Houston Astros Franchise Four: MLB.com Fan Vote

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Aug 11, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Minute Maid Park before a game between the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball has kicked off a fan vote competition in order to choose a “Franchise Four” for all 30 teams. Each franchise has eight players to choose from and there is a write-in option. The Astros and MLB are counting on the fans to make these selections and the chosen players will be honored at the All-Star game.

Now in the 54th season in franchise history, the Houston Astros have some very notable players nominated. There are also a couple of surprising omissions. Granted, there are only eight players per ball club, so not every name can be included. From the early days of the Colt .45s to the “Tequila Sunrise” era to the franchise’s most successful years in the 90s and 2000s, each decade is well represented.

Since the site only lists selected career numbers for each nominee, we’ve provided a brief description on why these players are worthy of your vote. There is also a slide with arguments for the omitted players.

Next: Batters

Apr 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former player and 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Craig Biggio throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Batters

Jeff Bagwell: The iconic first baseman is more than deserving of a vote for this list. The 1991 NL Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL MVP is the franchise leader in home runs (449), runs batted in (1529), and walks (1401). Baggy’s batting stance and bushy goatee are also part of his legendary status. His #5 was retired in 2007.

Craig Biggio: Another Astro who needs no introduction, but we’ll do it anyways. “Mr. Astro” is the only Houston Hall of Famer; he played catcher, second base and center field; and he leads the franchise in games played, and in three different offensive categories: runs scored (1844), hits (3060), and doubles (668). Bidge is one of 49 players in the Hall of Fame to spend his whole career with one franchise. His #7 was retired in 2008.

Lance Berkman: The former Rice Owl is the last “Killer B” on the list. He was an integral part of the team’s success in the 2000s and it’s hard to imagine the Houston Astros making it to the World Series without the Big Puma’s contributions. He ranks second or third in just about every major statistical category, but did you know that Fat Elvis holds the all-time franchise record for on base percentage (.410), slugging percentage (.549), and OPS (.959)? Berkman’s friendly demeanor and outgoing personality endeared him to many fans.

Jose Cruz: “Cheo” didn’t start his career with the Astros, but became a mainstay for 13 seasons from 1975-1987, helping Houston get to the postseason in 1980, 1981, and 1986. He is still one of the most recognizable faces for the franchise, and has arguably the best name announcement ever. Ask a fan from that era about Jose Cruz, and they’ll instinctively say “Jo-se Cruuuuuuuuz!”. He holds the franchise record for triples (80) and is in the top-10 in nearly every other major statistical category, including third in career WAR (51.2). Cruz’s #25 was retired by the franchise in 1992.

Jimmy Wynn: “The Toy Cannon” is an icon from the early days of the franchise. He made his debut in 1963 during the second season of the Colt .45s. Wynn played 11 seasons in Houston, making one All-Star appearance in 1967. The tiny outfielder with the strong bat played in 1426 games for the franchise while hitting 223 homeruns and stealing 180 bases during his tenure. His #24 was retired by the Astros in 2005.

Next: Pitchers

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame player Nolan Ryan responds to being introduced during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers

J.R. Richard: Richard spent his entire 10-year career in a Houston uniform from 1971-80. He won 20 games in 1976, and had three consecutive 18 win seasons from 1977-1979. He finished with a 107-71 record, 3.15 ERA (2.86 FIP), 76 complete games, 19 shutouts, and 1493 strikeouts. His 313 strikeouts in 1979 is a franchise record for most in a season.

Nolan Ryan: The Ryan Express spent nine of his 27 Major League years in an Astros uniform, the most of any team he played for. The flamethrower from Alvin finished with 106-94 record, 3.13 ERA (2.87 FIP), 38 complete games, 13 shutouts, 1 no-hitter, and 1866 strikeouts. He led the Astros to their first three playoff berths in 1980, 1981, and 1986. Ryan currently serves as an executive adviser for the Houston Astros. His #34 was retired by the Astros in 1996.

Mike Scott: After spending his first four seasons with the Mets, Scott came to Houston in 1983 and pitched for nine seasons. He won 18 games in 1985 and 1986 (Cy Young winner), and had one 20-win season in 1989. Scott’s Houston record was 110-81 with a 3.30 ERA (3.27 FIP), 42 complete games and 21 shutouts. The three-time All-Star is best remembered for his complete game no-hitter against the San Franscisco Giants to clinch the NL West division on September 25, 1986. His #33 was retired by Houston in 1992.

Next: Omissions

Apr 5, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; former Houston Astro Roy Oswalt is honored prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

Omissions

The two biggest omissions from this list are Larry Dierker and Roy Oswalt. You’ll have to use the write-in option for these guys and both are worthy of consideration.

Dierker is the original “Mr. Astro.” Starting at the tender age of 17, Dierker was the franchise ace for 13 seasons from 1964-76 before playing his final season in St. Louis. In an Astros uniform, Dierker won 137 games with a 3.28 ERA (3.21 FIP), 106 complete games, and 25 shutouts.

In 1997 he became the Houston manager, leading the Astros to three consecutive NL Central titles from 1997-99 after a 10-year playoff drought, and then another in 2001. Dierker’s #49 was retired by the organization in 2002.

As for The Wizard, was there another Astros pitcher in the past 25 years that was more important to his team? Roy-O was great during the regular season and he possessed the capability to elevate his game during the postseason. Here’s a well-reasoned argument from Astroscounty.com:

Roy Oswalt was the best Astros pitcher in history. Nolan Ryan might have a better career overall, J.R. Richard and Mike Scott might have had better individual seasons, but no one matches Oswalt over his career in an Astros uniform. His 143 wins are second only to Joe Niekro’s 144 in a Astros uniform, and he did that with 34 fewer losses. He’s second to Nolan Ryan in strikeouts, with 1573, while walking nearly 350 fewer batters… Looking beyond his stats, I’d argue that Oswalt meant more to the franchise than any player outside of Biggio, Bagwell. Bill James recently ranked “big game pitchers” and, somewhat surprisingly ranked Oswalt number one all time. The numbers listed as eye popping; 36-14 in big games, with the team going 46-12, with a 2.63 ERA. And no game was bigger than Oswalt, with ice in his vein, erasing the Pujol’s home run and sending the Astros to their first World Series. 7 Innings, 6 strikeouts, 1 earned run. That was a franchising defining moment, matched in history only by Mike Scott’s no-hitter in 1986.

Who are the Franchise Four in your opinion? Go here and vote. Voting ends on Friday, May 8. The players receiving the most votes will be honored in Cincinnati at the All-Star Game in July.

Did the omissions overlook anyone? Who did you pick? Sound off in the comments below.

Next: Astros Players of the Week (Week 1)

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