1963 Houston Colt .45s season

Second season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Colt .45s March 2026 November 2013 Houston Colt .45s 1963 National League Colt Stadium Houston, Texas 66 96 y 9th Roy Hofheinz Paul Richards Harry Craft KHOU (TV)(Gene Elston, Guy Savage, Loel Passe) KPRC (AM)(Gene Elston, Loel Passe, Mickey Herskowitz) 1962 Houston Colt .45s season The 1963 Houston Colt .45s season was the second season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, a member of the National League (NL) based at Colt Stadium, The Colt .45s entered the season having finished their inaugural season with a 64–96–2 record, qualifying for eighth place and 36 1 2 games behind the NL pennant-winning San Francisco Giants. On April 9, pitcher Turk Farrell made his only Opening Day start for the Colt .45s, who hosted the San Francisco Giants but were defeated, 9–2. Colt .45s starting pitchers established a franchise record by registering five contests with a game score of 90 or higher. One such outing was by Don Nottebart, who pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history on May 17, by which Houston defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 4–1. This no-hitter was also just the second in major league history to have been thrown by an individual pitcher which did not result in a shutout. Pitcher Hal Woodeshick was selected to represent the Colt .45s at the MLB All-Star Game, his lone career selection. The Colt .45s finished with a record of 66–96, in ninth place and 33 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. First baseman Rusty Staub was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team, the first Colt 45s rookie so named. Offseason The expansion Colt .45s concluded their inaugural season with a 64 96 2 y record, ranking in eighth place in the National League (NL), 36 1 2 games behind the NL pennant-winning San Francisco Giants.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1962.shtml 1962 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com February 15, 2026 The team drew 924,456 patrons, ranking seventh in the National League.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml Houston Astros attendance, stadium, and park factors Baseball-Reference.com February 9, 2026 Right-hander Turk Farrell became the first All-Star in franchise history, while left-hander Bobby Shantz earned the first Gold Glove Award.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1962.shtml 1962 Houston Colt .45s statistics Baseball-Reference.com February 15, 2026 November 1, 1962: Joe Morgan was signed as an amateur free agent by the Colt .45s.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/morgajo02.shtml Joe Morgan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 6, 2025 November 26, 1962: Conrad Cardinal was drafted by the Colt .45s from the Detroit Tigres in the 1962 first-year draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cardico01.shtml Conrad Cardinal stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 6, 2025 November 26, 1962: Ellis Burton was drafted by the Colt .45s from the Milwaukee Braves in the 1962 rule 5 draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/burtoel01.shtml Ellis Burton stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com September 6, 2025 November 26, 1962: Don Taussig was drafted from the Colt .45s by the Milwaukee Braves in the 1962 minor league draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/taussdo01.shtml Don Taussig stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 19, 2025 November 30, 1962: Joey Amalfitano was traded by the Colt .45s to the San Francisco Giants for Manny Mota and Dick LeMay.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/motama01.shtml Manny Mota stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 19, 2025 November 30, 1962: Norm Larker was traded by the Colt .45s to the Milwaukee Braves for Jim Bolger, Don Nottebart, and Connie Grob.https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/larkeno01.shtml Norm Larker stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com November 20, 2025 March 28, 1963: Hal Haydel, Dick LeMay and Merritt Ranew were traded by the Colt .45s to the Chicago Cubs for Dave Gerard and Danny Murphy.Hal Haydel at Baseball Reference Regular season Summary Broadcaster Harry Kalas made his major league debut in 1963 with Houston, replacing Al Helferrceived and working alongside Gene Elston and Loel Passe.Reed, Robert. A Six-Gun Salute: An Illustrated History of the Colt .45s. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Co., 1999.Barron David https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/phillies-announcer-kalas-dies-after-collapsing-in-1724170.php Phillies announcer Kalas dies after collapsing in booth Houston Chronicle April 13, 2009 August 26, 2025 April thumb|right|220px|upright|Rusty Staub made his major league debut on Opening Day in 1963. + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 11 Ernie Fazio Second baseman 21 Al Spangler Left fielder 3 Pete Runnels First baseman 20 Rusty StaubMajor league debut. Right fielder 14 Bob Aspromonte Third baseman 27 Howie Goss Center fielder 9 Jim Campbell Catcher 15 Bob Lillis Shortstop 13 Turk Farrell Starting pitcher Venue: Colt Stadium • San Francisco 9, Houston 2 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=196304090HO1 San Francisco Giants (9) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) Baseball Almanac April 9, 1963 September 12, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1963-uniform-numbers.shtml 1963 Houston Colt .45s uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com October 19, 2025 The Colt .45s hosted the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day, as right-hander Turk Farrell, Houston's most accomplished pitcher during their inaugural season, made the start. However, the Giants' bats were well-tuned, as Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays both took Farrell deep, and piled on four runs in the second. The Giants proceeded to swat 17 hits as Farrell surrendered five runs over three innings. Later, Willie McCovey and Felipe Alou each "touched 'em all" off George Brunet. Al Spangler led the Colts hitters with three hits.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196304090.shtml San Francisco Giants (9) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 9, 1963 January 5, 2026 Rusty Staub, making his major league debut in right field for the Colts,https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/staubru01.shtml Rusty Staub stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com February 8, 2026 turned in a memorable performance. During the bottom of the sixth, Staub netted both his first hit and run batted in (RBI) when he diced a single to right field off Giants starter Jack Sanford to bring home Spangler. Later, during the top of the ninth, Staub threw out Jim Davenport attempting to take second after hitting a single. However, the Giants emerged triumphant, 9–2, handing Farrell the loss. Spangler and Bob Aspromonte remained the only holdovers from Houston's first Opening Day starting lineup.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 12, Farrell pitched a 12-inning complete game, his only outing going the distance in extra innings. Farrell surrendered four and two base on balls while whiffing 11.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/F/PX_farrt101.htm Top performances for Turk Farrell Retrosheet February 15, 2026 Bob Bruce's one-hitter On April 26, right-hander Bob Bruce one-hit the Cincinnati Reds.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 26, 2025 Bob Lillis and Al Spangler delivered one run batted in (RBI) each to pace Houston's offense for a 2–0 victory. Both starters lasted to earn the complete game, with Bruce (1–1) edging Jim Maloney (2–1) for a game score of 90.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196304260.shtml Cincinnati Reds (0) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 26, 1963 January 1, 2026 In the bottom of the first, Spangler singled in Pete Runnels for the first tally of the contest. In the bottom of the seventh, Lillis singled in Rusty Staub for the Colts' second run. Bruce issued a base on balls to the Reds' Marty Keough leading off the ninth. With two out, Don Blasingame coaxed another walk to place runners on first and second for the Reds' biggest scoring threat of the contest. However, Bruce got Vada Pinson to ground into an unassisted out to first for the final out of the contest and seal the Colts' victory. This was the first shutout in club history that resulted in one hit or fewer,For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring hits allowed ≤ 1 and innings pitched ≥ 8, sorted by ascending date.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=date&timeframe=seasons&ccomp%5B1%5D=lt&cval%5B1%5D=1&cstat%5B1%5D=p_h&ccomp%5B2%5D=gt&cval%5B2%5D=8&cstat%5B2%5D=p_ip&team_id=HOU Player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 1, 2026 the fourth with a game score of 90 or above, and first complete game in franchise history pitched in nine innings or fewer that resulted in a game score of 90 or above.For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring game score ≥ 90, sorted by ascending date.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=date&timeframe=seasons&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=90&cstat%5B1%5D=p_game_score&team_id=HOU Player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 1, 2026 May On May 10, Turk Farrell struck out a then-club record 13 hitters, supplanting his own (July 20) and Ken Johnson's (August 14) 12-whiff outings from the previous year.For single games, from 1962 to 1966, playing for HOU, in the regular season, sorted by descending strikeouts. lower-alpha "Houston K records 62_66"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 February 15, 2026 Both Farrell and Chicago Cubs starter, Glen Hobbie, went the distance as the Colts prevailed, 4–1. Farrell spun a two-hit, no walk performance for a game score of 92. At the plate, Farrell singled in Howie Goss for the go-ahead run. Rusty Staub collected three hits and two RBI.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196305100.shtml Chicago Cubs (1) vs Houston Astros (4) box score Baseball-Reference.com May 10, 1963 February 15, 2026 Moreover, this was Farrell's first two-hit complete game, representing a career-best. Farrell was later tied by Bob Bruce on May 26, 1965, and surpassed by Mike Cuellar on June 25, 1966.lower-alpha "Houston K records 62_66" On May 12, Bob Aspromonte hit his first career walk-off home run, during the bottom of the tenth inning off Bob Buhl to decide a 2–1 victory for Houston over the Chicago Cubs. This was the first of two walk-off home runs Aspromnonte hit against Chicago this season, with the latter on June 11.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=asprobo01&t=b Bob Aspromonte career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 19, 2025 Don Nottebart's no-hitter thumb|right|upright|Don Nottebart pitched the first no-hitter for the Houston Colt .45s. On May 17, Don Nottebart pitched the first no-hitter for an expansion team when Houston defeated Philadelphia by a score of 4–1.Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p. 143, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, 978-0-451-22363-0 In his masterpiece, Nottebart surrendered three walks and struck out eight.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/17/24432066/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 17 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 17, 2025 August 28, 2025 Twenty-year old catcher John Bateman was Nottebart's batterymate. The historic contrest transpired at Colt Stadium before 8,223 fans.Clements Olen https://www.chron.com/local/history/sports/article/Don-Nottebart-Hurls-First-Colt-No-Hitter-10607029.php Don Nottebart hurls first Colt no-hitter Houston Chronicle May 18, 1963 December 8, 2025 Right fielder Carl Warwick, with a 4-for-4 day at the plate, finished just a double away from hitting for the cycle. During the bottom of the first, Warwick took Jack Hamilton deep for his second home run of the season. In the bottom of the fourth, Warwick scorched a ground ball single to right field off Hamilton. Warwick singled again in the sixth prior to being erased on a Pete Runnels groundball force out. His final hit of the day was a triple to center field against Ryne Duren.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196305170.shtml Philadelphia Phillies (1) vs Houston Colt .45s (4) box score Baseball-Reference.com May 17, 1963 December 8, 2025 The lead set by Warwick's home run maintained at 1–0 until the top of the fifth inning, when Don Demeter smoked a ground ball through the legs of J. C. Hartman, who was charged with an error. Demeter jetted to second, whom Clay Dalrymple sacrificed to third. Don Hoak then looped a short fly to Howie Goss just behind second base. Demeter then raced home, as Goss' throw to Bateman was off-target, allowing Demeter to score Philadelphia's only run easily and eliminate the shutout bid. In the bottom of the sixth, Goss atoned for the uncompetitive throw with a three-run drive deep to left that put the Colts in the lead for good, 4–1. Nottebart maintained the no-hitter and got the complete game with the only blemish being the unearned run in the fifth. In addition, the effort earned a game score of 90. Remarkably, this was the second no-hitter in the major leagues since 1950 to have been thrown by an individual pitcher which was also not a shutout, following Bob Feller's gem on July 1, 1951, when he led the Cleveland Indians to a 2–1 triumph over the Detroit Tigers.Seidman Eric https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-non-shutout-no-hitter/ The non-shutout no-hitter FanGraphs April 25, 2011 January 25, 2026 Nottebart's outing was the fifth (and final) on the season that featured a game score of 90 or higher by a Colts starting pitcher, which set a franchise record—in just the 37th contest of the season.Number of player games that meet criteria in a season, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring game score ≥ 90, sorted by descending date. lower-alpha "Game score 90"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&match=league_player_games_count&timeframe=seasons&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=90&cstat%5B1%5D=p_game_score&team_id=HOU Player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 1, 2026 Houston's subsequent no-hitter was fabricated by Nottebart's rotation-mate, Ken Johnson, less than one year later on April, 23, 1964.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/pitching/official-no-hitters.shtml Official no-hitters in Major League Baseball Baseball Almanac November 28, 2025 Also remarkable was that Johnson's no-hitter paralleled Nottebart's in that it was also achieved without a shutout effort. Rest of May On May 22 and 24, Al Spangler became the first player in team history to record four hits each over consecutive games.Next accomplished for Houston by John Bateman on September 6, 1966. 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 June In the 17th inning on June 2, Astros catcher Jim Campbell delivered the game-winning single for a 3–1 score versus the Milwaukee Braves.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 On June 3, Colts pitcher Turk Farrell took a no-hitter into the seventh inning versus the Los Angeles Dodgers,Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/3/24442231/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 3 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 3, 2025 July 10, 2025 while Rusty Staub slugged his first career home run against Don Drysdale.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=staubru01&t=b Rusty Staub career home runs Baseball Reference August 13, 2026 As "revenge" for being exposed in the expansion draft, Farrell tossed a two-hit, 2–1 masterpiece to garner the complete game victory and outduel Drysdale, who fanned 13. Staub's blast, which also scored Carl Warwick, accounted for Houston's only tallies.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196306030.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers (1) vs Houston Colt .45s box score Baseball Reference June 3, 1963 August 13, 2026 The first Sunday night game in National League history took place on June 9 at Colt Stadium. The Colt .45s hosted the San Francisco Giants and won, 3–0, to sweep the series. The night games were played as a result of the suffocating heat during day games in the 1962 season.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/9/24445726/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 9 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 9, 2025 July 3, 2025 A little leaguer, recovering in Houston from a lightning strike, received a promise on June 11 from Colt .45s infielder Bob Aspromonte that he would hit a home run.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/11/24447191/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 11 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 11, 2025 July 1, 2025 Not only did Aspromonte deliver the home run later that day against the Cubs, but he did so by hitting the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history,Aspromonte later hit the next walk-off grand slam for Houston on August 26, 1966, also against Chicago.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 June 7, 2026 as well as his first career grand slam, and the first of three he would swat against the Cubs.Aspromnonte totaled three walk-off home runs during his career—all against the Cubs. The Colts' first runs of the contest crossed the plate in the sixth inning, when Rusty Staub and Howie Goss hit consecutive run-scoring singles, plating Davis and Aspromonte, respectively. In the top of the ninth inning, Dick Bertell led off with a triple off Colts starter Ken Johnson. Johnson next issued a walk to Aspromnote's older brother, Ken, who was Johnson's final batter faced. Hal Woodeshick relieved and surrendered a game-tying single to Don Landrum, resulting in a blown save (4). With the scored tied 2-all in the bottom of the tenth inning, Aspromonte hit the grand slam from a Lindy McDaniel offering, scoring Bob Lillis, Ernie Fazio, and Brock Davis. Woodeshick recovered to toss two shutout innings and earn the victory (6–2).https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196306110.shtml Chicago Cubs (2) vs Houston Colt .45s (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 11, 1963 November 20, 2025 Moreover, Aspromonte replicated the grand slam event exactly one year later in 1964 a seminal moment during the fifth inning which provided the margin for a 5–3 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196406110.shtml Cincinnati Reds (3) vs Houston Colt .45s (5) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 11, 1964 November 20, 2025 July On July 4, Jim Campbell hit the only grand slam of his career,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=campbji01&t=b Jim Campbell career home runs Baseball-Reference.com August 13, 2026 off Reds starter Joey Jay during the bottom of the eighth inning to snap a 2–2 tie. The score remained 6–2 for a victory the Colts, the second game of a doubleheader. Turk Farrell (6–6) hurled 3 1 3 shutout innings in relief to obtain the decision.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196307042.shtml Cincinnati Reds (2) vs Houston Colt .45s (6) box score–Game 2 Baseball-Reference.com June 11, 1963 November 20, 2025 Campbell's grand slam sealed a sweep of the doubleheader. Twenty-one year old Jimmy Wynn made his MLB debut on July 10, as the starting shortstop,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wynnji01.shtml Jim Wynn stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com November 20, 2025 and was 1-for-4 with a stolen base versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wynnji01&t=b&year=1963 Jim Wynn 1963 batting game logs Baseball-Reference.com November 20, 2025 Wynn attained his first hit off Pirates starter Bob Friend (who tossed a complete game) leading off the top of the ninth inning, and pilfered second for his first major league steal with Bob Lillis batting.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196307100.shtml Houston Astros (2) vs Pittsburgh (0) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 10, 1963 November 20, 2025 Wynn slugged his first major league home run on July 14, New York Mets, in the top of the fifth at Shea Stadium, from a Don Rowe offering.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=wynnji01&t=b Jimmy Wynn career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 20, 2025 On July 15, Ken Johnson surrendered the first and only grand slam by a Houston Colt .45s/Astros hurler to his counterpart, Carl Willey of the New York Mets. The Mets drubbed the Astros, 15–4.Sutton Keith https://sabr.org/journal/article/pitchers-hitting-grand-slams/ Pitchers hitting grand slams Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) November 20, 2025 Jimmy Wynn stroked his first career double. However, two weeks later on July 26, Aspromonte himself revisited the favor upon the Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196307260.shtml New York Mets (3) vs Houston Colt .45s (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 26, 1963 November 20, 2025 On July 26, Bob Aspromonte hit a second grand slam, which invoked extra import for another young fan, the visually impaired Bill Bradley. Bradley, whose sight was restored after three operations over two years, watched the promised blast from his hero, who pointed to him while rounding the bases.Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily January 21, 2026 Aspromonte's drive accentuated a seven-run opening frame, more than enough support for ace Turk Farrell to earn the victory, a 7–3 decision over New York. Meanwhile, at the plate, Farrell excelled with his first career three-hit bout. September On September 21, just two days after his 20th birthday, Joe Morgan made his major league debut, going hitless in one at bat versus the Philadelphia Phillies.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wynnji01.shtml Joe Morgan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com November 20, 2025 The following day, Morgan achieved his first major league hit, a single in the ninth inning that scored Jimmy Wynn for the walk-off hit and 2–1 triumph over Philadelphia.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196309220.shtml Philadelphia Phillies (1) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 21, 1963 November 20, 2025 In the antepenultimate contest of the season, on September 27, manager Harry Craft devised a strategy to help reverse waning attendance by deploying an all-rookie starting lineup. Per known sources, an all-rookie lineup was unprecedented in major league history. Having entered the series with a four-game winning streak, were they to sweep their expansion brethren, the New York Mets, for the final three-game set, a seven-game winning streak would surpass the longest of the year at six consecutive. Four players would make their big league debuts, including two starters: at shortstop and batting leadoff, Sonny Jackson, and on the mound, Jay Dahl. Two others, Danny Coombs and Joe Hoerner, pitched in relief.Glassman Steve https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-27-1963-houston-colt-45s-start-a-lineup-of-all-rookies/ Houston Colt .45s start a lineup of all rookies Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) September 27, 1963 December 7, 2025 However, things did go proceed as Craft envisioned as the Mets routed the Colts, 10–3.Herskowitz Mickey https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/19630927/index.html Mets wallop Colts rookie lineup, 10–3 Houston Chronicle September 28, 1963 December 7, 2025 Astros Daily The Mets rocked Dahl (0–1) for seven runs in under three innings of work. Coombs relieved Dahl on the mound, recorded one out, and surrendered another run on three hits. Hoerner took over for Coombs and tossed three scoreless frames. Jackson went hitless at the plate. Joe Morgan hit his first major league triple, and he, Rusty Staub, and Brock Davis each plated a run. Meanwhile, Mets starter Al Jackson (13–17) leveraged his offense's early outburst, limiting the Colts to three runs as he went the distance, scattering 11 hits.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196309270.shtml New York Mets (10) vs Houston Astros (3) box score Baseball Reference September 27, 1963 October 12, 2026 Craft utilized 16 rookies during this game. During the regular-season finale on September 29, outfielder John Paciorek made his major league debut, while pitcher Jim Umbricht got two outs to assume the victory.Bush Frederick C. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-29-1963-fleeting-fame-and-enduring-memories-for-houstons-john-paciorek-jim-umbricht/ Fleeting fame and enduring memories for Houston’s John Paciorek, Jim Umbricht Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) September 29, 1963 December 7, 2025 Paciorek went 3-for-3, drew two walks, collected 3 RBI, and scored four times as the Colts topped the Mets, 13–4. John Bateman also collected three RBI, Bob Aspromonte scored thrice, Joe Morgan coaxed a game-high three walks, and Asprononte and Bateman both tripled.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU196309290.shtml New York Mets (4) vs Houston Colt .45s (13) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 29, 1963 August 13, 2026 However, due to physical ailments for both Paciorek and Umbricht, this represented their final major league appearance. Paciorek was battling significant back injuries that robbed him of great promise. Umbricht, having returned to the mound against great odds following treatment for melanoma, died just days prior to Opening Day the following April. Houston totaled 13 hits and 11 walks, resulting in the first bout in franchise history in which the Colts collected 10 or more of each of the aforementioned categories played in 9 innings or fewer.The next occurrence game of this type for the Colt .45s/Astros occurred on April 30, 1972. Criteria: For single games, from 1962 to 2026, only 9-inning games or shortened, for HOU, in the regular season, requiring bases on balls ≥ 10 and hits ≥ 10, sorted by ascending date.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/team-batting-game-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by=b_lob&timeframe=seasons&year_min=1962&year_max=2026&team_id=HOU Team batting game stats finder Stathead Sports Reference April 11, 2026 Performance overview Highlighted by Don Nottebart's no-hitter—the first in franchise history—this Colt .45s pitching staff set a club all-time record by tossing five games with a game score of 90 or higher.lower-alpha "Game score 90" The five game scores of 90 were, at the time, the most ever since the start of the live-ball era in 1921. The all-time lead of seven—counting dead-ball era play—was accomplished by the 1904 Philadelphia Athletics and 1910 Chicago White Sox. Four other pre-1921 clubs had tied for second by tallying five such games. In 1968, the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals each set the post-1921 record with 7 such contests.Pre-1921 clubs with five games with scores of 90 or higher: 1904 Boston Americans, 1914 White Sox, 1918 Pittsburgh Pirates, and 1918 Washington Senators. Criteria: Number of player games that meet criteria for a team, in the regular season, requiring game score ≥ 90, sorted by descending date.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-game-finder.cgi?request=1&match=team_player_games_count&timeframe=seasons&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=90&cstat%5B1%5D=p_game_score Player pitching game stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 1, 2026 Hal Woodeshick, who worked to a 1.97 earned run average (ERA), established a club record with minimum 100 innings pitched (IP) that stood until 1980. That season, J. R. Richard yielded a 1.90 ERA and Dave Smith 1.93.For single seasons, up to 1980, at least 100 innings pitched, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring earned run average ≤ 3, 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&year_max=1980&qualifiers=minips&minIpVal=100&minDecVal=14&mingamesVal=40&ccomp%5B1%5D=lt&cval%5B1%5D=3&cstat%5B1%5D=p_earned_run_avg&team_id=HOU Player pitching season & career stats finder—baseball Stathead Sports Reference September 20, 2026 Bob Aspromonte was one of seven hitters in the major leagues that season tied for most walk-off home runs with two.Also, Al Kaline, Frank Howard, Willie Mays, Jim Hickman, Tim Harkness, and Don Lock.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1963&year_max=1963&event=23&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T All: 54 home runs in 1963—walk-off Stathead Sports Reference February 15, 2026 Rusty Staub, aged 19, became just the second major league rookie since 1900 to appear in 150 games as a teenager, joining Bob Kennedy, also 19, a member of the Chicago White Sox in 1940.The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 6th Edition, 1984. Season standings Houston Colt .45s Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Notable transactions April 2, 1963: Ellis Burton was purchased from the Colt .45s by the Cleveland Indians. April 4, 1963: Manny Mota was traded by the Colt .45s to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Howie Goss and cash. Roster 1963 Houston Colt .45s Roster Pitchers 38 Hal Brown 30 Bob Bruce 33 George Brunet 34 Conrad Cardinal 41 Danny Coombs 42 Jay Dahl 34 Jim Dickson 36 Dick Drott 13 Turk Farrell 35 Jim Golden 48 Joe Hoerner 40 Ken Johnson 39 Russ Kemmerer 31 Don McMahon 43 Don Nottebart 32 Jim Umbricht 46 Hal Woodeshick 47 Larry Yellen 44 Chris Zachary Catchers 8,24 Dave Adlesh  7 John Bateman  9 Jim Campbell  6 Jerry Grote 8,9 Hal Smith Infielders 14 Bob Aspromonte 11 Ernie Fazio 18 J. C. Hartman 19 Sonny Jackson 15 Bob Lillis 12 Joe Morgan  3 Pete Runnels 10 Rusty Staub 16 Johnny Temple  4 Glenn Vaughan 16 Mike White Outfielders 29 Brock Davis 27 Howie Goss 26 Carroll Hardy 23 Ivan Murrell 22 John Paciorek 17 Aaron Pointer 21 Al Spangler 20 Carl Warwick 26 Johnny Weekly 18 Jimmy Wynn Manager  1 Harry Craft Coaches  2 Jimmy Adair  4 Jim Busby (Third Base)  5 Cot Deal (Pitching)  6 Lum Harris1963 Houston Colt .45s Roster by Baseball Almanac Geisler Young, LLC – http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1963&t=HO1 https://web.archive.org/web/20090323032712/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1963&t=HO1 March 23, 2009 live April 19, 2009 mdy-all 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 John Bateman John Bateman (baseball) 128 404 23 85 8 6 .210 10 59 0 1B Rusty Staub 150 513 43 115 17 4 .224 6 45 0 2B Ernie Fazio 102 228 31 42 10 3 .184 2 5 4 3B Bob Aspromonte 136 468 42 100 9 5 .214 8 49 3 SS Bob Lillis 147 469 31 93 13 1 .198 1 19 3 LF Al Spangler 120 430 52 121 25 4 .281 4 27 5 CF Howie Goss 133 411 37 86 18 2 .209 9 44 4 RF Carl Warwick 150 528 49 134 19 5 .209 7 47 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 Pete Runnels 124 388 35 98 9 1 .253 2 23 2 Johnny Temple 100 322 22 85 12 1 .264 1 17 7 Jim Wynn 70 250 31 61 10 5 .244 4 27 4 Jim Campbell Jim Campbell (catcher) 55 158 9 35 3 0 .222 4 19 0 J. C. Hartman 39 90 2 11 1 0 .122 0 3 1 Johnny Weekly 34 80 4 18 3 0 .225 3 14 0 Hal Smith 31 58 1 14 2 0 .241 0 2 0 Brock Davis 34 55 7 11 2 0 .200 1 2 0 Carroll Hardy 15 44 5 10 3 0 .227 0 3 1 Glenn Vaughan 9 30 1 5 0 0 .167 0 0 1 Joe Morgan 8 25 5 6 0 1 .240 0 3 1 Dave Adlesh 6 8 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 Mike White Mike White (baseball) 3 7 0 2 0 0 .286 0 0 0 Jerry Grote 3 5 0 1 0 0 .200 0 1 0 Ivan Murrell 2 5 1 1 0 0 .200 0 0 0 Aaron Pointer 2 5 0 1 0 0 .200 0 0 0 John Paciorek 1 3 4 3 0 0 1.000 0 3 0 Sonny Jackson 1 3 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 Ken Johnson Ken Johnson (right-handed pitcher) 37 32 224.0 11 17 2.65 86 66 50 148 Turk Farrell 34 26 202.1 14 13 3.02 76 68 35 141 Don Nottebart 31 27 193.0 11 8 3.17 80 68 39 118 Bob Bruce 30 25 170.1 5 9 3.59 73 68 60 123 Hal Brown 26 20 141.1 5 11 3.31 54 52 60 68 Larry Yellen 1 1 5.0 0 0 3.60 4 2 1 3 Jay Dahl 1 1 2.2 0 1 16.88 7 5 0 0 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 Dick Drott 27 14 97.2 2 12 0 4.98 61 54 49 58 Chris Zachary 22 7 57.0 2 2 0 4.89 38 31 22 42 Conrad Cardinal 6 1 13.1 0 1 0 6.08 14 9 7 7 George Brunet 5 2 12.2 0 3 0 7.11 11 10 6 11 Jim Golden 3 1 6.1 0 1 0 5.68 4 4 2 5 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 Hal Woodeshick 55 114.0 11 9 10 1.97 29 25 42 94 Don McMahon 49 80.0 1 5 5 4.05 38 36 26 51 Jim Umbricht 35 76.0 4 3 0 2.61 23 22 21 48 Russ Kemmerer 17 36.2 0 0 1 5.65 28 23 8 12 Jim Dickson Jim Dickson (baseball) 13 14.2 0 1 2 6.14 13 10 2 6 Joe Hoerner 1 3.0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 2 Danny Coombs 1 0.1 0 0 0 27.00 1 1 0 0 Awards and honors Grand slams No. Number Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 June 11 Bob Aspromonte1st 1st MLB grand slam Colt Stadium 9Walk-off Lindy McDaniel Chicago Cubs 2 July 4dh2 Game 2 of doubleheader Jim Campbell catcher1st 8tiedlead Tied score or took lead Joey Jay Cincinnati Reds 3 July 26 Bob Aspromonte 1tiedlead Tracy Stallard New York Mets No-hit game Date Pitcher IP Innings pitched BB Bases on balls BR Total baserunners K Strikeouts BF Batters faced Catcher Final Final score Opponent Venue Plate umpire Box Box score May 17, 1963 Don Nottebart 9 3 4 9 31 John Bateman 4–1 Philadelphia Phillies Colt Stadium Ed Vargo Nottebart: Game score: 90 • Win (5–1) Awards + 1963 Houston Colt .45s award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Houston Colt .45s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Hal Woodeshick 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 Reserve pitcher Hal Woodeshick http://baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/yr1963as.shtml 1963 All-Star Game Baseball Almanac October 14, 2025 Topps All-Star Rookie Team First baseman Rusty Staub 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 Milestones Major League debuts Player—Appeared at position Rusty Staub, right fielder Jimmy Wynn, shortstop Joe Morgan, pinch hitter Sonny Jackson, shortstop Jay Dahl, starting pitcher Joe Hoerner, relief pitcher Danny Coombs, relief pitcher John Paciorek, right fielder Date and opponent April 9 vs San FranciscoOpening Day July 10 at Pittsburgh September 21 vs Philadelphia September 27 vs New York September 27 vs New York September 27 vs New York September 27 vs New York September 29 vs New York Box Box score Also: https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1963-debuts.shtml 1963 Major League Baseball new debuts Baseball-Reference.com May 16, 2026 Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Oklahoma City 89ers Pacific Coast League Grady Hatton AA San Antonio Bullets Texas League Lou Fitzgerald A Modesto Colts California League Dave Philley A Durham Bulls Carolina League Billy Goodman A Moultrie Colt .22s Georgia–Florida League Jim Walton 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 See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Notes "Note" References 2 External links 1963 Houston Colt .45s season at Baseball Reference 1963 Houston Colt .45s season at retrosheet.org (Archived 2009-05-04) Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Colt .45s season Houston Astro Category:1960s in Houston