Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since their inception as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962, the franchise has won two World Series championships and eight AL pennants. Their home ballpark is Minute Maid Park; formerly known as Enron Field from 2000 to 2002.

In 1965, when they were renamed the Astros for their move into the Astrodome, became MLB’s first indoor stadium with natural grass playing surface and was also its first domed stadium since opening that same year. During this time period between 1965-2012 ,the team developed some rivalries including those with National League teams like St Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves but none bigger than that against cross town rivals Texas Rangers which would become one of most intense rivalries on baseball during late 1990s through early 2010s because both franchises competed for top spot within AL West Division multiple times over these years driving up attendance at games between two clubs significantly compared to other interleague matchups played by both teams throughout season each year .

From 1997 to 2005, the Astros had nine consecutive winning seasons while making five playoff appearances under manager Phil Garner who led them until 2007 before being replaced by former catcher Brad Ausmus ; however it wasn’t until 2012 when current Manager Bo Porter took helm over operations did things start turn around dramatically resulting best record ever achieved organization history going 107 wins – 55 losses regular season campaign highlighted four players Jose Altuve , Dallas Keuchel , George Springer & Carlos Correa all becoming All Stars ultimately culminating 2015 championship title after defeating New York Yankees 4-3 ALCS series win followed 5 game sweep versus then defending champion Kansas City Royals clinching 1st world series victory franchise’s 54thyear existence cementing themselves among elite organizations sport today .

Despite recent success there have been issues off field such sign stealing scandal involving 2017 18 campaigns where league fined $5 million nullified 1st round draft pick due violation rules prompting dismissal several front office executives along with suspensions manager AJ Hinch general mgr Jeff Luhnow prior resumption play 2020 pandemic shortened 60 game schedule despite controversy surrounding events past decade still managed make playoffs three straight years 2018 20 further solidifying status perennial contender future looks bright given core talent roster combined youth movement occurring state art facilities spring training complex located West Palm Beach Florida where look build upon foundation laid down previous regimes achieve even greater heights yet come