1997 Houston Astros season

Offseason

The Astros hired former player-turned-broadcaster Larry Dierker as manager, the 13th in Astros' franchise history, to succeed Terry Collins, who had led the club to three consecutive second-place results in the NL Central division. Dierker pitched 13 seasons for Houston, from 1964–1976, gaining two All-Star selections. He pitched his final season as an active player with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. Dierker returned to Houston in 1979 as a broadcaster, serving in that capacity for the club through the 1996 campaign.

• December 2, 1996: Pat Listach signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Regular season

Summary

April

;Opening Day starting lineup

On April 8, Russ Johnson made his major league debut, going 1-for-4 in a 4–2 defeat to Atlanta. Johnson followed up his debut by collecting a seven-game hitting streak, during which he batted .321. This feat set a franchise record by hitting safely in each of his first 7 major league appearances, and was later tied by Jose Altuve on July 27, 2011. Johnson went 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts on April 19 to end the hitting streak. It was his final appearance in the major leagues until later August.

May—June

Craig Biggio greeted Philadelphia Phillies starter Mark Leiter with a leadoff home run on May 16 at Veterans Stadium for his 100th career home run, his tenth career leadoff home run, and first of two for the contest. The Astros scored four runs until Leiter was chased after just having recorded just one out by Brad Ausmus, who slugged his first home run as an Astro. In the top of the second inning, Houston did not relent, exploding for seven off left-hander Mike Mimbs, including Biggio's second home run with two outs. Biggio's effort spearheaded 12–7 drubbing of Philadelphia. The Astros coaxed 11 bases on balls as plate discipline savants Jeff Bagwell (4) and Bobby Abreu (3) led the way. Bagwell also added a home run in the ninth inning. This was the seventh multi-home game of Biggio's career, and third game with four or more RBI.

On May 20, Jeff Bagwell collected his 1,000th career hit on a home run (his first of two on the day) off Calvin Maduro in a 9–5 win over the Phillies.

Starting May 26, outfielder Luis Gonzalez authored a 23-game hitting streak, tying the franchise record established by Art Howe in 1981. Gonzalez batted .351, .413 on-base percentage (OBP), and .479 slugging percentage (SLG). The streak ended on June 20 in a 7–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs, though Gonzalez did reach base again by drawing a base on balls. He had two hits the following game, which extended an overlapping on-base streak to 27 games, his season high. The franchise record stood until the 2000 season, when Gonzalez' teammate Tony Eusebio hit in 24 straight.

On June 13, Houston faced the Minnesota Twins of the American League (AL) the first regular-season interleague game in franchise history, losing 8–1.

MLB All-Star Game

• Home Run Derby: Jeff Bagwell—Round 1: 4 / Round 2: 1 / Total: 5 (4th place) • Winner: Tino Martinez (NYY)—Total:16

Bagwell, at first base, second baseman Craig Biggio, and pitcher Darryl Kile were selected to represent the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, and played for the National League. With Bagwell and Biggio elected to the starting lineup, this represented the first time that fans had elected two Astros position players to the Midsummer Classic starting lineup. Bagwell became the first starter as his position to represent Houston since Lee May at the 1972 game.

July

Just one game back of first-place Houston on July 12, the Pittsburgh Pirates sold out Three Rivers Stadium for the first time on a date that was not a home opener. The Pirates did not disappoint their fans, with starter Francisco Córdova tossing nine dominant no-hit innings. However, when he retired the Astros to end the top half of the ninth inning, no celebration ensued. The Astros' Chris Holt and Billy Wagner had matched Córdova's shutout effort, also keeping the Pirates scoreless through nine. In the top of the tenth, Ricardo Rincón relieved Córdova, who had thrown 121 pitches, and retired the Astros in order. After John Hudek assumed the bottom of the tenth inning for Houston, he issued two bases on balls prior to serving an offering to Mark Smith that Smith converted into a three-run, walk-off home run to win it for Pittsburgh, 3–0. This became the first combined, extra-innings no-hitter in Major League history. Córdova tied a major league record achieved just once—eight decades earlier—for most innings by one pitcher in a combined no-hitter, by Ernie Shore, on June 23, 1917.

August

Russ Johnson made his first major league appearance in four month on August 26, which was a 7–6 loss to Atlanta. This time, he had two hits in five at bats and two RBI, to collect hits in 8 of his first 9 games.

The Astros clinched their first NL Central division title, and first division title since winning the NL West in 1986. Larry Dierker became the sixtn manager to win a division title in his first year at the position.

Performance overview

By finishing with 43 home runs and 31 stolen bases, Bagwell became the first player in club history to join the 30 home runs—30 stolen bases club. Further, he established club records for home runs, RBI (135), total bases (335), and extra-base hits (85).

Biggio became the first player in major league history to play 162 games in a season without having grounded into a double play.

Reliever Billy Wagner whiffed 106 batters over innings pitched, resulting in a major league-record pace of 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), to displace the prior record of 14.1 effected by Rob Dibble of the Cincinnati Reds in 1992.

Biggio was recognized with both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards at second base for the third time, extending his club record of receiving both awards in the same campaigns. Having won the Silver Slugger at catcher in 1989, Biggio added to his record for total Silver Sluggers won in club history, with four. The Gold Glove was Biggio's fourth straight. Among Astros Gold Glove winners, only César Cedeño and Doug Rader had won more (5 each).

Bagwell was also awarded the Silver Slugger for his offensive campaign, distinguishing him as the club leader at first base. His second win, Bagwell was first recognized during the 1994 campaign, when had joined Glenn Davis in 1986 as the only Astros to win the Silver Slugger at first base.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• June 3, 1997: 1997 Major League Baseball draft
  • Lance Berkman was drafted by the Astros in the 1st round (16th pick). Player signed June 4, 1997.
  • Eric Byrnes was drafted by the Astros in the 4th round, but did not sign.
• July 1, 1997: Pat Listach was released by the Astros.
• July 27, 1997: Josías Manzanillo was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Roster

Game log

Regular season

|-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 || April 1 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Braves || W 2–1 || Reynolds (1–0) || Smoltz (0–1) || Wagner (1) || 2:29 || 44,618 || 1–0 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 2 || April 2 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Braves || W 4–3 || Hampton (1–0) || Maddux (0–1) || Wagner (2) || 2:34 || 16,308 || 2–0 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 3 || April 3 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Braves || L 2–3 || Glavine (1–0) || Kile (0–1) || Wohlers (1) || 2:38 || 17,693 || 2–1 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 4 || April 4 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Cardinals || W 3–2 (11) || Springer (1–0) || Ludwick (0–1) || – || 3:56 || 25,985 || 3–1 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 || April 5 || 7:07p.m. CDT || Cardinals || W 6–2 || Fernandez (1–0) || Osborne (0–1) || García (1) || 2:54 || 25,957 || 4–1 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || April 6 || 1:35p.m. CDT || Cardinals || W 3–2 || Martin (1–0) || Frascatore (0–1) || Wagner (3) || 2:44 || 18,752 || 5–1 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 7 || April 8 || 6:40p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 2–4 || Glavine (2–0) || Hampton (1–1) || Wohlers (3) || 2:48 || 31,064 || 5–2 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || April 9 || 6:40p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 3–4 (12) || Embree (1–0) || Lima (0–1) || – || 3:48 || 33,986 || 5–3 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 9 || April 10 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Braves || W 5–3 || Holt (1–0) || Smoltz (1–2) || Hudek (1) || 2:58 || 33,637 || 6–3 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 10 || April 11 || 7:06p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || L 2–4 || Batchelor (1–1) || Reynolds (1–1) || Eckersley (1) || 2:41 || 23,744 || 6–4 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 11 || April 12 || 1:17p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || W 7–5 || García (1–0) || Stottlemyre (0–1) || Wagner (4) || 3:15 || 28,235 || 7–4 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 12 || April 13 || 7:07p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || L 2–6 || Benes (1–1) || Hampton (1–2) || Eckersley (2) || 2:38 || 22,705 || 7–5 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 13 || April 14 || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || W 4–2 (10) || Wagner (1–0) || Eckersley (0–1) || Hudek (2) || 3:11 || 22,623 || 8–5 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 || April 15 || 7:08p.m. CDT || Expos || L 5–7 || Martínez (1–0) || Holt (1–1) || – || 2:30 || 18,602 || 8–6 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 15 || April 16 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Expos || W 10–2 || Reynolds (2–1) || Valdes (0–2) || – || 3:01 || 14,046 || 9–6 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 16 || April 18 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 3–5 || Martínez (2–1) || Hampton (1–3) || Worrell (5) || 3:25 || 38,937 || 9–7 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 17 || April 19 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || W 2–1 || Kile (1–1) || Nomo (2–1) || Wagner (5) || 3:07 || 46,244 || 10–7 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 18 || April 20 || 3:07p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || W 3–1 || Holt (2–1) || Candiotti (2–1) || Hudek (3) || 2:21 || 33,250 || 11–7 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 19 || April 22 || 9:06p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 12–3 || Reynolds (3–1) || Valenzuela (1–2) || – || 3:15 || 16,748 || 12–7 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 20 || April 23 || 9:36p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 11–7 || García (2–0) || Worrell (1–3) || – || 3:09 || 15,534 || 13–7 || W34 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 21 || April 25 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Giants || W 5–4 || Wagner (2–0) || Roa (1–1) || – || 2:37 || 26,705 || 14–7 || W5 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 22 || April 26 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Giants || L 0–2 || Estes (4–0) || Holt (2–2) || – || 2:17 || 36,837 || 14–8 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 23 || April 27 || 1:35p.m. CDT || Giants || L 2–3 || Fernández (3–1) || Reynolds (3–2) || Beck (11) || 2:33 || 22,316 || 14–9 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 24 || April 28 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Rockies || L 6–7 (10) || McCurry (1–0) || Wagner (2–1) || Ruffin (6) || 3:35 || 13,510 || 14–10 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 25 || April 29 || 12:35p.m. CDT || Rockies || W 3–1 || Wall (1–0) || Bailey (3–1) || Hudek (4) || 2:16 || 13,567 || 15–10 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 26 || April 30 || 6:39p.m. CDT || @ Expos || L 6–8 || Pérez (4–1) || Kile (1–2) || Urbina (2) || 3:01 || 12,346 || 15–11 || L1 |- |-style="background:#fcc;" | 27 || May 1 || 12:39p.m. CDT || @ Expos || L 0–4 || Martínez (4–0) || Holt (2–3) || – || 2:11 || 12,328 || 15–12 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" | 31 || May 5 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Phillies || W 9–2 || Holt (3–3) || Leiter (3–3) || – || 2:33 || 11,268 || 18–13 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 32 || May 6 || 7:07p.m. CDT || Phillies || L 1–5 || Schilling (4–3) || García (2–2) || – || 3:05 || 12,179 || 18–14 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 33 || May 7 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Mets || L 1–4 || Reynoso (2–0) || Martin (1–1) || Franco (8) || 2:55 || 12,574 || 18–15 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 34 || May 8 || 12:35p.m. CDT || Mets || W 4–2 || Hampton (2–3) || Reed (3–2) || Wagner (7) || 2:28 || 12,842 || 19–15 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#cfc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" |-style="background:#fcc;" | 39 || May 13 || 5:40p.m. CDT || @ Mets || L 3–4 || McMichael (3–2) || Springer (1–1) || Franco (11) || 2:28 || 13,997 || 20–19 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 40 || May 14 || 6:42p.m. CDT || @ Mets || W 1–0 || Kile (3–2) || McMichael (3–3) || Wagner (9) || 2:28 || 13,051 || 21–19 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 41 || May 16 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || W 12–7 || Holt (5–3) || Leiter (3–4) || – || 3:09 || 13,456 || 22–19 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 42 || May 17 || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 2–4 || Schilling (6–3) || Reynolds (4–4) || Bottalico (9) || 2:27 || 17,138 || 22–20 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 43 || May 18 || 12:35p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || L 3–5 || Stephenson (1–0) || Hampton (2–4) || Bottalico (10) || 2:29 || 17,367 || 22–21 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 44 || May 19 || 6:07p.m. CDT || @ Phillies || W 9–5 || Kile (4–2) || Maduro (3–5) || – || 3:01 || 15,122 || 23–21 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 45 || May 20 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Reds || L 4–7 || Smiley (4–6) || Springer (1–2) || Shaw (5) || 2:51 || 14,954 || 23–22 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 46 || May 21 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Reds || W 4–3 (14) || Martin (2–1) || Sullivan (0–1) || – || 4:22 || 15,088 || 24–22 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 47 || May 23 || 8:05p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 7–8 || Jones (1–0) || Wall (1–2) || Reed (4) || 2:42 || 48,127 || 24–23 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 48 || May 24 || 2:35p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || W 7–0 || Kile (5–2) || Burke (0–1) || – || 2:48 || 48,129 || 25–23 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 49 || May 25 || 2:05p.m. CDT || @ Rockies || L 5–8 || Bailey (5–4) || García (2–3) || Munoz (1) || 2:55 || 48,222 || 25–24 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 50 || May 26 || 3:06p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 3–4 || Tavárez (1–2) || Lima (0–3) || – || 3:09 || 16,059 || 25–25 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 51 || May 27 || 2:36p.m. CDT || @ Giants || L 4–5 (10) || Beck (3–2) || Wagner (2–2) || – || 3:18 || 8,437 || 25–26 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 52 || May 29 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Padres || W 10–6 || Kile (6–2) || Valenzuela (2–7) || – || 3:23 || 13,793 || 26–26 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 53 || May 30 || 7:06p.m. CDT || Padres || L 2–9 || Cunnane (3–1) || Holt (5–4) || Worrell (1) || 2:43 || 31,339 || 26–27 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 54 || May 31 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Padres || L 5–12 || Hitchcock (5–5) || Reynolds (4–5) || Smith (1) || 2:58 || 39,286 || 26–28 || L2 |- |-style="background:#fcc;" | 55 || June 1 || 1:36p.m. CDT || Padres || L 3–6 || Hamilton (4–2) || Wagner (2–3) || Hoffman (8) || 2:57 || 19,899 || 26–29 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 56 || June 2 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Dodgers || W 2–0 || Wall (2–2) || Nomo (5–5) || Lima (1) || 2:28 || 16,227 || 27–29 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 57 || June 3 || 12:35p.m. CDT || Dodgers || W 4–3 || Magnante (1–0) || Radinsky (2–1) || – || 3:16 || 17,268 || 28–29 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 58 || June 4 || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Reds || W 5–2 || Holt (6–4) || Burba (4–5) || Wagner (10) || 2:29 || 18,849 || 29–29 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 59 || June 5 || 11:35a.m. CDT || @ Reds || L 5–6 || Schourek (5–4) || Reynolds (4–6) || Shaw (9) || 2:53 || 22,437 || 29–30 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 60 || June 6 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 8–7 || Lima (1–3) || Hamilton (4–3) || Wagner (11) || 3:27 || 21,700 || 30–30 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 61 || June 7 || 9:06p.m. CDT || @ Padres || L 4–5 (10) || Hoffman (3–3) || García (2–4) || – || 3:24 || 34,763 || 30–31 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 62 || June 8 || 3:06p.m. CDT || @ Padres || W 9–0 || Kile (7–2) || Valenzuela (2–8) || – || 2:40 || 28,939 || 30–32 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 63 || June 9 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 3–8 || Martínez (6–3) || Holt (6–5) || – || 2:54 || 25,585 || 31–32 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 64 || June 10 || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || W 6–3 || Magnante (2–0) || Osuna )1–2) || Wagner (12) || 3:16 || 26,491 || 32–32 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 65 || June 11 || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Dodgers || L 5–10 || Park (5–3) || Hampton (2–5) || – || 3:09 || 52,873 || 32–33 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 66 || June 13 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Twins || L 1–8 || Radke (6–5) || Wall (2–3) || – || 2:40 || 30,956 || 32–34 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 67 || June 14 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Twins || L 1–6 || Robertson (7–3) || Kile (7–3) || – || 2:44 || 27,172 || 32–35 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 68 || June 15 || 1:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 3–2 || Wagner (3–3) || Guardado (0–2) || – || 2:35 || 28,218 || 33–35 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 69 || June 16 || 7:06p.m. CDT || @ Royals || L 2–5 || Rosado (7–3) || Hampton (2–6) || – || 2:47 || 22,528 || 33–36 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 70 || June 17 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Royals || W 10–2 || García (3–4) || Haney (0–2) || – || 2:46 || 20,588 || 34–36 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 71 || June 18 || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Royals || L 2–6 || Pittsley (2–4) || Wall (2–4) || – || 2:30 || 20,085 || 34–37 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 72 || June 20 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 7–3 || Kile (8–3) || Trachsel (4–6) || – || 2:49 || 30,085 || 35–37 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 73 || June 21 || 12:15p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 7–3 || Holt (7–5) || Castillo (4–9) || – || 2:52 || 25,227 || 36–37 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 74 || June 22 || 1:36p.m. CDT || Cubs || W 3–1 || Hampton (3–6) || Foster (8–5) || Wagner (13) || 2:15 || 23,407 || 37–37 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 75 || June 23 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Pirates || L 0–6 || Córdova (6–5) || García (3–5) || – || 2:24 || 16,738 || 37–38 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 76 || June 24 || 7:05p.m. CDT || Pirates || L 3–8 || Lieber (4–8) || Wall (2–5) || – || 2:44 || 17,972 || 37–39 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 77 || June 25 || 12:36p.m. CDT || Pirates || W 5–1 || Kile (9–3) || Sodowsky (0–1) || – || 2:30 || 26,954 || 38–39 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 78 || June 26 || 7:06p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || W 7–6 (10) || Wagner (4–3) || Adams (1–4) || Minor (1) || 3:52 || 30,473 || 39–39 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 79 || June 27 || 2:23p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || L 1–2 || Foster (9–5) || Hampton (3–7) || Wendell (4) || 2:54 || 28,265 || 39–40 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 80 || June 28 || 12:09p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || L 2–5 || González (4–2) || García (3–6) || Bottenfield (1) || 2:58 || 38,244 || 39–41 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 81 || June 29 || 1:22p.m. CDT || @ Cubs || W 10–8 || Minor (1–0) || Mulholland (5–9) || Wagner (14) || 3:34 || 30,542 || 40–41 || W1

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

|-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 || September 30 || 12:07p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 1–2 || Maddux (1–0) || Kile (0–1) || – || 2:15 || 46,467 || ATL 1–0 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 || October 1 || 12:07p.m. CDT || @ Braves || L 3–13 || Glavine (1–0) || Hampton (0–1) || – || 3:06 || 49,200 || ATL 2–0 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 3 || October 3 || 3:07p.m. CDT || Braves || L 1–4 || Smoltz (1–0) || Reynolds (0–1) || – || 2:35 || 53,688 || ATL 3–0 || L3 |-

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

National League Divisional Playoffs

Main article: 1997 National League Division Series

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros, three games to none.

Awards and achievements

;Career honors

;Annual awards

• Associated Press (AP) All-Star—Second baseman: Craig Biggio
• Branch Rickey Award: Craig Biggio
• Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball: Bill Virdon
• Gold Glove Award at second base: Craig Biggio
• Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year: Roger Clemens (TOR)
• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: Craig Biggio
• Houston Astros Pitcher of the Year: Darryl Kile
• Houston Astros Rookie of the Year: Chris Holt
• MLB All-Star Game:
  • Starting first baseman / Home Run Derby contestant—Jeff Bagwell
  • Starting second baseman—Craig Biggio
  • Reserve pitcher—Darryl Kile
• NL Pitcher of the Month—July: Darryl Kile
• NL Player of the Week:
  • April 27—Jeff Bagwell
  • July 20—Darryl Kile
  • August 24—Derek Bell
• Silver Slugger Award:
  • First baseman—Jeff Bagwell
  • Second baseman—Craig Biggio
• The Sporting News NL All-Stars
  • First baseman—Jeff Bagwell
  • Second baseman—Craig Biggio

;Offensive achievements:

;NL batting leaders

• Games played: Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio (162—tied, led MLB)
• Plate appearances: Craig Biggio (744)
• Runs scored: Craig Biggio (146—led MLB)

;NL pitching leaders

• Batters faced: Darryl Kile (1056)

;NL fielding leaders

• Assists as P: Mike Hampton (57)
• Caught stealing percentage: Brad Ausmus (49.5)
• Double plays turned as LF: Luis Gonzalez (2)

Minor league system

Notes

References

References

1. "September 25, 1997: Astros clinch first National League Central Division title". [[Society for American Baseball Research]].
2. "Pat Listach stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
3. (April 1, 1997). "Atlanta Braves (1) vs Houston Astros (2) box score". [[Baseball Almanac]].
4. "1997 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com.
5. "Russ Johnson 1997 batting game logs". Baseball-Reference.com.
6. Schlueter, Roger. (July 28, 2011). "Fascinating facts from July 27, 2011's games".
7. "Craig Biggio career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
8. (May 16, 1997). "Houston Astros (12) vs Philadelphia Phillies (7) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
9. "Top performances for Craig Biggio". [[Retrosheet]].
10. (May 20, 1997). "Bagwell's 1,000th hit leads Astros, 9–5". [[Los Angeles Times]].
11. Callahan, Gerry. (May 31, 1999). "Mr. Generosity Diamondback Luis Gonzalez, fresh from a 30-game hit streak, is a player who spreads around his bucks and his bingles". [[Sports Illustrated]].
12. Clack. (May 8, 2012). "Astros History: A 30 game hitting streak in 2006". [[SB Nation]].
13. "Luis Gonzalez 1997 game batting logs: Batting stats career game 860–882". Baseball-Reference.com.
14. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 13, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 13". [[SB Nation]].
15. "MLB Home Run Derby (1990–1999)". Baseball Almanac.
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