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The Houston franchise was accepted into the Major Leagues on October 17, 1960 and played their first game in the Majors on April 10, 1962, defeating the Chicago Cubs by a score of 11-2. Originally the team was known as the Houston Colt .45s and did not change their name to the Astros until 1965 when they played their first game in Houston Astrodome.
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While winning division titles in 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001, the Astros have never won a National League Pennant and have never been to the World Series.
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Arguably, the most notable player in Astros’ franchise history is Nolan Ryan, an ace pitcher known for his 100+ mph fastballs. Ryan signed with the Houston Astros on November 19, 1979 and played until 1988. He would eventually become the all-time strikeout leader and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Minute Maid Park, formerly known as Astros Field and Enron Field, opened in 2000. The stadium has a retractable roof that is opened to sun the natural Bermuda grass covering 6.7 acres. The first game played in the Minute Maid Park was on March 30, 2000 against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game.
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