2008 Houston Astros season
| 2008 Houston Astros | ||
|---|---|---|
| League | National League | |
| Division | Central | |
| Ballpark | Minute Maid Park | |
| City | Houston, Texas | |
| Record | 86–75 (.534) | |
| Divisional place | 3rd | |
| Owners | Drayton McLane Jr. | |
| General managers | Ed Wade | |
| Managers | Cecil Cooper | |
| Television | FSN Houston KTXH (My 20) Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies | |
| Radio | KTRH Milo Hamilton, Brett Dolan, Dave Raymond KLAT (Spanish) | |
| Stats | ESPN.com Baseball Reference | |
| ||
The 2008 Houston Astros season was the 47th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 44th as the Astros, 47th in the National League (NL), 15th in the NL Central division, and ninth at Minute Maid Park. The Astros entered the season with a 73–89 record, in fourth place in the NL Central division and 12 games behind the division-champion Chicago Cubs.
On March 31, pitcher Roy Oswalt made his sixth consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, hosted by the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, but were defeated, 4–0. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selections included catcher Jason Castro (10th overall) and pitcher Jordan Lyles (38th).
First baseman Lance Berkman and shortstop Miguel Tejada were selected to the MLB All-Star Game, representing the Astros and playing for the National League, It was the fourth career selection for Berkman, and fifth for Tejada. Closer José Valverde led the NL in saves with 44, the third pitcher to do so for Houston.
Houston finished the 2008 season with a 86–75 record for third place in the NL West, and 11 games behind Chicago for first place. In the NL Wild Card race, Houston ranked second, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 3+1⁄2 games, thus missing the playoffs. Since 1992, it had been the 15th of 17 seasons in which the Astros finished at .500 or above, the final in the National League, and last until their next postseason run in 2015.[1]
Off season
On October 29, all six eligible Astros players filed for free agency. The list includes catcher Brad Ausmus, infielder Mike Lamb, infielder Mark Loretta, outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, left-handed reliever Trever Miller and right-handed reliever Brian Moehler.
On October 30, the Astros signed catcher Brad Ausmus to a 1-year, $2 million contract.
On November 8, The Astros acquired outfielder Michael Bourn, third baseman Michael Costanzo, and right-handed reliever Geoff Geary from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade.[2]
On November 16, the Astros acquired right-handed reliever Óscar Villarreal from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for center fielder Josh Anderson. On the same day, the Astros also signed outfielder Yordany Ramirez as a free agent.
On November 20, the Astros signed free agent utilityman Geoff Blum to a one-year deal including a club option for a second year.
On November 26, the Astros signed free agent relief pitcher Doug Brocail to a one-year deal.
On November 30, the Astros and free agent Kazuo Matsui agreed to a 3-year, $16.5 million deal. Matsui played second base for the NL Champion Colorado Rockies in the 2007 season.[3]
On December 12, the Astros acquired shortstop Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for five players. The Astros traded outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate and third baseman Mike Costanzo to Baltimore for Tejada. Adam Everett, the Astros shortstop at the time, had to deal with a double-whammy: not only did the Astros trade for Tejada, they also non-tendered Everett, leaving him without a team as of 11 p.m. CT.
On December 14, The Houston Astros' offseason of dealing continued on Friday when the club traded Chris Burke, Chad Qualls and Juan Gutiérrez to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for closer José Valverde.
In January, Brandon Backe, Ty Wigginton, and Dave Borkowski were signed to a one-year contract.
On February 20, Shawn Chacón signed a one-year deal.
On March 29, the Astros released Woody Williams.
On March 30, the contracts of OF José Cruz Jr. and RHP Brian Moehler were purchased from Triple-A Round Rock.
Spring training
In spring training the Astros posted a 13–18 record culminating with a 9–4 win in the final spring training game at Minute Maid Park.
Regular season
Summary
March–April
After losing the first two games of the 2008 campaign to the San Diego Padres, the Astros trailed 6-5 on April 2 in the top of the 9th with 2 outs. With Padres closer Trevor Hoffman on the mound, the Astros put two on base when Hunter Pence hit a line drive off of Adrián González' glove into right to tie it up. Lance Berkman came up next and smashed a 3-run home run to deep center making it a 9–6 game. José Valverde then closed out the Astros' first 2008 win.
May
Though Pence had homered twice on May 23 to put the Astros ahead, 4–3, all eyes were on Valverde, who took a line drive off his face. However, he stayed in retire the Philadelphia Phillies and close out his 15th save.[4]
On May 27, Pence hit 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals, leading an 8–2 Astros win. This win moved the Astros into second-place tie with St. Louis to trail only the Chicago Cubs.[5]
June
The Astros announced on June 25 an indefinite suspension of starting pitcher Shawn Chacón and eventually, voiding of his contract. Chacón had initiated an altercation with general manager Ed Wade in which he grabbed Wade's neck and threw him to the ground.[6]
Season standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | 97 | 64 | .602 | — | 55–26 | 42–38 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 90 | 72 | .556 | 7½ | 49–32 | 41–40 |
| 86 | 75 | .534 | 11 | 47–33 | 39–42 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11½ | 46–35 | 40–41 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 74 | 88 | .457 | 23½ | 43–38 | 31–50 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 67 | 95 | .414 | 30½ | 39–42 | 28–53 |
Record vs. opponents
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Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2008 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Team | AZ | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL | FLA | HOU | LAD | MIL | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | WAS | AL |
| Arizona | – | 3–5 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 15–3 | 2–7 | 4–2 | 8–10 | 2–5 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 10–8 | 11–7 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 6–9 |
| Atlanta | 5–3 | – | 0–6 | 3–3 | 4–3 | 10–8 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 3–6 | 11–7 | 4–14 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 2–5 | 2–5 | 6–12 | 8–7 |
| Chicago | 4–2 | 6–0 | – | 8–7 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 8–9 | 5–2 | 9–7 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 14–4 | 5–2 | 4–3 | 9–6 | 3–3 | 6–9 |
| Cincinnati | 4–2 | 3–3 | 7–8 | – | 1–5 | 6–2 | 3–12 | 1–7 | 10–8 | 3–4 | 3–5 | 6–9 | 4–3 | 5–1 | 5–10 | 4–3 | 9–6 |
| Colorado | 3–15 | 3–4 | 1–5 | 5–1 | – | 5–3 | 3–3 | 8–10 | 4–3 | 3–6 | 0–5 | 5–2 | 9–9 | 11–7 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 7–8 |
| Florida | 7–2 | 8–10 | 3–4 | 2–6 | 3–5 | – | 4–2 | 3–4 | 5–1 | 8–10 | 10–8 | 3–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–5 | 14–3 | 5–10 |
| 2–4 | 3–3 | 9–8 | 12–3 | 3–3 | 2–4 | – | 4–3 | 7–8 | 5–2 | 3–4 | 8–8 | 3–3 | 7–1 | 7–8 | 4–2 | 7–11 | |
| Los Angeles | 10–8 | 2–4 | 2–5 | 7–1 | 10–8 | 4–3 | 3–4 | – | 4–2 | 3–4 | 4–4 | 5–2 | 11–7 | 9–9 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 5–10 |
| Milwaukee | 5–2 | 6–3 | 7–9 | 8–10 | 3–4 | 1–5 | 8–7 | 2–4 | – | 2–4 | 1–5 | 14–1 | 4–3 | 6–0 | 10–5 | 6–2 | 7–8 |
| New York | 3–3 | 7–11 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 6–3 | 10–8 | 2–5 | 4–3 | 4–2 | – | 11–7 | 4–3 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 12–6 | 9–6 |
| Philadelphia | 4–3 | 14–4 | 4–3 | 5–3 | 5–0 | 8–10 | 4–3 | 4–4 | 5–1 | 7–11 | – | 4–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 5–4 | 12–6 | 4–11 |
| Pittsburgh | 3–4 | 5–2 | 4–14 | 9–6 | 2–5 | 2–3 | 8–8 | 2–5 | 1–14 | 3–4 | 2–4 | – | 3–4 | 4–2 | 10–7 | 3–4 | 6–9 |
| San Diego | 8–10 | 1–5 | 2–5 | 3–4 | 9–9 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 3–4 | 5–2 | 2–4 | 4–3 | – | 5–13 | 1–6 | 5–1 | 3–15 |
| San Francisco | 7–11 | 5–2 | 3–4 | 1–5 | 7–11 | 3–3 | 1–7 | 9–9 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 13–5 | – | 4–3 | 7–0 | 6–12 |
| St. Louis | 4–3 | 5–2 | 6–9 | 10–5 | 4–3 | 5–2 | 8–7 | 4–2 | 5–10 | 3–4 | 4–5 | 7–10 | 6–1 | 3–4 | – | 5–1 | 7–8 |
| Washington | 2–4 | 12–6 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 3–4 | 3–14 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 2–6 | 6–12 | 6–12 | 4–3 | 1–5 | 0–7 | 1–5 | – | 8–10 |
Roster
| 2008 Houston Astros | |||||||||
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| Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
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Outfielders
Other batters
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Manager
Coaches
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Game log
- Home Game
- Away Game
- † = Interleague Game
- All games, dates and times are subject to change
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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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 | Brad Ausmus | 81 | 216 | 47 | .218 | 3 | 24 |
| 1B | Lance Berkman | 159 | 554 | 173 | .312 | 29 | 106 |
| 2B | Kazuo Matsui | 96 | 375 | 110 | .293 | 6 | 33 |
| SS | Miguel Tejada | 158 | 632 | 179 | .283 | 13 | 66 |
| 3B | Ty Wigginton | 111 | 386 | 110 | .285 | 23 | 58 |
| LF | Carlos Lee | 115 | 436 | 137 | .314 | 28 | 100 |
| CF | Michael Bourn | 138 | 467 | 107 | .229 | 5 | 29 |
| RF | Hunter Pence | 157 | 595 | 160 | .269 | 25 | 83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Blum | 114 | 325 | 78 | .240 | 14 | 53 |
| Darin Erstad | 140 | 322 | 89 | .276 | 4 | 31 |
| Mark Loretta | 101 | 261 | 73 | .280 | 4 | 38 |
| Humberto Quintero | 59 | 168 | 38 | .226 | 2 | 12 |
| J. R. Towles | 54 | 146 | 20 | .137 | 4 | 16 |
| David Newhan | 64 | 104 | 27 | .260 | 2 | 12 |
| Reggie Abercrombie | 34 | 55 | 17 | .309 | 2 | 5 |
| José Cruz Jr. | 38 | 49 | 6 | .122 | 0 | 1 |
| José Castillo | 15 | 32 | 9 | .281 | 0 | 2 |
| Mark Saccomanno | 10 | 10 | 2 | .200 | 1 | 2 |
| Tomás Pérez | 8 | 10 | 2 | .200 | 0 | 0 |
| Edwin Maysonet | 7 | 7 | 1 | .143 | 0 | 0 |
| J.R. House | 3 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Oswalt | 32 | 208.2 | 17 | 10 | 3.54 | 165 |
| Brandon Backe | 31 | 166.2 | 9 | 14 | 6.05 | 127 |
| Brian Moehler | 31 | 150.0 | 11 | 8 | 4.56 | 82 |
| Wandy Rodríguez | 25 | 137.1 | 9 | 7 | 3.54 | 131 |
| Shawn Chacón | 15 | 85.2 | 2 | 3 | 5.04 | 53 |
| Randy Wolf | 12 | 70.2 | 6 | 2 | 3.57 | 57 |
| Runelvys Hernández | 4 | 19.1 | 0 | 3 | 8.38 | 15 |
Other 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Sampson | 54 | 117.1 | 6 | 4 | 4.22 | 61 |
| Jack Cassel | 9 | 30.1 | 1 | 1 | 5.64 | 14 |
| Alberto Árias | 3 | 8.0 | 1 | 1 | 6.75 | 8 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Valverde | 74 | 6 | 3 | 44 | 3.38 | 83 |
| Doug Brocail | 72 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 3.93 | 64 |
| Wesley Wright | 71 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5.01 | 57 |
| Tim Byrdak | 59 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3.90 | 47 |
| Geoff Geary | 55 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2.53 | 45 |
| Óscar Villarreal | 35 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5.02 | 21 |
| Dave Borkowski | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7.50 | 24 |
| LaTroy Hawkins | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0.43 | 25 |
| Fernando Nieve | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8.44 | 12 |
| Chad Paronto | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.35 | 4 |
Awards and achievements
- Darryl Kile Good Guy Award:[7] Hunter Pence
- Delivery Man of the Month—August: José Valverde
- MLB All-Star Game:
- Starting first baseman / Home Run Derby contestant—Lance Berkman
- Reserve infielder—Miguel Tejada
- NL Player of the Month—May: Lance Berkman
- NL Player of the Week:[8]
- April 27: Lance Berkman
- May 11: Lance Berkman
- August 10: Carlos Lee
- August 17: Ty Wigginton
- September 7: Roy Oswalt
- NL batting leaders
- Double plays ground into: Miguel Tejada (32—led MLB)
- Doubles: Lance Berkman (46)
- NL pitching leaders
- Earned runs allowed: Brandon Backe (112)
- Games finished: José Valverde (71—led MLB)
- Home runs allowed: Brandon Backe (36—led MLB)
- Saves: José Valverde (44)
- NL fielding leaders[9]
- Fielding percentage as first baseman: Lance Berkman (.996)
- Assists as shortstop: Miguel Tejada (442)
- Double plays turned as shortstop: Miguel Tejada (97)
- Assists as outfielder: Hunter Pence (16)
- Putouts as right fielder: Hunter Pence (340)
- Putouts as pitcher: Roy Oswalt (24)
- Fielding percentage as pitcher: Roy Oswalt (1.000)
Minor league system
See also
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
References
- ^ "Houston Astros make playoffs for first time since 2005 - CBSSports.com". Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "The Official Site of The Houston Astros: Official Info: Astros acquire Bourn, Costanzo, Geary from Philadelphia". Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
- ^ 9news.com Wolf, Jeffrey November 30, 2007
- ^ Schwartzberg, Seth (May 23, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 23". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Schwartzberg, Seth (May 27, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 27". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 25, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 25". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "Darryl Kile Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "2008 National League fielding leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.