2005 Houston Astros: The Championship Season

For 43 years the Houston Astros and their fans watched the World Series — wondering if they would ever play in the Fall Classic. So many close calls — the Phillies in 1980, the Mets in 1986, and the Cardinals in 2004. And so the Astros began the 2005 season, as always, with hope — thanks to one of the game’s best rotations. But by June 1st, the Astros were 14 games out of first place. "Rest In Peace" read a newspaper headline. It would take an extraordinary effort just to get to .500. To reach the World Series — a miracle.

And that’s precisely what made the 2005 Houston Astros campaign remarkable. The team overcame the worst start in franchise history, won the NL Wild Card on the season’s final day and beat the Atlanta Braves® in an 18-inning Division Series marathon. Then, behind ace pitcher Roy Oswalt, the Astros defeated the rival Cardinals, erasing 43 years of wondering as they went on to experience the World Series, for the first time in history.

BONUS FEATURES:

• Clemens’ 3 innings of relief in 18-inning NLDS Game 4 • NLDS Game 4: Chris Burke’s 18th-inning walk-off home run • NLCS Game 6: Bottom 9th inning, Astros win pennant • Biggio’s Hit By Pitch record tied and broken • Includes Spanish audio track