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1999 – Houston signs four players to minor league deals but all will see action with the Astros. Pitchers Brian Williams and Jeff McCurry come to terms along with outfielders Alex Diaz and Ryan Thompson. Williams, in his second tour as an Astro, plays the biggest role going 2-1 in 50 games out of the bullpen. For McCurry, it was a nice 29th birthday present, having been born in Tokyo, Japan on this day in 1970. 

ByTom

1999 – Houston signs four players to minor league deals but all will see action with the Astros. Pitchers Brian Williams and Jeff McCurry come to terms along with outfielders Alex Diaz and Ryan Thompson. Williams, in his second tour as an Astro, plays the biggest role going 2-1 in 50 games out of the bullpen. For McCurry, it was a nice 29th birthday present, having been born in Tokyo, Japan on this day in 1970. 

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The Astros swap catcher Brad Ausmus and pitcher C.J. Nitkowski to Detroit for five players including catcher Paul Bako and pitcher Brian Powell. Ironically, both players Houston traded away would return to the Astros organization. 

ByTom

The Astros swap catcher Brad Ausmus and pitcher C.J. Nitkowski to Detroit for five players including catcher Paul Bako and pitcher Brian Powell. Ironically, both players Houston traded away would return to the Astros organization. 

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1998 – Outfielder Glen Barker is drafted in the winter supplemental draft from the Detroit Tigers. As a reserve, Barker bats .232 and steals 30 bases over three seasons. 

ByTom

1998 – Outfielder Glen Barker is drafted in the winter supplemental draft from the Detroit Tigers. As a reserve, Barker bats .232 and steals 30 bases over three seasons. 

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1998 – Efforts to bring Texas legend Roger Clemens to the Astros collapse in spectacular fashion when General Manager Gerry Hunsicker blasts additional contract demands made by Clemens’ Houston-based agents during a press conference at the winter meetings. It was a rare stipulation in Clemens’ contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that allowed him to demand a trade. The Astros are willing to part with outfielder Derek Bell and pitcher Scott Elarton among others to acquire Clemens until they are informed the pitcher is also demanding a $43 million dollar contract extension rather than the $16 million dollars left on his two-year deal. Talks quickly reduce to name-calling. Owner Drayton McLane says he still hopes to make a deal but decides to stand with his negotiators. Ten days later, Clemens withdraws the trade demand but later invokes it when a deal is arranged with the New York Yankees. 

ByTom

1998 – Efforts to bring Texas legend Roger Clemens to the Astros collapse in spectacular fashion when General Manager Gerry Hunsicker blasts additional contract demands made by Clemens’ Houston-based agents during a press conference at the winter meetings. It was a rare stipulation in Clemens’ contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that allowed him to demand a trade. The Astros are willing to part with outfielder Derek Bell and pitcher Scott Elarton among others to acquire Clemens until they are informed the pitcher is also demanding a $43 million dollar contract extension rather than the $16 million dollars left on his two-year deal. Talks quickly reduce to name-calling. Owner Drayton McLane says he still hopes to make a deal but decides to stand with his negotiators. Ten days later, Clemens withdraws the trade demand but later invokes it when a deal is arranged with the New York Yankees. 

Randy Johnson signs a four-year deal with Arizona
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Randy Johnson signs a four-year deal with Arizona

ByTom

1998 – Randy Johnson signs a four-year deal with Arizona, ending hopes that the Astros could retain the dominating southpaw they surrendered three players to obtain. The trade is rehashed as the farmhands find success with Seattle in the coming years but General Manager Gerry Hunsicker insists he does not regret the move. 

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1998 – Ken Caminiti signs a free agent deal to return to the Astros after four years in San Diego. In parts of two injury-plagued seasons, he would bat .293 with 28 homers and 101 RBIs as well as giving a clutch performance in the 1999 N.L.D.S. 

ByTom

1998 – Ken Caminiti signs a free agent deal to return to the Astros after four years in San Diego. In parts of two injury-plagued seasons, he would bat .293 with 28 homers and 101 RBIs as well as giving a clutch performance in the 1999 N.L.D.S. 

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Larry Dierker is named National League Manager of the Year, outpacing San Diego’s Bruce Bochy, whose team eliminated Houston in the playoffs. He’s the second Astro skipper to claim the award. 

ByTom

1998 – Larry Dierker is named National League Manager of the Year, outpacing San Diego’s Bruce Bochy, whose team eliminated Houston in the playoffs. He’s the second Astro skipper to claim the award. 

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Former player Art Howe is named as manager of the Astros.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1988 – Former player Art Howe is named as manager of the Astros. He’s the third Astro skipper in a row to make Houston their first big league managerial spot. Howe indicates he’ll be able to lead in spite of players on the roster who were his teammates in days gone by. 

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San Diego shuts the door on Houston’s best season ever with a 6-1 in Game Four of the N.L.D.S.

ByTom

1998 – San Diego shuts the door on Houston’s best season ever with a 6-1 verdict in Game Four of the N.L.D.S. to claim the series, 3-1. After a Jim Leyritz homer, Jeff Bagwell plates Craig Biggio with a single to tie it. An error by Sean Berry gives the Padres the lead before they break it open with four runs in the eighth. 

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1Houston loses another 2-1 heartbreaker to the Padres in Game Three of the N.L.D.S.

ByTom

1998 – Houston loses another 2-1 heartbreaker to the Padres in Game Three of the N.L.D.S. A walk to Craig Biggio forces home Carl Everett for their only run off Kevin Brown. Mike Hampton has a no-hitter for the first five innings but is touched for a run in the sixth. Jim Leyritz homers off Scott Elarton for the decisive run. 2-1 is also San Diego’s lead in the series.