Houston Astros Tickets

The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after spending their first 51 seasons in the National League (NL). The team was established as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962 and changed their name to the Astros in 1965 when they began playing in the Astrodome. The Astros have played in three ballparks in Houston: Colt Stadium (1962–1964), the Astrodome (1965–1999), and Minute Maid Park (2000–), a stadium with a retractable roof. They have won two World Series titles (2017 and 2022) and five pennants (one in the National League and four in the American League). The team has a reputation as a villain in the league, particularly after a sign-stealing scandal in 2017.

The Astros play their home games at Minute Maid Park, located in downtown Houston. Minute Maid Park opened in 2000 and features a retractable roof, which can be closed during inclement weather or opened to allow for outdoor games. The stadium's most distinctive feature is the 242-foot-high retractable roof and the 90-foot-wide, 50-ton steel-and-glass panels, which provide natural light and an outdoor atmosphere when the roof is closed.

Throughout their history, the Astros have been home to many notable players, including:

1. Craig Biggio: A Hall of Fame second baseman, Biggio spent his entire 20-year career with the Astros and was known for his versatility and leadership on the field. He was a seven-time All-Star and ranks among the franchise leaders in several offensive categories.
2. Jeff Bagwell: A powerful first baseman, Bagwell played his entire 15-year career with the Astros and was known for his smooth swing and ability to hit for both power and average. He was a four-time All-Star and won the National League MVP award in 1994.
3. Nolan Ryan: A legendary pitcher known for his blazing fastball and longevity, Ryan spent the final five seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Astros. He threw his record-breaking fifth no-hitter with the team in 1981 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
4. Jose Altuve: A dynamic second baseman, Altuve has been a key player for the Astros since making his debut in 2011. He is a six-time All-Star, a three-time American League batting champion, and won the American League MVP award in 2017.

The Astros have several significant rivalries, but none more intense than their rivalry with the Texas Rangers. Known as the "Lone Star Series," it is a geographic rivalry that pits the two Texas teams against each other in a series of games each season. The rivalry is fueled by competitive divisional matchups and a shared desire for bragging rights within the state.

In addition to their rivalry with the Rangers, the Astros also have heated matchups with other American League West teams, such as the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels. These divisional rivalries add extra excitement to the regular season and contribute to the passionate atmosphere at Minute Maid Park.