The demonstrative "Papa Grande" was acquired in a trade with Arizona. The Domincan righthander led the National League in saves his first year in Houston and fought off injuries to save 25 more in 2009. Let go as a free agent, Valverde signed with Detroit and won another saves title in the American League in 2011.

Stats

Pitching         W   L   PCT   ERA   G  GS  CG  SV  GF   IP     H    R    ER   BB   SO
2008             6   3  .667  3.38  74   0   0  44  71   72     62   28   27   23   83
2009             4   2  .667  2.33  52   0   0  25  45   54     40   15   14   21   56
Totals          10   5  .667  2.93 126   0   0  69 116  126    102   43   41   44  139


Batting          G     AB    R   H   2B  3B  HR  RBI   BB   SO   SB  CS   AVG   SLG   OBA   OPS
2008             74     1    0    0   0   0   0    0    0    1    0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000
2009             52     0    0    0   0   0   0    0    0    1    0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000
Totals          126     1    0    0   0   0   0    0    0    1    0   0  .000  .000  .000  .000

Astros Trades & Transactions

Dec 14, 2007 - Traded Chad Qualls (P), Juan Gutierrez (P) and Chris Burke (IF) to Ari-N for Jose Valverde (P).

This Date in Astros History

Mar 24, 1978 - 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.

Dec 14, 2007 - A whirlwind offseason in Houston continues as the Astros deal infielder Chris Burke, reliever Chad Qualls and pitcher Juan Gutierrez to Arizona for closer Jose Valverde. The move completes an almost total overhaul of Houston's bullpen that began when Dan Wheeler was traded to Tampa Bay in August.

May 23, 2008 - Jose Valverde takes a line drive off the face yet stays in the game to notch his league-leading 15th save in a 4-3 triumph against the Phillies. Hunter Pence had drilled two solo homers and Brandon Backe allowed just one run over 7-1/3rd innings but Valverde steals the spotlight with his amazing toughness.

Jun 13, 2009 - Minutes after Miguel Tejada strokes his 2,000th career hit to drive in a run, Lance Berkman launches his 300th career homer to pace a 6-4 win at Arizona. After seven strong innings by Roy Oswalt, Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins work their way out of jams to preserve the win. The Astros are last in the division with a 28-32 record but are just five games out of first.

Jul 22, 2009 - Houston stuns closer Ryan Franklin with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to clip the Cardinals, 4-3, and sweep the three-game series from the division leaders. The Astros move within a game of first. Miguel Tejada strokes the game-winner after Chris Coste failed twice to lay down a bunt then spanked an RBI double to center. Jose Valverde wins in relief.