1969 – Win on and off the field
On the field, the Houston Astros paces the St. Louis Cardinals 11-6, mostly thanks to Joe Morgan’s 4-for-4 day at the plate, including a home run and four runs scored. Off the field, the Astros took pitcher James Rodney, referred to as “J.R.”, Richard out of Ruston, LA with the second overall pick.
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1981 – Ryan in the record books
With his second walk of the night in a game against the New York Mets, Nolan Ryan passed Early Wynn for the most walks issued by a pitcher with his 1,776th. This came on the same night where he struck out 10 in a 3-0 shutout victory.
1995 – Comeback win
After an RBI-double from pitcher Greg Swindell to help bring the Astros within reach of the Florida Marlins, Craige Biggio delivers the final blow with a three-run blast with two-outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Astros the 6-5 win.
2014 – Big mistake was made
With the first pick in the 2014 MLB draft, the Astros selected pitcher Brady Aiken. This was something that the franchise was excited for but quickly realized wouldn’t work out right away after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a signing bonus.
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What else happened on this day?
1937
The Cardinals gave a contract to a 16-year-old by the name of Stan Musial to be a pitcher for them, but he would later transition to outfield and first base and become an MLB legend, winning three MVPs and three World Series.
1949
Commissioner Happy Chandler lifted the five-year ban that was placed on MLB players who had jumped to the Mexican League. One of the main reasons for this was constant lawsuits being issued for antitrust violation.
2002
Texas Rangers Juan Gonzalez became the 34th player, and first from Puerto Rico, to reach 400 home runs during an extra-inning loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
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