1968 Houston Astros season

Seventh season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1968 National League Astrodome Houston, Texas 72 90 y 10th Roy Hofheinz Spec Richardson Grady Hatton, Harry Walker KTRK-TV KPRC (AM)(Gene Elston, Loel Passe, Harry Kalas) The 1968 Houston Astros season was the seventh season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their fourth as the Astros, seventh in the National League (NL), and fourth at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a record of 68–93, in ninth place and 32 1 2 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals. On April 10, pitcher Larry Dierker made his first career Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates and won, 5–4. During the amateur draft, Houston's first round selection was catcher Martin Cott, at third overall, and in the 18th round, pitcher Ken Forsch. For the first time, the Astros hosted the MLB All-Star Game at The Astrodome, with the NL defeating the American League (AL), 1–0.The next time the Astros hosted the All-Star Game was in 1986, also at The Astrodome. "Note" First baseman Rusty Staub represented the Astros and played for the National League at the All-Star Game, his second career selection. With an 18-strikeout performance on July 14, right-hander Don Wilson matched the then-major league record for a single game.Set by Bob Feller in 1938, matched by Sandy Koufax in 1959 and 1962, and surpassed by Steve Carlton in 1969. "Note" The Astros concluded their season with a record of 72–90, an improvement of three wins, in tenth place of 10 teams and 25 games behind the repeat NL-pennant winning Cardinals. It was the first time the Astros finished a season in last place. Shortstop Héctor Torres was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Along with MLB's expansion featuring the introduction of four new franchisesThe Kansas City Royals (AL), Montreal Expos (NL), San Diego Padres (NL), and Seattle Pilots (AL). "Note" and an extra playoff roundThe League Championship Series (LCS). "Note", this was also the final season prior to MLB's divisional era. Hence, all teams were realigned into four newly commissioned divisions beginning the following season, with the Astros to compete in the NL West. Offseason October 17, 1967: Bob Lillis was released by the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lillibo01.shtml Bob Lillis stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 October 25, 1967: César Cedeño was signed as an amateur free agent by the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cedence01.shtml César Cedeño stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 November 28, 1967: Doc Edwards was drafted from the Astros by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1967 minor league draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/edwardo01.shtml Doc Edwards stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 Regular season Summary April—June thumb|right|upright|Bob Aspromonte, 1962, started on Opening Day for each of the Colt .45s/Astros' first seven campaigns. + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 22 Ron Davis Center fielder 18 Joe Morgan Second baseman 8 Hal King Catcher 10 Rusty Staub First baseman 24 Jimmy Wynn Left fielder 21 Norm Miller Right fielder 14 Bob Aspromonte Third baseman 15 Héctor Torres Shortstop 49 Larry Dierker Pitcher Venue: Astrodome • Final: Houston 5, Pittsburgh 4 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196804100HOU Pittsburgh Pirates (4) vs Houston Astros (5) box score Baseball Almanac April 10, 1968 October 13, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1968-uniform-numbers.shtml 1968 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 The start of the 1968 season, delayed to due to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.,Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily September 7, 2025 commenced for Houston on April 10. On a walk-off hit, the Astros triumphed, 5–4, over the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the bottom of the second, Norm Miller took Jim Bunning deep for the Astros' first home run of the new campaign. Down 4–2 in the bottom of the ninth, Ivan Murrell plated Joe Morgan via a run batted in (RBI) single. Bob Aspromonte then tripled in Murrell and Julio Gotay to deliver the decisive run. Larry Dierker started for Houston and earned the complete game victory, with all four runs as earned, including Roberto Clemente's game-tying home run in the top of the third.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196804100.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates (4) vs Houston Astros (5) box score April 10, 1968 Baseball-Reference.com January 10, 2026 Aspromonte's walk-off triple was the first in club history.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&team_id=HOU&event=22&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T HOU: 5 triples in 1962–2025—Walk-off Stathead Sports Reference February 23, 2026 The starting third baseman in 1968 and for each of the first seven of Colt .45s/Astros Opening Day starting lineups, Aspromonte was the only player to have remained a constituent of each.Wernick Mark https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bob-aspromonte/#_edn19 Bob Aspromonte biography Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) December 1, 2018 February 8, 2026 On April 14, New York Mets handed the Astros their first defeat of the season, 4–0. It was in that contest that young Mets phenom—and future Astro—Nolan Ryan earned his first major league victory. For the first five innings, Ryan held the Astros hitless.Boston Talmadge https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Nolan-Ryan/ Nolan Ryan biography Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) January 4, 2012 January 11, 2026 The Astros mounted their greatest scoring threat during the bottom of the sixth, trailing the Mets, 2–0. With two outs and Lee Thomas on third base and Morgan on second, Ryan retired Rusty Staub looking to emerge from the inning unscathed.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196804140.shtml New York Mets (4) vs Houston Astros (0) box score April 14, 1968 Baseball-Reference.com January 11, 2026 Ryan tossed 6 2 3 frames of shutout ball prior to departing due to a blister on his pitching hand. The Astros and Mets took their April 15 contest to 24 innings at the Astrodome, with Houston prevailing 1–0.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com September 7, 2025 This was the longest shutout in major league history, lasting more than 6 hours before anyone scored. During the final inning, Bob Aspromonte's ground ball rolled through the legs of Al Weis, allowing Norm Miller to charge home and score for the walk-off win. Catchers Hal King and Jerry Grote played through the entire contest. Jim Ray, who took the mound in the 14th for Houston, surrendered just two hitsRiis Richard https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-15-1968-the-astrodome-marathon-astros-beat-mets-1-0-in-24-inning-duel/ The Astrodome Marathon: Astros beat Mets 1–0 in 24-inning duel Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) April 15, 1968 December 25, 2025 over seven innings and established a club record for relievers by fanning 11.Surpassed record of 10 by Bob Bruce on May 4, 1962, against the Milwaukee Braves. lower-alpha "Relief K record"https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/strikeouts.html The Strikeout Zone Astros Daily December 25, 2025 With the victory raising their record to 5 1 y, the Astros climbed to a season-high 4 games over .500.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1968-schedule-scores.shtml 1968 Houston Astros schedule Baseball-Reference.com December 25, 2025 Concurrent with a pitching duel on June 1 between the Chicago Cubs and the Astros at the Astrodome, Judge Hofheinz hosted the opening of Astroworld. Houston's newest amusement park, Astroworld was situated across the I-610 from the Astrodome.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/1/24440976/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 1 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 1, 2025 July 18, 2025 Though games around Major League Baseball were postponed on June 10 in connection to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, two Houston Astros were fined for not playing in their game.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/10/24446609/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 10 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 10, 2025 July 2, 2025 MLB All-Star Game at the Astrodome On July 9, the Astrodome hosted the MLB All-Star Game for the first time, the 39th edition, with the NL playing the American League (AL). San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays, who scored the game's only run as the National League prevailed, 1–0, was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award winner.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 In a season hallmarked by some of the most dominant pitching of the modern era, the game depicted a microcosm of the times. In the bottom of the first inning, Mays scored the game's only run via a fielder's choice off a sharp Willie McCovey ground ball which the AL converted into a double play. The American League managed three hits while the NL collected five. This was the first-ever 1–0 score to result in the Midsummer Classic.Riis Richard https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-9-1968-all-star-parade-of-pitchers-in-the-year-of-the-pitcher/ July 9, 1968: All-Star parade of pitchers in the 'Year of the Pitcher' Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) September 12, 2018 October 13, 2025 The loudest cheers from the hometown crowd erupted for first baseman Rusty Staub—representing the Astros as a reserve—and for Mickey Mantle. In the sixth inning, Staub popped out to third base as a pinch hitter for Denny McLain. In the eighth inning, Mantle pinch hit in what would be his final All-Star Game appearance and struck out against Tom Seaver. Don Wilson's 18-strikeout game Right-hander Don Wilson fanned 18 Cincinnati Reds on July 14 to establish the Houston Astros club record for one game, and, at the time, equaled the major league record. The historic outing transpired during the second game of a doubleheader at Crosley Field, in which Houston won, 6–1.Dick Peebles https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/19680714/index.html Wilson's record performance routs Reds July 14, 1968 Houston Chronicle Astros Daily September 7, 2025 Cincinnati was loaded with offensive talent, pacing the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, hits, runs scored, doubles, and total bases. Meanwhile, the Astros ranked eighth in runs per game, last in defensive efficiency, and seventh in runs per game surrendered. However, they led the league in strikeouts.Lynch Mike https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-14-1968-astros-don-wilson-strikes-out-18-ties-two-records/ Astros' Don Wilson strikes out 18, ties two records Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) July 14, 1968 December 2, 2025 Each member of Cincinnati's starting lineup struck out at least once except outfielder Alex Johnson, who also scored the Reds' only run. The final out of the contest—and Wilson's final strikeout victim—was rookie Johnny Bench, whom he punched out looking. In all, Wilson allowed five hits, two walks, and earned a complete game and a game score of 89.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196807142.shtml Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds box score—Game 2 July 14, 1968 Baseball-Reference.com September 7, 2025 The 18 strikeouts represented Wilson's permanent career high.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/W/PX_wilsd102.htm Top performances for Don Wilson Retrosheet November 22, 2025 Dick Simpson homered off Gerry Arrigo in the top of the third inning for the first run of the contest. During the bottom of the fourth frame, with Tony Pérez batting, Johnson on third, and Lee May on first, the latter two executed a double steal. Johnson's steal was of home, which tied the score, 1–1. The run was unearned due to a throwing error on catcher John Bateman. In the top of the fifth, the Astros resumed the lead with run-scoring singles by Jimmy Wynn and Bob Aspromonte, at 3–1. Wilson's performance matched the modern major league record over a nine-inning game first established by Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians on October 2, 1938, when he whiffed 18 Detroit Tigers. Sandy Koufax equaled the record twice, for the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 31, 1959, against the San Francisco Giants, and again on April 24, 1962, against the Chicago Cubs. The year after Wilson, Steve Carlton of the St. Louis Cardinals punched out 19 New York Mets on September 15, 1969, to surpass the single-game major league record. Having whiffed nine through the third inning against Cincinnati, Wilson tied the Major League record (Mickey Welch, 1884, and Herb Score, 1955).https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_strik.shtml MLB strikeout records set by pitchers Baseball Almanac November 29, 2025 Rest of July Jimmy Wynn blasted his 100th career home run on July 26, deep to center field at the Astrodome, off Frank Linzy of San Francisco.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=wynnji01&t=b Jimmy Wynn career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 7, 2025 Wynn became the first player to reach this milestone as a member of the Astros, who won, 4–1. Wynn connected during the bottom of the eighth inning for three runs batted in (RBI) to augment the Astros' lead to 4–0. Dick Simpson led Houston with three hits while furnishing the first RBI. Denny Lemaster, who came within one out of earning the complete game, surrendered his only run in the ninth inning, while scattering 7 hits.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196807260.shtml San Francisco Giants (1) Houston Astros (4) box score July 26, 1968 baseball-reference.com November 7, 2025 August During the lidlifter of a doubleheader at Forbes Field on August 10, Norm Miller cranked his first grand slam, Doug Rader swatted five hits with three doubles (10), and the Houston plastered the Pirates, 16–3.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196808101.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates (3) vs Houston Astros (16) box score Baseball Reference August 10, 1968 August 30, 2026 Rader established career highs in the two aforementioned categories, and another with 4 RBI.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/R/PX_raded103.htm Top performances for Doug Rader Retrosheet August 30, 2026 In the nightcap, Rader basted a two-run home run for his seventh consecutive hit and sixth RBI of the day. However, the Bucs rallied to plunder the second bout, 7–4, and split the twinbill. September Just two months after showcasing his career-high 18 punchouts, on September 10, Don Wilson reprised that feat with 16, striking again against Cincinnati during the first game of a doubleheader at Crosley Field.This contest had been rescheduled from July 15 due to rain, the day after Wilson's 18-strikeout performance. lower-alpha "Wilson big strikeout games" Catcher John Bateman started the scoring in the top of the second with a sacrifice fly for Houston. In the bottom of the inning, Cincinnati's catcher Johnny Bench took Wilson deep. At the plate, Wilson went 1-for-3 and scored a run. Cincinnati pitching issued three intentional bases on balls with two going to Leon McFadden. Right fielder José Herrera stroked a bases-loaded double in the top of the fifth to score McFadden and Wilson, which proved the game's pivotal play. A wild pitch from Wilson in the bottom of the fifth plated Tony Pérez, but that was the limit of the scoring as Houston prevailed, 3–2, Bench and Pete Rose with 3 strikeouts each, were Wilson's frequent strikeout victims. Wilson, who went the distance with a game score of 81, upped his record to 13–14.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196809101.shtml Houston Astros (3) vs Cincinnati Reds (2) box score September 10, 1968 Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 The 16 strikeouts represented the second-highest of Wilson's career. Performance overview The Astros concluded their season with a record of 72–90, in tenth place of 10 teams and 25 games behind the repeat NL-pennant winning St. Louis Cardinals.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1968.shtml 1968 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 In spite of an improvement of three wins, it was the first time the Astros finished a season in last place. At the time, the 72 wins represented the most in a season in franchise history, tying the 1966 squad. The following year, Houston improved by 9 wins to attain their first-ever .500 season at 81–81. This would break a streak of each of the first 7 consecutive seasons in franchise history ending with 90 losses or more. The 1969 campaign also represented the first year of divisional play, situating the Astros into the newly commissioned National League West division. The Astros would not lose 90 or more games over successive campaigns for more than four decades until 2010 to 2014.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baaseball-Reference.com October 13, 2025 Houston's starting rotation featured four hurlers who each tallied double-figures in wins that year: Wilson (13), Larry Dierker (12) Dave Giusti (11) and Denny Lemaster (10). At the time, Mike Cuellar (2.74) and Lemaster (2.81) posted the second- and third-lowest ERA in club history among left-handers, behind only Cuellar himself in 1966 (2.22). The 1968 figures were later surpassed by Bob Knepper (2.18 in 1981), Andy Pettitte (2.39 in 2005) and Dallas Keuchel (2.48 in 2015).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 The 1968 campaign was the final in Houston for Bob Aspromonte, the lone remaining member of the inaugural 1962 Colt .45s. The club dealt him following the season to the Atlanta Braves for utility player Marty Martínez.Another "last" distinction that Aspromonte held was the last active player to the wear the uniform of the Brooklyn Dodgers as of his retirement in 1971.https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Aspromonte_Bob.html Player profile—Bob Aspromonte Astros Daily February 8, 2026 Though not a power hitter, Aspromonte departed Houston as the career leader in grand slams (six)Surpassed by Carlos Lee. and walk-off home runs (four).Surpassed by José Cruz and Carlos Lee. HOU: 110 home runs in 1912–2025 – walk-offhttps://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1912&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder Stathead Sports Reference February 16, 2026 With the advent of divisional play for 1969, Major League Baseball held an expansion round to introduce four expansion teams: the Montreal Expos in the National League East division,https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/ Washington Nationals team history & encyclopedia Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 the San Diego Padres in the NL West,https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/ San Diego Padres team history & encyclopedia Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 and both the Kansas City Royalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/ Kansas City Royals team history & encyclopedia Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 and Seattle Pilots in the American League West.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ Milwaukee Brewers team history & encyclopedia Baseball-Reference.com November 22, 2025 League standings Houston Astros Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Notable transactions May 4, 1968: Aaron Pointer was traded by the Astros to the Chicago Cubs for Byron Browne.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/brownby01.shtml Byron Browne stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 June 8, 1968: Larry Yount was drafted by the Astros in the 5th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/y/yountla01.shtml Larry Yount stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com January 11, 2026 Roster 1968 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 36 Wade Blasingame 30 John Buzhardt 31 Danny Coombs 35 Mike Cuellar 49 Larry Dierker 44 Tom Dukes 33 Hal Gilson 39 Dave Giusti 48 Fred Gladding 43 Pat House 23 Denny Lemaster 45 Jim Ray 40 Steve Shea 40 Don Wilson Catchers  6 Dave Adlesh  7 John Bateman  9 Ron Brand  8 Hal King Infielders 14 Bob Aspromonte 17 Julio Gotay 00 John Mayberry 20 Leon McFadden 11 Denis Menke 18 Joe Morgan 12 Doug Rader 10 Rusty Staub 15 Héctor Torres Outfielders 37 Byron Browne 27 Nate Colbert 22 Ron Davis 22 José Herrera 21 Norm Miller 20 Ivan Murrell 37 Dick Simpson 28 Lee Thomas 27 Bob Watson 24 Jimmy Wynn Other batters 50 Danny Walton Manager  1 Grady Hatton 25 Harry Walker Coaches  4 Buddy Hancken  3 Mel McGaha  5 Jim Owens  2 Salty Parker Game log Regular season Legend Astros win Astros loss Postponement Eliminated from playoff raceBoldAstros team member background:#072854;color:#FF7F00; 1968 regular season game log: 72–90 (Home: 42–39; Away: 30–51)1968 Houston Astros Schedule & Results https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1968-schedule-scores.shtml Baseball-Reference.com 7 May 2025 y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; April: 7–10 (Home: 6–2; Away: 1–8) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |— || April 9, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates || colspan=8 style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |Postponed (Funeral of Martin Luther King Jr.) (Makeup date: April 10) |- style="background:#bfb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |1 || April 10, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |7 || April 17, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; May: 14–14 (Home: 8–6; Away: 6–8) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; June: 11–19 (Home: 8–11; Away: 3–8) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |52 || June 7, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#bfb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |53 || June 8, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |54 || June 9, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |57 || June 14, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |58 || June 15, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |59 (1) || June 16, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |60 (2) || June 16, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |61 || June 17, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; July: 13–17 (Home: 4–8; Away: 9–9) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |-style=background:#bbbfff | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |— || July 9, 1968 || style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |7:15p.m. CDT || colspan="9" style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |39th All-Star Game in Houston, TX |- y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; August: 19–13 (Home: 11–6; Away: 8–7) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |113 || August 8, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#bfb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |114 || August 9, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#bfb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |115 (1) || August 10, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |116 (2) || August 10, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- style="background:#bfb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |117 || August 11, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |Pirates |- y background:#FF7F00;color:#072854; September: 8–17 (Home: 5–6; Away: 3–11) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |139 (1) || September 2, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |140 (2) || September 2, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- style="background:#fbb;" | style="Houston Astros 1968 2;" |141 || September 3, 1968 || || style="Pittsburgh Pirates 1968 2;" |@ Pirates |- Detailed records National League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs againstHouston Astros Pittsburgh Pirates 5 13 5 13 y 57 90 Season Total 5 13 5 13 y 57 90 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April May June July August September Total Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home Away Total 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 111 350 87 .249 4 33 1B Rusty Staub 161 591 172 .291 6 72 2B Denis Menke 150 542 135 .249 6 56 SS Héctor Torres 128 466 104 .223 1 24 3B Doug Rader 98 333 89 .267 6 43 LF Bob Watson 45 140 32 .229 2 8 CF Jimmy Wynn 156 542 146 .269 26 67 RF Norm Miller 79 257 61 .237 6 28 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 Bob Aspromonte 124 409 92 .225 1 46 Ron Davis 52 217 46 .212 1 12 Lee Thomas 90 201 39 .194 1 11 Dick Simpson 59 177 33 .186 3 11 Julio Gotay 75 165 41 .248 1 11 Dave Adlesh 40 104 19 .183 0 4 José Herrera José Herrera (1960s outfielder) 27 100 24 .240 0 7 Ron Brand 43 81 13 .160 0 4 Ivan Murrell 32 59 6 .102 0 3 Hal King 27 55 8 .145 0 2 Nate Colbert 20 53 8 .151 0 4 Leon McFadden 16 47 13 .277 0 1 Joe Morgan 10 20 5 .250 0 0 Byron Browne baseball 10 13 3 .231 0 1 John Mayberry 4 9 0 .000 0 0 Danny Walton 2 2 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 Dave Giusti 37 251.0 11 14 3.19 186 Larry Dierker 32 233.2 12 15 3.31 161 Denny Lemaster 33 224.0 10 15 2.81 146 Don Wilson 33 208.2 13 16 3.28 175 Mike Cuellar 28 170.2 8 11 2.74 133 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 Steve Shea 30 4 4 6 3.38 15 Tom Dukes 43 2 2 4 4.27 37 Jim Ray 41 2 3 1 2.67 71 Danny Coombs 40 4 3 2 3.28 29 John Buzhardt 39 4 4 5 3.12 37 Wade Blasingame 22 1 2 1 4.75 22 Pat House 18 1 1 0 7.71 6 Fred Gladding 7 0 0 2 14.54 2 Hal Gilson 2 0 0 0 7.36 1 Major League Baseball draft 1968 Major League Baseball draft Houston Astros 1968 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 Martin Cott 1 2 Catcher Hutchinson Central Technical New York (state) Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cott--001mar Martin Cott minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 2 23 Rich Chiles O Outfielder Winters High California Y MLB debut on April 20, 1971, for Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chileri01.shtml Rich Chiles stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 3 43 Bill Greif 1 Right-handed pitcher John H. Reagan High Texas Y MLB debut on July 19, 1971, for Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greifbi01.shtml Bill Greif stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 4 63 Larry Mansfield 1 3 First baseman Tennessee Tennessee Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mansfi001lar Larry Mansfield minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 5 87 Larry Yount 1 Right-handed pitcher William Howard Taft Charter (CA) Texas Y MLB debut on September 15, 1971, for Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yountla01.shtml Larry Yount stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 6 111 John Grant 1 1.1 Left-handed pitcher Westchester High California Y https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=grant-003joh John Grant minor & winter leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 7 135 Greg Pavlick 1 1 Right-handed pitcher Thomas A. Edison High Washington D.C. N Signed with the New York Mets from the 1971 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase (Delayed). "Re-entry" https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pavlic001gre Greg Pavlick minor leagues statistics Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 18 399 Ken Forsch 1 Right-handed pitcher Oregon State California Y MLB debut on September 7, 1970, for Houston "MLB" https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/forscke01.shtml Ken Forsch stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 Sources:https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=HOU&year_ID=1968&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_jc=0 1968 Houston Astros picks in the MLB June amateur draft Baseball Reference October 17, 2026 Awards and achievements Grand slams No. Number hit by this team Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 August 10Game 1 of doubleheader Norm Miller baseball1st MLB grand slam Forbes Field 8 Roy Face Pittsburgh Pirates Awards 1968 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Denis Menke 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 infielder Rusty Staub Topps All-Star Rookie Team Shortstop Héctor Torres 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 Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Oklahoma City 89ers Pacific Coast League Cot Deal AA Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs Texas League Hub Kittle A Greensboro Patriots Carolina League Brandy Davis A Cocoa Astros Florida State League Tony Pacheco and Leo Posada Rookie Covington Astros Appalachian League Tony Pacheco See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball All-Star Game venues List of pitchers who have struck out 18 or more batters in a nine-inning baseball game Notes "Note" MLB Re-entry References 2 External links 1968 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Houston Astro Category:1960s in Houston