
11/13 2023 Astros name Joe Espada as their new manager. The 48-year-old former infielder has served as the bench coach for six seasons under A.J. Hinch and Dusty Baker - all division winners. This will be his first big league managerial assignment.
11/13 2019 Justin Verlander claims his second American League Cy Young Award and first as an Astro. The righthander edged teammate Gerrit Cole, who finished second, 17-13 in first-place votes. Verlander led the league with a 21-6 record and threw a no-hitter while leading the circuit in innings pitched for the fourth time.
11/13 1996 <a class=player href=/players/Caminiti_Ken.html target=_top>Ken Caminiti</a> is named N.L. Most Valuable Player by unanimous vote, two seasons after being traded to the Padres from Houston. Teammate <a class=player href=/players/Finley_Steve.html target=_top>Steve Finley</a>, who also left Houston in the same trade, finishes tenth in the MVP voting. <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> finishes ninth.
11/13 1958 New York's mayor Robert Wagner announces the preliminary plans for the Continental League. Chairman William Shea implies that the new third major league might raid National and American League rosters. Rejected big league suitors such as Houston, Dallas, Minneapolis and Denver are expected to take part in the new circuit.
11/14 2019 Infielder Alex Bregman finishes second in the American League MVP balloting behind Mike Trout of the Angels. Bregman lost out in first-place votes, 17-13. Bregman smashed 41 homers while batting .296, personal bests up to that time.
11/14 2001 Former Astro <a class=player href=/players/Caminiti_Ken.html target=_top>Ken Caminiti</a> is arrested on drug possession charges. The infielder had previously battled alcoholism and will admit the following year that he used steroids in his MVP season with San Diego. He would die in 2004 of heart failure.
11/14 1989 Despite being the National League's only 20-game winner, <a class=player href=/players/Scott_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Scott</a> finishes behind San Diego reliever Mark Davis for the N.L. Cy Young Award. Scott receives just four of the 24 first place votes.
11/14 1968 <a class=player href=/players/Bottenfield_Kent.html target=_top>Kent Bottenfield</a> is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save.
11/14 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Schilling_Curt.html target=_top>Curt Schilling</a> is born in Anchorage, AK. The sturdy righthander is 3-5 with eight saves in his one season in Houston (1991) before being traded to Philadelphia, a deal that Bill Wood probably regrets to this day.
11/15 1999 <a class=player href=/players/Johnson_Randy.html target=_top>Randy Johnson</a> wins the N.L. Cy Young Award despite five fewer wins than runner-up <a class=player href=/players/Hampton_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Hampton</a> who leads the circuit with 22. Astro teammates <a class=player href=/players/Lima_Jose.html target=_top>Jose Lima</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Wagner_Billy.html target=_top>Billy Wagner</a> tie for fourth in the voting.
11/15 1967 <a class=player href=/players/Borbon_Pedro.html target=_top>Pedro Borbon</a> is born in Mao, DR. The lefthander is a midseason acquisition during the 2002 season. He posts a 3-2 record with one save, mostly as a situational reliever.
11/15 1955 <a class=player href=/players/Niemann_Randy.html target=_top>Randy Niemann</a> is born in Scotia, CA. The lefty wins three, loses three and saves two during parts of the 1979 and 1980 seasons for the Astros. He resumes his career with the Pirates, White Sox, Mets and Twins.
11/16 2017 Jose Altuve is a near-unanimous choice for AL Most Valuable Player after winning the batting title (.346 average) and leading the Astros to their first American League pennant. Altuve is the second Astro to become an MVP after Jeff Bagwell won the award in 1994 as a National Leaguer.
11/16 1998 <a class=player href=/players/Caminiti_Ken.html target=_top>Ken Caminiti</a> signs a free agent deal to return to the Astros after four years in San Diego. In parts of two injury-plagued seasons, he would bat .293 with 28 homers and 101 RBIs as well as giving a clutch performance in the 1999 N.L.D.S.
11/16 1994 <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> are named to the annual National League Gold Glove team for their defensive play at first and second base respectively. They are the first Astros to be named since 1976, the last of <a class=player href=/players/Cedeno_Cesar.html target=_top>Cesar Cedeno</a>'s Gold Glove seasons in the outfield (1972-1976). The other past winners are <a class=player href=/players/Rader_Doug.html target=_top>Doug Rader</a> at third base (1970-1974) and <a class=player href=/players/Metzger_Roger.html target=_top>Roger Metzger</a> at shortstop (1973). <a class=player href=/players/Shantz_Bobby.html target=_top>Bobby Shantz</a> was also named as the Gold Glove pitcher in 1962, a year he started in Houston. Biggio will continue to claim the prize for the next three seasons.
11/16 1986 Astros purchase pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Childress_Rocky.html target=_top>Rocky Childress</a> from Philadelphia. He would post a 2-2 record over the next two seasons for Houston.
11/16 1975 <a class=player href=/players/Lugo_Julio.html target=_top>Julio Lugo</a> is born in Barahona, DR. The shortstop would hit .268 with 28 homers over four seasons (2000-2003) but was released following an arrest on spousal assault charges that took place at the ballpark. On the day before his 46th birthday, in 2021, Lugo died from a heart attack.
11/17 2022 Justin Verlander is the unanimous winner of his third A.L. Cy Young Award. It's his second as an Astro. Verlander, who later won the A.L. Comeback Player of the Year Award for his return from Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss almost two years, posted an 18-4 record and a 1.75 ERA while leading Houston to their second Worlds Championship.
11/17 2011 MLB awards the Astros franchise to a group led by businessman Jim Crane for $610 million and his agreement that the club would be reassigned to the American League West for play when the new MLBPA collective bargaining agreement begins in 2013.
11/17 1999 <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a> finishes second in the voting for N.L. Most Valuable Player but Atlanta's Chipper Jones is the runaway winner. Bagwell receives one first-place vote.
11/17 1993 <a class=player href=/players/Collins_Terry.html target=_top>Terry Collins</a> is hired as Astros manager. Coming from the Pirates organization, Collins projects an aggressive no-nonsense attitude that eventually wears thin on the veteran players.
11/17 1992 Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies choose in the first N.L. expansion draft since 1969. Houston loses pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Bowen_Ryan.html target=_top>Ryan Bowen</a> to the Marlins and pitchers <a class=player href=/players/Blair_Willie.html target=_top>Willie Blair</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Henry_Butch.html target=_top>Butch Henry</a> to the Rockies who also tab future Astros <a class=player href=/players/Castilla_Vinny.html target=_top>Vinny Castilla</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Ausmus_Brad.html target=_top>Brad Ausmus</a>. The Astros deal two prospects to the Marlins for reliever <a class=player href=/players/Edens_Tom.html target=_top>Tom Edens</a>.
11/17 1964 <a class=player href=/players/Williams_Mitch.html target=_top>Mitch Williams</a> is born in Santa Ana, CA. The lefthander, nicknamed "Wild Thing", has a colorful career but not much of it good while with Houston. He lasts just 20 innings before retiring to his Texas ranch. He would pitch again elsewhere for two more seasons.
11/18 1997 The Arizona Diandmondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays hold an expansion draft as the two newest entrants to the major leagues. Tampa tabs Houston outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Abreu_Bob.html target=_top>Bob Abreu</a> who is then traded to the Phillies. Arizona selects pitchers <a class=player href=/players/Springer_Russ.html target=_top>Russ Springer</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Martin_Tom.html target=_top>Tom Martin</a> off the Astros roster.
11/18 1985 It's no boo-boo. The Astros sign 59-year-old Yogi Berra to serve as a bench coach for new skipper <a class=player href=/players/Lanier_Hal.html target=_top>Hal Lanier</a>. The quotable Berra is persuaded to come to Texas at the request of owner John McMullen. The two are neighbors in New Jersey.
11/18 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Tucker_Eddie.html target=_top>Eddie Jack "Scooter" Tucker</a> is born in Greenville, MS. In parts of three seasons in Houston (1992-1995), the catcher hits .157 with one homer before being dealt to the Indians. 
11/18 1961 <a class=player href=/players/Felder_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Felder</a> is born in Vallejo, CA. The reserve outfielder bats .239 in 1994, his final big league season.
11/18 1952 <a class=player href=/players/Henderson_Steve.html target=_top>Steve Henderson</a> is born in Houston, TX. After eleven seasons with the Mets, Cubs, Mariners and A's, the outfielder spends his last major league season in his hometown, batting .217 in 42 games in 1988.
11/19 1979 Righthander <a class=player href=/players/Ryan_Nolan.html target=_top>Nolan Ryan</a> is signed as a free agent by the Astros, becoming baseball's first million-dollar-a-year player. The Texas native comes to Houston after a long career with the Mets and the Angels where he notched four no-hitters and set numerous strikeout records. It marks the first significant signing for the franchise since the advent of free agency in 1975.
11/19 1943 <a class=player href=/players/Monteagudo_Aurelio.html target=_top>Aurelio Monteagudo</a> is born in Caibarien, Cuba. His seven-year big league career includes ten games pitching for the Astros in 1967. He records no wins or losses but one save in Houston. He died on November 10, 1990 at age 46 in Saltillo, Mexico in an auto accident.
11/20 2000 Astros sign infielder <a class=player href=/players/Vizcaino_Jose.html target=_top>Jose Vizcaino</a> to a free agent contract. The switch-hitting utility player hit .276 with 13 homers over the next five seasons.
11/20 1991 <a class=player href=/players/Scott_Mike.html target=_top>Mike Scott</a> announces his retirement after 13 major league seasons. The righthander made just two starts in his final season before being sidelined by injuries but could look back on a no-hitter, a Cy Young Award, and a 20-win season among his accomplishments.
11/21 1982 Judge Roy Hofheinz dies in Houston at age 70 of a heart attack. A former state representative, Harris County Judge and Mayor of Houston before setting his sights on baseball, Hofheinz starts out owning just 1% of the Houston Sports Association but eventually retains control and builds other entities such as an amusement park, a hotel and an exhibition hall to his "Astrodomain". Poor health and poor investments cause him to sell his ownership in 1975.
11/21 1979 Righthander <a class=player href=/players/Solano_Julio.html target=_top>Julio Solano</a> is signed as a free agent. In parts of five seasons as an Astro (1983-1987), Solano compiles a 6-8 record with a 4.55 ERA. 
11/21 1977 <a class=player href=/players/Willis_Ron.html target=_top>Ron Willis</a> dies in Memphis, TN at age 34 from cancer of the brain. A midseason purchase from St. Louis, the righthander sees action in three games with the Astros in 1969. He is returned to the Cardinals at the end of the season.
11/22 2021 Former Astros closer Doug Jones passes away from COVID-19 at age 64. A five-time All-Star, Jones pitched for the Astros in 1992 and 1993, winning 15 games and saving 62. His specialty was tossing a change-up so slow that big league hitters looked inept trying to swing at it. Over 16 seasons with seven teams, Jones notched 303 saves with a 3.30 ERA.
11/22 2002 Outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Hidalgo_Richard.html target=_top>Richard Hidalgo</a> is shot in the left arm during an attempted carjacking in his native Venezuela. Thankfully, his wounds are completely healed by the start of the season and it does not interrupt his career.
11/22 1993 Talks begin on building a new downtown stadium - for the Oilers. Bud Adams makes his pitch to civic leaders for a new home with more luxury suites. Astros owner Drayton McLane argues that there's nothing wrong with the Astrodome a little sprucing up couldn't fix.
11/22 1978 Ford Motor Credit Company buys full control of the Astros by purchasing remaining shares from General Electric Credit Company. They intend to look for a new buyer, while rumors swirl that the franchise may be moved out of Houston.
11/22 1967 Astros receive pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Gladding_Fred.html target=_top>Fred Gladding</a> to complete the trade with Detroit for <a class=player href=/players/Mathews_Eddie.html target=_top>Eddie Mathews</a>. The reliever compiles a 22-23 record with 76 saves over the next six years in Houston.
11/23 2021 Bill Virdon, a World Champion with the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates and manager of the Astros from 1975 to 1982, passes away at age 90. Virdon led Houston to their first division title (1980) and skippered more Astros wins (544) than anyone in franchise history. A quiet, direct, level-headed skipper, he also managed the Yankees, Pirates and Expos.
11/23 2001 <a class=player href=/players/Belinsky_Bo.html target=_top>Bo Belinsky</a> dies in Las Vegas, NV at age 64 of a heart attack. The colorful southpaw has a 3-9 record in Houston in 1967 while finding Houston's nightlife not up to former stops in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. In later years, the noted playboy who romanced starlets in L.A., found sobriety and religion.
11/23 1994 Montreal Expos president Claude Brochu blasts <a class=player href=/players/Bagwell_Jeff.html target=_top>Jeff Bagwell</a>'s new seven-year $47 million dollar contract, calling the move "a mistake" by owner Drayton McLane. The players strike is still ongoing and the move is seen as counterproductive to labor talks while McLane announces that, in spite of Bagwell's new deal, he will be forced to cut payroll for the ballclub next season. 
11/23 1976 Pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Dierker_Larry.html target=_top>Larry Dierker</a> and infielder <a class=player href=/players/DaVanon_Jerry.html target=_top>Jerry DaVanon</a> are traded to St.Louis for catcher <a class=player href=/players/Ferguson_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Ferguson</a>. For Dierker, it's the beginning of the end of a stellar career. For Ferguson, it means another chance to be a starting catcher instead of an oufielder. He argues with manager <a class=player href=/players/Virdon_Bill.html target=_top>Bill Virdon</a> about blocking the plate but hits .243 with 23 homers and 83 RBIs in 1-1/2 seasons before being traded again.
11/23 1975 <a class=player href=/players/Porter_Colin.html target=_top>Colin Porter</a> is born in Tucson, AZ. A mid-season call-up, the outfielder posts a .188 average during limited duty in 2003. 
11/24 2006 Slugger Carlos Lee is signed to a six-year contract for a reported $100 million dollars. Nicknamed "El Caballo", the outfielder comes to Houston after stops with the White Sox, Brewers and Rangers. The Astros also ink righthander Woody Williams to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million dollars. The 40-year-old veteran is a Houston native who formerly pitched at the University of Houston.
11/24 1997 The last parcels of land for a new downtown ballpark near the old Union Station terminal are acquired by the H.S.A. The largest sale is from a man named Billy Marlin. Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) are already on board with a stadium design and Brown and Root will serve as project managers for stadium construction. In other news, the Astros sign outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Clark_Dave.html target=_top>Dave Clark</a> to a free agent contract. Clark bats .206 in 93 games during one disappointing season in Houston.
11/24 1991 Former Astro <a class=player href=/players/Garner_Phil.html target=_top>Phil Garner</a> has something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The then-Milwaukee manager and his family are saved from a fire in their Kingwood, TX home. Two constables force open the front door after spotting smoke coming from the house. Over $100,000 worth of damage is done.
11/24 1974 <a class=player href=/players/Weekly_Johnny.html target=_top>Johnny Weekly</a> dies at age 37 in Walnut Creek, CA in an auto accident. The reserve outfielder batted .207 in parts of three seasons with the Colt .45s.
11/24 1950 <a class=player href=/players/Throop_George.html target=_top>George Throop</a> is born in Pasadena, CA. The righthanded reliever posts a 1-0 record in 1979 in 14 appearances.
11/25 1977 Outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Alou_Jesus.html target=_top>Jesus Alou</a> is signed as a free agent. It is his second stint as an Astro. Out of the majors the past two years, the 36-year-old Dominican bats .308 over the next two seasons, primarily in pinch-hit duties.
11/25 1973 <a class=player href=/players/Dotel_Octavio.html target=_top>Octavio Dotel</a> is born in Santo Domingo, DR. The righthander posts a 22-24 record with 42 saves during 4-1/2 seasons in Houston (2000-2004) as a starter, set-up pitcher and closer.
11/25 1966 <a class=player href=/players/Jackson_Sonny.html target=_top>Sonny Jackson</a> is runner-up for N.L. Rookie of the Year honors. The 21-year-old shortstop bats .292 and steals 49 bases. The award goes to Cincinnati infielder <a class=player href=/players/Helms_Tommy.html target=_top>Tommy Helms</a>.
11/25 1962 Outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Mejias_Roman.html target=_top>Roman Mejias</a> is traded to Boston for A.L. batting champion <a class=player href=/players/Runnels_Pete.html target=_top>Pete Runnels</a>. Houston gambles by dealing their best hitter from their inaugural season but the swap benefits neither team as both careers enter a swift decline.
11/26 1997 Pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Henry_Doug.html target=_top>Doug Henry</a> is signed as a free agent. The reliever posts a three-year mark of 11-8 with five saves and a 3.88 ERA.
11/26 1965 <a class=player href=/players/Morgan_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Morgan</a> receives four votes for National League Rookie of the Year, finishing a distant second to the Dodgers' Jim Lefebvre. Morgan bats .271 with 14 homers and 20 steals in his first full season in Houston.
11/26 1962 Colt .45s draft infielder <a class=player href=/players/Wynn_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Wynn</a> from Cincinnati. The 20-year-old is disappointed to be leaving his hometown's farm system but gains a fast track to the majors, appearing in Houston the next season as an outfielder.
11/26 1961 Eddie Bressoud, Houston's first official draft selection, is traded to Boston for shortstop <a class=player href=/players/Buddin_Don.html target=_top>Don Buddin</a>. Buddin would bat .163 in 40 games before being sold to Detroit. Bressoud, claimed from the Giants, comes alive for the Red Sox and becomes an All-Star by 1964.
11/27 1996 Schedules with interleague play are introduced for the first time. Houston will host three teams from the American League Central, including the Milwaukee Brewers who would switch to the National League Central Division in 1998.
11/27 1993 Astros deal pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Hernandez_Xavier.html target=_top>Xavier Hernandez</a> to the Yankees for pitcher Domingo Jean and infielder Andy Stankewicz. It is Jean the Astros covet but he never makes it back to the majors after ten games with New York. Stankewicz bats .189 in a reserve role over the next two seasons. 
11/27 1978 <a class=player href=/players/Ashby_Alan.html target=_top>Alan Ashby</a> is acquired from Toronto for pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Lemongello_Mark.html target=_top>Mark Lemongello</a>, outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Cannon_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Cannon</a> and a minor leaguer. Ashby becomes a stalwart in Houston for the next decade, hitting .252 and providing steady defense behind the plate.
11/27 1972 Pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Harris_Buddy.html target=_top>Buddy Harris</a> and outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Chiles_Rich.html target=_top>Rich Chiles</a> are traded to the Mets for outfielder <a class=player href=/players/Agee_Tommie.html target=_top>Tommie Agee</a>. While Chiles and Harris accomplish little in New York, Agee bats .235 in 83 games before getting dealt in mid-season.
11/27 1961 Outfielders <a class=player href=/players/White_Mike.html target=_top>Mike White</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Weekly_Johnny.html target=_top>Johnny Weekly</a> are selected during the winter supplemental draft. White's career year is 1964 when he bats .271 in 89 games for the Colts. He makes token appearances in 1963 and 1965, his only other two seasons in the majors.
11/28 2022 Astros agree to sign former A.L. MVP Jose Abreu to a three-year contract for a reported $58.5 million dollars. The three-time All-Star is expected to replace fellow Cuban Yuli Gurriel as the team's first baseman. 
11/28 1994 Houston trades pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Harnisch_Pete.html target=_top>Pete Harnisch</a> to the Mets for two minor leaguers. The deal changes during the next month when Harnisch is ruled a restricted free agent. Only one of the pitchers in the deal makes it to Houston and he never reaches the majors. In four seasons as an Astro, Harnisch posts a 45-33 record and a 3.41 ERA. His best season is 1993 when he notches a 16-9 mark with four shutouts and a 2.98 ERA.
11/28 1972 A pair of infielders, <a class=player href=/players/Busse_Ray.html target=_top>Ray Busse</a> and Bob Fenwick are shipped to St. Louis for catcher <a class=player href=/players/Jutze_Skip.html target=_top>Skip Jutze</a> and infielder Milt Ramirez. Both Busse and Fenwick hit under .200 during spot duties with Houston.
11/28 1966 Astros draft pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Belinsky_Bo.html target=_top>Bo Belinsky</a> from the Phillies organization in the winter supplemental draft and pitcher <a class=player href=/players/House_Pat.html target=_top>Pat House</a> from the Braves. Belinsky is soon regaling the Houston press with tales of his vaunted night life. The Astros will assign catcher <a class=player href=/players/Brand_Ron.html target=_top>Ron Brand</a>, a Mormon, to be his roommate on the road.
11/28 1950 <a class=player href=/players/Fuller_Jim.html target=_top>Jim Fuller</a> is born in Bethesda, MD. The outfielder bats .160 with two homers in 34 games for the Astros in 1977 to close his major league career.
11/29 1971 Astros deal infielders <a class=player href=/players/Morgan_Joe.html target=_top>Joe Morgan</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Menke_Denis.html target=_top>Denis Menke</a>, outfielders <a class=player href=/players/Geronimo_Cesar.html target=_top>Cesar Geronimo</a> and Ed Armbrister, and pitcher <a class=player href=/players/Billingham_Jack.html target=_top>Jack Billingham</a> to Cincinnati for infielders <a class=player href=/players/May_Lee.html target=_top>Lee May</a>, <a class=player href=/players/Helms_Tommy.html target=_top>Tommy Helms</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Stewart_Jimmy.html target=_top>Jimmy Stewart</a> in what would be the defining moment of Spec Richardson's tenure as General Manager. Morgan, Geronimo and Billingham would play major roles in two Worlds Championships. May and Helms have productive but not spectacular runs in Houston while Stewart, a utilityman, would bat .207 over two seasons. 
11/30 1998 <a class=player href=/players/Johnson_Randy.html target=_top>Randy Johnson</a> signs a four-year deal with Arizona, ending hopes that the Astros could retain the dominating southpaw they surrendered three players to obtain. The trade is rehashed as the farmhands find success with Seattle in the coming years but General Manager Gerry Hunsicker insists he does not regret the move. 
11/30 1962 Righthander <a class=player href=/players/Nottebart_Don.html target=_top>Don Nottebart</a> is purchased from the Milwaukee Braves on the advice of ex-teammate <a class=player href=/players/McMahon_Don.html target=_top>Don McMahon</a>. Nottebart's three-year record in Houston is 21-34, including the franchise's first no-hitter. Infielders <a class=player href=/players/Larker_Norm.html target=_top>Norm Larker</a> and <a class=player href=/players/Amalfitano_Joe.html target=_top>Joey Amalfitano</a> are also traded in two separate deals for four players who do not make Houston's roster. Larker is swapped to the Braves while Amalfitano is shipped to the Giants.