On June 25, 1995 The Houston Astros pound out 19 hits in scoring a 19 – 6 win over the Cubs. 1B Jeff Bagwell leads the way for Houston with five RBIs including a three-run blast in the seventh. The Astros set a club record for runs in one game. After scoring a lone run…
1994 – Montreal Expos president Claude Brochu blasts Jeff Bagwell’s new seven-year $47 million dollar contract, calling the move “a mistake” by owner Drayton McLane. The players strike is still ongoing and the move is seen as counterproductive to labor talks while McLane announces that, in spite of Bagwell’s new deal, he will be forced to cut payroll for the ballclub next season.
1994 – Jeff Bagwell is named the unanimous winner of the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He’s the third winner to gain every first-place vote and the only winner in franchise history. The players’ strike, which cut short the season, helped Bagwell since his hand was broken just before the strike commenced, not allowing time for other players to steal the spotlight in September.
1994 – Doug Drabek gets three hits and drives in two, as well as tossing a three-hit shutout, to steamroll the Braves, 8-0. James Mouton adds four hits and Scott Servais provides a three-run homer. Drabek runs his record to 7-1 on the season.
1994 – A leadoff homer by Craig Biggio blossoms into a four-hit night as Houston trips the Cubs, 7-5. Jeff Bagwell drives in four runs. Tom Edens picks up the win in relief.
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.
1994 – Both teams train in Florida, yet the Astros and Rangers spar in a two-game series at the Astrodome as part of their in-state rivalry. Tony Eusebio is the hero in a 6-5 victory, driving in Luis Gonzalez with an eighth-inning double. Astro nemesis Will Clark delivers the game-winner for the Rangers the following day. It’s the first Dome visit for new Houston manager Terry Collins. Afterwards, both teams fly back to Florida.
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.
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.
1993 – Astros release pitcher Jason Grimsley, whom they acquired for pitcher Curt Schilling the previous year. Grimsley catches on with the Cleveland Indians. He did not pitch an inning while in Houston. Schilling, meanwhile, becomes a six-time All-Star who is a pivotal member of four pennant-winners.
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