20 Astros Greats Who Never Made the Hall of Fame

Last Updated: August 28th, 2026 by Matthew Brown

From the dusty days of Colt Stadium to the engineering marvel of the Astrodome, and into the modern era of Minute Maid Park, the Houston franchise has seen its share of stars who never got their Cooperstown call. While these heroes might not have bronze plaques, they live forever in the hearts of fans who remember when baseball in Houston meant rainbow jerseys and artificial turf. Let’s celebrate 20 Astros who deserved more recognition.

20. Larry Dierker: Mr. Astro’s Legacy

From teenage phenom to franchise icon, Dierker embodied Houston baseball for four decades as player, broadcaster, and manager. His 137 wins and 1,487 strikeouts as an Astro only tell part of the story of a man who saw the franchise evolve from Colt .45s to World Series contenders, making history with a no-hitter and division titles from both the dugout and the mound.

Larry Dierker — Career	Total
W	139
L	123
ERA	3.31
G	356
IP	2333.2
SO	1493
WHIP	1.22
SV	1
All-Star selections	2

19. Ken Caminiti: The Toro of Third Base

Before the controversies that would later define his legacy, Caminiti was Houston’s human highlight reel at third base. His diving stops and rocket arm made him a three-time Gold Glove winner, while his switch-hitting power and gritty style of play embodied the blue-collar ethic of the Astrodome era.

Ken Caminiti — Career	Total
G	1760
AB	6288
H	1710
HR	239
RBI	983
SB	88
AVG	.272
OBP	.347
SLG	.447
OPS	.794
MVP	1
All-Star selections	3
Gold Gloves	3
Silver Sluggers	1

18. Richard Hidalgo: The Venezuelan Thunder

His 2000 season—44 homers, 122 RBIs, and a .314 average—ranks among the finest individual campaigns in team history. That powerful arm in right field and his tape-measure home runs made him a fan favorite at both the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park, while his flair for the dramatic produced some of the longest home runs ever hit in Houston.

Richard Hidalgo — Career	Total
G	987
AB	3459
H	929
HR	171
RBI	560
SB	48
AVG	.269
OBP	.345
SLG	.490
OPS	.835

17. Dave Smith: The Unsung Closer

Before closers became one-inning specialists, Smith regularly pitched multiple innings to save games for Houston. His 199 saves for the Astros and 2.67 career ERA came during an era when the bullpen was often an afterthought, while his ability to keep the ball down in the Astrodome made him particularly effective in the franchise’s most memorable games.

Dave Smith — Career	Total
W	53
L	53
ERA	2.67
G	609
IP	809.1
SO	548
WHIP	1.21
SV	216
All-Star selections	2

16. Cesar Cedeno: The Dominican Gazelle

Leo Durocher called him “the next Willie Mays,” and for a while, Cedeno lived up to that impossible billing. His combination of power (199 career homers), speed (550 stolen bases), and defensive grace made him the most exciting player in franchise history. At the same time, his five Gold Gloves only hint at his spectacular center field play on the treacherous Astroturf.

Cesar Cedeno — Career	Total
G	2006
AB	7310
H	2087
HR	199
RBI	976
SB	550
AVG	.285
OBP	.347
SLG	.443
OPS	.790
All-Star selections	4
Gold Gloves	5

15. Don Wilson: The Lost No-Hit King

Before his tragic death at age 29, Wilson threw two no-hitters and seemed destined for greatness. His second no-hitter came at Cincinnati in 1969, sweet revenge after the Reds’ Jim Maloney had no-hit Houston the night before. His blazing fastball and competitive fire suggested a Hall of Fame trajectory cut tragically short.

Don Wilson — Career	Total
W	104
L	92
ERA	3.15
G	266
IP	1748.1
SO	1283
WHIP	1.21
SV	2
All-Star selections	1

14. Mike Scott: The Splitter Scandal

His 1986 season was the stuff of legend: a no-hitter to clinch the division, a Cy Young Award, and accusations of scuffing the ball that persist to this day. That devastating split-finger fastball—legal or not—terrorized the National League, while his playoff performances against the Mets had them seeing ghosts in their sleep.

Mike Scott — Career	Total
W	124
L	108
ERA	3.54
G	347
IP	2068.2
SO	1469
WHIP	1.20
SV	3
Cy Young	1
All-Star selections	3

13. Bill Doran: The Astrodome’s Artist

The consummate professional, Doran mastered the intricacies of playing second base on artificial turf. His steady bat (.266 lifetime average) and exceptional defense made him the prototype for Houston’s emphasis on up-the-middle strength, while his baseball IQ made him a coach on the field during the team’s late-80s renaissance.

Bill Doran — Career	Total
G	1453
AB	5131
H	1366
HR	84
RBI	497
SB	209
AVG	.266
OBP	.354
SLG	.373
OPS	.727

12. Glenn Davis: The Original Killer B

Before Bagwell and Biggio, Davis was Houston’s premier power threat, launching 166 homers for Houston despite the Astrodome’s massive dimensions. His 1986 season—31 homers and 101 RBIs—helped power Houston to the NLCS, while his intensity at the plate made him the franchise’s most feared slugger of the late 1980s.

Glenn Davis — Career	Total
G	1015
AB	3719
H	965
HR	190
RBI	603
SB	28
AVG	.259
OBP	.332
SLG	.467
OPS	.799
All-Star selections	2
Silver Sluggers	1

11. Ken Forsch: No-Hit Wonder

Along with brother Bob, Ken formed baseball’s only brother combination to throw no-hitters, blanking the Braves in 1979. His versatility made him invaluable to the Astros, excelling both as a starter and reliever during Houston’s emergence as a National League power. The cerebral right-hander’s pitch selection was as precise as his engineering degree would suggest.

Ken Forsch — Career	Total
W	114
L	113
ERA	3.37
G	521
IP	2127.1
SO	1047
WHIP	1.25
SV	51
All-Star selections	2

10. Joe Niekro: The Other Knuckleball Brother

While brother Phil made the Hall of Fame, Joe’s knuckleball danced its way to 221 career wins, including a franchise-record 144 for Houston. The infamous emery board incident in 1987 only added to his legend, while his mastery of baseball’s most mystifying pitch made him the perfect starter for the air-conditioned Astrodome.

Joe Niekro — Career	Total
W	221
L	204
ERA	3.59
G	702
IP	3584.0
SO	1747
WHIP	1.32
SV	16
All-Star selections	1
World Series titles	1

9. Terry Puhl: The Canadian Connection

The Saskatchewan native brought Canadian steadiness to the Houston outfield for 14 seasons, compiling a remarkable .993 fielding percentage. His .280 career average and clutch hitting in the 1980 NLCS (.526 batting average) showed he was more than just a defensive specialist, while his understated demeanor made him the perfect fit for the team-first Astros of the ’80s.

Terry Puhl — Career	Total
G	1531
AB	4855
H	1361
HR	62
RBI	435
SB	217
AVG	.280
OBP	.349
SLG	.388
OPS	.737
All-Star selections	1

8. Bob Watson: From Player to Pioneer

“The Bull” scored MLB’s millionth run and later became baseball’s first African-American general manager, but his playing career deserves its own recognition. His .295 lifetime average and steady presence in the heart of Houston’s lineup made him one of the most reliable hitters of the 1970s, even in the challenging confines of the Astrodome.

Bob Watson — Career	Total
G	1832
AB	6185
H	1826
HR	184
RBI	989
SB	27
AVG	.295
OBP	.364
SLG	.447
OPS	.811
All-Star selections	2

7. J.R. Richard: What Could Have Been

Before the tragic stroke that ended his career in 1980, Richard was perhaps baseball’s most intimidating pitcher. His 6’8″ frame and 100-mph fastball made batters tremble, while his 313-strikeout season in 1979 stood as the franchise record for decades. The “what-if” questions still haunt Astros fans of a certain age.

J.R. Richard — Career	Total
W	107
L	71
ERA	3.15
G	238
IP	1606.0
SO	1493
WHIP	1.24
SV	0
All-Star selections	1

6. Carlos Lee: El Caballo Rides Again

The man they called “El Caballo” brought his powerful bat and infectious smile to Houston’s lineup for six seasons. His 358 career home runs and consistent production made him a reliable cleanup hitter, while his genuine love for the game—and that signature home run gallop—made him a fan favorite at Minute Maid Park.

Carlos Lee — Career	Total
G	2099
AB	7983
H	2273
HR	358
RBI	1363
SB	125
AVG	.285
OBP	.339
SLG	.483
OPS	.822
All-Star selections	3
Silver Sluggers	2

5. Bob Aspromonte: The Original Astro

The last of the original Colt .45s, “Aspro” manned the hot corner when Houston baseball meant outdoor games in sweltering heat with mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds. His steady play and community involvement made him the franchise’s first fan favorite, bridging the gap between the Colt .45s and Astros eras.

Bob Aspromonte — Career	Total
G	1324
AB	4369
H	1103
HR	60
RBI	457
SB	19
AVG	.252
OBP	.308
SLG	.336
OPS	.644

4. Roy Oswalt: The Mississippi Mudcat

The small-town boy with the big-time arm became Houston’s ace during their most successful run. His 2005 NLCS performance against St. Louis—on pure guts and determination after injuring his side—remains one of the gutsiest pitching displays in franchise history. That bulldog mentality and devastating curveball helped him compile a 163-102 career record.

Roy Oswalt — Career	Total
W	163
L	102
ERA	3.36
G	365
IP	2245.1
SO	1852
WHIP	1.21
SV	0
All-Star selections	3

3. Lance Berkman: Big Puma’s Missing Plaque

The switch-hitting slugger, nicknamed “Fat Elvis” before adopting “Big Puma,” was the heart of Houston’s offense during their first World Series run. His .293 career average and 366 home runs should have earned more Cooperstown consideration, but Berkman’s jovial personality and clutch postseason performances made him a legend in Houston regardless.

Lance Berkman — Career	Total
G	1879
AB	6491
H	1905
HR	366
RBI	1234
SB	86
AVG	.293
OBP	.406
SLG	.537
OPS	.943
All-Star selections	6
World Series titles	1

2. Jimmy Wynn: The Toy Cannon’s Lost Legacy

Standing just 5’9″, Wynn earned his nickname by launching mammoth home runs that defied both his stature and the Astrodome’s distant fences. His 223 homers as an Astro came when the dome was at its most cavernous, leading many to wonder how many he might have hit in a more favorable park. Modern analytics suggest he was decades ahead of his time with his combination of power and patience.

Jimmy Wynn — Career	Total
G	1920
AB	6653
H	1665
HR	291
RBI	963
SB	225
AVG	.250
OBP	.366
SLG	.436
OPS	.802
All-Star selections	3

1. Jose Cruz: The Rainbow Jersey King

For 13 seasons, Cheo’s distinctive crouched stance and clutch hitting made him the heart and soul of the Astros. His .284 lifetime average and 2,251 hits don’t tell the whole story of a man who mastered the art of hitting in the cavernous Astrodome, where fly balls went to die and artificial turf turned choppers into doubles.

Jose Cruz — Career	Total
G	2353
AB	7917
H	2251
HR	165
RBI	1077
SB	317
AVG	.284
OBP	.354
SLG	.420
OPS	.774
All-Star selections	2
Silver Sluggers	2

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