Retired Numbers - Houston Astros

 The Houston Astros franchise have a quirky claim to fame in the world of sports. And no, I'm not talking of their creative use of trash cans. They were early users of the artificial turf on their playing field at the Astrodome where they called home. The surface was called "ChemGrass", but it became so well known from its association with the team that it was quickly renamed "AstroTurf" and the name kept ever since, even long after the AstroDome.

As for the Astros themselves, they began life as a National League franchise and in the 51 years they played there, they only achieved one pennant and no titles. Since 2013 they've been apart of the American League and have secured quite a few more trophies in their case, however tainted they all are. But those days are still too recent for any of the involved players to be considered for number retirement, so for now the top historical players for the Astros are all representing the National League days.

#5 - Jeff Bagwell

While not quite as franchise breaking as when they traded away Babe Ruth, the trade of a young prospect named Jeff Bagwell for a brief pitcher rental is looked on as one of the worst trades in Red Sox history. And Boston's foolish decision on the future Hall of Famer turned into Houston's franchise cornerstone, as Bagwell broke out in a big way with Houston in his Rookie of the Year 1991 season and stayed a major presence for them all the way to their pennant season of 2005. Along the way he picked up 4 all star appearances and 3 Silver Sluggers. His 1994 season was his peak where he won one of those Silver Sluggers in addition to a Gold Glove and was the first Astro to win MVP.

#7 - Craig Biggio

One of the best hitters in team history, Craig Biggio accumulated over 3,000 Hits during his 20 year career, all with Houston. A flexible talent, Craig played wherever he was needed. He came up as a Catcher, winning a Silver Slugger and going to the all star game once before he moved to 2nd Base full time in 1992. At that position he would get 6 more all star nods, 4 more Silver Sluggers and 4 Gold Gloves. For a few years in the 2000's he would even primarily play outfield before moving back to 2nd Base to help lead the Astros to their 2005 pennant with the other "Killer Bs". He is the Astros all time leader in Hits (3,060), Runs (1,844) and Doubles (668) as well as the National League's all time leader with 52 Home Runs to lead off a game. He became the first Hall of Fame player to represent the Astros on his plaque.

#13 - Billy Wagner

Billy Wagner would represent 5 teams over 16 seasons, but his Hall of Fame career began with the Houston Astros. With Houston, Billy would amass his first 3 all star selections in 1999, 2001 and 2003. He would consistently be among the games hardest throwing Closers as he would hit 30 or more Saves 5 times with Houston with his career high of 44 coming in 2003. 225 of his career 422 Saves were with the Astros, which is a club record.

#24 - Jimmy Wynn

Jimmy Wynn was in the Reds farm system when the Colt .45s nabbed him in the expansion draft. He would emerge as the teams first power hitting threat and be selected for the 1967 all star team. With his 223 Home Runs, "The Toy Cannon" would leave the Astros after 11 seasons as their Home Run champion until Jeff Bagwell showed up.

#25 - Jose Cruz

Cruz spent 13 seasons with the Astros and helped lead the team tot heir first playoff appearance in 1980. He was selected tot he 1980 and 1985 all star games and he took home the Silver Slugger award in both 1983 and '84. His 80 Triples are a franchise record. He returned to Houston in 1997 to be a Coach until 2009.

#32 - Jim Umbricht

Jim Umbricht was selected by the Colt .45s in the expansion draft and was one of their most reliable arms in their inaugural season. In 1963, he was diagnosed with Melanoma in the spring and quickly underwent surgery to remove the cancer from his leg. He was determined to pitch for the Colts, even as he kept it a secret that the surgery may not have ultimately worked and his survival odds were low. Despite the pain he suffered from the growing cancer in his body, he put in the work during the season, even earning the Win on the season's final day. He would succumb to his cancer shortly before the 1964 season, and the Colt .45s would honor their brave player by retiring his number, the first Houston player ever with the honor. After his funeral, his ashes were scattered by plane over the AstroDome as it was being constructed.

#33 - Mike Scott

In Mike Scott's 9 years with the Astros, he would make the all star team three times, and be one of the most formidable arms during their pennant chases in the late 80's. His 196 season was by far his greatest, going to the all star game and clinching the NL West with a no-hitter. Despite losing the NLCS to the Mets, Scott would win series MVP for his dominant pitching. It wasn't until long after his retirement that he revealed that he was "scuffing" the ball during that amazing 1986 run.

#34 - Nolan Ryan

One of the greatest pitchers of all time, "The Ryan Express" would join the Astros in 1980 and immediately help them reach the postseason for the first time. He would reach the all star as an Astro in 1981 and '85 and lead the league in Strikeouts in 1987 and '88. While his career accomplishments were light in Houston, it was with the Astros that he would break records with his 5th career no-hitter in 1981, while in 1983 he became the all time Strikeout king.

#40 - Don Wilson

In his 9 seasons, all with Houston, Wilson was a force for the Astros rotation. He won double digit games in all 8 of his full seasons and was an all star in 1971. He would pitch the first no-hitter in a domed stadium and on artificial turf in 1967, then add another no-hitter in 1969. He tragically died by accidental carbon-monoxide asphyxiation in January 1975 and the team honored him with a number retirement that season.

#49 - Larry Dierker

Dierker spent a long professional life with Houston, pitching 13 seasons for the Colt .45s/Astros, spending 18 years in the broadcast booth for the Astros before going into the dugout to serve as Manager from 1997-2001, then later adding two more seasons as broadcaster. As a player, he represented Houston for the 1969 and '71 all star games, became the first Astro to get 20 Wins in a season in 1969 and hurled a no-hitter in 1976. As Manager, he would lead the Astros to the NL Central title 4 of his 5 years, winning Manager of the Year in 1998.