Houston Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Recap

Catcher

1991: Craig Biggio

In his final season behind the plate, Biggio hit .295/.358/.374/.731 with 23 doubles and 19 stolen bases, and earned his first All-Star appearance. He also posted the second best WAR for an Astros’ catcher with 4.4, just behind Joe Ferguson‘s 4.7 WAR in 1977.

First Base

1994: Jeff Bagwell

Seriously, folks, was there really any other selection here? Bagwell was the unanimous MVP selection, though his campaign was cut short by a broken hand and the infamous labor strike. He hit .368/.451/.750/1.201, 104 runs, 39 HRs, 116 runs batted in, 65 walks, and 8.2 WAR. Also, Baggy earned his only Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and an All-Star appearance.

Second Base

1998: Craig Biggio

Between Biggio’s 1997 and 1998 seasons, and Jose Altuve‘s 2014 season, the fans had a difficult choice to make. Ultimately, the 1998 version of Craig Biggio won out. Some fans even suggested that Biggio was robbed of an MVP award that year, an assertion I cannot argue with. Aside from joining Tris Speaker as the only other player with 50 stolen bases and 50 doubles, here’s another noteworthy stat about Mr. Astro’s 1998 year:

Third Base

1977: Enos Cabell

While the Astros finished at .500 in 1977, Enos Cabell did everything in his power to will his team to a winning record. That year, the third baseman hit .282 with a .438 slugging percentage, 176 hits, 36 doubles, 16 HRs, and 42 stolen bases. Cabell was a well-rounded offensive player who also lead the league in putouts by a third baseman with 140. Also, he sported a pretty sweet ‘fro, which could be in the running for All-Time Best Hairdo.

NOTE: Morgan Ensberg‘s 2005 season was a close second.

Shortstop

1983: Dickie Thon

The legend of Dickie Thon has not been forgotten as he won this contest in landslide. In his second season as an Astro, Thon did everything, hitting .286/.389/.471/.859 with 177 hits, 20 HRs, 79 runs batted in, 54 walks, 34 stolen bases and 7.4 WAR. He earned a Silver Slugger, but lost the All-Star nod to Ozzie Smith. His 20 HRs and 7.4 WAR are bests for a Houston shortstop.

Next: Outfield