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1984 – Astros club 19-year-old phenom Dwight Gooden with eight runs in the third on their way to a 10-1 drubbing of the Mets. Nolan Ryan, almost twice Gooden’s age, scatters six hits for the victory. Ryan contributes a bunt hit over Gooden’s head in the rally while Mark Bailey drives home the first and last runs of the frame. 

ByTom

1984 – Astros club 19-year-old phenom Dwight Gooden with eight runs in the third on their way to a 10-1 drubbing of the Mets. Nolan Ryan, almost twice Gooden’s age, scatters six hits for the victory. Ryan contributes a bunt hit over Gooden’s head in the rally while Mark Bailey drives home the first and last runs of the frame. 

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1984 – NBC accidentally leaves the field microphone open while broadcasting a 5-3 Atlanta victory. Astro catcher Harry Spilman argues with home plate umpire Jerry Crawford. Manager Bob Lillis and Coach Denis Menke soon get into the act and profanities fly in every direction. NBC switchboards are flooded with complaints. 

ByTom

1984 – NBC accidentally leaves the field microphone open while broadcasting a 5-3 Atlanta victory. Astro catcher Harry Spilman argues with home plate umpire Jerry Crawford. Manager Bob Lillis and Coach Denis Menke soon get into the act and profanities fly in every direction. NBC switchboards are flooded with complaints. 

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1984 – Astros purchase infielder Alan Bannister from Cleveland. In nine games that season with Houston, Bannister would bat .200 before a trade to the Rangers.

ByTom

1984 – Astros purchase infielder Alan Bannister from Cleveland. In nine games that season with Houston, Bannister would bat .200 before a trade to the Rangers.

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Jose Cruz smacks a two-run single and a grand slam to pace a 15-2 demolition of Los Angeles. Alejandro Pena, Burt Hooton and Pat Zachry are torched for 13 runs in the first four innings. Denny Walling chimes in with three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Nolan Ryan coasts to his 14th win. 

ByTom

1983 – Jose Cruz smacks a two-run single and a grand slam to pace a 15-2 demolition of Los Angeles. Alejandro Pena, Burt Hooton and Pat Zachry are torched for 13 runs in the first four innings. Denny Walling chimes in with three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Nolan Ryan coasts to his 14th win. 

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For nearly twenty years, engineers had debated how well the Astrodome would hold up in a hurricane. With 95-mph winds, Hurricane Alicia passes through Houston and the Dome suffers hardly a scratch. The Astros, on the road in St. Louis, lose as many worry about their families and property back home.

ByTom

1983 – For nearly twenty years, engineers had debated how well the Astrodome would hold up in a hurricane. With 95-mph winds, Hurricane Alicia passes through Houston and the Dome suffers hardly a scratch. The Astros, on the road in St. Louis, lose as many worry about their families and property back home.

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1983 – Astros explode for seven runs in the seventh inning to tattoo the Reds, 9-2. A double by Omar Moreno gets the rally started while a two-run triple by Jose Cruz provides the key hit. 

ByTom

1983 – Astros explode for seven runs in the seventh inning to tattoo the Reds, 9-2. A double by Omar Moreno gets the rally started while a two-run triple by Jose Cruz provides the key hit. 

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1983 – After blowing a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning, the Astros score five in the ninth to topple the Expos, 11-8, in Montreal. Tony Scott and Omar Moreno each deliver two-run singles to reclaim the lead. Bill Dawley nails down the save after Frank DiPino and Dave Smith couldn’t seal the deal. 

ByTom

1983 – After blowing a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning, the Astros score five in the ninth to topple the Expos, 11-8, in Montreal. Tony Scott and Omar Moreno each deliver two-run singles to reclaim the lead. Bill Dawley nails down the save after Frank DiPino and Dave Smith couldn’t seal the deal. 

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1983 – Injury call-up George Bjorkman, in his third big league game, swats a three-run homer and drives in five to lead a 9-4 victory over Montreal. But his biggest thrill, he says afterwards, is catching Nolan Ryan. The Express fans five while winning his eighth straight decision. 

ByTom

1983 – Injury call-up George Bjorkman, in his third big league game, swats a three-run homer and drives in five to lead a 9-4 victory over Montreal. But his biggest thrill, he says afterwards, is catching Nolan Ryan. The Express fans five while winning his eighth straight decision.