1980 Houston Astros season

1980 Houston Astros
National League West champions
LeagueNational League
DivisionWest
BallparkAstrodome
CityHouston, Texas
Record93–70 (.571)
Divisional place1st
OwnersJohn McMullen
General managersTal Smith, Al Rosen
ManagersBill Virdon
TelevisionKRIV–TV 26
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
RadioKPRC–AM 950
(Gene Elston, Dewayne Staats, Larry Dierker)
Seasons

The 1980 Houston Astros season was the 19th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 16th as the Astros, 19th in the National League (NL), 12th in the NL West division, and 16th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having completed an 89–73 record for second place and 1+1⁄2 games behind the division-champion Cincinnati Reds. At the time, this represented the closest the Astros had ever qualified for the playoffs.

On Opening Day, April 10, J. R. Richard made his fourth Opening Day start for Houston, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers and won, 3–2.

On July 4, pitcher Nolan Ryan recorded his 3,000th career strikeout.

Richard and left fielder José Cruz were selected to the MLB All-Star Game and played for the National League, the first career selection for both players,

After a late collapse in 1979, the Astros completed their scheduled regular season with a record of 92–70, tying them for first place with Los Angeles after having lost three in a row in Los Angeles in the final series of the season. To determine the division champion, the teams played a tie-breaker on October 6, which the Astros won for the first division title and first time in franchise history to qualify for the playoffs. At the time, this also set the club record for wins in one season, surpassing the 89 from the season prior. Houston faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), losing three games to two.

Following the season, general manager Tal Smith was named The Sporting News Executive of the Year, the first of Houston Astros personnel to win the award.

Offseason

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day starters


In a 3–0 shutout of the Chicago Cubs on June 11, Astros starter J. R. Richard extended a scoreless innings streak to 31+2⁄3. The win capped the first-ever homestand sweep for the Astros after having swept 3 games each in series against the San Francisco Giants and Cubs.[5]

Despite battling the flu, Nolan Ryan hurled seven one-hit innings before reliever Joe Sambito closed out a 2–0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals' only hit was a double in the third inning. Offensively, José Cruz, drove in both of the Astros' runs.[6]

On July 4, Ryan recorded the 3,000th strikeout of his career, with César Gerónimo of the Cincinnati Reds as his victim.

Season standings

NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
93 70 .571 — 55‍–‍26 38‍–‍44
Los Angeles Dodgers 92 71 .564 1 55‍–‍27 37‍–‍44
Cincinnati Reds 89 73 .549 3½ 44‍–‍37 45‍–‍36
Atlanta Braves 81 80 .503 11 50‍–‍30 31‍–‍50
San Francisco Giants 75 86 .466 17 44‍–‍37 31‍–‍49
San Diego Padres 73 89 .451 19½ 45‍–‍36 28‍–‍53

Record vs. opponents

1980 National League record

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team ATL CHC CIN HOU LAD MTL NYM PHI PIT SD SF STL
Atlanta — 8–4 2–16 7–11 11–7 5–7 3–9 5–7 11–1 12–6 11–6 6–6
Chicago 4–8 — 7–5 1–11 5–7 6–12 10–8 5–13 8–10 4–8 5–7 9–9
Cincinnati 16–2 5–7 — 8–10 9–9 3–9 8–4 7–5 6–6 15–3–1 7–11 5–7
11–7 11–1 10–8 — 9–10 5–7 8–4 3–9 7–5 11–7 11–7 7–5
Los Angeles 7–11 7–5 9–9 10–9 — 11–1 7–5 6–6 6–6 9–9 13–5 7–5
Montreal 7–5 12–6 9–3 7–5 1–11 — 10–8 9–9 6–12 10–2 7–5 12–6
New York 9–3 8–10 4–8 4–8 5–7 8–10 — 6–12 10–8 1–11 3–9 9–9
Philadelphia 7-5 13–5 5–7 9–3 6–6 9–9 12–6 — 7–11 8–4 6–6 9–9
Pittsburgh 1–11 10–8 6–6 5–7 6–6 12–6 8–10 11–7 — 6–6 8–4 10–8
San Diego 6–12 8–4 3–15–1 7–11 9–9 2–10 11–1 4–8 6–6 — 10–8 7–5
San Francisco 6–11 7–5 11–7 7–11 5–13 5–7 9–3 6–6 4–8 8–10 — 7–5
St. Louis 6–6 9–9 7–5 5–7 5–7 6–12 9–9 9–9 8–10 5–7 5–7 —


Roster

1980 Houston Astros
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
  Postponement
  Clinched division
Bold Astros team member
1980 regular season game log: 93–70 (Home: 55–26; Away: 38–44)[7]
April: 13–5 (Home: 9–3; Away: 4–2)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
1 April 10 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 3–2 Richard (1–0) Hooton (0–1) Sambito (1) 2:03 33,270 1–0 W1
2 April 11 7:35 p.m. CST Dodgers W 10–6 Smith (1–0) Stanhouse (0–1) – 2:58 30,701 2–0 W2
3 April 12 3:15 p.m. CST Dodgers L 5–6 (17) Howe (1–0) Smith (1–1) Hooton (1) 5:35 24,609 2–1 L1
4 April 13 2:05 p.m. CST Dodgers W 4–2 Forsch (1–0) Goltz (0–1) LaCorte (1) 2:19 33,676 3–1 W1
5 April 14 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 5–4 Sambito (1–0) Garber (0–1) – 3:15 15,017 4–1 W2
6 April 15 7:35 p.m. CST Braves W 6–2 Niekro (1–0) McWilliams (0–2) – 2:14 15,712 5–1 W3
7 April 17 3:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 4–6 Reuss (1–0) Smith (1–2) – 3:06 45,476 5–2 L1
8 April 18 9:30 p.m. CST @ Dodgers W 7–4 Forsch (2–0) Goltz (0–2) Andújar (1) 3:20 41,112 6–2 W1
9 April 19 9:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers W 2–0 Richard (2–0) Welch (0–1) – 2:40 50,112 7–2 W2
10 April 20 3:00 p.m. CST @ Dodgers L 2–4 Reuss (2–0) Niekro (1–1) – 2:27 39,442 7–3 L1
11 April 21 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 5–6 LaCoss (3–0) Ruhle (0–1) Hume (3) 3:09 29,067 7–4 L2
12 April 22 7:35 p.m. CST Reds W 8–0 Ryan (1–0) Pastore (2–1) – 2:45 30,094 8–4 W1
13 April 23 7:35 p.m. CST Reds L 2–3 (12) Hume (2–0) Andújar (0–1) Bair (1) 3:39 29,828 8–5 L1
14 April 25 7:35 p.m. CST Mets W 7–4 Richard (3–0) Falcone (1–1) – 2:52 24,140 9–5 W1
15 April 26 7:35 p.m. CST Mets W 6–0 Niekro (2–1) Glynn (0–1) LaCorte (2) 2:42 44,540 10–5 W2
16 April 27 2:05 p.m. CDT Mets W 4–3 (12) LaCorte (1–0) Allen (0–3) – 3:37 20,828 11–5 W3
17 April 29 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 3–0 Forsch (3–0) Leibrandt (1–2) – 2:14 18,092 12–5 W4
18 April 30 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 5–1 Richard (4–0) Seaver (1–1) – 2:21 19,821 13–5 W5
May: 12–14 (Home: 4–4; Away: 8–10)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
19 May 1 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 9–3 Niekro (3–1) LaCoss (3–2) – 3:00 18,215 14–5 W6
20 May 2 7:38 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–9 Hood (1–1) Ryan (1–1) Kaat (1) 2:39 23,009 14–6 L1
21 May 3 7:10 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 Ruhle (1–1) Martínez (1–2) Sambito (2) 2:10 23,292 15–6 W1
22 May 4 1:19 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 4–2 Forsch (4–0) Sykes (1–3) LaCorte (3) 2:37 17,262 16–6 W2
23 May 5 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–10 Palmer (1–0) Richard (4–1) – 2:41 5,477 16–7 L1
24 May 6 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 8–4 Niekro (4–1) Grimsley (1–2) – 2:33 5,503 17–7 W1
25 May 7 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 0–3 Sanderson (2–2) Ryan (1–2) Fryman (3) 2:29 7,386 17–8 L1
26 May 9 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 McWilliams (2–2) Forsch (4–1) Bradford (1) 2:21 11,111 17–9 L2
27 May 10 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 3–2 (11) LaCorte (2–0) Garber (1–2) Sambito (3) 3:15 13,798 18–9 W1
28 May 11 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–7 Niekro (2–4) Niekro (4–2) – 2:25 10,871 18–10 L1
29 May 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–3 Palmer (2–0) Ryan (1–3) – 2:42 24,835 18–11 L2
30 May 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 0–1 Sanderson (3–2) Forsch (4–2) Fryman (5) 2:19 20,636 18–12 L3
31 May 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 0–3 Ruthven (4–2) Richard (4–2) — 2:06 33,610 18–13 L4
32 May 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 2–4 Christenson (3–0) Niekro (4–3) Noles (3) 2:25 43,525 18–14 L5
33 May 18 2:05 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–0 Ryan (2–3) Lerch (2–3) — 2:07 33,950 19–14 W1
34 May 20 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–2 Forsch (5–2) Swan (2–3) – 2:29 8,466 20–14 W2
35 May 21 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 1–5 Falcone (3–2) Richard (4–3) Allen (7) 2:37 4,233 20–15 L1
36 May 22 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 8–5 Niekro (5–3) Kobel (0–4) LaCorte (4) 2:55 7,812 21–15 W1
37 May 23 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 0–3 Carlton (8–2) Ryan (2–4) — 2:11 27,822 21–16 L1
38 May 24 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–5 Saucier (2–3) Andújar (0–2) McGraw (3) 2:28 28,539 21–17 L2
39 May 25 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 2–6 Ruthven (5–3) Forsch (5–3) — 2:10 37,340 21–18 L3
40 May 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 4–1 Richard (5–3) Curtis (3–4) Sambito (4) 2:59 18,242 22–18 W1
41 May 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 4–3 LaCorte (3–0) Fingers (5–5) – 2:47 18,246 23–18 W2
42 May 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 1–0 Ryan (3–4) Wise (2–3) – 2:30 19,697 24–18 W3
43 May 30 9:38 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–3 Blue (8–2) Forsch (5–4) – 2:19 10,511 24–19 L1
44 May 31 3:09 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–0 Richard (6–3) Montefusco (2–4) – 2:15 11,649 25–19 W1
June: 18–9 (Home: 13–4; Away: 5–5)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
45 June 1 3:09 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 2–6 Knepper (4–6) Niekro (5–4) – 2:35 19,801 25–20 L1
46 June 2 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 0–3 Wise (3–3) Ryan (3–5) Rasmussen (1) 2:16 27,176 25–21 L2
47 June 3 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–2 Ruhle (2–1) Jones (4–4) LaCorte (5) 2:20 12,363 26–21 W1
48 June 4 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 4–3 Forsch (6–4) Fingers (5–6) Sambito (5) 2:27 13,619 27–21 W2
49 June 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 2–0 Richard (7–3) Knepper (4–7) – 2:02 26,822 28–21 W3
50 June 7 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–0 Niekro (6–4) Whitson (2–7) – 2:05 42,263 29–21 W4
51 June 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–4 Sambito (2–0) Minton (2–3) – 2:30 28,327 30–21 W5
52 June 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 6–2 Forsch (7–4) Lamp (6–2) – 2:31 19,022 31–21 W6
53 June 10 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 5–2 Ruhle (3–1) Krukow (3–7) – 2:22 21,201 32–21 W7
54 June 11 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–0 Richard (8–3) Reuschel (5–6) – 2:18 31,599 33–21 W8
– June 12 Cubs Postponed (Schedule change) (Makeup date: June 9)
55 June 13 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 3–5 Solomon (4–0) Niekro (6–5) Tekulve (9) 2:35 31,854 33–22 L1
56 June 14 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Pirates W 7–3 Ryan (4–5) Robinson (2–2) LaCorte (6) 3:08 33,922 34–22 W1
57 June 15 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 1–4 Candelaria (4–5) Forsch (7–5) – 2:08 49,541 34–23 L1
58 June 16 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 2–1 Ruhle (4–1) Hernández (1–5) Smith (1) 2:35 15,289 35–23 W1
59 June 17 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 7–1 Richard (9–3) McGlothen (3–4) Andújar (2) 2:54 19,480 36–23 W2
60 June 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 3–0 Niekro (7–5) Kaat (1–4) – 2:08 24,459 37–23 W3
61 June 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 2–0 Ryan (5–5) Sykes (1–6) Sambito (6) 2:02 24,663 38–23 W4
62 June 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 6–4 Forsch (8–5) Candelaria (4–6) Sambito (7) 2:14 35,955 39–23 W5
63 June 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 4–2 Ruhle (5–1) Blyleven (2–7) Sambito (8) 2:30 45,867 40–23 W6
64 June 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates L 1–2 Bibby (8–1) Niekro (7–6) Jackson (3) 2:33 46,213 40–24 L1
65 June 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 0–3 Sutcliffe (2–4) Andújar (0–3) – 2:29 29,753 40–25 L2
66 June 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–4 (12) LaCorte (4–0) Beckwith (3–1) – 4:13 34,388 41–25 W1
67 June 25 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers L 2–9 Welch (8–2) Forsch (8–6) – 2:50 34,416 41–26 L1
68 June 27 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 5–4 Niekro (8–6) Pastore (9–4) Sambito (9) 2:31 36,648 42–26 W1
69 June 28 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds L 5–8 Price (1–0) Richard (9–4) Hume (11) 3:08 44,025 42–27 L1
70 June 29 5:00 p.m. CDT Reds W 12–10 LaCorte (5–0) Soto (0–3) Sambito (10) 3:20 38,408 43–27 W1
71 June 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–5 (11) Hrabosky (4–1) Sambito (2–1) – 2:53 8,208 43–28 L1
July: 13–16 (Home: 8–6; Away: 5–10)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
72 July 1 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 4–13 Alexander (6–3) Niekro (8–7) – 2:47 9,546 43–29 L2
73 July 2 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 0–14 Niekro (6–10) Ruhle (5–2) – 2:27 21,908 43–30 L3
74 July 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–3 Richard (10–4) Boggs (3–4) LaCorte (7) 2:44 15,769 44–30 W1
75 July 4 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 1–8 Leibrandt (8–4) Ryan (5–6) – 2:42 37,047 44–31 L1
76 July 5 (1) 4:37 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 6–8 Soto (1–3) Forsch (8–7) – 2:46 N/A 44–32 L2
77 July 5 (2) 7:58 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 2–3 LaCoss (5–7) Andújar (0–4) Hume (12) 2:34 44,083 44–33 L3
78 July 6 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Reds W 3–2 Niekro (9–7) Pastore (10–5) LaCorte (8) 2:37 30,045 45–33 W1
— July 8 7:40 p.m. CDT 51st All-Star Game in Los Angeles, CA
79 July 10 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–4 Howe (3–4) Ryan (5–7) – 2:52 49,692 45–34 L1
80 July 11 7:10 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 Reuss (10–2) Forsch (8–8) Howe (8) 2:30 42,754 45–35 L2
81 July 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 9–5 Niekro (10–8) McWilliams (5–6) Smith (2) 2:54 38,610 46–35 W1
82 July 13 (1) 5:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–5 Sambito (3–1) Garber (2–5) LaCorte (9) 2:48 N/A 47–35 W2
83 July 13 (2) 8:58 p.m. CDT Braves W 6–1 Ruhle (6–2) Boggs (3–5) – 2:28 31,230 48–35 W3
84 July 14 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves L 0–2 Niekro (7–11) Pladson (0–1) – 2:19 20,247 48–36 L1
85 July 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies W 3–2 Sambito (4–1) Ruthven (8–6) — 2:08 24,223 49–36 W1
86 July 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 2–4 Walk (6–0) Forsch (8–9) — 2:06 28,532 49–37 L1
87 July 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Phillies L 1–2 Carlton (15–4) Niekro (10–8) — 2:18 26,403 49–38 L2
88 July 18 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos L 4–5 (11) Fryman (4–4) Smith (1–3) Norman (4) 3:24 26,389 49–39 L3
89 July 19 (1) 5:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–2 Andújar (1–4) Lea (2–4) Smith (3) 2:44 40,499 50–39 W1
90 July 19 (2) 8:54 p.m. CDT Expos L 2–5 Gullickson (1–2) Pladson (0–2) – 2:35 39,507 50–40 L1
91 July 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Expos W 4–3 Sambito (5–1) Norman (0–1) – 2:16 28,513 51–40 W1
92 July 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 3–2 LaCorte (6–1) Allen (4–6) – 2:23 20,548 52–40 W2
93 July 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets W 6–5 Roberge (1–0) Glynn (3–3) Smith (4) 3:02 26,815 53–40 W3
94 July 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Mets L 3–4 Reardon (5–5) LaCorte (6–1) Allen (16) 2:44 30,236 53–41 L1
95 July 25 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 9–8 LaCorte (7–1) Sosa (5–4) – 3:31 50,217 54–41 W1
96 July 26 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos L 1–2 (12) Sahnsen (7–4) LaCorte (7–2) – 3:46 42,400 54–42 L1
97 July 27 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Expos W 6–3 Niekro (11–8) Lee (3–5) Smith (5) 3:02 41,107 55–42 W1
98 July 28 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 3–2 (10) Sambito (6–1) Reed (6–4) — 2:41 30,181 56–42 W2
99 July 29 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 6–9 Saucier (5–3) LaCorte (7–3) McGraw (8) 3:05 30,252 56–43 L1
100 July 30 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 4–6 Ruthven (10–7) Ryan (5–8) McGraw (9) 2:36 31,342 56–44 L2
August: 18–12 (Home: 9–4; Away: 9–8)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
101 August 1 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 4–5 Reardon (6–5) Smith (1–4) – 2:42 16,612 56–45 L3
102 August 2 6:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets L 3–5 Allen (5–6) Niekro (11–9) – 2:46 45,426 56–46 L4
103 August 3 1:05 p.m. CDT @ Mets W 3–2 (10) Sambito (7–1) Reardon (6–6) – 3:41 22,492 57–46 W1
104 August 4 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 4–2 Ryan (6–8) Hargesheimer (2–1) Sambito (11) 2:19 33,884 58–46 W2
105 August 5 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants L 3–9 Lavelle (5–5) Pladson (0–3) – 3:03 24,198 58–47 L1
106 August 6 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 1–0 Forsch (9–9) Blue (9–6) – 2:10 23,478 59–47 W1
107 August 7 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 1–5 Shirley (9–7) Niekro (11–10) – 2:59 20,044 59–48 L1
108 August 8 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–5 Eichelberger (3–0) Sambito (7–2) Fingers (15) 2:45 15,207 59–49 L2
109 August 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres W 9–5 Smith (2–4) D'Acquisto (2–3) – 2:50 21,233 60–49 W1
110 August 10 2:05 p.m. CDT Padres L 2–3 Wise (4–5) Sambito (7–3) – 2:21 20,514 60–50 L1
111 August 11 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 4–5 Blue (10–6) Forsch (9–10) Minton (12) 2:48 10,755 60–51 L2
112 August 12 9:35 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 0–2 Ripley (6–5) Niekro (11–11) Lavelle (6) 2:05 29,770 60–52 L3
113 August 13 2:05 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 5–6 (12) Rowland (1–0) Smith (2–5) – 3:42 10,149 60–53 L4
114 August 14 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 2–1 Ryan (7–8) Curtis (4–8) – 2:18 12,150 61–53 W1
115 August 15 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 3–1 (20) Smith (3–5) Rasmussen (2–9) – 6:17 14,177 62–53 W2
116 August 17 (1) 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 5–0 Forsch (10–10) Jones (5–12) – 2:06 N/A 63–53 W3
117 August 17 (2) 5:41 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 9–2 Niekro (12–11) Mura (4–5) – 2:23 16,120 64–53 W4
118 August 19 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 5–2 Ryan (8–8) Candelaria (8–13) Sambito (12) 2:23 39,415 65–53 W5
119 August 20 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 5–1 Ruhle (7–2) Bibby (15–3) Smith (6) 2:54 32,112 66–53 W6
120 August 21 7:35 p.m. CDT Pirates W 12–5 Sambito (8–3) Blyleven (7–9) – 2:59 33,884 67–53 W7
121 August 22 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 3–2 (12) LaCorte (8–3) Caudill (1–3) – 3:24 34,118 68–53 W8
122 August 23 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 1–0 (17) Niekro (13–11) Riley (0–4) – 4:47 25,031 69–53 W9
123 August 24 7:35 p.m. CDT Cubs W 2–1 Ryan (9–8) Caudill (1–4) – 2:22 25,703 70–53 W10
124 August 25 7:38 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–3 Hood (3–5) Ruhle (7–3) – 2:16 9,185 70–54 L1
125 August 26 7:37 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals W 7–2 Niekro (14–11) Kaat (5–6) – 2:18 10,859 71–54 W1
126 August 27 7:37 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–10 Martin (1–0) Forsch (10–11) – 2:41 10,025 71–55 L1
127 August 28 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 4–1 Andújar (2–4) Lamp (10–10) Sambito (13) 2:47 18,694 72–55 W1
128 August 29 1:30 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 6–5 Smith (4–5) Tidrow (5–5) LaCorte (10) 2:49 9,994 73–55 W2
129 August 30 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Cubs W 2–0 Ruhle (8–3) McGlothen (9–10) – 2:47 18,803 74–55 W3
130 August 31 1:15 p.m. CDT @ Cubs L 7–8 Tidrow (6–5) LaCorte (8–4) – 3:00 14,823 74–56 L1
September: 16–11 (Home: 10–5; Away: 6–6)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
131 September 1 (1) 10:00 a.m. CDT @ Pirates W 10–4 Smith (5–5) Robinson (5–8) – 3:07 N/A 75–56 W1
132 September 1 (2) 2:42 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 5–7 Rhoden (5–4) Pladson (0–4) Jackson (8) 2:57 26,374 75–57 L1
133 September 3 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Pirates L 4–10 Candelaria (10–13) Andújar (2–5) Romo (9) 3:00 18,502 75–58 L2
134 September 5 7:40 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 5–7 Seaman (3–1) Sambito (8–4) Frazier (2) 3:15 19,628 75–59 L3
135 September 6 (1) 5:38 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 9–5 Niekro (15–11) Sykes (6–10) Niemann (1) 2:40 N/A 76–59 W1
136 September 6 (2) 8:49 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 6–4 Ruhle (9–3) Martin (1–1) – 2:02 34,350 77–59 W2
137 September 7 6:09 p.m. CDT Cardinals L 0–2 Vuckovich (10–9) Forsch (10–12) – 2:00 16,475 77–60 L1
138 September 9 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 5–4 Smith (6–5) Howe (6–7) Sambito (14) 3:06 34,546 78–60 W1
139 September 10 7:35 p.m. CDT Dodgers W 6–5 (12) Roberge (2–0) Sutcliffe (3–9) – 3:49 37,632 79–60 W2
140 September 12 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 5–3 Niekro (16–11) Whitson (9–11) Smith (7) 2:35 23,380 80–60 W3
141 September 13 7:35 p.m. CDT Giants W 3–2 Forsch (11–12) Blue (13–8) – 2:10 32,526 81–60 W4
142 September 14 6:05 p.m. CDT Giants W 6–4 Andújar (3–5) Montefusco (4–8) Sambito (15) 2:43 18,471 82–60 W5
143 September 15 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–6 Shirley (11–10) Ryan (9–9) – 2:30 9,578 82–61 L1
144 September 16 7:35 p.m. CDT Padres L 3–4 Curtis (8–8) Ruhle (9–4) Fingers (21) 2:57 20,383 82–62 L2
145 September 17 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Reds L 0–7 Soto (10–6) Niekro (16–12) – 2:37 25,092 82–63 L3
146 September 18 11:30 a.m. CDT @ Reds W 10–2 Forsch (12–12) Pastore (11–7) Sambito (16) 2:37 23,861 83–63 W1
147 September 19 9:40 p.m. CDT @ Giants L 3–4 Griffin (1–4) Andújar (3–6) Holland (6) 2:45 4,377 83–64 L1
148 September 20 3:07 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 3–2 Smith (7–5) Lavelle (6–7) Sambito (17) 2:53 16,770 84–64 W1
149 September 21 12:23 p.m. CDT @ Giants W 5–1 Ruhle (10–4) Blue (14–9) – 2:29 19,844 85–64 W2
150 September 22 9:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres W 4–2 Niekro (17–12) Shirley (11–11) – 2:40 16,513 86–64 W3
151 September 23 7:00 p.m. CDT @ Padres L 4–9 Curtis (9–8) Niemann (0–1) – 3:00 4,788 86–65 L1
152 September 24 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves L 2–4 Alexander (14–9) Andújar (3–7) Camp (20) 2:39 24,897 86–66 L2
153 September 25 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Braves W 4–2 Ryan (10–9) Niekro (15–16) Smith (8) 2:39 7,926 87–66 W1
154 September 26 7:35 p.m. CDT Reds W 2–0 Ruhle (11–4) Seaver (10–8) – 2:02 42,486 88–66 W2
155 September 27 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds W 2–0 Niekro (18–12) Soto (10–7) Smith (9) 2:25 40,305 89–66 W3
156 September 28 2:05 p.m. CDT Reds L 5–8 LaCoss (10–12) Andújar (3–8) Hume (24) 2:52 32,756 89–67 L1
157 September 30 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 7–3 Ryan (11–9) Alexander (14–10) Smith (10) 2:41 31,973 90–67 W1
October: 3–3 (Home: 2–0; Away: 1–3)
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/
Streak
158 October 1 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 5–2 Ruhle (12–4) Niekro (15–17) – 2:06 35,600 91–67 W2
159 October 2 7:35 p.m. CDT Braves W 3–2 Niekro (19–12) McWilliams (9–14) LaCorte (11) 2:35 45,022 92–67 W3
160 October 3 9:30 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 2–3 (10) Valenzuela (2–0) Forsch (12–13) – 2:45 49,642 92–68 L1
161 October 4 3:20 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 1–2 Reuss (18–6) Ryan (11–10) – 2:30 46,085 92–69 L2
162 October 5 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers L 3–4 Howe (7–9) LaCorte (8–5) Sutton (1) 3:33 52,339 92–70 L3
163 October 6 3:00 p.m. CDT @ Dodgers W 7–1 Niekro (20–12) Goltz (7–11) – 3:10 51,127 93–70 W1

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

Legend
  Astros win
  Astros loss
Bold Astros team member
1980 Postseason game log: 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–1)
NL Championship Series: vs. Philadelphia Phillies 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Away: 1–1)[8]
# Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/
Streak
1 October 7 7:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies L 1–3 Carlton (1–0) Forsch (0–1) McGraw (1) 2:35 65,277 PHI 1–0 L1
2 October 8 7:15 p.m. CDT @ Phillies W 7–4 (10) LaCorte (1–0) Reed (0–1) Andújar (1) 3:34 65,476 Tied 1–1 W1
3 October 10 2:00 p.m. CDT Phillies W 1–0 (11) Smith (1–0) McGraw (0–1) — 3:22 44,443 HOU 2–1 W2
4 October 11 3:15 p.m. CDT Phillies L 3–5 (10) Brusstar (1–0) Sambito (0–1) McGraw (2) 3:55 44,952 Tied 2–2 L1
5 October 12 7:00 p.m. CDT Phillies L 7–8 (10) Ruthven (1–0) LaCorte (1–1) — 3:38 44,802 PHI 3–2 L2

Composite Box

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 R H E
Opponents 81 52 71 70 69 79 54 63 37 1 7 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 589 1367 73
Houston 94 101 80 70 67 57 62 50 40 2 6 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 637 1455 140

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

Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
C Alan Ashby 116 352 90 .256 3 48
1B Art Howe 110 321 91 .283 10 46
2B Joe Morgan 141 461 112 .243 11 49
3B Enos Cabell 152 604 167 .276 2 55
SS Craig Reynolds 137 381 86 .226 3 28
LF José Cruz 160 612 185 .302 11 91
CF César Cedeño 137 499 154 .309 10 73
RF Terry Puhl 141 535 151 .282 13 55

Other batters

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

Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
Rafael Landestoy 149 393 97 .247 1 27
Denny Walling 100 284 85 .299 3 29
Luis Pujols 78 221 44 .199 0 20
Jeffrey Leonard 88 216 46 .213 3 20
Danny Heep 33 87 24 .276 0 6
Dave Bergman 90 78 20 .256 0 3
Gary Woods 19 53 20 .377 2 15
Julio González 40 52 6 .115 0 1
Bruce Bochy 22 22 4 .182 0 0
Scott Loucks 8 3 1 .333 0 0
Mike Fischlin 1 1 0 .000 0 0
Alan Knicely 1 1 0 .000 0 0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Joe Niekro 37 256.0 20 12 3.55 127
Nolan Ryan 35 233.2 11 10 3.35 200
Ken Forsch 32 222.1 12 13 3.20 84
Vern Ruhle 28 159.1 12 4 2.37 55
J. R. Richard 17 113.2 10 4 1.90 119

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; S0 = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Joaquín Andújar 35 122.0 3 8 3.91 75
Gordie Pladson 12 41.1 0 4 4.35 13

Relief pitchers

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

Player G IP W L SV ERA SO
Joe Sambito 64 90.1 8 4 17 2.19 75
Dave Smith 57 102.2 7 5 10 1.93 85
Frank LaCorte 55 83.0 8 5 11 2.82 66
Randy Niemann 22 33.0 0 1 1 5.45 18
Bert Roberge 14 24.1 2 0 0 5.92 9
Bobby Sprowl 1 1.0 0 0 0 0.00 3

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1980 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 7: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Houston 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 X 3 8 1
W: Steve Carlton (1–0)   L: Ken Forsch (0–1)   S: Tug McGraw (1)
HR: HOU – None  PHI – Greg Luzinski (1)
Pitchers: HOU – Forsch  PHI – Carlton, McGraw (8)
Attendance: 65,277

Game 2

October 8: Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Houston 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 7 8 1
Philadelphia 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 14 2
W: Frank LaCorte (1–0)   L: Ron Reed (0–1)   S: Joaquín Andújar (1)
HR: HOU – None  PHI – None
Pitchers: HOU – Ryan, Sambito (7), Smith (7), LaCorte (9), Andújar (10)  PHI – Ruthven, McGraw (8), Reed (9), Saucier (10)
Attendance: 65,476

Game 3

October 10: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
Houston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 1
W: Dave Smith (1–0)   L: Tug McGraw (0–1)   S: None
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Christenson, Noles (7), McGraw (8)  HOU – Niekro, Smith (11)
Attendance: 44,443

Game 4

October 11: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Philadelphia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 5 13 0
Houston 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 5 2
W: Warren Brusstar (1–0)   L: Joe Sambito (0–1)   S: Tug McGraw (2)
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Carlton, Noles (6), Saucier (7), Reed (7), Brusstar (8), McGraw (10)  HOU – Ruhle, Smith (8), Sambito (8)
Attendance: 44,952

Game 5

October 12: Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Game 5 capped the series in fitting fashion, with seemingly endless surprises and excitement. The Astros jumped to an early lead in the first on a run-scoring double by José Cruz. Philadelphia bounced back to take the lead on a two-run single by Bob Boone in the second. The Astros saw Luis Pujols and Enos Cabell thrown out at the plate in the second and fifth, but finally broke through to tie the game 2–2 on an unearned run in the sixth, thanks to an error by Philadelphia's less than surehanded left fielder Greg Luzinski.

Houston took what seemed like a solid 5–2 lead in the seventh on an RBI single by Denny Walling, a wild pitch from Phillies reliever Larry Christenson, and a run-scoring triple by Art Howe. A three-run deficit in the eighth inning against Nolan Ryan seemed insurmountable. But the Phillies would not die. They loaded the bases with nobody out on three straight singles, including two infield hits, and then got two runs on a walk to Pete Rose and a groundout by Keith Moreland. An RBI single by Del Unser tied the game 5–5, and then Manny Trillo put the Phillies ahead with a two-run triple.

The Astros promptly came back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, with Rafael Landestoy and José Cruz each singling in a run. Neither team scored in the ninth, but the Phillies got doubles from Unser and Garry Maddox in the tenth to take an 8–7 lead. Philadelphia's Dick Ruthven retired the Astros in order in the bottom of the tenth, and the Phillies had won their first pennant since 1950. They went on to defeat the Kansas City Royals four games to two in the World Series.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
Philadelphia 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 8 13 2
Houston 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 7 14 0
W: Dick Ruthven (1–0)   L: Frank LaCorte (1–1)   S: None
HR: PHI – None  HOU – None
Pitchers: PHI – Bystrom, Brusstar (6), Christenson (7), Reed (7), McGraw (8), Ruthven (9)  HOU – Ryan, Sambito (8), Forsch (8), LaCorte (9)
Attendance: 44,802

Composite Box

1980 National League Championship Series (3–2): Philadelphia Phillies over Houston Astros

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Philadelphia Phillies 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 9 0 4 0 20 55 6
Houston Astros 1 0 2 1 1 1 4 3 1 4 1 19 40 3
Total Attendance: 264,950   Average Attendance: 52,990

Awards and achievements

Individual league leaders

Minor league system

See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Jimmy Johnson
AA Columbus Astros Southern League Matt Galante
A Daytona Beach Astros Florida State League Carlos Alfonso
Rookie GCL Astros Blue Gulf Coast League Eric Swanson
Rookie GCL Astros Orange Gulf Coast League Fernando Tatís

References

  1. ^ Keith Drumright at Baseball Reference
  2. ^ Nolan Ryan at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ Joe Morgan at Baseball Reference
  4. ^ Frank Riccelli at Baseball Reference
  5. ^ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 11, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 11". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  6. ^ Schwartzburg, Seth (June 19, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 16". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "1980 Houston Astros Schedule & Results". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "1980 National League Championship Series". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "Major League Baseball Pitchers of the Month". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
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