Publisher's Synopsis
These were the heroes who owned the summers of the 1960s. Rusty Staub and Dick Farrell. Hal Woodeshick and Jimmy Wynn. Denis Menke and Larry Dierker. John Bateman and Bob Bruce. During the summers of the 1960s, the heroes of Houston wore Astros uniforms (after they outgrew their Colts uniforms). On their best days (which were, admittedly, too few), they were entertaining and inspiring. They smote hated rivals and sent their best to the All-Star game, in the decade when that mid-summer classic moved under the lights ... and into prime time. On their worst days, these Astros heroes broke our hearts, squandering late-inning leads and pre-season hopes ... but they never lost our devotion. They were the heroes of our youth. Now their stories are collected in Astros Heroes: Remembering the Houston Astros Who Helped Make the 1960s Baseball's Real Golden Age. The book profiles the best (and a few of the worst) of the Houston Astros of the 1960s. In all, there are 72 profiles of the infielders, outfielders, catchers and pitchers who played for the Houston Colt .45s and Houston Astros in the 1960s. Do you remember ... The hard-throwing right-hander who managed to win 15 games in 1964 for a team that lost 96? (page 75) The slugging third baseman who was a 9-time All-Star and won 2 National League home run crowns? (page 26) The second baseman who was a 10-time All-Star and was twice the National League's MVP? (page 30) The 6-time All-Star outfielder who led the National League in doubles in 1967? (page 56) The Astros' workhorse right-hander who lost 20 games in 1962 despite posting a 3.02 ERA? (page 84) The left-handed pitcher who was the Astros' only Gold Glove winner during the 1960s? (page 60) The burly reliever who led the National League in saves in 1964? (page 109) The hard-hitting center fielder who hit 145 home runs for the Astros in the 1960s ... and set franchise records for RBIs, walks and strikeouts? (page 59) The left-hander who went from a 20-game loser in 1962 to a 22-game winner in 1963? (page 94) The ace reliever who transformed his career when he perfected the palm ball? (page 87) Their stories are here. Enjoy the memories.
