1972 – After the infamous eight-player trade that sent Joe Morgan to Cincinnati, Houston wins the first head-to-head matchup with the Reds, 8-4. Tommy Helms, part of the deal, homers off Don Gullett to spark the attack.
On March 22, 1972 — The American League approves the sale of the Cleveland Indians by Vernon Stouffer. A group headed up by businessman Nick Mileti purchases the team for an estimated $9.7 million. Mileti also owns the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association and the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association. Stouffer turned down an earlier offer from local business tycoon George…
1972 – Jay Powell is born in Meridian, MS. As a reliever, he wins eleven games and loses ten over four seasons as an Astro, saving eight games and closing the pennant clincher on the last day of the 1999 regular season.
1971 – Lefthander Dave Roberts is acquired from San Diego for infielder Derrel Thomas and pitchers Bill Grief and Mark Schaeffer. Roberts compiles a 47-44 mark in four seasons. His best year is a 17-11 record with a 2.85 ERA and six shutouts in 1973.
1971 – First baseman John Mayberry is traded to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Jim York. Expected to be the new closer in the Houston bullpen, York earns a 9-11 mark with seven saves in four seasons with the Astros.
1971 – Astros deal utilityman Orlando “Marty” Martinez to St. Louis for catcher Bob Stinson. Martinez had hit .268 in three years of service in Houston. Stinson would bat .171 in 27 games before being sold to the Expos.
1971 – Gary Ross of the Padres balks home Jesus Alou in the 21st inning as Houston outlasts San Diego, 2-1. But wait. That’s just the opener of the scheduled twinbill. After the 5-1/2-hour first game, the California fog rolls in before the second game ends. The Padres win the “nightcap”, 5-4 in the ninth when Ollie Brown, batting after a 14-minute fog delay, sends a shot to right that Jim Wynn can’t find in the mist.
On September 20, 1971, the American League approves the transfer of the Washington Senators to Texas. AL owners vote, 10-2, in favor of the move, which ends 71 years of baseball in the capital city and will result in the birth of the Texas Rangers…
1971 – Joe Morgan bashes an 11th-inning homer on his 28th birthday to torpedo the Reds, 5-4. It’s his last long ball before the Reds acquire him in a trade. Cesar Cedeno goes 4-for-4. Despite the win, Houston is eliminated from the division race.
1971 – Don Wilson fires a one-hitter and drives in two to sink the Reds, 4-1. The Astros make their second triple play of the season as Joe Morgan snares a blooper by Darrell Chaney, flips to Roger Metzger for the force at second, who then throws to John Mayberry at first. Wilson wins his 16th, contributing a suicide squeeze and an RBI single to his own cause.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!