Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former players Jeff Bagwell (left) and Craig Biggio (right) before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Astros player Jeff Bagwell signs autographs for fans before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
Thanks for reading Climbing Tal’s Hill as we present our ranking of the top 25 all-time hitters in Houston Astros history!
Whether in blue, orange, gold, black, or brick red, the Houston Astros have seen many gifted hitters pass through the halls of the Astrodome and later Minute Maid Park. There have been some to spend their whole careers representing the Astros while others may have only been in Houston for just a few seasons. But no matter how much time was spent in Houston or not, each of the following hitters left an undeniable mark in franchise history.
**Statistics in the following posts provided by Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference**
Next: #2 Honorable Mentioned
Honorable mentioned
Aug 12, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Michael Bourn (2) on deck to bat during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
Bourn came to the Astros with Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett in November 2007. Bourn, a Houston native, became an immediate fan favorite for his outstanding defense and electric speed on the base paths. He won consecutive Gold Gloves in 2009 and 2010 and was voted to the 2010 All-Star Team. He led the NL in plate appearances in 2011 and steals from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, he led all of the MLB in steals with 61, though only 39 were with the Astros.
He is 1st all-time in career Astros stolen base percentage with 82.48%. He is also 7th all-time in Astros career stolen bases with 193. In 2009, he hit 12 triples, good enough for the 5th-highest single season total. Defensively, Bourn has the 2nd-highest single-season mark for defensive WAR with 3.5 in 2010, and he is 9th all-time in career defensive WAR with 4.8. Not bad for three years.
He formed a dynamic duo with fellow Texan Hunter Pence that, amid a flurry of bad roster moves and post-World Series depression, was the highlight of Astros baseball for a few years. And, like Pence, Bourn was one of the first dominoes to fall in the eventual Astros rebuild. Bourn was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens, Jordan Schafer, and Brett Oberholtzer at the 2011 trade deadline just hours after Pence was traded.
Alou’s tenure with the Astros was short, but it was far more remarkable than casual fans realize. Acquired from the Marlins for Manuel Barrios, Oscar Henriquez, and Mark Johnson after winning the World Series in 1997, Alou racked up some accolades in only three years with the Astros.
Alou won the Silver Slugger in 1998 and was an All-Star in both 1998 and 2001. He was 3rd in MVP voting in 1998 and finished as a finalist other every year that he played with the Astros. He is 1st all-time in career Astros batting average (.331), slugging percentage (.585), and OPS (.988). He is 2nd all-time in at-bats per HR with 16.3, behind Chris Carter and ahead of Lance Berkman.
He also owns the 2nd-highest single season batting average, when he hit .355 in 2000. He is 3rd all-time in career Astros OBP with .403, and he owns the third-highest single season slugging percentage in Astros history with .623 in 2000. He is 5th all-time in Astros single season OPS with 1.039 in 2000 and single season total bases with 340 in 1998.
His 1998 season was especially spectacular. In 1998, Alou finished 5th all-time in Astros single season total bases with 340, 8th all-time in Astros single-season RBIs with 124, 9th all-time in single-season extra base hits with 77, and 10th all-time in single-season home runs with 38.
It is interesting to note that Alou did not play in 1999 after tearing his ACL on a treadmill in the offseason. That Astros team finished 97-65, 1st in the NL Central. After being eliminated in the NLDS by the Atlanta Braves, Astros fans will just have to daydream about what a mid-prime Alou could have added to that team.
Next: 25th All-Time Astros Hitter
#25 Top Hitter
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former manager Phil Garner throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
With a nickname like ‘Scrap-iron,’ it doesn’t scream power hitter, but he had some seasons with double-digit homers in his seven-year career with the Astros. He played 17 years in the big leagues making the All-Star game three times, none of them with Houston. He got his nickname by how gritty a player he was, always getting dirty like Biggio was known for in his career. Most of his career he was a speedy guy who would steal some bases and finds a way to get on base with a career .323 OBP.
The max home runs that Garner ever hit in a season was 17 with the Pirates in 1977. Garner made the All-Star game three times, but he may have been selected by the fans based on his reputation because his 1980-81 stats are not representative of an All-Star player. 1981 was the season that Garner was traded to the Astros on August 31st. The Astros needed a second baseman and Garners’ stock was falling. The way Garner played made him a fan favorite in Houston, which could have been why his performance picked up after the trade.
Garner played second base, third base, and shortstop in his time with the Astros, with second base being his most frequent position. He is the player that Jonathan Villar was supposed to be. In his first full season with the Astros hitting .274/ 13 homers/ 83 RBI/ 24 steals. For his career with the Astros, Garner hit .260/ 49 homers/ 320 RBI/ 68 steals.
With his departure in the 1987 season at the trade deadline, opened the door for Biggio for the following season, even though Biggio was still a catcher at that point. Why he wasn’t a power hitter, he used his determination to get on base and score runs.
He followed up his playing career by managing the Milwaukee Brewers (1992-1999), Detroit Tigers, (2000 -2002), and the Astros (2004-2007).
Rusty Staub is the primary example of how much a player can be affected playing half their games at the Astrodome/Colt Stadium. He signed an amateur free agent in 1961 by the Colt-45’s. Staub made his debut in 1963 while the team was still playing at Colt Stadium. I wasn’t alive at the time, but from what I understand, it was a mosquito hotbed outdoor stadium that was not the best place to play at.
In Staub’s third season with the Astros, Staub got some consideration for league MVP, finishing as high as 16th after moving into the Astrodome. While the Astrodome was hard to homer in, there were plenty of openings in the defense with the vast playing surface. This environment may have helped and hurt Staub a lot in his career because he never hit more that 14 homers as an Astro, but his home run numbers soared after leaving Houston to play in Montreal. His lifetime Astros batting average was .273 but was as high as .333 in 1967.
In 1967, Staub also played in his first of his two All-Star games as an Astro. Despite only hitting ten homers in 1967, he did hit 44 doubles and drove in 74 runs. He was traded to the Expos who were an expansion team, and Staub went to the Expos and because the power hitter that he couldn’t be in Houston. He played six of his 23 seasons with Houston Colt-45s and Astros. Looking at his stats from his final four seasons, he looks like a player that tried to stick around too long, but they didn’t get paid what they get paid now.
Looking at Staub’s stats, you can appreciate what Jeff Bagwell was able to do as an Astro. Staub hit 57 of his 292 homers with the Astros. Imagine if some more of those 44 doubles in 1967 were hit somewhere else, he would have hit a lot more home runs. Speed was never his game, but he was a line drive hitter who turned into a home run hitter.
Next: 23th All-Time Astros Hitter
#23 Top Hitter
Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve #27 bats against the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
In the new breed of Astros players, Jose Altuve started the winning trend back in Houston. With his small size yet huge bat, Altuve has brought speed and stability back to second base.For the past two years especially, Altuve has been a fixture in the top part of the lineup for the Astros. He has led the American League in hits for the past two seasons with 225 in 2014, which broke Craig Biggio’s record of 210 in 1998, and 200 hits in 2015. In his first five seasons, he has a .305 batting average and averages 201 hits per 162 games.
For the past two years especially, Altuve has been a fixture in the top part of the lineup for the Astros. He has led the American League in hits for the past two seasons with 225 in 2014, which broke Craig Biggio’s record of 210 in 1998, and 200 hits in 2015. In his first five seasons, he has a .305 batting average and averages 201 hits per 162 games.Altuve’s stats show that all he does is hit.
His walk to strikeout ratio is at 0.47 for his career. This concludes that Altuve’s on base percentage does not differ much from his original batting average. In 2014 in which he led the AL in batting average with .341, his on-base percentage was at .377. His career BABIP is .331 compared to his .305 career average.
Altuve’s stats show that all he does is hit. His walk to strikeout ratio is at 0.47 for his career. This rate concludes that Altuve’s on base percentage does not differ much from his original batting average. In 2014 in which he led the AL in batting average with .341, his on-base percentage was at .377. His career BABIP is .331 compared to his .305 career average.
Not only does Altuve use his bat to be successful. His speed is also a game changer for a team who has not had a so-called “speed guy” since Michael Bourn left. For the past two seasons, Altuve has led the AL in stolen bases with 56 and 38 stolen bases respectively. Based on his stolen base numbers, he averages 41 stolen bases every 162 games.
Altuve has only been in an Astros uniform for five seasons, and he has already made a lasting effect at the top of the lineup. I cannot wait to see how much of an effect he will have as his career continues.
Next: 22nd All-Time Astros Hitter
#22 Top Hitter
Funky bday to Rafael Landestoy, shown here w/ fellow @Astros Craig Reynolds and Art Howe at Dodger Stadium in 1979. pic.twitter.com/XLMc5uriOf
Arguably remembered more for his managing days than his playing days, Art Howe carries the distinction of being one of the few former Astros actually to play for and manage the club at different times in franchise history. But this doesn’t mean that Howe’s playing days with the Astros were forgettable.
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From his first season with Houston in 1976 till his last in 1982, the former infielder provided the Astros with quality hitting in limited exposure. Not known for his power, Howe did provide the Astros with quality hitting during his time in the “H-Star” hat. He actually maintained a WAR of 1.7 or higher in five of his six seasons as an Astro. In years in which he played at least 100 games for the Astros, Howe also achieved a wRC+ of at least 107 or higher in four of his six seasons. Never known to be strikeout prone, he also yielded similar walk and strikeout percentages for his career (9.3 BB%, 9.7 K%).
Howe would eventually leave the Astros via free agency following the conclusion of the 1982 season, and would resurface with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984 after missing the entire 1983 season due to injury. But for his Astros career, Howe will be remembered for his ability to be a quality hitter despite his lack of power (.120 career ISO). In fact, he is ranked 22nd in WAR (13.4) for his Astros career. Hence, the reason he comes in at #22 on our list.
Next: 21st All-Time Astros Hitter
#21 Top Hitter
10/10/80 Denny Walling's sacrifice fly to left field scored Rafael Landestoy for the win in Game 3 of the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/CECIEDMZvA
Known mainly for his pinch-hitting prowess, Denny “Good Wood” Walling established himself as one of the Astros best bats off the bench throughout his tenure. In fact, his 13.0 WAR in an Astros uniform is good for 23rd overall in franchise history. He originally came over to Houston via Oakland before the 1977 season and began as a part-time outfielder and pinch hitter. He would later move to first and third base while remaining a pinch-hitting specialist for the Astros before his departure to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1988.
Walling had his best season in 1986 when he slashed .312/.367/.479 to go with 13 HR and 58 RBI in a career-high 130 games. That season saw Walling post by far his best WAR (3.9) and best wRC+ (137) when he played at least 100 games. Even though he would soon move on to the Cardinals for pitcher Bob Forsch not too long afterward, he left a mark in Houston as one of the team’s constants during the Astros first sustained runs of success in 1980 and 1986.
And don’t forget his key at-bat in the 1980 NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies when he managed to get a sacrifice fly to lead the Astros to a walk-off win in Game 3.
For his career, Walling did most of his damage against right-handers as he managed to hit .276 against right-handed pitching while hitting only .236 against left-handers. In fact, he had 2,572 at-bats against right-handers while accumulating 373 at-bats against lefties. Now that is a noticeable split in batting statistics! Between his contributions over a long period and delivering in the clutch moments, Walling earned his place as one of the Astros top 25 hitters.
Next: 20th All-Time Astros Hitter
#20 Top Hitter
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Astros player Morgan Ensberg signs autographs for fans before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
You might know Ensberg as the current Astros mental coach for all levels; he was also a good player during his prime. When you think of Ensberg, longevity is not something he was able to maintain, but he was dominating at times. Ensberg made his debut with the Houston Astros in 2000 but didn’t get to become a regular until the 2002 season where he hit .242/ three homers/ 19 homers.
His second full season in 2003 was Ensberg’s coming out part as a legitimate power threat with 25 homers while batting .291 that season. He would continue to progress over the next two years, peaking in 2005 where he finished fourth in the NL MVP voting that season. Ensberg was a big part of the offense that went all the way to the World Series without a healthy Bagwell.
During the 2005 season, Ensberg hit .283/ 36 homers/ 101 RBI/ six steals. One knock against Ensberg was that he was not the guy in the playoffs that would lead the team. In his career, Ensberg batted .242/ two homers/ 18 RBI in five playoff series as an Astro. The 18 runs driven in looks pretty good, though.
2005 would be the high point of his career as it all started slowly crumbling over the next four years until he retired following the 2008 season at the young age of 32. While it is not known why he fell apart so quickly, I have heard theories that his mental makeup was not strong. It was hard to watch it unfold at the end, especially in his time with the Yankees and Padres his last 1.5 years.
Either way, Ensberg had a career 14.1 WAR in his time with the Astros with 6.2 of it coming from 2005. His final career stats with the Astros was .266/ 105 homers/ 335 RBI. One positive is that the Astros needed someone in 2005 to step up for Bagwell, Ensberg showed up strong that season.
Next: 19th All-Time Astros Hitter
#19 Top Hitter
Apr 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks special assistant to the president & ceo Luis Gonzalez looks on against the Texas Rangers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
When one thinks of Luis Gonzalez, they think of the player that helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001. However, he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the 1988 draft and played the first seven years of a solid career here. Gonzalez really broke out here in Houston in 1993 when he hit .300 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI’s. He also had a solid .818 OPS in 1993.
In that season, Gonzalez recorded 5.4 Wins Above Replacement, which was his best season in that regard as an Astro. That also was the third largest total of his career. The rest of his time in Houston was ok. In his seven seasons, Gonzalez hit .266 with a .417 slugging percentage.
He hit a total of 62 home runs and drove in 366 RBI’s. Gonzalez ran a lot more as a member of the Astros. He recorded 63 of his career 128 stolen bases in an Astros uniform. Although this may pale in comparison with the rest of his career elsewhere, Gonzalez was a solid contributor to this club in the early nineties.
Thon is another Astro player who could have been hurt playing in the Astrodome. Thon was relatively average for most of his Astros career but had two standout seasons in 1982-83 where you could argue that he was the best shortstop in the game before he got injured.
Even though I’m sure people could not have expected Thon to make the All-Star team, more of a shocker was that he hit 20 HRs that year. After doing most of his damage at home in 1982, the following season was a different story. Let’s look at his splits home and away during the 1983 season.
Home: .292/ .352/ .420/ .772/ 4 HR/ 14 SB
Away: .280/ .330/ .494/ .824/ 16 HR/ 20 SB
Looking at his stats from his breakout season with the Astros shows the difference His success with the Astros was short lived, as a pitch from Mike Torrez hit Dickie Thon right above the left eye, which kept Thon out of the lineup for the rest of the season. He did play three more seasons with the Astros, but he was never the same player.
He could have been the Derek Jeter of that generation, a shortstop who can homer and steal bases. We will never know how good he could have been, but we will have to settle for his Astros career stats of .270/ 33 hr/ 172 RBI/ 94 stolen bases. He does have arguably two of the top five All-Time seasons for a shortstop: Astros’ All-Time Best Seasons: Shortstop.
Next: 17th All-Time Astros Hitter
#17 Top Hitter
Aug 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence (8) looks on during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
Hunter Pence by Cody Poage
Hunter Pence won’t be known around the country for his contributions with the Houston Astros. His exploits with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are well-documented and will serve as the primary story of his legacy. In a way, he became the modern day version of Rusty Staub. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t provide the Astros with valuable offensive production during one the club’s most trying times.
Drafted by the Astros in 2004, Pence would later make his debut for the parent club in 2007 after a strong spring training and brief AAA stint. And even though he played alongside Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, Pence would make a name for himself as one of the Astros top offensive performers.
From 2008-10, the then-young outfielder helped anchor the Astros lineup while the club attempted to remain competitive in the NL Central. After the eventual departures of Berkman, Pence was counted upon being the anchor of the Astros lineup. And he did not disappoint as he averaged 25 home runs over the three-year period while providing a WAR upwards of 2.7 each season. This production is what eventually led to his departure via trade to the Phillies during the 2011 season.
And while he didn’t enjoy great success in Houston, Pence helped carry a team that was desperate for someone to build around, even if it wasn’t for very long.
Like other hitters on this list, Steve Finley was never stayed in an Astros uniform for very long. Shoot, he is mostly remembered for his time as an Arizona Diamondback during that franchise’s most successful years. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a valuable contributor in Houston despite only being here for four seasons.
Finley was originally acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in 1991 in the now-famous trade that also saw Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling wear an Astros uniform. He would then go on to establish himself as one of the team’s more dangerous hitters from 1991-94.
His 1992 season is arguably the best season he put together as a member of the Astros. In fact, Finely led the NL in games played (162), second in triples (13), third in stolen bases (44), and seventh in hits (177) that year. His 44 stolen bases that season actually ended up being a career-high.
And even though he didn’t develop his power stroke until a few years after he left the Astros, Finley from a WAR standpoint provided value to the team. His 14.9 WAR currently ranks 17th overall in franchise history, which only helps his case of inclusion on this list. And while he didn’t enjoy the fruits of the Astros labor in the late 1990’s, Finley helped lay the foundation for the franchise’s future success.
Outside of Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s, nobody more emphasized those young Astros teams than the late Ken Caminiti. Even though he would had arguably his greatest stretch of dominance as a hitter with the San Diego Padres between his stints with the Astros, his time in Houston will always be remembered fondly.
Starting with his major league debut in 1987, Caminiti would go on to establish himself as the team’s everyday third baseman for six up-and-down seasons in the spacious Astrodome. At his best, the third baseman would hit for decent power (18 HR in 1994) while maintaining an above average wRC+ (125 in 1992, 119 in 1994). Following the 1994 season, Caminiti along with Steve Finley and others was traded to the Padres in 1995 in the now-famous 12-player trade that brought over Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, and Ricky Gutierrez, among others, from southern California.
After having arguably his best seasons in San Diego, Caminiti would eventually find his way back in Houston in 1999 courtesy of a two-year contract. However, his second stint back in an Astros uniform would be somewhat of a disappointment after injuries hampered the third baseman. Even through the injuries and limited playing time (78 games in 1999, 59 games in 2000), Caminiti would still produce a WAR of 1.6 and 1.8. Between his two stints in Houston, he would go on to accumulate a 19.2 WAR, which is good for 13th overall in franchise history.
He left the Astros once again following the 2000 season, and he would find himself playing with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves before retiring after the 2001 season. And as we all unfortunately know, the former Astro would eventually pass away due to drug addiction and various health issues in the fall of 2004. But we can all look fondly upon Caminiti’s time in Houston and remember the memories he left as one of the Astros more talented hitters during the 1990’s.
Next: 14th All-Time Astros Hitter
#14 Top Hitter
Today in 1987, the Astros Kevin Bass became the 1st NL player to homer from each side of the plate twice in 1 season. pic.twitter.com/zP4r6rj6Ey
There were numerous position players throughout the 1980’s who helped define one of the most successful era of Astros baseball. The play of outfielder Kevin Bass was one of the reasons why that was the case.
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 along with Frank DiPino and Mike Madden for Don Sutton, Bass ended up becoming one of the Astros most talented hitters from 1982-89. His All-Star caliber season from 1986, in particular, is arguably the best of his major league career.
That season, Bass slashed a .311/.357/.486 batting line to go with 20 home runs, 79 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He also maintained an impressive 134 wRC+ and 5.2 WAR. Partially because of his efforts, the Astros were only mere outs away from advancing to the World Series.
He also had notable moments outside of his 1986 season. For example, during a game with the San Francisco Giants in 1987, Bass became only the 15th switch hitter in Major League history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate.
Bass would remain a mainstay in the Astros lineup until the 1989 season, and he would eventually finish his career playing for the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles before calling it quits following the 1995 season. But he finds himself on this list due to his notable contributions as an Astro first and foremost. In fact, his 16.6 WAR is ranked 15th overall in franchise history. Needless to say, Bass has a special place in Astros history.
Richard Hidalgo was a staple of the Houston Astros’ thrilling 1990s and early 2000s. Between up and down years, Hidalgo had an incredible 2000 season, finishing as a finalist for the NL MVP award. He repeated the feat in 2003, flashing brilliance that the Astros wished he could have maintained for his entire tenure with the club.
Let’s take a closer look at 2000. He finished with the Astros’ 14th-highest single season WAR with 6.3, which was good enough for 8th among NL position players that year. Hidalgo was 2nd in the National League in extra base hits with 89 and HBP with 21. Those extra base hits were also the 2nd highest in a single season in Astros history. He also finished 2nd in Astros single season slugging percentage with .636.
His 2000 season is 3rd in Astros history in single-season total bases with 355 and single season home runs with 44. He fell three shy of the Astros record held by Jeff Bagwell and only one shy of Lance Berkman’s 2006 campaign. He also holds the 4th-highest Astros single-season at-bats per home run with 12.7 and the 7th highest in Astros OPS with 1.028. And if that wasn’t enough, that was all while batting .314 and finishing with 122 RBIs, good enough for 9th place on the Astros single season leaderboard.
Hidalgo is 4th all-time in Astros slugging percentage with .501, HBP with 58, and OPS with .857. He is 9th all-time in Astros home runs with 134 and is 10th all-time in Astros extra base hits with 343. He is 12th all-time in Astros doubles with 191 and on-base% with .356. He completed his Astros career with 465 RBIs and 17.6 WAR, good enough for 13th all-time.
Signed as an amateur free agent in 1965, Doug Rader made his major league debut during the 1967 season originally at first base with the Astros. From 1968 onwards, the Chicago native would call third base his home on the baseball diamond. And he would also go on to be one of the Astros best players during the franchise’s early days.
Primarily known for his defense, Rader also held his own with the bat despite various struggles throughout his career. In fact, the longtime Astro would finish every season but one in a Houston uniform with at least 1.8 WAR. Not bad when considering that he played in the spacious Astrodome for the bulk of his Astros career.
Statistically speaking, Rader’s best seasons came in 1970, 1972, and 1974. The rule of every two years, right? Rader at his best managed to hit at least 21 home runs and 87 RBI while maintaining an average to above average wRC+. For his Astros career, the former third baseman finished with 128 HR and 600 RBI, which is ranked 11th and 8th best respectively in franchise history. His 20.3 Astros career WAR is in fact currently ranked 12th in franchise history as well.
After numerous seasons with the Astros, Rader would eventually be traded to the San Diego Padres for Larry Hardy and Joe McIntosh right after the 1975 season. He would go on to retire after spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays following the 1977 season. And even though he didn’t appear in any playoff appearances for the Astros, he would leave a legacy of great defense and solid hitting. If I can be quite honest, that isn’t a bad legacy at all.
The 1986 season produced some of the greatest moments in Astros history and first baseman Glenn Davis was right in the middle of it all. After all, he was arguably the anchor during one of the franchise’s most successful runs.
Davis first got his start in the major leagues in 1984 after the Astros called him up late in the season. After a brief audition, Davis would go on to establish himself as one of the Astros top hitters the next season, slashing .271/.332/.474 while hitting 20 HR and 64 RBI. This was good enough for him to come fifth in NL Rookie of the Year honors in 1985.
But 1986 was the season where Davis made a name for himself in professional baseball. Not only did he come in second to Mike Schmidt in the NL MVP voting, but he also won his lone Silver Slugger while earning the first of two All-Star nods. The attention and accolades came about via Davis hitting 31 HR and 101 RBI while putting together a 4.2 WAR season.
And it was moments like this home run in Game 1 in NLCS against the New York Mets that helped establish Davis as one of the team’s top hitters:
Davis would remain as one of the constants in the Astros lineup during each of the next three seasons, never hitting less than 27 HR and 89 RBI each season. However, a rib injury during 1990 rendered the first baseman inactive for a vast majority of the season as Davis only played in 93 games that year. He would then be shipped to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Steve Finley, Curt Schilling, and Pete Harnisch. And he eventually wrapped up his major league career with the Orioles and would eventually play in Japan for a time.
Before he became known as a front office executive, Bob “Bull” Watson established himself as one of the Astros most notable players in early franchise history.
Originally a catcher in the minor leagues, Watson would eventually convert to first base and the outfield during his playing career. He made his major league debut in 1966 and was a fixture in the Astros lineup until about half way through the 1979 season. During his time in Houston, Watson became well-known for being a solid hitter with respectable power numbers in spite of playing in the spacious Astrodome for the bulk of his career. He was also voted into two All-Star games in 1973 and 1975. Statistically, Watson posted his best season in 1977 when he hit 22 HR and 110 RBI while producing a 4.8 WAR.
Watson also finds himself in the middle of significant moments in baseball history. For example, he scored what was then thought as the 1,000,000th run in major league history in 1975. He would also become the first hitter in MLB history to hit for the cycle in both leagues; once with the Astros in 1977 and once with the Boston Red Sox in 1979.
Terry Puhl spent 14 years of his 15-year MLB career with the Houston Astros, logging only 21 plate appearances with the 1991 Kansas City Royals otherwise before retiring in 1991. While not exactly the power threat that we have seen on this list, Puhl stamped his name into Astros lore in some other categories.
Puhl was selected to his only All-Star Game in 1978 when he was only 21 years old. He finished 6th in WAR among all National League position players in 1980 with 6.2. In 1982, he finished 2nd in the National League in triples with 9.
He is 4th all-time in Astros triples with 56 and is 6th all-time in Astros singles with 1,013. He is 5th all-time in Astros games played with 1,516 and stolen bases with 217. Puhl ranks 7th all-time in Astros runs scored with 767 and Astros hits with 1,357. His 688 runs created put him at 8th all-time among Astros, ahead of Joe Morgan, Bill Doran, and Doug Rader. He is also 8th all-time in Astros at-bats with 4,837, plate appearances with 5,459, total bases with 1,881, and doubles with 226. Puhl is 9th all-time in Astros extra base hits with 344, 10th all-time in Astros walks with 502, and 15th all-time in Astros RBIs with 432.
Puhl certainly found his way to the right team at the right time. He spent his youth at the tail end of the wild 1970s when he was called up in 1977, was a key contributor to the Astros’ iconic 1980s powerhouses, and wrapped up his Astros career mentoring a young Craig Biggio through 1990. He is 9th all-time in career Astros WAR with 28.4, ahead of Bob Watson, Glenn Davis, and Doug Rader.
Next: 8th All-Time Astros Hitter
8th All-Time Astros Hitter
Bill Doran by Cody Poage
Between Joe Morgan, Bill Doran, Craig Biggio, and Jose Altuve, the Astros have a rich history of quality second baseman. And if Biggio hadn’t come around when he did, it is quite possible that Doran would hold a bigger legacy in Houston as the top second baseman in franchise history.
From 1983 to halfway through the 1990 season, the Cincinnati native provided the Astros with the great play with the bat and on the field. In fact, his first six full seasons never produced a WAR lower than 2.9. And even though Doran was never known for his power, after all, he topped 10 HR only twice in his career, the second baseman was known for his all-around solid hit tool. He finished his Astros career eighth in at-bats, hits, runs, singles, and triples.
Doran would eventually become a mentor to Biggio after his call-up in 1988, especially after the team decided to transition the former Seton Hall product to second base. After the Astros had felt Biggio was ready to take over second base, the team traded him to his hometown Cincinnati Reds in 1990. He would win a World Series title with the Reds that same year and eventually finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1993.
Doran played the role of a good soldier for the Astros during his notable stint in Houston and helped bring along one of the best players in franchise history. But that doesn’t diminish his contributions as the second-best second baseman in franchise history.
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7th All-Time Astros Hitter
Super B-Day to Joe Morgan. My rule: if you ever play for the Astros, you're an Astro. pic.twitter.com/W1KFpyEUwn
What many younger Astros fans might not know, is that Joe Morgan started his Hall of Fame career in Houston, making his debut just days after turning 20 years old. While Morgan is known for his time in Cincinnati, he molded himself as a young player as an Astro, earning 2 All-Star nods as well as finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1963.
Joe Morgan was a special player, looking at the numbers it was evident he was about to be something special. A speed demon who never struck out, Morgan never amassed more than 77 strikeouts in a single season as an Astro, and those 77 would end up being the most in his 22-year career. While you never saw gaudy offensive numbers from Morgan, he was the type of guy who got on base (.374 OBP) and could turn a walk into a triple.
After leaving Houston in 1971, Morgan erupted for 8 All Star Games, 4 Gold Gloves, and 2 MVP’s as a Cincinnati Red. Being a key component of the “Big Red Machines”, he was able to win 5 division titles and 2 World Series titles over a seven-year span, winning an average of 98 games per season. Morgan came back to Houston as a seasoned vet in 1980 but then jetted to the Bay City. Joe Morgan wasn’t as instrumental to the organization as some other players, but this on base and speed combo was one of the best the organization has ever seen.
Affectionally known as the “Toy Cannon,” Jimmy Wynn was one of the first true offensive weapons that the Houston franchise ever had. And while the Colt .45’s/Astros never experienced great success when Wynn was a member of the franchise, he helped paved the way for the newly-formed franchise.
Originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds, Wynn eventually made his way to Houston in the 1962 first year player draft. He then made his major league debut in 1963, appearing in 70 games for the Colt .45’s. He also appeared only in 67 games in 1964 when he accumulated a -0.3 WAR. But once the move to the Astrodome and a change to playing in the outfield full-time occurred, Wynn’s career ascended to new heights.
From 1965-73, Wynn became one of the staples of the Astros lineup. Playing in the cavernous Astrodome, the “Toy Cannon” topped 30 home runs twice and demonstrated an ability to get on base on a consistent basis. In fact for his Houston career, Wynn is currently ranked fourth in home runs (223) and walks (847).
But after a successful stint in Houston, the team eventually traded to him to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 1974 season. He later finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1977 after spending time with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.
Based on his high walk percentage, Wynn became known for his high on-base percentage. Combined with his power, this made the outfielder one of the best Astros hitters in franchise history.
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5th All-Time Astros Hitter
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former player Lance Berkman before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
#5: Lance Berkman by Colin Gay
An integral part of the Killer B’s in the early to mid 2000’s, Lance Berkman, known as either Big Puma or Fat Elvis, was a mainstay in the outfield and at first base for the Houston Astros since he was drafted in the first round of the 1997 draft, his debut in 1999, and until he was traded to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline of 2010.
In his eleven seasons as an Astro, Berkman, a Texas boy from Waco and a graduate of Rice, hit .296 with 326 home runs, which is second only to Jeff Bagwell in Astros history. He also brought in 1,090 RBI’s, which is third all-time by an Astro behind Bagwell and Craig Biggio. A five-time All-Star in a Houston Astros uniform, Berkman finished in the top fifteen in MVP voting six times including a third place finish in 2006 in which he hit .315 with 45 home runs and 136 RBI’s, the highest total in his career.
As an Astro, Berkman averaged four Wins Above Replacement each season. Berkman also had a .959 on-base plus slugging percentage in his time in Houston.
Part of the reason Berkman was so well loved wasn’t only his regular season success, but his postseason success in Houston. In his five postseason series with Houston in 2001, 2004, and 2005, Berkman hit .320 with six home runs including three of them in the 2004 NLCS in which the Astros lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Berkman was an important part of the success of these Astros teams not only because of his performance on the field but also because of his positive presence in the locker room. Because of this, Berkman is one of the most popular players among Houston Astros fans still to this day.
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4th All-Time Astros Hitter
I want this Astrodome on-deck circle. Then I want 64-year-old Cesar Cedeno to come over & do this. Don't judge me. . pic.twitter.com/VvfpX5LeQQ
Cedeno joined the Astros in 1970 at 19 and stuck with the club until 1981, his age 30 season. He is 4th all-time in career Astros WAR with 49.6 and was 4th place in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1970. He was both an All-Star and an NL MVP finalist in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1976, with an additional MVP finalist finish in 1980. He won four consecutive Gold Gloves from 1972 to 1976.
He is 4th all-time in Astros at-bats (5,732), runs scored (890), hits (1,659), singles (1,098), doubles (343), and extra-base hits (561). He is 5th all-time in Astros total bases (2,601), triples (55), and runs created (931). He is 6th all-time in Astros games played (1,512), home runs (163), RBIs (778), and HBP (45). He is also 8th all-time in Astros walks with 534, and is 9th all-time in Astros batting average with .289.
Cedeno was known for his speed, as is 1st all-time in Astros stolen bases with 487. Conversely, he has been caught stealing 149 times, more than anyone else in Astros history. He produced seven years of over 45 stolen bases, highlighted by his career-high 61 in 1977. He also led the league in doubles in 1971 and 1972. He is currently bestowing his wisdom upon the Greenville Astros, where he is the hitting coach.
Cesar Cedeno was a phenom for the Astros. ESPN even mentioned him in the same breath as Mike Trout. But many wondered how phenomenal his career could have turned out if an offseason involuntary manslaughter incident had not occurred in 1973. Cedeno is our 4th greatest Astros hitter of all-time, but many Astros fans believe that he had the potential to be number one.
Jose Cruz joined the Astros in 1975. He spent twelve years as a player from 1975 to 1987, earning All-Star nods in 1980 and 1985. He was an NL MVP finalist in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 1985. He also won back-to-back Silver Slugger Awards in 1983 (when he led the NL in hits) and 1984.
He is 3rd all-time in WAR as an Astro, with his 51.2 behind only Jeff Bagwell’s 79 and Craig Biggio’s 65. He is the Astros’ all-time leader in triples with 80, and he posted the franchise’s single-season record of 13 in 1984. He is 2nd all-time in singles behind Craig Biggio. He is third all-time in games played (1,870), at-bats (6,629), hits (1,937), and stolen bases (288), behind only a combination of Bagwell, Biggio, and Cesar Cedeno.
Cruz is 4th all-time in total bases (2,846), runs created (1,058), and RBIs (942). He is 5th all-time in walks (730), extra-base hits (553), doubles (335), and runs scored (871). And if that was not enough, he is also 7th all-time in career Astros batting average (.292) and 8thall-time in career Astros home runs (138).
Interestingly enough, Cruz has been involved in all ten of the Astros’ postseason appearances. He was a player in 1980, 1981, and 1986, a coach in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005, and a special assistant to the GM in 2015. Astros fans young and old adore Jose Cruz, whether it was watching him through the club’s thrilling 70s and 80s or chatting with him in-between at-bats during his long tenure as the Astros’ 1B coach.
Next: 2nd All-Time Astros Hitter
2nd All-Time Astros Hitter
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson (L) presents Hall of Fame Inductee Craig Biggio (R) with his Hall of Fame Plague during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
#2: Craig Biggio by Cody Poage
There have been many great hitters to put on a Houston Astros uniform throughout franchise history. However, there has only been a few to leave a true Texas-size legacy. Perhaps no legacy was bigger than the one left by Hall of Fame second baseman, Craig Biggio.
Drafted in the first round of the 1987 MLB draft from Seton Hall, the Astros originally placed Biggio at catcher before converting him to second base to help preserve his career. After numerous All-Star nods, Silver Sluggers, and Gold Gloves at second, the team then decided to move him to the outfield to help bolster the lineup with the addition of Jeff Kent. Biggio eventually returned to second after Kent left the Astros via free agency and stayed there before deciding to hang up the spikes following the 2007 season. But through all of the position changes, the 5’11” spark plug managed always to be one of the team’s more effective hitters.
Biggio is arguably one of the best, if not the best, hitter to ever grace a Houston uniform. Courtesy of the 3,060 hits, 291 home runs, 668 doubles, and 1,844 runs he accumulated throughout his 20-year career, we find Biggio’s name littered throughout MLB and franchise record books. Like his 3,000th hit, he provided the Astros with many great moments that will not soon be forgotten.
And while Biggio never put up the power numbers like some his contemporaries did in Houston, like Jeff Bagwell for example, he helped set up some of the most potent lineups that the franchise has ever assembled. Every result of the success the club enjoyed during his stint hinged on his value, which is evident by his 65.8 WAR over the course his career. In short, there will never be another Biggio. He was the heart of the Astros, and in many ways, his legacy still impacts the Astros and the city of Houston today.
Next: Best All-Time Astros Hitter
Best All-Time Astros Hitter
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former players Jeff Bagwell (left) and Craig Biggio (right) before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
#1: Jeff Bagwell by Colin Gay
There is not enough time to explain what Jeff Bagwell has done for this Houston Astros organization.
In one of the most lopsided trades of all time, the Red Sox received middle reliever Larry Anderson for a future four-time All Star, three time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove award winner, NL Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, and future Hall of Famer (we hope). Jeff Bagwell has not only been the best hitter in Astros history but also has brought this team back into relevance.
Bagwell may be the most complete players that Astros have ever had. He is in the top 5 in Astros history for all of the major hitting categories and first in home runs and RBI’s with 449 and 1529 respectively. He has eclipsed the 40 home run mark three times and has driven in more than 125 RBI’s four times.
One of the qualities of his game that got overlooked was his ability to steal bases. He is sixth in Astros history with 202 stolen bases including two seasons with 30 stolen bases or more.
Another unbelievable feat that Bagwell achieved during his 15-year career was that he stayed relatively healthy his entire career. Second in Astros history with 2150 games played, Bagwell played all 162 in four seasons in his career and averaged about 143 games played per season. This stat is skewed by his injury-plagued 2005 season in which he played only 39 games.
Bagwell became eligible to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011 and has made the steady climb to try and get 75% of the writers’ votes. In the 2016 vote, Bagwell received his highest percentage to date with 71.6% of the votes.
With all of the accomplishments Bagwell has done in his 15-year career, there should be no question whether he is a Hall of Famer or not. It is just taking a couple of years for the writers to realize this.
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