Jan 28 1928 - Pete Runnels is born in Lufkin, TX. The two-time American League batting champion is dealt to Houston for Roman Mejias but is a disappointment in two seasons with the Colts, losing his first base job to Rusty Staub then Walt Bond.
Oct 10 1961 - The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft. Among the Colt selections are Bob Aspromonte and Dick Farrell (both from L.A.), Hal Smith and Roman Mejias (Pit.), Ken Johnson (Cin.), Al Spangler (Mil.) and Bob Lillis (St.L.). Houston's first pick is infielder Eddie Bressoud but he is traded before the inaugural season begins.
Mar 10 1962 - Houston Colt .45s lose the first exhibition game in their history to the Los Angeles Angels, 7-3, in Palm Springs, CA. Bob Aspromonte scores the first run and Roman Mejias gets the first Colt hit, a clean single off Eli Grba.
Apr 10 1962 - Major League Baseball officially starts in Houston as the Colt .45s make a big hit in their 11-2 Opening Day win against the Chicago Cubs. Bobby Shantz gets the victory, striking out Lou Brock as the first batter. Roman Mejias belts two home runs and drives in six for the Colts. Hal Smith also homers. In all, quite a 50th birthday gift for team owner Judge Roy Hofheinz.
Apr 29 1962 - Roman Mejias belts a ninth-inning homer off Don McMahon to beat Milwaukee, 3-2. Hal Smith and Jim Pendleton also launch solo homers in the victory. Dick Farrell takes the win in relief.
Jun 09 1962 - The Colts bomb the Dodgers, 13-1, using three homers and three triples. Carl Warwick, Roman Mejias and Bob Aspromonte go deep
. Backup catcher Merritt Ranew belts a two-run triple as part of the eight-run fifth inning, his seventh three-bagger of the season to lead the National League.
Jul 20 1962 - Roman Mejias singles home the winning run in the ninth as Houston nips the Cardinals, 4-3, on "Stan Musial Day" in Houston
. Dick Farrell admits the next day during a radio interview that he threw an illegal spitball at Musial, but the St. Louis legend drilled it for an RBI single. Farrell is fined and touches off a debate that mars his 12-strikeout performance.
Nov 25 1962 - Outfielder Roman Mejias is traded to Boston for A.L. batting champion Pete Runnels. Houston gambles by dealing their best hitter from their inaugural season but the swap benefits neither team as both careers enter a swift decline.