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1963 Houston Colt .45s season

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1963 Houston Colt .45s
LeagueNational League
BallparkColt Stadium
CityHouston, Texas
Record66–96 (.407)
League place9th
OwnersRoy Hofheinz
General managersPaul Richards
ManagersHarry Craft
TelevisionKHOU (TV)
(Gene Elston, Guy Savage, Loel Passe)
RadioKPRC (AM)
(Gene Elston, Loel Passe, Mickey Herskowitz)
← 1962
1964 →

The 1963 Houston Colt .45s season was the second season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, a member of the National League (NL) based at Colt Stadium, The Colt .45s entered the season having finished their inaugural season with a 64–96–2 record, qualifying for eighth place and 36+1⁄2 games behind the NL pennant-winning San Francisco Giants.

On April 9, pitcher Turk Farrell made his only Opening Day start for the Colt .45s, who hosted the San Francisco Giants but were defeated, 9–2. Colt .45s starting pitchers established a franchise record by registering five contests with a game score of 90 or higher. One such outing was by Don Nottebart, who pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history on May 17, by which Houston defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 4–1. This no-hitter was also just the second in major league history to have been thrown by an individual pitcher which did not result in a shutout.

Pitcher Hal Woodeshick was selected to represent the Colt .45s at the MLB All-Star Game, his lone career selection.

The Colt .45s finished with a record of 66–96, in ninth place and 33 games behind the NL pennant and World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.

First baseman Rusty Staub was selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team, the first Colt 45s rookie so named.

Offseason

[edit]

The expansion Colt .45s concluded their inaugural season with a 64–96–2 (.401) record, ranking in eighth place in the National League (NL), 36+1⁄2 games behind the NL pennant-winning San Francisco Giants.[1] The team drew 924,456 patrons, ranking seventh in the National League.[2] Right-hander Turk Farrell became the first All-Star in franchise history, while left-hander Bobby Shantz earned the first Gold Glove Award.[3]

Regular season

[edit]

Summary

[edit]

Broadcaster Harry Kalas made his major league debut in 1963 with Houston, replacing Al Helferrceived and working alongside Gene Elston and Loel Passe.[11][12]

April

[edit]
Rusty Staub made his major league debut on Opening Day in 1963.
Opening Day starting lineup
Uniform Player Position
11Ernie FazioSecond baseman
21Al SpanglerLeft fielder
3Pete RunnelsFirst baseman
20Rusty Staub[a]Right fielder
14Bob AspromonteThird baseman
27Howie GossCenter fielder
9Jim CampbellCatcher
15Bob LillisShortstop
13Turk FarrellStarting pitcher
Venue: Colt Stadium ‱ San Francisco 9, Houston 2

Sources:[13][14]

The Colt .45s hosted the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day, as right-hander Turk Farrell, Houston's most accomplished pitcher during their inaugural season, made the start. However, the Giants' bats were well-tuned, as Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays both took Farrell deep, and piled on four runs in the second. The Giants proceeded to swat 17 hits as Farrell surrendered five runs over three innings. Later, Willie McCovey and Felipe Alou each "touched 'em all" off George Brunet. Al Spangler led the Colts hitters with three hits.[15] Rusty Staub, making his major league debut in right field for the Colts,[16] turned in a memorable performance. During the bottom of the sixth, Staub netted both his first hit and run batted in (RBI) when he diced a single to right field off Giants starter Jack Sanford to bring home Spangler. Later, during the top of the ninth, Staub threw out Jim Davenport attempting to take second after hitting a single. However, the Giants emerged triumphant, 9–2, handing Farrell the loss.[15] Spangler and Bob Aspromonte remained the only holdovers from Houston's first Opening Day starting lineup.[17]

On April 12, Farrell pitched a 12-inning complete game, his only outing going the distance in extra innings. Farrell surrendered four and two base on balls while whiffing 11.[18]

Bob Bruce's one-hitter

[edit]

On April 26, right-hander Bob Bruce one-hit the Cincinnati Reds.[19] Bob Lillis and Al Spangler delivered one run batted in (RBI) each to pace Houston's offense for a 2–0 victory. Both starters lasted to earn the complete game, with Bruce (1–1) edging Jim Maloney (2–1) for a game score of 90.[20]

In the bottom of the first, Spangler singled in Pete Runnels for the first tally of the contest. In the bottom of the seventh, Lillis singled in Rusty Staub for the Colts' second run. Bruce issued a base on balls to the Reds' Marty Keough leading off the ninth. With two out, Don Blasingame coaxed another walk to place runners on first and second for the Reds' biggest scoring threat of the contest. However, Bruce got Vada Pinson to ground into an unassisted out to first for the final out of the contest and seal the Colts' victory.[20]

This was the first shutout in club history that resulted in one hit or fewer,[b][21] the fourth with a game score of 90 or above, and first complete game in franchise history pitched in nine innings or fewer that resulted in a game score of 90 or above.[c][22]

May

[edit]

On May 10, Turk Farrell struck out a then-club record 13 hitters, supplanting his own (July 20) and Ken Johnson's (August 14) 12-whiff outings from the previous year.[d][23] Both Farrell and Chicago Cubs starter, Glen Hobbie, went the distance as the Colts prevailed, 4–1. Farrell spun a two-hit, no walk performance for a game score of 92. At the plate, Farrell singled in Howie Goss for the go-ahead run. Rusty Staub collected three hits and two RBI.[24] Moreover, this was Farrell's first two-hit complete game, representing a career-best.[18] Farrell was later tied by Bob Bruce on May 26, 1965, and surpassed by Mike Cuellar on June 25, 1966.[d][23]

On May 12, Bob Aspromonte hit his first career walk-off home run, during the bottom of the tenth inning off Bob Buhl to decide a 2–1 victory for Houston over the Chicago Cubs. This was the first of two walk-off home runs Aspromnonte hit against Chicago this season, with the latter on June 11.[25]

Don Nottebart's no-hitter

[edit]
Don Nottebart pitched the first no-hitter for the Houston Colt .45s.

On May 17, Don Nottebart pitched the first no-hitter for an expansion team when Houston defeated Philadelphia by a score of 4–1.[26] In his masterpiece, Nottebart surrendered three walks and struck out eight.[27]

Twenty-year old catcher John Bateman was Nottebart's batterymate. The historic contrest transpired at Colt Stadium before 8,223 fans.[28]

Right fielder Carl Warwick, with a 4-for-4 day at the plate, finished just a double away from hitting for the cycle. During the bottom of the first, Warwick took Jack Hamilton deep for his second home run of the season. In the bottom of the fourth, Warwick scorched a ground ball single to right field off Hamilton. Warwick singled again in the sixth prior to being erased on a Pete Runnels groundball force out. His final hit of the day was a triple to center field against Ryne Duren.[29]

The lead set by Warwick's home run maintained at 1–0 until the top of the fifth inning, when Don Demeter smoked a ground ball through the legs of J. C. Hartman, who was charged with an error. Demeter jetted to second, whom Clay Dalrymple sacrificed to third. Don Hoak then looped a short fly to Howie Goss just behind second base. Demeter then raced home, as Goss' throw to Bateman was off-target, allowing Demeter to score Philadelphia's only run easily and eliminate the shutout bid.[28]

In the bottom of the sixth, Goss atoned for the uncompetitive throw with a three-run drive deep to left that put the Colts in the lead for good, 4–1.[28]

Nottebart maintained the no-hitter and got the complete game with the only blemish being the unearned run in the fifth. In addition, the effort earned a game score of 90.[29] Remarkably, this was the second no-hitter in the major leagues since 1950 to have been thrown by an individual pitcher which was also not a shutout, following Bob Feller's gem on July 1, 1951, when he led the Cleveland Indians to a 2–1 triumph over the Detroit Tigers.[30]

Nottebart's outing was the fifth (and final) on the season that featured a game score of 90 or higher by a Colts starting pitcher, which set a franchise record—in just the 37th contest of the season.[e][31]

Houston's subsequent no-hitter was fabricated by Nottebart's rotation-mate, Ken Johnson, less than one year later on April, 23, 1964.[32] Also remarkable was that Johnson's no-hitter paralleled Nottebart's in that it was also achieved without a shutout effort.[30]

Rest of May

[edit]

On May 22 and 24, Al Spangler became the first player in team history to record four hits each over consecutive games.[f][33]

June

[edit]

In the 17th inning on June 2, Astros catcher Jim Campbell delivered the game-winning single for a 3–1 score versus the Milwaukee Braves.[34]

On June 3, Colts pitcher Turk Farrell took a no-hitter into the seventh inning versus the Los Angeles Dodgers,[35] while Rusty Staub slugged his first career home run against Don Drysdale.[36] As "revenge" for being exposed in the expansion draft,[35] Farrell tossed a two-hit, 2–1 masterpiece to garner the complete game victory and outduel Drysdale, who fanned 13. Staub's blast, which also scored Carl Warwick, accounted for Houston's only tallies.[37]

The first Sunday night game in National League history took place on June 9 at Colt Stadium. The Colt .45s hosted the San Francisco Giants and won, 3–0, to sweep the series. The night games were played as a result of the suffocating heat during day games in the 1962 season.[38]

A little leaguer, recovering in Houston from a lightning strike, received a promise on June 11 from Colt .45s infielder Bob Aspromonte that he would hit a home run.[39] Not only did Aspromonte deliver the home run later that day against the Cubs, but he did so by hitting the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history,[g][40] as well as his first career grand slam, and the first of three he would swat against the Cubs.[h][25] The Colts' first runs of the contest crossed the plate in the sixth inning, when Rusty Staub and Howie Goss hit consecutive run-scoring singles, plating Davis and Aspromonte, respectively. In the top of the ninth inning, Dick Bertell led off with a triple off Colts starter Ken Johnson. Johnson next issued a walk to Aspromnote's older brother, Ken, who was Johnson's final batter faced. Hal Woodeshick relieved and surrendered a game-tying single to Don Landrum, resulting in a blown save (4). With the scored tied 2-all in the bottom of the tenth inning, Aspromonte hit the grand slam from a Lindy McDaniel offering, scoring Bob Lillis, Ernie Fazio, and Brock Davis. Woodeshick recovered to toss two shutout innings and earn the victory (6–2).[41] Moreover, Aspromonte replicated the grand slam event exactly one year later in 1964[39] a seminal moment during the fifth inning which provided the margin for a 5–3 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds.[42]

July

[edit]

On July 4, Jim Campbell hit the only grand slam of his career,[43] off Reds starter Joey Jay during the bottom of the eighth inning to snap a 2–2 tie. The score remained 6–2 for a victory the Colts, the second game of a doubleheader. Turk Farrell (6–6) hurled 3+1⁄3 shutout innings in relief to obtain the decision.[44] Campbell's grand slam sealed a sweep of the doubleheader.

Twenty-one year old Jimmy Wynn made his MLB debut on July 10, as the starting shortstop,[45] and was 1-for-4 with a stolen base versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.[46] Wynn attained his first hit off Pirates starter Bob Friend (who tossed a complete game) leading off the top of the ninth inning, and pilfered second for his first major league steal with Bob Lillis batting.[47]

Wynn slugged his first major league home run on July 14, New York Mets, in the top of the fifth at Shea Stadium, from a Don Rowe offering.[48]

On July 15, Ken Johnson surrendered the first and only grand slam by a Houston Colt .45s/Astros hurler to his counterpart, Carl Willey of the New York Mets. The Mets drubbed the Astros, 15–4.[49] Jimmy Wynn stroked his first career double. However, two weeks later on July 26, Aspromonte himself revisited the favor upon the Mets.[50]

On July 26, Bob Aspromonte hit a second grand slam, which invoked extra import for another young fan, the visually impaired Bill Bradley. Bradley, whose sight was restored after three operations over two years, watched the promised blast from his hero, who pointed to him while rounding the bases.[51] Aspromonte's drive accentuated a seven-run opening frame, more than enough support for ace Turk Farrell to earn the victory, a 7–3 decision over New York.[50] Meanwhile, at the plate, Farrell excelled with his first career three-hit bout.[18]

September

[edit]

On September 21, just two days after his 20th birthday, Joe Morgan made his major league debut, going hitless in one at bat versus the Philadelphia Phillies.[52] The following day, Morgan achieved his first major league hit, a single in the ninth inning that scored Jimmy Wynn for the walk-off hit and 2–1 triumph over Philadelphia.[53]

In the antepenultimate contest of the season, on September 27, manager Harry Craft devised a strategy to help reverse waning attendance by deploying an all-rookie starting lineup. Per known sources, an all-rookie lineup was unprecedented in major league history. Having entered the series with a four-game winning streak, were they to sweep their expansion brethren, the New York Mets, for the final three-game set, a seven-game winning streak would surpass the longest of the year at six consecutive. Four players would make their big league debuts, including two starters: at shortstop and batting leadoff, Sonny Jackson, and on the mound, Jay Dahl. Two others, Danny Coombs and Joe Hoerner, pitched in relief.[54] However, things did go proceed as Craft envisioned as the Mets routed the Colts, 10–3.[55] The Mets rocked Dahl (0–1) for seven runs in under three innings of work. Coombs relieved Dahl on the mound, recorded one out, and surrendered another run on three hits. Hoerner took over for Coombs and tossed three scoreless frames. Jackson went hitless at the plate. Joe Morgan hit his first major league triple, and he, Rusty Staub, and Brock Davis each plated a run. Meanwhile, Mets starter Al Jackson (13–17) leveraged his offense's early outburst, limiting the Colts to three runs as he went the distance, scattering 11 hits.[56] Craft utilized 16 rookies during this game.[54]

During the regular-season finale on September 29, outfielder John Paciorek made his major league debut, while pitcher Jim Umbricht got two outs to assume the victory.[57] Paciorek went 3-for-3, drew two walks, collected 3 RBI, and scored four times as the Colts topped the Mets, 13–4. John Bateman also collected three RBI, Bob Aspromonte scored thrice, Joe Morgan coaxed a game-high three walks, and Asprononte and Bateman both tripled.[58] However, due to physical ailments for both Paciorek and Umbricht, this represented their final major league appearance. Paciorek was battling significant back injuries that robbed him of great promise. Umbricht, having returned to the mound against great odds following treatment for melanoma, died just days prior to Opening Day the following April.[57] Houston totaled 13 hits and 11 walks, resulting in the first bout in franchise history in which the Colts collected 10 or more of each of the aforementioned categories played in 9 innings or fewer.[i][59]

Performance overview

[edit]

Highlighted by Don Nottebart's no-hitter—the first in franchise history—this Colt .45s pitching staff set a club all-time record by tossing five games with a game score of 90 or higher.[e][31] The five game scores of 90 were, at the time, the most ever since the start of the live-ball era in 1921. The all-time lead of seven—counting dead-ball era play—was accomplished by the 1904 Philadelphia Athletics and 1910 Chicago White Sox. Four other pre-1921 clubs had tied for second by tallying five such games. In 1968, the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals each set the post-1921 record with 7 such contests.[j][60]

Hal Woodeshick, who worked to a 1.97 earned run average (ERA), established a club record with minimum 100 innings pitched (IP) that stood until 1980. That season, J. R. Richard yielded a 1.90 ERA and Dave Smith 1.93.[k][61]

Bob Aspromonte was one of seven hitters in the major leagues that season tied for most walk-off home runs with two.[l][62]

Rusty Staub, aged 19, became just the second major league rookie since 1900 to appear in 150 games as a teenager, joining Bob Kennedy, also 19, a member of the Chicago White Sox in 1940.[63]

Season standings

[edit]
National League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Los Angeles Dodgers 9963 .611 — 50‍–‍31 49‍–‍32
St. Louis Cardinals 9369 .574 6 53‍–‍28 40‍–‍41
San Francisco Giants 8874 .543 11 50‍–‍31 38‍–‍43
Philadelphia Phillies 8775 .537 12 45‍–‍36 42‍–‍39
Cincinnati Reds 8676 .531 13 46‍–‍35 40‍–‍41
Milwaukee Braves 8478 .519 15 45‍–‍36 39‍–‍42
Chicago Cubs 8280 .506 17 43‍–‍38 39‍–‍42
Pittsburgh Pirates 7488 .457 25 42‍–‍39 32‍–‍49
Houston Colt .45s 6696 .407 33 44‍–‍37 22‍–‍59
New York Mets 51111 .315 48 34‍–‍47 17‍–‍64

Record versus opponents

[edit]
National League
1963 National League record

Sources:
Team CHC CIN HOU LAD MIL NYM PHI PIT SF STL
Chicago —9–99–97–1112–611–79–98–1010–87–11
Cincinnati 9–9—11–78–1010–810–88–1011–78–1011–7
Houston 9–97–11—5–135–1313–58–106–128–105–13
Los Angeles 11–710–813–5—8–10–116–27–1113–59–912–6
Milwaukee 6–128–1013–510–8–1—12–610–87–1110–88–10
New York 7–118–105–132–166–12—8–104–146–125–13
Philadelphia 9–910–810–811–78–1010–8—13–58–108–10
Pittsburgh 10–87–1112–65–1311–714–45–13—5–135–13
San Francisco 8–1010–810–89–98–1012–610–813–5—8–10
St. Louis 11–77–1113–56–1210–813–510–813–510–8—

Notable transactions

[edit]

Roster

[edit]
1963 Houston Colt .45s
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders Manager

Coaches

[64]

Player stats

[edit]

Batting

[edit]

Starters by position

[edit]

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
Positional abbreviations: C = Catcher; 1B = First base; 2B = Second base; 3B = Third base; SS = Shortstop; LF = Left field; CF = Center field; RF = Right field

Pos Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg. HR RBI SB
CJohn Bateman128404238586.21010590
1BRusty Staub15051343115174.2246450
2BErnie Fazio1022283142103.184254
3BBob Aspromonte1364684210095.2148493
SSBob Lillis1474693193131.1981193
LFAl Spangler12043052121254.2814275
CFHowie Goss1334113786182.2099444
RFCarl Warwick15052849134195.2097473

Other batters

[edit]

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

Player G AB R H 2B 3B Avg. HR RBI SB
Pete Runnels124388359891.2532232
Johnny Temple1003222285121.2641177
Jim Wynn702503161105.2444274
Jim Campbell5515893530.2224190
J. C. Hartman399021110.122031
Johnny Weekly348041830.2253140
Hal Smith315811420.241020
Brock Davis345571120.200120
Carroll Hardy154451030.227031
Glenn Vaughan9301500.167001
Joe Morgan8255601.240031
Dave Adlesh680000.000000
Mike White370200.286000
Jerry Grote350100.200010
Ivan Murrell251100.200000
Aaron Pointer250100.200000
John Paciorek1343001.000030
Sonny Jackson130000.000000

Pitching

[edit]

Starting pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player G GS IP W L ERA R ER BB K
Ken Johnson3732224.011172.65866650148
Turk Farrell3426202.114133.02766835141
Don Nottebart3127193.01183.17806839118
Bob Bruce3025170.1593.59736860123
Hal Brown2620141.15113.3154526068
Larry Yellen115.0003.604213
Jay Dahl112.20116.887500

Other pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player G GS IP W L SV ERA R ER BB K
Dick Drott271497.221204.9861544958
Chris Zachary22757.02204.8938312242
Conrad Cardinal6113.10106.0814977
George Brunet5212.20307.111110611
Jim Golden316.10105.684425

Relief pitchers

[edit]

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L SV ERA R ER BB K
Hal Woodeshick55114.0119101.9729254294
Don McMahon4980.01554.0538362651
Jim Umbricht3576.04302.6123222148
Russ Kemmerer1736.20015.652823812
Jim Dickson1314.20126.14131026
Joe Hoerner13.00000.000002
Danny Coombs10.100027.001100

Awards and honors

[edit]

Grand slams

[edit]
No.DateAstros batterVenueInningPitcherOpposing teamBox
1 June 11 Bob Aspromonte[i] Colt Stadium 9[ii] Lindy McDaniel Chicago Cubs [41]
2 July 4[iii] Jim Campbell[i] 8[iv] Joey Jay Cincinnati Reds [44]
3 July 26 Bob Aspromonte 1[iv] Tracy Stallard New York Mets [50]
  1. 1 2 1st MLB grand slam
  2. ↑ Walk-off
  3. ↑ Game 2 of doubleheader
  4. 1 2 Tied score or took lead

No-hit game

[edit]
Date Pitcher IP BB BR K BF Catcher Final Opponent Venue Plate umpire Box
May 17, 1963 Don Nottebart 9 3 4 9 31 John Bateman 4–1 Philadelphia Phillies Colt Stadium Ed Vargo [29]
Nottebart: Game score: 90 ‱ Win (5–1)

Awards

[edit]

Milestones

[edit]

Major League debuts

[edit]
Player—Appeared at position
Date and opponent
Box

[15]
[47]

[56]
[56]
[56]
[56]
[58]

  1. ↑ Opening Day
 Also: [68]

Minor league system

[edit]
Level Team League Manager
AAA Oklahoma City 89ers Pacific Coast League Grady Hatton
AA San Antonio Bullets Texas League Lou Fitzgerald
A Modesto Colts California League Dave Philley
A Durham Bulls Carolina League Billy Goodman
A Moultrie Colt .22s Georgia–Florida League Jim Walton
Championships

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Major league debut.
  2. ↑ For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring hits allowed ≀ 1 and innings pitched ≄ 8, sorted by ascending date.
  3. ↑ For single games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring game score ≄ 90, sorted by ascending date.
  4. 1 2 For single games, from 1962 to 1966, playing for HOU, in the regular season, sorted by descending strikeouts.
  5. 1 2 Number of player games that meet criteria in a season, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring game score ≄ 90, sorted by descending date.
  6. ↑ Next accomplished for Houston by John Bateman on September 6, 1966. Criteria: Longest streak of consecutive games, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring Hits ≄ 4, sorted by most games matching criteria.
  7. ↑ Aspromonte later hit the next walk-off grand slam for Houston on August 26, 1966, also against Chicago.
  8. ↑ Aspromnonte totaled three walk-off home runs during his career—all against the Cubs.
  9. ↑ The next occurrence game of this type for the Colt .45s/Astros occurred on April 30, 1972. Criteria: For single games, from 1962 to 2026, only 9-inning games or shortened, for HOU, in the regular season, requiring bases on balls ≄ 10 and hits ≄ 10, sorted by ascending date.
  10. ↑ Pre-1921 clubs with five games with scores of 90 or higher: 1904 Boston Americans, 1914 White Sox, 1918 Pittsburgh Pirates, and 1918 Washington Senators. Criteria: Number of player games that meet criteria for a team, in the regular season, requiring game score ≄ 90, sorted by descending date.
  11. ↑ For single seasons, up to 1980, at least 100 innings pitched, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring earned run average ≀ 3, sorted by ascending Earned Run Average.
  12. ↑ Also, Al Kaline, Frank Howard, Willie Mays, Jim Hickman, Tim Harkness, and Don Lock.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "1962 National League team statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Houston Astros attendance, stadium, and park factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ "1962 Houston Colt .45s statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Joe Morgan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Conrad Cardinal stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Ellis Burton stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Don Taussig stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Manny Mota stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Norm Larker stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ Hal Haydel at Baseball Reference
  11. ↑ Reed, Robert. A Six-Gun Salute: An Illustrated History of the Colt .45s. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Co., 1999.
  12. ↑ Barron, David (April 13, 2009). "Phillies announcer Kalas dies after collapsing in booth". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  13. ↑ "San Francisco Giants (9) vs Houston Colt .45s (2)". Baseball Almanac. April 9, 1963. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ "1963 Houston Colt .45s uniform numbers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 "San Francisco Giants (9) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. April 9, 1963. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Rusty Staub stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ Wernick, Mark (December 1, 2018). "Bob Aspromonte biography". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 "Top performances for Turk Farrell". Retrosheet. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Astros history – Timeline". MLB.com. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Cincinnati Reds (0) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. April 26, 1963. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Player pitching game stats finder–baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Player pitching game stats finder–baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Player pitching game stats finder–baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Chicago Cubs (1) vs Houston Astros (4) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. May 10, 1963. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Bob Aspromonte career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  26. ↑ Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p. 143, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, ISBN 978-0-451-22363-0
  27. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (May 17, 2025). "Today in Astros history - May 17". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  28. 1 2 3 Clements, Olen (May 18, 1963). "Don Nottebart hurls first Colt no-hitter". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  29. 1 2 3 "Philadelphia Phillies (1) vs Houston Colt .45s (4) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. May 17, 1963. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  30. 1 2 Seidman, Eric (April 25, 2011). "The non-shutout no-hitter". FanGraphs. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
  31. 1 2 "Player pitching game stats finder–baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Official no-hitters in Major League Baseball". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Player batting streak stats finder—baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  34. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 2, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 2". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  35. 1 2 Schwartzberg, Seth (June 3, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 3". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Rusty Staub career home runs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Los Angeles Dodgers (1) vs Houston Colt .45s box score". Baseball Reference. June 3, 1963. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  38. ↑ Schwartzberg, Seth (June 9, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 9". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  39. 1 2 Schwartzberg, Seth (June 11, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 11". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Batting event finder | HOU: 9 Home Runs in 1962-2021 – Walk-off, 123". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  41. 1 2 "Chicago Cubs (2) vs Houston Colt .45s (6) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 11, 1963. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Cincinnati Reds (3) vs Houston Colt .45s (5) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 11, 1964. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Jim Campbell career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  44. 1 2 "Cincinnati Reds (2) vs Houston Colt .45s (6) box score–Game 2". Baseball-Reference.com. June 11, 1963. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Jim Wynn stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Jim Wynn 1963 batting game logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  47. 1 2 "Houston Astros (2) vs Pittsburgh (0) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 10, 1963. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Jimmy Wynn career home runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  49. ↑ Sutton, Keith. "Pitchers hitting grand slams". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  50. 1 2 3 "New York Mets (3) vs Houston Colt .45s (7) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. July 26, 1963. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  51. ↑ Hulsey, Bob. "This date in Astros history". Astros Daily. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Joe Morgan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  53. ↑ "Philadelphia Phillies (1) vs Houston Colt .45s (2) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. September 21, 1963. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  54. 1 2 Glassman, Steve (September 27, 1963). "Houston Colt .45s start a lineup of all rookies". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  55. ↑ Herskowitz, Mickey (September 28, 1963). "Mets wallop Colts rookie lineup, 10–3". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 7, 2025 – via Astros Daily.
  56. 1 2 3 4 5 "New York Mets (10) vs Houston Astros (3) box score". Baseball Reference. September 27, 1963. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  57. 1 2 Bush, Frederick C. (September 29, 1963). "Fleeting fame and enduring memories for Houston's John Paciorek, Jim Umbricht". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  58. 1 2 "New York Mets (4) vs Houston Colt .45s (13) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. September 29, 1963. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Team batting game stats finder". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Player pitching game stats finder–baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Player pitching season & career stats finder—baseball". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  62. ↑ "All: 54 home runs in 1963—walk-off". Stathead. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  63. ↑ The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 6th Edition, 1984.
  64. ↑ Geisler Young, LLC –. "1963 Houston Colt .45s Roster by Baseball Almanac". Archived from the original on March 23, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
  65. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (December 21, 2009). "Bourn highlights Astros' awards season". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  66. ↑ "1963 All-Star Game". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  67. ↑ Gonos, David (January 30, 2025). "All Topps All-Star Rookie Cup Winners in Baseball Card History". DavidGonos.com. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
  68. ↑ "1963 Major League Baseball new debuts". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  69. ↑ "Champions by League | Pacific Coast League". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
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