Astros: Which players are on franchise’s Mount Rushmore?

The Hitters

Of course we have to consider the third member of the Killer B’s, Lance Berkman. He’s second in club history in homers, third in RBIs, walks and doubles, and fifth in hits. He holds single-season club records in RBIs (136 in 2006) and extra-base hits (94 in 2001). He was also one of the league’s most feared hitters during some of the team’s best seasons.

Among current Astros, the only real candidate right now is Jose Altuve. He’s already sixth in club history in hits, fourth in stolen bases and is far and away the leader in batting average. He also helped the team rise from cellar dweller to World Series champion and took home the 2017 AL MVP Award, which will never be taken away no matter how many Yankee fans complain.

Jose Cruz compiled 54.4 WAR in a 19-year career, 13 of which were spent in Houston. He’s third in club history in hits and steals, fourth in RBIs, and fifth in doubles and batting average. He had three Top-10 MVP finishes and was a centerpiece of those 1980s teams.

Cesar Cedeno was arguably the most talented position player to ever put on an Astros uniform. He was a four-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner in center field in the 1970s, a true five-tool player. He’s still the club’s all-time leader in steals and is fourth in hits and doubles and sixth in homers and RBIs.

An honorable mention here goes to Jimmy Wynn, who was the centerpiece of the team’s lineup in the 1960s and early ’70s. His 223 homers are fourth-most in club history, trailing only the Killer B’s. He’s also fourth in walks and seventh in RBIs.