What happened today in team history?
1974 – Bob Watson exits with boos
After crashing head-first into a fence in left field, Houston Astros outfielder Bob Watson leaves the game at Riverfront Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds. As he exits, he is met with boos, beer, ice and cups from the Reds faithful. In the ensuing accident, Watson broke his glasses and needed 12 stitches in his face.
1996 – Jerry Goff enters the record books
Astros backup catcher Jerry Goff tied an MLB record, allowing six passed balls in one game during the Astros 7-6 loss to the Montreal Expos. He backed it up at the plate, going 2-4 with a home run, but his final at-bat of the game ended up as his last as a professional, eventually getting sent down to the minors.
2007 – Biggio moves up on an Oswalt win
On the back of Astros starter Roy Oswalt, the Astros cruised to a 10-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. During the game, Astros infielder Craig Biggio passed Carl Yastrzemski for seventh on the all-time doubles list with his 647th double.
2019 – Springer goes off
In a game against the Texas Rangers, Astros outfielder George Springer collected five hits, two of them home runs, to help spark a 15-5 win. This win helps the Astros complete a four-game sweep of Texas.
What else happened on this day?
1910
After umping a no-hitter against the Cleveland Naps and throwing one himself against the Chicago White Sox, Bill Dinneen became the first, and only, person in history to both throw and ump a no-hitter.
1941
After five years of being called the “Bees”, Boston’s baseball team reverts back to their old name, going by the “Boston Braves” once more.
1970
Chicago Cubs slugger Ernie Banks became the ninth player in MLB history to join the 500-home run club, adding to the likes of Babe Ruth and Mel Ott.