The 1991 Houston Astros season was the 30th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 27th as the Astros, 30th in the National League (NL), 23rd in the NL West division, and 27th at the Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a 75âÂÂ87 record, in fourth place in the NL West and 16 games behind the division- and World Series-champion Cincinnati Reds.
The season began for Houston on April 8 against Cincinnati at Riverfront Stadium, where they were defeated, 6âÂÂ2. Pitcher Mike Scott made the fifth of five consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros. In the amateur draft, the Astros received four first round picksâÂÂincluding pitcher John Burke at sixth overallâÂÂand three supplemental picks.
Catcher Craig Biggio and pitcher Pete Harnisch represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game. It was the second career selection for Biggio, and the only career selection for Harnisch.
The Astros concluded the regular season with a 65âÂÂ97 record, in last place and 29 games behind the NL West division-champion and NL pennant-winning Atlanta Braves, and worst record in the National League. At the time, the 97 losses tied the 1965 and 1975 clubs for the most in franchise history, and was surpassed by the 2011 club.
In spite of the disappointing record, the 1991 season was a banner year overall for Houston rookies. First baseman Jeff Bagwell won the NL Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first Astro to win this award. Bagwell and Al Osuna (pitcher) were also recognized as The Sporting News NL Rookies of the Year. Additionally, four Astros were selected for the 1991 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, including Bagwell, Osuna (left-handed pitcher), Andújar Cedeño (shortstop), and Luis Gonzalez (outfielder).
On April 8, right-hander Mike Scott made the Opening Day start for Houston, while first baseman Jeff Bagwell and right-hander Darryl Kile each made his major league debut, with the defending World Series-champion Cincinnati Reds hosting the Astros at Riverfront Stadium. Bagwell, batting sixth, drew a base on balls during the top of the second inning from Reds' Opening Day starter Tom Browning for his first plate appearance. In the top of the fourth, Craig Biggio golfed the Astros' first home run and scored the club's first run of the season to take a 1âÂÂ0 lead. The Reds got to Scott in the bottom of the fourth. Leading off, Barry Larkin homered to left and the Reds collected three doubles, capped by Browning's bases-loaded double for a 4âÂÂ1 advantage. Kile assumed the bottom of eighth, and punched out his first hitter looking, Hal Morris. Bagwell recorded the final outs of the contest by lining out to Larkin for an unassisted double play. Bagwell was hitless in three at bats for his first game while the Reds won, 6âÂÂ2.
His fifth Opening Day start, Scott matched J. R. Richard's then-club record for pitchers, which stood until Roy Oswalt started his sixth in a row for Houston's opener in 2008. However, this outing would be the penultimate appearance of Scott's major league career.
Scott made his final major league appearance on April 13 at the Astrodome. He took the loss against the San Francisco Giants, to whom he surrendered six hits and five runs surrendered over three innings. Having navigated lingering rotator cuff injuries since the 1989 campaign, the Astros placed Scott on the disabled list (DL) the following day. Later in April, Scott attempted to resume throwing, but a setback halted his progress.
On April 15, Bagwell crushed his first major league home run, which was as well-timed as could be, for both the player, batting .143, and the club. Starters Jim Deshaies and John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves remained in lockstep in a duel at 1âÂÂ1 through seven innings at AtlantaâÂÂFulton County Stadium. Smoltz' only blemish was a solo home run to Craig Biggio in the sixth inning. The score remained tied until the top of the ninth. With two out, Ken Caminiti singled off Kent Mercker, who then served a two-run blast to Bagwell for his first major league homer. The Astros bullpen ensured the lead stood, as fellow rookie Al Osuna (1âÂÂ0) recorded two outs to earn his first win of the season and Curt Schilling induced the final two outs for the save (2).
On April 16, Houston turned the seventh triple play in franchise history, during the bottom of the second inning against Atlanta. This feat mirrored the most recent triple play to have occurred in the major leagues, during the previous September 21, in which the Astros also turned one against the Braves on the road.
Inserted as a pinch hitter on May 5, Jeff Bagwell pummeled a home run that reached the upper deck at Three Rivers Stadium, just the ninth hitter to do so. The blast, which tied the game, 4âÂÂ4, covered a distance of . Steve Finley followed up by slugging a two-run bomb to provide the margin for a 6âÂÂ4 Astros win.
After surrendering three runs and the lead in the top-half of the ninth inning on June 6, the Astros rallied against the Montreal Expos to win, 9âÂÂ8. Luis Gonzalez and Ken Caminiti each hit run batted in (RBI)-doubles to spark the walk-off comeback.
On July 29, Ken Caminiti connected for his first career grand slam off Bryn Smith, during the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4âÂÂ1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. The decisive event, the slam ensured the margin for victory with a 6âÂÂ2 final score. Biggio collected four hits, while Finley legged out a triple and scored. Deshaies went the distance to pick up his fourth win.
On August 4, Houston implemented the eighth triple play in franchise history, during the top of the fifth inning versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was the third time in club history that the Astros turned more than one triple play during the same season, first accomplished in 1971, and then 1978 (one of which during the latter season was also prosecuted against the Dodgers). Moreover, this event was distinguished the first occasion that Houston turned as many as three triple plays within one calendar year.
For the week ended September 1, Ken Caminiti received National League (NL) Player of the Week honors. Over 7 games, Caminti hit .363 / .419 / .679, two doubles, two home runs, and 14 RBI.
Center fielder Kenny Lofton made his major league debut on September 14, batting leadoff at Riverfront Stadium. Lofton drew a base on balls from left-hander Randy Myers in his first plate appearance. Bagwell doubled in Lofton and Biggio for a 2âÂÂ0 Astros lead and Lofton's first run in the major leagues. In the bottom of the fourth, the Reds led off with a trio of consecutive home runs via Mariano Duncan, Hal Morris, and Paul O'Neill, taking Astros starter Mark Portugal deep for a 3âÂÂ2 lead. During the bottom of the fifth, Lofton singled off Myers on a line drive between shortstop and second base for his first major league hit. The Astros regained the lead in the eighth after Lofton hit a leadoff infield single, and singles from Biggio and Caminiti. Lofton doubled in the top of the ninth for a third hit, and again scored as the Astros added insurance for a 7âÂÂ3 win. During his debut, Lofton went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk.
The Astros held a pre-game ceremony for Scott on September 25 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his NL West division-clinching no-hitter. He had remained unable to throw since being placed on the DL in April and, at that time, predicted that his playing career was over. In November following the season, Scott formally announced his retirement.
The Astros concluded the 1991 campaign with a 65âÂÂ97 record, for sixth and last place with in the NL West, trailing the division-champion and NL pennant-winning Atlanta Braves. Theirs was also the worst record in the National League. A decline by 10 wins from the year prior, the 97 losses tied for most in club annals with the 1965 and 1975 editions. The 97 defeats remained the club record until 2011, with 106âÂÂHouston's first-ever season dropping 100 or more contests
Pete Harnisch led the National League in hits per nine innings surrendered (7.020 H/9). This was the 10th time that a Houston pitcher led the league; in 1987, Nolan Ryan had been the Astros' most recent league leader.
For the first and only time during the era in which The Sporting News recognized one Rookie of the Year each for one position player and one pitcher in the each league, both NL awards went to Astros: Bagwell and to left-hander Al Osuna. Bagwell became the fourth rookie to win for position players, following Joe Morgan (1965), Greg Gross (1974), and Jeffrey Leonard (1979). Meanhile, Osuna became the second Astros pitcher to win the award, following Tom Griffin in 1969, amounting to six total Astros who had won The Sporting News rookie award.
After four occasions prior to the 1991 seasons in which The Sporting News had recognized Astros players with their Rookie of the Year Award, Bagwell also became Houston's first-ever NL Rookie of the Year Award, as voted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
<small>LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Tucson</small>