Fan mail address
Houston Astros
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford Street
Houston, TX 77002
USA
Address information
Minute Maid Park
(Baseball Stadium)
501 Crawford Street
Houston, TX 77002
USA
Phone: (713) 259-8000
Fax: (713) 259-8981
The Houston Astros, an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas, have a storied history marked by perseverance, success, and controversy. Founded in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, the team was part of the National League (NL) expansion, competing alongside the New York Mets as one of the NL’s two new franchises. Renamed the Astros in 1965 to reflect Houston’s role in the burgeoning space industry, the team quickly became known for its resilience and innovation.
In 1965, the Astros moved to the revolutionary Astrodome, the world’s first multipurpose, fully air-conditioned stadium. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome introduced indoor baseball to the major leagues, symbolizing Houston’s connection to space exploration and modern technology. Despite these advancements, the Astros struggled in the early years, often finishing near the bottom of the standings. Key players like Joe Morgan and Rusty Staub emerged during this period, but the team struggled to find consistent success in the competitive National League.
The Astros’ fortunes began to change in the 1980s with the arrival of players such as Nolan Ryan, Jose Cruz, and Mike Scott. Ryan, a Texas native and one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, brought national attention to the Astros with his record-breaking fastball and legendary strikeout abilities. In 1986, the Astros won the NL West Division and faced the New York Mets in a thrilling National League Championship Series (NLCS), although they ultimately fell short. The 1990s saw the rise of a new generation of stars, including Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Lance Berkman, who became central figures in Astros lore and were dubbed the “Killer B’s.”
