The Houston Astros History tells the story of one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic franchises. From their early beginnings to championship seasons, the team has grown into a powerhouse. Today, Houston Astros Baseball reflects success, resilience, and iconic players who have left a lasting impact on fans and the sport itself.
Established
1962
City
Houston
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1962 – 1999 / National League
Team History
1965 – Present / Houston Astros
1962 – 1964 / Houston Colt 45’s
Nickname
Astros – The Houston Astros have been a Major League Baseball team since 1962, and throughout their history, they have gone through several iterations in terms of their nickname. The name “Astros” was adopted after the team moved to Houston from its former home in Colt Stadium in 1965. But where did this unique moniker come from?
The origins of the Astros nickname can be traced back to an article written by a local newspaper editor named Bill McCurdy. In 1964, McCurdy wrote an editorial calling for Houston's new baseball franchise to take on a space-age theme that would reflect the city's growing reputation as "Space City USA." He suggested that "Astro" could be used as part of either a single-word or two-word moniker for the club, with other possibilities being “Cosmos” and “Stars."
Houston Astros Origin
In November 1964, it was officially announced that ownership had settled on using Astro (or Astrodome) as part of its official name – becoming one among many teams taking advantage of America's fascination with space exploration during what has become known as The Space Race era. As such, when fans refer simply to them today, they are often referred to by just 'the 'Stros.'
Ultimately though, it is clear why ownership chose Astro/s; not only did it fit into what was going on during this period, but also because there were already several sports teams around Texas who had taken up similar nicknames, such as Dallas Cowboys ('Boys'), San Antonio Spurs ('Spurs') and even nearby Rice Owls ('Owls'). With all these considerations, we know why our beloved hometown baseball squad is called 'the Stros!'
Championship
World Series 2
2022, 2017
Stadium
2003 – Present / Minute Maid Park
2002 / Astros Field
2000 – 2002 / Enron Field
2000 / The Ballpark at Union Station
1966 – 1999 / Astrodome
1965 / Harris County Domed Stadium
1962 – 1964 / Colt Stadium
Owner
2011 – Present / Jim Crane
1992 – 2011 / Drayton McLane, Jr.
1979 – 1993 / John McMullen
1975 – 1979 / General Electric & Ford Motor Company
1962 – 1975 / Roy Hofheinz
- 1965
- 2000
- 2012
- 2017
- 2022
-
ReNamed the Astros
Construction of the domed building was finally completed in late 1964. In honor of Houston’s significance to the country’s space program, it was appropriately named the Astrodome, and to maintain the theme, the Colt .45s were proudly renamed the Astros. -
New Stadium – Minute Maid Stadium
The 2000 season saw a move to a new stadium. Originally called Enron Field, the stadium was to feature a functional retractable roof, a particularly useful feature with unpredictable Houston weather. The ballpark also featured more intimate surroundings than the Astrodome. In 2002, naming rights were purchased by Houston-based Minute Maid, after Enron went bankrupt. The park was built on ... -
Realignment to American League
On November 15, 2011, it was announced that Crane had agreed to move the franchise to the American League for the 2013 season. The move was part of an overall divisional realignment of MLB, with the National and American leagues each having 15 teams in three geographically balanced divisions. Crane was given a $70 million concession by MLB for agreeing ... -
World Series Winner 2017
The 2017 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2017 season. The 113th edition of the World Series, played between October 24 and November 1, was sponsored by the internet television service YouTube TV and officially known as the World Series presented by YouTube TV. It was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the American League (AL) champion Houston Astros. The Astros defeated the Dodgers, four games to three, to ... -
Astros No-Hitter World Series Win in 2022
The 2022 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2022 season. The 118th edition of the World Series was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Houston Astros and the National League (NL) champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Astros defeated the Phillies in six games to earn their second championship. The series was broadcast on ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Houston Astros History
The Houston Astros History began in 1962 when the franchise entered Major League Baseball as the Houston Colt .45s. This new team quickly became a symbol of Texas pride. In 1965, they rebranded as the Houston Astros Baseball team to honor Houston’s role in space exploration, moving into the iconic Astrodome, which was the first domed stadium in professional sports.
During the 1970s, the Houston Astros History showed steady growth. Under manager Bill Virdon, the club developed stars like J.R. Richard, Cesar Cedeño, and Joe Niekro. Although they finished second several times in the National League West, the team built a loyal fan base. The “Luv Ya Blue” spirit helped define this era of Houston Astros Baseball for its energy and passion.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Houston Astros History reached new milestones. The team captured its first division title in 1980 and later produced notable players such as Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, and Mike Scott. By 1994, realignment placed the Astros in the National League Central, where they became regular contenders. Their dynamic rosters made Houston Astros Baseball a fixture in postseason play.
Astros Achievements
Achievements define the modern Houston Astros History. In 2005, the franchise won its first National League pennant and advanced to the World Series, though they fell to the Chicago White Sox. A new era arrived in 2017, when the Astros captured their first World Series championship by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers. This victory ended decades of waiting for loyal fans.
The achievements continued in the next years. The Houston Astros Baseball team won American League pennants in 2019, 2021, and 2022, adding another World Series championship in 2022 by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. With stars like José Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Yordan Álvarez, the club has built a sustainable model of success. The Houston Astros History stands today as one of perseverance, innovation, and championship excellence.
Sports Fan Products
Houston Astros All-Time GOATs: The Franchise’s Top 4 Legends
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Houston Astros history as we celebrate the franchise's most legendary figures who transformed the team into a baseball powerhouse. From Jeff Bagwell's unprecedented dominance as the franchise's all-time leader in home runs (449) and RBIs...
Retired Number
5 / Jeff Bagwell
7 / Craig Biggio
24 / Jimmy Wynn
25 / Jose Cruz
32 / Jim Umbricht
33 / Mike Scott
34 / Nolan Ryan
40 / Don Wilson
49 / Larry Dierker
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history