1997 Houston Astros season

1997 Houston Astros
National League Central champions
LeagueNational League
DivisionCentral
BallparkAstrodome
CityHouston, Texas
Record84–78 (.519)
Divisional place1st
OwnersDrayton McLane, Jr.
General managersGerry Hunsicker
ManagersLarry Dierker
TelevisionKTXH–TV 20
(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies)
Fox Sports Southwest
(Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies, Bill Worrell)
RadioKILT–AM 610
(Milo Hamilton, Vince Controneo)
KXYZ–AM 1320
(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Alex Treviño)

The 1997 Houston Astros season was the 36th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 33rd as the Astros, 36th in the National League (NL), fourth in the NL Central division, and 33rd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with an 82–80 record and second-place finish in the NL Central, 6 games behind the division-champion St. Louis Cardinals. In the NL Wild Card race, Houston placed third, 8 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 1997 season was the first for former player-turned-broadcaster Larry Dierker as manager, the 13th in Astros' franchise history, succeeding Terry Collins. Dierker pitched 13 seasons for Houston, from 1964–1976, gaining two All-Star selections. On April 1, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his second of five consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros, who hosted the Atlanta Braves and won, 2–1. In the amateur draft, the Astros selected first baseman Lance Berkman in the first round, at 16th overall. On June 13, the Astros played their first interleague game in franchise history, an 8–1 defeat to the Minnesota Twins of the American League (AL).

First baseman Jeff Bagwell (second career selection), second baseman Craig Biggio (sixth), and pitcher Darryl Kile (second) each represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, playing for the National League. Biggio and Bagwell, elected as starters, represented the first time in club history that the Astros had two All-Star starters. Former second baseman Nellie Fox, who played for Houston during their days as the Colt .45s, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. With 42 home runs and 31 stolen bases, Bagwell became the first Houston Astro to join the 30–30 club and first regular first baseman in major league history.

The Astros finished in first place with an 84–78 record for their first division title as a member of the NL Central, and giving them their first playoff berth since 1986. They clinched the division on September 25, eleven years to the day that they had clinched the National League West in 1986.[1] It was their fourth division title overall—the first two were also won in the NL West—and fourth playoff appearance in franchise history.

In the National League Division Series (NLDS), Atlanta swept the best-of-5 playoff, ending the Astros' season. It had been Houston's first NLDS appearance since 1981, and second overall.

Following the season, Bagwell (second) and Biggio (fourth) each received Silver Slugger Awards, and Biggio was also recognized with the Branch Rickey Award and a Gold Glove Award (fourth). The pair finished third and fourth in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award voting, respectively.

Offseason

The Astros hired former player-turned-broadcaster Larry Dierker as manager, the 13th in Astros' franchise history, to succeed Terry Collins, who had led the club to three consecutive second-place results in the NL Central division. Dierker pitched 13 seasons for Houston, from 1964–1976, gaining two All-Star selections. He pitched his final season as an active player with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. Dierker returned to Houston in 1979 as a broadcaster, serving in that capacity for the club through the 1996 campaign.

Regular season

Summary

April

Opening Day starting lineup[3][4]
 7 Craig Biggio 2B
 4 Pat Listach SS
 5 Jeff Bagwell 1B
14 Derek Bell CF
26 Luis Gonzalez LF
17 Sean Berry 3B
11 Brad Ausmus  C
53 Bobby Abreu RF
37 Shane Reynolds  P
Venue: Astrodome • HOU 2, ATL 1

On April 8, Russ Johnson made his major league debut, going 1-for-4 in a 4–2 defeat to Atlanta. Johnson followed up his debut by collecting a seven-game hitting streak, during which he batted .321.[5] This feat set a franchise record by hitting safely in each of his first 7 major league appearances, and was later tied by Jose Altuve on July 27, 2011.[6] Johnson went 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts on April 19 to end the hitting streak. It was his final appearance in the major leagues until later August.[5]

May—June

Craig Biggio greeted Philadelphia Phillies starter Mark Leiter with a leadoff home run on May 16 at Veterans Stadium for his 100th career home run, his tenth career leadoff home run, and first of two for the contest.[7] The Astros scored four runs until Leiter was chased after just having recorded just one out by Brad Ausmus, who slugged his first home run as an Astro. In the top of the second inning, Houston did not relent, exploding for seven off left-hander Mike Mimbs, including Biggio's second home run with two outs. Biggio's effort spearheaded 12–7 drubbing of Philadelphia. The Astros coaxed 11 bases on balls as plate discipline savants Jeff Bagwell (4) and Bobby Abreu (3) led the way. Bagwell also added a home run in the ninth inning.[8] This was the seventh multi-home game of Biggio's career, and third game with four or more RBI.[9]

On May 20, Jeff Bagwell collected his 1,000th career hit on a home run (his first of two on the day) off Calvin Maduro in a 9–5 win over the Phillies.[10]

Starting May 26, outfielder Luis Gonzalez authored a 23-game hitting streak, tying the franchise record established by Art Howe in 1981.[11][12] Gonzalez batted .351, .413 on-base percentage (OBP), and .479 slugging percentage (SLG). The streak ended on June 20 in a 7–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs, though Gonzalez did reach base again by drawing a base on balls. He had two hits the following game, which extended an overlapping on-base streak to 27 games, his season high.[13] The franchise record stood until the 2000 season, when Gonzalez' teammate Tony Eusebio hit in 24 straight.[12]

On June 13, Houston faced the Minnesota Twins of the American League (AL) the first regular-season interleague game in franchise history, losing 8–1.[14]

MLB All-Star Game

Bagwell, at first base, second baseman Craig Biggio, and pitcher Darryl Kile were selected to represent the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, and played for the National League. With Bagwell and Biggio elected to the starting lineup, this represented the first time that fans had elected two Astros position players to the Midsummer Classic starting lineup.[16] Bagwell became the first starter as his position to represent Houston since Lee May at the 1972 game.[17]

July

Just one game back of first-place Houston on July 12, the Pittsburgh Pirates sold out Three Rivers Stadium for the first time on a date that was not a home opener. The Pirates did not disappoint their fans, with starter Francisco Córdova tossing nine dominant no-hit innings. However, when he retired the Astros to end the top half of the ninth inning, no celebration ensued.[18][19] The Astros' Chris Holt and Billy Wagner had matched Córdova's shutout effort, also keeping the Pirates scoreless through nine. In the top of the tenth, Ricardo Rincón relieved Córdova, who had thrown 121 pitches, and retired the Astros in order. After John Hudek assumed the bottom of the tenth inning for Houston, he issued two bases on balls prior to serving an offering to Mark Smith that Smith converted into a three-run, walk-off home run to win it for Pittsburgh, 3–0. This became the first combined, extra-innings no-hitter in Major League history.[20]

August

Russ Johnson made his first major league appearance in four month on August 26, which was a 7–6 loss to Atlanta. This time, he had two hits in five at bats and two RBI, to collect hits in 8 of his first 9 games.[5]

The Astros clinched their first NL Central division title, and first division title since winning the NL West in 1986. Larry Dierker became the sixtn manager to win a division title in his first year at the position.[16]

Performance overview

By finishing with 43 home runs and 31 stolen bases, Bagwell became the first player in club history to join the 30 home runs—30 stolen bases club. Further, he established club records for home runs, RBI (135), total bases (335), and extra-base hits (85).[16]

Biggio became the first player in major league history to play 162 games in a season without having grounded into a double play.[16]

Reliever Billy Wagner whiffed 106 batters over 66+1⁄3 innings pitched, resulting in a major league-record pace of 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), to displace the prior record of 14.1 effected by Rob Dibble of the Cincinnati Reds in 1992.[21][22]

Biggio was recognized with both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards at second base for the third time, extending his club record of receiving both awards in the same campaigns.[23][24] Having won the Silver Slugger at catcher in 1989, Biggio added to his record for total Silver Sluggers won in club history, with four.[23] The Gold Glove was Biggio's fourth straight. Among Astros Gold Glove winners, only César Cedeño and Doug Rader had won more (5 each).[24]

Bagwell was also awarded the Silver Slugger for his offensive campaign, distinguishing him as the club leader at first base. His second win, Bagwell was first recognized during the 1994 campaign, when had joined Glenn Davis in 1986 as the only Astros to win the Silver Slugger at first base.[23]

Season standings

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 84 78 .519 — 46‍–‍35 38‍–‍43
Pittsburgh Pirates 79 83 .488 5 43‍–‍38 36‍–‍45
Cincinnati Reds 76 86 .469 8 40‍–‍41 36‍–‍45
St. Louis Cardinals 73 89 .451 11 41‍–‍40 32‍–‍49
Chicago Cubs 68 94 .420 16 42‍–‍39 26‍–‍55

Record vs. opponents

1997 National League record
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 1997
Team ATL CHC CIN COL FLA HOU LAD MON NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL AL
Atlanta — 9–2 9–2 5–6 4–8 7–4 6–5 10–2 5–7 10–2 5–6 8–3 7–4 8–3 8–7
Chicago 2–9 — 7–5 2–9 2–9 3–9 5–6 4–7 6–5 6–5 7–5 6–5 5–6 4–8 9–6
Cincinnati 2–9 5–7 — 5–6 5–6 5–7 6–5 6–5 2–9 8–3 8–4 5–6 4–7 6–6 9–6
Colorado 6–5 9–2 6–5 — 7–4 5–6 5–7 7–4 6–5 4–7 4–7 4–8 4–8 7–4 9–7
Florida 8–4 9–2 6–5 4–7 — 7–4 7–4 7–5 4–8 6–6 7–4 5–6 5–6 5–6 12–3
Houston 4–7 9–3 7–5 6–5 4–7 — 7–4 8–3 7–4 4–7 6–6 6–5 3–8 9–3 4–11
Los Angeles 5–6 6–5 5–6 7–5 4–7 4–7 — 7–4 6–5 10–1 9–2 5–7 6–6 5–6 9–7
Montreal 2–10 7–4 5–6 4–7 5–7 3–8 4–7 — 5–7 6–6 5–6 8–3 6–5 6–5 12–3
New York 7–5 5–6 9–2 5–6 8–4 4–7 5–6 7–5 — 7–5 7–4 5–6 3–8 9–2 7–8
Philadelphia 2–10 5–6 3–8 7–4 6–6 7–4 1–10 6–6 5–7 — 5–6 7–4 3–8 6–5 5–10
Pittsburgh 6–5 5–7 4–8 7–4 4–7 6–6 2–9 6–5 4–7 6–5 — 5–6 8–3 9–3 7–8
San Diego 3–8 5–6 6–5 8–4 6–5 5–6 7–5 3–8 6–5 4–7 6–5 — 4–8 5–6 8–8
San Francisco 4–7 6–5 7–4 8–4 6–5 8–3 6–6 5–6 8–3 8–3 3–8 8–4 — 3–8 10–6
St. Louis 3–8 8–4 6–6 4–7 6–5 3–9 6–5 5–6 2–9 5–6 3–9 6–5 8–3 — 8–7


Notable transactions

Roster

1997 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
  Postponement
  Clinched division
Bold Astros team member
1997 regular season game log: 84–78 (Home: 46–35; Away: 38–43)[28]
April: 15–11 (Home: 8–5; Away: 7–6)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
1 April 1 7:06 p.m. CDT Braves W 2–1 Reynolds (1–0) Smoltz (0–1) Wagner (1) 2:29 44,618 1–0 W1
2 April 2 7:06 p.m. CDT Braves W 4–3 Hampton (1–0) Maddux (0–1) Wagner (2) 2:34 16,308 2–0 W2
3 April 3 7:06 p.m. CDT Braves L 2–3 Glavine (1–0) Kile (0–1) Wohlers (1) 2:38 17,693 2–1 L1
4 April 4 7:06 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–2 (11) Springer (1–0) Ludwick (0–1) – 3:56 25,985 3–1 W1
5 April 5 7:07 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 6–2 Fernandez (1–0) Osborne (0–1) García (1) 2:54 25,957 4–1 W2
6 April 6 1:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–2 Martin (1–0) Frascatore (0–1) Wagner (3) 2:44 18,752 5–1 W3
7 April 8 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–4 Glavine (2–0) Hampton (1–1) Wohlers (3) 2:48 31,064 5–2 L1
8 April 9 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 3–4 (12) Embree (1–0) Lima (0–1) – 3:48 33,986 5–3 L2
9 April 10 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 5–3 Holt (1–0) Smoltz (1–2) Hudek (1) 2:58 33,637 6–3 W1
10 April 11 7:06 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–4 Batchelor (1–1) Reynolds (1–1) Eckersley (1) 2:41 23,744 6–4 L1
11 April 12 1:17 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 7–5 García (1–0) Stottlemyre (0–1) Wagner (4) 3:15 28,235 7–4 W1
12 April 13 7:07 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–6 Benes (1–1) Hampton (1–2) Eckersley (2) 2:38 22,705 7–5 L1
13 April 14 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 (10) Wagner (1–0) Eckersley (0–1) Hudek (2) 3:11 22,623 8–5 W1
14 April 15 7:08 p.m. CDT Expos L 5–7 Martínez (1–0) Holt (1–1) – 2:30 18,602 8–6 L1
15 April 16 7:05 p.m. CDT Expos W 10–2 Reynolds (2–1) Valdes (0–2) – 3:01 14,046 9–6 W1
16 April 18 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–5 Martínez (2–1) Hampton (1–3) Worrell (5) 3:25 38,937 9–7 L1
17 April 19 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 2–1 Kile (1–1) Nomo (2–1) Wagner (5) 3:07 46,244 10–7 W1
18 April 20 3:07 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 3–1 Holt (2–1) Candiotti (2–1) Hudek (3) 2:21 33,250 11–7 W2
19 April 22 9:06 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 12–3 Reynolds (3–1) Valenzuela (1–2) – 3:15 16,748 12–7 W3
20 April 23 9:36 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 11–7 García (2–0) Worrell (1–3) – 3:09 15,534 13–7 W34
21 April 25 7:05 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–4 Wagner (2–0) Roa (1–1) – 2:37 26,705 14–7 W5
22 April 26 7:05 p.m. CDT Giants L 0–2 Estes (4–0) Holt (2–2) – 2:17 36,837 14–8 L1
23 April 27 1:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 2–3 Fernández (3–1) Reynolds (3–2) Beck (11) 2:33 22,316 14–9 L2
24 April 28 7:05 p.m. CDT Rockies L 6–7 (10) McCurry (1–0) Wagner (2–1) Ruffin (6) 3:35 13,510 14–10 L3
25 April 29 12:35 p.m. CDT Rockies W 3–1 Wall (1–0) Bailey (3–1) Hudek (4) 2:16 13,567 15–10 W1
26 April 30 6:39 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 6–8 Pérez (4–1) Kile (1–2) Urbina (2) 3:01 12,346 15–11 L1
May: 11–17 (Home: 6–6; Away: 5–11)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
27 May 1 12:39 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 0–4 Martínez (4–0) Holt (2–3) – 2:11 12,328 15–12 L2
28 May 2 7:05 p.m. CDT Marlins W 2–1 Reynolds (4–2) Rapp (2–2) Wagner (6) 2:32 25,421 16–12 W1
29 May 3 7:05 p.m. CDT Marlins L 8–9 (13) Heredia (2–0) García (2–1) Powell (1) 4:54 24,539 16–13 L1
30 May 4 7:06 p.m. CDT Marlins W 1–0 Kile (2–2) Brown (3–2) — 2:25 16,469 17–13 W1
31 May 5 7:05 p.m. CDT Phillies W 9–2 Holt (3–3) Leiter (3–3) – 2:33 11,268 18–13 W2
32 May 6 7:07 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–5 Schilling (4–3) García (2–2) – 3:05 12,179 18–14 L1
33 May 7 7:05 p.m. CDT Mets L 1–4 Reynoso (2–0) Martin (1–1) Franco (8) 2:55 12,574 18–15 L2
34 May 8 12:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 4–2 Hampton (2–3) Reed (3–2) Wagner (7) 2:28 12,842 19–15 W1
35 May 9 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Marlins L 2–3 Nen (2–1) Lima (0–2) — 3:04 30,525 19–16 L1
36 May 10 6:06 p.m. CDT @ Marlins W 4–2 Holt (4–3) Helling (1–2) Wagner (8) 3:04 42,132 20–16 W1
37 May 11 12:38 p.m. CDT @ Marlins L 3–6 Fernandez (4–4) Wall (1–1) Nen (9) 3:06 30,030 20–17 L1
38 May 12} 6:06 p.m. CDT @ Marlins L 4–11 Stanifer (1–0) Reynolds (4–3) — 2:51 15,342 20–18 L2
39 May 13 5:40 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 3–4 McMichael (3–2) Springer (1–1) Franco (11) 2:28 13,997 20–19 L3
40 May 14 6:42 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 1–0 Kile (3–2) McMichael (3–3) Wagner (9) 2:28 13,051 21–19 W1
41 May 16 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 12–7 Holt (5–3) Leiter (3–4) – 3:09 13,456 22–19 W2
42 May 17 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–4 Schilling (6–3) Reynolds (4–4) Bottalico (9) 2:27 17,138 22–20 L1
43 May 18 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 3–5 Stephenson (1–0) Hampton (2–4) Bottalico (10) 2:29 17,367 22–21 L2
44 May 19 6:07 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 9–5 Kile (4–2) Maduro (3–5) – 3:01 15,122 23–21 W1
45 May 20 7:06 p.m. CDT Reds L 4–7 Smiley (4–6) Springer (1–2) Shaw (5) 2:51 14,954 23–22 L1
46 May 21 7:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 4–3 (14) Martin (2–1) Sullivan (0–1) – 4:22 15,088 24–22 W1
47 May 23 8:05 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 7–8 Jones (1–0) Wall (1–2) Reed (4) 2:42 48,127 24–23 L1
48 May 24 2:35 p.m. CDT @ Rockies W 7–0 Kile (5–2) Burke (0–1) – 2:48 48,129 25–23 W1
49 May 25 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 5–8 Bailey (5–4) García (2–3) Munoz (1) 2:55 48,222 25–24 L1
50 May 26 3:06 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 3–4 Tavárez (1–2) Lima (0–3) – 3:09 16,059 25–25 L2
51 May 27 2:36 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 4–5 (10) Beck (3–2) Wagner (2–2) – 3:18 8,437 25–26 L3
52 May 29 7:05 p.m. CDT Padres W 10–6 Kile (6–2) Valenzuela (2–7) – 3:23 13,793 26–26 W1
53 May 30 7:06 p.m. CDT Padres L 2–9 Cunnane (3–1) Holt (5–4) Worrell (1) 2:43 31,339 26–27 L1
54 May 31 7:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 5–12 Hitchcock (5–5) Reynolds (4–5) Smith (1) 2:58 39,286 26–28 L2
June: 14–14 (Home: 7–6; Away: 7–8)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
55 June 1 1:36 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–6 Hamilton (4–2) Wagner (2–3) Hoffman (8) 2:57 19,899 26–29 L3
56 June 2 7:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 2–0 Wall (2–2) Nomo (5–5) Lima (1) 2:28 16,227 27–29 W1
57 June 3 12:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 4–3 Magnante (1–0) Radinsky (2–1) – 3:16 17,268 28–29 W2
58 June 4 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–2 Holt (6–4) Burba (4–5) Wagner (10) 2:29 18,849 29–29 W3
59 June 5 11:35 a.m. CDT @ Reds L 5–6 Schourek (5–4) Reynolds (4–6) Shaw (9) 2:53 22,437 29–30 L1
60 June 6 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 8–7 Lima (1–3) Hamilton (4–3) Wagner (11) 3:27 21,700 30–30 W1
61 June 7 9:06 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 4–5 (10) Hoffman (3–3) García (2–4) – 3:24 34,763 30–31 L1
62 June 8 3:06 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 9–0 Kile (7–2) Valenzuela (2–8) – 2:40 28,939 30–32 L2
63 June 9 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–8 Martínez (6–3) Holt (6–5) – 2:54 25,585 31–32 L1
64 June 10 9:05 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 6–3 Magnante (2–0) Osuna )1–2) Wagner (12) 3:16 26,491 32–32 W1
65 June 11 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 5–10 Park (5–3) Hampton (2–5) – 3:09 52,873 32–33 L1
66 June 13 7:05 p.m. CDT Twins L 1–8 Radke (6–5) Wall (2–3) – 2:40 30,956 32–34 L2
67 June 14 7:05 p.m. CDT Twins L 1–6 Robertson (7–3) Kile (7–3) – 2:44 27,172 32–35 L3
68 June 15 1:35 p.m. CDT Twins W 3–2 Wagner (3–3) Guardado (0–2) – 2:35 28,218 33–35 W1
69 June 16 7:06 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 2–5 Rosado (7–3) Hampton (2–6) – 2:47 22,528 33–36 L1
70 June 17 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Royals W 10–2 García (3–4) Haney (0–2) – 2:46 20,588 34–36 W1
71 June 18 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 2–6 Pittsley (2–4) Wall (2–4) – 2:30 20,085 34–37 L1
72 June 20 7:05 p.m. CDT Cubs W 7–3 Kile (8–3) Trachsel (4–6) – 2:49 30,085 35–37 W1
73 June 21 12:15 p.m. CDT Cubs W 7–3 Holt (7–5) Castillo (4–9) – 2:52 25,227 36–37 W2
74 June 22 1:36 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–1 Hampton (3–6) Foster (8–5) Wagner (13) 2:15 23,407 37–37 W3
75 June 23 7:05 p.m. CDT Pirates L 0–6 Córdova (6–5) García (3–5) – 2:24 16,738 37–38 L1
76 June 24 7:05 p.m. CDT Pirates L 3–8 Lieber (4–8) Wall (2–5) – 2:44 17,972 37–39 L2
77 June 25 12:36 p.m. CDT Pirates W 5–1 Kile (9–3) Sodowsky (0–1) – 2:30 26,954 38–39 W1
78 June 26 7:06 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 7–6 (10) Wagner (4–3) Adams (1–4) Minor (1) 3:52 30,473 39–39 W2
79 June 27 2:23 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 1–2 Foster (9–5) Hampton (3–7) Wendell (4) 2:54 28,265 39–40 L1
80 June 28 12:09 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 2–5 González (4–2) García (3–6) Bottenfield (1) 2:58 38,244 39–41 L2
81 June 29 1:22 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 10–8 Minor (1–0) Mulholland (5–9) Wagner (14) 3:34 30,542 40–41 W1
82 June 30 7:05 p.m. CDT Indians L 4–6 Mesa (1–4) Martin (2–2) Jackson (9) 3:07 29,051 40–42 L1
July: 19–7 (Home: 10–5; Away: 9–2)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
83 July 1 7:04 p.m. CDT Indians L 6–8 Plunk (3–2) Lima (1–4) Jackson (10) 3:05 23,998 40–43 L2
84 July 2 7:05 p.m. CDT Indians W 6–2 Hampton (4–7) Hershiser (7–5) — 2:33 25,661 41–43 W1
85 July 3 7:06 p.m. CDT Reds L 3–4 Smiley (6–10) García (3–7) Shaw (17) 2:33 14,708 41–44 L1
86 July 4 6:05 p.m. CDT Reds L 2–4 Morgan (3–5) Greene (0–1) Shaw (18) 2:43 34,808 41–45 L2
87 July 5 7:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 2–1 Kile (10–3) Mercker (6–6) Wagner (15) 2:26 24,022 42–45 W1
88 July 6 1:37 p.m. CDT Reds W 6–5 Wagner (5–3) Remlinger (3–4) – 2:43 25,564 43–45 W2
— July 8 7:15 p.m. CDT 68th All-Star Game in Cleveland, OH
89 July 10 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 7–0 Kile (11–3) Schmidt (4–5) – 2:39 17,335 44–45 W3
90 July 11 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 10–0 Hampton (5–7) Loaiza (6–6) – 2:37 21,913 45–45 W4
91 July 12 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 0–3 (10) Rincón (3–4) Hudek (0–1) – 2:39 44,119 45–46 L1
92 July 13 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–5 Sodowsky (1–1) Springer (1–3) Loiselle (11) 3:03 25,675 45–47 L2
93 July 14 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 9–7 (15) Wagner (6–3) Tatís (0–1) Springer (1) 5:19 27,803 46–47 W1
94 July 15 1:23 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 5–3 Kile (12–3) Rojas (0–3) Magnante (1) 2:42 19,323 47–47 W2
95 July 16 7:07 p.m. CDT Giants W 8–1 Hampton (6–7) Foulke (1–4) – 2:45 24,522 48–47 W3
96 July 17 12:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 1–3 Gardner (10–4) Holt (7–6) Beck (30) 2:33 29,955 48–48 L1
97 July 18 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 2–0 García (4–7) Martínez (11–5) Wagner (16) 2:52 19,379 49–48 W1
98 July 19 6:37 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 8–6 Reynolds (5–6) Juden (11–3) Wagner (17) 3:13 34,518 50–48 W2
99 July 20 1:10 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 9–0 Kile (13–3) Hermanson (4–5) – 2:14 26,873 51–48 W3
100 July 22 7:08 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 Hampton (7–7) Benes (6–5) Wagner (18) 2:26 33,964 52–48 W4
101 July 23 7:06 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 7–2 Magnante (3–0) Stottlemyre (9–7) – 2:52 33,376 53–48 W5
102 July 24 7:06 p.m. CDT Expos W 10–5 Martin (3–2) Telford (2–3) – 2:55 23,889 54–48 W6
103 July 25 7:05 p.m. CDT Expos W 5–2 Kile (14–3) Juden (11–4) – 2:18 35,102 55–48 W7
104 July 26 7:06 p.m. CDT Expos W 9–8 (10) Wagner (7–3) Urbina (3–7) – 3:21 33,868 56–48 W8
105 July 27 1:39 p.m. CDT Expos W 7–2 Hampton (8–7) Bullinger (6–10) – 2:12 26,713 57–48 W9
106 July 28 7:05 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 1–2 Stottlemyre (10–7) Holt (7–7) Eckersley (26) 2:20 25,995 57–49 L1
107 July 29 7:05 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 5–4 Reynolds (6–6) Osborne (1–3) Wagner (19) 3:06 25,399 58–49 W1
108 July 30 7:06 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 7–4 Kile (15–3) Fossas (1–2) Martin (1) 3:04 28,204 59–49 W2
August: 11–17 (Home: 7–7; Away: 4–10)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
109 August 1 7:06 p.m. CDT Mets L 5–8 (10) Franco (3–1) Lima (1–5) – 3:28 33,589 59–50 L1
110 August 2 12:15 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–0 Hampton (9–7) Jones (12–7) – 2:33 31,929 60–50 W1
111 August 3 1:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–2 Martin (4–2) McMichael (7–9) – 3:06 35,788 61–50 W2
112 August 4 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Marlins L 1–4 Hernández (6–0) Holt (7–8) Powell (2) 2:17 18,323 61–51 L1
113 August 5 6:06 p.m. CDT @ Marlins L 5–6 Nen (8–2) Wagner (7–4) — 3:13 25,483 61–52 L2
114 August 6 6:37 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–6 Stephenson (6–5) García (4–8) Bottalico (21) 2:40 15,557 61–53 L3
115 August 7 12:06 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 5–6 (11) Brewer (1–2) Martin (4–3) – 3:17 18,046 62–53 L4
116 August 8 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–6 Bohanon (3–1) Reynolds (6–7) – 2:40 23,818 61–55 L5
117 August 9 6:11 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 8–3 Springer (2–3) Rojas (0–5) – 2:40 34,352 62–55 W1
118 August 10 12:41 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 11–8 Kile (16–3) Reed (10–5) Martin (2) 3:02 32,914 63–55 W2
119 August 11 6:41 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 8–3 García (5–8) Harnisch (0–1) – 2:49 20,452 64–55 W3
120 August 12 7:06 p.m. CDT Marlins W 13–2 Hampton (10–7) Leiter (8–9) — 2:50 19,296 65–55 W4
121 August 13 6:36 p.m. CDT Marlins L 6–8 Fernandez (15–8) Lima (1–6) Nen (30) 3:24 22,543 65–56 L1
122 August 15 7:05 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–5 Schilling (13–10) Holt (7–9) – 2:17 31,837 65–57 L2
123 August 16 12:16 p.m. CDT Phillies L 3–5 Spradlin (2–6) Wagner (7–5) Bottalico (23) 2:47 28,260 65–58 L3
124 August 17 1:36 p.m. CDT Phillies W 11–6 Martin (5–3) Gomes (2–1) Springer (2) 3:36 23,161 66–58 W1
125 August 19 7:06 p.m. CDT Braves L 3–4 Smoltz (12–10) Hampton (10–8) Wohlers (30) 2:46 32,145 66–59 L1
126 August 20 7:06 p.m. CDT Braves L 1–3 Glavine (11–6) Reynolds (6–8) Wohlers (31) 2:46 25,593 66–60 L2
127 August 21 7:05 p.m. CDT Rockies W 10–4 Holt (8–9) Bailey (9–9) – 3:00 22,962 67–60 W1
128 August 22 7:05 p.m. CDT Rockies W 9–1 Kile (17–3) Thomson (5–8) – 2:49 33,061 68–60 W2
129 August 23 12:17 p.m. CDT Rockies L 3–6 Reed (4–5) Hudek (0–2) Dipoto (10) 3:17 32,374 68–61 L1
130 August 24 1:38 p.m. CDT Rockies W 3–1 Hampton (11–8) Wright (6–10) – 2:09 28,918 68–62 W1
131 August 26 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 6–7 (11) Clontz (5–1) Wagner (7–6) – 3:47 37,313 69–62 L1
132 August 27 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 6–4 (13) Hudek (1–2) Byrd (3–3) Lima (2) 4:28 33,019 70–62 W1
133 August 28 6:40 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–4 Neagle (18–3) Kile (17–4) Wohlers (32) 2:32 37,849 70–63 L1
134 August 29 7:06 p.m. CDT @ White Sox L 4–5 Foulke (2–5) Hudek (1–3) Karchner (11) 3:08 21,312 70–64 L2
135 August 30 6:05 p.m. CDT @ White Sox L 2–9 Bere (3–0) Hampton (11–9) – 2:31 28,051 70–65 L3
136 August 31 1:07 p.m. CDT @ White Sox L 1–3 Baldwin (11–13) Reynolds (6–9) Karchner (12) 3:18 22,916 70–66 L4
September: 15–12 (Home: 8–6; Away: 7–6)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
137 September 1 1:36 p.m. CDT Brewers L 2–3 Adamson (5–2) Holt (8–10) Jones (30) 2:58 35,685 70–67 L5
138 September 2 7:05 p.m. CDT Brewers L 2–4 Villone (1–0) Kile (17–5) Jones (31) 2:42 18,258 70–68 L6
139 September 3 7:05 p.m. CDT Brewers W 4–0 García (6–8) Karl (10–11) – 2:26 13,580 71–68 W1
140 September 4 9:07 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 14–2 Hampton (12–9) Gardner (12–8) – 3:02 8,565 72–68 W2
141 September 5 9:07 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–4 Hernández (7–2) Reynolds (6–10) Beck (35) 3:19 11,934 72–69 L1
142 September 6 3:08 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 3–5 Tavárez (6–4) Wagner (7–7) Hernández (2) 3:21 17,636 72–70 L2
143 September 7 3:08 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 1–5 Rueter (11–6) Kile (17–6) – 3:17 19,861 72–71 L3
144 September 9 8:05 p.m. CDT @ Rockies W 7–4 Hampton (13–9) Wright (6–11) Springer (3) 2:46 48,039 73–71 W1
145 September 10 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Rockies L 7–9 Leskanic (4–0) Magnante (3–1) Dipoto (13) 3:08 42,321 73–72 L1
146 September 12 7:06 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 10–3 Reynolds (7–10) Park (13–7) – 3:02 36,817 74–72 W1
147 September 13 7:05 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–1 Kile (18–6) Candiotti (10–6) – 2:43 33,130 75–72 W2
148 September 14 1:36 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 3–4 (10) Radinsky (5–1) Wagner (7–8) Worrell (35) 3:32 32,666 75–73 L1
149 September 15 7:06 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–4 Smith (6–5) Hampton (13–10) Hoffman (34) 3:27 22,566 75–74 L3
150 September 16 12:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 15–3 García (7–8) Hitchcock (10–10) – 3:11 15,156 76–74 W1
151 September 17 7:16 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 8–4 Reynolds (8–10) Schmidt (9–8) – 2:52 27,422 77–74 W2
152 September 18 6:04 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–12 Córdova (11–8) Kile (18–7) – 2:57 14,852 77–75 L1
153 September 19 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 4–5 Burba (10–10) Holt (8–11) Shaw (40) 2:44 21,791 77–76 L2
154 September 20 12:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 4–1 Hampton (14–10) Tomko (11–7) Wagner (20) 2:39 20,197 78–76 W1
155 September 21 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 8–3 García (8–8) Morgan (8–12) – 3:16 22,652 79–76 W2
156 September 22 11:35 a.m. CDT @ Reds W 6–3 Springer (3–3) Belinda (1–5) Wagner (21) 3:13 17,411 80–76 W3
157 September 23 7:06 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–3 Kile (19–7) Trachsel (8–12) Wagner (22) 2:44 19,380 81–76 W4
158 September 24 7:05 p.m. CDT Cubs L 1–3 Clark (14–8) Holt (8–12) Adams (18) 3:00 41,560 81–77 L1
159 September 25 7:07 p.m. CDT Cubs W 9–1 Hampton (15–10) González (11–9) – 2:42 35,623 82–77 W1
160 September 26 7:06 p.m. CDT Pirates W 2–0 García (9–8) Loaiza (11–11) Wagner (23) 2:18 37,850 83–77 W2
161 September 27 7:05 p.m. CDT Pirates W 8–1 Reynolds (9–10) Schmidt (10–9) – 2:45 36,170 84–77 W3
162 September 28 1:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 4–5 (11) Christiansen (3–0) Henríquez (0–1) Loiselle (29) 2:58 30,606 84–78 L1

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
  Postponement
Bold Astros team member
1997 Postseason game log: 0–3 (Home: 0–1; Away: 0–2)
NL Division Series: vs. Atlanta Braves 0–3 (Home: 0–1; Away: 0–2)[29]
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/
Streak
1 September 30 12:07 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 1–2 Maddux (1–0) Kile (0–1) – 2:15 46,467 ATL 1–0 L1
2 October 1 12:07 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 3–13 Glavine (1–0) Hampton (0–1) – 3:06 49,200 ATL 2–0 L2
3 October 3 3:07 p.m. CDT Braves L 1–4 Smoltz (1–0) Reynolds (0–1) – 2:35 53,688 ATL 3–0 L3

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 Brad Ausmus 130 425 113 .266 4 44
1B Jeff Bagwell 162 566 162 .286 43 135
2B Craig Biggio 162 619 191 .309 22 81
SS Tim Bogar 97 241 60 .249 4 30
3B Sean Berry 96 301 77 .256 8 43
LF Luis Gonzalez 152 550 142 .258 10 68
CF Chuck Carr 63 192 53 .276 4 17
RF Derek Bell 129 493 136 .276 15 71

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
Ricky Gutiérrez 102 303 79 .261 3 34
Bill Spiers 132 291 93 .320 4 48
Thomas Howard 107 255 63 .247 3 22
Bobby Abreu 59 188 47 .250 3 26
James Mouton 86 180 38 .211 3 23
Tony Eusebio 60 164 45 .274 1 18
Pat Listach 52 132 24 .182 0 6
Ray Montgomery 29 68 16 .235 0 4
Richard Hidalgo 19 62 19 .306 2 6
Russ Johnson 21 60 18 .300 2 9
Tony Peña 9 19 4 .211 0 2
J.R. Phillips 13 15 2 .133 1 4
Luis Rivera 7 13 3 .231 0 3
Ken Ramos 14 12 0 .000 0 1
Randy Knorr 4 8 3 .375 1 1

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
Darryl Kile 34 255.2 19 7 2.57 205
Mike Hampton 34 223.0 15 10 3.83 139
Chris Holt 33 209.2 8 12 3.52 95
Shane Reynolds 30 181.0 9 10 4.23 152
Donne Wall 8 41.2 2 5 6.26 25
Tommy Greene 2 9.0 0 1 7.00 11
Sid Fernandez 1 5.0 1 0 3.60 3

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
Ramón García 42 158.2 9 8 3.69 120

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
Billy Wagner 62 7 8 23 2.85 106
Tom Martin 55 5 3 2 2.09 36
Russ Springer 54 3 3 3 4.23 74
José Lima 52 1 6 2 5.28 63
Mike Magnante 40 3 1 1 2.27 43
John Hudek 40 1 3 4 5.98 36
José Cabrera 12 0 0 0 1.19 18
Blas Minor 11 1 0 1 4.50 6
Óscar Henríquez 4 0 1 0 4.50 3
Manuel Barrios 2 0 0 0 12.00 3

National League Divisional Playoffs

Main article: 1997 National League Division Series

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros, three games to none.

Game Home Score Visitor Score Date Series
1 Atlanta 2 Houston 1 September 30 1-0 (ATL)
2 Atlanta 13 Houston 3 October 1 2-0 (ATL)
3 Houston 1 Atlanta 4 October 3 3-0 (ATL)

Awards and achievements

Career honors
Colt .45s/Astros elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Individual Pos. Colt .45s / Astros career Induction
No. Yr. Gm. St. Fin.
Nellie Fox 2B 2 2 154 1964 1965 1997 Plaque
See also: Members of the Baseball Hall of Fame • Ref:[30]
Annual awards
Offensive achievements
30 home runs—30 stolen bases club
Player AVG HR SB
Jeff Bagwell .286 43 31
NL batting leaders
NL pitching leaders
NL fielding leaders

Minor league system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA New Orleans Zephyrs American Association Steve Swisher and Matt Galante
AA Jackson Generals Texas League Dave Engle
A Kissimmee Cobras Florida State League John Tamargo
A Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest League Manny Acta
A-Short Season Auburn Doubledays New York–Penn League Mike Rojas
Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Bobby Ramos

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Premier year for this award.
Sources
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