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Houston Colt 45’s Team History

Houston Colt 45's
Colt 45's Primary Logo
Colt 45's Alternate Logo

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 Houston Colt .45s were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team in Texas, and their nickname has a unique origin story. The team was founded by Bob Smith, who owned several car dealerships in Houston. He wanted to name the team after his favorite gun - the Colt .45 revolver - but MLB rules prohibited naming teams after firearms at that time. So Smith decided to use "Colt" as an homage to his beloved revolver while also paying tribute to Texas' cowboy culture with "45’s."

Though they only played for 10 seasons before moving and becoming known as the Astros, it is clear why this nickname resonates so profoundly with sports fans: it pays homage not just to baseball history but also connects back directly to Texan heritage through its nod toward cowboys and gunslingers of days gone by. It is an excellent example of how one man’s passion for two things he loved – cars and firearms – could be combined into something memorable that still stands today more than 50 years later!

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

  • 1962
  • 1964
  • Houston Colt 45's

    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 ...
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  • Astrodome 1964

    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.
    See Full Story

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History of the Colt 45's

The Houston Colt 45s presently known as Houston Astros, were among the original eight teams to join Major League Baseball in 1962. The team was founded by entrepreneur and oilman Roy Hofheinz, who wanted to bring major league baseball to his home state of Texas. The team played their first game on April 10th against the Chicago Cubs at Colt Stadium near downtown Houston.

Although they suffered a few losing seasons during their early years, it didn't take long for the Colt 45s to become a competitive force in MLB. In 1965 they won their first National League Pennant behind star players such as Joe Morgan and Rusty Staub. Unfortunately, they fell short against Mickey Mantle’s New York Yankees that year but still made history as the youngest expansion franchise ever to make it into an MLB World Series (at just 3 years old).

In 1966, after only four seasons playing at Colt Stadium due to its small capacity size (just over 32000), ownership decided it was time for bigger digs. Hence, construction began on what would be known as Astrodome ––the world’s first indoor domed stadium––which opened up two years later with seating for over 50 thousand fans! It wasn’t until this point that people started referring to them by their new name: “Astros." With all these changes underway came plenty more success both on-and-off field, from making back-to-back playoff appearances between 1980 -1986 under manager Bob Lillis and winning five division titles throughout those exact six-season spans, all while becoming fan favorites among baseball lovers everywhere!

Fast forward nearly 60+years since inception, and you can see how much this organization has grown not only within itself but also around its surrounding community—from helping out city charities & fundraising events alongside other local businesses/organizations or even hosting special pregame activities like "Kids Run The Bases" post every Sunday home game—it is no wonder why Astros fans are so loyal & passionate about supporting there beloved hometown team each season!




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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

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