2001 Houston Astros season

Offseason

;Summary During a Houston Baseball Dinner on February 8, Craig F. Cullinan Jr., one of the key organizers along with R. E. "Bob" Smith, Judge Roy Hofheinz and George Kirksey to expand Major League Baseball into Houston, was honored at a Houston Baseball Writers dinner with a lifetime achievement award. Cullinan later served as the Colt .45s first team president in 1962.

;Transactions

• January 2, 2001: Charlie Hayes signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
• January 3, 2001: Kent Bottenfield signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day

;Opening Day starting lineup

The Astros hosted their first Opening Day at Enron Field on April 3, which featured Daryle Ward—substituting for an injured Moisés Alou—belting the first grand slam during an Opening Day at home in franchise annals. Meanwhile, Craig Biggio, returning from knee surgery, achieved his first career five-hit game. Ward's blast reprised that of teammate Richard Hidalgo's just one year earlier, who hit the first grand slam on any Opening Day for Houston on the road at Three Rivers Stadium.

Biggio singled in the bottom of the first off Milwuakee Brewers Opening Day starter, Jimmy Haynes for the first hit of the season for the club, and Jeff Bagwell drew a base on balls. Hidalgo, meanwhile, again started the season off strong, slashing a two-run triple during the bottom of the first to score Biggio and Bagwell for Houston's first two tallies of the brand-new season. In the bottom of the third frame, Lance Berkman received a hit by pitch from Haynes with the bases loaded for his first run batted in (RBI) of the year. One out later, Ward cleared the bases with his big fly. Another out later, Chris Truby joined the fireworks with his first blast of the season, staking Houston to a 8–1 lead.

The Astros' Opening Day starter, Scott Elarton, tossed six solid innings with two runs allowed to pick up the victory. Hidalgo also doubled in Biggio during the bottom of the seventh and Ward continued his big with day with a single that scored Berkman and Hidalgo. Biggio scored thrice.

Ward's 6 RBI set a career high, while also tying the Opening Day club record, set during the inaugural game in franchise history by Román Mejías in 1962. It was also Ward's first career grand slam.

Rest of April

On April 4, Daryle Ward enjoyed his first career four-hit game in the major leagues, It was the seventh multi-homer game for Hidalgo, whose 5 RBI matched his career high set exactly one year earlier on Opening Day 2000.

By slugging a home run in each of the first three games of the season, Truby established a franchise record. Meanwhile, Hidalgo who had concluded the previous season with an active hitting streak which commenced on September 15, collected hits in the first three games of the season to extend to 17 up to April 5.

May

After a back-and-forth skirmish on May 2 with the New York Mets, the Astros finally came back to finish off the contest in 11 innings. Successive home runs from Lance Berkman and Moisés Alou got the Astros to a 6–5 win. Craig Biggio and Daryle Ward also homered for the Astros.

With an infield single on May 4, Biggio realized his 2,000th career hit, doing so at Olympic Stadium. The milestone knock came off Javier Vázquez. Biggio became the first Astro to attain the entirety of his 2,000 hits with the franchise, and the second to attain this career milestone with the club, following José Cruz on September 15, 1985. Biggio later singled aagain and scored ahead of a three-run home by Jeff Bagwell, which capped a four-run fifth frame. Wade Miller (5–1) also collected his first double of the season, while allowing three runs over eight frames to pick the victory. Lance Berkman and Brad Ausmus also doubled, while Daryle Ward and Julio Lugo also homered.

On May 6, right-hander Roy Oswalt made his major league debut at Olympic Stadium, as a relief appearance to close out a 13–7 Astons win over the Montreal Expos. Jeff Bagwell was 4-for-5 with a grand slam and 5 runs batted in (RBI). Bagwell's slam was the fourth of his career, which he hit off Anthony Telford, while the four-ht game was the 23rd of Bagwell's career. Julio Lugo produced his second career five-hit game and scored three runs. Additionally, Hidalgo and Alou homered, and Berkman went 3-for-4 with a triple and a stolen base. Scott Elarton earned the win for Houston in spite of allowing nine hits and six runs over five innings. Mike Jackson and Octavio Dotel followed Elarton with three scoreless innings. Oswalt pitched the ninth and got Vladimir Guerrero for the first strikeout of his career. Next, José Vidro hit a line drive for a single, and former Astro Geoff Blum, who was 4-for-5, doubled to deep left center to score Vidrio. Finally, Oswalt retired Milton Bradley on a ground ball to Bagwell to limit the damage to one run surrendered that day and close out the game. Additionally, Lugo became the seventh Astro to log multiple five-hit bouts.

By connecting for a triple on May 7 against the Chicago Cubs, Bagwell achieved the 700th extra base hit of his career.

New acquisition Vinny Castilla slugged his first home run in an Astros uniform on May 15, off Manny Aybar of the Chicago Cubs. Moreover, Castilla and Richard Hidalgo both doubled twice among 10 total extra-base hits for the Astros. In the top of the twelfth inning, pinch hitter Tony Eusebio golfed a two-run home run off Todd Van Poppel deep to center field that scored Castilla for the game-winning runs, 9–7.

Bagwell cranked his fifth career grand slam on May 21,

Biggio initiated a hitting streak on May 29 that lasted until June 18, during which he hit .338, and spanned a career-best 18 games. Due to the timing and those later produced by teammates Berkman and Moisés Alou, at least one of the three remained within a current streak until July 18, This trio of overlapping hitting streaks mirrored a similar fulfillment that transpired April 17–May 11, 1979. Between those dates, one or more of each of Craig Reynolds, José Cruz, and Enos Cabell piloted their own hitting streak—each had a duration of exactly 15 games.

While tossing six innings with three runs surrendered on May 30, Wade Miller also helped himself at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance to earn his seventh win and lead Houston to a 7–4 win over the Padres. The win also ended an eight-game losing streak that had plunged the Astros below .500.

June

Richard Hidalgo slugged the walk-off home run and his fourth hit of the night on June 1, in the bottom of the ninth against the Los Angeles Dodgers for Houston's 10–9 win. Hidalgo’s effort was augmented by Vinny Castilla, who collected three hits and a home run.

Inaugural Lone Star Series

On June 8, the first-ever interleague game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers took place at The Ballpark at Arlington, initiating the rivalry known as the Lone Star Series. The Astros won the first game by a score of 5–4, on a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning from Alou as the designated hitter. The team that would win the most games between the two in a season would be awarded the Silver Boot.

On June 10, Orlando Merced stroked a pinch-hit, two-out, three-run home run in the top of the ninth to give the Astros the lead and eventual 6–5 win, which also decided into the Astros winning their first series against the Rangers.

Rest of June

Berkman crushed his first career grand slam on June 14, from a Héctor Carrasco offering. The blast occurred with two outs in the top of the seventh against the Minnesota Twins. Berkman had four hits and drove in six to key an 8–3 Astros triumph. It was Berkman's third four-hit game of the season, and established a career high in RBI.

Starting June 17, Berkman put together a 21-game hitting streak that would end just after the All-Star break on July 12. He collected 41 hits for a rate of nearly two per game for a dividend batting average of .482. Combined with his uncanny patience and prodigious strength, Berkman's on-base percentage swelled to .541 while his slugging percentage jumped to .941, slamming nine home runs, 10 doubles, and a triple. Moreover, four home runs landed in each of four consecutive contests from June 25–29, just one short of the then-club record amassed by Cliff Johnson

As of June 17, the Astros toiled around the .500 mark with a 33–33 record; however, they went on to finish off the season at a 59-36 (.621) pace. The league later announced that Houston would be awarded the site of the 2004 All-Star Game.

Bagwell and Lance Berkman had 4 RBI apiece on June 18 to lead a 13–5 win over the Colorado Rockies, although the Rockies outhit the Astros, 14–12.

The Astros launched five home runs on June 21 against the Cincinnati Reds, but still lost in 11 innings, 8–7. Craig Biggio, Bagwell, Hidalgo and Berkman (twice) all connected for Houston. The Reds hit four home runs. The following game, Alou commenced a 23-game hitting streak and had 2 RBI, though Houston dropped a second-consecutive extra innings contest to Cincinnati, 7–5.

July

For the second time in his career, Bagwell amassed seven runs batted in (RBI) in a game – the second time he tied the club record – against the Kansas City Royals on July 7.

Jeff Bagwell's cycle

While hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at Enron Field on July 18, Bagwell hit for the cycle. He went 4-for-5 with a BB and five RBI as the Astros won, 17–11. In the second-highest scoring game in the stadium's history, he collected each of the four hits off a different pitcher, including two in the same inning: a single in the first off Mike Matthews, double in the fifth off Luther Hackman, homer in the fifth off Gene Stechschulte and a triple in the seventh off Andy Benes. It was the Astros' first cycle since former teammate Andújar Cedeño at The Astrodome on August 25, 1992, and Biggio hit the next on April 8, 2002. With 11 extra-base hits, the Astros tied the franchise record set the year prior in a game against the Cubs.

The two clubs combined for 14 runs in the fifth inning: St. Louis scored six to erase a 6–2 deficit, and in the bottom of the inning, Houston tallied eight to take the lead for good. Meanwhile, Alou also homered among three hits to extend the 23rd consecutive and final game of his hitting streak,

Rest of July

With an opportunity to extend his hitting streak on the line on July 19, Alou fouled off three pitches during his final at bat in the ninth inning before drawing a walk to close out an 0-for-3 performance, falling one short of the club record. During the streak, Alou stroked 34 hits over 82 at-bats (.415 average). Also, he cranked six homers, six doubles, piling on a staggering 22 RBI, with a stout .707 slugging percentage, and .489 on-base percentage (OBP)l.

Bagwell was named NL Player of the Month for July after batting .333 with nine HR, breaking his own club record with 36 RBI in a month, exceeding 34 RBI in August 2000.

August

While hitting his 32nd HR on August 19, 2001, against Pittsburgh, Bagwell collected his 100th RBI. It was the sixth consecutive season he reached at least 30 HR and 100 RBI, making him the eighth player in MLB history to achieve such a streak, and the only Houston player to do so. Five days later, also against Pittsburgh, he scored his 100th run, joining Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth as the only players in MLB history with six consecutive seasons of 30 homers, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored. On September 30 at Chicago, Bagwell walked for his 100th of the season, thus making him the only player in MLB history register six consecutive seasons of at least 30 HR, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 100 walks.

Starting August 30 to September 18, Oswalt tossed 24 consecutive scoreless innings before yielding a home run at Pacific Bell Park to Andrés Galarraga of the San Francisco Giants.

September—October

Oswalt earned his first major league shutout on September 9, tossing it at home against the Milwuakee Brewers and striking out a career-high 12.

On October 4, Barry Bonds hit his 70th home run of the season off Houston pitcher Wilfredo Rodríguez to tie Mark McGwire's single season home run record.

Having lost seven of their previous eight, on October 7, the Astros commenced the final day of the regular season just one win away from clinching their fourth NL Central division title in five years. Jeff Bagwell and Richard Hidalgo homered as Houston battered former teammate for Darryl Kile for 10 hits and 7 runs over innings. Meanwhile, Houston starter Shane Reynolds stymied the Cardinals for just one run over innings as the Astros triumphed, 9–2. The win evened Houston and St. Louis with identical 93–69 records for best in the National League; however, the Astros became the division champions by winning the season series, 9–7, from St. Louis. Reynolds, who picked up his 14th victory of the season, also won the 100th of his career to lead Houston's clinching of the title, and became the first Astro to achieve this milestone since Mike Scott in 1989.

Performance overview

The Astros received recognition as Organization of the Year by each of SportsTicker, Topps, Baseball America, and Baseball Weekly.

With a 21-game improvement from the year prior, this Astros team set the franchise record for largest year-to-year margin, surpassing the 1997–1998 clubs, at 18 games.

Houston claimed their fourth NL Central division title, of a possible seven since the inception of the division in 1994. This remained the most division titles won by any team in the NL Central until 2005, when St. Louis claimed their fifth.

Likewise, with manager Larry Dierker at the helm for each NL Central division title, he extended his club record. Later, A. J. Hinch matched Dierker for most playoff appearances as manager for the Astros, consisting of one American League (AL) Wild Card title (2015) and three AL West division titles (2017, 2018, and 2019).

Lance Berkman established major league records for switch hitters with 94 extra-base hits and doubles (55), while becoming the 16th major leaguer to swat 55 doubles in one season. He led the major leagues in doubles, becoming the fifth Astro to headline the National League, and eighth instance overall. Astros antedating Berkman included Rusty Staub (1967), César Cedeño (twice, 1971 and 1972), fellow "Killer B's" Craig Biggio (thrice, 1994, 1998, and 1999) and Jeff Bagwell (1996). Berkman's effort was second in club history to Biggio's 56 in 1999, who preceded Berkman as the 13th player to pound at least 55 doubles.

Having won the Gold Glove Award, Brad Ausmus was named for the first time in his career, as well as becoming Houston's first catcher to receive the award.

Oswalt, who pitched 28 games including 20 starts in total as a first-year major leaguer, turned in a 2.73 earned run average (ERA). With a stellar 14–3 win–loss record, this set the franchise record for wins by a rookie pitcher. Hence, Oswalt was recognized with The Sporting News NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award, the third Astros rookie pitcher named accordingly, succeeding Tom Griffin in 1969 and Al Osuna in 1991, and was the seventh Astros rookie overall.

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions

• June 5, 2001: Kirk Saarloos was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 3rd round of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed June 24, 2001.
• July 9, 2001: Charlie Hayes was released by the Houston 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

National League Divisional Playoffs

Main article: 2001 National League Division Series

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves

Atlanta wins the series, 3-0

Awards and achievements

Grand slams

Career honors

• Houston Baseball Writers Lifetime Achievement Award: Craig F. Cullinan Jr.

Awards

• Baseball America Organization of the Year: Houston Astros
• Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star—Starting pitcher: Roy Oswalt
• Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball: Wayne Graham
• Gold Glove Award—Catcher: Brad Ausmus
• Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year: Roger Clemens (NYY)
• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: Lance Berkman
• Houston Astros Pitcher of the Year: Wade Miller
• Houston Astros Rookie of the Year: Roy Oswalt
• MLB All-Star Game:
  • Reserve outfielder—Moisés Alou
  • Reserve outfiedler—Lance Berkman
  • Reserve pitcher—Billy Wagner
• NL Pitcher of the Month—April: Wade Miller
• NL Player of the Month—July: Jeff Bagwell
• NL Player of the Week:—June 24: Lance Berkman
• NL Rookie of the Month—August: Roy Oswalt
• The Sporting News NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year: Roy Oswalt
• Topps All-Star Rookie Team—Right-handed pitcher: Roy Oswalt

League leaders

;NL batting leaders

• Doubles: Lance Berkman (55—led MLB)
• Hit by pitch: Craig Biggio (28—led MLB)

;NL pitching leaders

• Winning percentage: Roy Oswalt (.824)

Minor league system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Lexington; LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS: New Orleans

;Awards

• Double-A All-Star: Tim Redding, RHP
• Pacific Coast League All-Star: Jim Mann, RHP
• Texas League All-Star:
  • Carlos Hernández, LHP
  • Tim Redding, RHP
• Texas League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP): Jason Lane, OF
• Texas League Pitcher of the Year: Tim Redding, RHP
• Triple-A All-Star: Jim Mann, RHP

Notes

References

References

1. Herskowtiz, Mickey. (February 15, 2001). "Cullinan's place in city's sports history secure". [[Houston Chronicle]].
2. "Charlie Hayes stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
3. "Kent Bottenfield stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
4. (April 3, 2001). "Milwaukee Brewers (3) vs Houston Astros (11) box score". [[Baseball Almanac]].
5. "2001 Houston Astros uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com.
6. (April 3, 2001). "Ventura's two homers lead Mets". [[The Washington Post]].
7. "Top performances for Craig Biggio". [[Retrosheet]].
8. de Jesús Ortíz, José. (June 29, 2007). "3000! Biggio reaches career hit milestone". Houston Chronicle.
9. (April 3, 2001). "Milwaukee Brewers (3) vs Houston Astros (11) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
10. "Top performances for Daryle Ward". Retrosheet.
11. (April 10, 1962). "Houston Colt .45s 11, Chicago Cubs 2 box score". Retrosheet.
12. "Daryle Ward career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
13. (April 4, 2001). "Milwaukee Brewers (6) vs Houston Astros (8) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
14. "Top performances for Richard Hidalgo". Retrosheet.
15. (April 5, 2002). "Berkman hits third home run for Astros". [[Los Angeles Times]].
16. Smith, David. "Houston Astros hitting streaks". Astros Daily.
17. Schwartzberg, Seth. (May 2, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 2". [[SB Nation]].
18. Milestone Highlights. (May 4, 2001). "Craig Biggio reaches on an infield single for his 2,000th career base hit".
19. Hulsey, Bob. "This date in Astros history". Astros Daily.
20. (May 4, 2001). "Houston Astros (8) vs Montreal Expos (4) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
21. Coleman, David. (May 6, 2012). "This Day in Astros History: May 6, 2001". [[SB Nation]].
22. "Jeff Bagwell career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
23. "Top performances for Jeff Bagwell". Retrosheet.
24. "Top performances for Julio Lugo". Retrosheet.
25. (May 6, 2001). "Houston Astros (13) vs Montreal Expos (7) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
26. "Player batting game stats finder–baseball". [[Sports Reference]].
27. "Jeff Bagwell player page bio". MLB.com.
28. "Vinny Castilla career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
29. (May 15, 2001). "Houston Astros (9) vs Chicago Cubs (7) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
30. (May 21, 2001). "San Diego Padres (7) vs Houston Astros (6) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
31. "2001 Houston Astros schedule". Baseball-Reference.com.
32. Schwartzberg, Seth. (May 30, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 30". SB Nation.
33. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 1, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 1". SB Nation.
34. (June 8, 2001). "Box score for Houston Astros (5) vs Texas Rangers (4)". Baseball Almanac.
35. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 8, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 8". SB Nation.
36. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 10, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 10". SB Nation.
37. "Lance Berkman career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com.
38. (June 14, 2001). "Houston Astros (8) vs Minnesota Twins (3) box score". Baseball-Reference.com.
39. "Top performances for Lance Berkman". [[Retrosheet]].
40. "Astros history – Timeline". [[MLB.com]].
41. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 18, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 18". SB Nation.
42. Schwartzberg, Seth. (June 21, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 21". SB Nation.
43. "Moisés Alou 2001 batting game logs". Baseball-Reference.com.
44. (July 14, 2001). "Homers power Astro victory". [[Los Angeles Times]].
45. Duarte, Joseph. (July 18, 2001). "Astros outslug Cards: Bagwell hits for cycle". Houston Chronicle.
46. "Houston Astros 17, St. Louis Cardinals 11: Game played on Wednesday, July 18, 2001 (N) at Enron Field". Retrosheet (retrosheet.org).
47. Rajan, Greg. (July 22, 2019). "Minute Maid Park's most memorable: Jeff Bagwell's cycle". Houston Chronicle.
48. Young, Matt. (July 22, 2024). "Details behind each player who has hit for the cycle in Astros franchise history". Houston Chronicle.
49. (July 18, 2001). "Houston 17, St. Louis 11". [[United Press International]].
50. Clack. (May 8, 2012). "Astros History: A 30-game hitting streak in 2006". SB Nation.
51. "Roy Oswalt stats, age, position, height, weight, fantasy & news". MLB.com.
52. ''Baseball's Top 100: The Game's Greatest Records'', p.10, Kerry Banks, 2010, Greystone Books, Vancouver, BC, {{ISBN. 978-1-55365-507-7
53. McTaggart, Brian. (September 27, 2023). "5 times the Astros clinched a spot". MLB.com.
54. (October 7, 2001). "Astros capture division with win over Cards {{!}} Astros regain championship". Houston Chronicle; Astros Daily.
55. (August 17, 2016). "Who won the NL Central in 2001?".
56. "Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia". Baaseball-Reference.com.
57. "Extra base hits records". Baseball Almanac.
58. "Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball". Sports Reference.
59. "Player batting season & career stats finder–baseball". Sports Reference.
60. "Yearly league leaders & records for doubles". Baseball-Reference.com.
61. "Houston Astros single-season leaders". Retrosheet.
62. "MLB Gold Glove Award winners—National League". Baseball-Reference.com.
63. (July 29, 2010). "Roy Oswalt timeline". Houston Chronicle.
64. "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award". Baseball Almanac.
65. "Rookie Player of the Year Award". Baseball Almanac.
66. "Kirk Saarloos stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com.
67. "MLB Organization of the Year Award by Baseball America". Baseball Almanac.
68. McTaggart, Brian. (December 21, 2009). "Bourn highlights Astros' awards season". MLB.com.
69. "Gold Glove catchers". Baseball Almanac.
70. "Houston Astros Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube.
71. "Major League Baseball Pitchers of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com.
72. "MLB Player of the Month Award". Baseball Almanac.
73. "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com.
74. "MLB Rookies of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com.
75. "Rookie Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News". Baseball Almanac.
76. "Double-A All-Stars". The Baseball Cube.
77. "Pacific Coast League All-Stars". The Baseball Cube.
78. "Texas League All-Stars". The Baseball Cube.
79. "Texas League Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube.
80. "Texas League Pitcher of the Year". The Baseball Cube.
81. "Triple-A All-Stars". The Baseball Cube.