DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MAY 10: A detail of a Houston Astros hat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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The Houston Astros have been one of Major League Baseball’s most successful franchises in recent history, with two World Series championships since 2017.
But the franchise’s history goes all the way back to 1962, when it was established as a National League expansion team known as the Houston Colt .45s. Those early iterations of the team might not have been as successful as the Astros have now become, but they had their fair share of notable players.
Now the Astros have received word that one of the most exciting young pitchers in the Colt .45s’ history has died.
Steve Hertz, who debuted with the Colt .45s as a teenager in 1964, died in Miami, Florida on December 4 at age 80, according to Baseball Almanac.
“Steve Hertz’s baseball journey began as a teenage signee with the Houston Colt .45s, debuting in the majors at just 19 years old during the 1964 season,” Baseball Almanac wrote. “Though his big league career was brief, Hertz distinguished himself in the minors, earning All-Star honors in both the Western Carolina League (1965) and Florida State League (1966). His true legacy was forged in coaching, where across four decades at Miami-Dade College he guided teams to more than 300 victories, four league championships, and helped launch the careers of future major leaguers like Placido Polanco and Andres Torres.”
Hertz recorded two runs and three strikeouts in the mere four at-bats that constituted his big-league career with the Colt .45s. But his legendary coaching career led to numerous Hall of Fame inductions, including to the Miami High School Hall of Fame in 1985 and to the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) Hall of Fame in 2006.
His ability to mentor budding young baseball stars as a high school coach was a highlight noted when he joined the FCCAA Hall of Fame.
“He has coached many talented players who have played at the major league level including, Jamie Navarro, Placido Polanco, Orlando Palmeiro, Edward Guzman, Alex Sanchez, Andres Torres, Omar Olivares and Juan Pena,” according to a Miami Dade College news release at the time. “Hertz was selected the Miami Coach of the Year on six occasions and in 1987 he was the coach of the silver medal winning South squad at the United States Olympic Festival.”
Hertz was also a manager for the Tel Aviv Lightning of the Israel Baseball League, which existed for just one season. The team finished that season in second place.