1968 The longest shutout in major league history is played at the Astrodome before a crowd that sits through over six hours of baseball before a run scores. Houston outlasts the Mets, 1-0, as Al Weis lets Bob Aspromonte’s roller through his legs in the 24th inning allowing Norm Miller to cross home plate . Catchers Hal King and Jerry Grote play the entire contest.
1968 – Pitcher Bo Belinsky is sold to the Chicago White Sox. Having already left spring training to get engaged to former Playmate of the Year Jo Collins, Belinsky refuses a minor-league assignment in Oklahoma City preferring Honolulu where the Sox have their AAA affiliate.
On March 31, 1968, the Seattle expansion franchise announced that it would be called the “Pilots.” The name originated from the coastal seaport city’s association with the airplane industry and co-owner Dewey Soriano’s part-time job as a harbor pilot. The Pilots will last only one season in Seattle before becoming the Milwaukee Brewers.
1968 – Jeff Kent is born in Bellflower, CA. The former National League MVP bats .292 and averages 24 homers and 100 RBIs during his two seasons in Houston (2003,2004). He also provides one of the most memorable homers in Astros playoff history to win Game 5 of the 2004 N.L.C.S.
1967 – Astros receive pitcher Fred Gladding to complete the trade with Detroit for Eddie Mathews. The reliever compiles a 22-23 record with 76 saves over the next six years in Houston.
On October 18, 1967, The American League owners grant Charlie Finley permission to move the Kansas City Athletics to Oakland, California, in time for the start of the 1968 season. Kansas City is promised a new team by 1971, but when Senator Stuart Symington and Kansas City Mayor Ilus Davis threaten action against the move, AL President Joe Cronin reopens talks. The expansion deadline is moved forward to 1969, and will award new franchises to Kansas City and Seattle, the Pilots, will play in Seattle, an ill-advised decision given the fact that new owners will prove to be under-financed.
1967 – Walt Bond, who led the Colt .45s in home runs and RBIs three years earlier, dies of leukemia at Methodist Hospital. He was 29 years old.
1967 – Jim Wynn cracks his 37th homer of the season in an 11-10 squeaker over the Cubs. The home run mark would stand for 27 years. Houston uses nine pitchers in the victory, including catcher Ron Brand in the eighth when it looked like the Astros had control.
1967 – Jim Wynn smashes two home runs, his 34th and 35th of the year, to drop the Dodgers, 5-3. Wynn becomes the first in franchise history to reach 100 RBIs. Mike Cuellar wins his 14th of the year.
1967 – Jim Wynn cracks his 30th home run of the season during a 9-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Clay Carroll is the victim. Wynn is the first Houston player to reach that plateau and no other Astro would join him until Glenn Davis in 1986.
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