1999 Houston Astros season

Last updated

1999  Houston Astros
National League Central champions
Astros clinch playoff berth!.jpg
Final Astros regular season game in the Astrodome on October 3, 1999
League National League
Division Central
Ballpark Astrodome
City Houston, Texas
Record97–65 (.599)
Divisional place1st
Owners Drayton McLane, Jr.
General managers Gerry Hunsicker
Managers Larry Dierker, Matt Galante
Television KNWS-TV
Fox Sports Southwest
(Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies)
Radio KTRH
(Milo Hamilton, Alan Ashby)
KXYZ
(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Alex Treviño)
←  1998 Seasons 2000  →

The 1999 Houston Astros season was the 38th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 35th as the Astros, 38th in the National League (NL), sixth in the NL Central division, and 35th and final season at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season as two-time defending NL Central champions with a 102–60 record, setting a then-club record for wins, as well their first-ever 100-win season. However, the Astros' season ended in a 3-games-to-1 defeat by the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series (NLDS), also the NL pennant winners.

Contents

On April 6, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Chicago Cubs and won, 4–2. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was outfielder Mike Rosamond at 42nd overall.

Four Astros represented the club, playing for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game: first baseman Jeff Bagwell, [a] and pitchers Mike Hampton, José Lima, and Billy Wagner. This was the fourth All-Star appearance for Bagwell, and first for each of Hampton, Lima and Wagner. Former pitcher Nolan Ryan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ryan spent nine of his 27 MLB seasons with Houston, from 1980 to 1988.

The Astros won their third consecutive NL Central division title on October 3, the final day of playing regular season games in The Astrodome before a sellout crowd. Fans broke the franchise attendance record for a second consecutive season at over 2.7 million. For the first time in franchise history, Houston claimed three consecutive division titles while qualifying for the playoffs in three straight seasons; the next time they accomplished this occurred exactly two decades later, in 2017, 2018, and 2019. This was the Astros' sixth division title and sixth playoff appearance in franchise history.

However, the Astros' season ended in a 3-games-to-1 defeat by the Atlanta Braves in that year's NLDS. It was their third consecutive NLDS loss, and the second in three seasons to Atlanta, who ended their season as the NL pennant winners. In fact, through the point, the Astros had never won playoff round.

Following the season, Hampton, the NL leader in wins (22) and third-place finisher in earned run average (ERA, 2.90), was recognized with the Players Choice Award for NL Outstanding Pitcher and as The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year, [b] Wagner won the Rolaids Relief Man Award, and Bagwell and Hampton won Silver Slugger Awards.

The Astros relocated the following season to Enron Field, later rebranded as Minute Maid Park, also in downtown Houston. [1]

Offseason

Regular season

New stadium

Exterior of Minute Maid Park MinuteMaidParkExteriorHouston.JPG
Exterior of Minute Maid Park

In 1999, the Astros played their final season in the Astrodome as their new stadium was being prepared for play to begin in the 2000 season. The ballpark was first named as Enron Field on April 9, 1999, with naming rights sold to the Houston energy and financial trading company in a 30-year, $100 million deal. Astros management faced a public relations nightmare when the energy corporation went bankrupt in the midst of one of the biggest corporate scandals in American history in 2001, and they bought back the remainder of Enron's thirty years of naming rights for $2.1 million, renaming the ballpark as Astros Field on February 7, 2002. The field was unofficially known as "The Field Formerly Known As Enron" by fans and critics alike, in the wake of the Enron scandal. On June 5, 2002, Houston-based Minute Maid, the fruit-juice subsidiary of Coca-Cola, acquired the naming rights to the stadium for 28 years at a price exceeding $100 million.

Based on its downtown location next to the old Union Station buildings, one of the suggested names (and nicknames) is the Ballpark at Union Station, or the BUS. During its days as Enron Field, it was also dubbed "Ten-Run" or "Home Run" Field due to its cozy left-field dimensions. In keeping with this theme while paying homage to its current sponsor, the nickname "The Juice Box" is colloquially used today.

Summary

April—May

Opening Day starting lineup [5] [6]
 7 Craig Biggio 2B
14 Derek Bell RF
 5 Jeff Bagwell 1B
11 Ken Caminiti 3B
 3 Carl Everett CF
15 Richard Hidalgo LF
20 Tony Eusebio   C
12 Ricky Gutiérrez SS
37 Shane Reynolds   P
Venue:Astrodome • HOU 4,CHI 2

On the 35th and final anniversary of the opening of the Astrodome, April 9, Tim Bogar singled home Richard Hidalgo for the winning run to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers, 3–2. Starting pitcher Sean Bergman homered but it was Scott Elarton who picked up the win relief. [7] On April 11, Craig Biggio scored his 1,000th run along with two hits to lead a 5–2 win over the Brewers. Shane Reynolds was the winning pitcher. [7]

On April 21, Jeff Bagwell hit three home runs in a 10–3 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, his second career three-home run game. The second home run allowed him to surpass Jimmy Wynn as the Astros' all-time home run leader at 224 and he tied a career-high in one game with six runs batted in (RBI). [8]

Houston staged an offensive onslaught on May 11, routing the Pittsburgh Pirates 19–8 at the Astrodome. This matched a 1995 explosion against the Chicago Cubs for the club record for runs, which stood until the 2015 season. [9] The Astros' batting order cranked 10 extra-base hits—all doubles. Leading the way, Bagwell reached base 5 times, including 2 hits for doubles and 3 bases on balls, scored 4 runs and had 4 RBI. Carl Everett added 5 RBI, and Ken Caminiti also had 4 RBI. Sean Bergman was the winning pitcher after having allowing 11 hits and 6 runs over 5 innings. [10] The doubles tally broke a club record, which stood until another banner offensive performance, when they collected 11 doubles en route to defeating the Seattle Mariners, 21–1, on September 8, 2019. [11]

During a 10–5 win over the San Francisco Giants on May 15, second baseman Craig Biggio powered a 4-for-4 performance, including a three-run home run. Bagwell also slugged a three-run home run in the effort. [12]

June—July

Bagwell connected for another three-home run game on June 9 against the Chicago White Sox. He was also a grand slam short of hitting for the "home run cycle," with a solo home run, a three-run home run, and a two-run home run, respectively. [13] The two three-home run games made him the only player to accomplish this feat at two different stadiums in Chicago in the same season. [14]

On June 13, manager Larry Dierker collapsed in the dugout mid-game versus the San Diego Padres due to a grand mal seizure. He was hospitalized and required brain surgery, but recovered well to miss just 27 games. The game was suspended with Houston leading, 4–0. [15] In spite of losing Dierker, two other coaches to lengthy absences, and 14 players to the disabled list (DL), the Astros kept the competitive momentum going throughout the season. [16]

Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker promoted bench coach Matt Galante to serve as interim manager of the Astros in Dierker's stead. Galante, who had been in the organization since 1980 and was bench coach for one year, led the team to a performance result of 13–14 (.481). It was during this time that the team absorbed the absences of other coaching staff members on medical leave. First base coach José Cruz was on leave after an irregular heart beat. Hitting coach Tommy McCraw underwent treatment for prostate cancer. [17]

On July 23, the Astros and Padres resumed the contest interrupted by Dierker's seizure. [17] Reliever Billy Wagner surrendered a pair of home runs [18] to Phil Nevin and Rubén Rivera. [17] However, the Astro held on for a 4–3 win. [18]

August—October

On August 20, Bagwell walked a major-league record six times in a 16-inning game against the Florida Marlins. [19] [20]

During a Friday night contest on September 24 at Milwaukee County Stadium, Bill Spiers, stationed in right field, endured an ambush by a fan who had crawled down the adjacent wall. On a dare from his peers, the assailant, a 23-year-old Berley Visgar tackled Spiers from behind, toppling him, and delivered a bloody nose, a welt under the left eye and induced whiplash. Astros starting pitcher Mike Hampton immediately saw what was unfolding and sprinted to his right fielder's aid—arriving before anyone else—and pummeled Visgar with several kicks before being separated by teammates and Milwaukee Brewers players. [c] [21] [22]

The Astros won their final regular-season contest at the Astrodome on October 3, 9–4 over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while also clinching a third consecutive National League Central division title in record-setting fashion and with style. Hampton became the first 22-game winner in club history, while Biggio extended his club-record 56th double. Daryle Ward also doubled, driving in runs with the bases loaded in the first inning to begin the scoring. Afterwards, members of the 1965 club appear and were honored along with an All-Time Astros Team before a jubilant crowd. [7] The first time in franchise history the Astros had won three consecutive division titles, [23] they made history before yet another sellout crowd. In a season where standing-room only access became more commonplace than ever, Astros fans turned in yet another record-setting year of attendance, with 2.7 million, shattering the previous record set just the year prior, at 2.45 million. [16]

Also for the first time in franchise history, with Hampton (22 wins) and Lima (21), the Astros sported a 20 game-winner duo. [16] Hampton was recognized with The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year Award, the third Astro to receive this honor, following Joe Niekro in 1979 and Mike Scott in 1986. [b] [24] The third in a succession of Astros hurlers who led the league the in wins over decennial intervals, Hampton joined Niekro in 1979 and Scott in 1989 (20). [25] Manager Larry Dierker, who became the Astros' first-ever 20-game winning pitcher in 1969, [16] ranked fifth in the league that season. [26]

Closer Billy Wagner was recognized with the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award, [27] the first Astro be named with an annual reliever award since 1992, when Doug Jones was named The Sporting News NL Fireman of the Year: [28]

Season standings

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 9765.599—50‍–‍3247‍–‍33
Cincinnati Reds 9667.5891½45‍–‍3751‍–‍30
Pittsburgh Pirates 7883.48418½45‍–‍3633‍–‍47
St. Louis Cardinals 7586.46621½38‍–‍4237‍–‍44
Milwaukee Brewers 7487.46022½32‍–‍4842‍–‍39
Chicago Cubs 6795.4143034‍–‍4733‍–‍48

Record vs. opponents

1999 National League record
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 1999
TeamAZATLCHCCINCOLFLAHOULADMILMTLNYMPHIPITSDSFSTLAL
Arizona —4–57–21–86–78–15–47–65–46–37–28–15–211–29–34–47–8
Atlanta 5–4—2–58–15–49–46–15–45–29–49–38–56–35–44–58–19–9
Chicago 2–75–2—5–84–56–33–92–76–62–53–62–77–66–31–77–56–9
Cincinnati 8–11–88–5—7–26–19–44–36–64–35–56–37–66–34–58–47–8
Colorado 7–64–55–42–7—5–42–68–56–36–34–55–42–74–94–94–54–8
Florida 1–84–93–61–64–5—2–77–25–48–43–102–113–43–64–53–411–7
Houston 4–51–69–34–96–27–2—6–38–57–24–56–15–78–15–45–712–3
Los Angeles 6–74–57–23–45–82–73–6—7–25–44–46–33–63–98–53–68–7
Milwaukee 4–52–56–66–63–64–55–82–7—5–42–55–48–43–54–57–68–6
Montreal 3–64–95–23–43–64–82–74–54–5—5–86–63–65–34–55–48–10
New York 2–73–96–35–55–410–35–44–45–28–5—6–67–27–27–25–212–6
Philadelphia 1–85–87–23–64–511–21–63–64–56–66–6—3–46–32–64–511–7
Pittsburgh 2–53–66–76–77–24–37–56–34–86–32–74–3—3–64–57–57–8
San Diego 2–114–53–63–69–46–31–89–35–33–52–73–66–3—5–72–711–4
San Francisco 3–95–47–15–49–45–44–55–85–45–42–76–25–47–5—6–37–8
St. Louis 4–41–85–74–85–44–37–56–36–74–52–55–45–77–23–6—7–8

Notable transactions

Roster

1999 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

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

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C Tony Eusebio 10332388.272433
1B Jeff Bagwell 162562171.30442126
2B Craig Biggio 160639188.2941673
SS Tim Bogar 10630974.239431
3B Ken Caminiti 7827378.2861356
LF Richard Hidalgo 10838387.2271556
CF Carl Everett 123464151.32525108
RF Derek Bell 128509120.2361266

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Bill Spiers 127393113.288439
Ricky Gutiérrez 8526870.261125
Paul Bako 7321555.256217
Russ Johnson 8315644.282523
Daryle Ward 6415041.273830
Matt Mieske 5410931.284522
Lance Berkman 349322.237415
Glen Barker 817321.288111
Stan Javier 206421.32804
Alex Diaz 305011.22017
Jack Howell 37337.21211
Mitch Meluskey 10337.21213
Randy Knorr 13305.16700
Ryan Thompson 12204.20015
Carlos Hernández 16142.14301

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Mike Hampton 35246.12243.58177
José Lima 34239.021102.90187
Shane Reynolds 34231.216143.85197
Chris Holt 32164.05134.66115
Sean Bergman 1999.0465.3638

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Scott Elarton 42124.0953.48121
Wade Miller 510.1019.588

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Billy Wagner 6641391.57124
Jay Powell 675444.3277
Brian Williams 502104.4153
Trever Miller 473215.0737
Doug Henry 352324.6536
José Cabrera 264002.1528
Jeff McCurry 501015.753
Joe Slusarski 30000.003

National League Divisional Playoffs

Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros

Atlanta wins series, 3-1

GameScoreDate
1Houston 6, Atlanta 1October 5
2Atlanta 5, Houston 1October 6
3Atlanta 5, Houston 3 (12 innings)October 8
4Atlanta 7, Houston 5October 9

Awards and achievements

Career honors
Astros elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
PlayerPos.Colt .45s / Astros careerInduction
No.Yr.Gm.St.Fin.
Nolan Ryan SP 349282 1980 1988 1999 Plaque
Uniform number retired during 1996 season.
See also: Members of the Baseball Hall of Fame • Source: [30]
Annual awards
30 home runs–30 stolen bases club
PlayerAVGHRSB
Jeff Bagwell .3044230

Minor league system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA New Orleans Zephyrs Pacific Coast League Tony Peña
AA Jackson Generals Texas League Jim Pankovits
A Kissimmee Cobras Florida State League Manny Acta
A Michigan Battle Cats Midwest League Al Pedrique
A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays New York–Penn League Lyle Yates
Rookie Martinsville Astros Appalachian League Brad Wellman

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Martinsville


Awards

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Played in the All-Star Game as the starting designated hitter.
  2. 1 2 3 From its inception in 1944 until 2012, The Sporting News recognized one pitcher each from the NL and the American League (AL) for this award. Beginning in 2013, the award was redesignated to recognize one starting pitcher and relief pitcher from each league.
  3. ↑ Per an online obituary, Visgar died in 2018 at age 46.
    Sources
    1. ↑ Bush, Frederick C. (October 2, 2018). "October 3, 1999: Astros clinch third consecutive NL Central title in Astrodome's last regular-season game". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved September 8, 2025.
    2. ↑ "Ken Caminiti stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 22, 2025.
    3. ↑ "Ryan Thompson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
    4. 1 2 "Alex Diaz stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
    5. ↑ "Chicago Cubs (2) vs Houston Astros (4) box score". Baseball Almanac . April 6, 1999. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
    6. ↑ "1999 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
    7. 1 2 3 Hulsey, Bob. "This date in Astros history". Astros Daily. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
    8. ↑ "Bagwell is at his best with three homers". Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 22, 1999. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    9. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (May 11, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 11". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation . Retrieved September 18, 2025.
    10. ↑ "Pittsburgh Pirates (8) vs Houston Astros (11) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. May 11, 1999. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
    11. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (September 8, 2019). "Blackjack: Astros' bats break records in blowout". MLB.com . Retrieved September 18, 2025.
    12. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (May 15, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 15". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
    13. ↑ "Baseball time in Arlington: The penultimate killing of the year". Bbtia.com. September 28, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
    14. ↑ Kamka, Chris (April 12, 2015). "Thomas, Bagwell share 2005 World Series connection". Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
    15. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 13, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 13". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
    16. 1 2 3 4 "Astros history – Timeline". MLB.com . Retrieved August 31, 2025.
    17. 1 2 3 Heutmaker, Brent (October 2, 2018). "June 13, 1999: Astros manager Larry Dierker suffers seizure in the dugout". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved September 8, 2025.
    18. 1 2 Young, Matt (August 18, 2025). "Larry Dierker pitched in Astrodome's first game, then had one of building's most terrifying moments". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved August 18, 2025.
    19. ↑ de Jesús Ortíz, José (November 26, 2002). "Bagwell turns to weight room to regain shoulder strength". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
    20. ↑ "Jeff Bagwell 1999 batting game log". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
    21. ↑ "Spiers injured after fan attack". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 24, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
    22. ↑ Footer, Alyson (September 23, 2019). "The strangest pennant race brawl ever". MLB.com . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
    23. ↑ de Luna, Marcy (April 9, 2020). "Iconic Astrodome made its grand debut 55 years ago, became 'Eighth Wonder of the World'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
    24. 1 2 "The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year & The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    25. ↑ "Yearly league leaders & records for wins". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
    26. ↑ "1969 National League pitching leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
    27. 1 2 "The Rolaids Relief Man Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
    28. ↑ "Fireman of the Year Award | Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved September 20, 2025.
    29. ↑ George Williams at Baseball-Reference
    30. ↑ "Houston Astros Hall of Fame register". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved August 31, 2025.
    31. ↑ "Associated Press All-Star Awards & Teams". Baseball Almanac . Retrieved July 19, 2025.
    32. ↑ "Houston Astros Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    33. ↑ "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
    34. ↑ "Jeff Bagwell stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    35. ↑ "Mike Hampton stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    36. ↑ "José Lima stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
    37. ↑ "Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    38. ↑ "Midwest League All-Star team - historical winners". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    39. ↑ "Aaron McNeal - Minor League statistics > Awards". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
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