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2007 – After almost 20 years of wearing a pin in his cap to promote the Sunshine Kids charity for cancer-stricken children, Major League Baseball tells 41-year-old Craig Biggio that he can no longer wear the emblem during spring exhibition games. Biggio reacts angrily while the Astros front office refrains from comment. A week later, after a mild media uproar, Major League Baseball rescinds the order. 

ByTom

2007 – After almost 20 years of wearing a pin in his cap to promote the Sunshine Kids charity for cancer-stricken children, Major League Baseball tells 41-year-old Craig Biggio that he can no longer wear the emblem during spring exhibition games. Biggio reacts angrily while the Astros front office refrains from comment. A week later, after a mild media uproar, Major League Baseball rescinds the order. 

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2007 – The City of Houston proclaims Jeff Bagwell Day to celebrate the 15-year career of the Astros slugger. The proclamation coincides with a hitting camp Bagwell is conducting at Minute Maid Park and a pitching camp run by the legendary Nolan Ryan. 

ByTom

2007 – The City of Houston proclaims Jeff Bagwell Day to celebrate the 15-year career of the Astros slugger. The proclamation coincides with a hitting camp Bagwell is conducting at Minute Maid Park and a pitching camp run by the legendary Nolan Ryan. 

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2007 – Infielder Mark Loretta is signed to a one-year contract. He bats .296 with the Astros during two stints (2002, 2007-2008), including ten homers. 

ByTom

2007 – Infielder Mark Loretta is signed to a one-year contract. He bats .296 with the Astros during two stints (2002, 2007-2008), including ten homers. 

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2006 – After the departure of lefthander Andy Pettitte and the failure to land Jon Garland in trade, Houston gets their replacement by acquiring righthander Jason Jennings from the Rockies along with rookie righthander Miguel Asencio in exchange for outfielder Willy Taveras and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. In Colorado for six seasons, Jennings had amassed a 58-56 record and was the 2002 N.L. Rookie of the Year. 

ByTom

2006 – After the departure of lefthander Andy Pettitte and the failure to land Jon Garland in trade, Houston gets their replacement by acquiring righthander Jason Jennings from the Rockies along with rookie righthander Miguel Asencio in exchange for outfielder Willy Taveras and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. In Colorado for six seasons, Jennings had amassed a 58-56 record and was the 2002 N.L. Rookie of the Year. 

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Slugger Carlos Lee is signed to a six-year contract for a reported $100 million dollars

ByTom

2006 – Slugger Carlos Lee is signed to a six-year contract for a reported $100 million dollars. Nicknamed “El Caballo”, the outfielder comes to Houston after stops with the White Sox, Brewers and Rangers. The Astros also ink righthander Woody Williams to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million dollars. The 40-year-old veteran is a Houston native who formerly pitched at the University of Houston. 

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2006 – Craig Biggio agrees to a one-year deal with Houston for $5.15 million dollars, avoiding free agency. The 40-year-old is 70 hits shy of 3,000 as he approaches his 20th season with the Astros. 

ByTom

2006 – Craig Biggio agrees to a one-year deal with Houston for $5.15 million dollars, avoiding free agency. The 40-year-old is 70 hits shy of 3,000 as he approaches his 20th season with the Astros. 

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Roy Oswalt endures a three-hour rain delay to blank the Pirates, 3-0, for Houston’s ninth straight win.

ByTom

2006 – Roy Oswalt endures a three-hour rain delay to blank the Pirates, 3-0, for Houston’s ninth straight win. The late-season rally brings the Astros, 8-1/2 games behind the Cardinals just two weeks before, within a half-game of the Central leaders. Houston would lose two of three in Atlanta and wind up 1-1/2 games out at 82-80 for the season. Oswalt wins the league ERA title at 2.98. Lance Berkman would single on the last day to set a new team RBI record at 136. 

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2006 – Charlton Jimerson homers in his first major league at-bat – the third time an Astro has accomplished this feat. His pinch-hit blast in the sixth breaks up a no-hit bid by Cole Hamels to tie Philadelphia at 1-1 but Chase Utley gives the Phils their first win over Houston in three years with a solo shot off Dave Borkowski in the tenth for a 3-2 decision. Time’s running out on Houston who is four games below .500 yet 4-1/2 games out in the wild card race. 

ByTom

2006 – Charlton Jimerson homers in his first major league at-bat – the third time an Astro has accomplished this feat. His pinch-hit blast in the sixth breaks up a no-hit bid by Cole Hamels to tie Philadelphia at 1-1 but Chase Utley gives the Phils their first win over Houston in three years with a solo shot off Dave Borkowski in the tenth for a 3-2 decision. Time’s running out on Houston who is four games below .500 yet 4-1/2 games out in the wild card race. 

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Willy Taveras becomes the first Astro to achieve a 30-game hitting streak

ByTom

2006 – Willy Taveras becomes the first Astro to achieve a 30-game hitting streak with a leadoff single that begins a 13-1 bombing at Pittsburgh . Taveras bats .349 during the streak, raising his average to .284. Lance Berkman drives in four while Jason Hirsh gets his second big league win. Taveras’ run ends two nights later.