1995 – A grand slam by Tony Eusebio keys a seven-run uprising as Houston pummels Montreal, 10-2. Jeff Bagwell had earlier provided a two-run blast off Pedro Martinez.
1995 – Luis Gonzalez goes four-for-four with three RBIs to pace a 7-2 triumph over the Mets. Greg Swindell works seven innings for the victory. James Mouton adds a homer off Jason Jacome.
1995 – In their only Astrodome appearance, Houston replacement players mop up the ersatz New York Yankees, 10-1, before a crowd of approximately 7,000. Former Astros Juan Guerrero and Dave Rhode star for the strike-breaking locals.
1995 – Astros replacement players lose their spring opener to the Florida Marlins, 3-2. Many players under minor league contracts, including top picks Billy Wagner and Scott Elarton, leave camp rather than take part in the game due to threats made by the players union to blacklist them.
1995 – Cecil Upshaw dies of a heart attack in Lawrenceville, GA at age 53. The submarine reliever had a 2-3 record with one save as an Astro in 1973. The righthander had been a closer for Atlanta earlier in his career before tearing a finger on his pitching hand when he accidentally struck a sign while walking down the street.
1994 – Houston trades pitcher Pete Harnisch to the Mets for two minor leaguers. The deal changes during the next month when Harnisch is ruled a restricted free agent. Only one of the pitchers in the deal makes it to Houston and he never reaches the majors. In four seasons as an Astro, Harnisch posts a 45-33 record and a 3.41 ERA. His best season is 1993 when he notches a 16-9 mark with four shutouts and a 2.98 ERA.
1994 – Montreal Expos president Claude Brochu blasts Jeff Bagwell’s new seven-year $47 million dollar contract, calling the move “a mistake” by owner Drayton McLane. The players strike is still ongoing and the move is seen as counterproductive to labor talks while McLane announces that, in spite of Bagwell’s new deal, he will be forced to cut payroll for the ballclub next season.
1994 – Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are named to the annual National League Gold Glove team for their defensive play at first and second base respectively. They are the first Astros to be named since 1976, the last of Cesar Cedeno’s Gold Glove seasons in the outfield (1972-1976). The other past winners are Doug Rader at third base (1970-1974) and Roger Metzger at shortstop (1973). Bobby Shantz was also named as the Gold Glove pitcher in 1962, a year he started in Houston. Biggio will continue to claim the prize for the next three seasons.
1994 – Jeff Bagwell is named the unanimous winner of the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He’s the third winner to gain every first-place vote and the only winner in franchise history. The players’ strike, which cut short the season, helped Bagwell since his hand was broken just before the strike commenced, not allowing time for other players to steal the spotlight in September.
1994 – For the second year in a row, Jeff Bagwell’s left hand is broken by a pitch, this time by the Padres’ Andy Benes just two days before the players strike finishes their season. Bagwell ends with 39 homers, 116 RBIS and a .368 average (all club records at the time) in 400 at bats. Houston wins, 3-1, but loses the next day to finish 1/2 game behind Cincinnati in the first Central Division race.
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