- 1962
- 1964
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Houston Colt 45’s Team Formation
However, on October 17, 1960, the National League granted an expansion franchise to the Houston Sports Association in which their team could begin play in the 1962 season. According to the Major League Baseball Constitution, the Houston Sports Association was required to obtain territorial rights from the Houston Buffaloes in order to play in the Houston area, and again negotiations ... -
Astrodome Coming
Just on the horizon, the structure of the new domed stadium was more prevalent and it would soon change the way that baseball was watched in Houston and around the league. On December 1, 1964, the team announced the name change from Colt .45s to “Astros.
History of the Colt 45's
The new Houston team was named the Colt .45s after a "Name the Team" contest was won by William Irving Neder. The Colt .45 was well known as "the gun that won the west." The colors selected were navy and orange. The first team was formed mostly through an expansion draft after the 1961 season. The Colt .45s and their expansion cousins, the New York Mets, took turns choosing players left unprotected by the other National League franchises.
The Colt .45s began their existence playing at Colt Stadium, a temporary venue built just north of the construction site of the indoor stadium.
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
Colt 45’s – The new Houston team was named the Colt .45s after a “Name The Team” contest won by William Irving Neder. The Colt .45 was well known as “the gun that won the west.”
Championship
World Series 0
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
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.
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