Houston Astros: CTH’s Top-25 Astros All-Time Hitters

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; 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 /
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7th All-Time Astros Hitter

Joe Morgan by Blake Permenter

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.

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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.

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