1971 Houston Astros season
| 1971 Houston Astros | |
|---|---|
| League | National League |
| Division | West |
| Ballpark | Astrodome |
| City | Houston, Texas |
| Record | 79–83 (.488) |
| Divisional place | 4th–tied |
| Owners | Roy Hofheinz |
| General managers | Spec Richardson |
| Managers | Harry Walker |
| Television | KTRK-TV |
| Radio | KPRC (AM) (Gene Elston, Loel Passe) |
The 1971 Houston Astros season was the tenth season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their seventh as the Astros, tenth in the National League (NL), third in the NL West division, and seventh at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season having posted a record of 79–83, for fourth place and 23 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning Cincinnati Reds.
Pitcher Larry Dierker made his third Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5, and won, 5–2. The Astros' first-round selection in the amateur draft was shortstop Neil Rasmussen, at 12th overall.
Dierker and fellow pitcher Don Wilson both represented the Astros and played for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game. This was second career selection for Dierker and first for Wilson.
The Astros played 75 games that were decided by a one run margin, which is an all-time MLB record. In those games, the Astros performed to a 32–43 (.427) record.
The Astros concluded the season with a record of 79–83—replicating their performance from the year prior—while maintaining fourth place in the NL West, this time, tying with Cincinnati for 11 games behind the division-champion San Francisco Giants.
Third baseman Doug Rader won his second career Gold Glove Award.