1997 Houston Astros season
| 1997 Houston Astros | |
|---|---|
| National League Central champions | |
| League | National League |
| Division | Central |
| Ballpark | Astrodome |
| City | Houston, Texas |
| Record | 84–78 (.519) |
| Divisional place | 1st |
| Owners | Drayton McLane, Jr. |
| General managers | Gerry Hunsicker |
| Managers | Larry Dierker |
| Television | KTXH–TV 20 (Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies) Fox Sports Southwest (Bill Brown, Milo Hamilton, Jim Deshaies, Bill Worrell) |
| Radio | KILT–AM 610 (Milo Hamilton, Vince Controneo) KXYZ–AM 1320 (Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Alex Treviño) |
The 1997 Houston Astros season was the 36th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 33rd as the Astros, 36th in the National League (NL), fourth in the NL Central division, and 33rd at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with an 82–80 record and second-place finish in the NL Central, 6 games behind the division-champion St. Louis Cardinals. In the NL Wild Card race, Houston placed third, 8 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 1997 season was the first for former player-turned-broadcaster Larry Dierker as manager, the 13th in Astros' franchise history, succeeding Terry Collins. On April 1, pitcher Shane Reynolds made his second of five consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros, who hosted the Atlanta Braves and won, 2–1. In the amateur draft, the Astros selected first baseman Lance Berkman in the first round, at 16th overall. On June 13, the Astros played their first interleague game in franchise history, an 8–1 defeat to the Minnesota Twins of the American League (AL).
First baseman Jeff Bagwell (second career selection), second baseman Craig Biggio (sixth), and pitcher Darryl Kile (second) each represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, playing for the National League. Former second baseman Nellie Fox, who played for Houston during their days as the Colt .45s, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. With 42 home runs and 31 stolen bases, Bagwell became the first Houston Astro to join the 30–30 club and first regular first baseman in major league history.
The Astros finished in first place with an 84–78 record for their first division title as a member of the NL Central, their first division title since 1986. It was the fourth division title overall and fourth playoff appearance in franchise history.
In the National League Division Series (NLDS), Atlanta swept the best-of-5 playoff, ending the Astros' season.
Following the season, Bagwell (second) and Biggio (fourth) each received Silver Slugger Awards, while Biggio was also recognized with the Branch Rickey and Gold Glove Awards.