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Houston Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Recap

By Thomas O'Banion |
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Aug 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the Houston Astros logo during the game between the Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. The Astros defeated the Blue Jays 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past couple of weeks, the writers at Climbing Tal’s Hill have presented you with our opinions on what the best seasons were for a Houston Astros player at each position. Each writer came up with his five choices, and while we all had different ideas of what should be considered an “all-time best,” each writer took his research seriously. Researching and writing this series was a pleasure, and we hope y’all enjoyed it, as well.

Now to the fan votes. Some positions were easier to pick than others, such as First Base and Shortstop, while at Second Base and Starting Pitcher, there was more of a dilemma. Broken down by decade, there are two from the 1970s, two from the 80s, four from the 90s, and three from the 2000s. It’s a fairly even spread across the years, though it appears to reflect the team’s overall success, with the early seasons being lean on victories and postseason play, while the 80s, 90s and 2000s saw better a better ball club on the diamond. No matter the decade, these selections are fantastic and one can only imagine what a spectacular team this would be if it were possible to blend them all together.

Drum roll please…(make sure you leave a finger available for scrolling/clicking) Your 2015 CTH Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons Lineup:

Next: Infield

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

Left Field

2001: Lance Berkman

The Big Puma hit .331/.430/.620/1.051 with 55 doubles, 34 HRs, and 126 runs. And that wasn’t even his best season in an Astros uniform!

Center Field

1972/3: Cesar Cedeno

The 1972 and 73 seasons were nearly identical for Cedeno. He hit .320 and slugged .537 in both years, stole 55 and 56 bases, hit 22 and 25 home runs, 39 and 35 doubles, and 82 and 70 runs batted in, and won Gold Gloves in both seasons. That is a marvelous feat of consistency.

Right Field

2000: Moises Alou

Alou was one of the bright spots on a miserable Houston team that went 72-90. In 2000, he put up great numbers by posting .355/.416/.623 with 28 doubles, 30 HRs, and 114 runs batted in. Oh, and he only struck out 45 times.

Next: Pitchers

Starting Pitcher

1986: Mike Scott

There have been some dominant pitching performances by Houston hurlers, but unfortunately you could only choose one. This selection should not surprise anyone.

Mike Scott was absolutely dominant in 1986, culminating with the no-hitter versus San Francisco to clinch the NL West. Scott’s stats include 2.22 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 306 strikeouts, 7 complete games, 5 shutouts, and the Cy Young Award.

Here’s a great read about Scott’s stuff being so filthy, that New York Mets catcher, Gary Carter, accused him of cheating.

Closer

1999: Billy Wagner

Billy “The Kid” Wagner’s fourth season saw him finally breakout and get the recognition he deserved. The flame-throwing, self-taught lefty coverted 39 out of 42 save opportunities (92.9%) while posting a 1.57 ERA, .777 WHIP, 1.65 FIP, and allowing only 5 home runs in 74 and 2/3 innings (.6 HR/9 inn). He earned an All-Star appearance for relievers that season.

Next: Manager

Manager

2005: Phil Garner

Guiding your organization to the first World Series berth in team history should be enough to get you the All-Time Best nod.

“Scrap Iron,” as Garner was known in his playing days, was in the midst of managing a lame duck Houston ball club that had posted 15-30 start to 2005 after just barely missing the World Series in 2004. Garner rallied his players and the team turned it around to post a 89-73 record to earn a Wild Card berth, and then a World Series appearance.

While the value of a manager will always be debated, fixing/rallying/cajoling a team that was considered dead to the local media and fan base is a noteworthy feat.

What an exciting season that was and we all long for those days to return!

Next: Summary

Aug 2, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of a Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

While the internet is not exactly a stone tablet, you fans have made sure that this list is definitive (for now). It should be held up along side other great documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Treaties of Velasco. Looking at those players, it would also make a pretty sweet baseball card/memorabilia collection.

More from Astros All-Time Lists

C: Craig Biggio, 1991

First Base: Jeff Bagwell, 1994

Second Base: Craig Biggio, 1998

Third Base: Enos Cabell, 1977

Shortstop: Dickie Thon, 1983

Left Field: Lance Berkman, 2001

Center Field: Cesar Cedeno, 1972/73

Right Field: Moises Alou, 2000

Starting Pitcher: Mike Scott, 1986

Closer: Billy Wagner, 1999

Manager: Phil Garner, 2005

Again, thank you all for voting. We’re hoping 2015 produces another All-Time Best season that will knock one of these players off the list.

And thank you to the CTH contributors for their hard work: Eric Huysman (First Base and Shortstop), Issa Cook (Third Base and Starting Pitchers), Andy Brown (Center and Right Fields), Kennon Riley (Left Field and Closers), and Andy Pondillo (Managers).

What do you think Astros fans?

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