The Houston Astros must not have been very happy with their .451 win average, which placed them squarely in the middle of the NL Central in 2007, because they’ve overhauled the whole team. Manager Phil Garner has been replaced with Bench Coach Cecil Cooper and General Manager Tim Purpura has been replaced by former Phillies GM Ed Wade (a somewhat questionable move since Wade was fired by the Philles because of poor performance). Craig Biggio – arguably the team’s best player – has retired, but Wade has been busily adding promising players, like Roy Oswalt, the winningest pitcher of the 21st Century, and all-star shortstop Miguel Tejada. There’s no telling how all these changes are going to work out, but one sure thing is the loyalty of Astros’ fans, who always pack the stands at Minute Maid Park. Get your tickets now to see the re-tooled Houston Astros in action at Minute Maid Park in 2008!

From the Colt .45’s to the Astros

When the National League expanded prior to the 1962 season they placed the Mets in New York and the Colt .45’s in Houston. After 3 seasons the team moved into the Astrodome, the first indoor baseball stadium ever built and dubbed the “8th Wonder of the World”, and were renamed the Astros. The Colt .45’s/Astros developed some stars in their early days, notably Joe Morgan and Jim Wynn, but were never able to compete until 1980.