2005 Houston Astros season

The 2005 Houston Astros season was the 44th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 41st as the Astros, 44th in the National League (NL), 12th in the NL Central division, and sixth at Minute Maid Park. The Astros entered the season with a 92–70 record, having qualified for their first-ever Wild Card title, runners-up in the NL Central, and 13 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals. However, the Astros' season halted after defeat in a classic, 7-game National League Championship Series (NLCS) to the Cardinals.

On April 5, Roy Oswalt made his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted St. Louis, but were defeated, 7–3. In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selections included left-handed pitcher Brian Bogusevic (24th overall) and outfielder Eli Iorg (38th). On June 25, the Astros retired the uniform number of former outfielder Jimmy Wynn. With expectations of a deeper postseason run in 2005, Houston initially underperformed, starting at 15–30.

Four Astros were selected to the MLB All-Star game, including pitchers Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge, and Oswalt, and third baseman Morgan Ensberg. It was the 11th career selection for Clemens, and first for each of Oswalt, Lidge, and Ensberg. On September 10, Craig Biggio became the 13th major leaguer to attain 600 doubles.

The Astros rebounded to win 74 of the final 117 games (.632 winning percentage) and posted an 89–73 overall record, runners-up in the NL Central for a fourth consecutive season and 11 games behind the repeat division-champion St. Louis Cardinals. In the Wild Card race, the Astros finished one game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies to obtain both their second-consecutive NL Wild Card title and playoff berth. It was the Astros' sixth playoff appearance in a span of nine seasons. The ninth postseason appearance overall in franchise history, it was their second wild card qualification.

The Astros faced the Atlanta Braves for their fifth matchup in nine seasons in the National League Division Series (NLDS) format. Houston triumphed in a second consecutive NLDS, capped by the series-ending walk-off home run by Chris Burke in the 18th inning. The NLCS featured another rematch with St. Louis, this time yielding a 4-games-to-2 victory for Houston, their first-ever NL pennant and World Series appearance. Oswalt, who won both of his starts and allowed just 2 earned runs over 14 innings pitched (IP) for a 1.29 earned run average (ERA), was recognized as NLCS MVP. However, the Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox, 4 games to 0, in the World Series.

Clemens won the NL earned run average (1.87 ERA) title. Following the season, Biggio was recognized with the Hutch Award, Ensberg with a Silver Slugger Award, and center fielder Willy Taveras as the Players Choice Award winner for NL Outstanding Rookie, The Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year, and to the Topps All-Rookie Team.

The 2005 season was the Astros' final playoff appearance as a National League team, and for the next ten seasons, until 2015, after having transitioned to the American League. First baseman Jeff Bagwell, who spent his entire career with the Astros, made his final major league appearance as a player in the 2005 World Series, retiring after 15 seasons.