Houston veterans are stunned to learn that 11 year Astro pitcher Shane Reynolds was released

ByThis Day in Baseball

2003 – Houston veterans are stunned to learn that pitcher Shane Reynolds, who had been with the team since 1992, has been released. Coming off back surgery and having a shaky spring, the Astros pull the plug on an incentive-laden deal that could have been worth as much as $5 million dollars to Reynolds. Penciled in as the third starter, Reynolds comments that he thought he was just sharpening up for the season and didn’t need to compete for a job. He soon finds a new home pitching for Atlanta, posting an 11-9 record. 

2002 – Astros deal reliever Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for minor league outfielder Victor Hall. Cruz, who became disguntled with manager Jimy Williams, had fashioned a 5-9 record in 109 games over two seasons in Houston. Hall returns to Arizona, where the Rule V draftee was claimed, after spring training. 

ByThis Day in Baseball

2002 – Astros deal reliever Nelson Cruz to the Colorado Rockies for minor league outfielder Victor Hall. Cruz, who became disguntled with manager Jimy Williams, had fashioned a 5-9 record in 109 games over two seasons in Houston. Hall returns to Arizona, where the Rule V draftee was claimed, after spring training. 

Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history
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Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – Larry Dierker resigns as manager, ending a five-year run that can be argued as the most successful in team history. His winning percentage (.553) is tops for the franchise. His 448 wins rank second to Bill Virdon. The good news was four division crowns in five years. The bad news was a 2-12 post-season record, failing to escape out of the first round of the playoffs each year. But the numbers don’t begin to capture Dierker’s story, one as unique as the Hawaiian-shirted lanky Californian that has spent practically his entire adulthood with the franchise. 

Tom Glavine and John Smoltz combine on a seven-hit shutout to blank the Astros, 1-0, in Game Two of the N.L.D.S.
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Tom Glavine and John Smoltz combine on a seven-hit shutout to blank the Astros, 1-0, in Game Two of the N.L.D.S.

ByTom

2001 – Tom Glavine and John Smoltz combine on a seven-hit shutout to blank the Astros, 1-0, in Game Two of the N.L.D.S. The only run is scored by B.J. Surhoff on a double-play grounder after a double and an error by Julio Lugo. 

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun
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Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record as he hits his 70th homerun

ByThis Day in Baseball

Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record established three years ago as he hits his 70th round-tripper. The historic homer, a shot to right-center at Enron Field, is given up in the ninth inning by Astro rookie hurler Wilfredo Rodriguez in a Giant 10-2 victory.

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Carlos Hernandez fires a masterful two-hit shutout over seven innings in his big league debut

ByThis Day in Baseball

2001 – Carlos Hernandez fires a masterful two-hit shutout over seven innings in his big league debut to snuff the Pirates, 3-0. Hernandez strikes out seven. Octavio Dotel tosses two perfect innings for the save. Moises Alou and Richard Hidalgo drive in runs while Jeff Bagwell steals home in the first inning. 

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Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a day-night doubleheader, Vinny Castilla of the Houston Astros becomes the 13th player this season to hit three home runs in a game when he does it against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates still edge the Astros, 9 – 8, with an amazing comeback. Pittsburgh becomes only the second team in National League history to win a game by scoring seven runs starting with two outs and nobody on base in the 9th inning. Brian Giles caps the scoring with a walk-off grand slam off Astros ace closer Billy Wagner to win it. The Cubs did it, against the Reds, in the first game of a doubleheader on June 29, 1952.

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2001 – Jeff Bagwell ties a club record with seven RBIs in a 10-8 slugfest in Kansas City. His day starts with a three-run shot off Paul Byrd and finishes with a two-run double in the eighth to give the Astros breathing room. Lance Berkman strokes four safeties to run his hitting streak to 20 games. 

ByTom

2001 – Jeff Bagwell ties a club record with seven RBIs in a 10-8 slugfest in Kansas City. His day starts with a three-run shot off Paul Byrd and finishes with a two-run double in the eighth to give the Astros breathing room. Lance Berkman strokes four safeties to run his hitting streak to 20 games. 

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Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman drive in four runs apiece to drum the Rockies, 13-5. Tony Eusebio adds a double and a homer. Colorado manages to outhit Houston, 14-12, and still lose by eight. 

ByTom

2001 – Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman drive in four runs apiece to drum the Rockies, 13-5. Tony Eusebio adds a double and a homer. Colorado manages to outhit Houston, 14-12, and still lose by eight.