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1994 – Steve Finley and Jeff Bagwell each homer, part of their four hits apiece as Houston stomps the Cards, 15-5. Total attendance breaks the 50,000 mark for the first time in a regular-season game since 1966. 

ByTom

1994 – Steve Finley and Jeff Bagwell each homer, part of their four hits apiece as Houston stomps the Cards, 15-5. Total attendance breaks the 50,000 mark for the first time in a regular-season game since 1966. 

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Mitch Williams walks the bases full then surrenders two 12th-inning runs in the season opener against Montreal

ByThis Day in Baseball

1994 – Mitch Williams walks the bases full then surrenders two 12th-inning runs in the season opener against Montreal. Ken Caminiti’s two-run double ends a dramatic three-run comeback for a 6-5 Houston triumph. Astros debut new navy and gold uniforms with the leaning star.  

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1994 – Astros release outfielder Jesse Barfield. The Houston native and former A.L. home run champ had hit just .080 in Kissimmee after playing in Japan the previous season. He stays on to work as a coach. 

ByTom

1994 – Astros release outfielder Jesse Barfield. The Houston native and former A.L. home run champ had hit just .080 in Kissimmee after playing in Japan the previous season. He stays on to work as a coach. 

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1994 – A poll conducted for the city of Houston at the request of Astros owner Drayton McLane shows 56 percent disapprove of building a downtown domed stadium primarily for the NFL Oilers and the NBA Rockets. Only 24% approve. Among those who disapprove, 49% say a new park is simply “not needed”. Mayor Bob Lanier backs away from supporting the proposed stadium, which sets the scene for the Oilers’ later move to Nashville, TN and the creation of a baseball-only downtown facility for the Astros.

ByTom

1994 – A poll conducted for the city of Houston at the request of Astros owner Drayton McLane shows 56 percent disapprove of building a downtown domed stadium primarily for the NFL Oilers and the NBA Rockets. Only 24% approve. Among those who disapprove, 49% say a new park is simply “not needed”. Mayor Bob Lanier backs away from supporting the proposed stadium, which sets the scene for the Oilers’ later move to Nashville, TN and the creation of a baseball-only downtown facility for the Astros.

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Astros owner and HSA president Drayton McLane slams the idea of a new downtown domed stadium, claiming the Astrodome can be refurbished for half the cost. McLane also complains that the $33 millon dollar estimated payroll for the Astros for 1994 is too high. 

ByTom

1994 – Astros owner and HSA president Drayton McLane slams the idea of a new downtown domed stadium, claiming the Astrodome can be refurbished for half the cost. McLane also complains that the $33 millon dollar estimated payroll for the Astros for 1994 is too high. 

Michael Jordan

Public batting practice by retired NBA star Michael Jordan draws hundreds of reporters

ByTom

1994 – Public batting practice by retired NBA star Michael Jordan draws hundreds of reporters. Jordan looks to sign a deal with the Chicago White Sox as an outfielder but some Astros are quick to point out it won’t be easy for him. At his home, Houston pitcher Todd Jones is so incensed with radio callers predicting baseball stardom that he calls the station himself to challenge the basketball champion. 

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Astros unveil new uniforms that do away with orange as a team color, rainbow stripes on the jersies, and the “H” on the cap. The new look will feature midnight blue and metallic gold with a flying star on the caps and jersies. 

ByTom

1994 – Astros unveil new uniforms that do away with orange as a team color, rainbow stripes on the jersies, and the “H” on the cap. The new look will feature midnight blue and metallic gold with a flying star on the caps and jersies. 

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Houston signs first baseman Sid Bream. As a backup to Jeff Bagwell, he contributes mostly as a pinch-hitter

ByThis Day in Baseball

1994 – Houston signs first baseman Sid Bream. As a backup to Jeff Bagwell, he contributes mostly as a pinch-hitter, delivering a .344 average in the strike-shortened season. Of course, Bagwell hit .368 in an MVP year so Bream got scant attention for his superb play. After the strike, he never appears again in the majors. 

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Johnny Temple dies at age 66 in White Rock, SC. A five-time all-star in Cincinnati, he has a .263 average over two seasons with the Colt .45s as a reserve then comes back to Houston as a sportscaster for KHOU-TV. 

ByTom

Johnny Temple dies at age 66 in White Rock, SC. A five-time all-star in Cincinnati, he has a .263 average over two seasons with the Colt .45s as a reserve then comes back to Houston as a sportscaster for KHOU-TV.