Here are 10 key facts about the history of the Houston Astros:
1. **Founded as the Colt .45s**: The team was established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, named after the famous pistol, before changing to the Astros in 1965 when they moved into the newly constructed Astrodome.
2. **First Major League Baseball Team in Texas**: The Astros were the first MLB team in Texas, paving the way for the Texas Rangers, who joined the league in 1961.
3. **AstroTurf Innovation**: The Astros were the first team to play on AstroTurf, a synthetic grass-like surface, at the Astrodome starting in 1966.
4. **1969 NL Wild Card Team**: The Astros made their first playoff appearance in 1969 as a part of the newly-formed National League West Division, although they didn’t win a series.
5. **Nolan Ryan Era**: Legendary pitcher Nolan Ryan played for the Astros from 1980 to 1988, becoming a Hall of Fame legend during his tenure with the team.
6. **1993 and 1994 Division Titles**: Houston claimed back-to-back National League Central Division titles in 1993 and 1994, although they were not able to capture a World Series title.
7. **The “Killer B’s” Era**: In the late ’90s and early 2000s, the Astros were known for their powerful lineup, which included players like Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, and Lance Berkman, collectively known as the “Killer B’s.”
8. **2005 World Series Appearance**: The Astros reached the World Series for the first time in franchise history in 2005, but they lost to the Chicago White Sox in four games.
9. **2017 World Series Championship**: After years of building, the Astros won their first-ever World Series title in 2017, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a thrilling seven-game series.
10. **The Sign-Stealing Scandal**: In 2017, the Astros became embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal, where the team was found to have illegally used technology to steal signs during games. This led to fines and suspensions, including the firing of manager A.J. Hinch.
These facts highlight the Astros’ colorful history, marked by moments of triumph, controversy, and consistent success in Major League Baseball.
