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Houston Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Second Base

By Thomas O'Banion |
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May 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Houston Astros second baseman

Jose Altuve

(27) makes a throw to first to complete a double play as Detroit Tigers left fielder

Rajai Davis

(20) slides into second base in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

This is the third installment of our Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons Series. In case you missed it:

  • Who made the cut for the Astros All-Time Best Seasons: Catcher?
  • Did Bagwell take all five seasons for the Astros All-Time Best Seasons: First Base?

The Houston Astros have a rich history at second base. In nearly every decade, they’ve had top-notch play from All-Stars and MVP candidates. That makes this one of the most difficult areas from which to choose an All-Time Best Season.

When you think of the starting second baseman, who comes to mind?

A Hall of Famer, or two?

The franchise hits leader?

A man whose gritty play earned him the nickname “Scrap Iron”?

In 53 years of franchise history, the Astros have had 23 “starting” second baseman. Not one has earned a championship with Houston, but at least two have gone on to win rings with the Cincinnati Reds.

Click through the candidates below and be sure to vote for your All-Time Best at the end.

Next: 1965: Joe Morgan


1965: Joe Morgan

In 1965, the newly monikered Houston Astros were terrible, going 65-97. Joe Morgan, however, had a spectacular rookie season starting at second base for the ball club. His stats from Baseball Reference:

  • .271 BA/.373 OBP/.418 SLG/.791 OPS
  • 100 runs
  • 163 hits
  • 22 doubles
  • 12 triples
  • 14 HRs
  • 20 stolen bases
  • 97 walks
  • 5.6 WAR

The strong debut helped Morgan finish 2nd in NL Rookie of the Year voting to Jim Lefebvre of the Los Angeles Dodgers despite posting better numbers in every statistical category except runs batted in (what were the voters thinking?).

The diminutive second baseman led the Astros in runs, hits, triples, and walks. He finished in second (or tied for) in batting average, doubles, home runs, stolen bases, and WAR behind Jimmy Wynn.

Morgan would go on to play six more seasons in Houston before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in November 1971 in an unpopular blockbuster deal. Morgan won back-to-back World Series championships and NL MVP awards with the “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and 1976. Houston never made the playoffs and only finished above .500 three times between 1972-79 (Morgan’s tenure with the Reds).

Morgan returned to the Astros for one season in 1980. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1990.

Next: 1987: Bill Doran

1987: Bill Doran

Bill Doran was an integral piece of the Houston Astros’ success during the mid-1980s. From 1985-87, Doran was an annual MVP candidate, finishing as high as 11th in 1986.

While he posted a better WAR in 1985, he had a better season at the plate in 1987, when he played in 162 games. His year (from Baseball Reference):

  • .283 BA/.365 OBP/.406 SLG/.772 OPS
  • 82 runs
  • 177 hits
  • 23 doubles
  • 3 triples
  • 16 HRs
  • 79 RBI
  • 31 stolen bases
  • 82 walks
  • 4.7 WAR

Doran was the only position player in 1987 to appear in 162 games. He led the team in walks and WAR, and was second in stolen bases behind Billy Hatcher. In August 1990, Houston traded the second baseman to Cincinnati for players to be named later. Doran won a World Series with the Reds that year (this sounds familiar…).

Bill Doran was considered by many to be the Astros best second baseman in team history until Craig Biggio moved out from behind the catcher’s mask and took over at the middle infield position.

Did you know?: Bill Doran never made an All-Star team.

Next: 1997: Craig Biggio

1997: Craig Biggio

1997 was an incredible year for Craig Biggio. In his sixth season at second base, Biggio helped lead the Astros to the NL Central Division Title and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 1986. Biggio’s stats (from Baseball Reference):

  • .309 BA/.415 OBP/.501 SLG/.916 OPS
  • 146 runs
  • 191 hits
  • 37 doubles
  • 8 triples
  • 22 HRs
  • 81 RBI
  • 47 stolen bases
  • 84 walks
  • 34 hit-by-pitch
  • 9.4 WAR
  • All-Star
  • Gold Glove
  • Silver Slugger

Biggio’s 9.4 WAR is the franchise best for a second baseman. Biggio led the league in runs and hit-by-pitches. He led the Astros in runs, hits, triples, and  stolen bases. He had career highs in on-base percentage, WAR, and hit-by-pitch. He also finished 4th in NL MVP voting that season, and his WAR was good for second in the NL behind Larry Walker.

One other remarkable statistic about 1997: Biggio hit into ZERO double-plays. It boggles the mind how a player led the league in plate appearances and did not hit into one double play.

If you thought Biggio was great in 1997, just wait until you read about how he followed it up.

Next: 1998: Craig Biggio

1998: Craig Biggio

If you thought 1997 was a great year for Biggio, the Hall of Fame second baseman put on an encore with another remarkable season in 1998. Again, he helped lead Houston to another NL Central crown and playoff appearance. His stats (from Baseball Reference):

  • .325 BA/.403 OBP/.503 SLG/.906 OPS
  • 123 runs
  • 210 hits
  • 51 doubles
  • 2 triples
  • 20 HRs
  • 88 RBI
  • 50 stolen bases
  • 64 walks
  • 6.5 WAR
  • All-Star
  • Silver Slugger

Biggio finished 5th in MVP voting and led the league in doubles. He set career highs in hits (his only 200 hit season), runs batted in,  batting average, and slugging percentage. He led the team in hits, doubles, stolen bases, and batting average, and was second to Jeff Bagwell in runs scored. His 6.5 WAR is good for second in franchise history (behind himself).

1998 was the year Biggio joined Tris Speaker as the only players in MLB history to hit 50 doubles and steal 50 bases in the same season.

It’s easy for Houston fans to see why Craig Biggio deserves to be in Cooperstown, and 1997 and 1998 are two splendid examples of his outstanding play. His franchise hits record would last for another 15 seasons.

Next: 2014: Jose Altuve

Aug 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2014: Jose Altuve

You knew Jose Altuve was going to make this list. How could he not?

In his third full season at second base, Jose Altuve showed everyone that he was not just a fill-in on the Astros roster until someone else came along. The young Venezuelan (only 24 yrs old) is a cornerstone for this franchise to build around.

In fact, he has improved in every season in nearly every statistical category. Here’s his 2014 stats (from Baseball Reference):

  • .341 BA/.377 OBP/.453 SLG/.830 OPS
  • 85 runs
  •  225 hits
  • 47 doubles
  • 3 triples
  • 7 HRs
  • 59 RBI
  • 56 stolen bases
  • 36 walks
  • 5.9 WAR
  • All-Star
  • Silver Slugger

Altuve smashed Biggio’s franchise record for hits and he won the AL Batting title while leading the league in hits, batting average, and stolen bases. He also made his second All-Star appearance and earned his first Silver Slugger. For the Astros, Altuve led the club in six categories including runs scored, doubles, and on-base percentage.

While it will be difficult for Altuve to best this season, he should continue putting up strong numbers and be a catalyst for this team.

If he’s ever traded to the Reds and they win a World Series with him, God help the city of Houston…

Next: Vote: Best All-Time Season at 2B

Jun 22, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions:

1967: Joe Morgan .275/.378/.411/.789; 73 runs, 136 hits, 27 doubles, 11 triples, 29 stolen bases, 5.0 WAR

1982: Phil Garner .274/.320/.423/.743; 161 hits, 33 doubles, 13 HRs, 83 RBI, 24 stolen bases, 3.5 WAR

1985: Bill Doran .287/.362/.434/.797; 84 runs, 166 hits, 31 doubles, 14 HRs, 23 stolen bases, 71 walks, 5.3 WAR

2004: Jeff Kent .289/.348/.531/.880; 96 runs, 156 hits, 34 doubles, 27 HRs, 107 RBI, 3.9 WAR

Now is your chance to vote for the Astros’ All-Time Best Season at Second Base. As you can tell from the picture above, Altuve is anxiously awaiting the results.

When you finish voting, let us know how you feel about the selection for best seasons at second base.

Thanks for reading and voting. Keep a lookout for our next installment, Astros All-Time Best Seasons: Third Base, which comes out on Sunday, February 8.

Next: 60 Reasons to Watch the 2015 Astros

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