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The first full day of spring training is a rough one for a trio of Astros. Outfielder Hunter Pence arrives with cuts all over his hands and knees after crashing through a sliding glass door while leaving the hot tub of his rental home. Shortstop Miguel Tejada is grilled by the press about his legal troubles stemming from the Mitchell Report and infielder Mark Loretta learns he has lost his arbitration case, receiving $2.75 million in salary instead of the $4.9 million he sought. 

ByTom

2008 – The first full day of spring training is a rough one for a trio of Astros. Outfielder Hunter Pence arrives with cuts all over his hands and knees after crashing through a sliding glass door while leaving the hot tub of his rental home. Shortstop Miguel Tejada is grilled by the press about his legal troubles stemming from the Mitchell Report and infielder Mark Loretta learns he has lost his arbitration case, receiving $2.75 million in salary instead of the $4.9 million he sought. 

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Utilityman Jim Beauchamp passes away from leukemia at age 68 in Atlanta.

ByThis Day in Baseball

2007 – Utilityman Jim Beauchamp passes away from leukemia at age 68 in Atlanta. He started in left field for the first National League game played indoors. Jim hit .179 with three homers during three partial seasons (1964, 1965, 1970) as an Astro. 

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2007 – Houston deals five players to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League M.V.P. The Astros send outfielder Luke Scott and minor leaguer Mike Constanzo to the Orioles along with pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate. In a related move, Houston waives veteran shortstop Adam Everett. 

ByTom

2007 – Houston deals five players to Baltimore for shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former American League M.V.P. The Astros send outfielder Luke Scott and minor leaguer Mike Constanzo to the Orioles along with pitchers Troy Patton, Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate. In a related move, Houston waives veteran shortstop Adam Everett. 

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in 5 player deal Brad Lidge is dealt to the Phillies

ByThis Day in Baseball

2007 – Ed Wade strikes a deal with Philadelphia, his former employer. Houston deals closer Brad Lidge and utilityman Eric Bruntlett to the Phillies for outfielder Michael Bourn, reliever Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo. Bourn spent three years at the University of Houston before signing with the Phils. Costanzo is dealt to Baltimore later that winter. 

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2007 – Newly-retired Astro Craig Biggio receives the Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing humanitarian efforts, at Game Three of the World Series in Denver. Clemente, who died in a plane crash while assisting Nicaraguan earthquake victims in 1972, was one of the players Biggio passed on the 3,000-hit list. Biggio has worked for over a decade with the Sunshine Kids, a group that helps children with cancer. 

ByTom

2007 – Newly-retired Astro Craig Biggio receives the Roberto Clemente Award, recognizing humanitarian efforts, at Game Three of the World Series in Denver. Clemente, who died in a plane crash while assisting Nicaraguan earthquake victims in 1972, was one of the players Biggio passed on the 3,000-hit list. Biggio has worked for over a decade with the Sunshine Kids, a group that helps children with cancer. 

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2007 – Amidst standing ovations, hugs and tributes, Craig Biggio closes out his 20-year career in a 3-0 shutout of Atlanta. His first inning double is the 3,060th hit of his career, making him 20th on the all-time list. It’s also the 668th two-bagger, finishing fifth all time. It keys a three-run first which is all Felipe Paulino and three relievers need to finish the season at 73-89. A Minute Maid Park record crowd of 43,823 attend. 

ByTom

2007 – Amidst standing ovations, hugs and tributes, Craig Biggio closes out his 20-year career in a 3-0 shutout of Atlanta. His first inning double is the 3,060th hit of his career, making him 20th on the all-time list. It’s also the 668th two-bagger, finishing fifth all time. It keys a three-run first which is all Felipe Paulino and three relievers need to finish the season at 73-89. A Minute Maid Park record crowd of 43,823 attend. 

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2007 – September call-up Josh Anderson goes 5-for-5 and reaches base six times in a 15-3 rout of Pittsburgh. The outfielder, in just his third big league start, spanks four singles and a double as well as being hit by a pitch. Home runs are provided by Cody Ransom, Ty Wigginton and Chris Burke. Brandon Backe enjoys the 22-hit support, winning his first game in over a year after returning from elbow surgery. 

ByTom

2007 – September call-up Josh Anderson goes 5-for-5 and reaches base six times in a 15-3 rout of Pittsburgh. The outfielder, in just his third big league start, spanks four singles and a double as well as being hit by a pitch. Home runs are provided by Cody Ransom, Ty Wigginton and Chris Burke. Brandon Backe enjoys the 22-hit support, winning his first game in over a year after returning from elbow surgery. 

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the Astros the first win for new manager Cecil Cooper

ByTom

2007 – – It’s a milestone day for the Astros as Roy Oswalt celebrates his 30th birthday by blanking the Cardinals, 7-0. It’s also the first win for new manager Cecil Cooper, replacing the fired Phil Garner. Lance Berkman cracks three hits to pace the offense, including the 250th homer of his career, becoming the third Astro to reach that mark. Luke Scott also goes deep. Craig Biggio ties George Brett for fifth all-time with his 655th career double, his 3,042nd hit. 

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2007 – In what would be his last game as Astros manager, Phil Garner sees Houston rally for a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. It pulls the Astros .001 out of the division basement at 58-73. Ty Wigginton’s two-run homer in the eighth is the difference. The next day, Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura are fired. Garner finishes his Houston tenure with a 277-252 record that includes two LCS appearances and one National League pennant. Before the game, the Astros retire Jeff Bagwell’s number 5 in an emotional ceremony. 

ByTom

2007 – In what would be his last game as Astros manager, Phil Garner sees Houston rally for a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. It pulls the Astros .001 out of the division basement at 58-73. Ty Wigginton’s two-run homer in the eighth is the difference. The next day, Garner and General Manager Tim Purpura are fired. Garner finishes his Houston tenure with a 277-252 record that includes two LCS appearances and one National League pennant. Before the game, the Astros retire Jeff Bagwell’s number 5 in an emotional ceremony. 

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2007 – Craig Biggio legs out the 658th double of his career, most of any righthanded batter in major league history. More importantly, it plates Morgan Ensberg in the 10th for the winning run in a wild 12-9 slugfest against the Texas Rangers. Arlington’s own Hunter Pence goes 4-for-6 with a homer and a double. Lance Berkman also goes deep and drives in four. The offense is necessary after Dan Wheeler blows a four-run lead in the eighth and a two-run lead in the ninth before getting credit for the win. 

ByTom

2007 – Craig Biggio legs out the 658th double of his career, most of any righthanded batter in major league history. More importantly, it plates Morgan Ensberg in the 10th for the winning run in a wild 12-9 slugfest against the Texas Rangers. Arlington’s own Hunter Pence goes 4-for-6 with a homer and a double. Lance Berkman also goes deep and drives in four. The offense is necessary after Dan Wheeler blows a four-run lead in the eighth and a two-run lead in the ninth before getting credit for the win.