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110 Houston Astros Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Houston Astros? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Houston Astros (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 Which player led the team with 185 hits and 91 RBIs in 1980, and was purchased from the Redbirds for cash in 1974?
Answer: Jose Cruz

Jose was purchased from the Cardinals for what amounted to a bag of bats, and later went on to become the team MVP 4 times along with making 2 All-Star teams, and garnering 2 Roberto Clemente awards.
    Your options: [ Cesar Cedeno ] [ Enos Cabell ] [ Terry Puhl ] [ Jose Cruz ]
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
2 The Houston franchise joined the Major Leagues in 1962 as did the New York Mets. What was the Houston team called?
Answer: Colt .45s

They were the Houston Colt .45s for their first three seasons before taking on the Astros name in 1965. Harry Craft lasted for three seasons before manager Lum Harris took over. Almost like the dismal New York Mets, the .45s/Astros lost 90+ games in each of their first seven seasons. The Mets lost 100+ in five of their first six seasons.
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
3 Long known for heartbreaking postseason failures, Houston finally broke through with a playoff series win in which year?
Answer: 2004

The Astros defeated Atlanta 3-2 after losing to them in 1997, 1999 and 2001. The series clincher came at Turner Field, lifting Houston to its first NLCS since 1986. Houston eliminated the Braves again in 2005.
    Your options: [ 2004 ] [ 2001 ] [ 2005 ] [ 1998 ]
  From Quiz: Turn it Up Astros!
4 When did the Houston Astros debut in the Astrodome?
Answer: 1965

After three seasons as the Houston Colt 45s and playing home games at Colt Stadium, the team changed their name to the Astros and began the 1965 season in the newly built Astrodome.
  From Quiz: Baseball in the Astrodome
5 In the first trade in the team's history, the then Colt .45s traded Eddie Bressoud to which team for Don Buddin?
Answer: Red Sox

The Astros traded Bressoud for the middle infielder nearly a month after selecting him from the Giants in the expansion draft.
    Your options: [ Red Sox ] [ Dodgers ] [ Yankees ] [ Cardinals ]
  From Quiz: Out of This World Deals
6 Who was the long-time, Hall of Fame Astros broadcaster's nickname of, "The Captain"?
Answer: Milo Hamilton

Milo has been the voice of the Astros for many years. He is best-known however, for calling Hank Aaron's 715th round-tripper. "There's a new home run champion of all-time, and his name is Henry Aaron!"
  From Quiz: Go Astros!
7 On April 10, 1962 the Astros (then known as the Colt .45's) won their inaugural game. What former American League MVP was the Colt .45's starting and winning pitcher that day?
Answer: Bobby Shantz

Shantz was the 1952 American League MVP, going 24-7 with a 2.48 ERA for the fifth place Philadelphia Athletics
  From Quiz: Houston Astros History 1962-1980
8 Who holds the record for most at-bats as an Astro?
Answer: Craig Biggio

Cabell is the single-season leader with 660.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros
9 Which player stole more than 40 bases 7 times in his career, with a high of 61, along with 48 in 1980?
Answer: Cesar Cedeno

He was the first Astro voted into the All-Star game where he hit third in the lineup between Joe Morgan and Hank Aaron in 1973. He came up as 19-year old in 1970, and went on to win 5 Gold Gloves.
    Your options: [ Jose Cruz ] [ Joe Morgan ] [ Enos Cabell ] [ Cesar Cedeno ]
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
10 In the first 40 seasons of the Houston franchise, they won 100 games in a season only once. Which season was this?
Answer: 1998

Under manager Larry Dierker, the Astros went 102-60 to win their division in 1998, but lost the NLDS to the Padres, who went on to the World Series and lost to the Yankees.
    Your options: [ 1951 ] [ 2006 ] [ 1960 ] [ 1998 ]
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
11 In 2005, Houston played the first World Series game ever to take place in the state of Texas. Who started that game on the mound for the Astros?
Answer: Roy Oswalt

Oswalt won the NLCS MVP in 2005. He was in control for much of Game 3 of the World Series, before allowed four runs in an inning. Chicago won the game in extra innings.
  From Quiz: Turn it Up Astros!
12 Who did the Astros play in their first regular season home game in the Astrodome?
Answer: Philadelphia Phillies

After playing five exhibition games in the Astrodome against the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, the Astros opened their regular season schedule at the Astrodome on April 12, 1965. The Phillies spoiled the home opener, defeating the Astros 2-0.
  From Quiz: Baseball in the Astrodome
13 Which Hall of Famer was acquired for Danny Murphy and Jim Golden in the December of 1963?
Answer: Nellie Fox

The White Sox sent Fox to Houston for the duo after 14 years in Chicago. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997.
    Your options: [ Nellie Fox ] [ Nolan Ryan ] [ Jim Bunning ] [ Joe Niekro ]
  From Quiz: Out of This World Deals
14 Fan favorite Jeff Bagwell has hit more than 400 HRs in an Astros uniform. What former Houston pitcher was traded to Boston for the slugger?
Answer: Larry Andersen

That trade is often listed among the most infamous in baseball history. It took place in 1990.
  From Quiz: Go Astros!
15 What outfielder led the Colt .45's in home runs in 1962?
Answer: Roman Mejias

Mejias hit 24 home runs for the 1962 Colts, he hit only 30 home runs total in eight other big league seasons. At the conclusion of the 1962 season he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for American League batting champion Pete Runnels.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros History 1962-1980
16 The one millionth run in Major Leauge Baseball history was hit by a Houston Astro. Who was that player?
Answer: Bob Watson

Bob Watson pulled off this feat in May of 1975. Nevertheless, the Astros lost the game.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros
17 Who was the player to be named in the Tommy Helms trade?
Answer: Art Howe

He managed Oakland to 100 wins twice. While only a platoon player with the Astros in 1981, he hit .296 with 36 RBIs and finished 18th in league MVP voting.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
18 Which season did the Astros find themselves in their first World Series?
Answer: 2005

In 2005, Phil Garner, managing his first full season with the Astros, won the NLDS against Braves, NLCS against the Cardinals, then lost to the White Sox four games to none in the promised land.
    Your options: [ They haven't gone to a World Series yet ] [ 1980 ] [ 1960 ] [ 2005 ]
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
19 Who hit the first regular season home run at the Astrodome?
Answer: Richie Allen

In the Astros home opener in 1965, Richie Allen hit a two-run homer in the third inning off Bob Bruce for the only scoring in the game.
  From Quiz: Baseball in the Astrodome
20 In December of 1966, the Astros picked up another Hall of Famer in exchange for Bob Bruce and Dave Nicholson. Which Hall of Famer was it?
Answer: Eddie Mathews

The Braves sent Mathews, Arnold Umbach, and Sandy Alomar Sr. to Houston in the trade. Mathews was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978.
    Your options: [ Eddie Mathews ] [ Nellie Fox ] [ Jim Bunning ] [ Nolan Ryan ]
  From Quiz: Out of This World Deals
21 Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio had been Houston icons for more than a decade. What moniker were the duo best known as?
Answer: The Killer B's

Former Astro Derek Bell and All-Star Lance Berkman sometimes get grouped with the pair, but Bagwell and Biggio have formed the franchise's cornerstone for many years. The two joined up in 1991, and were still together with the Astros in '03.
  From Quiz: Go Astros!
22 Who was the first Houston Astro to throw 20 wins in a season while playing for the Astros?
Answer: Larry Dierker

Mike Hampton has the most single-season wins with 22 in 1998, but Dierker did it first with 20 in 1969.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros
23 Which player was part of the three-headed monster that shut the door in ninth innings in 1980, and was acquired from the Braves for Bo Mclaughlin?
Answer: Frank La Corte

Frank's best ERA was in 1980 at 2.82 to help the Astros win the West.
    Your options: [ Joe Sambito ] [ Vern Ruhle ] [ Dave Smith ] [ Frank La Corte ]
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
24 Who threw Houston's first no-hitter in franchise history in 1963?
Answer: Don Nottebart

Other than Ryan, the others never pitched for Houston, but Nolan didn't begin his career until 1966 and didn't pitch for Houston until 1980. On May 17, 1963, Nottebart and Houston no-hit the Phillies 4-1 for the club's first. Other Houston pitchers to throw no-hitters were Ken Johnson (1964), Don Wilson (1967 and 1969), Larry Dierker (1976), Ken Forsch (1979), Nolan Ryan (1981), Mike Scott (1986), and Darryl Kile (1993).
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
25 This Dominican-born fan favorite earned four All Star bids and won five gold gloves in the outfield during his 11-year Astros career. Who is he?
Answer: Cesar Cedeno

Cedeno played his final five seasons with the Reds, Cardinals, and Dodgers. He retired in 1986.
  From Quiz: Turn it Up Astros!
26 Which broadcaster called a game live from a gondola hanging from the roof above second base in the Astrodome during the 1965 season?
Answer: Lindsey Nelson

Nelson, along with producer Joel Nixon, were in the gondola on April 28, 1965, when the Astros defeated the New York Mets 12-9. The game lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes.
    Your options: [ Chuck Thompson ] [ Mel Allen ] [ Curt Gowdy ] [ Lindsey Nelson ]
  From Quiz: Baseball in the Astrodome
27 Which future 20-game winner was traded for outfielder Curt Belfray and minor leaguer Jim Mason in 1968?
Answer: Mike Cuellar

The Astros sent Cuellar, Enzo Hernandez, and Elijah Johnson, to Baltimore in the deal. Cuellar would go on to win 22 games in 1974 for Baltimore.
    Your options: [ Mike Cuellar ] [ Denny McLain ] [ Dave McNally ] [ Pat Dobson ]
  From Quiz: Out of This World Deals
28 What skipper managed Houston to four NL Central titles between 1997 and 2001?
Answer: Larry Dierker

Dierker experienced a lot of success in Houston. He was the club's first pitcher to win 20 games, and the Astros more than doubled their franchise postseason appearances during his tenure.
  From Quiz: Go Astros!
29 What Houston pitcher was the first pitcher in history to throw a nine-inning no-hitter and lose?
Answer: Ken Johnson

Johnson accomplished this dubious feat on April 23, 1964 against the Cincinnati Reds. Two errors in the ninth inning, one by Hall-of-Famer Nellie Fox, allowed Pete Rose to score the game's only run.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros History 1962-1980
30 Who threw the more strike-outs in a single season while playing for the Astros?
Answer: J.R. Richard

While Ryan may hold the MLB record for career strikeouts, the most he ever threw in a season as an Astro was 270. Rcihard threw 313 in 1979. Also beating Ryan were Mike Scott with 306 in 1986 and Richard again with 303 in 1978. Richard, Scott, and Richard again won 18 games in their 300-K years, but Ryan only had 8.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros
31 Who was the winning pitcher in game 3 of the 1980 NLCS?
Answer: Dave Smith

Dave retired second in teams saves at the time only to Billy Wagner, 225 to 199.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
32 What was Houston's first ballpark that they played their home games in the 1962 season?
Answer: Colt Stadium

Their first three seasons were at Colt Stadium until after the 1964 season when they moved into the Astrodome. The Astros played in the Astrodome until 1999, then moved into Enron Field in 2000.
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
33 Houston pushed St. Louis to the brink of elimination in the 2004 NLCS with a thrilling Game Five victory. What action ended the game?
Answer: A Jeff Kent home run

Brandon Backe held the mighty Redbirds scoreless for eight innings, and Brad Lidge continued the shutout through the top of the ninth, before Kent launched a three-run home run over the left field wall.
  From Quiz: Turn it Up Astros!
34 Who hit his 500th career home run at the Astrodome?
Answer: Willie Mays

Mays hit a solo home run in the fourth inning on September 13, 1965, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Astros 5-1.
  From Quiz: Baseball in the Astrodome
35 What Astros hurler captured the Cy Young Award in 1986?
Answer: Mike Scott

Scott won 18 games with his overpowering split-finger fastball, and many people believed that had Houston beaten the Mets in Game Six of the NLCS that year, Scott would have pitched them into their first World Series.
  From Quiz: Go Astros!
36 What Astro pitcher surrendered Willie Mays' 500th career home run?
Answer: Don Nottebart

It happened in the Astrodome on September 13, 1965 in a 5-1 win by the Giants over the Astros.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros History 1962-1980
37 What was the Astros former name?
Answer: Colt 45's

The franchise began in 1962.
  From Quiz: Houston Astros
38 Which player finished second in wins in 1980 with 20, after leading the league in wins with 21 in 1979?
Answer: Joe Niekro

In 20 postseason innings pitched, he never gave up a run. His brother Phil won 300 games to Joe's 221 wins.
    Your options: [ Nolan Ryan ] [ Juaquin Andujar ] [ J.R. Richard ] [ Joe Niekro ]
  From Quiz: Houston Astros: 1980
39 Who was Houston's first 20-game winner?
Answer: Larry Dierker

The others never won 20 games in a season for Houston. Dierker went 20-13 very quietly while the New York 'Amazing' Mets were the scream of the season. Mike Scott was also a 20-game winner for Houston in 1989, and Jose Lima won 21 in 1999. In 2004 and 2005, Roy Oswalt won 20 games for the Astros also.
  From Quiz: The Houston Astros!
40 The 1998 Astros bested the 1986 squad's team record for most regular season wins by six games. How many wins did Houston accumulate in 1998?
Answer: 102

Houston had the league's second-best record, yet fell to the Padres in the NLDS, 3-1. They won 96 games in 1986.
  From Quiz: Turn it Up Astros!
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