1966 Houston Astros season

Fifth season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1966 National League Astrodome Houston, Texas 72 90 y 8th Roy Hofheinz Tal Smith Grady Hatton KTRK-TV KPRC (AM)(Gene Elston, Loel Passe, Harry Kalas) The 1966 Houston Astros season was the fifth season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their second as the Astros, fifth in the National League (NL), and second at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a 65–97 record, in ninth place and 32 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. The 1965 season was the first for Grady Hatton as manager, the third in franchise history, having replaced Lum Harris. On April 12 at Dodger Stadium, Robin Roberts made the Opening Day start for Houston, who were defeated by Los Angeles, 3–2. Though this was the second season for the Astrodome in operation, it was the first with the playing surface of AstroTurf installed.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uPwrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=y8cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6321,1673684 Florence Times Alabama Astroturf planned for Houston field Associated Press March 13, 1966 18 The infield portion was installed in March,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R6tVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6860,4760340 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Astroturf looks great, but... March 20, 1966 2bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KFtQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Lg4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5288,6122136 Toledo Blade Ohio Associated Press What's new? Astroturf March 21, 1966 23https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JG0eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5803,3955242 Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal Florida Associated Press Zippered 'grass' big hit in Astrodome March 20, 1966 1Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ok0aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yCcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3929%2C5003712 Milwaukee Journal Bledsoe Terry Astrodome's synthetic grass gets 1st test with skids and bounces March 20, 1966 1, sports October 2026 InternetArchiveBot https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cotLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q38DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6834%2C2708784 Victoria Advocate Texas Associated Press Rathet Mike Brickbats starting to fly over Houston's Astroturf March 21, 1966 8 and the outfield was ready for play on July 19.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e7IhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IpwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2932,2223710 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania Associated Press Phils, Astros plan tonight on artificial grass July 19, 1966 23https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EOdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5602%2C4123933 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Phil find Farrell, turf unfriendly July 20, 1966 3Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qLZdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-V0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=7299%2C2360989 Victoria Advocate Texas Associated Press Astros clout Phils; Farrell leads way July 20, 1966 8 The Astros' first-round draft pick in the amateur draft was pitcher Wayne Twitchell, at third overall. Second baseman Joe Morgan and pitcher Claude Raymond represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, the first career selection for both. Morgan was the first player in franchise history to be named starter to the mid-season event; however, he missed the game due to injury. The Astros concluded the season with a record of 72 90 y, in eighth place and 23 games behind the Dodgers, who repeated as NL pennant-winners. At the time, the 72 wins represented more than Houston had won in any of their first four seasons of play. Offseason Summary The Houston Astros concluded the 1965 campaign with a 65 97 y record, ranking ninth in the National League (NL), 32 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1965.shtml 1965 National League team statistics Baseball Reference July 12, 2026 The 97 defeats represented a club record, one more than the 96 losses during each of the team's first three years of play.The Astros tied the team record for losses in 1975 and 1991. This remained the club record until 2011.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baaseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 On April 12, 1965, the Astros hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for the first regular-season game at the Astrodome, but were shut out, 2–0.https://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/astrodome.htm Astrodome firsts Retrosheet July 12, 2026 On July 8, rookie second baseman Joe Morgan became the first player in team history to collect six hits in a single game.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/hits.shtml MLB hits records Baseball Almanac July 12, 2026 Transactions November 29, 1965: 1965 rule 5 draft Nate Colbert was drafted by the Astros from the St. Louis Cardinals.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/colbena01.shtml Nate Colbert stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 Bob Saverine was drafted from the Astros by the Washington Senators.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saverbo01.shtml Bob Saverine stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 January 6, 1966: Johnny Weekly and cash were traded by the Astros to the New York Mets for Gary Kroll.https://www.baseball-reference.com/k/krollga01.shtml Gary Kroll stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 Regular season Summary April—May + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 20 Lee Maye Left fielder 16 Sonny Jackson Shortstop 24 Jimmy Wynn Center fielder 21 Dave Nicholson Right fielder 18 Joe Morgan Second baseman 14 Bob Aspromonte Third baseman 17 Chuck Harrison First baseman 7 John Bateman Catcher 38 Robin Roberts Pitcher Venue: Dodger Stadium • Los Angeles 3, Houston 2 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196604120LAN Houston Astros (2) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (3) box score Baseball Almanac April 12, 1966 October 15, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1966-uniform-numbers.shtml 1966 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 At Dodger Stadium for Opening Day, the Astros dropped a 3–2 decision to Los Angeles. Lee Maye hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the third off Claude Osteen, and Chuck Harrison added a run batted in (RBI)-single in top of the ninth; however, Osteen went the distance to secure the victory. Ron Fairly factored in all three runs for Los Angeles, slashing a pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. Houston starter Robin Roberts surrendered two runs—one earned—over seven innings to take the loss.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196604120.shtml Houston Astros (0) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (3) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 12, 1966 January 8, 2026 Courtesy of Jimmy Wynn's single on May 5, Joe Morgan scored the walk-off run to allow the Astros to obtain their 13th win in 13 innings. Hence, the Astros prevailed, 4–3, over the Chicacgo Cubs. Though both game's starting pitchers, Turk Farrell and Bill Faul, bore uniform number 13, neither stayed in long enough to receive a decision for the win.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/5/24423920/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 5 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 5, 2025 October 13, 2025 It was Frank Carpin (1–0) who recorded the victory, when in the top of the 13th, with two outshttps://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B05050HOU1966.htm Houston Astros (4) vs Chicago Cubs (3) box score Retrosheet May 5, 1966 October 12, 2026 Adolfo Phillips and Glenn Beckert pulled a double steal of second and third. Phillips next attempted to steal home, but the pitch arrived to the plate prior to him and catcher Bill Heath applied the tag to record the final out of the inning.Ritterbusch Cody https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/frank-carpin/ Frank Carpin biography Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) March 15, 2026 October 12, 2026 Hence, Carpin became the second National League hurler to record a victory without a throwing a single pitch to the batter, accomplishing the feat twenty years to the day since Preacher Roe of the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 5, 1946.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/Winning_Pitcher_No_Batters_Faced.shtml MLB pitchers who won a game without pitching to a batter Baseball Almanac October 12, 2026 June On June 2, the Astros recorded the first-ever 20-hit game in franchise history,The Astros next 20-hit game occurred on June 7, 1967, during which the Astros defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 17–1. Criteria: For single games, from 1898 to 2026, for HOU, in the regular season, requiring hits ≥ 20, sorted by ascending date. lower-alpha "single-game-hits"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/team-batting-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=date&timeframe=seasons&year_min=1898&year_max=2026&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=20&cstat%5B1%5D=b_h&team_id=HOU Team batting game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference June 28, 2026 as Houston entered the 12th inning tied 3–3 with the Cincinnati Reds, and rallied to forge nine hits to defeat the Reds, 11–4. Rusty Staub collected two hits in the inning, starting with a single and finished off with a double.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/2/24441688/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 2 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 2, 2025 July 11, 2025 Joe Morgan coaxed five base on balls to score a run, Sonny Jackson collected four hits while scoring twice, and Dave Nicholson collected four RBI.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196606020.shtml Houston Astros (11) vs Cincinnati Reds (4) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 2, 1966 June 28, 2026 This was the third four-RBI bout of Nicholson/s career,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/N/PX_nichd101.htm Top performances for Dave Nicholson Retrosheet June 28, 2026 Morgan's only five-walk game,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/PX_morgj001.htm Top performances for Joe Morgan Retrosheet June 28, 2026 and Jackson's first-career four-hit game.https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/J/PX_jacks102.htm Top performances for Sonny Jackson Retrosheet December 26, 2025 Pitcher Dave Giusti turned in an all-around contribution for the Astros on June 12, tossing a complete game over the Cubs to lead an 8–4 win. At the plate, he doubled and went 3-for-3. John Bateman, Rusty Staub and Dave Nicholson all homered for Houston.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/12/24447882/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 12 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 12, 2025 June 30, 2025 It was Giusti's second three-hit game at the plate on the season.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/G/PX_giusd101.htm Top performances for Dave Giusti Retrosheet February 15, 2026 With the Astros hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 22, a record-setting 55.988 fans witnessed Sandy Koufax take on the Houston Astros. Though Koufax led the Dodgers to a 5–2 win, Astros outfielder Jimmy Wynn provided the audience with some thrills as he went 4-for-4 with a home run and two doubles.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/22/24453634/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 22 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 22, 2025 June 22, 2025 This attendance record stood for 22 years.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 28, 2025 Mike Cuellar's 15-strikeout game thumb|right|upright|Mike Cuellar, 1972, with Baltimore, established single-season club records for earned run average (ERA) and, in 1967, strikeouts (tied).For single seasons, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 200, sorted by ascending season. lower-alpha "K record"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_id&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=200&cstat%5B1%5D=p_so&team_id=HOU Player pitching season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference February 7, 2026 During pregame batting practice drills on June 25 before playing the St. Louis Cardinals, Lee Maye's line drive struck Astros infielder Joe Morgan on the knee, fracturing it. He would miss the next 40 games including his first All-Star Game.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/25/24455378/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 25 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 25, 2025 June 25, 2025 Batting .319 prior to the injury, Morgan became the first player in franchise history to be named starter at the All-Star Game on June 28.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/28/24457746/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 28 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 28, 2025 June 28, 2025 During Morgan's absence, the Astros performed to a record of 11 29 y.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=morgajo02&t=b&year=1966 Joe Morgan 1966 batting game logs Baseball-Reference.com October 17, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1966-schedule-scores.shtml 1966 Houston Astros schedule Baseball-Reference.com October 17, 2025 However, the Astros' on-field performance—including that of starter Mike Cuellar—temporarily averted the impact of losing of their star second baseman. Cuellar became the first Astros pitcher to register 15 strikeouts in an outing.https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/strikeouts.html The Strikeout Zone Astros Daily December 25, 2025 Cuellar started his outing off with a whiff of Lou Brock. Phil Gagliano drew a base on balls, but Cuellar picked him off first, and retired the Redbirds in order in the first.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196606250.shtml St. Louis Cardinals (2) vs Houston Astros (3) Baseball-Reference.com June 25, 1966 December 26, 2025 Sonny Jackson hit a leadoff inside-the-park home run for Houston, his second inside-the-parker in five days.https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/homeruns.html#Inside Home Run Alley Astros Daily December 26, 2025 In the bottom of the fourth, Rusty Staub scored when Bob Aspromonte's grounder was misplayed for a 2–0 Astros' lead. In the top of the second, Cuellar fanned Orlando Cepeda and Mike Shannon. The following inning, he whiffed Ray Washburn and Brock again. In the third, Cuellar K'd Curt Flood. In the fifth, Cuellar got Dal Maxvill and Pat Corrales via the punchout. In the top of the sixth, Flood singled home Gagliano for St. Louis' first run. However, each out was obtained by Cuellar striking out the side. In the seventh, Cuellar again struck out the side, this time retiring all three batters in order. Cuellar's final strikeout was of Tim McCarver looking to the polish off the contest. Morgan's replacement, Bob Lillis scored an insurance run on Jackson's misplayed grounder to second base. The Cardinals added another run, but Cuellar escaped any further Cardinals tallies. The pivotal defensive play of the contest transpired with out in the top of the eighth. Mike Shannon flied out into a double play to center fielder Dave Nicholson, who rifled an assist to nab Julián Javier at home plate. Jimmy Wynn also recorded an outfield assist, of Lou Brock at third base. The Astros record stood at 38 32 y. A career-high in strikeouts for Cuellar,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/C/PX_cuelm101.htm Top performances for Mike Cuellar Retrosheet December 26, 2025 his outing broke the club record of 13 strikeouts, achieved twice, by Turk Farrell on May 10, 1963, and by Bob Bruce, on May 26, 1965. This remained the franchise record until Don Wilson tallied 18 punchouts on July 14, 1968. Cuellar retained the club record for left-handers until Randy Johnson struck out 16 on August 28, 1998. July In the sweltering 104 F C Great Plains on July 10, Cuellar shut down the Cardinals' bases-loaded rally with none out in the eighth, then finished off the contest by inducing a double play ground ball from Jimy Williams to preserve Houston's 6–5 victory.Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily November 17, 2025 Rusty Staub homered twice and drove home four. Though Orlando Cepeda and Dal Maxvill had four hits apiece to spearhead St. Louis' 16 hits total, the team stranded 15 runners on base.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN196607100.shtml Houston Astros (6) vs St. Louis Cardinals (5) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 10, 1966 January 8, 2026 Houston concluded the first half of the 1966 season with a 45 40 y record, occupying fifth place of 10 National League clubs, and 8 games behind the league-leading San Francisco Giants.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/index.fcgi?year=1966&month=07&day=10 1966 Major League scores and standings Baseball-Reference.com July 10, 1966 January 8, 2026 Hence, the Astros entered the All-Star break with a winning record for the first time in club history,https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/split_finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_game&split_1=dates%3Ahalf&split_detail=dates%3Ahalf%3A1st+Half&split_total_stat=win_loss_perc&split_total_comp=gt&split_total_val=.370&class=team&type=p&sr_pitching_splits_output=view_all&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=.500&cstat%5B1%5D=win_loss_perc&team_id=HOU Team pitching split finder: In the regular season, from 1898 to 2026, for HOU, 1st Half (within first or second Half), requiring win_loss_perc>=.370 over season/career, requiring Win-Loss % ≥ .500, sorted by lowest Year Stathead August 9, 2026 after having absorbed 96 or more losses in each of their first four seasons. Continuing in St. Louis, on July 12, Joe Morgan and Claude Raymond were invited to the MLB All-Star Game, hosted at Busch Memorial Stadium for the first time. Each of the National League's moundsmen who participated (Koufax, Bunning, Marichal, Perry) went to the Baseball Hall of Fame among 19 future Hall of Famers.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr1966as.shtml 1966 MLB All-Star Game Baseball Almanac September 20, 2026 Neither Astros player participated. The National League won, 3–1.https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1966-allstar-game.shtml A. L. All-Stars (1) vs N. L. All-Stars (3) box score Baseball Reference July 12, 1966 September 20, 2026 August Jim Wynn's season ended abruptly on August 1 when he collided into the outfield wall at Connie Mack Stadium in the bottom of the tenth inning, fracturing his left arm. Wynn was chasing a fly ball that Dick Allen had hit; instead, it resulted in a game-winning, inside-the-park home run for Allen and the Philadelphia Phillies.Philadelphia Phillies 6, Houston Astros 5 box score http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B08010PHI1966.htm Retrosheet April 8, 2021 August 1, 1966https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=biwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5495%2C247015 Phils nip Astros On Allen's HR: Callison raps pair in 6–5 victory; Jim Wynn hurt February 16, 2026 Associated Press (AP) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette August 2, 1966 16 Google Newspapers On August 11, outfielder Lee Maye achieved his first five-hit game as a member of the Astros, during the first contest of a doubleheader.https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/PX_mayel101.htm Top performances for Lee Maye Retrosheet November 19, 2025 Bob Aspromonte walloped a grand slam, during the second inning off former teammate Robin Roberts. Chuck Harrison doubled and tripled. However, Randy Hundley hit for the cycle with three runs batted in for the Chicago Cubs to lead a defeat of Houston, 9–8.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196608111.shtml Houston Astros (8) vs Chicago Cubs (9) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 11, 1966 November 19, 2025 Dave Giusti spun a career-best one-hit, no-walk shutout masterpiece on August 13, whiffed four, and earned a game score of 89. Giusti (12–9) outdueled Juan Marichal (17–5) to lead a 3–0 triumph over the Giants. The lone blemish on Giusti's effort was a Cap Peterson single in the second inning. During the top of the fourth, Bob Aspromonte singled in Joe Morgan to open the scoring. Ron Davis hit his first home run, and Lee Maye added an RBI single.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196608130.shtml Houston Astros (3) vs San Francisco Giants (0) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 13, 1966 February 15, 2026 Meanwhile, Sonny Jackson filched his 37th base to establish a new National League report. Sonny Jackson golfed his third inside-the-park home run of the season on August 19 versus Cincinnati, establishing a club record. The speedster Jackson became the first Astro to hit three inside-the-park demolitions in one season. He also amassed his fourth four-hit contest of the season, Jackson and Rusty Staub each had two RBI, and Staub drove Jackson in for the walk-off victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196608190.shtml Cincinnati Reds (3) vs Houston Astros (4) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 19, 1966 December 26, 2025 Starter Larry Dierker tossed his first career double-digit strikeout performance with 11.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/D/PX_dierl101.htm Top performances for Larry Dierker Retrosheet December 26, 2025 On August 21, Giusti tallied career-highs of both six RBI and two doubles at the plate, while, on the mound (13–10), fired his second shutout in under 10 days to lead an 11–0 drubbing of Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Aspromonte tripled, and a trio of Astros position players each secured doubles (Dave Nicholson, Chuck Harrison, and Joe Morgan).https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196608210.shtml Cincinnati Reds (0) vs Houston Astros (11) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 16, 1966 December 26, 2025 On August 26, Bob Aspromonte hit the second walk-off grand slam in franchise history, after having hit the first on June 11, 1963.The third walk-off grand slam for the Astros was hit by Doug Rader on May 27, 1969, also against Philadelphia.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&year_max=2021&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T&criteria60=rob---111 Batting event finder HOU: 9 Home Runs in 1962-2021 – Walk-off, 123 Stathead Sports Reference August 30, 2026 Aspromonte's blast exacerbated the misery of an infuriated Cubs manager Leo Durocher, who had earlier ripped out the dugout phone from off the wall and heaved it onto the Astrodome field. The Cubs took a 4–1 lead over the Astros into bottom of the ninth. The Astros rallied for six runs, capped by Aspromonte's grand slam off Cal Koonce, vaulting Houston to a dramatic 7–4 triumph. Earlier in the inning, John Bateman (16) had also homered. Turk Farrell (6–8) earned the victory by settling two final, perfect innings.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196608260.shtml Chicago Cubs (4) vs Houston Astros (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 26, 1966 November 19, 2025 Aspromonte's sixth career grand slam—all with HoustonRathkamp Tom https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/august-26-1966-bob-aspromontes-walk-off-slam-lights-up-the-sky-for-astros/ Bob Aspromonte’s walk-off slam lights up the sky for Astros Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) August 26, 1966 November 16, 2025—it was the first-ever walloped at the Astrodome.https://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/astrodome.htm Astrodome firsts Retrosheet November 16, 2025 His third career walk-off home run overall, this was Aspromonte's second via the grand slam, and all three blasts had come at the expense of the Cubs.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=asprobo01&t=b Bob Aspromonte career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 19, 2025 Southwestern Bell restored the dugout apparatus the following day and the Astros apportioned Durocher the bill. Mike Cuellar spun his first major league shutout on August 29, silencing the Pittsburgh Pirates by a verdict of 2–0,Ulrey Adam https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/mike-cuellar/ Mike Cuellar biography Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) February 9, 2026 while authoring a brilliant five-hit, 12-strikeout performance. Center fielder Ron Davis tripled in Dave Nicholson and Bob Lillis off Pirates starter Bob Veale during the top of the fifth to account for all of the tallies. Cuellar earned a game score of 88.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196608290.shtml Houston Astros (2) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (0) box score August 29, 1966 February 9, 2026 Aspromonte established a club record with 28 RBI over a calendar month in August, surpassing 21 attained by former teammates Román Mejías (May 1962) and Walt Bond (June 1964). On the month, Aspromonte bit .259 with two triples and seven home runs.Later surpassed by Jimmy Wynn in June, 1967. Criteria: In the regular season, from 1898 to 2026, playing for HOU, for any choice in months, requiring runs batted in ≥ 28, sorted by greatest runs batted in.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/split_finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=0&order_by=RBI&year_min=1962&year_max=1970&split_1=dates%3Amonth&class=player&type=b&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=20&cstat%5B1%5D=RBI&team_id=HOU Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference May 3, 2026 September On September 5 and 6, John Bateman became the second player in team history to record four hits each over consecutive games, succeeding Al Spangler on May 22 and 24, 1963.Next accomplished for Houston by Wilbur Howard on August 23 and 24, 1975. Criteria: Longest streak of consecutive games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring Hits ≥ 4, sorted by most games matching criteria.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-streak-finder.cgi?request=1&timeframe=seasons&streak_length=2&scomp%5B1%5D=gt&sval%5B1%5D=4&sstat%5B1%5D=b_h&team_id=HOU Player batting streak stats finder—baseball Stathead Sports Reference August 1, 2026 Bob Watson landed his major league debut on September 9 as a pinch hitter against Los Angeles, his one and only plate appearance in the majors that season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/watsobo01.shtml Bob Watson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com December 22, 2025 On September 16, Chuck Harrison hit his first Major League grand slam,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=harrich02&t=b Chuck Harrison career home runs Baseball-Reference.com February 22, 2026 Sonny Jackson assembled a career-best five-hit game, while Ron Davis collected a double among four hits as Houston triumphed over Philadelphia, 6–4. Harrison launched his blast in toe of the fourth inning off Chris Short to give Houston a 4–3 lead. He also doubled. Cuellar (11–9) reaped a complete game victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196609160.shtml Philadelphia Phillies (4) vs Houston Astros (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 16, 1966 December 26, 2025 It was Jackson's fifth bout of the season of four safeties or more. Mike Cuellar slugged his first career home run on September 28, helping himself to become the winning pitcher (12–10) in a 3–2 decision over Cincinnati.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196609282.shtml Houston Astros (3) vs Cincinnati Reds (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 28, 1966 December 26, 2025 Twenty-one year old right-hander Don Wilson made his major-league debut on September 29 at Crosley Field,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsodo01.shtml Don Wilson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com November 23, 2025 during which he attained key milestones on the mound and in the batter's box, including his first major league win and first hit. Wilson assumed the third inning in relief of Bob Bruce, and the first batter, Leo Cárdenas, singled. However, Càrdenas was immediately retired on a double play, when Wilson handled Joe Nuxhall's bunt attempt, and flipped it to shortstop Sonny Jackson for the twin-killing. Wilson fanned Art Shamsky in the bottom of the fourth for his first major league strikeout, but later surrendered his first home run to Shamsky in the bottom of the seventh inning, a two-run blast. By then, Houston already had mounted a 3–0 lead courtesy of home runs by Chuck Harrison and Aaron Pointer. Immediately following Pointer's home run in the top of the seventh, Wilson doubled off Nuxhall for his first major league hit. He totaled six innings on the mound with seven strikeouts. In the bottom of the ninth, Turk Farrell retired the Reds in order, closing out a 3–2 Houston victory for his second save of the season and to preserve the win for Wilson. This was Houston's 70th win of the season,https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196609290.shtml Houston Astros (3) at Cincinnati Reds (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 29, 1966 November 23, 2025 the first time they had reached that threshold, during their fifth season of play. On September 30, twenty-year-old Larry Dierker took a perfect game into the ninth inning versus the New York Mets, while navigating a scoreless tie. Eddie Bressoud led off the bottom of the ninth for the Mets with a double to left field, ending both the perfect game and no-hit bid. While facing the next hitter, Ron Hunt, Dierker threw a wild pitch, allowing Bressoud to advance to third base. Hunt then singled to right field to score Bressoud and earn New York a walk-off victory. Mets starter Jack Fisher (11–14) also stayed through the entire game, garnering the shutout and victory. Dierker (10–8) received an eight-inning complete game defeat and game score of 80.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196609300.shtml Houston Astros (0) vs New York Mets (1) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 30, 1966 April 20, 2025 Per the Elias Sports Bureau, through 2024, this bout remains the longest bid for a perfect game in Astros franchise history.Rajan Greg https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/armando-galarraga-jim-joyce-perfect-game-espn-film-19660861.php New ESPN film revisits ex-Astros pitcher Armando Galarraga's bid for perfection undone by blown call Houston Chronicle August 16, 2024 May 30, 2026 Performance overview The Astros concluded the season with a 72 90 1 y record, in eighth place and 23 games behind the Dodgers in the National League, who repeated as the NL pennant-winners.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1966.shtml 1966 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 23, 2025 Though the Astros finished with a 45 40 y record in the first half, they stumbled to a 27 50 1 y showing over the season's final half. Still, the 72 victories represented an improvement by seven from the year prior, also establishing a then-team record, during their fifth season of play. The Astros matched this threshold again in 1968, prior to surpassing that landmark in 1969 with their first-ever .500 record and 81 wins. The Astros hammered 112 home runs, just the second instance in club history to reach the century mark (105 during the inaugural campaign of 1962). This stood as the club record until the 1970 iteration left the park 129 times.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/batteam.shtml Houston Astros team yearly batting stats Baseball-Reference.com February 6, 2026 Left-hander Mike Cuellar set single-season club records for earned run average (ERA, 2.22). In 1981, Nolan Ryan (1.69) and Bob Knepper (2.18) surpassed Cueller for ERA;https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/leaders_pitch_season.shtml Houston Astros top 10 single-season pitching leaders Baseball-Reference.com August 28, 2025 Knepper also overtook the franchise record for left-handers.For single seasons, throws LH, qualified for league ERA title, playing for HOU, in the regular season, sorted by ascending earned run average.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=p_earned_run_avg&qualifiers=eratitle&minIpVal=162&minDecVal=14&mingamesVal=40&team_id=HOU&throws=L Player pitching season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference December 26, 2025 Having increased his grand slam total on August 26, Bob Aspromonte's six grand slams established Houston's franchise record, which stood until surpassed by Carlos Lee on July 25, 2011.Wernick Mark https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-aspromonte/ Bob Aspromonte Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) December 1, 2018 December 7, 2025 With 49 stolen bases, Sonny Jackson tied the Major League rookie record established by Rollie Zeider of the Chicago White Sox in 1910.Jackson and Zeider were outpaced by Gene Richards (56) of the San Diego Diego Padres in 1977.Padres' rookie ties steal mark September 23, 1977 Xenia Daily Gazette AP 7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3148852/ Newspapers.com September 3, 2015 Further, Jackson claimed the franchise record from Jim Wynn, who had pilfered 43 just the season prior. In 1969, Joe Morgan tied the record. Three years later, in 1972, César Cedeño procured 55 to usurp the club record.For single seasons, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring stolen bases ≥ 40, sorted by ascending season.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_id&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=40&cstat%5B1%5D=b_sb&team_id=HOU Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 13, 2026 League standings Houston Astros Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Roster 1966 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 46 Don Arlich 30 Bob Bruce 42 Frank Carpin 44 Danny Coombs 35 Mike Cuellar 49 Larry Dierker 13 Turk Farrell 39 Dave Giusti 31 Gary Kroll 48 Barry Latman 48 Don Lee 37 Aurelio Monteagudo 33 Jim Owens 38 Jim Ray 36 Claude Raymond 38 Robin Roberts 41 Carroll Sembera 40 Ron Taylor 23 Don Wilson 37 Chris Zachary Catchers 27 Dave Adlesh  7 John Bateman  9 Ron Brand  8 Bill Heath Infielders 14 Bob Aspromonte 11 Gene Freese  4 Jim Gentile 11 Julio Gotay 17 Chuck Harrison 16 Sonny Jackson 15 Bob Lillis 25 Félix Mantilla 18 Joe Morgan Outfielders 29 Brock Davis 22 Ron Davis 46 Joe Gaines 20 Lee Maye 34 Norm Miller 21 Dave Nicholson 28 Aaron Pointer 22 Greg Sims 10 Rusty Staub 24 Jimmy Wynn Other batters 12 Nate Colbert 38 Bob Watson Manager  1 Grady Hatton Coaches  5 Jim Busby (Third Base)  2 Nellie Fox  6 Al Heist  3 Gordon Jones 38 Robin Roberts Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C John Bateman John Bateman (baseball) 131 433 121 .279 17 70 1B Chuck Harrison Chuck Harrison (baseball) 119 434 111 .256 9 52 2B Joe Morgan 122 425 121 .285 5 42 3B Bob Aspromonte 152 560 141 .252 8 52 SS Sonny Jackson 150 596 174 .292 3 25 LF Lee Maye 115 358 103 .288 9 36 CF Jimmy Wynn 105 418 107 .256 18 62 RF Rusty Staub 153 554 155 .280 13 811966 Houston Astros Statistics and Roster – Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Dave Nicholson 100 280 69 .246 10 31 Ron Davis Ron Davis (outfielder) 48 194 48 .247 2 19 Bob Lillis 68 164 38 .232 0 11 Félix Mantilla Félix Mantilla (baseball) 77 151 33 .219 6 22 Jim Gentile 49 144 35 .243 7 18 Ron Brand 56 123 30 .244 0 10 Bill Heath baseball 55 123 37 .301 0 8 Norm Miller Norm Miller (baseball) 11 34 5 .147 1 3 Gene Freese 21 33 3 .091 0 0 Brock Davis 10 27 4 .148 0 1 Aaron Pointer 11 26 9 .346 1 5 Joe Gaines 11 13 1 .077 0 0 Nate Colbert 19 7 0 .000 0 0 Dave Adlesh 3 6 0 .000 0 0 Greg Sims 7 6 1 .167 0 0 Julio Gotay 4 5 0 .000 0 0 Bob Watson 1 1 0 .000 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Mike Cuellar 38 227.1 12 10 2.22 175 Dave Giusti 34 210.0 15 14 4.20 131 Larry Dierker 29 187.0 10 8 3.18 108 Bob Bruce 25 129.2 3 13 5.34 71 Robin Roberts Robin Roberts (baseball) 13 63.2 3 5 3.82 26 Chris Zachary 10 55.0 3 5 3.44 37 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Turk Farrell 32 152.2 6 10 4.60 101 Barry Latman 31 103.0 2 7 2.71 74 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Claude Raymond 62 7 5 16 3.13 73 Jim Owens Jim Owens (baseball) 40 4 7 2 4.68 32 Ron Taylor 36 2 3 0 5.71 29 Carroll Sembera 24 1 2 1 3.00 21 Gary Kroll 10 0 0 0 3.80 22 Aurelio Monteagudo 10 0 0 1 4.70 7 Frank Carpin 10 1 0 0 7.50 2 Don Lee Don Lee (baseball) 9 2 0 0 2.50 9 Don Arlich 7 0 1 0 15.75 1 Danny Coombs 2 0 0 0 3.38 3 Don Wilson Don Wilson (baseball) 1 1 0 0 3.00 7 Jim Ray 1 0 0 0 inf 0 Major League Baseball draft 1966 Major League Baseball draft Houston Astros 1966 MLB draft selections Rd. Round Slot Draftee Position Position drafted as School Origin Birthplace by U.S. state, Canadian province, or nationality Signed Signing status Notes Bio Biography & career statistics 1 3 Wayne Twitchell 1 Right-handed pitcher Ida B. Wells-Barnett High Oregon Y MLB debut on September 7, 1970, for the Milwaukee Brewers "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/twitcwa01.shtml Wayne Twitchell stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 12, 2026 2 23 Ron Crook 1 1.1 Left-handed pitcher Georgia Tech Georgia (U.S. state) Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=crook-001ron Ron Crook minor & winter leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 12, 2026 3 43 John D'Auria 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Arcadia High California N Signed with the Detroit Tigers from the January secondary phase draft in 1967. "Re-entry" https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dauria001joh John D'Auria minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 15, 2026 8 143 Fred Stanley baseball I Infielder Monte Vista High (CA) Iowa Y MLB debut on September 11, 1969, for the Seattle Pilots "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/stanlfr01.shtml Fred Stanley stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 Sources:https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=HOU&year_ID=1966&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_jc=0 1966 Houston Astros picks in the MLB June amateur draft Baseball Reference October 12, 2026 Awards and achievements Grand slams No. Number Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 August 11dh2 Game 1 of doubleheader Bob Aspromonte Wrigley Field 2tiedlead Tied score or took lead Robin Roberts baseball Chicago Cubs 2 August 26 Astrodome 9Walk-off Cal Koonce 3 September 16 Chuck Harrison baseball1st MLB grand slam Connie Mack Stadium 4tiedlead Chris Short Philadelphia Phillies Pitching achievements + Perfect game bid Date Starting pitcher (IP Innings pitched) Relief pitcher(s) (IP) Relief pitchers who continued perfect-game effort PG IP Total perfect innings GS Game score Catcher Batter Batter who ended no-hit bid Final Final score Opponent Box Box score September 30, 1966 Larry Dierker (8) — 8Perfect game and no-hit bids simultaneously ended on same play. 80 Bill Heath Eddie BressoudFirst batter of ninth inning. 0–1 New York Mets Note: Includes those games started with 7 or more perfect innings. Awards 1966 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rusty Staub McTaggart Brian http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Bourn highlights Astros' awards season December 21, 2009 MLB.com October 14, 2025 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101208131739/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou December 8, 2010 MLB All-Star Game Starting second baseman Joe Morgan Reserve pitcher Claude Raymond Topps All-Star Rookie Team Shortstop Sonny Jackson Gonos David https://davidgonos.com/every-topps-all-star-rookie-cup-winner-in-baseball-card-history/ All Topps All-Star Rookie Cup Winners in Baseball Card History DavidGonos.com January 30, 2025 September 19, 2026 Other awards results Name of award Voting recipient(s) (Team) Ref. References NL Most Valuable Player 1st—Clemente (PIT) • 22nd—Staub (HOU) https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1965.shtml 1966 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com June 6, 2026 NL Rookie of the Year 1st—Helms (CIN) • 2nd—Jackson (HOU) Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Oklahoma City 89ers Pacific Coast League Mel McGaha AA Amarillo Sonics Texas League Buddy Hancken A Durham Bulls Carolina League Chuck Churn A Cocoa Astros Florida State League Joe Frazier A Salisbury Astros Western Carolinas League Walt Matthews A-Short Season Bismarck–Mandan Pards Northern League Tony Pacheco See also List of Major League Baseball annual fielding errors leaders Notes MLB Re-entry References 2 External links 1966 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Texas Baseball Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Houston Astro Category:1960s in Houston