What happened today in team history?
1961 – Glenn Davis was born
In Jacksonville, Florida, Glenn Davis was born into troubled youth. After enough time, Davis moved to live with former MLB legend George “Storm” Davis. After the move, Davis was able to focus on baseball and it would soon pay off for him, drafted in the first round by the Astros in 1981 and playing in Houston for seven years, becoming one of the team’s best hitters.
1990 – Donald Davidson dies
After working with the team for 50 years, Astros Special Assistant Donald Davidson passed away in Houston at the age of 64. After starting out as a bat-boy, the 4-foot tall Davidson worked his way up to a front office job before getting the position of Special Assistant. After his passing, his body was donated to science to be studied.
2003 – Halliburton Plaza opens
Just outside of the stadium previously known as Minute Maid Park, Halliburton Plaza opens to the public as a way to display some of the team’s history. The prize pieces are the two statues of Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell turning a double-play.
What else happened on this day?
1990
A plan is scrapped that would have allowed pitchers to earn a win after pitching just three innings, while at the same time, rosters are extended from 25 to 27.
1991
In a record setting game, Methodist College defeated Maryville, 43 – 0, setting a new record for runs scored in an NCAA baseball game.
2014
The MLB and MLBPA agree to new rules that are much stricter on PEDs. The penalty for a player’s first offense is increased from a 50-game suspension to 80 and suspended players will not be eligible for the postseason. The league also took the liberty of implementing random drug tests.