The 2007 Houston Astros season was the 46th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 43rd as the Astros, 46th in the National League (NL), 15th in the NL Central division, and eighth at Minute Maid Park, the Astros entered the season as having finished in second place in the NL Central division with an 82–80 record and games behind first place, a sixth consecutive winning season.
Houston began their season on April 2 while pitcher Roy Oswalt made his fifth consecutive Opening Day start. They hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates and were defeated, 4–2, in extra innings. The Astros' top selection in the June amateur draft was infielder Derek Dietrich, during the third round.
With a 5-for-5 performance on June 28, second baseman Craig Biggio achieved his 3,000th career hit. He became the 27th player in major league history to reach the milestone, the ninth major leaguer to assemble all 3,000 with the same team, and first Astro. Five days later, Biggio doubled to become the 25th major leaguer to attain 1,000 extra-base hits.
Outfielder Carlos Lee (third career selection) and Oswalt (second) represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game. On August 26, the club officially retired the jersey number 5 of the one Astros' core members of the Killer B's along with Biggio, former first baseman Jeff Bagwell.
The Astros dismissed manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura on August 27, 2007. Cecil Cooper was chosen to replace Garner on an interim basis, while Ed Wade replaced Purpura on September 20. On September 30, Biggio made his final major league appearance as a player, having announced his retirement on July 24. Houston drew 3,020,405 in attendance, signifying consecutive seasons to entertain at least 3 million fans for the first time in club history.
The Astros concluded the season with a 73–89 record, in fourth place and 12 games behind the division-champion Chicago Cubs. It was the first time since 2000 that Astros had both finished with a losing record, and out of either first or second place in their division. The 2000 and 2007 campaigns had also been the only two since 1993 that Houston had failed to achieve a winning record.
Following the season, Biggio was recognized with the Roberto Clemente and Heart & Hustle Awards, Lee earned his second career Silver Slugger Award, and outfielder Hunter Pence was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team. Former Colt 45/Astro and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan was named to the All-time Gold Glove Team at second base.
Offseason Summary The Houston Astros finalized the 2006 campaign with an record, runners-up in the NL Centrial, and trailing the St. Louis Cardinals—that year's World Series champion—by games. The Astros also trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by six games for the Wild Card title. Houston missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003; however, it was their sixth consecutive season with both a winning record and a positional finish of first or second place, with each of the previous five seasons concluded in the latter ranking in the NL Central. Since 1994, the only campaign in which the Astros had not finished with a winning record and a first- or second-place standing in the NL Central was 2000. The Astros drew 3,022,763 in home attendance, the fourth campaign in club history to entertain at least 3 million fans, and first time since . Lance Berkman tied or set National League records for switch hitters: hitting 45 home runs (tying Chipper Jones in 1999) and 136 runs batted in (RBI) Right-hander Roy Oswalt became the sixth Astros pitcher to lead the league for the earned run average title (2.98 ERA). Catcher Brad Ausmus was recognized with his third Gold Glove Award, while second baseman Craig Biggio won his first Heart & Hustle Award.
The Astros declined their team option for the 2007 season valued at $18 million for first baseman Jeff Bagwell on October 31, 2006, who, due to an arthritic shoulder condition, had last appeared in game action during the 2005 World Series. Instead, the option was bought out for $7 million. On December 15, 2006, Bagwell officially announced his retirement. The team announced they would conduct a pre-game ceremony on August 26, 2007, to officially retire his jersey number 5.
Pitchers Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens both filed for free agency on November 6 and re-joined the New York Yankees. To make up for losing those key players, they signed pitcher Woody Williams, and traded with the Colorado Rockise for Jason Jennings and Miguel Asencio.
Transactions November 24, 2006: Signed free agent outfielder Carlos Lee to six-year, $100 million contract. Signing Lee was the largest offseason move the Astros made, and the $100 million contract award was the most in franchise history. January 3, 2007: Signed infielder Mark Loretta would sign a contract worth $2.5 million. January 12: Signed outfielder Richard Hidalgo to a Minor League Baseball contract. March 6: Signed second baseman Jose Altuve as an amateur free agent. March 24: Released outfielder Richard Hidalgo.
Regular season Summary One of the most anticipated events for the Houston Astros during the 2007 season was the inevitable 3,000th hit of Craig Biggio's career. Biggio concluded the 2006 campaign with 2,930 total hits. In his 20th season, he had played longer for the club than anyone and accumulated numerous team records.
Broadcaster René Cárdenas returned to the Astros' Spanish broadcast lineup in 2007. Making his second stint with the team, Cárdenas was the first Spanish radio broadcaster for the expansion Houston Colt .45s in and remained with Houston for 14 seasons through 1975.
April
+ Opening Day starting lineup Player Position 7 Craig Biggio Second baseman 28 Adam Everett Shortstop 17 Lance Berkman First baseman 45 Carlos Lee Left fielder 14 Morgan Ensberg Third baseman 30 Luke Scott Right fielder 2 Chris Burke Center fielder 11 Brad Ausmus Catcher 44 Roy Oswalt Pitcher Venue: Minute Maid Park • Final: Pittsburgh 4, Houston 2 Sources:
The Astros hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates for Opening Day, which took place on April 2. Astros starter Roy Oswalt and Pirates starter Zach Duke exchanged shutout ball for the first four innings. Oswalt went innings, diffusing five hits and one base on balls with one run surrendered. During the bottom of the fifth, Luke Scott deposited a Duke offering for home run and open a 2–0 lead. Craig Biggio lined a single off Jonah Bayliss during the bottom of the eighth inning to obtain his first safety of the season, and he concluded the day 1-for-4. In the top of the ninth, Xavier Nady took Brad Lidge offering deep to left to tie the contest, 2–2. In the top of the tenth inning, Jason Bay homered off Chad Qualls as Pittsburgh took the lead, 4–2. Reliever Salomón Torres retired the Astros in order in the bottom of the tenth to seal the Pirates' victory and earn the save, while Qualls was the losing pitcher. Biggio extended his club-record 19th Opening Day starts, including a 14th at second base, also a club record. His first three were at catcher, while he also made two as the center fielder. Meanwhile, Oswalt, who made his fifth consecutive Opening Day start, tied J. R. Richard, Mike Scott, and Shane Reynolds for the club record among starting pitchers.
Shortstop Adam Everett connected for a go-ahead home run on April 9 in the eighth inning off Bob Howry of the Chicago Cubs and set up an eventual 5–3 Astros' win. The drive was the 34th of Everett's career, which set a franchise record for the position, surpassing Dickie Thon, who was the club's shortstop from 1981–1987. Biggio doubled twice, and Chris Burke, Morgan Ensberg, Carlos Lee and Luke Scott each also doubled. Lance Berkman drew a base on balls and clipped a sacrifice fly. Chad Qualls was charged a blown save off an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh, but Everett's deep drive helped convert that to a victory. Rick White followed with a scoreless eighth for the hold, and Dan Wheeler earned his first save with a perfect ninth.
Imitated April 9, Berkman generated a 28-game on-base scintilla that represented a season high for the club, spanning until May 10. Berkman attained 25 hits, 31 walks, one hit by pitch during this stretch, slashing .319 / .484 / .457 / .942, four home runs and 18 RBI.
The Astros realized a number of milestones on April 13 versus the Philadelphia Phillies. New outfielder Carlos Lee made an early impact with Houston, connecting for the only three-home run game of his major league career. A prolific grand slam artist, he also hit his first in an Astros uniform, and 10th of his career. The drive came in the top of the third inning, putting Houston ahead, 5–3. Lee became the ninth Astros player to hit three home runs in a game, succeeding Morgan Ensberg on May 15, 2005. Lee also collected six runs batted in (RBI), the fourth such output of his career, and was the most for Lee during his Astros tenure, leading a 9–6 Astros victory. Ensberg added a three-run blast in the fourth inning for his first of year to combine with Lee to induce all of Houston's damage. Craig Biggio roped his 641st double to take over eighth place from Honus Wagner on baseball's all-time list. The Astros collected eight hits and drew eight bases on balls. Though he surrendered six walks and all six runs, Roy Oswalt picked up his second win of the season, and the 100th of his career.
Biggio connected for his third career grand slam on April 20, and first since July 24, 1994. The drive was off Greg Aquino at Miller Park in top of the ninth inning to break a 2–2 tie with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, this just the start of what resulted in a wild ninth inning. During the bottom of the ninth, Brad Lidge surrendered a three-run bomb to Prince Fielder to cut Houston's lead to 6–5. After Johnny Estrada doubled, Trever Miller replaced Lidge, and issued an intentional base on balls to Corey Hart. Chad Qualls then entered and induced a ground out from Gabe Gross to end the contest and Astros victory. Rick White (1–0) tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth to pick up the victory and Qualls earned his first save.
Starting April 23, Biggio forged a 14-game on-base streak, representing a personal season-high, and tied for fifth on the club for the season. Biggio slashed .305 / .364 / .525 / .899, collected 18 hits and 6 walks. He swatted four doubles, three triples, one home run and 7 RBI.
Biggio logged his 2,950th career hit on April 24.
On April 28, the Astros purchased the contract of Hunter Pence, the organization's top prospect from Triple-A affiliate, and made his debut that night where he got his first career hit and run scored.
May
Hunter Pence connected for his first grand slam on May 5—also his first MLB home run—off a Dennis Dove offering, with the blast at Busch Stadium. Hit in the top of the eight inning, it scored Chris Burke, Orlando Palmeiro and Luke Scott. The Astros' lead swelled to 13–0 over the St. Louis Cardinals. In spite of ample offense, Pence's was Houston's lone home run. Houston went 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Luke Scott doubled twice (8), Carlos Lee (6), Brad Ausmus (6), and Mark Loretta (3) each doubled and Lee had three RBI. Matt Albers (1–1) tossed innings for Houston, scattering three hits, to earn his first Major League victory. The was Loretta's second four-hit bout with Houston and 20th overall in his career.
On May 9, 40-year-old Houston native Woody Williams got his first win in his eighth appearance in an Astros uniform. He had carved out a 14-year career with three different clubs prior to signing with the Astros during the offseason. Williams assisted his own cause by blooping a single into right field for the game-winning run batted in (RBI) to decide a 3–2 score over the Cincinnati Reds.