1996 Houston Astros season

1996 Houston Astros
LeagueNational League
DivisionCentral
BallparkThe Astrodome
CityHouston, Texas
Record82–80 (.506)
Divisional place2nd
OwnersDrayton McLane, Jr.
General managersGerry Hunsicker
ManagersTerry Collins
TelevisionKTXH
Prime Sports Southwest
RadioKILT (AM)
(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Vince Controneo, Bill Worrell)
KXYZ
(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Danny Gonzalez)

The 1996 Houston Astros season was the 35th season for the Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 32nd as the Astros, third in the NL Central division, and 32nd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a 76–68 record, in second-place and 9 games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds, while having missed the playoffs by 1 game behind the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card race.

On April 1, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his first of five consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers but were defeated, 4–3. In the amateur draft, the Astros selected pitcher Mark Johnson in the first round, at 19th overall, and pitcher Roy Oswalt in the 23rd round.

First baseman Jeff Bagwell and second baseman Craig Biggio represented the Astros for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, the second for Bagwell, and fifth for Biggio. On September 29, the Astros retired Nolan Ryan's jersey number 34, where he pitched nine seasons.

The Astros finished in second place in the NL Central with an 82–80 record, six games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals. In the NL Wild Card race, the Astros ranked third, eight games behind the Dodgers. This was the Astros' fourth consecutive winning season—unprecedented in club history—and third consecutive with a second-place finish in the division.

Following the season, Biggio won the Gold Glove Award, the third of his career, while relief pitcher Billy Wagner was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.

Offseason

The Astros concluded the 1995 campaign with a final record of 76–68 (.528), for a second-place ranking in the National League (NL) Central division, 9 games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds. In the Wild Card chase, Houston finished as runners-up to the Colorado Rockies for the NL title by one game.[1] Hence, for the second straight campaign, the club finished within one game of a playoff berth, having last qualified in 1986. For the fourth consecutive arc, since 1992, Houston had concluded with a record of at least .500—unprecedented in any prior instance in franchise history—while also matching the 1979, 1980, and 1981 clubs with three successive winning campaigns for longest string of winning seasons in franchise annals.[2] The 1995 Astros also set club records for runs scored (747) and on-base percentage (.353 OBP), while posting the second-highest batting average to the 1994 squad (.278, .275).[3] Moreover, second baseman Craig Biggio became the first Astro to be recognized with both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards in the same year on multiple occasions, and, the first Astro to win either award for the position at second base.[4]

Regular season

Summary

April

Opening Day starting lineup
Uniform Player Position
19 Brian L. Hunter Center fielder
7 Craig Biggio Second baseman
5 Jeff Bagwell First baseman
14 Derek Bell Right fielder
16 Derrick May Left fielder
17 Sean Berry Third baseman
3 Rick Wilkins Catcher
24 Orlando Miller Shortstop
37 Shane Reynolds Pitcher
Venue: Astrodome • Los Angeles 4, Houston 3

Sources:[6][7]

The Astros hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers for Opening Day, April 1. Houston chose Shane Reynolds as the starting pitcher, while Los Angeles countered with Ramón Martínez. The Astros crossed the plate first as shortstop Orlando Miller singled in Sean Berry. Reynolds kept the Dodgers scoreless until the fifth, when Eric Karros singled home a run, and Todd Hollandsworth cleared the bases with a double. The Astros responded during the bottom of the sixth, when Jeff Bagwell led off with the club's first home run of the season, and Derrick May lifted a sacrifice fly which scored Derek Bell to reduce the Astros' deficit to 4–3. However, the score held as Reynolds took the defeat, while Martinez tossed a quality start to earn the victory.[8]

May

On May 7 against Philadelphia, Jeff Bagwell reached the 500th run batted in (RBI) of his career with two home runs and four RBI.[9] By hitting his second upper-deck home run at Three Rivers Stadium on May 29 – it travelled 459 feet (140 m) – Bagwell joined longtime Pirate Willie Stargell as the only players to homer twice into the stadium's upper deck.[10]

Backup catcher Jerry Goff set a National League record and matched the MLB record on May 12 with six passed balls, tying Geno Petralli and Rube Vickers.[11] Goff's miscues led to five unearned runs, allowing the Montreal Expos to defeat Houston, 7–6. At the plate, Goff homered and collected two hits;[12] however, in spite of his strong offensive performance, the Astros optioned him to the Triple-A Tucson Toros following the game. This turned out to be his last appearance in the major leagues.[11][13]

On May 24, Craig Biggio's two-run, ninth-inning blast tied the game and sent it into extra innings. Later, Astros outfielder John Cangelosi stroked a 10th-inning RBI single to finish off the Chicago Cubs for the 8–7 win.[14]

For the month of May, Bagwell batted .360 with .740 SLG, 10 HR, 31 RBI, scored 22 runs, and stole four bases. He was named NL Player of the Month, his fourth career monthly award.[15]

June

On June 6, southpaw Billy Wagner notched a three-inning bout for the first time, going 3+1⁄3 total frames while surrendering three runs. Wagner struck out five.[16]

On June 14, Bagwell tied a major league record with four doubles in one game against the San Francisco Giants.[17] Bagwell's achievement was the first in the major leagues since Billy Hatcher on August 21, 1990, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.[18] He joined Kevin Bass on June 27, 1987, as the second Houston Astro to slug four extra-base hits in a single game, also punishing San Francisco Giants pitching.[a][19] Craig Biggio went deep and plated three, while Brian Hunter doubled and drove in three. Mike Hampton (5–3) tossed six sturdy innings while Billy Wagner closed out the final three frames for his first career save. Billy "The Kid" whiffed four of nine batters faced.[20]

Billy Wagner whiffed a career-best seven on June 20, accounting for seven of eight total outs in an appearance of 2+2⁄3 innings. Wagner diffused two bases on balls and one safety with no runs surrendered.[16]

July

On July 24, pinch hitter Ray Montgomery connected for a tenth-inning walk-off home run off Ron Villone of the San Diego Padres, also scoring Ricky Gutiérrez.[b][21] This was also Montgomery's first and only major league blast.[22] James Mouton also went deep among three hits. The final score was Houston 6, San Diego 4.[23]

During the month of July, Houston claimed five triumphs via walk-off safeties.[24]

September

With one month remaining in the season, the Astros held a 2+1⁄2-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.[25]

However, the Astros lost 17 of their final 25 games—including a season-high nine-game losing streak[26]—and wound up losing the division lead, ultimately landing in second place and six games behind the first-place Cardinals. The Astros dismissed manager Terry Collins following the season.[25]

Retirement of Nolan Ryan's uniform number 34

During a pre-game ceremony on September 29, 1996—the final day of the regular season—the Astros retired Nolan Ryan's jersey number 34. During his tenure in Houston, the "Ryan Express" became the fourth major league pitcher to notch his 3,000th strikeout (July 4, 1980),[27] the first to whiff each of 4,000 (July 11, 1985) and 4,500 batters (September 9, 1987), tossed his record fifth no-hitter (September 25, 1981),[28] and earned his 250th career victory (August 27, 1986).[29]

In 282 games started with Astros, Ryan went 106–94 with a 3.13 earned run average (ERA), gaining two All-Star team selections while claiming two each of league ERA titles (1.69 in 1981, 2.76 in 1987) and strikeout titles (270 in 1987, 228 in 1988).[30] Ryan became the first Astro to earn multiple ERA titles,[31] and just the second to lead in strikeouts multiple seasons, following J. R. Richard.[32] Ryan departed Houston as the Astros' career record holder for strikeouts (1,866), for most 10-K games with 53, as well having tossed the third 16-strikeout game in franchise history (September 9, 1987).[33]

Ryan became the second major leaguer to have his jersey number retired by three teams on which they played, joining Frank Robinson.[34]

To cap off the contest, catcher Tony Eusebio lined a double to left field to score James Mouton for a walk-off, 5–4 decision in ten innings over the Florida Marlins.[24] This brought Houston to a winning record for the campaign at 82–80.[35]

Performance overview

With a final record of 82–80, the Astros increased their win total by six from the year prior, while their winning percentage dropped 0.022 points, a season shortened by a players' strike to 144 games. After their late-season collapse, the Astros produced a fifth consecutive season since 1992 with a record of at least .500—unprecedented in franchise history. The 1996 team was the fourth consecutive with a winning record, surpassing the 1979, 1980, 1981 clubs which set the prior record with three successive winning campaigns. The Astros maintained their consistency and extended this new record through the 1999 campaign.[2]

The Astros hoisted 12 victories via walk-off hit[24] to lead the Major Leagues, and their most since 1992.[36] Derek Bell led the club with three (April 2, July 20, and July 21).[24] Meanwhile, Orlando Miller swatted two of Houston's three walk-off home runs, and was one of eight players in the Major Leagues to hit multiple such home runs.[c][37]

Jeff Bagwell recorded the first of six successive campaigns of each of 100 runs scored, 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 BB, through 2001, a Major League record.[d][38] Bagwell connected for 31 homers, while establishing single-season club records with 48 doubles and 120 RBI. Derek Bell, who drove home 113 runs, joined Bagwell to generate the first instance in which the club rostered multiple hitters with 100-plus RBI during the same season.[26]

Starting pitchers Shane Reynolds and Darryl Kile both struck out upward of 200 batters.[26] It was the third season in franchise history that the Astros boasted at least two such hurlers (1969, 1987).[e][39]

Biggio was recognized with the Gold Glove Award at second base for the third consecutive year. Among Astros Gold Glove winners, only César Cedeño and Doug Rader had won more (5 each, both consecutively).[40]

Season standings

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 88 74 .543 — 48‍–‍33 40‍–‍41
Houston Astros 82 80 .506 6 48‍–‍33 34‍–‍47
Cincinnati Reds 81 81 .500 7 46‍–‍35 35‍–‍46
Chicago Cubs 76 86 .469 12 43‍–‍38 33‍–‍48
Pittsburgh Pirates 73 89 .451 15 36‍–‍44 37‍–‍45

Record vs. opponents

1996 National League record
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 1996
Team ATL CHC CIN COL FLA HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta — 7–5 7–5 5–7 6–7 6–6 5–7 10–3 7–6 9–4 9–3 9–4 7–5 9–4
Chicago 5–7 — 5–8 5–7 6–6 5–8 8–5 6–6 7–5 7–6 4–9 6–6 7–5 5–8
Cincinnati 5–7 8–5 — 7–6 3–9 7–6 4–8 3–9 6–6 10–2 5–8 9–3 9–4 5–8
Colorado 7–5 7–5 6–7 — 5–8 8–5 6–7 3–9 7–5 6–6 7–5 8–5 5–8 8–4
Florida 7–6 6–6 9–3 8–5 — 7–5 6–7 5–8 7–6 6–7 5–7 3–9 5–7 6–6
Houston 6–6 8–5 6–7 5–8 5–7 — 6–6 4–9 8–4 10–2 8–5 6–6 8–4 2–11
Los Angeles 7–5 5–8 8–4 7–6 7–6 6–6 — 9–3 8–4 7–6 6–6 5–8 7–6 8–4
Montreal 3–10 6–6 9–3 9–3 8–5 9–4 3–9 — 7–6 6–7 7–5 4–8 9–4 8–4
New York 6–7 5–7 6–6 5–7 6–7 4–8 4–8 6–7 — 7–6 8–5 3–10 6–6 5–7
Philadelphia 4–9 6–7 2–10 6–6 7–6 2–10 6–7 7–6 6–7 — 7–5 4–8 6–6 4–8
Pittsburgh 3–9 9–4 8–5 5–7 7–5 5–8 6–6 5–7 5–8 5–7 — 4–9 8–4 3–10
San Diego 4–9 6–6 3–9 5–8 9–3 6–6 8–5 8–4 10–3 8–4 9–4 — 11–2 4–8
San Francisco 5–7 5–7 4–9 8–5 7–5 4–8 6–7 4–9 6–6 6–6 4–8 2–11 — 7–6
St. Louis 4–9 8–5 8–5 4–8 6–6 11–2 4–8 4–8 7–5 8–4 10–3 8–4 6–7 —

Game log

1996 Game Log: 82–80 (Home: 48–33; Away: 34–47)
April: 13–14 (Home: 5–8; Away: 8–6)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 1 Dodgers 3–4 Martinez Reynolds (0–1) Worrell 34,375 0–1
2 April 2 Dodgers 5–4 Jones (1–0) Cummings — 20,492 1–1
3 April 3 Dodgers 5–2 Hampton (1–0) Nomo Jones (1) 14,858 2–1
4 April 5 Padres 4–10 Tewksbury Kile (0–1) — 28,629 2–2
5 April 6 Padres 4–8 (13) Hoffman Small (0–1) — 24,510 2–3
6 April 7 Padres 2–17 Bergman Swindell (0–1) — 16,258 2–4
7 April 8 Giants 6–2 Hampton (2–0) VanLandingham — 13,488 3–4
8 April 9 Giants 1–3 (10) Juden Tabaka (0–1) Beck 13,588 3–5
9 April 10 Giants 5–11 Fernandez Kile (0–2) — 14,183 3–6
10 April 11 @ Reds 9–4 Reynolds (1–1) Portugal — 18,946 4–6
11 April 12 @ Reds 10–8 (10) Jones (2–0) Moore Tabaka (1) 24,960 5–6
12 April 14 @ Reds 3–5 Schourek Hampton (2–1) Brantley — 5–7
13 April 14 @ Reds 8–9 Shaw Young (0–1) Brantley 21,552 5–8
14 April 16 @ Mets 9–6 Reynolds (2–1) Isringhausen Jones (2) 13,795 6–8
15 April 17 @ Mets 7–5 Kile (1–2) Wilson Jones (3) 12,065 7–8
16 April 19 Reds 13–5 Brocail (1–0) Schourek — 22,728 8–8
17 April 20 Reds 1–6 Smiley Drabek (0–1) — 34,098 8–9
18 April 21 Reds 7–5 Jones (3–0) Brantley — 27,845 9–9
19 April 22 @ Giants 11–8 Reynolds (3–1) Leiter — 8,867 10–9
20 April 23 @ Giants 8–4 Kile (2–2) VanLandingham — 8,439 11–9
21 April 24 @ Dodgers 2–5 Valdez Brocail (1–1) — 26,666 11–10
22 April 25 @ Dodgers 4–6 Nomo Drabek (0–2) Worrell 33,530 11–11
23 April 26 @ Padres 2–3 Worrell Hampton (2–2) Hoffman 21,254 11–12
24 April 27 @ Padres 6–0 Reynolds (4–1) Ashby — 38,309 12–12
25 April 28 @ Padres 3–2 Kile (3–2) Bergman Jones (4) 27,208 13–12
26 April 29 @ Padres 0–2 Hamilton Brocail (1–2) — 8,979 13–13
27 April 30 Braves 5–7 Smoltz Jones (3–1) McMichael 17,795 13–14
May: 14–14 (Home: 7–6; Away: 7–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
28 May 1 Braves 3–0 Hampton (3–2) Avery — 18,546 14–14
29 May 3 Expos 4–1 Reynolds (5–1) Cormier Jones (5) 19,633 15–14
30 May 4 Expos 1–2 Veres Hernandez (0–1) Rojas 22,810 15–15
31 May 5 Expos 0–5 Fassero Brocail (1–3) — 25,207 15–16
32 May 6 @ Phillies 11–5 Drabek (1–2) Hunter — 15,906 16–16
33 May 7 @ Phillies 7–5 Young (1–1) Springer Jones (6) 16,569 17–16
34 May 8 @ Phillies 1–2 (10) Ryan Tabaka (0–2) — 16,284 17–17
35 May 9 @ Expos 11–4 Kile (4–2) Rueter — 12,470 18–17
36 May 10 @ Expos 2–5 Fassero Dougherty (0–1) Rojas 30,315 18–18
37 May 11 @ Expos 9–10 (13) Dyer Dougherty (0–2) — 26,084 18–19
38 May 12 @ Expos 6–7 Urbina Hampton (3–3) Rojas 19,345 18–20
39 May 13 @ Cubs 0–6 Trachsel Reynolds (5–2) — 22,610 18–21
40 May 14 @ Cubs 6–3 Kile (5–2) Navarro Jones (7) 17,562 19–21
41 May 15 @ Cubs 7–5 Wall (1–0) Castillo Jones (8) 16,093 20–21
42 May 16 @ Cubs 1–13 Telemaco Drabek (1–3) — 15,902 20–22
43 May 17 Pirates 4–2 Reynolds (6–2) Lieber Jones (9) 22,882 21–22
44 May 18 Pirates 1–2 (11) Cordova Young (1–2) Plesac 21,010 21–23
45 May 19 Pirates 4–3 Jones (4–1) Lieber — 18,815 22–23
46 May 20 Cardinals 3–5 Osborne Drabek (1–4) — 14,547 22–24
47 May 21 Cardinals 2–8 Stottlemyre Reynolds (6–3) — 17,935 22–25
48 May 22 Cardinals 2–5 Benes Kile (5–3) Mathews 15,353 22–26
49 May 24 Cubs 8–7 (10) Jones (5–1) Patterson — 23,910 23–26
50 May 25 Cubs 5–2 Drabek (2–4) Navarro Jones (10) 34,326 24–26
51 May 26 Cubs 7–2 Reynolds (7–3) Castillo — 33,245 25–26
52 May 27 @ Pirates 5–3 Kile (6–3) Smith — 8,906 26–26
53 May 28 @ Pirates 5–6 Miceli Swindell (0–2) Cordova 7,182 26–27
54 May 29 @ Pirates 7–4 Morman (1–0) Darwin Jones (11) 11,679 27–27
55 May 31 @ Cardinals 4–6 Osborne Swindell (0–3) Fossas 37,625 27–28
June: 15–12 (Home: 8–4; Away: 7–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
56 June 1 @ Cardinals 4–5 (10) Bailey Hernandez (0–2) — 34,958 27–29
57 June 2 @ Cardinals 0–2 Stottlemyre Kile (6–4) — 32,703 27–30
58 June 4 Rockies 16–8 Hampton (4–3) Thompson — 18,418 28–30
59 June 5 Rockies 4–1 Wall (2–0) Reynoso — 14,954 29–30
60 June 6 Rockies 7–14 Ritz Drabek (2–5) — 22,112 29–31
61 June 7 Phillies 11–5 Reynolds (8–3) Crawford — 22,585 30–31
62 June 8 Phillies 7–3 Wagner (1–0) Springer — 23,739 31–31
63 June 9 Phillies 2–1 Young (2–2) Williams Jones (12) 30,180 32–31
64 June 10 @ Rockies 10–9 Wall (3–0) Reynoso — 48,007 33–31
65 June 11 @ Rockies 5–7 Alston Young (2–3) Ruffin 48,014 33–32
66 June 12 @ Rockies 0–8 Freeman Reynolds (8–4) — 48,024 33–33
67 June 13 @ Giants 8–12 Leiter Kile (6–5) — 10,527 33–34
68 June 14 @ Giants 9–1 Hampton (5–3) VanLandingham Wagner (1) 10,758 34–34
69 June 15 @ Giants 4–3 Wall (4–0) Watson Jones (13) 18,530 35–34
70 June 16 @ Giants 7–8 DeLucia Morman (1–1) — 27,624 35–35
71 June 17 Reds 5–4 Young (3–3) Shaw Jones (14) 24,977 36–35
72 June 18 Reds 4–6 (10) Brantley Hernandez (0–3) — 20,505 36–36
73 June 19 Reds 7–10 Portugal Hampton (5–4) Brantley 38,218 36–37
74 June 20 @ Dodgers 4–2 Wall (5–0) Nomo Jones (15) 49,656 37–37
75 June 21 @ Dodgers 11–3 Drabek (3–5) Candiotti — 33,273 38–37
76 June 22 @ Dodgers 0–3 Martinez Reynolds (8–5) — 37,844 38–38
77 June 23 @ Dodgers 3–4 Worrell Hernandez (0–4) — 35,467 38–39
78 June 25 @ Padres 9–4 Jones (6–1) Sanders — 13,458 39–39
79 June 26 @ Padres 4–3 Wall (6–0) Worrell Wagner (2) 12,388 40–39
80 June 28 Mets 2–7 Clark Drabek (3–6) Henry 24,569 40–40
81 June 29 Mets 9–1 Reynolds (9–5) Person — 35,454 41–40
82 June 30 Mets 9–3 Kile (7–5) Isringhausen — 35,981 42–40
July: 15–12 (Home: 10–3; Away: 5–9)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
83 July 1 Marlins 6–2 Hampton (6–4) Brown — 18,513 43–40
84 July 2 Marlins 4–3 (12) Johnstone (1–0) Mathews — 18,897 44–40
85 July 3 Marlins 4–3 Drabek (4–6) Leiter Jones (16) 24,537 45–40
86 July 4 @ Braves 5–2 Reynolds (10–5) Smoltz Hernandez (1) 49,060 46–40
87 July 5 @ Braves 7–1 Kile (8–5) Schmidt — 36,896 47–40
88 July 6 @ Braves 2–4 Bielecki Hampton (6–5) — 41,619 47–41
89 July 7 @ Braves 1–9 Maddux Wall (6–1) — 28,716 47–42
90 July 11 @ Mets 2–8 Clark Drabek (4–7) — 18,557 47–43
91 July 12 @ Mets 3–1 Reynolds (11–5) Jones Wagner (3) 17,405 48–43
92 July 14 @ Mets 7–5 (11) Hernandez (1–4) Mlicki Jones (17) — 49–43
93 July 14 @ Mets 3–10 Harnisch Hampton (6–6) — 33,505 49–44
94 July 15 @ Marlins 5–15 Pall Wall (6–2) — 15,807 49–45
95 July 16 @ Marlins 2–3 Perez Jones (6–2) — 15,610 49–46
96 July 17 @ Marlins 2–11 Leiter Reynolds (11–6) — 16,345 49–47
97 July 18 Braves 2–3 Smoltz Jones (6–3) Wohlers 35,822 49–48
98 July 19 Braves 7–6 Kile (9–5) Woodall Wagner (4) 39,090 50–48
99 July 20 Braves 2–1 Wagner (2–0) Maddux — 49,674 51–48
100 July 21 Braves 4–3 (10) Hernandez (2–4) McMichael — 45,561 52–48
101 July 22 Padres 1–0 Reynolds (12–6) Hamilton Wagner (5) 21,563 53–48
102 July 23 Padres 4–7 Sanders Hampton (6–7) Hoffman 19,620 53–49
103 July 24 Padres 6–4 (10) Hernandez (3–4) Villone — 19,168 54–49
104 July 26 Dodgers 4–3 Darwin (1–0) Guthrie Wagner (6) 27,089 55–49
105 July 27 Dodgers 5–6 (11) Osuna Clark (0–1) Worrell 36,841 55–50
106 July 28 Dodgers 3–2 Darwin (2–0) Eischen — 32,912 56–50
107 July 29 @ Reds 2–1 Hampton (7–7) Portugal Wagner (7) 22,163 57–50
108 July 30 @ Reds 4–5 (10) Shaw Clark (0–2) — 27,015 57–51
109 July 31 @ Reds 0–10 Smiley Wall (6–3) — 26,082 57–52
August: 17–11 (Home: 10–7; Away: 7–4)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
110 August 2 Giants 5–1 Drabek (5–7) Gardner Hernandez (2) 22,682 58–52
111 August 3 Giants 4–1 Reynolds (13–6) Estes — 35,930 59–52
112 August 4 Giants 7–6 Hampton (8–7) Fernandez Wagner (8) 33,646 60–52
113 August 6 Expos 5–7 Fassero Kile (9–6) Rojas 17,658 60–53
114 August 7 Expos 5–13 Leiter Wall (6–4) — 19,703 60–54
115 August 8 Expos 6–2 Drabek (6–7) Martinez — 26,632 61–54
116 August 9 @ Phillies 5–1 Reynolds (14–6) West — 21,780 62–54
117 August 10 @ Phillies 3–1 Hampton (9–7) Schilling Wagner (9) 18,486 63–54
118 August 11 @ Phillies 10–5 Kile (10–6) Williams — 24,150 64–54
119 August 12 @ Expos 1–8 Leiter Darwin (2–1) — 35,458 64–55
120 August 13 @ Expos 4–7 Martinez Drabek (6–8) Rojas 17,103 64–56
121 August 14 @ Expos 8–3 Reynolds (15–6) Cormier — 19,136 65–56
122 August 16 @ Cubs 8–3 Hampton (10–7) Castillo — 37,139 66–56
123 August 17 @ Cubs 3–12 Trachsel Kile (10–7) — 39,775 66–57
124 August 18 @ Cubs 8–10 Navarro Brocail (1–4) Wendell 37,210 66–58
125 August 19 Pirates 2–1 (13) Morman (2–1) Morel — 15,067 67–58
126 August 20 Pirates 9–4 Wall (7–4) Miceli Hernandez (3) 19,866 68–58
127 August 21 Pirates 2–5 Neagle Hampton (10–8) Ericks 13,357 68–59
128 August 22 Pirates 6–8 Wilkins Wagner (2–1) Ericks 14,899 68–60
129 August 23 Cardinals 0–1 Osborne Kile (10–8) Eckersley 35,554 68–61
130 August 24 Cardinals 3–1 Reynolds (16–6) Stottlemyre — 43,258 69–61
131 August 25 Cardinals 4–1 Wall (8–4) Benes Hernandez (4) 31,609 70–61
132 August 26 Cardinals 2–3 Benes Hampton (10–9) Eckersley 21,624 70–62
133 August 27 Cubs 6–5 Morman (3–1) Adams Hernandez (5) 15,374 71–62
134 August 28 Cubs 5–4 Olson (1–0) Bottenfield — 18,026 72–62
135 August 29 Cubs 3–4 Navarro Reynolds (16–7) Wendell 16,151 72–63
136 August 30 @ Pirates 10–0 Wall (9–4) Peters — 24,619 73–63
137 August 31 @ Pirates 5–4 Hernandez (4–4) Ericks Hudek (1) 27,559 74–63
September: 8–17 (Home: 8–5; Away: 0–12)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
138 September 1 @ Pirates 5–9 Wainhouse Darwin (2–2) — 14,144 74–64
139 September 2 @ Cardinals 7–8 (10) Benes Brocail (1–5) — 32,955 74–65
140 September 3 @ Cardinals 3–12 Stottlemyre Reynolds (16–8) — 23,955 74–66
141 September 4 @ Cardinals 4–6 Benes Wall (9–5) Eckersley 34,891 74–67
142 September 6 Rockies 2–1 Hernandez (5–4) Leskanic — 20,932 75–67
143 September 7 Rockies 5–4 Kile (11–8) Holmes Hudek (2) 37,213 76–67
144 September 8 Rockies 2–5 Reed Reynolds (16–9) Ruffin 31,316 76–68
145 September 9 Rockies 2–4 Ritz Wall (9–6) Ruffin 13,833 76–69
146 September 10 Phillies 4–3 Morman (4–1) Schilling Hernandez (6) 12,700 77–69
147 September 11 Phillies 8–10 Parrett Holt (0–1) Bottalico 17,300 77–70
148 September 12 Phillies 4–1 Kile (12–8) Williams — 16,103 78–70
149 September 13 @ Rockies 3–6 Holmes Hernandez (5–5) Ruffin 48,049 78–71
150 September 14 @ Rockies 3–7 Ritz Wall (9–7) — 48,132 78–72
151 September 15 @ Rockies 4–11 Thompson Drabek (6–9) — 48,038 78–73
152 September 17 @ Braves 4–5 Smoltz Kile (12–9) Wohlers 32,109 78–74
153 September 18 @ Braves 2–6 Maddux Hampton (10–10) — 29,885 78–75
154 September 20 @ Marlins 1–3 Brown Reynolds (16–10) Nen 21,518 78–76
155 September 21 @ Marlins 1–2 Heredia Wagner (2–2) — 31,023 78–77
156 September 22 @ Marlins 0–6 Helling Kile (12–10) — 17,461 78–78
157 September 24 Mets 0–4 Jones Wall (9–8) — 39,511 78–79
158 September 25 Mets 5–4 (10) Hudek (1–0) Wallace — 15,760 79–79
159 September 26 Mets 6–2 Drabek (7–9) Trlicek — 13,751 80–79
160 September 27 Marlins 2–3 Hutton Kile (12–11) Nen 21,725 80–80
161 September 28 Marlins 5–1 Darwin (3–2) Heredia — 21,832 81–80
162 September 29 Marlins 5–4 (10) Hudek (2–0) Hammond — 42,658 82–80
Legend:        = Win        = Loss
Bold = Astros team member

Detailed records

Notable transactions

Roster

1996 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

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 Rick Wilkins 84 254 54 .213 6 23
1B Jeff Bagwell 162 568 179 .315 31 120
2B Craig Biggio 162 605 174 .288 15 75
SS Orlando Miller 139 468 120 .256 15 58
3B Sean Berry 132 431 121 .281 17 95
LF Derrick May 109 259 65 .251 5 33
CF Brian Hunter 132 526 145 .276 5 35
RF Derek Bell 158 627 165 .263 17 113

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
James Mouton 122 300 79 .263 3 34
John Cangelosi 108 262 69 .263 1 16
Ricky Gutiérrez 89 218 62 .284 1 15
Bill Spiers 122 218 55 .252 6 26
Tony Eusebio 58 152 41 .270 1 19
Randy Knorr 37 87 17 .195 1 7
Kurt Manwaring 37 82 18 .220 0 4
Mike Simms 49 68 12 .176 1 8
Bobby Abreu 15 22 5 .227 0 1
Ray Montgomery 12 14 3 .214 1 4
Dave Hajek 8 10 3 .300 0 0
Jerry Goff 1 4 2 .500 1 2
Andújar Cedeño 3 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
Shane Reynolds 35 239.0 16 10 3.65 204
Darryl Kile 35 219.0 12 11 4.19 219
Doug Drabek 30 175.1 7 9 4.57 137
Mike Hampton 27 160.1 10 10 3.59 101
Donne Wall 26 150.0 9 8 4.56 99

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
Doug Brocail 23 53.0 1 5 4.58 34
Danny Darwin 15 42.1 3 2 5.95 27
Greg Swindell 8 23.0 0 3 7.83 15

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
Todd Jones 51 6 3 17 4.40 44
Xavier Hernandez 58 5 5 6 4.22 78
Alvin Morman 53 4 1 0 4.93 31
Billy Wagner 37 2 2 9 2.44 67
Anthony Young 28 3 3 0 4.59 19
Dean Hartgraves 19 0 0 0 5.21 16
Jeff Tabaka 18 0 2 1 6.64 18
Mark Small 16 0 1 0 5.92 16
John Hudek 15 2 0 2 2.31 14
Jim Dougherty 12 0 2 0 9.00 6
John Johnstone 9 1 0 0 5.54 5
Gregg Olson 9 1 0 0 4.82 8
Terry Clark 5 0 2 0 11.37 5
Chris Holt 4 0 1 0 5.79 0

Awards and achievements

Career honors
Nolan
Ryan
P
 
Retired September 29, 1996
Awards
NL batting leaders
NL fielding leaders

Minor league system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Tim Tolman
AA Jackson Generals Texas League Dave Engle
A Kissimmee Cobras Florida State League Alan Ashby
A Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest League Jim Pankovits
A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays New York–Penn League Manny Acta
Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Bobby Ramos
Championships
Awards

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The next Astro with four extra-bas hits in one game was Jose Altuve, on May 17, 2017. Criteria: For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring extra base hits ≥ 4, sorted by descending date.
  2. ^ HOU: 3 home runs in 1996—walk-off
  3. ^ All: 64 home runs in 1996—walk-off
  4. ^ Just four other players had produced six or more total seasons meeting each of the criteria: Lou Gehrig (8); and Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Barry Bonds (6 each). Filtered for: Number of seasons player meets criteria, in the regular season: Requiring runs ≥ 100, doubles ≥ 30, home runs ≥ 30, runs batted in ≥ 100 and bases on balls ≥ 100, sorted by descending instances.
  5. ^ Number of players that meet criteria in a season for a team, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 200, sorted by descending instances..

References

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