1972 Houston Astros season

Eleventh season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1972 National League West Astrodome Houston, Texas 84 69 y 2nd Roy Hofheinz Spec Richardson Harry Walker: 67–54 Salty Parker: 1–0 Leo Durocher: 16–15 KTRK-TV KPRC (AM)(Gene Elston, Loel Passe) The 1972 Houston Astros season was the 11th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their eighth as the Astros, 11th in the National League (NL), fourth in the NL West division, and eighth at The Astrodome. The Astros ended the strike-shortened season with a 84-69 record, to secure second place, and 10.5 games behind the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. The first players' strike in league history occurred on April 1–13, which resulted in nine games being cancelled for Houston. On April 15, Don Wilson made his second Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted San Francisco. They were shut out by the score of 5–0. Three managers led the club during the 1972 season: Harry Walker, Salty Parker for one game, and Leo Durocher, who was installed as Walker's permanent replacement. Each represented the fourth, fifth and sixth managers for Houston, with Walker having been the longest-serving manager (708 games) in franchise history. The Astros' first-round draft pick in the amateur draft that year was outfielder Steve Englishbey, at ninth overall. They also selected Jim Crawford in the 14th round. Center fielder César Cedeño and first baseman Lee May represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game. It was the first career selection for Cedeño and third for May. On August 2, Cedeño became the first player in franchise history to hit for the cycle, leading a 10–1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at The Astrodome. This was the first of two cycles that Cedeño hit as a member of the Astros. He also became the second major leaguer to join the 20–50 club, following Lou Brock in 1967. The Astros concluded that season with a record of 84–69—their first-ever winning season. They also set the franchise record for wins—in second place in the NL West, 10 1 2 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning Reds, and just a percentage point ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It also represented the highest positional finish and fewest games back of first place for the Astros at the time. The next time the Astros finished as high as second place was in 1979, which was also when they set their next club record for wins. Following the season, Cedeño (first selection) and Doug Rader (third selection) each earned Gold Glove Awards. This was the first time the Astros had more than one Gold Glove Award winner in the same season. Offseason November 29, 1971: Joe Morgan, Ed Armbrister, Jack Billingham, César Gerónimo, and Denis Menke were traded by the Astros to the Cincinnati Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms, and Jimmy Stewart.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/morgajo02.shtml Joe Morgan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 14, 2025 December 2, 1971: John Mayberry and Dave Grangaard (minors) were traded by the Astros to the Kansas City Royals for Jim York and Lance Clemons.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/maybejo01.shtml John Mayberry stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com November 9, 2025 Regular season Summary April thumb|right|upright|César Cedeño, 1977, hit for the cycle and joined the 20–50 club in 1972. + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 14 Roger Metzger Shortstop 28 César Cedeño Center fielder 24 Jimmy Wynn Right fielder 23 Lee May First baseman 27 Bob Watson Left fielder 12 Doug Rader Third baseman 19 Tommy Helms Second baseman 7 Johnny Edwards Catcher 40 Don Wilson Pitcher Venue: Astrodome • San Francisco 5, Houston 0 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197204150HOU San Francisco Giants (5) vs Houston Astros (0) box score Baseball Almanac April 15, 1972 October 9, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1972-uniform-numbers.shtml 1972 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com October 9, 2025 For Opening Day, the Astros hosted the San Francisco Giants. They were defeated via shutout, 5–0, led by Juan Marichal's eight scoreless innings. The Giants did all their damage from the sixth inning on, as Willie McCovey and Tito Fuentes each took Don Wilson deep for home runs. The Astros got eight hits, but were just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197204150.shtml San Francisco Giants (5) vs Houston Astros (0) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 15, 1972 January 13, 2026 Don Wilson made his second Opening Day start for the Astros.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/opening.shtml Houston Astros Opening Day starters Baseball-Reference.com January 12, 2026 The second day of the season, April 16, saw Giants' Dave Kingman hit for the first cycle at the Astrodome,https://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/astrodome.htm Astrodome first Retrosheet January 15, 2026 leading the Giants to a 10–6 pummeling of the Astros. Kingman led all hitters in the game with six runs batted in (RBI), while Bobby Bonds doubled twice, pilfered two bases, and scored four runs. Bob Watson and Tommy Helms each hit three runs blasts for Houston, during the first and fifth innings, respectively.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197204160.shtml San Francisco Giants (10) vs Houston Astros (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 16, 1972 January 15, 2026 On April 23, the Astros dazed the Giants with 10-run ninth to prevail, 13–7. César Cedeño stroked five hits with a double and two stolen bases. Bob Watson and Lee May homered.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN197204230.shtml Houston Astros (13) vs San Francisco Giants (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 23, 1972 February 26, 2026 Cedeño even logged his first career five-hit game.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/C/PX_cedec001.htm Top performances for César Cedeño Retrosheet January 1, 2026 On April 30, the Astros amassed 10 hits and 10 base on balls each in a contest played in 9 innings or fewer for the second time in franchise history. The Colt .45s first did so on September 29, 1963.The next occurrence of game of this type for the Astros occurred on May 4, 1975. 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 Houston topped the St. Louis Cardinals, 7 to 6, spearheaded by right fielder Jimmy Wynn, who thumped his first two doubles of the year and drew two walks. Catcher Johnny Edwards stroked two hits and coaxed two walks. The Astros poked six two-baggers overall, one each added by the quartet of Tommy Helms, César Cedeño, Bob Watson, and Doug Rader. Starter Don Wilson (1–1) hurled 6 1 3 frames to obtain the win, and allowed five runs, with just one charged as earned. Jim Ray relieved, assumed the final 2 2 3 innings, converted the save (2), and added a single. Meanwhile, future Astro José Cruz, joined Jimmy Wynn by collecting his first two doubles of the campaign.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197204300.shtml St. Louis Cardinals (6) vs Houston Astros (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com April 30, 1972 April 11, 2026 May On May 1, Jimmy Wynn's three hits—including a grand slam and a double—keyed a 9–8 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium. Wynn hit the grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to give Houston a 4–3 lead. The following inning, Johnny Edwards' three-run home run extended Houston's lead to 7–3. However, the Pirates tied the score in the bottom of the sixth inning, capped by Roberto Clemente's first home run of the season. In the top of the ninth, Bob Watson hit and RBI single, and Tommy Helms' sacrifice fly provided the necessary insurance run for victory. César Cedeño added three hits apiece while. Jim Ray (4–0) maintained the edge for the final two innings to obtain the victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197205010.shtml Houston Astros (9) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (8) box score Baseball Reference May 1, 1972 September 13, 2026 Bob Watson earned the first monthly accolade in club history, by receiving the National League (NL) Player of the Month Award for May.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/player_of_the_month_award.shtml MLB Player of the Month Award Baseball Almanac October 10, 2025 During this period, Watson slashed .360 / .405 / .620 / 1.025, also accruing six home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=watsobo01&year=1972&t=b Bob Watson 1972 batting splits Baseball-Reference.com February 23, 2026 June The Philadelphia Phillies hosted "Turn It Around Night" on June 6 at Veterans Stadium, where the theme was doing everything backward, including announcing the lineup cards from bottom to top and holding the seventh-inning stretch in the third inning. Astros starter Dave Roberts followed suit, providing the offense by homering twice to promote his own effort on the mound, as Houston won, 4–3.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 With Steve Carlton on the mound for Philadelphia on June 16, the game remained scoreless through extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th inning, Jimmy Wynn connected for a walk-off home run to give the Astros a 1–0 victory.Schwartzburg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/16/24449966/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 16 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 16, 2025 June 16, 2025 The walk-off blast was the second of Wynn's career, following the same achievement on June 26, 1966.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/home_run.php?p=wynnji01 Jimmy Wynn home runs Baseball Almanac April 11, 2026 Starting June 18, Astros starting pitchers hurled back-to-back one-hit shutouts. First, Jerry Reuss led a 10–0 masterpiece over the Phillies, with the only hit surrendered a ninth-inning double by Larry Bowa. César Cedeño collected four hits to power Houston, including a home run and two doubles.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/18/24451419/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 18 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 18, 2025 June 26, 2025 Reuss fanned nine, issued four walks, earned the complete game, and game score of 90. At the plate, Reuss drew a walk that led to a run scored. Bob Watson added two doubles and tallied four RBI.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197206180.shtml Philadelphia Phillies (0) vs Houston Astros (10) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 18, 1972 June 19, 2026 Cedeño's four-hit bout was the fourth of his career. The following game, on June 19, Larry Dierker hurled a one-hitter to usher in a 3–0 triumph over the New York Mets, whose only base runner—Duffy Dyer—reached via a third-inning single. Tommy Helms led the Astros' offense with four hits.Schwartzburg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/19/24452132/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 16 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 19, 2025 June 25, 2025 Each of the first five Astros' hits on June 26 were home runs, which brought them to a 7–7 tie with the San Diego Padres. San Diego was unable to answer back, however, and Houston kept scoring to win the outcome by a score of 14–7.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/26/24456267/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 26 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 26, 2025 June 26, 2025 César Cedeño followed up Bob Watson's NL Player of the Month honors with a recognition of his own for the month of June. Cedeño powered himself to a .387 average, .452 OBP, .748 SLG, and 1.200 OPS. He scored 27 runs, swatted nine doubles, bashed nine home runs, collected 19 RBI to go along with 43 hits and 83 total bases.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=cedence01&year=1972&t=b César Cedeño 1972 batting splits Baseball-Reference.com March 1, 2026 MLB All-Star Game Center fielder César Cedeño and first baseman Lee May both earned selection to the MLB All-Star Game, hosted at Atlanta Stadium. Lee, voted a starter for the game, collected a single and an RBI in four trips to the plate.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/bat-all-star.shtml Houston Astros All-Star player register Baseball-Refererence.com November 1, 2025 Cedeño substituted for Willie Mays in center field, and delivered a single in the bottom of the sixth. Next, Hank Aaron homered to deep left-center field, scoring Cedeño. In the bottom of the ninth, May hit a ground ball fielder's choice, scoring Billy Williams to pull the National League (NL) into a tie with the American League (AL), 3–3. During the bottom of the tenth, former Astro Joe Morgan laced a walk-off single to score Nate Colbert and give the NL a 4–3 triumph.https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1972-allstar-game.shtml 1972 All-Star Game box score Baseball-Reference.com July 25, 1972 March 1, 2026 Morgan had become the first Astro to be selected as a starter in the 1966 Midsummer Classic, and Lee the second.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/28/24457746/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 28 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 28, 2025 June 28, 2025 However, Morgan missed the game due to an injury, allowing Lee to became the first Astro to participate in the starting lineup. Curiously, it was a batted line drive by another Lee Maye on June 25, 1966—albeit with a slightly different spelling—Morgan's then-teammate, that struck him on the knee, fracturing it. Thus, Morgan missed the next 40 games;Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/25/24455378/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 25 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 25, 2025 June 25, 2025 three days later, it was announced that he was named starter for the All-Star lineup, the first player in Houston franchise history. César Cedeño's cycle At the Astrodome on August 2, Cedeño hit for the cycle to become the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat. He doubled in the first inning, connected for a home run off Gary Nolan in the third, and singled in the fifth. In the sixth inning, Cedeño grounded out.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197208020.shtml Cincinnati Reds (1) vs Houston Astros (10) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 2, 1972 January 15, 2026 Cedeño's final at bat and opportunity to make history arrived in the eighth inning. He stroked a line drive to the right-center field gap for a triple. This effort gave Houston a 10–1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Cedeño later hit for the cycle almost four years later on August 9, 1976.Young Matt https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/houston-astros-history-players-hit-for-the-cycle-18335801.php Details behind each player who has hit for the cycle in Astros franchise history Houston Chronicle July 22, 2024 July 20, 2025 Extra-base hits fell frequently for Houston that day, with eight among 16 total safeties. Jimmy Wynn doubled twice, Roger Metzger also tripled, and Lee May added a home run. Meanwhile, Don Wilson (7–7) was masterful on the mound as he scattered six hits and three walks while whiffing six in a complete game effort. His sixth career contest of four hits or more, and fifth with four RBI—tying his then-career high—Cedeño's batting average jumped to .353. Meanwhile, the Astros trailed Cincinnati by just six games following the contest.Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily September 6, 2025 Rest of August On August 25, Jimmy Wynn blasted his 200th career home run off Mike Marshall in the bottom of the seventh inning at the Astrodome. A two-run shot, it tied the contest, 3–3, with the Montreal Expos,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=wynnji01&t=b Jimmy Wynn career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 7, 2025 also scoring César Cedeño. However, Marshall redeemed himself in the top of the ninth, while batting, by doubling home John Boccabella off the Astros' Jim Ray. The hit put Montreal ahead 4–3, and this time, Marshall (14–3) made the lead stand, changing the blown save into a victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197208250.shtml Montreal Expos (4) vs Houston Astros (3) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 25, 1972 November 9, 2025 The Astros, playing their best baseball ever, were desperate to catch the Reds. Following the August 25 loss to Montreal, they fired their longest-tenured manager at the time, Harry Walker, who had the club playing 67 54 y for the season (355 353 y career with Houston), and replaced him for one game with coach Salty Parker (1–0). Following that game, Leo Durocher, having departed the Chicago Cubs earlier in the year, took over for the remainder of the campaign, leading Houston to a 16 15 y result to close out the season. September With a 6–5 defeat of San Diego on September 13, the 77th victory of the season for Houston 77 60 y, the Astros clinched their first winning season in franchise annals, due to its abbreviation to 153 games https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baaseball-Reference.com November 9, 2025 Tom Griffin (3–3) hurled seven innings in relief and fanned 10 to earn the victory to make it a final score of Houston 6, San Diego 5. Lee May collected three hits. Jimmy Wynn scored twice.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197209130.shtml Montreal Expos (5) vs Houston Astros (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 13, 1972 March 2, 2026 On September 17, César Cedeño and Lee May each drove in five to lead Houston as they stormed back to win over Los Angeles Dodgers, 15–11. With Los Angeles leading 10–8 in the seventh, the Astros rallied for four runs, before May's bases-clearing double put the game away. Both clubs piled on 17 hits, led by four each from May, Jim Wynn (Astros), and Bobby Valentine (Dodgers).https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197209170.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers (11) vs Houston Astros (15) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 17, 1972 January 15, 2026 It was the first 5-RBI game of Cedeño's career, and Lee's eighth (and second of the campaign).https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/PX_may-l101.htm Top performances for Lee May Retrosheet January 15, 2026 Houston matched the 1969 squad for most wins (81) in franchise annals on September 23, backed by Don Wilson's four-hit effort and Lee May equaling Wilson from the batter's box, to lead a 7–1 defeathttps://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197209230.shtml Cincinnati Reds (1) vs Houston Astros (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 23, 1972 February 23, 2026 of first-place Cincinnati. Wilson (14–9) went the distance, fanning six, and a game score of 89. Jimmy Wynn (23) homered, while May and Tommy Helms each doubled twice. Performance overview By closing the season 84–69, the Astros posted their best-ever record.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 31, 2025 Among the best and first-time team achievements, the Astros ranked as high as second place in the division, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers at 10 1 2 games back of Cincinnati,https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1972.shtml 1972 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 9, 2025 their fewest games ever from first place. Furthermore, it was Houston's first-ever season with a winning record while setting a club record 84 wins, supplanting the 81 wins accomplished in 1969. This Astros squad led the National League in runs scored (708), the first time in club history doing so, while blasting a club record 134 home runs to surpass the 1970 squad (129), which ranked third in the National League. The 708 runs tallied also ranked second in club history to the 1970 team (744). The 1973 edition followed up by tying the record for home runs, prior to the 1993 iteration (138) taking over the all-time franchise home run lead.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/batteam.shtml Houston Astros team yearly batting stats Baseball-Reference.com February 4, 2026 By hitting 22 home runs and collecting 55 stolen bases, Cedeño became the second entrant into the 20 home runs—50 stolen bases club in major league annals, succeeding Lou Brock in 1967.Gordon Wittenmyer Fast company: Look who's in the elite club Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz just joined August 7, 2024 Cincinnati Enquirer https://www.aol.com/fast-company-look-whos-elite-165613130.html November 9, 2025 AOL https://web.archive.org/web/20250904041331/https://www.aol.com/fast-company-look-whos-elite-165613130.html September 4, 2025 dead Cedeño became the first Astro to attain 50 stolen bases in 1972, while doing so for a club-record six seasons—each in succession—through 1977.For single seasons, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring stolen bases ≥ 50, sorted by descending stolen bases.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by=b_sb&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=50&cstat%5B1%5D=b_sb&team_id=HOU Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 13, 2026 The prior single-season franchise record of 49 steals was set by Sonny Jackson in 1966 and tied by Joe Morgan in 1969.For single seasons, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring stolen bases ≥ 40, sorted by ascending season.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-batting-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_id&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=40&cstat%5B1%5D=b_sb&team_id=HOU Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball Stathead Sports Reference January 13, 2026 Cedeño also led the major leagues in doubles (39)Tied with Willie Montañez of the Philadelphia Phillies. lower-alpha "montañez" a second consecutive year, the first Astro to lead in more than one season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/2B_leagues.shtml Yearly league leaders & records for doubles Baseball-Reference.com October 19, 2025 Following the season, third baseman Doug Rader was recognized with his third Gold Glove Award,https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_gg3b.shtml Gold Glove third basemen Baseball Almanac October 11, 2025 while Cedeño was likewise recognized for his defense in the outfield.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_ggnl.shtml Gold Glove outfielders in the National League Baseball Almanac October 14, 2025 Rader became the first Astro to win a third Gold Glove. Cedeño became the first Astro to win the award for an outfielder. Also, this was the first time in which multiple Astros players won this award.https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml National League Gold Glove Award winners Sports Reference, LLC Baseball-Reference.com October 4, 2016 League standings Houston Astros Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Notable transactions June 6, 1972: Jim Crawford was selected by the Astros in the 14th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.Jim Crawford at Baseball Reference Roster 1972 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 36 Wade Blasingame 37 Mike Cosgrove 39 George Culver 49 Larry Dierker 43 Ken Forsch 37 Joe Gibbon 48 Fred Gladding 38 Tom Griffin 45 Jim Ray 47 Jerry Reuss 50 J. R. Richard 15 Dave Roberts 40 Don Wilson 42 Jim York Catchers  7 Johnny Edwards  8 Jack Hiatt 10 Larry Howard  6 Cliff Johnson  9 Bob Stinson Infielders 18 Bobby Fenwick 19 Tommy Helms 23 Lee May 14 Roger Metzger 12 Doug Rader  8 Gary Sutherland Outfielders 22 Jesús Alou 28 César Cedeño 29 Rich Chiles 21 Norm Miller 11 Jimmy Stewart 27 Bob Watson 24 Jimmy Wynn Manager  2 Leo Durocher  2 Salty Parker 25 Harry Walker Coaches  4 Buddy Hancken  3 Hub Kittle  5 Jim Owens  2 Salty Parker 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 Johnny Edwards 108 332 89 .268 5 40 1B Lee May 148 592 168 .284 29 98 2B Tommy Helms 139 518 134 .259 5 60 SS Roger Metzger 153 641 142 .222 2 38 3B Doug Rader 152 553 131 .237 22 90 LF Bob Watson 147 548 171 .312 16 86 CF César Cedeño 139 559 179 .320 22 82 RF Jimmy Wynn 145 542 148 .273 24 90 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 Larry Howard 54 157 35 .223 2 13 Norm Miller 67 107 26 .243 4 13 Jimmy Stewart Jimmy Stewart (baseball) 68 96 21 .219 0 9 Jesús Alou 52 93 29 .312 0 11 Bobby Fenwick 36 50 9 .180 0 4 Bob Stinson 27 35 6 .171 0 2 Jack Hiatt 10 25 5 .200 0 0 Rich Chiles 9 11 3 .273 0 2 Gary Sutherland 5 8 1 .125 0 1 Cliff Johnson 5 4 1 .250 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 Don Wilson 33 228.1 15 10 2.68 172 Larry Dierker 31 214.2 15 8 3.40 115 Dave Roberts 35 192.0 12 7 4.50 111 Jerry Reuss 33 192.0 9 13 4.17 174 Ken Forsch 30 156.1 6 8 3.91 113 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Tom Griffin 39 94.1 5 4 3.21 83 Mike Cosgrove 7 13.2 0 1 4.61 7 J.R. Richard 4 6.0 1 0 13.50 8 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 Fred Gladding 42 5 6 14 2.77 18 Jim Ray 54 10 9 8 4.28 50 George Culver 45 6 2 2 3.05 82 Jim York 26 0 1 0 5.25 25 Wade Blasingame 10 0 0 0 8.64 9 Joe Gibbon 9 0 0 0 9.82 4 Awards and achievements Offensive achievements Grand slams No. Number hit by this team Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 May 1 Jimmy Wynn Three Rivers Stadium 5tiedlead Tied score or took lead Steve Blass Pittsburgh Pirates Hitting for the cycle Date Player H / AB Total number of hits and at bats R Runs scored 1B Innings during which player hit single 2B Innings during which player hit double 3B Innings during which player hit triple HR Innings during which player hit home run BI Runs batted in Other Other plays on offense by this player Score Final score Opponent Box Box score August 2 César Cedeño 4-for-5 3 5 1 8 3 4 CS 10–1 Cincinnati Reds Cedeño: 2B (24) • 3B (5) • HR (15) • RBI (49) Power—speed club + 20 home runs—50 stolen bases club Player AVG Batting average Runs Runs scored HR Home runs hit SB Stolen bases PSN Power–speed number César Cedeño .320 103 22 55 31.4 Pitching achievements No-hit bid Date Starting pitcher (IP Innings pitched) Relief pitcher(s) (IP) Relief pitchers who continued no-hit effort No-hit IP Total no-hit innings GS Game score Catcher Batter Batter who ended no-hit bid Final Final score Opponent Box Box score June 18, 1972 Jerry Reuss (9) — 8 90 Larry Howard Larry BowaFirst batter of ninth inning. 10–0 Philadelphia Phillies Note: Includes those games started with 7 or more no-hit innings. Awards 1972 Houston Astros award winners Name of award RecipientRef. References Associated Press (AP) NL All-Star Outfield César Cedeño https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cedence01.shtml César Cedeño stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com July 19, 2025 Gold Glove Award Third base Doug Rader Outfield César Cedeño Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) McTaggart Brian http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Bourn highlights Astros' awards season December 21, 2009 MLB.com October 14, 2025 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101208131739/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou December 8, 2010 MLB All-Star Game Starting first baseman Lee May Reserve outfielder César Cedeño National League (NL) Player of the Month May Bob Watson June César Cedeño The Sporting News NL All-Star Outfield Other awards results Name of award Voting recipient(s) (Team) Ref. References NL Most Valuable Player 1st—Bench (CIN) • 6th—Cedeño (HOU) • 9th—L. May (HOU) https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.shtml 1972 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com June 16, 2026 League leaders NL batting leaders Doubles: César Cedeño (39—led MLB)lower-alpha "montañez" NL fielding leaders Putouts: Lee May (1,318) Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Oklahoma City 89ers American Association Tony Pacheco AA Columbus Astros Southern League Jackie Brandt A Cocoa Astros Florida State League Jimmy Williams Rookie Covington Astros Appalachian League Billy Smith Rookie Cocoa Astros Florida East Coast League Leo Posada See also Texas Baseball 20–50 club List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders List of Major League Baseball annual putouts leaders List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Notes References 2 External links 1972 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Houston Astro