Greatest HR in Astros History

[juicystream]

Baseball Tonight showed what they feel are the greatest home runs in Astros history. I was wondering which one everyone felt was the greatest.

For me it was Chris Burke in the 18th innning of game 4 of the 2005 NLDS against the Braves.

[OrangeRowdy95]

Probably the greatest in history, but at the time, everyone had the life sucked out of them because it was getting late. People just wanted to go home after 18 innings, it was more of a relief when he hit that homerun. The previous homerun, however, which was Brad Ausmus' 3 run shot to tie the game, that made everyone go crazy. There was definitely more excitement at MMP and around Houston after that than after Burke's. I'd still rank it like this:

1) Brad Ausmus ties game to send to extras
2) 2004 Jeff Kent's walkoff in Game 5
3) Chris Burke's walkoff

I'll never forget Everett/Bruntlett game-ending double play.

[juicystream]

1) Burke - Won the game and the series with nobody left in the bullpen
2) Ausmus - Gave us the chance that allowed us to win that game.
3) Kent - Won the game, but we lost the series
4) Hatcher - Gave us a chance to win the game and likely the series, had we been able to hand the ball to Mike Scott in Game 7. Bullpen really cost us a trip to the World Series that series.

[right1]

I like all of them, but I voted for Morgan Ensberg's 550 foot blast to straight away centerfield in Detroit. It was mammoth.

[thech0senone]

I voted for Kent's hr even though we lost that series. It was such close and well pitched game. I can't even put into words how I felt when Kent blasted that hr and threw his helmet up in the air as he crossed the plate.

[rimrocker]

When I was a kid, everyone talked about this one by The Toy Cannon...

On April 12, 1970, Wynn would become the first player to ever hit a home run into the upper deck of the Astrodome, launching a Phil Niekro offering down the left-field line. The seat containing the impact crater was later re-upholstered with the image of a cannon to commemorate the home run.

We would go to the Astrodome and look in awe at the upper deck while whispering platitudes to Jimmy Wynn and hoping to see something similar on his next at bat. When my Little League team went, some of us snuck off during a 17-inning game to go look at the seat.

[MadMax]

Ausmus' was just so improbable. Down to 2 strikes and 2 outs in the 9th...and he hits one out...and you weren't sure they were calling it a HR...then all of a sudden the ump twirls his arm in the air to indicate it was gone. And then....it was nuts. I'm picking up my son and jumping around at MMP. It was just so out of the blue.

But I can't pick a favorite. Everyone of those gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Hatcher's was crazy because he his just left of the foul pole on the preceding pitch.

I was at Champ's for Kent's. It felt like the room was shaking from everyone screaming and jumping up and down.

Man, I love this freaking team! :)

[texanskan]

For me it's Jeff Kent's in game 5 but I can see how the others could be chosen.

[weslinder]

I voted for the Burke homerun, but I was at the game with the Kent homerun, and that was my best ever experience at a game.

[MadMax]

For me it's Jeff Kent's in game 5 but I can see how the others could be chosen.

i'd feel a lot better about kent's if we actually won that series.

the same way i feel about pujol's hr in 2005 NLCS. so what??? roy shut 'em down two days later.

[texanskan]

i'd feel a lot better about kent's if we actually won that series.

the same way i feel about pujol's hr in 2005 NLCS. so what??? roy shut 'em down two days later.

If it was not for that hr off Lidge, Berkman's to put us ahead might of won this vote.

The Kent HR made me feel the best, see the Ausmus HR I was in shock than I was going nuts, the Burke HR I was going nuts but still both of those were in game 4 of the first round and Kent's was in the NLCS and at the time I was like crap this was the best game ever and now we have to win one of two and we will be in the series.

[Uprising]

1. Brad Ausmus HR to send to extra innings
2. Kent walk off
3. Burke game winner.


By far, Kents was the most emotional.

[br0ken_shad0w]

i'd feel a lot better about kent's if we actually won that series.

the same way i feel about pujol's hr in 2005 NLCS. so what??? roy shut 'em down two days later.

Had the Pujols HR happened at St. Louis, Cards fans would have put it high on their list too even though they lost.

[tinman]

Nolan Ryan hit a home run in 1987 as an Astro, he also led the league in ERA.

[Rashmon]

When I was a kid, everyone talked about this one by The Toy Cannon...

On April 12, 1970, Wynn would become the first player to ever hit a home run into the upper deck of the Astrodome, launching a Phil Niekro offering down the left-field line. The seat containing the impact crater was later re-upholstered with the image of a cannon to commemorate the home run.

We would go to the Astrodome and look in awe at the upper deck while whispering platitudes to Jimmy Wynn and hoping to see something similar on his next at bat. When my Little League team went, some of us snuck off during a 17-inning game to go look at the seat.

This gets my vote. We used to make the pilgrimage to go see the seat whenever we went to a game. It was decorated and I wish I could find a picture of it. The yellow seats in the Dome could give you vertigo.

I miss the Dome.

[SwoLy-D]

Nolan Ryan hit a home run in 1987 as an Astro, he also led the league in ERA.I was at this game at the dome... he hit it into the left field mezannine. :) Pirates or Dodgers...? I forget.

[tinman]

I was at this game at the dome... he hit it into the left field mezannine. :) Pirates or Dodgers...? I forget.
they should have never got rid of Nolan. cheapskates!

[rhino17]

someone post the videos of these homers

[MadMax]

Had the Pujols HR happened at St. Louis, Cards fans would have put it high on their list too even though they lost.

Hey, I felt great about the Kent HR! No doubt!

But looking back on it, it's tempered by the fact we lost that series.

[leroy]

I voted for Burke. It's the only one that won a series. Ausmus' was huge to keep the game going...even moreso when you consider who it was that hit it and where he hit it (deep left center).

But, Burke's won the game and the series.

[dream34shake]

Also looked over in that same 18th inning game was Berkman's grand slam to put us within one run. I mean it wasn't as critical as the ausmus and burke home runs, but it was still awesome!!

[NJRocket]

close one between Burkes and Kents shots....edge goes to Burke bc his won the series

[msn]

Hatcher's was so special because the Astros had *never* in their history had a moment like that.

*Still* hate the Mets.

[Hippieloser]

The game where Kent hit his walkoff was probably the most exciting Astros game of all time. I'll also never forget seeing Beltran appear to fly, making that Superman catch.

That said, I voted for Ausmus'. One, because it was Brad friggin' Ausmus. Anytime he doesn't hit into a double play, I'm shocked. The Astros truly needed a miracle and he was in the right place at the right time. Of course it set the stage for another nine innings and Clemens coming out of the bullpen and then Burke. It was all-around awesome. But without Berkman, who did his job, and Ausmus, who performed the impossible, it would have just been another playoff choke job.

[smeiou78]

I like all of them, but I voted for Morgan Ensberg's 550 foot blast to straight away centerfield in Detroit. It was mammoth.

:eek: I'd like to see video of that just to see what a 550-ft homer looks like.

[MR. MEOWGI]

If it wasn't hit in a rainbow uni or earlier then it can't be the greatest.

[msn]

If it wasn't hit in a rainbow uni or earlier then it can't be the greatest.
Bring back the rainbow unis!!!!!!

So, are you referring to the depth of the park, the alleged lack of steroids, the superior quality of the uniform, or something else?

[MR. MEOWGI]

Bring back the rainbow unis!!!!!!

So, are you referring to the depth of the park, the alleged lack of steroids, the superior quality of the uniform, or something else?

All of the above.

[rimrocker]

This gets my vote. We used to make the pilgrimage to go see the seat whenever we went to a game. It was decorated and I wish I could find a picture of it. The yellow seats in the Dome could give you vertigo.

I miss the Dome.

Here you go..

http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/58/58/4/76/5/2735476050027189537IvqhIG_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2735476050027189537IvqhIG)

[right1]

Look up August 3, 2005. It was in Arizona, not Detroit, and look where the ball hits the upper deck. It says 450 feet, but I say closer to 500 :eek: .

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/multimedia/tp_archive.jsp?c_id=hou&ym=200508

[BigM]

at the time i'd say nothing could beat kent's. him throwing his helmet off coming home is one of the greatest scenes in astros history. but considering we lost that series i'll have to go with the burke or ausmus blast.

[Brando2101]

The burke HR was off some scrub that occurred in the 18th inning when few of the major stars were contributing.


It's KENT'S Homerun by far.

Brandon Backe pitched a shut out with a 2 run saving catch from Carlos Beltran that to this day, is the best catch I have ever seen.

Bottom of the ninth, St Louis's CLOSER was on the mound. They walk a guy to GET to Kent.

I still remember the sound the ball made off the bat. Forget seeing the ball. Just by that sound, you knew it was out of there.
"WE ARE GOING TO ST. LOUIS WITH THE ASTROS UP 3 GAMES TO 2"
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/multimedia/tp_archive.jsp?c_id=hou&ym=200410

I don't think it matters what happened in the series. The moment it self was unparalleled.

[smeiou78]

Look up August 3, 2005. It was in Arizona, not Detroit, and look where the ball hits the upper deck. It says 450 feet, but I say closer to 500 :eek: .

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/multimedia/tp_archive.jsp?c_id=hou&ym=200508

Yeah, it had to be more than 450. Sometimes it seems like these scorekeepers just throw out random numbers.

[right1]

Yeah, it had to be more than 450. Sometimes it seems like these scorekeepers just throw out random numbers.

Now that I watch it again, knowing the fence was 407 feet and seeing where the ball hit the facade, I'd have to say it may have been a 535 foot blast. From home plate to second is 127 feet and that's the distance I think I may have traveled past the centerfield wall, maybe even further. What do you figure? Do you agree? Maybe it WAS 550 feet :eek: !!!

[Kam]

Bottom of the ninth, St Louis's CLOSER was on the mound. They walk a guy to GET to Kent.



I don't think it matters what happened in the series. The moment it self was unparalleled.


That guy was Lance Berkman.

I remember the FOX guys talking about how Kent had too much pride because they walked Berkman to get to Kent, and how Kent might do something.

[smeiou78]

Now that I watch it again, knowing the fence was 407 feet and seeing where the ball hit the facade, I'd have to say it may have been a 535 foot blast. From home plate to second is 127 feet and that's the distance I think I may have traveled past the centerfield wall, maybe even further. What do you figure? Do you agree? Maybe it WAS 550 feet :eek: !!!

It's hard to tell on the video exactly where the ball hit the wall. If they showed a side view, I might be able to figure it out, but it was definitely over 500 feet. Oh Mo, what happened to you? :(

[Kerfeld]

It has to be Kent's homerun. I have never see MMP like that ever again. Burke's homer was awesome, but remember some of the crowd had left. I know people in our section left. At Kent's homerun everyone was there and standing. The roar of the crowd as soon as he made contact has never been matched.

I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

[Nick]

It has to be Kent's homerun. I have never see MMP like that ever again. Burke's homer was awesome, but remember some of the crowd had left. I know people in our section left. At Kent's homerun everyone was there and standing. The roar of the crowd as soon as he made contact has never been matched.

I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Not to mention that it put us one freaking game away from the World Series. I know looking back that feeling is tempered by us winning the NL in 2005, but we were down 0-2 coming back to Houston in 2004, needing to win all three to have a realistic shot at winning a series against a division opponent who had controlled the rivalry throughout the 2000's... and they did so with that one swing of the bat (in a game that looked like it could easily go either way).

In the Braves series, the Astros held a 2-1 series edge... a loss in game 4 would have been tough, but definitely not devastating (especially given the fact that they had just won game 5 in Atlanta one year before).

[JaWindex]

I voted for Ausmus' homer. I remember, when he got to two strikes, thinking "hit it as hard as you can" and then he smashed it. I started screaming but got a little worried when Andruw Jones jumped for the ball. I thought it was a triple until Ausmus slowed after passing second. I wondered if he was hurt but then I saw the ump start making the circle motion with his finger. That homer bought me so much good will towards Ausmus it's not even funny.

I also remember a home run by Ensberg in 2005 that was pretty sweet. He got pitch below the chin that knocked him down. He picked himself up, dusted himself off, and proceeded to homer on the next pitch. I wonder what happened to that man.

[msn]

I also remember a home run by Ensberg in 2005 that was pretty sweet. He got pitch below the chin that knocked him down. He picked himself up, dusted himself off, and proceeded to homer on the next pitch.
I remember that!

One of my favorite Astro homers all time (but not nearly of the magnitude of those on this list) is a two-run shot Ausmus hit in late 1997 in the game that clinched the division (iirc). It wasn't even the ninth inning, but it was huge. The Astros hadn't been to the postseason in eleven long years.

[MadMax]

One of my favorite Astro homers all time (but not nearly of the magnitude of those on this list) is a two-run shot Ausmus hit in late 1997 in the game that clinched the division (iirc). It wasn't even the ninth inning, but it was huge. The Astros hadn't been to the postseason in eleven long years.

yep! against the cubs!! i was there with my father.

remember that was the night that ER was live. they were in a room with a TV on showing the live Cubs/Astros game at the same time.

[NJRocket]

The burke HR was off some scrub that occurred in the 18th inning when few of the major stars were contributing.


.

On the contrary.....Did you forget who got the win that day?

[MadMax]

Burke's was off Farnsworth.

[msn]

remember that was the night that ER was live. they were in a room with a TV on showing the live Cubs/Astros game at the same time.
Forgot all about that.

[Little_Scott]

Burke's was off Farnsworth.

It was off Joey Devine.

[The Cat]

Burke's was off Farnsworth.

You're thinking of Berkman and Ausmus.

[Little_Scott]

One of my favorite Astro homers all time (but not nearly of the magnitude of those on this list) is a two-run shot Ausmus hit in late 1997 in the game that clinched the division (iirc). It wasn't even the ninth inning, but it was huge. The Astros hadn't been to the postseason in eleven long years.

I was there too! I believe that was when everyone stormed the field following the game. I grabbed some of those old fake flowers from the outfield.

[MadMax]

You're thinking of Berkman and Ausmus.

my bad...you're right.

[msn]

I was there too! I believe that was when everyone stormed the field following the game. I grabbed some of those old fake flowers from the outfield.
Frikkin' thief!!!! You're why tickets went up in '98; they had to cover your vandalism!!

So, how much did those flowers sell for on eBay? :D

I'm jealous of you guys who can remember seeing that game--like most Astros games, my only memory of it is Milo's voice (or the great Gene Elston) and the crowd in the background.

[MadMax]

I was there too! I believe that was when everyone stormed the field following the game. I grabbed some of those old fake flowers from the outfield.

i don't remember anyone storming the field, other than the players. there was security at the Astrodome like crazy on the aisles...not to mention, the Red Coats! :)

[msn]

i don't remember anyone storming the field, other than the players. there was security at the Astrodome like crazy on the aisles...not to mention, the Red Coats! :)
The little sucker's got some plastic flowers to prove it. Unless he sold them on eBay. :p

[Little_Scott]

i don't remember anyone storming the field, other than the players. there was security at the Astrodome like crazy on the aisles...not to mention, the Red Coats! :)

You know, it may have been '98, but I could swear it was '97 because it was the first time I had seen us in the playoffs and could remember it. I vividly remember that Ausmus homer. It was just as stunning then as it would be now. :D

I do know I was on the field one of those years and grabbed those flowers along with an Auto Zone revolving ad that they used to run behind home plate at the Dome.

No way I was ever selling those. Drayton made sure no one else could do any of that the next year.

[TheFreak]

If it wasn't hit in a rainbow uni or earlier then it can't be the greatest.

I was just about to post something similar.

Glenn Davis solo shot Game 1 vs. the Mets. That's the one I remember over all others for some reason. Over the freakin center field wall.

[Tb-Cain]

Baseball Tonight showed what they feel are the greatest home runs in Astros history. I was wondering which one everyone felt was the greatest.

For me it was Chris Burke in the 18th innning of game 4 of the 2005 NLDS against the Braves.
What order did Baseball Tonight have them?

[topfive]

My vote goes to Hatcher. And I'm sure his votes would be higher if more of you guys had been BORN before 1986. :D

That '86 series was one of the most exciting in major league history, and Hatcher's homer made it even more so. And if I recall, the pitch before the homer, he nailed one that was far enough, but went just foul.

As for Jimmy Wynn's upper-deck homer, Doug Rader also had one in the same section, just a couple of rows away from Wynn's. They painted a red rooster on that seat.

[msn]

My vote goes to Hatcher. And I'm sure his votes would be higher if more of you guys had been BORN before 1986. :D
Saw that home run, I believe, in the cafeteria of a small town high school. They actually dismissed classes for the games in that series and we all went to the cafeteria to watch baseball.

[JPM0016]

I remember that!

One of my favorite Astro homers all time (but not nearly of the magnitude of those on this list) is a two-run shot Ausmus hit in late 1997 in the game that clinched the division (iirc). It wasn't even the ninth inning, but it was huge. The Astros hadn't been to the postseason in eleven long years.

I was there also. The best game i've seen live in my life. Ausmus actually hit a 3 run shot that game. As others did, i stormed the field and ran around like a crazy person. We sat in the parking lot traffic for an hour.

A short time later a local radio show was giving away tickets to Game 4 against the Braves in the dome. I called in and answered all 3 questions correctly beating the other contestant. Too bad it never made it to Game 4. :mad:

[msn]

Ausmus actually hit a 3 run shot that game.
I think you're right. Sorry about the Game 4 tix!

[leroy]

My vote goes to Hatcher. And I'm sure his votes would be higher if more of you guys had been BORN before 1986. :D

That '86 series was one of the most exciting in major league history, and Hatcher's homer made it even more so. And if I recall, the pitch before the homer, he nailed one that was far enough, but went just foul.

As for Jimmy Wynn's upper-deck homer, Doug Rader also had one in the same section, just a couple of rows away from Wynn's. They painted a red rooster on that seat.

Hatcher's shot was huge...but they still lost the game. If they could have pulled it out, game 7 with Mike Scott on the mound. I still have the image the Bass strikeout and of Jose Cruz sitting in the dugout with tears knowing what could have been if they could have gotten to game 7.

[Poloshirtbandit]

You know, it may have been '98, but I could swear it was '97 because it was the first time I had seen us in the playoffs and could remember it. I vividly remember that Ausmus homer. It was just as stunning then as it would be now. :D

I do know I was on the field one of those years and grabbed those flowers along with an Auto Zone revolving ad that they used to run behind home plate at the Dome.

No way I was ever selling those. Drayton made sure no one else could do any of that the next year.

lol I remember Tim Melton doing a report after the game and he was in the middle of a mob of fans trying to do a live report. He looked really annoyed. I don't think they were actually on the field, but they were in the area behind home plate.

[Nice Rollin]

jeff kent..partly b/c i was there

[msn]

jeff kent..partly b/c i was there
mmm, with all this talk about '86 I don't need to see a freaking Mets fan. :p

I still hate Keith Hernandez and Jesse Orosco. And that freaking turncoat Ray Knight.

To think, Bill Doran coulda been the guy rolling a routine grounder through Buckner's legs. :(

OH, and I still hate Fred Freaking Brocklander, too.