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Orange Crush: The Neglected 1971 Houston Astros
When fans of the Houston Astros reflect on the history of the team's success, they do not often include seasons between the late 1960's and early 1970's. But in fact, the 1971 season saw many intriguing developments and occurrences for the Astros, from the debut of a bright orange visual identity to the first two triple plays in franchise history to the continued success of the core of Jimmy Wynn, Larry Dierker, Don Wilson, Bob Watson, and Doug Rader, as well as the super-talented Cesar Cedeno. Leading up to 1971, the Houston franchise signed and developed more Major League caliber players than any other team during that time, including the players listed above. Unfortunately, right before the team was ready to compete for the National League pennant, the organization got in the way of itself via substandard policies, rough management, and the trades of the talented Mike Cuellar, Rusty Staub, Dave Giusti, and others, including leader Joe Morgan and up-and-coming John Mayberry after the 1971 campaign, which this book will reveal as the potential first elite season in franchise history if not for these deals. Open these pages and allow for Samuel Barrett to bring you back into the Astrodome and relive an interesting season, as well as the season that could have been...
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 11, 2026
A what if baseball season
Very interesting book. I read Ball Four by Jim Boston many times. The players were of my baseball obsessed youth. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the Astros had kept Joe Morgan, Caesar Geronimo and Jack Billingham. Maybe the Big Red Machine would not have happened. Now about the 1971 World Series against the Oakland A's. Sorry but the As would have won that series in six games. Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, Rookie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando,Campy Campaneris and Dick Williams would have been too much for the Astros to overcome
Very interesting book. I read Ball Four by Jim Boston many times. The players were of my baseball obsessed youth. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the Astros had kept Joe Morgan, Caesar Geronimo and Jack Billingham. Maybe the Big Red Machine would not have happened. Now about the 1971 World Series against the Oakland A's. Sorry but the As would have won that series in six games. Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, Rookie Fingers, Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando,Campy Campaneris and Dick Williams would have been too much for the Astros to overcome
Displaying 1 of 1 review