A Heart-y Look at the Astros Who Wore Number 14

A picture of candy hearts taken by the author.

It’s Valentine’s Day! That means it’s time for candy and flowers and…baseball?

In honor of this LOVE-ly holiday, I looked up the players who have worn the #14 for the Astros, and then decided if I —meaning we— should’ve loved/liked them while they played in Houston. Believe it or not, #14 is one of the few remaining numbers that hasn’t been retired by the organization (ba-dum-bum).

In franchise history, there have been eleven players to wear the 1-4 combination for Houston. As you’d expect, some have been good, some not so much. Some of them have fantastic stories to go along with their remarkable feats. Out of the eleven, five were deserving of those colorful candy hearts with the little sayings on them. There’s even a candy heart rating system (I got a little carried away).

Hopefully you’ll agree that these guys were worthy of being your Valentine (or your favorite player). I loved- or would have loved- seeing them in the Astros uniform.

Next: Bob Aspromonte

Bob Aspromonte (aka Aspro the Astro) was one of the original Houston players, getting picked in the expansion draft of 1961 by the newly founded Colt .45’s. Aspromonte spent seven seasons in Houston, mostly at third base. Some notable achievements with the Houston franchise include getting the first hit and scoring the first run in team history.

During his time in Houston, Aspromonte hit six grand slams (a franchise record later matched by Jeff Bagwell), including the first in franchise history. One in particular has an even better anecdote (from Brian McTaggart’s A Game to Remember series in 2012):

Sitting in the stands at Colt Stadium and watching the action that day was a boy from Arkansas named Bill Bradley, who had befriended Aspromonte a year earlier. Bradley lost his eyesight at age 9 in 1962 when a tree that was struck by lightning fell on him. Bradley was moved to Houston to have several eye procedures and began listening to Colt .45s games on the radio. And Aspromonte soon became his favorite player. “When he was visiting Houston, he called the ballclub and said, ‘Can I meet Bob Aspromonte?'” Aspromonte said. “I visited him in the hospital and took him a glove and ball. The kid was blindfolded and couldn’t see anything. That’s how it all started.” Before Aspromonte left the hospital that day, Bradley asked him to hit a homer for him. Aspromonte, not being a home run hitter, was hesitant. But he did indeed hit a home run later that night. The next year, with Bradley back in Houston, he again asked Aspromonte to hit a homer, and again Aspromonte came through — this time with a grand slam.

Aspro’s legendary tale has a Ruthian aspect to it. If you didn’t love the man before, you should now!

Did you know? In 2012, Aspromonte was honored with an Astros’ Walk of Fame star outside Minute Maid Park.

Candy heart rating: 5

Next: Roger Metzger

Roger Metzger played shortstop for the Astros from 1971-78. The native Texan was known for being a strong defender with speed.

He holds the Astros’ franchise record for triples in a season with 14 in 1973, and ranks third all-time on the franchise’s list with 62 triples behind Joe Morgan and Jose Cruz. Interestingly, Metzger had just 16 more doubles (88) than triples in his career with Houston. Despite being known for his speed, the shortstop only stole 64 bases in an Astros uniform, with 48 of those coming in his first three seasons.

Candy heart rating: 3 (is there any other suitable rating for the triple machine?)

Next: Alan Ashby

During his 11-yr tenure with the Houston Astros, Alan Ashby became known one of the best and most recognizable catchers in Astros history. “Ash” played on the 1980, 1981, and 1986 playoff teams and he had his best statistical season in 1987, just two years prior to his retirement.

Two remarkable statistics about Ash’s time in Houston:

• Second among Astros catchers in WAR (7.9)
• Caught three no-hitters (Ken Forsch – 1979, Nolan Ryan – 1981, Mike Scott – 1986)

Ashby now works alongside Bill Brown as a broadcaster calling Houston Astros games. He also posts every now and then on Twitter; follow him @alkatash.

Candy heart rating: 4

Did you know? In 1999, Ashby was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.

Next: Derek Bell

Derek Bell was one of the original Killer B’s, teaming up with Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio to create a dominant trio in the batting order during the mid-to-late 90s. He helped the Astros win three consecutive NL Central Division titles from 1997-99.

Acquired by the Astros in a blockbuster offseason trade with the San Diego Padres that included Ken Caminiti, Bell was a solid outfielder for Houston for five seasons. During that time he batted .284/.341/.430 with 237 extra base hits, 444 runs batted in, and 102 stolen bases. In 1998, Derek Bell had 198 hits which is good for fourth on Houston’s single season hits list.

Unfortunately for Houston, Bell became a distraction in 1999 when he openly criticized manager Larry Dierker on the day the manager returned from brain surgery. Bell was traded to the New York Mets along with Mike Hampton during the offseason.

Candy heart rating: 2 (he gets a downgrade for attitude)

Next: Morgan Ensberg

Morgan Ensberg manned the hot corner for five and a half seasons from 2002-2007. He was the last everyday starter at that position that you could hang your hat on. Ensberg had a solid run and was a catalyst for the 2004 NLCS and 2005 World Series squads. His 2005 performance earned him recognition as the team’s MVP, an All-Star appearance and a Silver Slugger award.

Ensberg was part of a couple of rare feats during his career. In 2004 he completed a triple play with Jeff Kent and Mike Lamb. He also hit three home runs in one game on May 15, 2005 against the San Francisco Giants.

The former third baseman currently serves as a “special assignment” coach in the Astros’ minor league system.

Candy heart rating: 5 (his 2005 performance warrants it)

Did you know? Ensberg started writing a baseball blog after his retirement, though he hasn’t updated it since 2012. He’s also an active Twitter user; follow him @MorganEnsberg.

Next: Lonely Hearts Club Players