1965 Houston Astros season

Fourth season for the Major League Baseball team in Houston, and first as the Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1965 National League Harris County Domed Stadium Houston, Texas 65 97 y 9th Roy Hofheinz Paul Richards Lum Harris KTRK-TV KPRC (AM)(Gene Elston, Loel Passe, Harry Kalas) 1964 Houston Colt .45s season The 1965 Houston Astros season was the fourth season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, a member of the National League (NL). Now rebranded as the Astros and having relocated to The Astrodome, the club were known for their first three season as the Colt .45s and were based at Colt Stadium.The team remained at The Astrodome through the 1999 season. "Note" The Astros entered the 1965 season with a 66–96 record, having finished the previous year in ninth place and 27 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals. The 1965 season was the first and only full season for Lum Harris as manager, the second in franchise history, having replaced Harry Craft late during the previous year. On April 12, Bob Bruce made the Astros' Opening Day starter, who hosted the Philadelphia Phillies, but were defeated, 2–0. In the first-ever MLB amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was shortstop Alex Barrett at fourth overall. Rookie second baseman Joe Morgan established club records on July 8 with six hits—tying the major league record—and 13 total bases for a single game, during a 9–8 defeat to the Milwaukee Braves over 12 innings. Pitcher Turk Farrell represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, his fifth career selection. The Astros concluded the season with a record of 65–97, a third consecutive in ninth place and 32 games behind the NL pennant and eventual World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The 97 losses represented a franchise-worst record for Houston at the time, which was one more than the 96 losses the club had for each of their first three seasons of existence. It later matched by the 1975 and 1991 teams, and exceeded in 2011 with 106 losses. Following the season, Morgan was chosen as The Sporting News NL Rookie Player of the YearFrom 1961–2003, The Sporting News declared one rookie position player and pitcher from each league, the NL and the American League (AL), for this award. Starting in 2004, this system was modified to selecting one rookie from each league for the award, regardless of position. lower-alpha "Sporting News Rookies"—the first Astro be so recognized—and for the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Hence, Morgan also became the first Astro to be recognized for a full-season award not specific to one position. Offseason Summary The Houston Colt .45s concluded the 1964 campaign with a 66 96 y record, ranking ninth in the National League (NL), 27 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1964.shtml 1964 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com July 5, 2026 On September 27, 1964, the Colts hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers for the final contest at Colt Stadium,https://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/colt_stad_last.htm Colt Stadium lasts Retrosheet November 29, 2025 winning 1–0 on a walk-off single by Jimmy Wynn during the bottom of the 12th inning.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196409270.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers (0) vs Houston Colt .45s (1) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 27, 1964 November 29, 2025 On December 1, the Houston club changed its nickname from Colt .45s to Astros. The move resulted from objections by the Colt Firearms Company to the club's sales of novelties bearing the old nickname.October 2010 Despite the trademark issues, the "Astros" nickname matched the futuristic ambiance of the revolutionary domed stadium. The nickname was also appropriate since Houston was, by then, the home of NASA's astronaut program. The scoreboard retained subliminal references to the old nickname, as it featured electronically animated cowboys firing pistols, with the "bullets" ricocheting around the scoreboard, when an Astros player would hit a home run. Early on, the groundskeepers also wore astronaut spacesuits to promote that futuristic image. Development and commissioning of the Astrodome Reliant_Astrodome_in_January_2014.jpg Astrodome scoreboard 1969.jpg 435 Exterior view of the Astrodome (left) and scoreboard in 1969 (right). The venue was designed as a defense against the oppressive heat and humidity of the Houston summer. Loosely based on the classic Roman Colosseum, the Astrodome was dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World. As with many stadiums of that era, such as RFK Stadium and Shea Stadium, the Astrodome was a multi-purpose stadium, designed for both football as well as baseball. Besides its roof, the Astrodome was revolutionary for a number of other reasons, accentuated by accoutrements not prior-featured or rarely seen at sports facilities. Every seat in the venue was theatre-style, the first stadium so configured. Additionally, it was one of the first stadiums allocated with luxury seats and club seating, at the time a relatively new concept in sports venues. It also had an "exploding scoreboard", which would show various animations after a home run or a win, as well as messages and advertising. Inaugural exhibition game at the Astrodome On April 9, the former Houston Colt .45s took the field and officially became the Houston Astros. They inaugurated indoor baseball in the Astrodome with a 2–1 exhibition win over the New York Yankees. President Lyndon B. Johnson, one of 47,876 total guests in attendance, became the seventh U.S. president to have attended the inaugural game for a stadium. Texas governor John Connally, flanked by National League president Warren Giles and Tamaulipas governor Praxedis Balboa, tossed the ceremonial first pitch.Costello Rory https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-9-1965-astros-beat-yankees-in-first-game-inside-the-houston-astrodome/ Astros beat Yankees in first game inside the Houston Astrodome Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) April 9, 1965 January 24, 2026 The Astros' Turk Farrell threw the game's official first pitch and baseball indoors was underway. Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle recorded each of the stadium's first hit, home run,de Luna Marcy https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/Astrodome-55th-anniversary-debut-photos-history-12796463.php Iconic Astrodome made its grand debut 55 years ago, became 'Eighth Wonder of the World' Houston Chronicle April 9, 2020 August 18, 2025 and run scored.Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily January 24, 2026 During the third inning, catcher Ron Brand smoked a triple for the home team's first hit in their new stadium. Player-coach Nellie Fox, another future Hall of Famer, furnished the first walk-off hit at the Astrodome to settle the contest outright in the bottom of the 12th inning. Notable transactions January 31, 1965: Bob Watson was signed as an amateur free agent by the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/w/watsobo01.shtml Bob Watson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 21, 2025 Regular season Summary Opening Day thumb|right|upright|Joe Morgan with Houston, 1969, set a number of club records in 1965. + Inaugural game at the Astrodome Uniform Uniform number Player Position 15 Bob Lillis Shortstop 18 Joe Morgan Second baseman 24 Jimmy Wynn Center fielder 23 Walt Bond First baseman 14 Bob Aspromonte Third baseman 20 Jim Beauchamp Left fielder 28 Joe Gaines Right fielder 7 John Bateman Catcher 30 Bob Bruce Pitcher Final: Philadelphia 2, Houston 0 • Win: Short • Loss: Bruce Attendance: 48,546 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196504120HOU Philadelphia Phillies (2) vs Houston Astros (0) box score Baseball Almanac April 12, 1965 October 17, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1965-uniform-numbers.shtml 1965 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com October 17, 2025 During a pre-game ceremony on Opening Day and at the regular-season opening ceremony of the Astrodome, April 12, 1965, the Astros officially retired jersey number 32 in honor of former Colt .45s pitcher Jim Umbricht. Umbricht had died on April 8, 1964, following a battle with cancer and having returned to play for Houston the season earlier, in 1963. Aged 33 years old, his jersey number was the first to be retired by the team.Ayers Thomas https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jim-umbricht/ Jim Umbricht Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) March 15, 2021 September 21, 2025 The Astrodome hosted a standing-room-only attendance of 48,546. Distinguished guests included Commissioner Ford Frick, National League President Warren Giles (also at the first exhibition game), and a contingent of NASA personnel, who witnessed baseball's tribute to the Space Age through the Astrodome. There, the Houston Astros hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. Twenty-two of the 24 NASA astronauts were in attendance, and, for the ceremonial first pitch, each simultaneously tossed to one of 22 members of the Astros.Ayers Thomas https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-12-1965-phillies-win-first-regular-season-game-in-the-astrodome/ Phillies win first regular-season game in the Astrodome Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) April 12, 1965 January 7, 2026 The Philadelphia Phillies won the Astrodome’s regular-season opener, 2–0, behind a shutout by starter Chris Short. He held the Houston Astros to four hits and recorded 11 strikeouts, finishing with a game score of 88. Tony Taylor hit a leadoff double for the first regular-season hit in an indoor Major League game. For Houston, Bob Bruce pitched seven innings and allowed two runs. In the third inning, Dick Allen hit a two-run home run to give Philadelphia the lead, while Joe Morgan recorded Houston’s first regular-season hit in the fourth.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196504120.shtml Philadelphia Phillies (2) vs Houston Astros (0) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 12, 1965 January 7, 2026 Rest of April On April 15, Jimmy Wynn became involved in two first-time batting events for the Astros as they faced the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. During the bottom of the second inning, Walt Bond and Bob Aspromonte each started with a single, and Bond advanced to third on Aspromonte's hit. Next, Wynn flied out to right fielder Johnny Lewis, who threw out Bond racing home, and catcher Chris Cannizzaro fired to shortstop Roy McMillan, who tagged out Aspromonte and convert the triple play.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN196504150.shtml Houston Astros (4) vs New York Mets (5) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 15, 1965 January 31, 2026 This was both the first triple play turned against Houston. and first in which they were involved.The Astros turned their first triple play on July 16, 1971, which was also against New York.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/triple_plays.shtml#:~:text=Triple%20plays%20are%20relatively%20rare,from%20the%20fielders%20to%20perform. MLB triple plays Baseball Almanac August 8, 2026 During the top of the ninth, Wynn drilled the first home run for Houston known as the Astros, a two-run game-tying blast in the top of the ninth off Jack Fisher.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1965&year_max=1965&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b Batting event finder—HOU: 97 home runs in 1965 Stathead Sports Reference January 31, 2026 However, in the bottom of the tenth inning, Bobby Klaus cranked a Claude Raymond offering for a walk-off home run deep to left field and decide a 5–4 the Mets victory. Rusty Staub christened the first regular-season walk-off safety at the Astrodome on April 23, singling home Al Spangler in the bottom of the twelfth inning, icing a 4–3 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dave Giusti plugged the final two frames in relief to secure the victory. Bruce, the Astros starter, logged his first double of the season during the third off his mound opponent, Bob Veale (the National League's reigning strikeout leader), to score John Bateman. Bruce surrendered two runs over 7 1 3 innings pitched.King Norm https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-23-1965-rusty-staub-sends-the-astros-home-happy/ Rusty Staub sends the Astros home happy Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) April 23, 1965 February 6, 2026 Bob Aspromonte blasted the home team's first home run at the Astrodome on April 24 during the bottom of the sixth off Vern Law of the Pirates. The next inning, Wynn also took Law deep. As a result, a home run event by the home team cued "The Home Spectacular," an animated visual graphics display that quantified 474 ft m on the center field wall.https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/scoreboard/index.html The Home Run Spectacular Astros Daily February 15, 2026 May On May 1, the Astros swept a doubleheader of the Chicago Cubs, extending a winning streak to ten games for a club record. Though Houston would tie this record over a number of occasions, it remained the record until 1999.https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/1965/summary.html 1965—season recap Astros Daily February 15, 2026 Two prominent Astros obtained milestone firsts on May 8 at Wrigley Field. Joe Morgan connected for his first major league home run to deep right field. The blast occurred in the top of the sixth inning off Lindy McDaniel of Chicago, extending the Astros' lead to 8–5.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=morgajo02&t=b Joe Morgan career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 8, 2025 Meanwhile, right-hander Larry Dierker procured his first Major League victory through finishing off the final 4 1 3 inningsLarry Dierker, for single games, from 1964 to 1965, in the regular season, in career game No. 50 or less, requiring batters faced ≥ 1, sorted by ascending date. lower-alpha "Dierker 64–65 game logs"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=date&player_id=dierke001law&timeframe=seasons&year_min=1964&year_max=1965&player_game_max=20&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=1&cstat%5B1%5D=p_game_score Larry Dierker player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference February 14, 2026 of relief of Don Nottebart. Seven of the Astros starting nine collected multi-hit games as Rusty Staub and Jimmy Wynn also went deep for an 11–6 Houston triumph. Wynn doubled and led the Astros with 3 RBI.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196505080.shtml Houston Astros (11) vs Chicago Cubs (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com May 8, 1965 February 14, 2026 For the first time, on May 22, ABC's broadcast of the Major League Baseball Game of the Week featured the Astrodome. Viewers were thrilled by a massive Willie Mays home run that propelled the San Francisco Giants over the Astros to win the contest, 10–1.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/22/24435159/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 22 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 22, 2025 August 13, 2025 On May 23, the Giants, able to leverage a three-run, inside-the-park home run—a result of the ball getting caught in the roof of the Astrodome—won, 5–2, over Houston. This was the final game as a Houston Astro for starter Ken Johnson, who received news after the contest that had been traded to the Milwaukee Braves for outfielder Lee Maye.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/23/24435682/today-in-astros-history#comments Today in Astros history - May 23 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 23, 2025 August 12, 2025 Due to pop flies routinely misjudged as induced by the glare through the roof of the Astrodone, clear glass panes costing about $20,000 were installed on May 24. Consequently, these conditions created inadequate lighting to sustain the grass, which led to the installation of AstroTurf the following season.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/24/24436450/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 24 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 24, 2025 August 8, 2025 Bpb Bruce struck out a then-club record 13 on May 26, tying Turk Farrell's effort on May 10, 1963.For single games, from 1962 to 1966, playing for HOU, in the regular season, sorted by descending strikeouts.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&timeframe=seasons&year_min=1962&year_max=1966&team_id=HOU Player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 7, 2026 Bruce surrendered five hits and three runs in a complete game as the Astros triumphed over the Cincinnati Reds, 8–3. Jimmy Wynn homered and tripled, wound up just a double short of hitting for the cycle, and knocked in four runners.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196505260.shtml Cincinnati Reds (3) vs Houston Astros (8) box score Baseball-Reference.com May 26, 1965 January 7, 2026 This record remained until June 25, 1966, when Mike Cuellar fanned 15. June With the scored tied 2–2 on June 4 going into the ninth inning, Houston Astros catcher Ron Brand connected for a three-run homer into the left field bleachers off Bob Gibson for the decisive runs in an Astros' 5–2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/4/24442993/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 4 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 4, 2025 July 9, 2025 After 140 relief appearances, on June 6, Claude Raymond made the first of seven starts over his major league career. He tossed a complete game against the Cardinals. holding them to just seven hits and one run as the Houston won, 10–1.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/8/24445361/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 6 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 6, 2025 July 7, 2025 From June 8 to 9, the inaugural MLB amateur entry draft was conducted in New York City.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22594237/826_players_picked_in_baseball_draft/ 826 Players Picked in Baseball Draft Associated Press The Burlington Free Press Burlington, Vermont 26 June 10, 1965 August 7, 2018 newspapers.com The Astros received the fourth overall pick and chose shortstop Alex Barrett from Atwater High School in Atwater, California.https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=HOU&year_ID=1965&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_jc=0 1965 Houston Astros picks in the MLB June amateur draft Baseball-Reference.com October 5, 2026 Barrett played seven seasons professionally through 1971, reaching as high as Triple-A with the Oklahoma City 89ers, first in 1968.https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=barret001ale Alex Barrett minor & winter leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 5, 2026 English native Keith Lampard, an outfielder at the University of Oregon whom the Astros chose as their second pick, would become their earliest draft pick to reach the major leagues. Lampard debuted with the Astros on September 15, 1969.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lampake01.shtml Keith Lampard stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 5, 2026 Danny Walton, selected in the tenth round, was the position player among this year's draft class for Houston who would appear in the most games in the major leagues (297),https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lampake01.shtml Danny Walton stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 5, 2026 while right-hander Tom Murphy, selected in the 18th round, would pitch the most games (439).https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphto02.shtml Tom Murphy stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 Murphy did not sign with Houston. Eleven of the 71 players chosen by the Astros this year reached the major leagues. The Astros passed the one-million mark in attendance for the first time on June 25, surpassing the prior year's totalhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baaseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 in under half a season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1965-schedule-scores.shtml#159 1965 Houston Astros schedule Baseball-Reference.com February 6, 2026 Eighteen-year-old Larry Dierker outdueled an ageless Warren Spahn—a quarter-century Dierker's senior—to lead the Astros to a 6–1 triumph over New York. Joe Morgan ignited the scoring with a two-run triple. Joe Morgan's six-hit game On July 8, rookie second baseman Joe Morgan established clubs records with six hits and 13 total bases, including two home runs, and also collected three RBI and four runs scored at Milwaukee County Stadium. The six hits tied the major league record for one game. His feats carried through Astros through an eventual 12-inning, 9–8 loss to the Milwaukee Braves.On May 7, 2018, George Springer tied the club record with six hits one game. "Note"Three other players had since connected for 13 total bases in one game: Lee May in 1974, Jeff Bagwell on June 24, 1994, and Morgan Ensberg in 2005. "Note"McTaggart Brian https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-best-single-game-hitting-performances Astros' best single-game hitting displays MLB.com January 11, 2021 September 18, 2025 This was the first multi-home run game of Morgan's career, with both drives courtesty of Tony Cloninger offerings. Early July Morgan scored his second career multi-home run game just two days after his record performance. On July 10, took Galen Cisco deep in the top of the fourth inning at Shea Stadium, and in the top of the ninth, Tug McGraw. His performance was instrumental in a 9–1 clobbering of the New York Mets. MLB All-Star Game Turk Farrell made the MLB All-Star Game, hosted at Metropolitan Stadium. His fourth selection as an Astro, this extended his own club record. Outfielder César Cedeño was chosen to four All-Star Game to match Farrell for the club record in the 1976 edition.As Major League Baseball held two All-Star Games each year from 1959 to 1962, Cedeño distinguished himself as the first Astro to make the All-Star team in four different seasons. lower-alpha "MLB All-Stars" This stood as club record until Craig Biggio would receive his fifth selection in the 1996 All-Star Gamehttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/bat-all-star.shtml Houston Astros All-Star player register Baseball-Refererence.com October 26, 2025 Later July—August On July 25, Nellie Fox made his final major league appearance as a player, against the Cincinnati Reds,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/foxne01.shtml Nellie Fox stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com May 9, 2026 having ceded the starting second base job to fellow future Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan. Fox had appeared in 21 games for Houston, batting .268.Zminda Don Bigelow Robert https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Nellie-Fox/ Nellie Fox biography Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) May 9, 2026 Fox remained on-field in his coaching role for the Astros for the remainder of the season and two more afterward.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/F/Pfox-n101.htm Nellie Fox Retrosheet May 9, 2026 thumb|Pitcher Robin Roberts, shown during his tenure with the Baltimore Orioles. During a span of eight outings initiated July 26, right-hander Dave Giusti retired 27 consecutive batters faced until August 14 to establish a club record. It remained as the club record 44 years until 2019 when surpassed by starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who accumulated 32. In 2022, Ryan Pressly also reached 32, which usurped Giusti for the club record for relief pitchers.Van Doren Kenny https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/onsi/opinions/houston-astros-season-review-ryan-pressly Houston Astros season in review: Ryan Pressly Sports Illustrated November 27, 2022 January 13, 2026 Veteran right-hander Robin Roberts made his Houston Astros debut at home on August 9, tossing a four-hit shutout while leading an 8–0 whitewashing of his former club, the Philadelphia Phillies.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=roberro01&t=p&year=1965 Robin Roberts 1965 pitching game logs Baseball-Reference.com February 15, 2026 The victory was the 277th of Roberts' career. On August 16, Roberts hurled his second successive four-hit shutout, this time of the Phillies' rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Astros triumphed, 3 to 0. Roberts issued two base on balls while whiffing seven. Roberts tossed another complete game in catenation on August 21, leading a 9–2 triumph over the Cubs. Roberts diffused nine hits and three walks while being charged with both runs as earned. September Hosting the Giants on September 13 at the Astrodome, Willie Mays crushed his 500th home run, and 47th of the season. Mays golfed a Don Nottebart offering deep to centerfield leading off the top of the fourth inning, depicted by Bob Stevens of the San Francisco Chronicle as a “monstrous, 440-foot blast into the centerfield bleachers.” At the time, the only hitters Mays had trailed were Babe Ruth (714), Jimmie Foxx (534), Ted Williams (521), and Mel Ott (511). The Giants scored three more times in the fourth, and behind a complete game effort from Juan Marichal, cruised, 5–1. Houston's only tally arrived via Jimmy Wynn's 21st home run in the bottom of the first inning.Wolf Gregory H. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-13-1965-willie-mays-clouts-500th-home-run/ Willie Mays clouts 500th home run Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) September 13, 1965 November 18, 2025 On September 26, Chuck Harrison belted a walk-off home run—also his first major league home run—to cap a 4–2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Harrison took Billy McCool deep, and the drive scored Lee Maye and Jimmy Wynn.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=harrich02&t=b Chuck Harrison career home runs Baseball-Reference.com February 22, 2026 Performance overview The Astros concluded the 1965 epoch with a 65 97 y record, in ninth place of ten National League clubs, and 32 games behind the pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1965.shtml 1965 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com January 1, 2026 In their first year at the Astrodome, Houston smashed attendance records with 2,151,470, nearly tripling the showing of fans from the year prior, for the second-highest total in the National League.This would remain the Astros' highest attendance-placing in the league throughout all their years as tenants of the Astrodome. The club would next reach a ranking as high as second place in 2021, as tenants of Minute Maid Park, doing so for the first of four successive campaigns.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml Houston Astros attendance, stadium, and park factors Baseball-Reference.com February 9, 2026 This was the premier campaign in which the Colt .45s/Astros franchise had claimed both of the one-million and two-million thresholds of attendees. The team next reached the 2-million barrier in 1980, during which they claimed their first-ever playoff qualification. However, the 97 defeats transformed into the franchise-worst record for Houston at the time, which surmounted the 96 losses the club had tallied in each of their first three seasons of existence. The 1975 and 1991 squads later equaled this record and, in 2011, the team overran the record with 106 losses. The 1965 iteration was the fourth of Houston's first seven campaigns in which they lost 90 or more contests, a franchise record. Houston totaled 25 home runs at the Astrodome during their first year in their new stadium, compared with 72 on the road. Morgan set club marks for at-bats (601), runs (100), hits (163) and triples (12) over a season.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 28, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1965.shtml 1965 Houston Astros statistics Baseball-Reference.com August 28, 2025 His 14 home runs established the club rookie record.Eclipsed by Glenn Davis in 1985. lower-alpha "Rookie home run record"Greene Nelson "Chip" https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-15-1985-jose-cruz-collects-his-2000th-hit/ September 15, 1985: José Cruz collects his 2,000th hit Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) October 1, 2018 November 4, 2025 Morgan also became the first Houston Astro to be selected as the NL Rookie Player of the Year by The Sporting News (TSN).lower-alpha "Sporting News Rookies"https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp2.shtml Rookie Player of the Year Award Baseball Almanac September 24, 2025 Meanwhile, Jim Wynn became Houston's first 40-stolen base bandit with 43, retaining the club record until Sonny Jackson pilfered 49 the following year.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 1, 2026 League standings Houston Astros Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Notable transactions April 24, 1965: Don Larsen was traded by the Astros to the Baltimore Orioles for Bob Saverine and cash.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saverbo01.shtml Bob Saverine stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 May 23, 1965: Ken Johnson and Jim Beauchamp were traded by the Astros to the Milwaukee Braves for Lee Maye.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mayele01.shtml Lee Maye stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 June 14, 1965: Gus Triandos was purchased by the Astros from the Philadelphia Phillies.https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/triangu01.shtml Gus Triandos stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com July 15, 2023 July 10, 1965: Frank Thomas was purchased by the Astros from the Philadelphia Phillies.https://www.baseball-reference.com/t/thomafr03.shtml Frank Thomas stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com March 9, 2021 August 20, 1965: Gus Triandos was released by the Astros. September 1, 1965: Frank Thomas was traded by the Astros to the Milwaukee Braves for a player to be named later. The Braves completed the deal by sending Mickey Sinnerud (minors) to the Astros on September 11. Roster 1965 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 46 Don Arlich 30 Bob Bruce 44 Danny Coombs 35 Mike Cuellar 49 Larry Dierker 13 Turk Farrell 39 Dave Giusti 40 Ken Johnson 34 Gordon Jones 31 Jack Lamabe 31 Don Larsen 40,48 Don Lee 34 Ken MacKenzie 43 Don Nottebart 33 Jim Owens 21 Jim Ray 36 Claude Raymond 38 Robin Roberts 41 Carroll Sembera 40,46 Ron Taylor 42 Bruce Von Hoff 46 Hal Woodeshick 37 Chris Zachary Catchers  8 Dave Adlesh  7 John Bateman  9 Ron Brand  9 John Hoffman  7 Gus Triandos Infielders 14 Bob Aspromonte 23 Walt Bond  2 Nellie Fox 52,4 Jim Gentile 35 Chuck Harrison 19 Sonny Jackson 11 Eddie Kasko 15 Bob Lillis 25 Jim Mahoney 18 Joe Morgan 31 Frank Thomas 16 Mike White Outfielders 20 Jim Beauchamp 28 Joe Gaines 20 Lee Maye 34 Norm Miller 21 Al Spangler 10 Rusty Staub 24 Jimmy Wynn Other batters 27 Gene Ratliff Manager 26 Lum Harris Coaches  3 Jimmy Adair 4,41 Jim Busby (Third base)  6 Clint Courtney  2 Nellie Fox  5 Howie Pollet Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen basesPositional abbreviations: C = Catcher; 1B = First base; 2B = Second base; 3B = Third base; SS = Shortstop; LF = Left field; CF = Center field; RF = Right field Pos Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg. HR RBI SB C Ron Brand 117 391 27 92 6 3 .235 2 37 10 1B Walt Bond 117 407 46 107 17 2 .263 7 47 2 2B Joe Morgan 157 601 100 163 22 12 .271 14 40 20 3B Bob Aspromonte 152 578 53 152 15 2 .263 5 52 2 SS Bob Lillis 124 408 34 90 12 1 .221 1 38 2 LF Lee Maye 108 415 38 104 17 7 .251 3 36 1 CF Jim Wynn 157 564 90 155 30 7 .275 22 73 43 RF Rusty Staub 131 410 43 105 20 1 .256 14 63 3 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg. HR RBI SB Joe Gaines 100 229 21 52 8 1 .227 6 31 4 Jim Gentile 81 227 22 55 11 1 .242 7 31 0 Eddie Kasko 68 215 18 53 7 1 .247 1 10 1 John Bateman John Bateman (baseball) 45 142 15 28 3 1 .197 7 14 4 Al Spangler 38 112 18 24 1 1 .214 1 7 1 Gus Triandos 24 72 5 13 2 0 .181 2 7 0 Frank Thomas Frank Thomas (outfielder) 23 58 7 10 2 0 .172 3 9 0 Jim Beauchamp 24 53 5 10 1 0 .189 0 4 0 Chuck Harrison Chuck Harrison (baseball) 15 45 2 9 4 0 .200 1 9 0 Nellie Fox 21 41 3 11 2 0 .268 0 1 0 Dave Adlesh 15 34 2 5 1 0 .147 0 3 0 Sonny Jackson 10 23 1 3 0 0 .130 0 0 1 Norm Miller Norm Miller (baseball) 11 15 2 3 0 1 .200 0 1 0 Mike White Mike White (baseball) 8 9 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 John Hoffman John Hoffman (baseball) 2 6 1 2 0 0 .333 0 1 0 Jim Mahoney 5 5 0 1 0 0 .200 0 0 0 Gene Ratliff 4 4 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts Player G GS IP W L ERA R ER BB K Bob Bruce 35 34 229.2 9 18 3.72 107 95 38 145 Turk Farrell 33 29 208.1 11 11 3.50 94 81 35 122 Don Nottebart 29 25 158.0 4 15 4.67 99 82 55 77 Larry Dierker 26 19 146.2 7 8 3.50 69 57 37 109 Robin Roberts Robin Roberts (baseball) 10 10 76.0 5 2 1.89 22 16 10 34 Ken Johnson Ken Johnson (right-handed pitcher) 8 8 51.2 3 2 4.18 25 24 11 28 Don Arlich 1 1 6.0 0 0 3.00 2 2 1 0 Don Larsen 1 1 5.1 0 0 5.06 3 3 3 1 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts Player G GS IP W L SV ERA R ER BB K Dave Giusti 38 13 131.1 8 7 3 4.32 67 63 46 92 Claude Raymond Claude Raymond (baseball) 33 7 96.1 7 4 5 2.90 35 31 16 79 Jack Lamabe 3 2 12.2 0 2 0 4.26 9 6 3 6 Chris Zachary 4 2 10.2 0 2 0 4.22 6 5 6 4 Jim Ray 3 2 7.2 0 2 0 10.57 9 9 6 7 Carroll Sembera 2 1 7.1 0 1 0 3.68 3 3 3 4 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts Player G IP W L SV ERA R ER BB K Jim Owens Jim Owens (baseball) 50 71.1 6 5 8 3.28 28 26 29 53 Ron Taylor Ron Taylor (baseball) 32 57.2 1 5 4 6.40 42 41 16 37 Mike Cuellar 25 56.0 1 4 2 3.54 24 22 21 46 Danny Coombs 26 47.0 0 2 0 4.79 26 25 23 35 Ken MacKenzie 21 37.0 0 3 0 3.89 22 16 6 26 Hal Woodeshick 27 32.1 3 4 3 3.06 13 11 18 22 Don Lee Don Lee (baseball) 7 8.0 0 0 0 3.38 3 3 3 3 Bruce Von Hoff 3 3.0 0 0 0 9.00 3 3 2 1 Gordon Jones Gordon Jones (baseball) 1 1.0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0 Major League Baseball draft 1965 Major League Baseball draft Houston Astros 1965 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 4 Alex Barrett 1 6 Shortstop Atwater High (CA) California Y 2 24 Keith Lampard O Outfielder Oregon United Kingdom Y MLB debut on September 15, 1969, for Houston "MLB" 3 44 James Monin 1 6 Shortstop Kentucky Kentucky Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=monin-001jam James Monin minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 4 76 Pat Jacquez 1 Right-handed pitcher Amos Alonzo Stagg (CA) California N Signed with the Chicago Cubs from the January secondary phase draft in 1967. "Re-entry"MLB debut on April 18, 1971, for Chicago White Sox "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacqupa01.shtml Pat Jacquez stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 5 96 Billy Martin 1 O Outfielder Colonial Heights (VA) Virginia N Signed with the Washington Senators from the 1967 draft. "Re-entry" https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin005bil Billy Martin leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 6 116 David Fyfe 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Hillsborough High (FL) Florida Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fyfe--001dav David Fyfe minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 7 136 Ken Chelini 1 1.1 Left-handed pitcher Gailileo High (CA) California Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chelin001ken Ken Chelini minor & winter leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 8 142 Daniel Rudanovich 1 O Outfielder Missouri Missouri N Signed with the Boston Red Sox from the January 1966 secondary phase draft. "Re-entry" https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rudano001dan Daniel Rudanovich minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 9 184 Larry Hall 1 O Outfielder Centreville High Maryland N https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hall--003lar Larry Hall minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 10 192 Danny Walton O Outfielder Bishop Amat Memorial (CA) California Y MLB debut on April 20, 1968, for Houston "MLB" 11 202 Gary Gentry 1 Right-handed pitcher Phoenix Arizona N Signed with the New York Mets from the June 1967 secondary phase draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on April 10, 1969, for New York "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gentrga01.shtml Gary Gentry stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 18 364 Tom Murphy pitcher 1 Right-handed pitcher Ohio Ohio N Signed with the California Angels from the January 1967 secondary phase draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on June 13, 1968, for California "MLB" 25 484 Buzz Stephen 1 Right-handed pitcher Fresno California N Signed with the Minnesota Twins from the June 1966 secondary phase draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on September 20, 1968, for Minnesota "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stephbu01.shtml Buzz Stephen stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 36 665 Jerry DaVanon O Outfielder San Diego Mesa California N Signed with the St. Louis Cardinals from the June 1966 secondary phase draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on April 11, 1969, for the San Diego Padres "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davanje01.shtml Jerry DaVanon stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 6, 2026 46 738 Mel Behney 1.1 Left-handed pitcher Verona High New Jersey N Signed with the Cincinnati Reds from the June 1968 draft. "Re-entry"MLB debut on April 11, 1970, for Cincinnati "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/behneme01.shtml Mel Behney stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 15, 2026 Sources: Awards and honors Career honors AstrosRet 32.PNG Jim Umbricht Houston Astros 32 1965 + Career honors received in 1965 Honor / mention received Individual Role Uni. Uniform number retired Start Start of Colt .45s/Astros career Finish Finish of Colt .45s/Astros career ASG Total All-Star Games during Colt .45s/Astros career Bio. / Games Biographical data or total number of games with team Summ. Career statistics & achievements Houston Astros uniform numbers retired Jim Umbricht Pitcher 32 1962 1963 — 69 games https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/umbriji01.shtml Jim Umbricht stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 21, 2025 Ref.: Annual awards 1965 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Houston Astros Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) Jimmy Wynn 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 Reserve pitcher Turk Farrell The Sporting News NL Rookie Player of the Yearlower-alpha "Sporting News Rookies" Joe Morgan Topps All-Star Rookie Team Second baseman 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—Mays (SFG) • 31st—Morgan (HOU) https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1965.shtml 1965 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com May 4, 2026 NL Rookie of the Year 1st—Lefebvre (LAD) • 2nd—Morgan (HOU) League leaders NL batting leaders Bases on balls: Joe Morgan (97—led MLB) Other + 1965 grand slams No. Number Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score None Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Oklahoma City 89ers Pacific Coast League Grady Hatton AA Amarillo Sonics Texas League Lou Fitzgerald A Durham Bulls Carolina League Dave Philley A Cocoa Astros Florida State League Billy Goodman A Salisbury Astros Western Carolinas League Chuck Churn Rookie FRL Astros Florida Rookie League Joe Frazier Championships Pacific Coast League champions:https://www.mlb.com/milb/history/champions-by-league#pacific Champions by League Pacific Coast League Minor League Baseball June 19, 2026 Oklahoma City Florida Rookie League champions: FRL Astros Awards Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player (PCL MVP):https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/Pacific_Coast_League_MVP.shtml Pacific Coast League MVP Award Baseball Almanac June 19, 2026 Dave Roberts, OF Texas League Most Valuable Player (TL MVP):https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/awards/Tex-POY/ Texas League Player of the Year The Baseball Cube August 29, 2025 Leo Posada, OF Topps Minor League Player of the Year: Dave Roberts, OFhttps://www.thetoppsarchives.com/2014/03/ Scout's honor The Topps Archives March 25, 2014 August 24, 2025 See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball retired numbers List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders Notes "Note" MLB Re-entry References 2 External links 1965 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference 1965 Houston Astros at Baseball Almanac Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Houston Astro Category:1960s in Houston