2005 AL West Division Title

Lore & Background

The Astros were attempting to become the fourth consecutive wild card team to win the Series, following the Anaheim Angels (2002), Florida Marlins (2003) and Boston Red Sox (2004). They were making their first Series appearance in 44 years of play. The Astros' appearance also marked the only time they made the World Series as a National League team, as all of their subsequent appearances were achieved as members of the American League.

In Their Own Story

The lights hummed over Minute Maid Park as the final out ticked off the scoreboard. Rain threatened outside the retractable roof, but inside, the air was thick with anticipation. Craig Biggio stepped up to the plate for what would become a defining moment of the season. The crowd roared in unison, a sea of orange and navy rising from their seats. As the ball left the bat, it wasn't just about a run; it was about securing the banner that had eluded them for so long.

Reader's Guide

The Astros embarked on a memorable National League Division Series rematch against the Atlanta Braves, who were the second seed in the National League. With the Astros in the lead two games to one, the teams played an 18-inning marathon in Game 4, which was the longest (in both time and innings played) postseason game in history. In this game, Roger Clemens made only the second relief appearance of his career, and the first in postseason play. Chris Burke's walk-off home run ended the game in the bottom of the 18th. For the second straight year, the Astros played the top-seeded St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. Like the White Sox, the Astros dropped Game 1, but were able to regroup and win Games 2–4. With the Astros on the verge of clinching their first ever National League pennant in Game 5, Albert Pujols hit a mammoth three-run home run off Brad Lidge in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead, and subsequently stave off elimination. However, behind NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt, the Astros were able to defeat the Cardinals 5–1 in Game 6 and earned a trip to the World Series. With the win, this was the Astros' first World Series appearance in franchise history, and the last game played in Busch Stadium II, as it was demolished months after the game and the Cardinals moved to Busch Stadium III the next season.

Did You Know?

• The Astros were attempting to become the fourth consecutive wild card team to win the Series.
• The Astros' appearance marked the only time they made the World Series as a National League team.
• Chris Burke's walk-off home run in Game 4 of the NLDS ended the longest postseason game in history (18 innings).