1962

The Houston Colt .45s along with the New York Metropolitans joined the National League via expansion for the 1962 season. The Colts fared much better during their inaugural campaign finishing 24 games better than the Mets. The cobbled together pitching staff performed surprisingly well posting a 3.83 team ERA. The Colts lone all-star that year was Turk Farrell, a reliever turned starter who won 10 games, struck out 203 batters and recorded a 3.02 ERA.

Righty, Bob Bruce, acquired from the Tigers, also won ten games and struck out 135 batters. Fellow righty, Ken Johnson who was selected from the Cincinnati Reds in the expansion draft, punched out 178 hitters while posting a 3.03 ERA. The offense was mediocre at best batting a collective .246. Cuban-born right fielder, Ramon Mejias, sparked the offense hitting .286 with 24 home runs, 76 RBIs and stealing 12 bags. Left fielder Al Spangler hit a respectable .285 and the trio of Hal Smith, Bob Aspromonte and Carl Warwick all contributed double-digit home runs. The Colts were eliminated from contention in late August, but their first season was successful considering their roster was comprised of castoffs from the rest of the league.

1963

The 1963 Colt .45s improved by two wins over the prior campaign but dropped to ninth in the National League. The pitching staff once again, held its own posting a combined 3.44 ERA. Ken Johnson, Turk Farrell and Don Nottebart each recorded double-digit wins. Nottebart also made history by twirling the first no-hitter in franchise history, a 4-1 victory over the visiting Phillies.

No Hitter:

Don Nottebart (HOU)

May 17th, 1963

vs. Philadelphia Phillies (4-1)

Closer, Hal Woodeshick, won 11 games out of the bullpen and saved 10 more. Woodeshick was the lone Colts representative in the All-Star game. Offensively, Al Spangler led the starters in hitting with a .281 average. Starting catcher, John Bateman, supplied the power with 10 long balls and 59 RBIs.

On September 27th, the Colts made history by having an all-rookie starting lineup.

First All Rookie Starting Lineup

Houston Colt 45’s

vs. New York Mets

September 27th, 1963

The addition of rookies Jimmy Wynn, Rusty Staub and future hall of famer, Joe Morgan, provided optimism for the 1964 season.

1964

The 1964 Colt .45s once again won 66 games during the regular season to finish in ninth place in the National League. The offensive struggles continued for the Colts, managing only a .229 team batting average. Bob Aspromonte led all batsmen with a .280 average. First baseman, Walt Bond powered the team with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs. On June 16th, St. Louis 3rd-sacker Ken Boyer, completed a Natural Cycle against the Colts.

Natural Cycle:

Ken Boyer (STL)

vs. Houston Colt 45s

June 16th, 1964

The pitching staff was the strong part of the team posting a 3.41 collective ERA. Bob Bruce helmed the staff with 15 wins, 135 K’s and a 2.76 ERA. Bruce also recorded an Immaculate Inning on April 19th, setting down the visiting Cardinals on 9 pitches.

Immaculate Inning (8th)

Bob Bruce (HOU)

vs. St. Louis Cardinals

April 19th, 1964

Ken Johnson contributed 11 wins and 117 punchouts. Johnson became the first pitcher to lose a complete game no-hitter on April 23rd, falling to the Reds when Pete Rose reached on a two-base error and later scored.

No Hitter:

Ken Johnson

April 23rd, 1964

vs. Cincinnati Reds (0-1)

Righthander, Turk Farrell, won 11 games and struck out 117 to earn Houston’s only spot in the All-Star game at Shea Stadium.

The 1964 season would be the last at Colt Stadium as the team prepared to move to its new home, the Houston Astrodome. With the move would come a name change from Colt .45s to “Astros”.