1982 Houston Astros season

Offseason

;Summary The Astros concluded the 1981 season with an overall record of 61–49 for third-best in the division. As a response to the players' strike, a one-time format with a split regular season was implemented and modified playoffs were introduced. Houston qualified for the second-half division title. In the National League Division Series (NLDS), Houston faced the first-half division-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, but were defeated prior to the Dodgers winning the World Series.

Former Colt .45s infielder Pete Runnels, a native of Lufkin, Texas, was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. Runnels played in Houston during the 1963 and 1964 campaigns.

;Transctions

• October 23, 1981: Pete Ladd was traded by the Astros to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rickey Keeton.
• December 18, 1981: César Cedeño was traded by the Astros to the Cincinnati Reds for Ray Knight.

Regular season

Summary

April

Prior to the start of the season's first game, the Astros were announced as the hosts for the 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

For Opening Day, on April 6, the Astros hosted the St. Louis Cardinals. Nolan Ryan made his first Opening Day start for Houston; however, he took the loss as the Cardinals sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs during the first inning. St. Louis never looked back, pounding out 18 hits and taking the season's inaugural contest, 14–3. This was the first time that Ryan surrendered more than three runs in any game at the Astrodome. Art Howe banged out a sacrifice fly during the bottom of the second inning off Cardinals starter Bob Forsch and swatted a home run in the seventh. Alan Ashby also homered off Forsch in the sixth to account for all of Houston's tallies. Jim Kaat tossed a scoreless ninth inning for St. Louis to become the first pitcher in major league history to appear in 24 seasons. This was the second consecutive Opening Day that the Astros were matched up against that season's eventual World Series champions.

José Cruz smashed his 100th career home run on April 26, a two-run shot off John Martin of the St. Louis Cardinals. Ray Knight slugged a home run of his own, collected three runs batted in (RBI) and was 3-for-4 as Houston triumphed, 6–2. Nolan Ryan (1–4) went the distance, struck out five, and earned his first win of the season

Don Sutton's 250th career win

During his brief stay as an Astro, right-hander Don Sutton earned his 250th career victory on July 7, 1982, via a 5–1 tally versus the Chicago Cubs. It was his ninth win of the campaign. In support, Phil Garner slugged a two-run home run, and José Cruz drove in two others.

July

From July 24 to August 14, Dickie Thon manufactured a 21-game hitting streak, which was the fifth in team history of 20 games or longer, and just two games short of Art Howe's then-club record of 23 from May 1 to May 24 of the prior campaign.

Nolan Ryan's 200th career win

On July 27, Nolan Ryan earned the 200th victory of his career with a five-hit, 3–2 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds. Terry Puhl smashed a line drove of reliever Jim Kern, which second baseman Ron Oester slung wildly as Ray Knight charged around third base, ahead of the throw to home plate to score the winning run.

August

On August 11, Nolan Ryan hurled his first one-hit complete game as an Astro, the eighth of his career, and lowest-hit effort since his no-hitter on September 26, 1981. Ryan's most recent one-hitter was on July 13, 1979, as a member of the California Angels. Ryan (12–8) walked three and struck out six for a game score of 88, and, at the plate, hit an RBI single and drew a base on balls to lead a 3–0 win over the San Diego Padres. Terry Puhl slashed three hits, while Phil Garner and Ray Knight each logged RBI singles. Dickie Thon extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

September

On September 27, switch-hitting catcher Alan Ashby became the 12th National League player—on the 17th occasion—and first Houston Astro to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game. However, it was Ashby's single to right in the top of the eighth which plated José Cruz for the go-ahead tally at 4–3 over the Padres. Two innings earlier, Ashby had homered from the left side off Padres starter John Montefusco to tie it 3-all. In the top of the ninth, from the right side, Ashby took lefty Chris Welsh deep for a three-run bomb for the 7–3 score. Houston batters aggregated 15 hits, led by Ashby and Cruz with three each. Meanwhile, Vern Ruhle (9–13) posted scoreless ball over the final five innings in relief, with four strikeouts to pick up the victory.

Performance overview

The Astros concluded the 1982 season with an record, for fifth place and 12 games behind the NL West division-champion Atlanta Braves. Hence, the Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 1979 after having qualified for the first two times in franchise history. It was the just third time since 1969 that Houston had finished more than four games under .500.

Dickie Thon collected 10 triples to lead the National League. Thon was the fourth Astros hitter to lead the league in triples, succeeding teammate Craig Reynolds from the year prior.

Nolan Ryan led the major leagues in fewest hits per nine innings surrendered (7.047), the seventh time in club history for an Astros pitcher. Having the led the league the year prior, Ryan joined J. R. Richard as the second Astros pitcher to lead the league in the category multiple times.

However, Ryan also led the major leagues in most walks issued (109) to extend his major-league record for leading the league to an eighth season, and for the second time in the National League. Ryan already held the American League record with six, as a member of the California Angels. This was his second time as member of the Astros.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• June 8, 1982: Joe Pittman was traded by the Astros to the San Diego Padres for Danny Boone.
• August 30, 1982: Don Sutton was traded by the Astros to the Milwaukee Brewers for players to be named later and cash.
• September 3, 1982: The Brewers completed their August 30 trade with the Astros, sending Kevin Bass, Frank DiPino, and Mike Madden to the Astros.

Roster

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

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and achievements

;Career honors

• Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductee:

;Awards

• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player Award (MVP): Ray Knight
• MLB All-Star Game—Reserve infielder: Ray Knight
• NL Pitcher of the Month—August: Nolan Ryan

;Batting leaders

• Triples: Dickie Thon (10)

;Pitching leaders

• Bases on balls allowed: Nolan Ryan (109)
• Hit batsmen: Nolan Ryan (8)
• Hits per nine innings pitched: Nolan Ryan (7.0)
• Wild pitches: Joe Niekro (19)

Minor league system

Notes

References

References

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