What happened today in team history?
1996 – Astros try and make Wagner a starter
After getting the call up at the end of the 1995 season, rookie lefthander Billy Wagner gets sent down to the minors with the intent of trying to convert him into a starter. By the time he was called back up, he was still in the pen, now as a closer. Over the next nine-years while in Houston, Wagner raked up 225 saves en route to the Hall of Fame.
2013 – Houston starts 1-0 in the AL
After spending their entire history as a franchise in the National League, the Astros move to the American League starting in the 2013 season and win their first game, beating the state-rival Texas Rangers 8-2. Despite the hot start, the 2013 season would end in disarray after the team lost franchise-record 111 games.
1961
An early vote to implement a designated hitter for the pitcher into games is rejected, losing the vote 8-1. The DH would not get introduced into baseball until the American League adopted it in 1973.
1968
Seattle gets their first taste of an MLB franchise with the inaugural season for the Seattle Pilots. It only lasted one season though as following the 1968 season, the team moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.
1995
In front of over 47,000 people, the Colorado Rockies play their first game in their new ballpark; Coors Field. Played with replacement players due to the ongoing MLB strike at the time, the game ended with a 4-1 win over the Yankees.
1995
The longest strike in sports history comes to an end after a U.S. District Court forbids owners from implementing new financial working conditions while in negotiations. Due to the strike, 18 games were taken off of the regular season.
1998
The first game played by MLB’s newest franchise, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, results in a 6-2 loss to MLB’s other newest team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
1998
In their first game as a National League franchise, the Milwaukee Brewers lose 2-1 to the Atlanta Braves.
1999
While nothing comes of it at the time, commissioner Bud Selig starts the discussion of creating space on jerseys that would be reserved for advertisers.
2001
The Pittsburgh Pirates make the move to their new stadium, PNC Park, and lose their inaugural game to the New York Mets 4-3.