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The first Houston training camp begins in Apache Junction, AZ. The fledgling Colt .45s would finish with a 14-7 spring record, best in the majors – a testament to what 40 guys can accomplish when none of them are assured of employment.

ByTom

1962 – The first Houston training camp begins in Apache Junction, AZ. The fledgling Colt .45s would finish with a 14-7 spring record, best in the majors – a testament to what 40 guys can accomplish when none of them are assured of employment.

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1962 – Manager Harry Craft and General Manager Paul Richards begin the first winter publicity caravan in team history, starting in Victoria. The team has had one every year since then, touring cities throughout Texas and Louisiana. Among the other travelers are infielders Norm Larker, Bob Aspromonte, Don Buddin and Joey Amalfitano and broadcaster Gene Elston. This year’s tour also makes a stop in Monterrey, Mexico.

ByTom

1962 – Manager Harry Craft and General Manager Paul Richards begin the first winter publicity caravan in team history, starting in Victoria. The team has had one every year since then, touring cities throughout Texas and Louisiana. Among the other travelers are infielders Norm Larker, Bob Aspromonte, Don Buddin and Joey Amalfitano and broadcaster Gene Elston. This year’s tour also makes a stop in Monterrey, Mexico.

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The Colts obtain pitchers Bob Bruce and Manny Montejo from Detroit for pitcher “Toothpick” Sam Jones

ByTom

1961 – The Colts obtain pitchers Bob Bruce and Manny Montejo from Detroit for pitcher “Toothpick” Sam Jones. Bruce compiles a 42-58 record and a 3.78 ERA in five seasons for Houston. Picked in the expansion draft from San Francisco, Jones, a two-time All-Star, pitches only spot duty in his remaining three big league seasons. 

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Outfielders Mike White and Johnny Weekly are selected during the winter supplemental draft

ByTom

1961 – Outfielders Mike White and Johnny Weekly are selected during the winter supplemental draft. White’s career year is 1964 when he bats .271 in 89 games for the Colts. He makes token appearances in 1963 and 1965, his only other two seasons in the majors.

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Eddie Bressoud, Houston’s first official draft selection, is traded to Boston for shortstop Don Buddin. Buddin would bat .163 in 40 games before being sold to Detroit. Bressoud, claimed from the Giants, comes alive for the Red Sox and becomes an All-Star by 1964.

ByTom

1961 – Eddie Bressoud, Houston’s first official draft selection, is traded to Boston for shortstop Don Buddin. Buddin would bat .163 in 40 games before being sold to Detroit. Bressoud, claimed from the Giants, comes alive for the Red Sox and becomes an All-Star by 1964.

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1961 – An All-Star exhibition game is held at Busch Stadium (formerly Buff Stadium) in Houston as a prelude to major league play the next year. 5,600 fans turn out to see the National Leaguers triumph, 6-1, over the American League squad. Bill White of St. Louis rips a home run. Bob Aspromonte, one of the newly-drafted Houston players, also gets into the game.

ByTom

1961 – An All-Star exhibition game is held at Busch Stadium (formerly Buff Stadium) in Houston as a prelude to major league play the next year. 5,600 fans turn out to see the National Leaguers triumph, 6-1, over the American League squad. Bill White of St. Louis rips a home run. Bob Aspromonte, one of the newly-drafted Houston players, also gets into the game.

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Houston makes their debut as a major league franchise through an Arizona instructional league team based in Scottsdale dubbed the “Colt .22s”. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1961 – Houston makes their debut as a major league franchise through an Arizona instructional league team based in Scottsdale dubbed the “Colt .22s”. 

The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft
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The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft

ByTom

1961 – The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets choose in the first National League expansion draft. Among the Colt selections are Bob Aspromonte and Dick Farrell (both from L.A.), Hal Smith and Roman Mejias (Pit.), Ken Johnson (Cin.), Al Spangler(Mil.) and Bob Lillis (St.L.). Houston’s first pick is infielder Eddie Bressoud but he is traded before the inaugural season begins.

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Colt .45s ink 17-year-old Daniel “Rusty” Staub to a contract, winning a bidding war for the New Orleans schoolboy with a $110,000 signing bonus. It’s the same day that Hurricane Carla smashes into the Texas Gulf Coast with winds over 120-MPH. While striking south of the Houston area, the local winds and rain are enough to inflict damage on Busch Stadium where the Houston Buffs play. The stadium is auctioned and demolished in the coming months, leaving a void for fans of the longtime minor league club.

ByTom

1961 – Colt .45s ink 17-year-old Daniel “Rusty” Staub to a contract, winning a bidding war for the New Orleans schoolboy with a $110,000 signing bonus. It’s the same day that Hurricane Carla smashes into the Texas Gulf Coast with winds over 120-MPH. While striking south of the Houston area, the local winds and rain are enough to inflict damage on Busch Stadium where the Houston Buffs play. The stadium is auctioned and demolished in the coming months, leaving a void for fans of the longtime minor league club.